Page 9 of No Going Back

“Do you go back much?”

“With our work schedules?” She smiled. “I try to get back when I can. Dad’s health is not so good. But we talk all the time by phone and text.”

Their eyes met at the mention of texting. Mira took a breath, deciding it was time to find out Tyler's intentions for being here.

“So, I’m sensing there’s a reason behind this surprise visit?” she asked nervously.

Tyler stared down at his coffee. The normally self-assured man appeared to be struggling to find words.

“I wanted to see you,” he said quietly.

“You saw me earlier.”

“Onscreen, with a room full of people. I wanted to see you. Just you.” He raised his head and she saw pain in his eyes that caught her off guard. She sipped her coffee, not sure what to say or where this was heading.

“Mira, I thought we should talk.” His voice was surprisingly gentle.

Uh oh, those were never good words to hear. Her hands trembled a little and she tightly gripped her coffee cup, raising it to her lips, waiting for him to continue.

“I really like you. What we’re doing has been so fucking hot. I thought maybe we should talk about what happens next.”

She gulped a mouthful of coffee, almost burning her throat. Shit, he had come for sex.

“I don’t mean I came here for sex,” he said in a whisper, as if reading her mind. “Although there’s nothing I’d like more than to take you to bed.” His voice was so low, the heat in his eyes sent a wave of desire through her. She lowered her cup to the table, her palms sweating.

“Ty, I told you I’m not looking for anything serious.”

As she said the words, a pang of sadness hit her. Career first, she had promised herself. It didn’t stop her thinking about what it might be like to be in a relationship with him. Tonight, dinner, it felt so right, like a date. She liked it. A lot.

“I know and I heard you. I’m not relationship material. But I don’t want to hurt you. You’re important to me and the team. I don’t want anything to ruin that.”

Why did he think he wasn’t relationship material? He was the whole damn package. Apart from being drop dead gorgeous, he was smart, funny, financially stable, served his country, would give his life for others, seriously skilled at pleasing a woman if his sexts were anything to go by, and was great with kids. You only had to see him with Megan, his teammate Steve’s daughter.

“You’re not hurting me. I thought we were both having some fun. We agreed that’s all it would be.”

“It is fun, babe. But at what point do we say enough is enough? A cellphone and my hand are not going to satisfy me forever.” He offered a small smile.

She blanched. Was he saying he hadn’t had sex with anyone since they’d started sexting?

“I didn’t realize you weren’t seeing...women,” she said awkwardly. The shock on Tyler’s face took her back.

“Seriously? You thought I was seeing other women all this time?”

“I just thought...well... it’s not like we’re dating or anything.”

“Have you been seeing other guys?”

Oh shit, he looked pissed now. “No. I haven’t.” Her answer seemed to calm him.

“Jesus, Mira. I would never do that to you. I know we’re not exactly dating but we’re still involved.”

She blinked, unsure why hearing him say that made her happy. Taking a breath, she said what had been on her mind.

“Tyler, I’m not sure we should have sex. It’s not that I don’t want you. But it’s crossing a line, and I’m worried it would ruin our friendship and, like you just said, I don’t want to risk that.”

Tyler reached for her hands. “Neither do I, babe. You mean too much to me and I don’t just mean the sexting. You’re so easy to talk to.”

“I love talking to you, too.” They sat, holding hands, their eyes locked on each other, before she whispered, “Can’t we just carry on as we are?”

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