Somebody to Hold (Tyler Jamison #2) - April Wilson Page 0,32

and mutes the TV. Then he turns me to face him and begins playing with one of my nipple piercings, sending a shiver through me. He leans down to flick the barbell with the tip of his tongue, then smiles up at me. “Your piercings alone would draw a crowd.”

I run my hands over his shoulders and arms, marveling at his rock-hard muscles. When he draws one of my nipples into his mouth and teases the barbell with his tongue, I arch my back with a loud moan.

He trails kisses down my torso to the waistband of my drawstring pants and palms my dick through the fabric, tracing the outline as I begin to harden. Just as Tyler’s about to slip his hand beneath the waistband, the doorbell rings.

Tyler presses his forehead to my abs and groans. “Damn it.”

“It’s Layla.” I hop up from the sofa and adjust my pants to accommodate my erection. “Sorry. Rain check. I’ll get the door.”

Tyler sits up. “And I’ll run upstairs to get us some shirts.”

I’d forgotten we’re both shirtless after our shower.

Chapter 12

Ian Alexander

As Tyler runs up the stairs to grab us some shirts, I unlock the door for my sister. She’s standing on the top step, ear buds in, dressed in jeans, sneakers, and another UC hoodie. Her hair is pulled back in a messy ponytail.

I glance over at the driveway to see Sean sitting in the driver’s seat of Layla’s Fiat. I wave, attempting to be polite, but he ignores me.

Layla she steps inside and gives me a hug.

“Hey, sis,” I say, mussing her hair.

She ducks out from beneath my hand and removes her earbuds. “So, where’s your handsome cop?”

“I’m right here,” Tyler says as he jogs down the stairs.

He’s wearing a plain black T-shirt that hugs his chest and arms. In his hand is one of my graphic boating tees, which he tosses to me. I slip it on.

Tyler glances into the living room, then back at Layla. “Sean’s out in the car?”

“Yes,” Layla says. “Frankly, I’m happy to have him wait outside.”

“Still don’t like him?” I ask.

She shakes her head. “He gives me the creeps. I’m not sure why, but he does. I swear, sometimes he acts like he owns me, telling me what I can and can’t do, who I can talk to at school and who I can’t. It’s weird.”

“Tell Mom and Dad you want a replacement,” I say.

She shrugs. “I don’t want to cause a fuss. Besides, I might end up with someone even worse. First Rob, and now Sean. I seem to attract losers.”

“Your parents need to use a different security company,” Tyler tells her. To me, he says, “Shane’s company offers personal protection.”

Before I can respond, there’s a sharp knock at the door. Layla jumps.

“It’s just our food,” I tell her as I open the door. There are two sacks from our favorite Chinese restaurant sitting just outside the door. “Dinner has arrived.” I pick them up and bring them inside.

We set up in the living room, spreading the food out on the coffee table. While Tyler and I grab plates, silverware, and drinks from the kitchen, Layla makes herself comfortable on the floor.

“You can join us on the sofa,” I say as I hand her a chilled bottle of her favorite sugar-free lemonade. I make sure to stock plenty of sugar-free snacks and drinks for my sister.

She takes the bottle from me. “Thanks. But I’m fine on the floor.”

We dish out the food. Layla opts for the beef and broccoli, sans rice. Tyler has his favorite—a spicy Kung Pao chicken. And I have some of the beef and broccoli and some sweet and sour chicken.

“Should we send some food out to Sean?” I ask Layla. I don’t like the guy, but I feel bad that we’re eating when he’s been relegated to the car.

She shakes her head as she chews. “He’s fine,” she says after she swallows. “He picked up something on the way here.” Then she gets a devilish gleam in her dark eyes. “So… tell me more about how you two met—the whole story.”

I look to Tyler, who’s looking at me.

He nods. “Go ahead. You tell her.”

I grin at the memory. “I already told you, we met in a bar.”

“I know that,” she says. “But I want the tea. Come on, Ian! Details! The juicier the better.”

“All right.” I sigh. “I was coming out of the men’s room just as Tyler was about to go in. I’d had my eye on