Page 15 of Don't You Want Me, Baby?

‘Neat whisky,’ he smirked as she pounded at her chest. ‘Take it easy!’

‘Needed it,’ she rasped out.

‘I bet. Take it you didn’t sort things out then.’

‘He said he wants to talk. I didn’t think it was a good idea. No point.’

‘Right.’ Tyler didn’t sound convinced. ‘Two more, Mary, please.’ He called to her as the older barmaid came over. Mary gave him one of her mothering smiles and turned to the optics.

‘There’s a queue,’ Amber teased. ‘What is it with you and the ladies around here, eh?’ She lifted a finger and swirled it in the air. ‘One bit of Williams charm and they all fall at your feet.’ Her smile died when she saw his stony face staring back at her.

‘Not all of them,’ he muttered. ‘It wouldn’t matter anyway.’

Amber felt her throat dry out. ‘Of course it wouldn’t. I forgot, you don’t do relationships, do you?’

Mary brought their drinks and Tyler handed her a note. She practically fanned herself with it before getting back to the others. Amber was mid-sip of her whisky when his voice rumbled again.

‘What makes you say that? I’ve had relationships.’

‘Not while I’ve known you,’ she countered. ‘You shun every date we try to set you up on.’

‘Doesn’t mean I’m not relationship material. Just means I know what I want.’

When their eyes met, that damn spark fizzed again. Like an electric current arcing between them unseen. She took another sip, turning to stare at the back of the bar.

‘So, are you going to talk to him?’

The huff burst from her chest before she could stop it. ‘Nope. I think I’ve done enough talking for the both of us. Didn’t get me anywhere, did it?’ She tapped her finger on the side of her glass, running her tip along the curved edge as she remembered what she’d felt hearing his voice.Nothing. No butterflies, no stab of regret.Just the familiar burn of something in her chest. Like indigestion from a bad burrito. ‘To be honest, I have no idea what he wants any more. I don’t even know why he bothered to call.’

‘What about what you want? Does that even count?’ His voice was strained, as if he was trying to calm himself down. ‘He was an asshole to you, but I also know he can spin a good tale when he wants something.’

‘I don’t really want to talk about it, Tyler. I can’t.’ She forced herself to meet his eyes. ‘Not with you.’

His brows shot up, his face growing cautious. ‘Why not me?’

‘I…’ She watched his eyes search hers. What was she going to say? That she’d started comparing Bradley to Tyler, and found him lacking? How Bradley out there, stressing out and trying to build his future, had actually turned her off? How desperate she was to have a baby of her own? He wouldn’t get it. ‘I just feel weird about it.’

‘Why?’ His tongue peeked out, ran across his bottom lip and her eyes tracked every millisecond of the movement.I wonder if the joltI’ve felt around him lately would be there if we kissed.‘Amber, tell me why. Please, Cherry. I have to know.’

His little nickname for her was almost enough to make her blurt everything out, but she squashed it down. She needed things to stop, just for a minute. She felt like she was on the carousel at the fair her grandmother always took her to when it came to Hebblestone. Her head was swimming, and the faces of everyone she held dear were zooming around her as she was spun around. Gripping on for dear life, she drew in a breath. Now was not the time to jump into some half-cocked feeling of lust, not when her mind was so chaotic. She couldn’t afford to waste any more time. Risk something else not working out. Plus, it was Tyler! He wasn’t some rebound. It was far too messy, far too soon. She needed her head clear, and her bed empty.

‘Because we’re friends.’

Tyler’s jaw closed tight, and she could see the muscles in his bare forearms flex as he tightened them around the glass he was holding. ‘That it?’

‘Isn’t that enough?’ She drained her glass, welcoming the numbing amber liquid as it hit her body. ‘It’s over with Brad. Being single is better for me right now.’Wow.That last part even sounded lame to her own ears. ‘I just want to enjoy my birthday next week, worry about the rest later.’

Tyler huffed. ‘So that’s your plan?’ He turned his hulking frame on the stool, pinning her knees between his. ‘Just let your life get away from you? I thought you were better than that, Amb. When I first started, you were full of big ideas and stuff you wanted to do.’ He leaned closer, pointing a finger at her chest. ‘Where’s that girl, eh? Cos that girl wanted to get back to the Arms, make it her own. She wanted a big, full life.’

‘She’s still here,’ Amber pushed his hand away, but he grabbed for hers. ‘Just licking her wounds, that’s all.’

‘Yeah?’ Pushing her palm against his own chest, he covered it with his broad palm. ‘Well, my heart beats for that girl, and it’s fucking breaking right now seeing you like this. If you let him, he’ll worm his way back into your life. He doesn’t pissing well deserve you, and I—’ His voice fell away, and she felt the frustration roiling through her. She had no right to his words. She was denying this new aspect of them herself, but his hesitation still stung. Another man who couldn’t just say what they meant.If a man wants you, he’ll be there.Her quota of waiting for the opposite sex was full for the year. ‘I?—’

‘You what, Ty?’ They were causing a scene now. Her voice had shot up, and Tyler was so het up, she could feel his snarl under her palm. She ripped her hand away, leaning to get her purse and almost knocking the stool away in her haste to put some distance between them. ‘I’m sick of all these little comments. Men! You never say what you damn well mean!’

His hand was still on his chest, as if he still felt her touch. ‘I’m not the onewithsomeone, am I.’

‘No,’ she replied hotly, feeling her face flush and her eyes sting with the threat of tears.No way am I crying here. Not a damn chance.‘No, Tyler. You’re not. I’m not with Bradley, and yeah, we had our issues, God knows, but at least I tried withsomeone. You haven’t been on one date since we met, so you’re hardly an expert on relationships. I will make my dreams happen, man or no man. It’s just not that easy.’

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