Page 91 of The Dark Obsession

But then Tyson turns to me, and I see a spark in his eyes that no one else gets to witness, meant solely for me.

I’m starting to feel possessive over those looks, over the flicker of life I seem to be bringing out of this man’s carcass of feelings.

“Ty, wait for me!” I call out, wheezing in an attempt to get him to slow down. “I’ve got shorter legs!”

In an instant, he whirls around, making me almost crash into his chest as he takes my chin between his rough fingers.

“I love it when you call me that, little one.” His thumb traces my jaw affectionately, his voice gaining a strange quality. “I never had a nickname.”

“Never?”

“No.” His brief answer kills the tender moment of vulnerability too soon.

Wrapping my arms around his trim waist, I sag against him, half comforting him and half holding myself upright.

There’s no way I’ll make this.

Taking one look at my exhausted features as I struggle to take the next breath, Tyson leads me off to the side to one of the boulders lining the trail.

“Rest, little one.”

A light wind cools my overheated body as we sit in the shade, sweeping tendrils of loose hair into my face.

Rummages through the backpack, my tour guide hands me a thermos filled with iced water and a pack of my favorite almonds.

“When did you pack all this?”

“While you were scrubbing the oil paint off your fingers.” He nudges my shoulder with his.

I down half of the bottle in one go, sighing as the liquid soothes my dry throat before offering him some of the nuts.

Leaning back onto his elbow, he takes a handful, throwing them into his open mouth in one go.

Tyson tips his head back, exposing his long, thick neck to me. A look of utter peace settling over him as he gazes up into the crowns of the trees above.

I take him in as he lies there, his raw masculinity making my insides tightening. The sudden urge to run my hands all over his body, commit every grove, every scar to memory overcomes me.

Lured by the tranquility of the moment, I shuffle closer to his side, throwing one arm over his solid abs, laying my head onto his shoulder.

I feel him let out a long breath before he grips my hip, pulling me impossibly close as he buries his nose in my hair.

I love when he does that.

This is what utter happiness feels like.

We lay there for a long time, just listening to the serene sounds of nature surrounding us before I hear footsteps in the distance. Oh no.

Immediately, Tyson shoots up, eyes zeroing in on the intruder.

A man who looks to be in his late thirties, dressed in professional hiking gear comes into view and I sense Tyson’s body go rigid, readying himself to take down the potential threat.

Positioning himself between me and the stranger, I see him reach around, keeping a hand on the gun tucked in his waistband holster.

The hiker nods in our direction in greeting, letting his eyes sweep over our awkward position.

“Are you guys alright?”

“Yeah, we’re just taking a break.” I call out first, half hidden behind Tyson’s shoulder.

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