Page 36 of No Going Back

“Yeah, that’s all. Keep your phone on.”

“Of course.”

Tyler left, feeling like shit. The last thing he wanted was to be offside with Dex. Getting back in his jeep, he headed to Mira’s apartment. She would be home soon and one way or another, he was going to make her listen. They may not be able to take things any further, but that was on him, not her, and it was important she knew that.

***

MIRA STEPPED OFF THE elevator, checking emails on her phone. Rounding the corner, she looked up to see Tyler leaning against the wall outside her apartment. Her step faltered, but she quickly recovered and walked determinedly toward him.

“What are you doing here, Tyler?” She averted her eyes so as not to be taken in by his handsome face.

“We need to talk,” he said gently.

“I have nothing to say,” she muttered, putting her key in the lock.

“Well, I do. And I need you to listen. Please, Mira. Just hear me out. If you don’t want to talk to me after that, I’ll leave. I promise.”

Mira unlocked the door, opening it.

“I brought Chinese.” Tyler held up the bag with a small smile.

She stepped inside. Tyler waited. Mira looked back over her shoulder. Damn him, the food smelt delicious, and maybe they should clear the air before the op tomorrow.

“I’m only letting you in because I’m starving. Don’t read anything into this,” she said as she walked into her apartment.

“I won’t. Thank you.”

Jesus, her mouth watered, and it wasn't from the smell of Chinese food. Why did the man have to look so damn hot all the time? Annoyed as she was to find him there, her body had other ideas, on full alert and craving his touch. The man made her head spin.

“I’ll grab some plates. Do you want a drink?” she asked politely, determined to keep her urges in check. If he wanted to talk, fine. She would listen, eat, and then show him the door.

“Water would be great, thanks.”

Mira didn’t have a dining table in her tiny studio apartment. She placed the drinks and plates on the coffee table in front of the single couch. She sat down at one end and Tyler sat at the other. Although Tyler was one of the shorter guys on the team, around five foot nine, his body took over the rest of the space. He was mere inches from her. The clean masculine scent of him was more intoxicating than the food. Mira sipped her water to stop herself drooling as she allowed him to dish up.

He looked a little nervous, which took her by surprise. She’d never seen him anything but confident and self-assured. Practically a prerequisite for a special operator.

“Thank you.” She took the plate he held out.

“My pleasure.” He smiled and her stomach somersaulted.

They ate in silence for a few minutes. She watched Tyler look around her small space. He could pretty much see all of it from where they sat. A tiny galley kitchen, with a small breakfast bar at the end. The living area consisted of the couch, the table and a bookcase. The TV was perched on top. A half wall separated the living space from her bedroom and bathroom. It suited her fine; she loved it here. The walls had been white when she moved in and she hadn’t changed them, instead adding splashes of color with furniture and cushions. The couch they sat on was red. Clean, bright, and simple.

“This is a nice place. Have you lived here long?”

“Two years, since Sam relocated here and set up Onyx.”

“You like working with him, don’t you?”

“Tyler. I let you in for the food. Once it’s done, you’re leaving. So, if you really want to tell me something, I suggest you get to it because I’m going to be finished with my dinner pretty soon.”

His eyes widened, startled. Good. Did he honestly think they would sit there and shoot the shit like nothing had happened?

Tyler put down his plate and turned to face her.

“OK. I owe you an apology. I was an asshole this morning, and the last thing I wanted to do was hurt you, Mira.”

Mira continued eating, waiting for him to continue. If he thought she was going to make this easy for him, he was mistaken.

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