His to Love (Fireside #1)

by Stacey Lynn

  “Don’t leave me.”

  “I’m just getting undressed.”

  “Okay,” I whispered, already feeling the darkness of sleep and emotional overload pulling me down.

  Then he was back, lying down next to me and pulling me to him so my head was on his shoulder, his heartbeat to my ear. He placed my hand on his chest.

  “Sleep well, Blue. I’ve got you.”

  But I couldn’t respond to tell him thank you because I’d already fallen asleep.

  —

  I woke up with red, scratchy eyes and a cold bed next to me.

  Blinking the haze of sleep away, I wondered briefly if I had dreamt everything that happened last night, but when I rolled over and saw a note propped up by my phone, which had been plugged into the charger, a grin pulled at my lips. With sleepy movements, I reached for the note and flipped it open. It took me a moment to focus my blurry eyes on the confident scratches of Tyson’s writing.

  Bluejay—

  Early meeting today and a busy week ahead. Sorry I couldn’t be there when you woke up. Call me if you need anything and I’ll be there.

  Yours…always,

  Blackbird

  The immature smiley face after his equally immature nickname made me laugh. Even more immaturely, I pressed the note to my chest, clasping it with both hands. And like I did in high school, I sighed.

  Because he loved me. His words might confuse me sometimes, but it was the actions that made the man.

  Last night, Tyson showed me exactly the kind of man he was, and how he felt about me, barely saying a word.

  It was enough for me.

  With renewed confidence in my relationship, and knowing these next two days at work were going to be crazy with getting ready for Saturday night’s benefit, I slid out from beneath the warmth of the hotel’s bedsheets and showered.

  The workday flew by. Simone and I spent the morning ensuring everything was now set to go for Saturday, confirming last minute RSVPs and changing the seating arrangements accordingly. I grimaced as I set my own name next to Malik’s at the head table. We’d be dining with the CEO of Ford, the president of Detroit’s largest bank, and two other CEOs of smaller companies, along with each of their wives or mistresses. My skin went cold just thinking about the influence Malik would have over these men, the shady dealings he probably already had with them. Being paraded around on his arm and joining him at dinner, like I was someone important to him, was the last way I wanted to spend Saturday evening.

  We took a break for a Caesar salad lunch, eaten at the conference table in Simone’s office, but my stomach swirled with the thought of what lay ahead of me. I didn’t know why I thought it would be so easy to step out from under my father’s rule when I returned home. Pure naiveté, probably, and the fact that I hadn’t spoken to him in ten years. I’d forgotten how determined and stubborn he truly could be.

  I had a few other stores where I wanted to look for furniture, boutique type places with more unique pieces than the large, traditional box stores that took me out closer to Latham Hills. Then I needed to go back and spend more time with my mom.

  I didn’t want to.

  I didn’t want to have another meltdown like I did last night, when I fell into Tyson’s arms afterward.

  After I purchased and scheduled delivery for the living room furniture, light teal–painted and distressed tables and a coordinating gray-blue bookshelf along with a rug with hints of salmon that tied the colors together, I figured there was no harm in stopping by Tyson’s office on my way back home.

  Perhaps he could stop for a quick bite to eat. I wanted to see his smile and feel his touch before I spent the rest of the night in a home I despised while losing one of the few people I cared about in this world.

  His grandfather’s firm was easy to find. It was a small, nondescript two-story building just off Main Street. Based on memory, I knew it was close enough for Tyson to walk to work if he wanted to, and it was just three or four blocks down from the Fireside Grill.

  I pulled into the small office parking lot and noticed Tyson’s black truck.

  Unbidden, my pulse began to flutter just knowing that he was there.

  Something happened last night when Tyson wrapped me in his arms, carried me, and held me all night long. He changed from being someone I wanted…to someone I needed. His strength, knowing he was here for me, knowing he was only a phone call away, helped me to know that whatever was going to come my way soon, I could bear it with him by my side.

