The anticipation is too much to bear, so I don’t wait. I take control. I grab the back of his head and pull him closer to me, closing the inches enough for him to know what I want. I briefly catch a smile before my lips take his. If this is what he wanted, and I caved, I lose. Right now I don’t care because I feel his tongue move against mine masterfully. He steps back, righting himself along the wall, spreading his legs just enough for me to step between them. I feel his towel brush against my leg and then skin, lots of skin.
My hand roams over his chest feeling the definition of his muscles. My fingers work to memorize each ridge and valley. I reluctantly remove my hand from his hair and to his back. He shifts away from the wall, allowing me easier access to touch him. He presses himself against me, letting me feel what I’m doing to him. I whimper as he pulls me closer with both of his hands on the side of my head. He’s no longer holding the towel and I don’t even care. Having him kiss me like he’s wanted this is all that’s important to me and all of a sudden I’m lost in everything Tyler.
Tyler pulls away, breathing heavily. Our breathing is in sync as if we’re one. He peppers me with kisses along my eyes, cheeks and finally the corners of my mouth before placing his lips on mine again, albeit briefly before he pulls away.
“Sweet baby Jesus, Savannah that was…”
“Perfect,” I interject. It was for me and I can only hope that I’ve met his expectations. My hands drop from his body, both screaming with desire to touch him again. I clench my fists tightly, afraid that I might be overstepping or feeling something he’s not.
“Perfect would be an understatement. You don’t know how long I’ve waited to do that.” My body sighs happily that he feels the same way and I try not to smile. He rests his head against the wall and gazes at me as his fingers trail down my arm before linking with mine. If I move my eyes, or step away slightly I know I’ll be seeing all of Tyler. I’m not sure how much control I’d be able to maintain so I keep my eyes focused on his and try to read his expression.
“Come here,” he murmurs, placing his hand on my cheek. “For as long as I can remember, I’ve had dreams about kissin’ you and those dreams hold nothin’ on reality. I know you have a lot going on and if this ain’t right for you, don’t be afraid to tell me. I’m not going anywhere.”
I pull my bottom lip into between my teeth and nod. “I had this vision of what it’d be like when I got off the bus, ya know? I thought I’d come down the stairs, and you’d be waiting. I’d jump into your arms and everything would be the way it was when I left.”
“Except I screwed that up because you look nothin’ like the Savannah that left me five years ago.”
“Is that bad?” I ask with a bit of fear in my voice. The last thing I want is for him to not like me because I grew up.
He shakes his head. “Hell no, it doesn’t matter what you look like as long as you don’t mind being in my arms. We need to get to know each other and believe me when I say this; I plan to get to know you all over again. You’ve been gone for a long time and we really haven’t been gettin’ along but that can all change.” He swallows as his thumb moves back and forth on my cheek, gently caressing it. “You’re so beautiful and as much as I want to continue standing here, I’m naked and unless you plan to take care of my issue, I’d like for you to turn around so I can grab my towel. As soon as I’m dressed I can take you on that shoppin’ trip I promised.”
I hesitate because honestly there’s nothing stopping me. He raises his eyebrow, calling me out on my stalling tactic. I give him the eye roll that I know pisses him off as I turn around. I hear him shuffle behind me and when his arm comes around my waist, I don’t think twice. I lean against him and am rewarded with small kisses on my neck.
“You have no idea, Savannah,” he says against my skin before walking away. He’s right, I don’t, but I really want to find out.
I barely have time to register that he’s gone before he’s standing in front of me again, this time in a dark t-shirt with his sleeves rolled up over his biceps. His shirt is tucked into dark blue jeans and of course, he’s wearing his cowboy boots. For the first time since I’ve been here, my idea of what my ideal man would dress like has changed. He’s not some city guy with a rich family. The image now is of a man who’s wholesome and hardworking, everything that my friends back home would scoff at. Thing is, I like what I’m seeing, even though I’m leaving at the end of the summer.
“Ready?” he holds out his arm for me, adding to the already growing list of things I like about Tyler.
“I have to stop at the library to send my homework.”
He looks down at his watch and sighs. “We’ll have to drive fast,” he laughs. Somehow I think that’s not a problem for him.
He walks us out of the house and shuts the door behind him, never letting go of my arm. When he walks around to the other side of the truck, I realize that this is the first time anyone is going to open the door for me. It’s crazy how this simple gesture makes my heart beat faster.
“Thank you,” I say as he holds my hand, helping me into the truck. I’m not shy about staring at him as he runs around the front and hops in. I’m trying not to smile, but I can’t help it. Earlier today, when I was waiting for him, I was pissed. I thought he and Jeremiah were badmouthing me. It was my typical girl bullshit, always assuming the worst. I need to learn that not everyone in my life is out to get me or hurt me.
“After you do a little shoppin’, we’ll stop for supper and then I want to take to you to Red’s and introduce you to Della.”
The instant he says a female’s name, my body tenses. Maybe Tyler’s no different than the guys back in New York. Maybe he’s just better at hiding it than they are. I stiffen when he reaches for my hand, but I let him hold it just to save face.
“What’s wrong?”
How he knows something’s wrong is beyond me. “I’m fine.” I attempt to convince him but my smile is stilted and I turn to look out the window.
My hand clenches his as he barrels off the side of the road, digging up gravel and dust. Before I know it, he has my seat belt undone and I’m almost sitting on his lap. His hands cup my face, forcing me to look at him.
“I’m not playing games, sweetheart. That kiss back there? I meant it. Now tell me what just soured your mood.”
“Who’s Della?”
“Ah honey, she’s the bartender, and she’s heard all about you probably from Jeremiah and his big girly mouth. I just wanted you to meet her, that’s all. I’m not one who goes around kissin’ beautiful girls when I have someone else to keep my bed warm at night. The moment I heard you were comin’ back,” he stops and shakes his head. I don’t know if he doesn’t want to tell me, but I want to know. “I’m fixin’ to say some seriously girly shit and if you laugh I’m going to take you over my knee, ya hear me?”
I nod and stifle a giggle. Sometimes, Tyler’s southern drawl is heavy and other times he acts like he’s not some straight-up southern cowboy.
“When Uncle Bobby
mentioned you were comin’ back, I thought this was a chance for us to see if we really had a connection the way I remembered all those years ago. I made sure I had no loose ends before you arrived.”