What the Heart Wants ; Sealed with a Kiss

by Donna Hill

  He turned to face her directly. “Before I left you in Paris, I made it very clear what I wanted from you, and I didn’t receive any objections. So as far as I’m concerned, this thing—is solidly defined. If you don’t feel that way, then let me know now. I know what I want. I’ve never been clearer in my entire life, but I’m not going to force you into anything.”

  Kendall held her head in her hands. “I can’t believe this is happening right now.”

  Chapter 27

  Kendall was torn. She was angry with Tyson for assuming the worst of her, yet she understood. Had she seen pictures of Tyson and Tiffany like the ones that had just flashed across her screen, she would have been upset as well. But the fact that he had immediately jumped to conclusions irritated her to no end. What kind of woman did he think she was?

  Yes, she’d been harsh when she said she didn’t owe him any explanations. Her intention wasn’t to hurt him, but she was right. She enjoyed his company immensely, loved making love to him, felt completely comfortable and free in his presence. He had become her hideaway, part of her sanctuary, but they weren’t officially an item—yet. He’d placed the proverbial ball in her court when he’d left France and told her to think about it and respond when she got back to America. She hadn’t been home an hour and they were arguing about why she had accepted Storm’s invitation to dinner. He was questioning her integrity when he should have been backing her up. Tyson was thinking of himself, while she had to find a way to once again navigate through another probing media frenzy. Maybe this thing with him wasn’t going to work after all.

  “You know what. Don’t worry about taking me home. I’ll get there.” Kendall pushed her tote aside and learned forward. “Carl. You can just drop me off at the next exit. I’ll get home.”

  “That won’t be necessary, Carl. We’re taking her all the way home.”

  Kendall sat back hard and folded her arms. She couldn’t sit in the car for another forty-five minutes with Tyson.

  “Carl, can you pull over, please?” Tyson’s tone was calmer than it had been since Randi’s upsetting call.

  Carl did as Tyson asked. The second the car came to a stop, Kendall jumped out and began pacing the shoulder. Tyson got out and joined her.

  She couldn’t find the words to explain what she felt. Her fingers had balled into fists. She marched circles into the pavement on the side of the freeway. Heat radiated from the inside out, and not the sexy kind of heat. She was hot with irritation. It rose so quickly, she thought her head would combust just to let the steam out. Tyson leaned against the back of the car with his arms folded. Kendall stopped pacing, closed her eyes and took several cleansing breaths.

  “Look,” Tyson said. “I’m sorry. I saw those pictures and got instantly upset.”

  Kendall looked up at the bright afternoon sky and then down toward him. “I didn’t mean to snap at you. I’m dealing with a crisis here, and you’re grilling me as if I’d purposely done something wrong to you. If I had anything to hide, I would have never opened those pictures in front of you.” Kendall ran her fingers through her hair, sure that she still looked a mess.

  “Sorry. That was selfish of me. I was wrong. I’ll deal with my feelings. What do you need from me?” Tyson walked toward her.

  Not only had he admitted to being wrong, he had put his feelings aside and availed himself to her. The closer he got, the more Kendall could feel the kinetic energy drawing them to one another. She wanted—needed—to feel herself wrapped in his arms, and at that moment realized there was no place she’d rather be. She understood his anger now and felt bad for saying she didn’t owe him an explanation. Whether or not they’d officially marked their boundaries with declarations, she’d already belonged to him. He just knew it before she did.

  “I need you to believe me...and support me.”

  Tyson gently pulled her into his arms. His warm chest against hers gave her comfort like she’d never known from another man besides her father. Despite the tautness of his chest, she felt cushioned and safe. He rubbed the back of her head. Kissed her forehead.

  “I believe you. You got through this before, and you’ll get through it again. It’s frustrating at times, but this is our world. You were born to sing, and I know that no meddlesome media is going to run you off from doing that. This time, I’m here. I’m with you.”