  The outside doors of the building opened to an octagonal rotunda with a winding staircase directly in the middle. The building wasn’t large by any means, but it was full of bright sunshine coming from a skylight. After a quick scan of the directory inside the door, I headed to my right and found Tyson’s office on the main floor. I opened the door and was assaulted by a familiar scent that had nothing to do with Tyson.

  When we dated when we were younger, I was invited to several gatherings at his family’s house for holiday dinners and special occasions. There was absolutely nothing that could ever make me forget the smell of his grandmother’s perfume. When I heard a feminine gasp come from my left, I already knew who I was going to see when I turned. I came face-to-face with a woman who had held me in her arms and pressed her lips to my cheeks many times.

  “Blue?” Mary Anne, Tyson’s grandmother asked, even as she was already pushing away from her desk. “Good Lord, child! What on Earth are you doing here?”

  Her smile spread wide as she moved toward me.

  “Hello, Mary Anne,” I said, closing the distance between us. When I reached her, she gathered me in her arms and that same scent of her skin and hair assaulted my nose. I inhaled, breathing in the warmth and familiarity of the kind woman in front of me.

  “I can’t believe you’re here,” she said, pulling back from me. “Tyson told me he’s seen you since he’s been back in town.”

  I nodded and let go of her. “Yes, I was actually wondering if he’s in.”

  A small frown made tiny lines pop up around her mouth. “He is. But unfortunately he’s in a meeting. Did he know you were coming?”

  “No.” I shook my head and took the woman in. She’d definitely aged, and she had to be nearing seventy. Her hair was clearly dyed and she had a few more wrinkles, but she still looked incredible. I was certain it was because she had always taken care of herself by walking daily and playing in a ladies’ golf league. “This was more of a surprise visit.”

  “Oh. I don’t know how long this meeting will take.”

  “Do you mind if I wait?”

  “Not at all.” She grinned and pulled me toward a small love seat in the reception area. “How about I go get us some coffee and we can catch up? Tyson’s told me some…about your mom…” She trailed off and frowned again. “I’m so sorry, honey.”

  “Thank you,” I whispered, emotion thickening my voice.

  That was one of the things I loved about being around Tyson and his family. They were quick to show affection and compassion. Feeling it and hearing it then left me trembling. I’d gone all day without crying, without thinking of the conversation with my mom last night. I didn’t want to lose it now. Sensing my distress, Mary Anne patted my hand before stepping away.

  “How do you take your coffee?”

  “Just black, please.”

  “Very well.” She gave me a gentle smile as I sat on the small couch. “I’ll be just a minute and then we’ll have some girl time.”

  I chuckled, shaking my head as she walked away. Once she was gone, I took my phone out of my purse and let out a relieved breath when I saw that I hadn’t missed any calls. No news from anyone was good news as far as I was concerned.

  I did a quick check of my email and was sliding my phone back into my purse when two angry male voices came from down a hallway in front of me. My head instantly perked up as they came closer and I recognized one of the voices.

  “This shit gets tied up and soon,” one of the
men snapped.

  “I tried to warn you.” Tyson’s voice echoed. He sounded furious and I rolled my shoulders back, affected by his emotion even though it was not directed at me. I couldn’t even see him.

  “Get her under control. We need more information.”

  “She doesn’t know anything.”

  The voices grew louder as the two men stepped into the lobby. Both of them were formidable in their matching black suits. Tyson’s black hair was slicked back and his hands were clenched into fists at his sides. The other man’s stance was equally intimidating. They looked like equals, although the man I didn’t know was older, with his dark brown hair dotted with light gray at the temples. His jaw tightened and he leaned forward, hissing, “This case will be wrapped by the weekend. Do your part.”

  I jolted from the fury rolling off him. The slight movement caught Tyson’s attention, and his jaw locked and his head snapped toward me.

  “Blue?” he asked, clearly shocked to see me. “What are you doing here?”

