“I’ll see you Saturday night,” Tara told her with a wink. “I’m looking forward to it!”
Tilly just rolled her eyes as her friend laughed and climbed on the bus with a wave.
***
Tilly lay on her sofa, trying to find the energy to move. If her couch had been more comfortable, she’d have gone to sleep then and there.
She rubbed a hand over her face. Her phone buzzed and she picked it up, smiling as she saw a text from Dylan, checking to make sure she’d gotten home from work all right. He was working tonight and the fact that he’d taken time out to check up on her filled her with warmth.
Tilly flicked a text back to say she was home safe and about to go to bed.
As she placed her phone down anxiety hit her. She hadn’t dated anyone since she’d left Javier. Was she sure she was ready for this? Her relationship with Javier hadn’t been a healthy one and it had left her feeling insecure and unsure around men.
No one at the club knew the full truth. Everyone thought she’d been abused by her former Dom, but Javier hadn’t been a dominant. She’d actually known very little about BDSM until she’d moved to Austin and met Taylor. Taylor had been her roommate and a dominant. He’d helped her discover her submissive side.
How would Dylan react when she told him the truth? She knew if things went any further with him that she would have to come clean.
Knowing she’d only toss and turn if she went to bed, she turned on the television and curled up on the couch with a blanket.
Although she felt anxious about Saturday night, she also knew that Dylan was nothing like her ex. He didn’t need to put her down to feel like a big man. Dylan was patient and kind. The only time he’d ever been angry with her was the night she’d stepped between two Doms at Club Decadence. They’d been about to throw punches and she’d stepped in to diffuse the situation.
Her phone buzzed and she picked it up, seeing that it was Dylan again.
Meet me for breakfast tomorrow?
Dylan liked to text in full sentences. She replied to him. With a yawn, Tilly decided that she’d better go to bed. She had a long day ahead of her if she was getting up early for breakfast.
***
Tilly smiled across the table at Dylan. “So what made you decide to become a silent partner in a bar?” she asked.
Dylan sighed, looking sad. “I served with Marc’s brother, Anton, in the Marines.” He set his gaze over her shoulder. “Afghanistan. I came back. Anton didn’t. When I got home, I went to visit Anton’s family. His mom is something else. A force to be reckoned with. I had just intended to pay my respects and suddenly I found myself sitting down to dinner and promising to come back the next Sunday. When I learned that Mrs. Tarron had cancer and that Marc was going to sell the bar to pay for her treatment, I offered to help. I knew they wouldn’t take a loan, so I bought half of the bar. I’ve never had anything to do with it, other than sampling the food.”
“That’s terrible. Especially after all they’ve been through.”
“Mrs. T. is tough. If anyone can beat cancer, it’s her.”
“My mom died of cancer,” she blurted out without really meaning to.
“Oh, Tilly. I’m so sorry.” He clasped her hand in his large, warm one.
“It’s okay. I mean, it’s not, but well, I never really knew her. I was only three when she died and I don’t have any memories of her.”
“Doesn’t make it any less painful,” he said. “You were raised by your dad?”
“Yes. I also have four older brothers.”
“I think I saw a photo of them at your apartment.”
She smiled, knowing which photo he meant. “That was taken by the lake on our ranch. It’s beautiful there.”
“How long since you’ve been home?” he asked.
“A while,” she said. “I don’t go back much.” Before he could ask her any more questions, she checked her watch. “I should probably get going. I’ve got to be at work soon.”
“I’ll drive you home,” he offered.
“You don’t have to do that.”