  Kendall offered up a weak smile. Tyson was right; she loved her life and wasn’t giving that up for anyone. More seasoned artists told her not to pay them any attention. She hadn’t mastered that yet but was determined to get better at it.

  Tyson was with her and would be with her through this. The last time, she’d dealt with it alone, wanting to crawl into a cave and hide away. She was an artist. Media wasn’t all bad, but she still valued her privacy.

  “Let’s get back in the car. Your Shangri-la is waiting. We’ll turn off our phones and just chill.”

  “That sounds wonderful.” She exhaled away the rest of the weight she’d been holding in her chest.

  Tyson held her face in his hands and pulled her into a kiss. Gently he pecked her lips once, twice, three times. With his tongue, he teased her mouth open and entered, tasting her sweetness.

  Instinctively, Kendall wrapped her arms around him, pressed into him and rose onto her toes. She relished how supported she felt. Then she remembered they were on the side of the freeway, in broad daylight. Someone could recognize them.

  “We really need to get in the car.”

  He took her by the hand and led her several feet back to the limo. He opened the door and climbed in after her.

  Carl pulled off and Kendall lay back on the headrest. She was already beginning to care less about what the media had to say. Why should she waste her energy? She would never be able to control what they reported. Had she never pursued her dream, they wouldn’t be interested in her love life. She felt Tyson lace his fingers between hers. He held her hand. It felt good. Felt like more than just a touch. Kendall felt as if she were literally being carried. Leaning over, she rested her head on his arm. He lifted it and placed it around her. She snuggled against his chest. The adrenaline that had previously coursed through her like a raging river had finally subsided.

  She had gotten through this before, would get through it this time and again in the future just like any other celebrity. As long as she was determined to live her dream, she would have to deal with the media.

  She reminded herself that this time, she had Tyson.

  Chapter 28

  Tyson and Kendall had become inseparable. Several weeks of filming had ended and rehearsals for Kendall’s next tour wouldn’t start for several weeks. Her tour would be over by the time the movie aired on television in a few months.

  Things at BCG had gotten busier. Their last movie, which Tiffany starred in, was now going to pay-per-view channels and online movie outlets. Tiffany had found a beau and no longer focused on using Tyson to stay in the spotlight. Everything had seemed to come together perfectly for both Kendall and Tyson like a puzzle.

  Tyson and Kendall’s quarrel had in fact been a turning point in their relationship. They undoubtedly belonged together. Reporters had speculated that the pictures of Storm and Kendall had been leaked by some Parisian blogger, but Kendall wasn’t buying it. She wanted to know how that blogger could have gotten so many pictures of them on set. And why? She was convinced this had to be an inside job. The issue still made the list of hot topics for daytime shows. Kendall was getting better at ignoring negative media exposure, but she’d told Tyson she couldn’t completely ignore this one. Something wasn’t adding up.

  Tyson, meanwhile, enjoyed the mysterious nature of their relationship. They’d spent weekends in Temecula, which they officially nicknamed their Shangri-la. When they weren’t there, they retreated to Serenity Ranch in Montana, far from the spotlight. On several occasions, they’d even escaped to exclusive beach resorts to hid
e and flirt under the tropical sun. His siblings had started questioning him about his discreet disappearances, but he wasn’t ready to give up any information.

  The only person who knew about their relationship was Randi, and she was a vault. Kendall insisted her secrets could be buried with her friend. Even during the times Tyson visited the set, Randi gave no indication that she knew anything. Tyson attended the wrap party and was careful to keep his distance. He even tried not to look in her direction so he wouldn’t get caught gazing. It was hard because Kendall looked stunning that night. They’d left in separate cars and met up in Temecula to celebrate the completion of her first television film project.

  Tyson’s phone rang with a video call. He closed his office door, quickly returned to his chair and pressed Accept. Kendall appeared on the screen. Her hair was just as messy as it was when he’d made love to her that morning before heading into work. The long drive from Temecula just as the sun fractured the darkness of the sky gave him time to come down from his Kendall high. He’d arrived at work early, exhausted, sated and as happy as a kid going to Disney. Kendall was the chocolate to his sweet tooth. His desire for her was like an addiction. Not just her body, but her grounded nature, and definitely her mind.

