Page 21 of Tyler

Once again, she was the one to break the kiss, but not until they were both dragging in the night air like it was about to dissipate.

Her fingers went to her lips again. “That was spectacularly sweet.”

“With a capital S.” Ty smiled. “Goodnight, Piper.”

She returned his smile, her face flushed and eyes bright. “Goodnight, Ty.”

Only when she closed the door, and he heard the lock click into place did he turn and step off her porch. Movement to his left caught his eye and sent alarm down his spine.

Ty squinted in the darkness but didn’t see anyone or anything as he rushed closer for a better look. A dog barked in the distance, and the soft roar of the Gulf rolling onto the shore echoed far behind him.

With unease rippling through him, Ty walked around Piper’s cottage and nearly had a heart attack when a cat shot out from under a bush and scrambled over the back fence.

Son-of-a…

He stood a second, a hand over his heart while his pulse hammered loudly in his ears. Damn cat nearly took ten years off his life.

Blowing out a long breath, he headed back to his place. The cat was probably what had caught his attention, but since his cottage was owned by ESI and outfitted with a kickass alarmsystem, he made a mental note to ask Carter to check the feed tomorrow.

If someone was prowling around, there was a good chance it had been caught on camera.

Chapter Five

Late the next afternoon, Piper sat in Stef’s office, pleased with the rough sketch of her new logo and the fact the brilliant woman had helped to nail the long elusive name for her gallery.

The Artery.

It was perfect.

Over the years, Piper tossed around names, but none had ever seemed to fit. She wanted something that represented not only art in general and her work, but also the pieces she intended to include by local artists.

The Artery embodied it all.

“And for your tagline,” Stef said, “how about something like: We are the pulse of creativity?”

She inhaled. “Oh, wow. I love that, Stef.”

“Yeah?” Her friend smiled and satisfaction lit her eyes. “Okay then, I’ll work on several mock-ups and email them to you when I’m done. Once you choose the one you like, I’ll create your stationery and business cards.”

Excitement raced through Piper’s veins. This was becoming real. “Super. I can’t wait.”

“Same,” Stef said. “I’ve already got several more ideas brewing.”

She loved choices. “And I look forward to seeing them all.”

Her friend tipped her head and regarded Piper with a curious gaze. “Speaking of seeing…anything interesting happen lately?”

Piper shifted in her chair, her pulse hiccupping as her thoughts turned to the amazing kisses she’d shared with Ty last night.

Trying to play it cool, she responded with a casual tone, “Yeah, I got to see some of Ty’s photos. They were pretty amazing. The way he captured light off surfaces and the angles he uses…” She trailed off as a knowing grin spread across Stef’s face. “What? Why the look?”

Her friend leaned back in her chair and shrugged. “I've heard whispers about a certain neighborly rendezvous. Anything you want to share?”

“What?” Piper choked out, her heart slamming into her ribs.

Stef grinned. “I've got insider information about you and your handsome neighbor, and a doorstep kiss.”

Her mind reeled. She hadn’t seen anyone else around last night. How had Stef known?

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