  The other man seemed to be forgotten for a moment as Tyson moved to step around him.

  But the man’s arm reached out and snagged Tyson’s biceps. “Finish this,” he sneered.

  Tyson barely spared him a glance and shook him off.

  “Blackwell.”

  “I’m on it,” Tyson said, waving him off. “See you Saturday.”

  Dismissed, the angry older man stomped passed him, slashing me with a chilling glare as he passed. He threw open the door to the main entrance and disappeared.

  “Who was that?” I asked, surprised by my breathless tone.

  Tyson’s hands relaxed and then balled into fists again as he took another step toward me. He shook his head, as if clearing his mind, and sighed. “An angry client, that’s all.”

  I could still see the tension and the anger hardening his features but they relaxed when he joined me on the couch. “Are you okay?”

  I nodded. “Yeah, but I was in the neighborhood so I thought I’d stop by. I know you’re working late but I was wondering if you could take a quick dinner break.”

  He dropped his head and with one hand, reached out to cover mine in my lap. “I’ve got some things I have to finish up tonight. Can you wait an hour?”

  I shook my head. “I need to get home.”

  He leaned forward and cupped my cheek, brushing his lips again mine. This kiss was quick and unexpected, but the simmering warmth that rippled through my veins when his lips were on mine wasn’t. I always had that reaction when Tyson kissed me.

  “What if I come to your place later tonight and bring you some ice cream?”

  I laughed against his lips. “That sounds really good.”

  “You sure you’re okay?”

  I nodded. “Yeah. I will be.”

  He kissed me again and held me, just as Mary Anne returned holding two coffee mugs in her hands.

  “Oh.” Her eyebrows jumped. “Tyson. I thought you had a meeting.”

  “I did.” His eyes narrowed and he shot her a look I didn’t fully understand. She turned to me.

  She extended a coffee mug toward me but then pulled it back. “You two going somewhere? Blue and I were going to catch up.”

  “Maybe another night, Mary Anne,” I said. “I’m sorry. I need to get some food and get home.”

  Understanding flashed in her eyes. “Of course. Another day, then. Tyson must bring you to dinner soon.”

  “I would love it.” I squeezed Tyson’s hand and looked up at him.

  A worry line appeared between his brows and his smile was fake when he looked back at me. “Sometime soon. Definitely.”

  A coolness permeated the air and left an awkward silence rippling in its wake.

  “I should probably go.” Turning to Mary Anne, I lifted my hand in a wave. “It was wonderful to see you again.”

  “You too, honey. And know that I’m praying for you and your family.”

  Emotion clogged my throat as she set down the coffee mugs and walked toward me. She pressed her lips to my cheek and squeezed my shoulders.

  “Thank you,” I managed to choke out.

  “I’ll walk you out,” Tyson said when Mary Anne pulled back from me. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

  “Take your time.” She smiled again, and I blew her a kiss as Tyson pulled me out of the office and to my car.

  “I’m sorry about this,” Tyson said. His voice still carried the lingering tension from his conversation with the other man, as if he hadn’t fully been able to calm down yet. “There’s a lot of shit going on right now that I need to focus on.”

  “I understand,” I told him. I did. Work sometimes had to come first. To prove it to him, I rolled to my toes and pressed my lips against his. “I knew you were busy, and you’re just getting on your feet here, too. I just thought I’d take the chance to see you while I was close.”

  The edges of his lips tilted up into a smile. “I’m glad you did.”

  “I missed you this morning,” I whispered. “I missed you all day.”

  His hands cupped the sides of my neck and he leaned down to brush his lips against mine. “I miss you all the time.”

  “Tyson,” I whispered, shuddering beneath his soft touch.

  “I know. I feel it too.” He pulled back so I could see in his eyes that he was not lying. His pupils were larger, the blue surrounding them dark as stormy nights. “Later, I’ll show you how much.”

  My body gave another shiver of anticipation.

  “Sounds good.”

