Page 26 of This Is Why

LEXI

“Do you want a drink?”I whisper, uncomfortably aware that we are right outside Gabe’sdoor.

“I’d loveone.”

There’s no ignoring the bulge in his pants in the same way that I can’t ignore the ache between my legs or the dampness in my panties. I want this man and, unless I’m really misreading the signs, he wants me, too. But, since he doesn’t seem to be in a hurry to make a move and I’m determined to do this right this time, maybe it’s best if I put a little distance between us rightnow.

I step back and then lead him away from Gabe’s door. “I’ve got margaritas,” I say once we’re in the kitchen. “The ones from Don Juan’s.” I open the pantry and pull a bottle off the high shelf.

Ty takes it from me. “They sell that stuff?”

“Yep. They’ve got their own brand and everything. See?” I point to the name on the label.

“Don Juan Margaritas,” Tyler reads and then makes a face. “Would you look atthat.”

“We’ll have to drink them over ice. The blender would wake up Gabe. Does that work foryou?”

“Of course.” He sidles into the kitchen and grabs me by the hips. “But first, I need to kiss you again.”

I manage to put down the bottle of Don Juans without having to look at the counter. Ty kisses me, his mouth more insistent this time, and I return the kiss just as voraciously. He lifts me off the ground and perches me on the counter. I wrap my legs around his waist while he cups my face in his hands, turns my head, and kisses down my throat. Long before I’m ready to be done, he pulls back, smiling.

“Glasses?” he asks, his eyes glinting mischievously.

“In there.” I point to a cabinet and stare in appreciation at the muscles in his back and shoulders working as he pulls out two glasses and fills them with ice. I hand him the bottle and he kisses me again, his tongue darting out to meet mine before he pulls away to twist open thelid.

“I can do that all night,” I say as he pours.

“Dowhat?”

“Kissyou.”

Ty hands me a margarita. “Be careful what you wish for. You might just get what you want.” He steps up to me, fitting ever so nicely between mylegs.

I take a drink. “Since when is getting what I want a bad thing?”

“I never said it was.” Tyler drinks, his eyes never leavingmine.

“You really are everything I remember,” I say. “No. Scratch that. You’re more than I remember.”

Ty draws his eyebrows together. “I hope that’s a good thing.”

“It’s very much a good thing. I remember you being charming and funny. I remember enjoying your company so much I didn’t want to leave your side after you walked up to me that day on the beach. I remember you being sexy. My God, so fucking sexy. And you’re still all those things. But, I’m discovering you’re also genuine and real and determined to do the right thing. You’re good with Gabe, better than I could have hoped.” I shrug. “You’re all that and a bag of chips.”

“That’s a rather high bar you have set for me. I hope I can live up to allthat.”

“Done. Completed. Tada. You win. You don’t have to reach for that bar, you are thebar.”

Ty takes a long drink and then puts the glass down on the counter. “I used to write letters to you, you know.” He laughs lightly and looks away. “And by used to, I mean I still do. When I’m overseas, or when I’m lonely, or when I just need someone to talk to, I write you a letter.”

His words touch me and I put my hand on his. “Whyme?”

“Because you stuck with me. I thought about you every single day in the weeks after I left you in the Keys. I obsessed over our time together. I couldn’t stop wondering if you were thinking of me, too. I jacked off at night thinking about the way you felt, your body, your skin...” He trails off and looks apologetic.

“Would it bother you to know I was the same way? I couldn’t get you out of my mind. Couldn’t figure out why you would disappear on me when things felt so real between us.” I lower my eyes. “And I masturbated to you, too.”

Ty leans in close. “First of all, I am so sorry you had to wonder why I left. I swear I left a note. I hate the thought of you wondering why you weren’t good enough for me to stick around.”

I hold his gaze. “It’s not a big deal. Notnow.”

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