When he pushes his fingers into me again, I lose control as my head rolls back with a loud moan. A gentle kiss is placed on the tender skin of my scar, creating a chain down the plunge of my dress until he’s on his knees in front of me.
And damn, is that a sight to see.
“Take them off,” he demands, toying with the lacey fabric of my panties. Before I can even help, he’s already tugging them down while he licks his lips in anticipation. “These belong to me now.” He fists them in his hand and stands to his full height.
Wrapping my arms around his neck, I press my nose in the place between his collar and jaw, taking him in. The intimate part that only I can access as I inhale his scent.
Regardless of my need for him, the desperation to make him tremble under my fingers takes over. I undo his belt, almost freeing him save for his boxer briefs, but he snatches my hand, pinning it against the wall above my head.
“I’m going to show you just how much I want you.” His lips slam into mine.
We’re so close to crossing the line we have been balancing on for months.
Then we hear the door open.
TYLER
I have big plans for the way I will make her mine. I will explore every line, every mark, every crook, every inch of her skin. I’ll watch her face as I push myself into her and make her mine. And as she screams my name, my lips will brand all the places he’s ever hurt her as proof that another’s love can erase another’s abuse.
As soon as I’m convinced I’m going to throw all those plans out the window and make love to her right here, the doors open. Instinctively I cover her, guarding her body with my own,so that whoever chooses to risk coming down here won’t see her.
Bracing the wall behind her to cocoon her body in mine, I look over my shoulder to see who our intruder is. “Mace, what the fuck are you doing down here?”
“Oh.” Her eyes dart between me and Sunny.
“Macey, what the hell?” I ask again.
“Everyone is looking for you, Tyler.” She points a thumb behind her.
When I look at Sunny her face tells me nothing again. The fortress is back up.
Stuck on what to do, I swallow hard, weighing my options. I want to grab her hand and walk out with her, showing all those bastards what’s truly mine. What I actuallywant.
Her blue-green irises look up at me. “Go,” is all she says.
“Come on, Tyler. Shelby is on a mission trying to find you. And down here will not be good,” Macey urges.
“Come with me,” I say, looking at Sunny.
She slowly shakes her head—defeat has my hands slide off the wall and hang at my sides.
“Tyler, they are about to make a toast.” Macey glances over her shoulder.
I hear another set of footsteps coming down the stairs in congruence to my heart hammering in my chest. I stand here like an idiot in hopes she’ll change her mind. I’m ready to set my world on fire for her, burning it all down if it means she’ll walk through the flames with me.
“Tyler, come on.” Cole grabs me by the shoulders, guiding me out of the cellar. He picks up my coat and shoves it into my chest. “Mitchell has a manhunt for you.”
Before I can even say anything else, I’m shoved out into masses of people. It all feels like it’s in slow motion as I pull my jacket back on. Realizing Sunny’s underwear is still in my hand, I shove them in my coat pocket. She won’t be getting them back.
Shelby saunters over to me with two flutes of champagne, preparing for the toasts and speeches. Turning to Cole, I look at my brother frantically.
“I need you to do me a favor.”
SUNNY
“What just happened?” Macey asks, rushing next to me against the wall.
My eyes pan over to her, finally admitting the one thing I’d been running from. “I fell in love with him.”