  “Go on.” He stepped back and dropped his hand from my neck before opening the door to my car. “Go do what you need to do and I’ll see you later.”

  “Bye,” I said, lifting my hand. As I pulled out, Tyson watched me, arms crossed over his chest, a pensive look on his face mixed with the desire he still held for me shining bright in his eyes.

  Chapter 17

  Unable to curb my increasing hunger and not wanting to wait until I got home, I decided to stop by Fireside and grab something to eat quickly before heading to the house. My phone was still silent, which meant there was no new news to report on my mom. While I wanted to see her, I also wasn’t sure I could handle another evening like last night.

  The Fireside Grill felt just as warm and inviting as it did the night when I met Tyson there. There weren’t many customers, just a few families and couples eating in the dining area, but the bar area was much busier. Forgoing a seat in the dining area, I headed straight for a stool at the bar, where I had to wait while a tall, young, and lanky man filled a pitcher of what looked like margarita and slid it to a petite and pretty brunette at the other end.

  “Looks delicious,” I told him when his attention was finally on me. “Can I have a margarita too, please?”

  I nodded toward the table of women who were sitting at a high-top, laughing loudly, and looking like they were having a great time. A small ache pierced my chest as Charlie, based on the nametag, turned and filled my drink order. I never had a group of friends like these women. They seemed so close as they boisterously teased one another, laughing loudly and unabashedly.

  Turning away, I smiled as Charlie placed the drink in front of me.

  “Anything else I can get for you?” Charlie asked.

  “A menu, please,” I said, and then changed my mind. “Actually, I already know what I want.”

  “Well that’s rare,” he said, grinning.

  “What is?”

  “A woman who knows what she wants.”

  I laughed and rolled my eyes at his flirtatious teasing. “I’ll take a buffalo burger, please. If you can manage that.”

  Charlie leaned forward on the bar and placed his elbows on the bar top. “Knows what she wants and has a great appetite. My kind of lady.”

  “Does flirting with all your customers help your tips?” I asked, tilting my head to the side.

  “Yes,” he answered drily.

  “Then I’ll keep it in mind. As long as the burger is good.�
��

  He stepped back and patted the bar. “That burger’s the best there is in the state.”

  “I have no doubt. I bet Declan is a great cook.”

  The waiter turned from his register where he had been punching in my order and arched a brow. “You know Declan?”

  “I met him once. We have a mutual friend, I suppose you could say.”

  “And would that friend be a man?” Charlie asked, teasing me.

  I couldn’t avoid the blush that hit my cheeks. My silence said everything. Charlie threw his head back and laughed.

  Then I jumped in my seat as he bellowed across the entire restaurant, “Yo! Declan! Get your butt out here and come say hi to your friend!”

  “Oh my God,” I muttered, my shoulders shaking with restrained laughter. “You are insane.”

  “I’m incorrigible,” he said, giving me a serious look. “My mom told me that every day.”

  Insane, incorrigible, I was beginning to think there wasn’t a difference.

  “Blue?”

  I jumped in my seat as Declan approached from the kitchen. He had come as soon as Charlie shouted. It had been so loud I’m surprised the lightbulbs didn’t burst.

  “Hi, Declan.” I lifted my hand out for him to shake but he didn’t stop moving as he reached me. He leaned forward, clasping my shoulders with his hands, and placed his lips against my temple.

  “Good to see you, meeting Ty here?”

  I shook my head. “No. He has to work late. I just wanted to grab a burger before I head to my parents’ house.”

  “Sounds good. I’ll get right on that for you.”

  “No rush.”

  “A friend of Tyson’s is a friend of mine, Blue.”

  “Thanks, then,” I told him.

  He turned his attention to Charlie and scowled, pointing a finger. “You shout like that again and you’re fired.”

  “Hey,” Charlie said, lifting his hands and taking a step back. “Of course. Next time a beautiful woman is sitting at your bar, telling me she knows you, I’ll just let you ignore her. Gotcha.”