Page 32 of Filthy Lovin Heroes

Hercules padded behind us when Tyler showed me around the house.

“I love architecture. I never got to college to study it, so this is my chance to own some.” He showed me little used rooms for entertaining before passing into the more private areas of the house. I could tell the transition because the large paintings gave way to a hallway filled with framed charcoal sketches of flowers, Hercules, and musical instruments. Naturally, I paused to examine them. They were fantastic. In the corner were the initials “CB” and the date.

“You did these?” I pointed at the sketches.

Tyler stopped wheeling my suitcase. He shrugged. “Gotta do something when I can’t sleep. Here’s your room.”

I stepped inside to find a light and airy bedroom. The walls were a pale yellow with crisp white linens. A vase filled with fresh pink poppies decorated the nightstand.

But it was the bed that made me blush. All I could think of was Tyler sharing that bed with me. Meanwhile, Tyler was busy showing me the closets, the air conditioning controls, and the extra blankets. Thank God he didn’t notice I was bright red.

“My room is at the other end of the house, if you need anything, text me. Good night.”

He and Hercules left me alone, rather abruptly. It was only early evening. But I was feeling the effects of jet lag and alcohol. I laid down on the bed, feeling tired and yet strangely keyed up.

It wasn’t like I wanted to be in love with Tyler. I dated a few other guys, but my interest in the relationships was half-hearted at best.

My heart and my fantasies belonged to Tyler alone.

Now we were finally in the same place, and he appeared none too pleased. He was polite but clearly having me here was an intrusion. I fell asleep fully dressed on that ridiculously soft bed, feeling disappointed in how things had started off between us. At least, I felt safe here with Tyler, and maybe that was a good enough start.

I was awake before daylight the next morning, that time change was killer. Now though I was hungry and sorry I’d skipped dinner last night. I felt much more like myself. I wasn’t some school girl to moon over Tyler. If he thought I was the same kid at the wedding, he had a lot to learn.

I headed to the kitchen we’d passed through the previous evening. It was like a set from a cooking show with fancy appliances, wood cabinets, and stone countertops. I didn’t get the impression it got any more use than the rest of the house.

With Tyler’s schedule, I expected frozen dinners and old bottles of ketchup, so I was delighted to find the refrigerator stocked with fresh food.

I studied the selection of fancy yogurts when Tyler’s voice behind me made me jump.

“What are you wearing?” He demanded.

I straightened and turned from the fridge. For the record, I was wearing my white string bikini. My eyes narrowed. I never had any complaints when I wore it before. In fact, the results were the opposite.

“Good morning to you too. Got up on the wrong side of the bed? And in answer to your question, this is a swimsuit.” I crossed my arms over my breasts, letting the refrigerator door close. My nipples were hard, it’d be great to say that it was from the cold air.

But let’s be real.

Tyler was standing before me in swim trunks. He was all cut muscles and tattoos. I had no doubt he could make a girl come on command.

Not that I had a snowball’s chance in hell of finding that out for myself.

His face was tense, and anger rolled off him like a heat wave. “I’m going to the hot tub.” He stalked away without another word.

I watched him walk away noting one, the back of him was as sexy as the front and two, he was not a morning person.

Hercules had followed Tyler out to the kitchen. Now his big head swung from his retreating master to me standing by the fridge.

“Oh, go on, you big baby. Maybe you can improve his mood.”

The beast lumbered after Tyler, but he did cast a quick glance back at me.

Tyler didn’t have to be a jerk about this. It was clear he wasn’t happy with me here.

Looking for a simpler problem to solve, I opened the fridge again, resuming my yogurt selection.

After a few seconds, I slammed the door empty-handed. I’d lost my appetite for breakfast. I needed something stronger.

And it was time to level up this visit.

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