Page 123 of What Started In Deception

He clenched his jaw, feeling like an absolute dick. “I know. I had an opportunity to spend some time with Will. I had to take it.”

She shrugged as a tear spilled down her cheek. “I guess you did what you had to do.”

Damn, she was his biggest weakness—those big hazel eyes and her tears. “I’m so sorry that I scared you—that I brought up a bunch of stuff for you.” He pulled her into a hug. “I’m so sorry, Lyd.”

She hesitated before she wrapped her arms around him as she sniffled.

He held her tighter, breathing in her familiar scent as he pressed his cheek against her hair. “I hate that I hurt you. I hate that you’re crying.”

Her shoulders jerked again. “Everly let me listen to her Toniebox while you were gone, so that was nice.”

He huffed out a small laugh as he eased himself back far enough to hold her gaze but also keep her close. “What Tonie did you pick?”

“Winnie the Pooh.”

He nodded. “Good choice.”

“I thought so.”

He sighed as he wiped away another tear with his thumb, stroking her cheek as he stared into her gorgeous eyes. “I’m sorry, Lyd. I truly am.”

She nodded. “Okay.”

He slid his knuckles along her jaw, always eager to touch, needing to soothe. “I never want to hurt you.”

“I know.”

“You’re important to me, Lyd.”

She nodded again as her breathing changed—as she swallowed when he made no move to let her go.

And then he kissed her—a gentle brush of his lips against hers. Because he had to. Because he wanted nothing else but Lydia.

“Ty,” she whispered as he came back again—as he watched her eyes close.

And then he groaned, taking the kiss deeper as she opened for him, meeting his tongue for each slippery slide.

She hummed in her throat as her fingers trailed along the back of his neck and into his hair, as each kiss grew hungrier and more urgent.

“Lyd,” he whispered as he walked her backward to the bed. “Do you want this?”

She swallowed. “I thought—I thought you didn’t.”

He shook his head. “You’re all I want.”

“I want you, too.”

Mouths collided again before he let his lips wander along her jaw as he pulled on the tie of her robe. “I want to see you,” he said, opening the dark-green fabric, letting it fall to the floor, staring at her gorgeous and naked in the sunlight. “You’re so beautiful, Lyd.”

Her breathing came faster. “Take off your shirt. I want you to take off your shirt.”

He pulled it over his head, tossing it to the rug, clenching his jaw as she traced her fingers along his pecs and stomach while she held his gaze.

Wanting so much more, he captured her mouth, falling with her to the mattress. “Is this okay?”

She nodded as she stroked her hands up and down his back.

He kissed her again, giving his attention to her body, starting with her neck and shoulders—a kiss here, a slide of his tongue there—then her beautiful breasts, teasing her nipples with slow swirls and gentle pulls as she moaned.