Page 125 of Just One Fake Date

His eyes flew open just as he was batted on the chin. Fitzwilliam was sitting on his chest, his green eyes glowing in the half-light. Ty saw that lush tail flick, then Fitzwilliam reached out and patted him on the chin again.

This time, it punctuated what was obviously a request with a yowl of complaint.

Apparently, the cat had gotten over his shyness.

Shannyn wiggled a little closer, rubbing her butt against him in a very arousing way. Ty glanced down to see a mysterious smile curve her lips and knew she was well aware of what she was doing.

She rolled over and slid a hand over him, her fingers closing around his erection with a surety that made him catch his breath. When she looked up at him, her eyes were sparkling and he knew she was going to mess with him.

He couldn’t wait.

“And there’s the third thing I miss,” she whispered, her tone mischievous. “Morning erections that demand immediate attention.” She gave him a caress that made him forget his aches and pains, then sat up. She stretched, giving him an enticing view when she tugged off her nightshirt. “Sex in the morning is the very best.”

Ty might have taken that as an invitation, but he heard Aidan coming down the hall to the bathroom. “Good morning, Viet Nam!” Aidan roared in a very bad imitation of Robin Williams, then pounded on the bedroom door. “Rise and shine, people. There’s hard labor to be done.”

Ty’s disappointment must have shown because Shannyn laughed at him as she reached for her robe. She blew him a kiss, then went to the kitchen, Fitzwilliam padding confidently behind her. Ty stared at the ceiling for a long moment, which did just about nothing to curb his reaction to her touch, given that the sheets smelled like Shannyn’s skin.

She pushed him. She provoked him and she challenged him. Maybe it was strategically time to push back. Ty had made his opinion clear, he’d suggested the challenge, but Shannyn still hadn’t invited him to Kirsten’s wedding. If she just wanted sex and a new roof, then they were done. Ty wanted more. So much more.

He wanted what only she could give, but their relationship couldn’t become real if Shannyn didn’t want more, too.

It was time to challenge her to make a move.

He had the day to plan just how best to do that.

It waslate Sunday afternoon when Shannyn took pictures of the tired crew and their handiwork. The roof looked amazing. Paul cleaned up the yard as Aidan helped Derek load up the ladders. She paid Derek for the shingles, sneaking glances at Tyler. Something was going on and she wanted to know what it was. He’d been cool but polite all day, as if he was waiting for something. Shannyn went to him and ran a hand up his arm, watching as he turned to smile down at her.

“What’s wrong?”

“I don’t have a wedding invitation yet,” he said, bending to kiss her as if nothing was wrong at all.

“I’m thinking it’s a bad idea.”

“I’m thinking you’re not entering the spirit of this challenge,” he replied. “If all I wanted was sex, I could get it without killing myself to help with a roof.” He pulled back a bit to study her. “But maybe a roof really is all that you wanted from me. Ta da. All fixed.” He held her gaze for a moment in challenge and Shannyn didn’t know what to say.

“Don’t you think we’re too different?”

“You keep saying that, as if you’re trying to convince yourself that it’s true.” He bent closer, his gaze still simmering. “I’m already persuaded that we have everything important in common.”

“Like?”

“We’re both romantics. We’re both idealists. We both take our time to commit, but are all-in when we do. We both protect those we love, no matter what it costs. How am I doing so far?”

“You’re just taking it as a challenge to change my mind.”

“Why would you be so worried about it, if you were sure I couldn’t succeed?” Tyler asked softly, his gaze piercing.

Shannyn expressed her worst fear. “What happens when you’ve aced all the challenges? No challenge means no interest.”

“What if we lose the opportunity for something special because you won’t take a chance?” he countered in an undertone. “I’m not fooled. You’re scared, Shannyn, because I’m challenging you to take a chance on me, on this, and you won’t. So much for living in the moment and following impulse.”

“I meant that!” she protested although his accusation made treacherous sense.

“Only within certain parameters. You’re more risk-averse than I am, ironically because I’ve been listening to you.”

Before she could reply, Tyler went to start loading the furniture into Derek’s truck. It took Derek three trips this time, because Shannyn insisted on packing it all more carefully. She’d already photographed the refurbished pieces to show her mom. She went along with Derek and Paul, and took some pictures of Paige’s delight as the guys unloaded the first pieces. Paul left for the day then, and Derek drove back to her place. Tyler returned with him this time, then Derek went back alone to get the last load.

They arranged the furniture and concluded the deal, leaving Paige in raptures. She was well aware of Tyler’s silence beside her when Derek drove them back to her place, and knew their discussion wasn’t over. She fully expected Aidan to have gone for a beer by the time they got back, but he was sitting on the porch, waiting.

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