  “Hey there, Mr. CEO. How are you feeling?”

  “Tired!”

  “I thought so.” Kendall rolled around on the bed. Tyson instinctively licked his lips at the sight of her in that camisole with no bra and a pair of lace panties. Her messy hair made her look sexier. “Come back tonight?” Her tone was sweet and pleading. “I can’t wait until the end of the week to see you again.”

  “Hmm.” As much as he wanted to, Tyson knew he wouldn’t be able to make the drive. He’d had almost no sleep the night before and a long, busy day today. Driving back to Temecula after work would take hours, and he couldn’t imagine staying up for the ride. However, he didn’t want to wait days before seeing her either. Both of them had places in LA, but that was paparazzi territory.

  “Can Carl drive you?”

  Kendall was hard to resist. “Let me make sure my calendar is clear. Maybe I’ll even work remotely or just take the day off tomorrow. I doubt I’ll get any sleep tonight anyway.”

  “Yay!” Kendall giggled. “You’ll get all the rest you need.”

  “I bet. I didn’t say it was a definite. I need to check my calendar. I’ll let you know for sure right after this meeting.”

  Tyson checked his calendar as soon as they hung up. The evening was open. He maneuvered a few appointments around on his calendar to free up his schedule the next day. Then he arranged to be at the heliport at four in the afternoon to head over to Temecula. He couldn’t sit in three hours of rush hour traffic. Instead of telling Kendall, he kept her in suspense. He’d surprise her by arriving earlier than expected and planned a great evening together before indulging his own desires.

  Tyson put out the usual fires and headed out of the office by two o’clock to pack a small bag. He finally let Kendall know he was coming on the drive over to the heliport. The joy in her squeal made him wish he could snap his fingers and be with her instantly. He couldn’t wait to see her face.

  Tyson stopped at one of the local wineries and picked up an exquisite bottle of Cabernet. He made a second stop for flowers and made a reservation at one of the neighborhood’s finest restaurants. When he arrived at Kendall’s place, he was the one surprised. Kendall opened the door and jumped into his arms. He gave her a passionate kiss right in the doorway.

  Kendall had transformed the backyard into a private spa oasis. There was a massage table draped in white linen. Soft music played through the outdoor speakers. The sound of water flowing through a ceramic fountain blended perfectly with the music, and there was a sweet soothing scent wafting in the atmosphere. Not to mention something delicious flavoring the air inside the kitchen.

  “Wow!” was all Tyson could manage. He placed the wine down on the console table in the foyer. “These are for you.” He handed Kendall the flowers.

  She pushed her nose into the center of the bouquet. “These smell absolutely amazing. Put your bag down in the bedroom. We’re starting in there, okay?”

  “I’m following your lead.” And he did, for the first time ever. In all his years of dating, Tyson was the one who had always initiated the dates, trips and surprises. He didn’t mind spoiling his women, but he never knew what it felt like to be the one spoiled. He had a feeling he was going to enjoy himself more than he could have imagined. No restaurant for them, unless that was part of Kendall’s plan.

  Upstairs, he placed his bags down. Kendall curled her finger, beckoning him to her. He practically floated in her direction.

  “Thank you for coming.”

  “You don’t have to thank me.” He kissed her nose.

  “I know. But I know you were tired. You’re always taking care of me and I wanted to do something special for you. So tonight is your night and tomorrow we go on an adventure.”

  Tyson lifted his brow and winked. He liked the sound of that.

  Piece by piece, Kendall peeled his clothes off and walked him to the shower. She washed him between kisses. He washed her between nibbles on her breast. After, she dried him, wrapped a towel around his waist and led him to the massage table outside. Kendall kneaded every muscle, including his erection. Tyson touched her lower back and caressed her bottom. She kept removing his hand from her.

  “No touching yet.”

