Page 46 of Unveiled Wishes

“With you?” I filled in, nervous all over. I couldn’t gauge the situation, and I wasn’t ready for it to head south quickly.

He sighed, pulling me closer. “You belong with me, but I don’t want to force you to stay. It should be your choice.”

“I am keeping track of all the times you tell me I am yours.” I tugged on his beard and made him face me. “This won’t work if we’re on opposite coasts. My return flight is in a few days, and I am thinking about using it to handle the essentials.” I tugged on his beard again and lowered his chin until I could kiss his lips.The warmth between us was undeniable, our lips dancing in a playful game of hide and seek, teasing and retreating with each soft touch.

“What are the essentials?” he whispered against my lips.

“I’ll have to resign, but I am not giving the Nelsons two weeks. They’ll be fine without me. Then I’ll have to deal with my apartment and pack my stuff. I own it, so either rent or sell.” I ran my tongue against the seam of his lips until he opened, stealing the kiss I wanted.

“About your job. Do you want to work?” he asked as I pulled back, settling against his side with my head in the crook of his shoulder.

“Is this about money?” I was concerned he thought he wasn’t enough again.

“Not really. You have a trust fund, and I am going to have to accept that you’ll always have more than I do. However, I am in a better position to provide for you, and I will.” He kissed the top of my head and held my hand. “I am not sure of all the details. You’ll have to speak to Count, but he asked if you would take over the club’s contracts. I guess he pays the lawyer in town, but the guy isn’t really looking after our best interests.” He uncrossed his legs and wrapped his arm around my waist. “Ultimately, it’s your decision.” Drawing me in, he said, “I asked Count if he would help you with your plans to defend those without a voice. He agreed. Actually, his spikes were bouncing, so I know he was excited.” Tyler chuckled.

My heart swelled with the realization that this man was not just asking me to stay. It was like Flo had said: he was putting me first, and I would make sure he never wanted for anything.

He’d remembered. One conversation, over five years ago, and he had held onto it. In that moment, every doubt I’d harbored melted away. I was in love with him. Capturing his cheeks in my hands, I tilted his head until his eyes met mine, wanting him tosee the truth. “I love you,” I whispered, the words carrying all the weight of my heart.

His hands came up and cupped my cheeks. “I’ve loved you for forever, Em.”

“No, you don’t understand, Tyler Mitchell. I first fell in love with your words. I checked the mail twice a day, waiting for a letter. It wasn’t healthy. This time, I’ve fallen in love with your actions. You’re making a future for us. Now, I love you with everything I have, and I can’t imagine my life without you. My love for you runs that deep.”

He gently guided me back, so that I laid on the blanket as he followed me forward. “I don’t think you understand, Em. I gave up the first time because I thought I was doing the right thing with you. Now, I don’t give a fuck. You’re mine, and I’m not letting you go. I’d rather move to New York than be without you.”

He unsnapped the button of my jeans, running his fingers underneath the denim. I wanted more. This wasn’t enough. I dug my fingers into his back, trying to be as close as possible. I loved this man, and I wanted to save as many memories as possible for when I headed back. It would only be temporary, but the days would pass by slowly.

He lowered himself further, so that we were nose-to-nose. “I love you, Emily.”

“I need you.” Reaching for his jeans, I unsnapped the button and pulled down the zipper until I could weasel my hands against his bare skin. Sliding them to the back of his jeans, I wiggled enough room to grab his ass. I didn’t want any space between us, and I could feel his dick hardening against me.

“This isn’t how I imagined this,” he whispered against my ear, nipping at the lobe.

I pushed up against him as I pulled him closer to me. “There are too many clothes between us.”

“Greedy. What if I stop?” he chuckled in my ear, rubbing against me.

“It’s Christmas Eve. You’re supposed to be in the giving spirt.” I dug my nails into the flesh of his ass. “Give it to me.”

“So demanding. Push up,” he said, pulling my jeans and panties down to my knees. “What am I going to do when you’re gone?”

“It’ll only be a few days. You’ll survive.” I searched for his wallet in his back pocket. Grabbing it, I used my other hand to push his jeans and boxers as far as I could get them without his help, whispering in his ear, “Birth control is going to be an essential.”

He laughed and buried his face in my neck. “One day, Em. When you’re ready.” He grabbed the wallet from my hand and leaned on his elbow to balance. Finding the condom, he threw the wallet onto the blanket next to us and sheathed himself. “Practice makes perfect, and I am a bit of a slow learner.”

“Promise me it will always be like this.” I pushed up against him, trying to get him to enter me. I craved being connected. To know that he was with me, mind, body, and soul.

“No.” He slid his dick inside me with one stroke. “You hold me to the promises that I don’t make you, and we won’t change that.”

A low groan escaped my lips as I reached up and wrapped my arm around the back of his neck until his forehead rested against mine. “You’re mine, and I am yours.”

“Stay with me.” He pumped deep within me.

“Make me come,” I begged, gripping his biceps to gain more leverage.

“Stay with me,” he said again, moving slower than he had before.

“I need you,” I tried again, and then it clicked. “I am not leaving you when you’re mine.”

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