That was something to celebrate!
* * *
It was a great day.
Ty couldn’t remember a party he’d enjoyed more. The food was awesome and plentiful. Amy hadn’t been kidding about her cooking abilities. There were two kinds of lasagna, plus handmade ravioli, a soup made from scratch, several salads—one leafy and one with legumes—and delicious garlic bread. There was tiramisu for dessert and zabaglione and fresh fruit and cookies that the kids couldn’t resist.
Amy had really knocked it out of the park. She was glowing in the praise from her guests and Ty enjoyed watching her.
The weather was perfect, with no chance of rain. The wine flowed as well as the conversation, and it was a successful party by any accounting. He met the guy next door and his mother, Amy’s tenants, and a number of her old high school friends. The affection between them all was clear, and Ty understood why this house was such a home for Amy. He realized that she did have an excellent support network, even without her dad’s family, and was glad.
In fact, her family was notably absent and he was glad about that, too.
Amy looked wonderful, her hair in a swinging ponytail and her eyes sparkling with laughter. She wore jeans that hugged the sweet curve of her hips and Ty wanted to touch her more than he’d wanted to do anything in a long time. He was haunted by her phone calls to Matteo, and that night at F5. He couldn’t stay away from her and was sure Paige noticed.
With glee.
No doubt his mom would be getting a report, but Ty didn’t care. He was already sold.
They eventually put the food away then sat in the yard under the lanterns swinging on the clothesline, drinking wine, and ignoring the growing chill in the air. The neighbors drifted home as the sky darkened. Ethan fell asleep in his carrier but Derek and Paige lingered, chatting, when Ty just wanted Amy to himself.
When Lisa and Mrs. P. retired, Amy kissed them and thanked them for coming.
Ty sat back, sipped his wine, and let his admiration show. Amy noticed, of course. She’d been as aware of him all day as he’d been of her. Her gaze flicked to him frequently and her cheeks often burned pink, as if she knew his thoughts were more naughty than nice.
But she kept smiling and kept looking.
And he kept touching and looking, wanting to do more than that.
He was starting to think that his sister would never leave.
“It was awesome, Amy,” Paige said. “Ty never mentioned that you’re such a great cook.”
“He didn’t know,” Amy admitted, mischief in her eyes. “He keeps taking me out.”
“That might change,” Ty threatened and she laughed.
Their gazes met over the table, still littered with plates and napkins and crumbs, and that electric awareness crackled between them.
Ty smiled slowly.
Amy blushed slowly.
“Good thing you have F5 to keep you trim,” Derek teased and Amy’s gaze snapped to him.
“F5?” she echoed with alarm. “Isn’t that the fitness club downtown?”
She was concerned, and Ty knew why. He straightened, preparing for damage control.
Too bad Derek and Paige hadn’t left already.
“Ty’s one of the fabled five,” Derek said, saluting Ty with his glass.
Amy looked alarmed.
“Silent partner,” he said to her. “Only three of us actually work at the club.” He kept his tone casual. “I just go there to work out.”
“Oh.” Amy sat back.
He shrugged. “I’m the numbers guy.”
“Oh,” she said again, her relief more obvious.
But not complete.
“Keeping secrets from Amy, Ty?” Paige teased.
“We’re working through each other’s secrets,” he said evenly, then claimed Amy’s hand. “It’s the thrill of discovery.”
She blushed right on cue, and he could have guessed the direction of her thoughts.
“Soon enough, there won’t be any secrets left,” Paige teased. “Get ready for my brother to get you under his microscope, Amy, if he hasn’t already. He’ll have you analyzed and all figured out before you know it.”
“Maybe I’ll beat him to it,” Amy said and Ty chuckled. Their gazes locked again and the evening didn’t seem so chilly after all.
Paige reached for the wine and Ty cleared his throat.
“That’s a hint, sweetheart,” Derek said cheerfully.
