Oh, that quiet question was an invitation to trouble.
A fake date, even to a wedding, isn’t that complicated and negotiation is in your skill set.
Shannyn recalled Kyle’s words, the ones that she’d overheard, and the proverbial light went on. What was it like to be with Tyler? She’d always been curious. Her new philosophy was to live in the moment and this was the perfect opportunity to find out.
No strings attached.
It was crazy.
It was impulsive.
But once she had the idea, she couldn’t ignore it.
Shannyn was going to tickle the dragon’s belly and she knew she had to look like she didn’t care if he breathed fire. “We could make a deal,” she said, carefully putting her camera away. She used the time to consider changing her mind, but couldn’t think of a single good reason to do so. When she looked up, Tyler was motionless, his eyes bright with interest. Shannyn took a step, closing the distance between them, then gave his tie a playful tug. She dared to look up and meet his gaze. Pure fire. “Because I’ve always wondered what I was missing.”
“How so?” Tyler’s voice turned silky, and he was a thousand times more intense than he’d been before.
“One hundred and ninety-eight women in that class, and I was the only one neither of you hit on.”
He was visibly surprised. “Not Kyle?”
“Not Kyle. Not you. Did I look like I had a communicable disease or something?”
He frowned and shook his head. “No. You were serious.”
“That’s a crime?”
“You were looking for more than a hook-up,” Tyler explained, pushing a hand through his hair. “You wanted to fall in love. I could see that. I could hear it when you read the poetry aloud in class. I respected that, but I wasn’t on the same proverbial page. I was ambitious.”
“Somehow I doubt you got over that.”
“I haven’t.” He shook his head and smiled just a little, the sight making her heart squeeze tight. His eyes twinkled as his voice softened, as if they were exchanging confidences. “But if some asshole was going to break your heart, it wasn’t going to be me.”
It was a nice thought, a protective impulse, either a hint that she had called it wrong or an attempt to say what she most wanted to hear.
Shannyn didn’t care.
Because either way, it was the perfect opening.
She reached up to trace the line of Tyler’s mouth with her fingertip, surrendering to that ancient temptation. It felt just as good as she’d expected. Tyler’s lips were firm and warm, and his gaze sizzled. He didn’t move but she could feel the tension emanating from him, and was awed by his patience and control.
She wanted to shatter his facade and let him loose.
She wanted him to want her so badly that he took her hard and fast, against a wall or on this desk.
She suspected that all she had to do was ask.
Shannyn stretched up, almost touching her lips to his ear. She closed her eyes, smelling soap and clean, sexy man along with that delicious cologne. “I’ll trade you,” she whispered, then brushed her lips across his ear lobe. She felt Tyler shiver and that made her feel powerful. She saw his eyes narrow when he pulled back slightly to look at her.
He was so close. “Trade what?” he murmured.
“Sex, right now, in exchange for one wedding date, at a specified future date.”
There. She’d said it.
“Are you kidding me?”
“I wouldn’t.”
His gaze was searching. “I don’t think people change very much, Shannyn. I still can’t give you what you want.”
Her reservations melted a little more that he would be protective of her—even though this was just about sensation. “I could argue that. I think you could give me exactly what I want.” She ran a hand across his chest and felt him catch his breath. His dress shirt was crisp and smooth, and he wore a tight white undershirt beneath it. Under that was all rock hard chest. She flattened her hand and ran it across him. “Because I’ve changed. I’m all about living in the moment now.”
“Why?” Tyler looked as if she was a riddle he wanted to solve.
Shannyn continued, ignoring his question. “I’ve learned to like things simple. I prefer clear boundaries and simple transactions. Sex for a fake date sounds just about right to me.”
“Even with a smug entitled asshole?” He smiled a little again, the sight finishing her.
“Maybe especially with one. It’s time to find out what I’m missing.”
His eyes lit. “I reserve the right to try to change your mind.”
Shannyn smiled. “I don’t think you will.”
“Don’t underestimate me.”
“That’s usually my warning.” They smiled at each other for half of forever and it felt to Shannyn as if there was no air left in the room.
“Do we have a deal?” she managed to ask finally.
“Yes.” Tyler moved decisively, clearly intent on seizing the moment. “Yes.” He caught Shannyn’s nape in one strong hand, pulled her closer and looked into her eyes for a moment. When she held his gaze steadily, he bent to capture her lips beneath his own.
It was a good kiss, both possessive and persuasive. Unhurried and thorough. It wasn’t just poetry he savored. It was a kiss that meant business, a kiss that was unequivocal, and a kiss that convinced Shannyn that she’d made exactly the right choice.
Two
Shannyn couldn’t have made a more perfect invitation.
Given her opinion of him, there was no danger of her wanting more than simple satisfaction—which Ty was more than happy to provide. Their arrangement was elegant in its simplicity. Why couldn’t all relationships be like this? She’d spelled out the terms. She’d told him what she wanted and he would deliver.
It was ideal.
Shannyn had changed. She’d been quiet and composed in that long-ago class, except for the time she’d told him off. Even then, there’d been an emotional edge to her anger, and now she was cool. Her heart wasn’t on her sleeve anymore and her thoughts were harder to read. Ty guessed that some jerk had broken her heart. Healing had made her tougher and more sure of what she wanted, maybe more likely to ask for it outright.
He couldn’t help but be glad that she wanted him.
He’d anticipated that her shyness would return when he kissed her, but was pleasantly surprised. She didn’t just meet him halfway: she leaned into their kiss, demanding even more. It was as if she was starving for sensation. There was a hunger in her touch that hinted it had been a while for her and Ty intended to make sure she didn’t regret her choice.
He held her close with that one hand, his fingers lost in the silk of her hair, and felt her soften even more. Her fingers were splayed on his cheek, her tongue touching his. Even as she invited him to deepen their kiss, Ty was aware that she was more fragile than him. He wanted to gather her close and carry her off, but he sensed that it was important to Shannyn to be the one making the choice.
He flicked the door shut with one hand then poured everything into that kiss, wanting it to be as irresistible as possible. He heard her messenger bag slip to the floor. He felt her sigh then nestle against him, her hands running beneath his suit jacket as she checked him out. The quick flick of her tongue against his sent fire through his veins.