Laying my hand on hers, I stopped her. “I’ve already told you, Tyler. I will give it all up. Jeremy is more important than any of that shit. You’re more important. I go wherever you go.”
Tyler smiled. “You will always follow me.”
She was making a joke about me stalking her. I guess I deserved that. “You know that’s true. At least you can never say I give up easily. Not when it matters.”
Tyler shook her head. “No, I guess not.” She looked down for a moment, then up at me again. “A part of me wants to let you in, but the other part is scared shitless, Dean. I don’t know what to expect. I’m still so torn, still so cut up over everything that’s happened. How do I move on?”
Fuck, if that didn’t tear me up inside. I wanted to provide her with the answers she needed, but how did I begin to even make this right for her? How did I even start trying to take away the pain I caused?
“I can’t lie to you and say I have all the answers, Tyler. I fucking wish I did, but I don’t. All I can say is I would do anything and everything it takes to make it right. I will never stop until I can. I love you, Tyler. And I promise you I will never let you down again. I mean that. I take my promises very seriously and will never promise anything unless I know I can keep that promise.”
Tyler smiled resolutely and sighed. “I believe you will.”
I grabbed her hand and looked her in the eye. “It will take time, but you will know instead of believe one day.”
I grabbed my beer, downed it in one gulp, then got up. I was ready to leave, but Tyler looked shocked.
“I can’t stay any longer, Tyler. If I stay, I’ll scoop you up in my arms and never leave. I don’t want to confuse Jeremy right now. He needs to get to know me more. He needs to know I’m not just a passing visitor.”
Tyler nodded and got up with tears in her eyes. “When you were young, you waited for me. Now, as an adult, you’re waiting for your son. Thank you for understanding.”
I moved towards her and placed my hand on her cheek. As before, she leaned in, closing her eyes. I leaned in and lightly kissed her on the mouth. I could tell Tyler wanted to deepen the kiss, but I couldn’t take it any further. If I did, I’d be lost. I had to be strong. There was someone else to think about now.
Tyler’s breathing became harsh and it was so damn hard to pull away. It had been way too long since I felt what it was like to be inside her.
“I have to go,” I breathed into her mouth.
Tyler leaned her forehead against mine and nodded. Every part of me was screaming not to leave her, but she also needed to see the type of person I could be. The person she fell in love with all those years ago.
I took her hand in mine and walked towards the front door. Once I opened it, I turned to her. “Can I see you tomorrow?”
Tyler smiled and nodded. “I would like that. I also think Jeremy would never forgive me otherwise. Why don’t you ask Jimmy around? It’s supposed to be almost ten degrees hotter tomorrow. We can lounge by the pool and have a barbecue. I’ll also see if Tara wants to come.”
I smiled. “Sounds great. How does one o’clock sound?”
Tyler nodded. “That’s perfect.”
I walked down the steps a little way and then turned. “Make sure you switch on the alarm when you get back inside.” I looked up to the place, then back at Tyler. “This house holds precious cargo.” I winked at her and she stood at the doorway with a big smile on her face. It was hard, but I was proud of myself for not giving into the gut-wrenching temptation Tyler always knew how to put in my way.
My beautiful, sexy witch in high heels.
Chapter 11
Tyler
How did Dean always have this knack of making me want him more than the air I breathed? He held off when I was young and wanted him. Now he’s holding off because of his son and…oh, my god…that turned me on! I wanted him so much, the ache was a constant throb. The only thing that quelled it a little was when I went upstairs to take my make-up off. What I saw made all sorts of fire rage inside of me.
“Oh, my god!”
I heard a giggle, so I shot into the hall just in time to find Jeremy running back towards his room. I ran after him and once I was inside his bedroom, Jeremy was hiding under the covers, giggling. I couldn’t help but smile.
“Did you have something to do with this?” I held the toilet paper I managed to snatch off the holder just before I ran after Jeremy. Other than the constant shaking from his laughter, he didn’t move. “Jeremy, look at me when I’m talking to you.”
Very slowly, he pulled the covers off his face and looked at me, only one eye showing. The other eye was still safely tucked under the covers. I doubted that would save him, though.