“No. You’re what, five feet five, maybe? And a hundred twenty pounds, dripping wet? But you’re going to single-handedly fight off a ruthlessly ambitious ADA trying to have you killed and the gangland assassin trained to do it? Are you listening to yourself?”
“I’m not going to fight them with my bare hands. I’m just going to dig up evidence and write a solid story that will expose Carlson for the creep he is. I need to do it fast. Word on the street is that he’s going to run for district attorney. If he does and wins, it’s not like he’s going to indict himself. We’ve already established that I might be the only person standing in his way. He isn’t going to let this go.”
Tyler kissed Seth’s head, then held the boy out for her to do the same. Del scooped him up and inhaled his familiar soapy, boyish smell, wondering if this would be the last time she held him. Her heart tripped, stopped—then started breaking at the thought.
Before she could change her mind, she maneuvered to the far side of the playpen and set Seth inside. Already, he rubbed his eyes. When he saw one of his favorite plush toys, shaped like a tow truck with a smiley face, he grabbed it, tucked it against his body, and closed his eyes with a sigh.
“We can’t talk in here without keeping him awake,” she whispered.
With a glance at Seth, Tyler nodded and held out his hand to her. Del glanced at her duffel. She really should wear underwear to any conversation she was going to have with Tyler. Then again, if he truly wanted her out of them, she’d already be naked and flat on her back in the middle of his bed. He was that good.
But now, he was merely speaking to her as a concerned friend, the mother of his son. That look he’d given her earlier . . . well, she’d cut him off. Since then, he’d respected her boundary. Mostly.
Silently, he led her down the hall, around the corner, and into his bedroom. He shut the door, and she stiffened.
“If Seth starts crying, I can’t hear him.”
“Then make this fast and agree that you can’t fight this battle alone. I won’t let you do it, Delaney.”
“Don’t make this harder than it already is. It’s not like I’m looking forward to leaving Seth, much less with a father he barely knows. But he and I have no future if I don’t go.”
Tyler advanced on her, growling with anger. “You may well wind up dead if you try to play the hero all by yourself. Like I asked before, what the f**k do you know about taking down a corrupt public official and evading a street killer?”
Delaney swallowed. God, he was big. She’d forgotten just how tall and solid and male he was. “I’m not going to run into the city with flashing lights and announce my presence with a bullhorn or try to single-handedly round up the bad guys with guns blazing. I just need to collect a little more proof, and as long as they don’t know I’m back in town, it shouldn’t be too dangerous. In the last week, I’ve learned how to lay low, disguise myself. Maybe I’ll hire a PI in L.A. to help me. I’ll think of something. I’m not stupid.”
Tyler stalked even closer. “Being too brave for the situation is. Goddamn it, I’m angry with you right now.”
“Because I’m leaving you with a kid you don’t know and aren’t prepared for? Forgive me, but I don’t have more appealing options. Even if he’s your son, do you think it was easy to come here and ask for your help?”
As soon as she said the words, she knew she was being unfair. Nothing he’d said or done since she’d arrived indicated he was less than thrilled with having Seth here. But the alternative, admitting that Tyler’s anger was wrapped up in concern for her, was too sweet to bear. A tiny part of her would love to lean on him and let him fix all her problems. She couldn’t do that to him.
“What? I’m happy Seth is here.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I’m just . . . so tired. I haven’t slept in days.” And she was making a bad situation worse. That had to stop. No one liked a bitch.
“Damn straight. I wish to f**k you’d come here about . . . oh, twenty-three months ago. What I’m saying is that, even if you think you’re just fact-finding, it’s potentially dangerous. You’re not equipped for the kind of threat you’re going to be facing. You need to let Deke and Kimber or Luc and Alyssa keep Seth while I go with you to fight these f**kers.”
It was so tempting to give in and have his strong, comforting presence beside her. But she couldn’t accomplish her task if she was worried about Seth. Tyler might be a playboy, but he was also a protector. No way would he let anything happen to their son, and that would give her the reassurance and strength to do what she must.
“Please, let me go. I know best, really. If you’ll just . . . do this for me—”
“You mean leave you now when you need me most, just like I did after I touched every inch of your body and got deeper inside you than any man ever has? Leave again, simply because you asked me to? Because you think you know best?”
Tyler advanced even closer, and suddenly, his bedroom door was at her back. He planted both of his large hands on either side of her head and leaned in. Her heart picked up speed viciously. That woodsy, testosterone-oozing scent swamped Delaney, and her legs trembled beneath her. She flattened herself against the door . . . but Tyler kept coming closer, leaning in, his green gaze darkening, drilling into her.
“How well do you think me listening to you worked out last time?” he challenged.
Terribly. Eric had eventually screamed that Tyler slinking off only made him wonder how long they’d been f**king each other. Her protestations otherwise had fallen on completely deaf ears. The positive pregnancy test had been the death knell of their marriage. By then, Tyler had been long gone, and she’d missed him so much. But . . .
Delaney closed her eyes. “This is different.”
“Yeah. It’s worse. Seth could lose you for the rest of his little life. I could lose you forever instead of for two years. Not happening, angel. Last time I saw you, I listened to you about everything. This time? It’s my way.”
Tyler cradled her face in his big hands. His stare zeroed in on her mouth. He pressed the length of his body against hers. The thin T-shirt she wore did nothing to protect her from the blistering heat of his body. He notched his heavy, steely erection against her mound. Delaney’s heart stuttered.
And then his lips hovered right above hers, his head cocking to the side as his gaze ensnared her. He lowered his mouth so, so close. She curled her fingers into fists at her sides so that she didn’t wrap her arms around him, her legs around him, and beg for everything he could give her—safety, comfort . . . feverish desire, shattering pleasure.
He exhaled against her mouth, parted his lips. God, she couldn’t breathe. Already, she wanted him desperately. Her heart pounded. Her pu**y ached. If he kissed her, it would only make everything ten times more difficult.