Total pages in book: 33
Estimated words: 30245 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 151(@200wpm)___ 121(@250wpm)___ 101(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30245 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 151(@200wpm)___ 121(@250wpm)___ 101(@300wpm)
When I came along, it was a surprise, but something inside my da changed. Ma told me he would be out all night drinking while she was away all day working. And then, he left. They kept in touch through letters, but there was no longer love between them.
I glance at Tye, thankful he took so long to tell me he wants me. In my mind, I had convinced myself if we admitted our feelings too soon, I could’ve ended up alone like Ma.
“Ye all right?” Tye asks as we tuck into our food.
“Yes.” I smile.
Hearing him say those three words will be a dream come true. I can’t deny my teenage heart would have leapt from my chest if he’d said it back then. But it was worth the wait. It made being home, being here, so much better.
All the food is delicious. There’s quite a spread. But having these men here to devour everything, I can see why the women have made so much. The banter is good fun, and everyone seems to be enjoying themselves.
“What’d ye get fer Miren?” Sully asks Monster.
“A baby,” Racer throws out with a chuckle and receives a glare from his President. “What? It’s true.”
“Aye,” Rebel chirps. “Bang on. It’s because they can’t stay out of the feckin’ bedroom.”
“Ye’re a real charmer. Aren’t ye, Racer?” Monster asks, his voice a deep rumble. But the rest of the men laugh out loud. There’s love here. They may be teasing each other, but it’s done with good intentions.
“I’m only feckin’ wit ye.” Racer holds up his hands in surrender.
“Eejit,” Monster grumbles, while Miren leans in to whisper something in his ear that makes him smile.
The rest of the lunch is just as rowdy, and when we finally settle in after tidying up, I’m exhausted. The fire crackles, warming the lounge. There’s gift wrap everywhere, but even in the mess, I’ve never felt more at ease.
“Can we talk?” I whisper to Tye when everyone is in conversation.
He nods before taking my hand and leading me into his office. Earlier, we found out so many brutal truths in this room, but that’s not what I want to talk about right now.
“What’s wrong?” he asks me before I have time to say anything.
Honestly, I’m tired. Exhausted when I think about what has happened over the past few years, so instead of answering, I step closer to Tye. We’re inches apart, and for the first time since I can remember, I’m sure of what I want. I stare at his chest, unable to look into his eyes, because I know the moment I do, I’ll be lost in them.
“I-I was th-thinking,” I mumble, knowing I need to get the words out.
Tye grips my chin gently and tilts my head so I finally meet his questioning gaze. There’s a gentleness to him that’s always been there. Even now, as strong as he is, his touch is tender.
He leans in until his lips brush against mine. “If this isn’t all right, tell me.” His words are a warm salve on a wound I knew I had. I never once thought I could be healed, and it will take time. But when his lips find mine, I know I’ll everything will be all right.
Heat soothes me when I moan, and I open my mouth to allow his tongue to sweep across mine. It’s intimate. I want it. My heart thuds wildly. My stomach flutters like birds taking flight. It’s like our first kiss, only softer, more tentative. But, it doesn’t lack any of the passion of the first one.
I find confidence when I hear Tye groan, and I wrap my arms around his neck to pull myself closer to him. Our bodies fit together like they were built to slot into place. Like two pieces of the same whole, an image that was torn apart but is now glued back together.
His hands trail over my arms, strong, yet gentle. Then, Tye grips my hips and he pulls me against him, and I can feel how much he wants me. There’s no question about it. I don’t have a doubt in my mind he’s going to finally claim me physically as his.
But then he breaks the kiss. Our breaths are heavy, coming in short spurts. His eyes have darkened, lashes hooded as he regards me. I don’t let him go, I can’t, not yet. The corner of his mouth tugs into a smirk, one I’ve come to recognise over the years.
“Ye need to be sure,” Tye says in a low, gravelly tone. His voice thick with desire, dark with a promise that, if I say yes, there’s no going back. Not anymore, but I don’t want to.
“Yes,” I whisper. “I’m sure.”
His mouth crashes against mine once more, and his hands grip my butt, lifting me against him. We spin around until my back hits the door, and I’m pressed between him and the smooth wooden surface. The thickness of his erection soothes the ache between my thighs when he rolls his hips. I can’t stop the moan of bliss that falls from my lips.