Page 151 of Severed Heart
“I see,” I say, pulling the sheet up tightly to me and grabbing the remote. “Will she be very upset you are helping me?”
“Not sure,” he drawls playfully.
“This is serious. If I was your woman, the shower would make me very upset, Soldier.Very, very upset.”
He crosses his arms, leaning against the doorjamb. “Hmm. Maybe I shouldn’t tell her.”
I shake my head adamantly. “You should probably not tell her, no.” I wince. “And maybe don’t tell her we fucked... before.”
“Welcome back, GeneralBrash,” he chuckles, his dimple popping. “Let me get this straight. Are you telling me to lie to my woman?”
“Yes. She’ll be suspicious because of that, even if it was long ago, and it will only incite more suspicion. I want to respect her ... but maybe keep her from that knowledge.” I widen my eyes. “Trust me, she will not understand.”
“I don’t know, I really like to be honest with my women,” he says playfully. “Any other advice?”
“Don’t be a connard,” I snap, tilting my head, knowing he’s enjoying this too much at my expense. “I’m fine.” I wave him off. “You can go. Spend the night with her if she needs the assurance,” I say, hating every word. “I don’t need you to babysit me.”
“Do you want a drink?”
“Yes,” I tell him instantly if only to numb the burn of my own jealousy.
“Then I’ll stop babysitting when you don’t.”
I nod. “Are you going to her tonight?”
“Not tonight,” he says, “no.”
“Tyler, do not ruin whatever you have for me.”
“I couldn’t,” he assures.
“Oh,” I say, darting my gaze around, wishing I hadn’t asked so many questions. “Well ... that’s good.”
“Delphine,” he sighs.
“Hm?” I ask, slowly bringing my eyes back to his.
“I’m single.”
“Oh.”
“I don’t do girlfriends,” he says, palming the frame above him, biceps bulging.
“Okay,” I exhale in a shaky rush as I scour the look of him standing at my door, all too alluring. He looksso fucking goodin simple jeans and a white fitted T-shirt. Such simple dress, but so mouthwatering. His tags somehow add so much to his appeal. He’s not only gorgeous, but he’s... fucking sexy. So fucking sexy.
“I’ve been in love once in my life,” he states, dumping cold water on my thoughts. “Didn’t work out.”
“Tyler—” I falter at his delivery.
“She said she would never love me back,” he delivers with such ease that I physically flinch. It takes me almost a full ten seconds to speak.
“And so, you left her for eight long years without a word,” I utter mournfully, hearing every second of those years in my voice as a tense silence follows before he breaks it.
“I’ll be back,” he says, releasing the jamb before rapping it lightly with his knuckles.
“Soldier,” I call after him just as he steps out of sight. He reappears a second later, the frozen screen lighting up his profile. “You have much to tell me?” I ask, and he slowly nods. “Will you tell me when you get back?”
“Not yet,” he whispers through the space.
