Page 153 of Let Me Keep You

I wait, hoping he’ll make the first move, begging him with my eyes to lean in, but he doesn’t. Tyler’s letting me set the pace because I’m the one with everything to lose if we don’t work out.

But I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. I want him. No, I need him.

Without giving it another thought, I wrap my fingers around the back of his neck and pull his face to mine, allowing our lips to crash together. Tyler slides his hands down my body and grips my hips, grinding himself against me. My back presses against the car as our tongues battle in a heated kiss. When I moan against his mouth, he tilts my head up and slides in deeper.

Arching my back, his hardness presses against my stomach and causes an ache between my legs. I thread my fingers through his hair and grip him tighter.

By the time we come up for air, I’m flushed, and my whole body tingles.

Tyler smiles. “Wow. What was that for?”

Blushing, I bite my lip. “To say thank you for coming with me today. It really meant a lot.” I pause before adding, “And also for cooking me dinner last night.”

“I’ll cook for you anytime. And thank you for asking me to come. I didn’t realize how much I needed to do it until I got there. Though I felt anxious at first, it wasn’t as bad as I thought it’d be.”

“I think you helped Noah more than you realize. He’ll have more hope now than what I could’ve given him. You have firsthand experience, and I can tell he trusts you.”

“I’m happy to tag along anytime you want,” he reassures me. Tyler looks down and notices his bulge that’s impossible to miss. He lowers his arm and crosses his hands over it. “I better get inside before I embarrass myself out here.”

Arching a brow, I smile. “Alright. See you tomorrow morning.”

“I’ll text you later, okay? I’m gonna work off some…” He clears his throat. “Frustrations.” Then he lowers his eyes, and I hold back my laughter.

He opens my door, kisses me, and watches me back out. My heart pounds hard as I drive home, and I can’t wipe the stupid grin off my face.

I’ve been dying for his kiss since the last time our lips touched, and I already want to drive back to his place and do it again.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

TYLER

If I could bottle up my time with Gemma this week and relive those moments a million times over, I would. As crazy as it sounds, it feels like the last twelve years apart never happened, and we picked up right where we left off. Talking to her is as easy as it was when I wrote her letters and we spilled all our secrets. She’s the last person I think of before bed and the first when I wake up.

I want to give Gemma my heart and let her keep it forever. Hell, she’s had it for over a decade.

Ever since she kissed me on Sunday, we’ve been inseparable. Seeing her at work is equal parts amazing and torturous because all I want to do is pull her into my arms and never let go. Though it’s mid-week, we’re meeting up tonight after my training session. The plan is wine, pizza, and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. I chuckle to myself, knowing she’ll groan the whole time or we’ll be too busy exploring each other’s mouths to pay attention to the screen. I’m hoping for the latter.

We’ve only been at work for a couple of hours, but I already miss her. I tell Jerry I need a coffee refill so I can sneak a quick moment with her. Luckily, the lobby’s empty so I’ll get her to myself for a few minutes.

Gemma smiles, and I swoop her into my arms, pulling her close to my chest as I press a soft kiss to her lips.

“What’re you doing?” she whispers, glancing around to see if her dad’s near.

Grabbing her hand, I lead her into the break room and move forward until her back pushes against the wall. “Trying to get to second base.”

She giggles, and I steal a kiss. “Okay, make it quick. A customer could come in at any minute.”

Smirking, I dip my head and suck her neck, tasting her soft skin. I slide my hand up her body, then cup her breast and squeeze.

Pulling back, I meet her eyes. “Thanks, that should hopefully last me through lunch.”

Gemma’s jaw drops with a gasp, then she smacks me playfully on the chest. “You’re bad. Get back to work, Mr. Blackwood.” Her voice lowers in a commanding tone, which makes me hard as hell.

“Fuck. It’s hot when you call me that.”

Gemma gives me a cheeky grin. “Good luck with that. Just remember, you’re working with my father.”

I adjust my dick and grunt. “Thanks, that killed it.”