“Why don’t you quit?” I ask.
Tyler takes a bite of his sandwich and shrugs. “I’ve wanted to for a while now, it’s the only thing I’ve got going for me. I’ve got nothing else.”
I reach over and lay my hand on his arm. “Maybe someday you’ll find what you’re looking for.”
Near the end of our meal, our conversation turns to Maddie. I love that Tyler’s so interested in learning everything he can about his daughter.
“Blake’s going to be so happy when I tell him about everything,” I say. “He’s been hounding me to tell you about Maddie since the day she was born.”
“I’m glad the two of you are friends. He’s a good guy to have by your side in tough times. He’s a loyal dude.” Tyler sighs. “Speaking of Blake, do you know where he might be? I called him earlier today and he’s still hasn’t gotten back to me.”
Avery shakes her head. “No. The bar is closed on Sundays and Mondays, so I don’t typically see him, but knowing Blake he’s found some chick to bring home.”
Tyler twists his lips. “That’s the thing. He wasn’t at his house this morning when I drove by there earlier today. I spent last night at my Mom’s, and he still hadn’t contacted me, so I drove over to his place and knocked on his door. It was really strange, considering his car was still parked out front.”
“He didn’t mention any plans with anyone today when you spoke with him last?”
“I’ve not seen him since the first night I got here and we fought with the bikers,” Tyler admits. “When I got to his house that first night, it was so late. I literally walked in his front door and crashed on his couch. I didn’t even bother changing my clothes because all the lights were off and I didn’t want to move around a bunch and make a lot of noise in case he was asleep.”
“That’s strange,” I say. “Maybe we should go to his house and check out the place.”
“You’ll come with me?”
“Of course I will. Can we make a quick stop at the bar? He might’ve been dropped off over there or something and just stayed since his car hasn’t moved from the driveway.”
“Has he done that before?”
I shake my head. “Well, no, but he does have a key and it makes logical sense that if he’s not at his place, then he might be there. It’s worth it to stop and check.”
“Okay. Sounds like a plan.”
“Great. Do you mind driving me back home so I can tuck Maddie into bed before we head out to look for him?”
“Of course not.”
When we arrive at Granny’s we head into the house. I turn to Tyler and say, “Give me a few minutes to make sure Granny is fine watching Maddie while we go out looking for Blake. I’ll be right back.”
“Hey, Avery? Would it be okay if I come back there with you and tell Maddie good-bye before we leave?”
I smile and love the fact that she’s at the forefront of his mind. “Sure, come on.”
We make our way back to Maddie’s room, and I notice Tyler smile.
“This would’ve been the addition that your dad and I were working on.”
“Yep. I wish Dad had been around to see it completed. He would’ve loved the way it turned out.”
We come to the first open door in the hallway. “This is Maddie’s room. She loves playing in here. She’s a typical little girl—dolls are her world.”
He chuckles. “I’ll take that as a hint when it comes time to buy her some gifts.”
Maddie is on the floor playing tea party with her dolls while Granny sits on a chair in the corner. Tyler stands beside me and just observes her in action for a few moments before Maddie glances in our direction and notices us.
“Momeee and Daddy, wanna play tea party with me? It’s realwe fun.”
Tyler grins and the expression on his face practically begs for a little extra time to have this moment together with our daughter.
I walk into the room and kneel down next to Maddie. “We have time for a cup.”
“Yaya,” she cheers and then instantly goes into setting out two saucers and teacups for us. “Sit down, Daddy!”
“Yes, ma’am.” It’s cute that Tyler obeys her the way he does.
We finish up our imaginary cups of tea and when I get clearance from Granny, Tyler and I say our good-byes and then head over to the bar.
The ride over to the bar is filled with Tyler’s questions about Maddie. He explains to me that since he’s missed so much, I have to tell him everything about her. We’re talking every single detail from her birth to what went on with her today.
