Acceptance, The Page 11

  “You look awful familiar. I’ve been here a hundred years, you belong to someone.”

  She heard Tyler chuckle and felt his arm move past her. Surely he was shaking Hilary’s hand.

  “Tyler Benson, I’m…”

  “Oh, dear, Lord! You are Zach’s son. Tyler’s grandson.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Courtney could hear the smile carry on his voice.

  “You look just like your granddaddy. I served him a lot of ribs.”

  “I’ve always been told this was his favorite place.”

  “I’ll be damned.” Hilary made a little noise as if she were still looking at Tyler and taking in the sight of him. “Well, c’mon. I’ll seat ya.”

  Tyler let her take his elbow and he led her through the sounds of conversation, music, and children’s laughter.

  “It’s a booth, is that okay?” he whispered in her ear.

  “Fine.” She felt the edge with her knee and slid on in, then felt him slide next to her so she slid to the end.

  “I’ll be back in a few. What do you want to drink?”

  “I’ll have a beer,” Courtney said softly.

  “I’ll have one too.”

  “I’ll be right back.”

  Tyler leaned back against the booth and she could feel his eyes on her. She turned to face him.

  “You’re grinning, aren’t you?”

  “I’m still not sure you can’t see sometimes. How do you know that?”

  “There is a feel to it.”

  “Well then yes. I’m grinning. This whole town knows you and you know each and every one of them by voice.”

  “Just as you’d know them by sight. Of course, Hilary’s perfume gives her away first.”

  “I didn’t smell her perfume.”

  Now Courtney laughed. She wondered how he’d missed it.

  “So you look just like your grandfather, huh?”

  “I’ve been told that on occasion.”

  “You never met him?”

  “No. He died years before I was born. He had a heart attack while he and my grandmother were in New York.”

  She reached for his hand. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  “I know she’s tried to move on, but I think my Grandmother misses him still.”

  “If someone is your true love I don’t suppose you ever move on.”

  He gave a hum and she could hear the menu brush against the table.

  “What do you get here?” she asked trying to clear the air again.

  “I was thinking that bar-b-que platter for two.”

  “Alright, but I warn you, I’m a messy rib eater.”

  He set the menu down on the table and lifted his hand to her cheek. “Are you tempting me?”

  “With what?” Her voice had gone airy having him touch her in public.

  “Wanting to lick it off your lips.”

  She caught the breath that tried to escape just as Tyler pulled back his hand and Hilary set their beers on the table.

  Tyler ordered and Hilary walked away.

  “So what were you going to show me?” he asked as he took a drink of his beer. She could smell it as it transferred from his glass to his lips.

  “Um—I…” She tried to gather her thoughts, but all she could think about was his tongue on her skin. His hands. His words. She squeezed her eyes and clenched her stomach. They’d have to discuss it. Where was this going and was it going right where she wanted it to go?

  Courtney collected herself and pulled her computer from the bag on the seat next to her.

  She felt for her beer, pushed it back, and opened the laptop. “Here. Read this. What do you think?”

  Tyler moved the laptop and Courtney reached for her beer. She sipped and waited and sipped again.

  “Well?”

  “Hold on. I’m not a very fast reader.”

  Courtney sipped at her beer again, then set it down and rested her anxious hands in her lap. Finally, she heard him lower the lid of the computer.

  “It sucks?”

  “What?” He turned to her. “No. God, no! It was…I didn’t know…I’m…” he let out a breath and then sucked one in. “I’m in over my head. I didn’t know some of these women went through all that.”

  “What did you think?”

  “I didn’t know. I knew some were homeless. Some were abused, but…” He reached for her hand and brought it to the top of the table. “You took time to find these women and talk to them.”

  “Yes.”

  “Where did you find them?”

  “I searched. These are specifically women who had something about the Diamond Gift in their profiles on social media or business sites.”

  “That one woman was stabbed.”

  “She was the most dynamic one to talk to. She was an alcoholic and a heroin user. She now works in D.C. trying to change the laws.”

  “We need to invite all these women to the gala.”

  “They all said I could contact them. I have permission from all of them to publish their stories.”

  He’d grown quiet again, but she was quickly learning this meant he was deep in thought.

  “Will you work with me?”

  “Me? How?”

  “Avery hates doing these. She’s promised to show me the ropes, but I want to do this long term. I want to help my aunt raise as much money and bring as much attention to this organization as I can. She’s done a great job up till now, but now there are stories to back it all up. Look at these successes. Over twenty years of successes. You brought this to light for me, and very well I might add.”

  “Thank you.”

  “You’re very gifted, Courtney. If I was a man to cry in public I would have.”

  She felt her cheeks grow warm. “You should read my fiction.”

  He chuckled. “What kind of fiction?”

  “I have a variety of romantic suspense, contemporary romance, and I have some paranormal.”

  “Just paranormal? No romance.”

  “Think about it. Every book you’ve ever read probably had an element of romance or relationship.”

  He thought hard about it. “I have to go back quite a long way to think about a book where there wasn’t some kind of chemistry.”