“About the ninth one,” Ty muttered and Derek laughed.
“Only nine?” he said. “I counted at least twenty.”
“We can help clean up,” Paige said, reaching for plates.
“I’ve got it,” Ty said firmly. “Take Ethan home to bed.”
“Me, too,” Derek said and Paige laughed.
“I hope you like it when he gets bossy,” she said to Amy. “He does it all the time with us.”
Amy smiled at Ty. “I love it,” she said and heat surged through him. Their gazes clung again and this time, his sister seemed to notice.
“Oh, yeah, we really do need to go,” she said to Derek.
Ty refrained from noting that it was about time. He followed them to the truck, holding fast to Amy’s hand. They stood together in the driveway and waved as the pair left. “I thought they’d never leave,” Ty muttered.
Amy giggled. “Funny how I picked that up.”
“Funny,” he echoed, then turned to face her. He could have drowned in those sparkling eyes. He put one finger beneath her chin and bent to brush his lips across hers. He’d meant it to be a quick little kiss, just a taste to sustain him, but Amy sighed and leaned against him. She seemed to be inviting his touch, and Ty couldn’t resist the temptation. He slanted his mouth across hers in a sweet potent kiss that was all too short.
Because Amy stepped back.
“The dishes,” she whispered.
“The dishes,” Ty agreed easily, more than content to let the tension build between them.
In fact, he’d give it some help.
* * *
It might have been Amy’s imagination, but she and Ty seemed to clean off the outside table with record speed. He gathered all the trash and sorted the recycling after she’d taken the plates and glasses back into the kitchen. She stacked dishes by the sink as she stole glances of Ty working in the yard.
That kiss had been wonderful.
Was it possible that it hadn’t all been for show?
Paige and Derek proved to be good company and good fun, and Amy did enjoy the way Ty and his sister teased each other. Ethan was adorable and enough of a mischievous child to steal anyone’s heart away. She felt the beginning of a family’s embrace closing around her, and she liked it very much.
She liked Ty even more.
Even though he was part-owner of F5. It seemed strange that she didn’t know that already, but on the other hand, when would they have talked about it? They really were just getting to know each other. Could he know about her taking that class? Or meeting with Matteo? Did he know Matteo? He was completely at ease, which would seem to be unlikely if he did know.
His kiss had left her yearning for more.
For him.
Ty locked the door behind himself when he came into the kitchen, as if he meant to stay. Amy’s heart fluttered that he was so open about his hopes. Then he picked up a dishtowel and came to her side.
“No dishwasher,” she said, her hands in the suds.
“No problem,” he said easily and began to dry glasses. He lined them up on the cleaned counter as they were finished, and the neat rows made her smile. Her kitchen felt smaller and warmer with Ty in it, and even more intimate when he opened cupboard doors and began to put things away. He brushed past her so often that it couldn’t be an accident. He touched her shoulder and her back, and when she felt him draw one of those circles, she knew their thoughts were as one.
She had a feeling he’d wait for her encouragement, for as long as it took.
She was in control
.
Why was she hesitating? A fake date with benefits wasn’t any more serious—or binding. Ha.—than a fake date without them. They could enjoy each other without pledging to be together forever.
Ty wanted her.
She wanted him.
Why was she making it complicated?
Amy couldn’t think of a single reason.
“Penny for your thoughts,” Ty said when she was drying her hands.
“I thought you were just making it look good today but now I wonder.”
He granted her a glance that spoke volumes. His eyes were intensely green and his gaze was hot. “I don’t like to do anything just for appearances,” he murmured and Amy’s knees weakened. “Sooner or later, I’ll convince you that the whole Giselle thing was out of character.”
“And the fake date plan?”
“An excuse, in hindsight.” Ty mused, in a low voice that started earthquakes inside Amy. He smiled that slow smile and her mouth went dry. “What exactly is making you wonder?”
The wine made Amy bolder than she would have been otherwise, and she dared to say it out loud. “You didn’t have to kiss me in the driveway.”