We pull into the parking lot and Tyler cuts the engine. “I know I’ve bombarded you with questions, and I’ll probably ask you a million more until I feel like I’m up to date with all things Maddie, but I do have one more and then I’ll give you a break for a bit.”
I laugh. “It’s not really a hardship talking about the apple of my eye. Maddie is my favorite subject in the world.”
“I can see why. I can’t seem to get her off my mind.”
“She tends to have that infectious personality. I think she’s destined to be a star.”
His smile widens. “There’s no doubt about that. Anyone who meets her is going to fall in love. She’s beautiful, like you.”
My heart does a double thump after hearing his compliment. “Tyler . . .”
He leans in to me, and if I move even a fraction of an inch, our lips will meet. It’s been a long time since I’ve kissed Tyler, and I wonder if kissing him would still give me the butterflies like it used to.
“I’ve only got one more question,” he whispers.
“You can ask me anything.”
“What’s Maddie’s last name?”
“Mercer, like you. I know I should’ve asked you first, but—”
“I love that you gave her my name.”
“I’m glad.”
Tyler leans in and presses his lips to mine. They’re soft yet commanding, just like I remembered, and it makes me crave more.
“I’ve missed you so much. You don’t know how many nights I dreamed about tasting these lips again. This can’t be real,” Tyler whispers.
So many times I’ve thought about being in Tyler’s arms again. I can’t believe this is actually happening and that he knows about Maddie. I never imagined in my heart of hearts that things would work out like this. Even though I was mad at him, I’ve missed him.
My fingers reach up and trace the shaggy hair on the top of his head. “Believe it. We’re very real—and we make really pretty babies together.”
“That we do.”
This time when we kiss it’s not gentle like it was only moments before. This time I can feel the urgency in his lips as they tangle up, like if he doesn’t take me right here and now in this car, I’ll disappear. A hunger that I haven’t experienced since the night I was with him comes over me and more than anything else right now, I want him. I want Tyler to take me.
“Do you want to go inside?” Tyler asks, waking me from my daze. “They’ll be more room inside.”
I nod while the fire inside me still rages. “Come on.”
We all but run to the front door of the bar once we’re out of the car. I flip on the lights and then lead Tyler to my office in the back.
I close us inside and Tyler yanks his shirt over his head, revealing his chiseled body and the vast array of tattoos covering his body. Looks like he’s added a few more to his chest since the last time I saw him.
I swallow hard, still unable to look away from his body. He notices me staring, and his smile turns wickedly sexy. Tyler starts toward me like a tiger stalking his prey, slow and deliberate. His approach causes my stomach to knot. I sit on my desk.
Tyler sits beside me and twists around to look into my eyes. “What do you say, Avery? We have the bar all to ourselves . . .”
I giggle at his playfulness.
He cups my face, leans in, and kisses me.
I’ve missed this.
I’ve missed h
im.
I close my eyes, and allow my fingers to find their way into his hair. He’s got sexy hair. Tyler kisses down my neck and when his lips meet the soft skin under my ear, the scruff on his chin tickles a bit. From that point he moves on to my shoulder, placing soft kisses on my exposed flesh. He slides the straps of my tank top down and I throw my head back when he kisses my collarbone.
My chest heaves as the need to kiss him again consumes me. I grab his face in both of my hands and pull his mouth back to mine and I kiss him like I need him more than air.
Tyler stands up and pushes himself between my legs.
“I’ve missed you so much. I know I don’t deserve a second shot at your trust, but I’m begging you for one. Avery, I love you,” he says.
I bite my lip as I stare into his eyes. All I see when I look in them is truth—that he means what he’s saying. Our connection has always been strong but he broke my heart once and I’m afraid to give it over to him again.
“I . . .” I hesitate.
Tyler brushes a strand of hair away from my face. “It’s okay if you don’t say it back. I have to earn that from you, but I want you to know that I’m willing to put in the work. I’ll do whatever it takes to prove to you that I meant it when I said I love you and that I won’t ever hurt you again. I’ve learned my lesson. I can’t be without you.”
