Page 38 of The Penalty

I thank them both profusely, still not believing that they did all this for me.

Kylie and I refill our champagne, and Tyler says, “We should play a game. Who’s up for some Monopoly?”

He looks so excited about it that there is no way I could turn him down even if I wanted to. Luckily, I come from a board game family, so I’m always down to play.

Kylie crinkles her nose. “Monopoly? I think it’s been at least ten years since I’ve played that.”

“Come on, Ky. It’ll be fun. I used to play this with your grandparents when I was a kid,” he says.

“Alright, fine.”

He disappears down the hall and comes back with the game.

We set it up quickly and end up playing for almost two hours. I’m having so much fun that I don’t even realize that we play for so long. We finally call it when Kylie announces that she’s had enough and is going to bed.

“You coming?” she asks as she stands from the table. I know I should go up with her. It’s late, and I have a long day tomorrow, but I’m just not tired yet.

“In a few. I think I’m going to have more cake first.”

She laughs. “Get it, girl. See you in the morning. Oh, and Happy Birthday again.”

“Thanks, Ky.”

She goes upstairs, and Tyler and I clean up the game.

“Do you want to play cards?” he asks after we’re sure Kylie is tucked away in her room.

“I’d love to,” I say way too quickly, almost cringing at my own desperation to spend time with this man.

I do eat another piece of cake while we play because it’s my birthday so why the hell not.

“Thank you for tonight. This meant a lot to me,” I tell him after a few rounds of Uno.

“You’re welcome.” He looks up at me from under his lashes, and my stomach flip-flops again. I want this man so bad it hurts. All the time we’ve spent talking at night and playing silly little card games. I want more, but I know I can’t have it. A wave of sadness washes over me.

“I should go to bed.”

He nods and stands from the couch.

“Can I hug you again?” I ask this time because I don’t want to make him uncomfortable. Just because I know what my feelings are doesn’t mean I can assume what he’s feeling. I’m his daughter’s age. I’m sure he doesn’t see me as anything more than her friend.

“Come here.”

He opens his arms for me. I feel so happy and content being there, pressed to his strong chest. I have no idea how long we stay like that. Just hugging in the middle of his living room.

But when I finally make a move to step back, he stops me.

I look up at him. Our faces are so close, our mouths just inches apart. My tongue slips out to lick my lips. I’m close enough that I can watch his eyes track the movement.

Does he feel this connection? Does he want this as much as I do? Surely, my imagination is running wild, right?

Then he closes the distance between us, and his lips are on mine.

Tyler is kissing me.

I’m frozen for a second before I start to kiss him back. His lips are so soft and full, and his tongue slides inside my mouth and tangles with mine. I’m lost in him and wouldn’t want it any other way.

He pulls me flush with his body, and I feel his hard length press against me. I get a little bolder and run my fingers through his hair. It’s gotten longer since the season started, and it’s the perfect length for me to tug on. He moans into my mouth.