“My eyes, they saw you Tyler. But my soul, it just, itfeelsyou,” I admit.
He takes another step closer. “Sunny, he may have been your firsts, but I promise you, I will gladly be all your lasts.”
He gave me a feeling I didn’t think I could ever experience, especially after Ryan. Accepting every shattered part of me, andI accept every shattered part of him, working those broken pieces together to create a brand-new whole.And how will we ever be the same again?
I love you, Tyler. You made me fall in love with you.
“Say something.” He takes another step.
I slowly move my eyes from where his feet are, up his body and to that treacherously beautiful face. Thinking about all the things that have led up to this moment. Everything he risked, just to have a chance with me, even if it’s only for right now.
I realize that, despite what happened with Ryan, if it hadn’t happened, maybe I would’ve never left. Maybe I would’ve always felt that little tug in my chest, never truly knowing who was on the other end, and experiencing a life lacking Tyler.
What an empty life that would be.
Love is too weak of a word for what is threaded between us. It is the echo of each beat of my heart. It is the air that fills my lungs. It is the man who was somehow able to whisper to me from across the other end of the country, willing me to hold on when I was ready to end it all.
I’m not sure of anything but two things at this moment.
I am in love with him, and I want every part of him.
Now.
I touch the scar on my neck, the brand of his abuse forever embedded on my skin. My daily reminder. He was my best friend, and that was the worst part.
But how long will I punish myself for someone else's actions?
I flick my eyes to Tyler. “I am broken, Tyler.I am broken. But you showed me despite being broken, I’m still capable of being loved. And I’m capable of giving love. I’m in love with you, Tyler.I love you,” I finally admit.
Something wild flicks behind his eyes, and no longer are the cautious slow steps, but determined ones as he stalks towardsme. Using both hands, he grabs my face and slams his lips into mine.
The momentum has us taking a few stumbling steps back, but he doesn’t falter. There it is, him writing the words across my tongue, his declaration forever embedded into me.
I love you. I love you. I love you.
He pulls back from me and presses his forehead against mine, meeting my eyes. “I love you, Sunny. I love you so much. All my love belongs to you. It always has. It always will.”
It’s me who presses my lips to his now, soaking in the words and storing them away to play over and over.
Keeping his mouth on mine, he grabs my thighs, pulling me onto him. He walks through my apartment and swipes everything off the small table I’m sure isn’t capable of withstanding my weight. He lays me on it, gripping my thighs and pulling me towards the edge.
Exploring hands move up my legs, his eyes looking down at me hungrily and admirably.
Without warning, he grabs my face, “I want you, Sunny. I want every part of you.”
“Then take it.”
CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE
SUNNY
Anticipation beats with my heart.A built up, visceral need courses through my veins, centering between my legs as his hands diligently explore my body.
“I’ve imagined this moment in so many ways, so many times,” he says, hooking his fingers in the waistband of my sweats. “And now I’m going to make you live the fantasies that have consumed me.”
He peels them off and tosses them to the side.
“I’m going to devour you like my own personal feast.” He kisses up my bare legs, creating goosebumps in his wake as he falls to his knees. “And I’m not going to stop until you’re screaming my name.”
