Page 6 of Only for You: Tap and Taryn
She laughed brightly, a sound he thought only he could bring out of her. “No, it’s not like that.”
Tap made a deliberate sound and she turned her head. With a huge smile she said, “I gotta go. Yes, of course I do. We’ll talk again soon.”
Rolling her eyes she stood. “That was awkward, I’m glad you got here when you did.”
Jealousy flared through his head and he gritted out, “You talking to him?”
“What?” She seemed genuinely taken aback by the question. “No, not at all, Tap. That was a college friend who just got caught up on the past three years of my life. Not him. Never him.
The ghost of his jealousy rumbled through him again. “You sure?”
She laughed, but saw his pain. “Tap, it’s you. Always was.”
Tap moved and pinned her to the couch, knee between her legs. He kissed her slowly, because they had all the time in the world. He took her then, slow and tender, pouring out the years of longing. As she slept in his arms, he knew that even through the years, he’d never stopped loving her. But could he trust her not to break him again?
Chapter 5: Cracks in the Foundation
“Taryn! Open up!” The shouts were accompanied by a fist pounding against the front door.
Tap only had to glance at Taryn to know who it was. Her face was bloodless, hands lifting and falling, like a broken bird in flight. “I got it, baby. Step back.”
She nodded but stayed where she was, halfway across the room from the door. Still too close for Tap’s liking, but he understood.
“Taryn! Open the goddammed door!” More pounding, and what sounded like a kick.
Tap’s blood boiled. He yanked the door open, finding himself towering over the slick-suited man. “Time for you to vacate the property.” As the man tried to see around Tap, he moved to more fully block the door. “You need to leave. She’s done with you.”
The man stopped shouting and looked Tap up and down. His mouth pulled down on one side in a sneer. “Who are you?”
That was an easy question to answer. Tap smiled softly. “I’m hers.”
“What does that mean, asshole?” He tried to push past Tap, and immediately found himself on his ass in the front yard. “You assaulted me!”
“Nope, you were attempting to break into Taryn’s house, and she specifically doesn’t want to see your face ever again.” Tap clenched his fist, making sure the little man saw. “I’m good friends with the sheriff, want me to give him a call?”
Taryn pressed against Tap’s back, and she spoke in a flat tone Tap had never heard from her.
“Go, Ricky. You know it’s over. This doesn’t benefit anyone. Go.”
Ricky climbed to his feet, giving Tap a wide berth. “Baby, I just want to talk to you.”
“The lady has made her desire clear. You’re on private property, and as of now I’m saying you’re trespassing. Take a hike, dude.” Tap stared him down, Ricky giving up easily.
“You’ll come crawling back.” The man threw that statement at Taryn like a spear.
“Bet?” Tap laughed at the expression on Ricky’s face. “Get the fuck out of here. You’ve got about sixty seconds to vacate.”
He stayed in place as Ricky limped down the sidewalk to where an enormous SUV waited. It wasn’t till the vehicle had turned out of the driveway that Tap moved. He twisted around and wrapped Taryn up in a hug. She buried her face against his shoulder, shuddering sobs rattling her whole frame.
“He’s gone, honey.” Tap whispered and placed a series of kisses against the side or Taryn’s head. “Gone and won’t be coming back.”
“I’m so glad you were here. Thank you for doing all that.” Her arms gave him a squeeze. “Thank you.”
“Why would he show up like that?” Tap shook his head. “Man had all kinds of a maditude.”
“He’s been calling and I’ve sent him to voicemail. I guess he got tired of talking to himself.” She laughed harshly. “Maditude is about right.”
Tap’s hackles went back up. “He’s been calling? You didn’t say anything, Taryn. Why wouldn’t you tell me?”