Ty nodded. “Oh yes, I did.” He chucked the dish towel on the counter and closed the space between them with a single step. Amy thrilled at his resolve and liked even better when he trapped her between his hips and the counter. “Just like I have to do it again right now.” He considered her, then lifted off her glasses and set them aside. “I’ve been wanting to do that forever,” he murmured.
Things were a bit blurry, but Amy could see that dimple.
And she could feel his interest.
Ty cupped her face in his hand, tipped up her chin and kissed her sweetly.
Sweet was good, but she wanted more.
“I think we should make a deal,” she said when he’d lifted his head.
“Anything you want.”
“Don’t you think you should know before you agree?”
He kissed the side of her neck, then her ear. “Nope. I trust you completely.”
“It might be naughty.”
“A guy can hope.”
Amy smiled, then she pulled back to look into his eyes. “I want to be honest with you.”
“Okay.”
“Completely honest.”
“Okay.”
“I want a hot kiss, a long wicked possessive one, after the nice ones.”
Ty smiled slowly. “You’re on,” he murmured, then slid his hands into her hair. He framed her face and lifted her a little, crushing her against the counter. He bent his head and caught her mouth under hers.
Amy’s heart thundered. She slid her hands up Ty’s chest, over his shoulders and around his neck. This time, she pushed her fingers into his hair and opened her mouth to him, arching against him and demanding more. Ty made a little growl—a very satisfying sound—then locked his arms around her and deepened his kiss. It was the hottest and most passionate kiss they’d ever shared and Amy wanted only more.
Ty broke their kiss and ran a hand over her cheek, pushing back her hair before claiming her lips again. Amy felt treasured and precious, also confident that she could call a halt with a single word or touch. Ty would stand back and walk away, leaving the choice up to her, and she loved that.
When he lifted his head, his eyes were blazing. When he whispered her name, his voice was husky and uneven.
This was her chance.
“I like this honesty,” he whispered.
“I have more.”
“Go for it,” he invited, his eyes shining.
“I want you, Tyler McKay,” Amy said with heat and liked how he caught his breath. “I want all of you and I want you now.”
His eyes blazed. “Does your fireplace work?” he asked.
Amy blinked. “Absolutely. There’s wood in the living room…”
“Don’t move,” he instructed and left her there. She could hear him setting the fire and smiled at the thought that he was using his scout skills.
“We could just use the bedroom,” she called.
She heard him strike a match and the wood begin to crackle. She saw his silhouette as he strode into the kitchen, then blinked when he flicked off the light.
“Live dangerously with me tonight and try something different,” he said. Amy laughed but Ty didn’t give her a chance to argue. He kissed her again and swept her into his arms. He headed for the living room with a purpose that made Amy’s heart race in anticipation.
* * *
For the first time in a long, long time, Ty felt some concern about sex.
He wanted Amy. She wanted him. He had condoms and everything should have been perfect. But he couldn’t help thinking that he had to ensure he gave her as much pleasure as Matteo had. No, he had to give her more. He had to be better than his alter-ego, and that was just weird.
Not only was it bizarre to be competing with his own past performance, but Ty already knew many things that Amy liked. He hoped like hell he didn’t reveal his own disguise and ruin everything. He hoped he could pull it off as lucky guesses or intuitive understanding or something like that.
He would tell her the truth.
Just not right now.
The prospect of making love to her was too sweet to sacrifice.
Later, he’d confess and beg her forgiveness. He had to believe that this was an opportunity to gain some goodwill.
Beyond that, Ty couldn’t think much at all.
The firelight made Amy skin look more golden than usual, an exotic beauty waiting for him. He lowered her before the fire and kissed her again, then removed the fastener from her hair. Her hair fell around her face and to her shoulders, soft and gleaming. “I had this idea,” he said, coaxing her to her back. She kissed him, so soft and inviting that he nearly lost the train of his thoughts.
