Page 61 of Tempting the Heart

I walked over to the far window and pressed my forehead to the glass, trying to get a good view of Milo’s.

A gasp slipped from my lips when I saw Bethany hanging on Tyler, swaying back and forth like she heard some ballad or something.

Fury rose deep from within when I saw Tyler crack a smile.

So, Brad’s sister wasn’t good enough for Tyler Grant, but some near stranger was right up Tyler’s alley?

I frowned in disgust as Dottie started hyperventilating, her tongue getting caught in the back of her throat in an array of snorts and hacks. I bent over quickly, picked her up, and dangled her upside down before putting her back on the floor to start petting her. The snorts finally subsided as my pulse soared with a mixture of anger for Tyler and worry for Dottie.

“It’s okay, Dottie. You’re okay. We’re okay.” I shook my head. “But Tyler has another thing coming.”

Her big doe eyes looked up at me just as I heard a man’s voice tickle my spine.

“Tell me about it, Mayflower. What do I have coming?”

I froze in place as Dottie switched her attention to Tyler, and I swore the traitor of a pug smiled at him.

Smiled!

I slowly turned my head and lifted my gaze to Tyler’s. His blue eyes locked on mine, and I swallowed down every single thing I wanted to scream at him.

He didn’t deserve it. He had enough to deal with from his parents.

He.

Was.

Single.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, feeling my heart thump doubly fast as his eyes stayed on mine.

He was just schmoozing with another woman, Mae. Get a grip. Don’t fall for it.

“I wanted to come tell you what I should have told you the other night,” he said in a low timbre that sent shivers through me.

I slowly stood as Dottie wandered over to the doorway between my shop and the antique store, pushing herself through.

I breathed in, feeling my pulse pound harder with each passing second, and returned my gaze to his. “What was that?”

A smile tugged at his lips. “That I can’t just get over you.”

My arms folded over my chest. “I’m pretty pissed.”

He brushed my cheek. “Yeah? Why’s that?”

“I’ve heard a thing or two about a thing or two.”

Tyler took a step closer and flipped the open sign toClosedand locked the door. His eyes stayed on mine, sending a wave of longing through me.

“Pissed about what?”

Just being near him made my stomach twist and turn into a terrific feeling of cartwheels and rollercoasters.

“You’ll get together with someone you’ve just met, but you won’t sleep with me,” I said flatly, unsure of where this courage arose from.

“I’m not sleeping with anyone, Mayflower.” His gaze darkened with stormy desire, and I swallowed down all my questions and worries.

“What about Bethany? She looked pretty happy to be hanging on you,” I muttered, unable to look away from Tyler. “And you looked pretty pleased with the attention.”

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