Page 50 of Long Story Short

The small talk continues until we make it back to the house. Instead of pulling into his driveway, he pulls into mine before putting the car in park. He turns the car off but doesn’t move, and I don’t either.

“I’m feeling really inspired to work, but I also really want to finish what we started earlier,” I blurt, forcing the words out before I can think twice about them. For some reason, I want him to know how much I can’t stop thinking about that kiss. No amount of small talk can wipe that from my mind.

Tyson lets out a low, throaty chuckle that sends a shiver down my spine. The sound deepens, and my mind wanders to what it would feel like against my lips.

“Oh, we will, but I’ve already taken up all your morning, and the last thing I want is to be the reason you don’t get this booked turned in on time. Just think of me while you’re writing as encouragement.”

I rub my lips together in an attempt to fight the smile threatening to overtake my mouth. “Oh, I don’t think I’ll have any problem with that.”

Tyson groans as he scrubs his hands over his face. “Fuck, it’s taking everything in me not to pull you inside and do all the things I’ve been thinking about doing to you after last night.”

I close my eyes for a moment as I squeeze my thighs together in an attempt to stifle the way I’m throbbing because of his words.

“You’re not making it any easier to want to go inside and write.” I moan, wishing I were here in the Hamptons for leisure instead of work so I could just spend my summer having fun with him.

“I know,” he mutters. “Let’s get you inside before I’m a bad influence.” He opens the door to his side and hurriedly curves around the front before opening my door for me.

I nod because, as much as I don’t like it, he’s right. The entire reason I didn’t want to get to know him in the first place was because I didn’t want him to be a distraction. I go on my first date with him, and suddenly, I’m doing just that—getting distracted.

“Thank you for the brunch. I didn’t realize how much I needed to get out of the house until today.”

Tyson gives me a smile, his eyes raking over my lips for a moment before he traces over the spot his eyes just moved over with his thumb. “Thank you for making time to go with me. I rather enjoyed myself.”

His lips tilt up in a confident smirk at the same moment my cheeks heat at the memory his words stir up.

“Same,” I whisper, unable to hide my smile. I more than enjoyed myself. I want to throw away all my responsibilities and make out with him again, but this time let it go even further.

“I want to give you time to work today, but I also want to make sure you eat. Can I drop off dinner tonight? If you’re in the zone, I can leave it on the porch without coming in to talk.”

I give him an excited nod. Hopefully, I can focus this afternoon and into the evening and get enough words so I won’t feel bad about spending time with him again tonight. “That works. You don’t have to bring food, though. I can make us som⁠—”

He presses his fingertips to my mouth at the same moment his mouth spreads into a smile. “No. I’ll bring food. You focus on writing.”

I smile underneath his touch, wondering if his insistence is because he wants me to work…or because I’ve confessed to him how terrible a cook I am.

“Deal.” I lift my chin slightly, getting a better look at Tyson before I’m away from him the rest of the afternoon. I can’t help but let my attention move to his lips for a moment, remembering the way it felt to have them against mine. I already miss the scrape of his stubble against my skin. I can’t stop thinking about the possessive way in which he kisses, my heart leaping at the prospect of doing it again.

“Maybe you could give me your number so I can check in to see how it’s going later?” he offers. His thumb softly brushes over my cheekbone as he waits for me to answer, his lips turning up slightly in a confident smile.

“That was a smooth way to get my number.”

He slides his hand to the back of my neck, his fingertips pressing slightly into my head as his smile grows. “I know.”

His free hand grabs his phone from his pocket. He holds it in the small amount of space between our bodies as he takes down my number. As soon as he has it, the phone disappears back into his pocket.

It’s only now that I realize how little he’s on his phone when we’re together and how attractive I find that. He helps run an entire company; I know he’s a busy man, but I don’t know if he even looked at his phone once today at brunch. His attention was only ever on me, despite what other things he might have going on in his life.

“Okay. I’ve got your number. Now, go write.”

I smile because the raspiness to his tone makes it obvious that it’s taking everything in him to let me go work.

“See you later, Ty,” I tell him, his name feeling good on my lips.

He leans in and presses his lips to my forehead. The gesture sends my heart soaring. The action is so small, but it feels incredibly intimate. I’ve only just met the man, and somehow, with a simple press of his lips to my hairline, he has my stomach filling with what feels like a million butterflies.

“I’ve never loved my nickname more than when you say it,” he notes. He takes a step back, putting distance between us as he stuffs his hands into his pockets. “Bye, Josie. Happy writing.”

Tyson winks before going to his SUV and sliding into the driver’s seat. I stand in the driveway even after he backs out.