Page 85 of War

A soft breath escapes me at that word.Husband. Damn, I like the way it sounds coming from her. “Yeah, I am.”

“So you’ll come with me?On time?” Her eyes are narrowed a bit now. There’s that vicious woman that I’m falling too hard for.

“You worried I won’t actually show up, wifey?”

By the way she bites down on her lip and the smile that spreads across her cheeks, she’s enjoying the teasing as much as I am. Makes me wonder if her chest feels as light as mine. If, like me, she feels capable of anything right now. Including confessing my real feelings to my wife.

“No. I’d just really like to go together. As a couple.”

I push the hair back from her face and stroke her cheek. “I’d like that.”

And despite the way I want to pull her to me and tell her that she is loved, that I love her as much as I love Josie,that I’m falling in love with her, I just hold her until her breathing evens out and she finally finds rest.

THIRTY-THREE

AVA

Soft lips pressagainst my neck, then drag down my back, and I feel the light peppering of kisses continue until I’m blinking awake, wondering if I’m dreaming. When I finally focus, I find Tyler, eyes on me, lips pressed to my wrist—or more precisely, to the scars that mar my skin there.

“What are you doing?” My voice comes out raspy with sleep, but somehow I find myself smiling.

Even after the heavy conversation of last night, I feel lighter than I have in a long time. Maybe it’s because Tyler seems to get it. He gets me. We both suffered some awful things at young ages, and he’s a more empathetic person because of it.

He also may just be the kindest, most warm-hearted man I’ve ever met, because right now it feels like he’s trying to kiss every hurt better. Obviously, the scars have more than healed, but the emotional toll they left on me—the hiding I’ve done—is still there, and he’s altering those ugly memories and the scars with his lips. Changing the meaning behind them. Making me feel beautiful and strong andloved.

“Kissing my wife good morning.” His answer is lazy and slow, but his lips curve up in the corners, letting me know he’s once again in a teasing mood. I love that about him. That he’s not going to force me totalk about it. He opens the door for me to give him more but also gives me an out if I’m not ready.

I’m not ready. I hope one day I will be. It feels less daunting—life, the scars, the memories—now that I have him and our kids.

Our kids.That part really makes me smile.

I never thought I’d have this. A family. I was always too scared to get close to anyone else for fear of losing them, but with each of our kids it was barely a choice. I fell almost immediately. And with Tyler…well, it’s clear I’m falling.

“You missed a few spots,” I tell him.

Blue eyes bounce in surprise. “Oh, yeah?” He tries to wiggle down my body.

Laughing, I yank him up. “I meant up here, you goober.” I purse my lips exaggeratedly, waiting for a kiss.

Of course, Tyler can never do anything simply. Just a peck of the lips isn’t enough for him. He slides up my body and frames my face with those large hands. Then, once he’s got complete control and I’m stuttering for breath as I literally wait for his lips to touch mine, he smirks. “I like waking up with you, Vicious. Love having you in my bed. Love holding you close all night. But mostly I love being able to kiss you whenever I want.”

He doesn’t wait for me to reply, not that I could come up with a single word that could express how this man makes me feel when he’s so honest with me. Tyler goes all-in on the kiss. Every time our mouths meet, I swear it’s like a shot of lust straight to my veins. His kisses are mind-altering. The minute his lips touch mine, I go hazy and pliable. I melt against him with each swipe of his tongue until I feel my hips undulating against his, begging for even more attention.

He pulls back, leaving me reaching for him, and with a chuckle, he presses another kiss to my chin, then my cheek, then the tip of my nose, right beside my lips.

I let out a needy growl, wanting his damn mouth back where it was and our bodies connected.

“Sorry, wifey. I have to get to morning skate.”

There’s no stopping the sad whine that escapes me. “You’re such a tease.”

“How about lunch with my bride?”

I shrug, trying to act nonchalant, even as I want to swoon over that nickname.Bride.I didn’t feel like much of one when we got married, and yet the word still gives me butterflies. What is this man doing to me?

“I’ll have to check my schedule.”

Tyler hovers above me, that cocksure smirk on his face now. “It’s my birthday, wifey. You can’t make me eat alone.”

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