Page 61 of Protected from Torment

“No reason,” Rafe replies with a smirk. “You sure you’re not imagining things?”

There’s a second when I think Tyler might be embarrassed to be seen touching me.

A second when I brace myself for the disappointment of him letting me go.

But he doesn’t. He just tugs me closer to him. His hand slides to my hip, the heat of his touch searing through my clothes and into my skin. Looking down at me, his gaze softens. “How are you doing, Mel? If you’re tired⁠—”

“I’m okay.” In truth, I’m a little tired. But there’s no way I’m cutting short this time with his friends.

“We can take Melissa on a tour of the house,” Eden offers.

Tyler frowns. “I thought I’d take her.”

“But we want to get to know Melissa,” Eden persists. “You can bring her stuff to your house, get Oscar all settled—” She stops and turns to me. “Sorry. It’s fine if you want to go with Tyler instead.”

“We’re just excited to have you here,” Bea explains. “Tyler’s never brought a woman home before, and—” Her mouth snaps shut, and her face reddens.

Noelle jabs Bea with her elbow and hisses, “Bea.”

Ace looks like he’s about to burst out laughing. Rafe’s lips are twitching. Yara’s watching the whole conversation with a wide grin.

Even though I knew Tyler hadn’t dated anyone since Kaia, seeing his friends’ reactions makes me feel warm and squishy inside. Because I’ve been around guys like this long enough to know what’s really going on.

They’re happy for him.

They want him to find the same thing that they have.

And maybe, just maybe, they think I could be it.

Which is why I tell Tyler, “I’d like to go with Eden on a tour. If you don’t mind.” Because while I do want to get to know his friends better, even more so, I want them to get to know me. I want them to know I’m a good person, and they don’t have to be scared of me. I want them to know I care about Tyler, and they can trust me with him.

“Are you sure?” Tyler asks.

Leaning close to him, I reply, “I think it would be nice to get to know your friends better.”

After a beat, understanding fills Tyler’s eyes. “Okay. But if you start to get tired, just call and I’ll come get you. You have your phone, right?”

I pat my back pocket. “Yup.”

Tyler levels a serious look at Eden. “Mel’s still recovering. So she should be taking it easy.”

Eden’s smile couldn’t get any wider. “Of course, Ty. We’ll take good care of her.”

“Do you want to bring Oscar?” he asks me. “Or do you want me to take him outside, let him run a bit? Everything’s fenced in, so he can’t get lost.”

“Maybe you could take him,” I reply. “I’m sure he’d like to stretch his legs.”

“We can play fetch,” Webb adds as he comes through the door, both arms weighed down with luggage. “Help him get some of his pent-up energy out.” Webb pauses before adding with a wry grin, “I’m talking about Oscar. Not Tyler.”

Everyone chuckles.

My nerves settle even more.

Tyler turns me to face him. His gaze searches mine. “If you need me,” he says quietly, “just call. I’ll come right away. Okay?”

“Okay.”

Tyler stares at me a second longer, emotion working in his eyes. Then he cups my cheek and leans down to kiss me. He doesn’t end the kiss right away; rather, he takes his time with it. When he finally pulls away, he brushes his thumb across my lips. “I’m glad you’re here, Mel. Really glad.”