“An idea?” she echoed, kissing his ear. She grazed his ear lobe with her teeth and he caught his breath, then did it again when she laughed and her breath fanned his skin.
“An idea.” He slid a hand down her length, then under her shirt. He spread his fingers wide and inched his hand higher.
“Only one?”
“It’s a good one, I think. Simple.”
Amy smiled at him, then crossed her arms in front of herself and peeled her shirt over her head, casting it aside. Ty stared at the way the dark lace of her bra contrasted with her creamy skin.
“Navy,” he murmured, wishing he’d imagined that she wore navy lace lingerie as well as sensible separates in that color.
“You don’t like blue?”
“I like it better all the time.”
Amy smiled and rolled toward the fire, displaying the clasp on the bra to him. Ty wasn’t one to decline such an invitation. He unfastened it, then smoothed the elastic over her shoulders, taking the chance to run his hand up her back to her nape. Her hair tangled around his fingers like silk, and Amy rolled to her back again, flicking the bra aside. He bent and kissed one nipple with reverence, and then the other. Her breast filled his hand perfectly, and he liked the idea that they might have been made for each other. She sighed beneath his caress and stretched out beside him, and he remembered his idea.
He caught her wrists in one hand and guided them to the leg of the sofa. “Don’t let go,” he instructed her. Amy’s eyes danced with anticipation. He unfastened her jeans and stripped them off, then slid his hands beneath her panties to discard them as well.
“You could tie me here,” she said playfully, but Ty shook his head.
“Too complicated. I’m going to show you the appeal of simple.”
“Simple,” she repeated. “Well, I can’t see much without my glasses.”
“Close your eyes. That way, you won’t be able to see anything.”
She looked as if she might argue, but changed her mind and did as he’d instructed. Ty ran his hand over her, admiring her beauty. He eased his fingers between her thighs, discovered that she was as excited as he was, and moved t
o be between her knees.
“What are you doing?” she asked, tension in her voice.
“Something simple to make sure you’re pleased,” he said, then eased her thighs wide apart. When Ty closed his mouth over her, Amy gasped.
And then she surrendered to him, uttering only one small delicious moan in capitulation.
* * *
Amy came, after it seemed like Ty tormented her for a thousand years. He didn’t stop, though, but kept teasing her with his tongue and teeth, ensuring that her orgasm lasted so long that she was breathless. Her heart was hammering when he moved to tear off his jeans, and she saw the tension in his movements.
“Good idea,” she whispered.
“Don’t move,” he said, his voice a little rough, and Amy obeyed. She realized he was getting something from his jeans and smiled as she guessed why. He returned to her side with a couple of foil packages and opened one, eyeing her as he smoothed on the condom. No wonder he looked so good in his suits. Even without her glasses and even with him still wearing his T-shirt, she could see that he was toned and fit. He’d need to be part owner of a gym to spend that much time there.
Or rich.
She felt a combination of excitement and a little trepidation when he stretched out beside her again and she felt the size of him against her thigh. The fire crackled on her other side and she felt warm.
“It’s been a while,” she whispered.
“Me, too,” Ty admitted, trailing his fingers over her. Amy felt tingles run over her flesh and stretched beneath his caress. “A bit of a dry spell.”
“I like that we have that in common.”
“Me, too. But I don’t want to disappoint you.”
“I don’t think you could,” she confessed and earned a thorough kiss for that. “But you had condoms. Does that mean expectations?”
“Preparations in a spirit of optimism,” Ty admitted, kissing her again before she could laugh aloud. The weight of his hand was on her hip and her waist, then rising to her breast, brushing over the nipple, and sliding up her throat. He kissed her ear, stroking her all the while.
“Sit on me,” he invited in a throaty whisper. “I want to see you.” He pulled back to look into her eyes. “And you’ll be in charge, which I know you like.”
Simply Irresistible Page 23