I nod, feeling thankful that he understands why I can’t say the words back to him just yet.
He starts to slide my straps back up, but I place my hand on his, halting it in place. “Just because I can’t say it doesn’t mean I don’t feel it. I still want you, Tyler—more than ever.”
That is all the permission Tyler needs. He grabs the hem of my shirt and pulls it up over my head. His large hands glide down the length of my torso and I shiver with anticipation as he reaches for the button on my shorts. I grind against him, loving the feeling of his hard cock pressing against the spot that is begging for his touch right now.
He pops the button open and unzips my jean shorts. The moment his mouth touches the base of my throat, a moan escapes me as he caresses my breasts over my lace bra.
“Mmmm, just as nice as I remember,” he says after he pushes down the fabric of my bra. My nipples pucker as his bare chest rubs against them and he kisses me once more before he bends down and wraps his lips around the taut pink flesh.
I arch my back, loving the way his mouth feels on me. “Tyler . . .”
“I want you to be mine,” he murmurs and then swirls his tongue around my nipple. “I need you in my life.”
He pulls me up to a standing position and then slides his hand down my stomach and into my panties. When his fingers flick across my wet folds, I shiver. “God . . .Tyler!”
“Please, Avery. Say it,” he commands, his breath hot against my skin.
“I’m yours. I always have been,” I admit in a breathy tone, not feeling the least bit self-conscious because it’s the truth.
“I love you, baby. I want to make you feel so good,” he growls and then flicks my clit.
“Tyler,” I cry as he touches me. “Oh, God.”
“So wet,” he whispers. “I want to bury my cock inside you.”
Tyler dips a finger inside of me and I moan as I arch against his palm. He works his finger in and out of me a few times before slipping in two fingers. My heavy panting fills the otherwise silent room as he brings me to the edge of orgasm.
He pulls his fingers out and rubs a circle over my clit, and I nearly explode on the spot. I want him so much right now, and I need those pants off of him. I reach for the button on his jeans and shove them down along with his boxers. He is ready for me, hard and standing at attention. I grab the base of him and stroke. He moans and lets out of string of soft curse words before dropping his head forward as he continues to finger me.
Sleeping with him goes against everything I’ve been telling myself I would do if I ever saw him again, but it feels right, as if there’s nothing else that matters now but him and me.
Need builds inside me and I’m anxious to have him deep inside me, thrusting hard. A tremor erupts through me as I come hard.
Tyler lifts my chin, and claims my mouth with his as he pushes me back onto the desk. He reaches down and pulls his wallet out of his pants pocket before retrieving a gold foil package. He tears the package open with his teeth and then works quickly to roll the condom down his thick shaft.
He positions himself at my entrance as he kisses my lips. I gasp as he bites my lower lip, grabs my hips, and shoves the head of his cock inside me.
Tyler’s groan echoes around the room. “Fuck, Avery. God. I already want to come.”
His fingers dig into my hips as he pushes in and out of me. The feel of him inside me, stretching me, is just about enough to send me over the edge for the second time.
“I’ve missed you so much,” Tyler pants as he pumps faster and faster.
I grab a fistful of his hair. “I’ve missed you, too.”
A low growl emits from the back of his throat as he bites his lip in ecstasy as he finds his own release. A shudder ripples through his body as he leans his forehead against mine while he attempts to catch his breath.
A content sigh leaves his mouth after he kisses my lips one more time.
His nose skims across my jawline. “That was . . . wow.”
I laugh as I play with a wild hair that’s poking up from the top of his head. “I agree. But it has been a long time for me, so I really don’t have anything to compare it to.”
He raises his eyebrow. “How long has it been?”
My mouth runs dry as I’m about to admit how lame my life has been in the sex department. “Three years.”
“Are you saying I was the last man you’ve been with?”
