Page 20 of Bake the Town Red

I forget all of it when Tyler’s awake and glaring at me. I’m no longer queen of death. I’m Icarus, flying close to the sun. So close I might burn.

So close that Idon’t careif I burn.

Tyler takes another step forward. I hear the front of his boots as they connect to the counter. There’s anger in his eyes,but not in his touch. He curls his fingers around the snake tattoo on my neck, and there’s no anger there.

His possessiveness isn’t as poisonous as Gunner’s. This is love.

For a second there, I marvel at his touch. I purr like a goddamn feline. I imagine he enjoys touching me same as I enjoy the pad of his thumb stroking my mangled skin. The iceberg in his eyes thaws, I think.

Until it’s back to being himself. The mask he forces on his beautiful face.

Tyler’s expression shifts into something cruel. A taunting smirk. A quirked eyebrow.

“Little savage.” His fingers dig. Bite. Burn. My damned heart still soars at the pain. Especially at the pain. “There’s no use for this sweet act. Nothing will convince me to stay. I don’t want to stay.”

I don’t want to stay. I’ve heard that one before.

I’ll never believe that.

“Oh, really?” I curl my fingers around the handle of the knife I hide in my apron.

I’ve missed him. Leaning into him and hoping for the old Tyler is nice. That’s it. Nice. Being scrutinized by him is more of my definition of fun. Playing a game with him is delicious.

And preparing for a banter war with Tyler is better than anything this world has to offer.

It’s an opportunity to lure him back. Show him I’m safe with him.

If he twists my arm, force me to threaten him with the knife so he’ll stay, so be it.

“Really.” His gaze is meaner with each passing moment. My thighs clench at the sight. “I’m here because you and I are going to have a chat. After that, we’re done. Ian’s sister.”

My fight deflates at the name. My soul cracks, tears. It plummets to the floor and drops even lower from there. Like, to the sewer.

He’ll really leave once we’re done talking.

Then what? Back to pretending he hates me so I’ll stay far, far away from him?

Fuck him. Fuck him trying to push me away with Ian’s name.

“Leave my brother out of this,” I growl, stepping back.

“How?” Evil Tyler holds me tighter. Pulls my face to his. “I can’t leave our story out of any of this.”

The meaning behind what he’s saying is clear, and fuck, I can’t be angry with him for it. I have to heal him.

“The past is in the past.”

“I’m not sure it ever will be.” Ty presses his forehead to mine. Tilts his head. Every movement is confident. “But I had to… I have to… Fuck, I miss you.”

He whispers that last part. I don’t think he meant for me to hear it.

I did. He misses me.

“Is that why you came here?” I whisper.

No answer comes. Not a verbal one. Tyler forces me forward, crashing his lips onto mine. It’s ferocious and violent. As hot as the fires of hell. As intense as learning a new recipe.

Tyler knows it’s my first kiss. Has to know. And yet he doesn’t bother with being gentle, sweet, tentative. Doesn’t ease me into it.

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