“When did you last sleep a whole night?”
“Last week. Thursday.”
Tyler reached for her hand. “You risked everything to bring Seth to me. I know things went to hell between us before, but I’m glad you trusted me.”
Tears axed the back of her eyes, stinging. “He’s the most precious thing in my life. Our parting may not have been great, but I knew you’d take care of him.”
“I won’t let you down, Del. My friends will give him the best care possible. And I’m going to take care of you, too.”
How easy it would be to lean against him and let him handle everything. She did trust him. He would keep her safe and do a killer job investigating. He’d been a great detective, after all. But doing that would be so damn unfair to him. She’d upended his life after dropping a major bombshell on him. She had to pull her own weight. “You don’t have to. I’m a big girl.”
“Who’s in over her head. Just let me handle everything.” It wasn’t a request. “Hungry?”
Del bit her lip and nodded. She’d prove useful as soon as they got to L.A.
In a little town with a population south of ten thousand, they stopped for a restroom and dinner break. They had limited food options. A rubber chicken sandwich and some fries later, they were back on the road. Del offered to drive. Tyler just shook his head.
Hours later, they pulled up into a dated motel off the highway in El Paso. Tyler unfolded himself out of the car. “Wait here and lock the doors.”
He had to be exhausted . . . yet he continued to worry about her.
“I’m fine. Go.”
He grabbed a ball cap from the backseat and shoved it over his head, pulling the bill low. Then he disappeared into the hot, windy night. A few minutes later, he returned and, without a word, pulled the car around to the back of the motel.
“No one driving by will see this car from any road. I gave the manager a fake name and extra cash not to care.” He exited the car, then grabbed her duffel from the trunk.
Inside, the room was painfully clean. Aging industrial carpet and stark white walls made it clear this wasn’t the Ritz. She didn’t care. There were two beds and a shower. She could kiss Tyler for making this happen.
But she wouldn’t—for her sanity.
“Thank you.” She shut the door and locked it behind her.
“No argument about not having separate rooms?”
Staying with him was a bit dangerous, since she was feeling so ridiculously vulnerable yet grateful, but . . . “No. Safety in numbers. I appreciate the separate beds.”
“Damn, and I’d prepared my speech, too.”
Despite her exhaustion, Del smiled. “Let’s hear it.”
“Probably not a good idea. I’d just planned to say that you weren’t getting your own room. Separate beds is as much space as I’m willing to give you.” He shrugged. “I’m not going to lie. I’d rather spend the night in your bed. In your body. I’ve missed you like hell, Del.”
His words shocked her. God, she could even hear the longing in his voice, and it did something to her that wasn’t good for her resolve. Cuddling up to Tyler all night, feeling the demanding press of his kiss, the hard thrust of his cock, waking up in his arms—it all sounded heavenly. But not smart. She was a mom now; she couldn’t afford flings. And Tyler didn’t do permanent.
“You can’t say things like that. We can’t do things like that. There’s too much at stake.”
“I knew you’d say that. It’s just . . . the thought of you in danger makes me want to kill the motherfucker threatening you, then rip off every stitch of your clothing and take you in every way known to man.”
Del swallowed, trying to absorb the impact of those words. They reverberated through her, pinging wildly, before finally rousing an ache in her chest and her pu**y. She’d never known another man who could give her such pleasure, make her feel so safe. He was right there in front of her. The temptation to reach out and touch him damn near drowned her good sense.
But she had Seth and tomorrow to think about. And honestly . . . by the time Eric had encouraged Tyler to have sex with her, she’d been half in love with him. He’d been so steady, patient, kind during her ex-husband’s recovery. Cutting him loose had hurt so badly. She didn’t want to suffer it twice.
“Caveman much?” she joked.
“Always. You know that.”
“Look, I already heard that you have a thing for Alyssa. I get why. She’s gorgeous. I’ve never seen a woman that sexy. I know she’s married, but . . . I’m living proof marriage doesn’t always last. But while you wait for her, I won’t be a substitute.”