I nod. “Yes. I never met anyone that I thought was worth bringing into Maddie’s life, so I kept to myself. Between taking care of Maddie and running the bar, I didn’t have much time for much else anyway.”
Tyler’s thumb runs over my cheek. “I’m sorry for not coming back sooner.”
“You’re here now,” I whisper.
Tyler smiles. “I swear from here on out I’ll do right by you, Avery. I promise to be a better man for you and Maddie.” Tyler traces my cheek with the pad of his thumb. “I love you, Avery.”
I melt at the sound of his words and I pray that things work out for us this time because it will absolutely crush me if they don’t.
I touch his face as I stare into his eyes. “I love you, too.”
He bites his bottom lip before he crushes his mouth to mine. Tyler’s erection slides up against me and I smile, knowing that we’re about to make love yet one more time.
Once we’re nearly exhausted from two rounds, we decide since there’s no sign of Blake in the bar that we’ll check back over at his place.
“His car is still parked in the exact same spot,” Tyler says.
“Maybe we should call the police,” I suggest.
“They won’t do anything. I learned that from when our band’s front man went missing. The cops won’t get involved until the person has been missing over seventy-two hours.”
“Three days? What if he’s lying in a ditch hurt somewhere, waiting for help, but because of the stupid three-day-rule shit, he doesn’t make it.”
“It’s crazy. Trust me, I know, but I’m afraid we have to keep looking on our own until then. It’s late tonight. We’ll check inside and if he’s not in the house, in the morning we’ll go over to his parents’ house.”
“Good plan,” I agree.
When we find him I’m going to give him a piece of my mind for causing all this worry.
TYLER
We head to Blake’s place, and minus the fact that I’m worrying my ass off about my best friend’s safety, I’m still on cloud nine.
Never in my hopes of all hopes did I envision a reunion with Avery to be like this. When I came here, I expected a good slap in the face from her. Instead, she’s given me two preci
ous gifts: Her heart and a beautiful daughter.
I’ve always heard people say they fell in love the moment they laid eyes on their kid for the first time, but I never really believed that to be true . . . until now, that is.
Sure, I was blindsided by the fact that I have a child, but it didn’t stop me from loving her instantly. I know Avery and I have been apart a long time, but there’s no doubt in my mind that Maddie is my daughter. She looks so much like me. We have the same blue eyes, blond hair, and I even noticed we share the same crooked smile. She’s so sweet, and perfect, and hearing her call me Daddy lights up my entire world.
When we pull up to Blake’s, the Mustang is still parked out front. I turn toward Avery and tell her, “See. It hasn’t moved in two days.”
“Let’s get inside and take another look around.”
We get out and walk up onto the porch and I twist the knob on the door, but it doesn’t open. “Shit. It’s locked.”
Avery frowns. “Maybe he left the back open.”
I nod and then lead the way off the porch and around the side of the house. The gate leading into Blake’s backyard is open, so I slip inside the fence with no problem. I’m about to turn the corner to check the back door when something I spot out of the corner of my eye causes me to stop dead in my tracks.
“Stay where you are, Avery,” I order with my back toward her, stopping her from coming any farther into the yard.
“What?” she asks, clearly confused.
I dig in my pocket for my cell, and then search for the flashlight feature. The moment it snaps on, I gasp like all the wind has just been knocked out of me.
Blake’s lying on the ground, still wearing the clothes he had on two nights ago, and my body instantly goes into panic mode. “Oh, shit! Blake!”
I scream his name and run to him. I fall to my knees at his side and take in the scene before me. Blake’s face is covered in blood, and the flesh around his eyes is so swollen that it’s hard to even recognize him. He’s taken a much more severe beating than what he was given at the bar. Sure he was banged up, but it was nothing like this.
“Oh, my God! Blake! Is he all right? Oh, my God.” Avery’s panicked words smash into my ears as she races to my side. “Is he . . . Did you . . . Oh, God.”