  She smiled. “Anyway,” she leaned in closer to his ear, “Let’s say my imagination is very vivid and if you think you’d cry over this I can guarantee you a full out blush.”

  Tyler laughed, kissed her on the cheek, and picked up his beer. “I think this relationship is going to be very fun.”

  Her heart stalled and then kicked back up. “Relationship?”

  “Isn’t that what we have? Forgive me if I’m wrong.” His voice hitched and he set down his beer. “I haven’t done a ton of dating, but we are dating right?”

  “It seems like it.”

  “And I want to be with you. Do you want to be with me?”

  “Of course.” How could he possibly think any differently? She was more worried he’d want to ease her back into society and move on after her grief had subsided.

  “Then can we say we’re dating? Tomorrow, when I introduce you to my parents, can I say you’re my girlfriend?”

  Now she giggled. “Sounds elementary doesn’t it?”

  “I don’t know any other way. I told you. I’m not good at this.”

  Courtney let her hand run up his arm until she reached his neck and she cupped her fingers there. “I think you’re very good at this.” She licked her lips and moved even closer. “Tyler, will you stay with me tonight?”

  His breath had grown hot against her cheek. “Are you sure?”

  “I don’t think I’ve ever been more sure about anything.”

  “I want to.”

  She brushed his lips with hers. “Then I guess you can tell your parents I’m your girlfriend. It looks like we’re going to make that very official.”

  “Suddenly I’m thinking we should take all this food home.”

  Courtney eased back. It w
as settled. She was fully in love with this man.

  Hilary had arrived with their food about the time they’d considered having her just pack it up. But when Tyler heard Courtney’s stomach rumble and she’d admitted she hadn’t eaten all day, he decided that the evening ahead would come soon enough. After all, they’d just settled it—very elementary as she’d put it—she was his girlfriend and that meant to him she wasn’t going anywhere.

  Had all of this been some kind of bigger power at play? He wondered as he took a rib and pulled the first bite off with his teeth. Had he needed to leave the comforts of home and travel the world so that he’d come back at the very right time? Would he have made these career choices if he’d have stayed? Would he have found a woman already in Nashville or was he destined to find this one?

  What wasn’t to love about her, he thought as he watched her devour her first rib. She’d accepted a horrible fate and yet it didn’t seem as though she saw it that way at all. And through her he’d learned to accept. It had been nearly immediately that he’d chosen to go right to his sister and ask for her forgiveness. He owed that to Courtney. Her way of seeing the world made him see it too. He was the damned luckiest man on the planet.

  She turned to him. “I should have thought better about this when I put on this white shirt. One of those things about being blind. I never know if my clothes are ruined.”

  Tyler lifted his napkin to the corner of her mouth. “I’ll tell you what. You write me stories and I’ll tell you if your laundry is stained.”

  “Stories?”

  “If you can write newsworthy pieces like you did about Diamond Gift, I have no doubt you could be a bestselling author. And I’m sure between my grandmother, father, and numerous aunts, someone knows someone in the book industry. Even Clara might. Song writing isn’t too far off—I wouldn’t think.”

  “You’d make my dreams come true and tell me when my laundry is stained?”

  “I’d do that.”

  “I love you, Tyler.” She shook her head and he wanted to respond, but she turned her head down. “Sorry. That was supposed to stay in my head.” She turned back toward him. “Do me a favor and don’t say it back. No matter what. Right now, don’t say it.”

  “Even if I’m thinking it?”

  “Especially.”

  “Okay then, I won’t say it. And yes, I’d love to see your dreams come true. Something tells me it would only make the glow in your cheeks more brilliant.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Courtney held her computer in her lap as Tyler drove toward her house. The air between them was thick. Dinner had been wonderful. Conversation was easy. But she’d invited him to stay and they were headed home.

  Stay certainly didn’t mean, come in for coffee. Stay to her had meant share my bed. Hold me in my bed. Make love in my bed.

  Not one ounce of regret pulsed through her, but she couldn’t speak for him.

  “I’m going to stop at the store here on the corner and run in real quick. Can I get you anything?” he asked and she felt the car pull out of traffic.

  “No. I’m fine.”

  “I’ll hurry.” He parked the car and quickly jumped out.

  She should have asked him for something to help take care of her nerves, which threatened to make her sick. Was there a way to make this night perfect? That was what she wanted. But they were going in together. She couldn’t have set it all up. Made sure the sheets were clean. Hell, she didn’t even know if the pillowcases matched.

  Then again, did it matter?

  There was no spontaneity either. This was better. She had to remind herself that she’d only known Tyler a week. Okay, so she’d fallen head over heels in love with him in a week and now she was taking him to bed. But, preparedness was good. He was still a stranger and she needed to keep that in mind. She needed her senses to be sharp. Fitz had taught her that.

  He was true to his word and back in the car only a few minutes later.

  “What is that smell? Is that a bouquet of flowers?” Her voice lifted as she heard the rustling of cellophane.

  “Can’t very well take a girl home and not give her flowers. And here.” He handed her the flowers and another box. “I got you candy too. Seriously, I’m trying to pack in as much as I can in one week.”

