After lunch, the florist delivers a pot mixed with purple and pink morning glories. My eyes go wide and my hand shakes when I open the note attached.
Because they’re your favorite and you’remyfavorite.
-Tyler
My heart melts as I read the letter, and I want to burst through the garage doors and wrap my arms around his neck and kiss the hell out of him, but I refrain. I’m sure my dad doesn’t want a show. My emotions tend to get the best of me, though, and I push it to the side.
An hour passes and Tyler comes in and hands me a pair of keys. His fingers brush against mine, and butterflies flutter in my stomach. As he leans against the counter, he smirks.
“Flowers?” He laughs, pretending they’re not from him.
“Thank you,” I whisper. “I love them so much. And I love how thoughtful you were to get me my favorite. Plus, they won’t die. I’ll plant them in my mother’s flower garden.” I recall the moment Tyler walked into my bedroom to see the painting he remembered from my letters. These look identical to the art my mother created.
He swallows hard when tears brim on the edge of my eyes. Tyler reaches out and grabs my hand and squeezes it, being so damn gentle with me. Something I’m not used to after being with Robert. Instead of being pushed to the side, Tyler puts me first, which is a huge change that I’m adjusting to.
“What are your plans tonight?” Tyler asks.
“Spending time with you,” I whisper.
“That’s the correct answer,” he quips with a wink, then goes outside. He’s trying not to spend too much time with me during our shifts so my dad doesn’t get suspicious. I haven’t told him about me and Tyler yet, and I’d like to keep it to myself for a little while longer.
After my day is over and Dad tells me goodbye, Tyler comes to me, pressing his body and lips against mine. I’m desperate and needy for him, though we still haven’t crossed that line yet. When we finally break apart, I’m breathless, and my head is swimming, drunk from him. I’m convinced Tyler feels it too.
“I need to go home and take a shower first,” he mumbles.
I tuck my bottom lip into my mouth. “You can shower at my house,” I suggest.
His eyebrow pops up. “Perfect. Maybe you’ll join me then?”
“Maybe,” I purr, grabbing my flowers. “I am a dirty girl.”
“Hot damn, baby. Keep talking like that and …” He pushes back. “Just mmm.” Tyler kisses me one last time before we lock the shop and leave. On the way to the cottage, I’m all smiles as we chat about the weather and how oddly happy my dad’s been acting.
“You think Jerry’s dating someone?” Tyler asks, and it makes me giggle.
“He doesn’t date.” I shrug. “Maybe it’s just all the fall vibes putting a pep in his step or something. It’s his favorite season too.”
“Could be.” Tyler chuckles. We park and make our way to the cottage, and we can’t seem to keep our mouths and hands off each other.
“I need that shower now,” he whispers against my lips as I unbutton his shirt. “You coming with me?” His eyebrow arches.
“Yes,” I murmur desperately. Tyler grabs my hand and leads me down the hallway. When we’re in the bathroom, he devours my lips.
When we come up for air, I light some candles I keep on the counter for when I take bubble baths, then flip the switch. “Just creating a little ambience,” I whisper as Tyler undresses me.
He peels off my blouse and skirt as his lips trace my collarbone. I’m nearly breathless, my breasts rising and falling as he nibbles on my neck and ears. With my eyes closed, I unbutton his pants and slip down his boxer shorts, then grab his hard length. He lets out a deep groan when I stroke him.
“Gemma,” he growls, his head rolling back on his shoulders. “Fuck.”
We finish undressing each other. It’s the first time we’ve been without clothes together in over a decade. Tyler studies every inch of me and grins.
“You’re so goddamn beautiful,” he mutters as my lips crash against his.
“How about that shower now?” I ask, knowing if we don’t get in now, we might not.
“Good idea.” He chuckles, reaching over and turning on the water. Tyler steps in and holds his hand out for me. The water is warm and falls over my skin as Tyler grabs the soap and washes me. His hands feel so fucking good as they caress every inch of me. I’m nearly panting by the time I’m clean. I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him.
“When are you going to make me yours?” I finally ask.