  Tyson yearned to feel her even more. After the massage, she had him in the lounge chair under her gazebo and fed him a hearty dinner of collard greens, steamed snapper and herb-infused basmati rice. Tyson made her put the plate down and pulled her on top of him. He positioned her to face him, sitting on his growing erection. He wanted her, appreciated her and was finally starting to put a name on the other thing he felt for her.

  He was falling in love with Kendall.

  Chapter 29

  The heavy petting that Kendall and Tyson started on the patio caused their hunger for one another to almost consume them. Kendall was so happy to be able to take care of Tyson for once and make him feel good. He’d nurtured and indulged her since they’d been together, filling every crevice of her life with sheer satisfaction. She simply wanted to give him a taste of what he’d consistently given to her.

  As much as she wanted to continue doting on him, need mushroomed inside of her as she kissed and ground on top of him outside on her patio. Her center heated dangerously, thinning the juices moistening between her legs. Kendall’s skin became sensitive to his touch. She hungered for him, had to have him. Kendall could hardly breathe. Tyson rose, lifting Kendall in his arms. He carried her to the massage table and drew the curtains around them. The only thing visible were the stars twinkling above them.

  Tyson laid her on the table facedown and returned the earlier favor. He massaged her back, behind, legs and feet. Then he turned her over and kissed her from her lips to her toes, paying special attention to her breasts and the heated core between her legs. Tyson tortured her, taking his time, caring for and kneading every part of her. When she could no longer wait, she clamored for him, scooted to the end of the table until her center met his erection. She lay on her back and he stood between her legs. Tyson took her hands in his. Laced his fingers in hers. He called her name and made her look directly into his eyes as he entered her, rocking her back and forth. Kendall hissed. Her back arched hard. She shut her eyes, unable to keep them open.

  “Kendall.” Tyson called her name gently. “Look at me,” he whispered.

  She opened her eyes and fastened them to his. Locking their gazes on one another, they rode to a decadent rhythm until both their bodies trembled uncontrollably. Tyson’s head fell back; veins protruded in his neck. He grunted, sounding at first like he wanted to control the roar trying to thunder through him. He growled. Kendall felt his erection pulsate within her walls. She squee
zed her eyes shut. The very edges of her skin grew sensitive. She shuddered. Her climax ripped through her. Both of them howled and collapsed, her back to the massage table, his chest to hers. Kendall felt her eyes roll back. She had never been loved so indulgently before in her life. They lay panting for some time.

  “Kendall.” She opened her eyes to Tyson holding himself over her, he looked straight into her eyes. “Do you feel loved?”

  She did, wholly and completely. Kendall nodded.

  “Because I love you.”

  Wow. This could be forever.

  Relaxed, sated and happy from the inside out, Kendall led Tyson to the bedroom and curled into his arms.

  * * *

  The next morning, they rose, prepared breakfast together and returned to bed to enjoy it and another round of each other. They lay around for another hour after, chatting, laughing, touching and teasing.

  “Do you realize that you said you love me last night? You weren’t just sex drunk, were you?”

  Tyson leaned onto his elbow and raised a single brow. He tossed his head back and laughed. “Sex drunk?”

  Kendall giggled. “Yes. Sex drunk. You know, when the sex is so good it’s intoxicating, and you do and say things that you don’t mean just like when you’ve had too much to drink.”

  “Ha! Oh yeah. I was sex drunk. You know what they say, right? Drunk people tell the truth.”

  Kendall stopped laughing as Tyson’s words sank in. He loved her. He really loved her. Did she love him? What she felt for Tyson seemed a lot like love. This was more than a feeling. It was physical and moved through her bones. It filled her, found its way to the crevices of who she was, making her whole like never before. It complemented her being and made her feel invincible.

  “Good. Because I think... I love you too.” There. She’d said it, didn’t let it die on her tongue. Tyson pulled her into his arms and rolled her onto his body. He kissed her long and passionately. She rolled back onto her side, facing him. “So now what?”