  She couldn’t help it. She burst into laughter. “Are you always this wonderful at putting people at ease?”

  “No. Don’t go thinking this is my calling.”

  She felt the car move backward. “Oh, I don’t know. You were very calm on the plane. You helped me through the funeral. Came to my rescue when I needed you to go through my brother’s things. And now you bought me flowers and candy to ease me through my invitation of taking you home.”

  “Good, you think I’m some hero. I’m just a nervous guy trying not to act that way.”

  The laughter came harder now and her heart was squeezing a little tighter when she thought about him. Perhaps this night was going to be perfect after all.

  Tyler pulled up in front of Courtney’s house and turned off the engine.

  “I know you’ve invited me, and believe me I want to take you up on this invitation. But, I’d never hold it against you if you changed your mind.”

  Courtney took a moment to assess her thoughts. The cellophane wrap around the flowers and the candy brushed against the bag her laptop was stowed in. She could back out if she wanted to. He was giving her a moment and she knew in her heart that he’d come back if she said to.

  She turned her face toward him. “Tyler, come inside. I want to be with you. And I don’t just mean emotionally anymore. I want to be with you physically.”

  Her voice shook, but she heard his door open and close. A moment later, so did hers.

  His hands came right to her face and his mouth quickly moved against hers. Tyler’s tongue sought hers out and a moan escaped him—and then her.

  Tyler took the roses from her hand and then the box of candy. She knew he’d placed them on the dashboard.

  “We’ll come back for those.” He unbuckled her seatbelt and his arm came up under her legs and the other around her shoulders.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Carrying you up those steps. I’m a hero and all, remember.”

  “My laptop,” she said, gripping it.

  “Hold on to it tight.” Tyler’s mouth was on hers again and her mind swirled vividly in color.

  He lifted her out of the car and shoved the door closed with his hip.

  Courtney wrapped one arm around his neck and held tight to her laptop with the other, all the while making work of her lips against the pulse in his neck.

  “Door,” he muttered. “Door. Where are your keys?”

  That brought on a laugh. “My purse. I think it’s in the car.”

  “Damn. So much for sexy entrance, huh?” He set her on her wobbly legs. “I’ll be right back.”

  She heard him run down the steps, pull open the door to the car, and run back up.

  “Here’s your purse.” He set it in her hands and she quickly went about looking for them in their assigned space.

  Courtney felt for the lock, slid in the key, and turned. When the door pushed open, her legs were scooped out from under her again.

  Tyler closed the door with his body as they entered the house with his mouth moving against hers.

  “My laptop,” she mumbled against his lips and he set her on the floor.

  She handed it to him and felt him take it, but he never moved from her, which meant he’d only set it on the steps or on the couch. What did it matter? His hands were back on her, arms wrapped around her, lips pressed against hers.

  She swallowed the taste of him, the warmth, and the feel. This wasn’t something she’d done lots of times before, but she’d been with a few men and all of them had been in the same boat she’d was in—they felt their way through it.

  Tyler had a unique advantage at this point—or perhaps she did. He could see everything and she couldn’t.
The thought was there. She’d never know if he had a certain scar or mole that made him less attractive. In her mind he was a god.

  He, however, would see all her imperfections—even the ones she knew nothing about. This would be a truthful moment—she sucked in a breath of courage. There would be no loss, she told herself, if he walked away. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

  Tyler pulled back. “Are you okay? You’re tensing up.”

  “I can’t see you.”

  He let out a chuckle. “I know that.”

  “I mean, what if I take my clothes off and you don’t like what you see?”

  Tyler’s hands came to her shoulders and rested there for a moment before moving down her arms. He captured her hands in his.

  “I hope you don’t think I’m petty like that.”

  She shook her head. “If you were you wouldn’t be here.” She knew that to be truth enough.

  “Courtney, you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known, inside and out. I don’t have to keep touching you or take you to bed to know how I feel about you.” She heard him let out what could be construed as a moan. “Of course I’m also a man, and I want to.”

  She stepped in closer to him. “I’ve never been with a man who could see.”

  “I could tie something over my eyes.”

  That had her laughing now and she eased against him. “Maybe someday and only if I’m driving your car.”

  Tyler pulled back now. “You want to drive?”

  “I never have.”

  “Hmm. Interesting thought.” He moved back against her. “We can plan that later. Are we together on me carrying you up those stairs?”

  Courtney took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I’ve never wanted anything more,” she said.

  Quickly, his mouth was back on hers and he scooped her up again.

  “Good. After all, I am a man and I’m dying here.”

  ~*~

  Tyler lay next to Courtney, his arm tucked up under her, her hair sprawled out over his chest and the pillow.

  His chest heaved from the breath he tried to capture in his lungs.

  Sweat glimmered on Courtney’s skin. Her heart raced against his chest and her breath warmed his skin. Not only had he seen every inch of her more-than-perfect body, he’d touched it, and tasted it. She’d quivered under his touch. Moaned under his tasting. And stifled the scream he’d brought out in her by biting down on his shoulder as he’d spilled over from what she’d done to him.