Tyler's Undoing (Gloves Off #1)(66)

“So it was you talking to me last night,” I whispered. “I thought I imagined it all. When I started to black out I heard your voice and held onto it. I didn’t want to wake up.”

Tyler pulled into the hotel parking lot and turned to face me. “Yes, it was me. When I got to Paxton’s and watched him pull you from the car, I rushed over and saw you gasping for air. It was the most terrifying thing I’d ever seen, and what’s worse—I was the cause of it. You never told me you had panic attacks.”

I never liked talking about my attacks. They made me feel weak, like I couldn’t handle the stress. “I’ve only had a couple that grand-scale. The last one happened when my father died. Paxton was who helped calm me down then.”

He shook his head. “I’ll admit, I saw a side to him I never would’ve thought possible. He was terrified when he couldn’t help you.”

I smiled. The times I had with Paxton were some of my best childhood memories. “He’s a good friend, Tyler. The only reason he hung around my brother was so he could stay close to me. He was my friend before he became Kyle’s. I would have been lost without him.”

Tyler groaned and opened his door. “And now I have to watch you and him together this weekend. Are you sure he doesn’t want you back?”

“I’m sure,” I replied, getting out of his truck. “He still has a thing for Gabriella.” I watched him intently to see if I could find any shred of jealousy, but he didn’t tense at all.

“I wish him luck on that one. She’s protective over her brother, so anyone who’s had any ties with Kyle is on her shit list.”

And I guess that includes me, I thought.

“Well, then I should let you know that Paxton isn’t the only one interested in her. My brother is too, and you know how he is when he wants something.”

Tyler slammed his truck door. “You can’t be serious?”

“I wish I wasn’t. I told Paxton already, so he’s going to make sure Kyle stays away from her.”

Tyler sighed and grabbed my suitcase out of the back seat. “I sure hope so. But I’ve seen Gabriella take on your brother. If there’s any female who could put him in his place, it’d be her.”

Once inside the hotel, I followed Tyler to the check in desk so he could get us a room for the day. After that was all said and done we sauntered to the elevators and as soon as the doors closed, my heart started to race. Tyler set my suitcase down and brought his hands to my face, his lips firm and warm as he closed them over mine. “I’ve missed you so much, beautiful. I have three days to make up for in only one afternoon.”

“So do you understand now why it was so hard to tell you the truth? Actually, I was going to tell you on two different occasions. The first time, we were sitting on my front steps and were interrupted by Cindy telling me Nana had passed. And then again, after our night at the police station, when I told you the other day that we needed to talk and you wanted me to wait until later.”

He kissed me again, except this time it was deeper, his tongue caressing mine. “Yes, I understand, Kacey. I realized it a little too late. I let my anger control me, and I couldn’t see what was really there. All I could see was that you lied to me. I didn’t take the time to think of why.”

The elevator doors opened and reluctantly Tyler let me go so I could follow him to the room. Once he slipped the key in the door, we walked inside and he immediately grabbed me around the waist and pulled me to him. “We only have this afternoon. I want to make love to you. I’ve missed the way you feel in my arms, and the way your skin tastes. I never thought I’d get the chance to be with you again.”

Tilting my chin up, I closed the distance between us and slid my fingers through his hair. “We’re together now, and after Saturday we don’t have to worry about anything coming between us again. I don’t care what my brother does, I know I’m not going to let him win.”

Slowly, Tyler trailed his fingers around the waistband of my jeans and gently unbuttoned them, sliding the zipper down. “Neither am I, beautiful. His end will come.”

Picking me up in his arms, he carried me over to the bed and laid me down, the sheets white and crisp beneath me. The hotel room was small, with a king-size bed, a desk, and bathroom with light green walls. It wasn’t the same as being home, but anywhere with Tyler was home for me.

Tyler stood and lifted his T-shirt over his head, as I did the same—along with discarding my bra. Unbuttoning his jeans, he let them and his boxers fall to the floor. He was already hard between his legs and it made my insides throb.

Crawling across the bed, he gripped the waist band of my jeans and pulled them down my body, keeping his eyes locked on mine.

“Shouldn’t you be refraining from any sexual activities before a big fight? I mean, I know you haven’t the past couple of times, but shouldn’t this one be more important?”

Spreading my legs with his knee, he trailed his tongue up my body, from my clit on up to my breasts, and circled them both before biting down on one of my nipples. “You have nothing to worry about,” he growled. “I hate your brother enough to get the testosterone flowing. Not to mention, I’m still going to be watching you and Paxton together.”

Taking his face in my hands, I kissed his lips, tasting my desire. “And you have nothing to worry about. I’m all yours . . . now make love to me already.”