take a little time to rebuild our trust, but yes. I love you, too, Tyler, and I can’t imagine my life without you in it.”
I would have sworn I felt all the tension leave his body, and he pulled me up and onto his lap, holding me as tightly as he ever had. “Just tell me what I have to do, and I’ll do it.”
“Trust me. Hold me. Love me.”
“Done.”
“You guys want us to go around the block or something?” Dane called from the front of the limo. “Madeline’s house is the next turn.”
“Go around the block, please,” I called back.
We heard him and Tex chuckle, closing the divider between us.
“My parents really want to get to know you,” he said after a moment, his lips against my temple. “They’re only here for a couple of days. Would you want to spend time with them while we try to fix what I ruined?”
“Of course, I would. Assuming my father leaves the house, you’re all welcome to stay with me.”
“I’ve never been to your house.”
“I know.” I nestled closer to him. “I can’t wait to sell it, though.”
“Yeah? You thinking of maybe moving to Vegas?”
I slowly lifted my head, finding his eyes in the semi-darkness. “That depends on you.”
“What do you mean?”
“Is that where you plan to stay long-term?”
“That’s where the band is, so I’d like my home base to be there, but if you’d rather live here, then I can commute when we’re not on tour.”
“No, that’s ridiculous.” I paused. “I guess the question is, are we doing this for real? I mean…forever?”
“Well, yeah. If that’s what you want, I’m in.”
“I want you.”
“You have me.”
“A commitment.”
“Consider us committed.”
“And babies.”
“Babies…” He nuzzled my neck. “You want to start working on those now?”
“Mmm.” I closed my eyes and let his touch caress me from the inside out. “Maybe not just yet.”
“Okay.” His lips hovered near mine. “Can I kiss you, Ariel?”
“Yes. Please.”
Our mouths moved together tentatively, as if this were truly the first time. It made no sense, but our bodies seemed to understand that we needed to start over in some ways. There was familiarity and desire and a lot of emotion, but the passion would have to wait until we’d emotionally sorted through all the different things that had happened since we’d last been together. I loved him and wanted to be together, but it would take a little while for us to get our footing again.
As his tongue penetrated the seam of my lips, I gave myself to him because I truly had no other choice. My body and soul were his, even after what had happened. What we had together was special, and we’d work through all of this because it was worth it. Knowing that he loved me, hearing those words come out of his mouth, was all I needed. Knowing that Tyler loved me was…well, indescribable.
39
Tyler
Ariel slept in my arms that night. It was a long day that lasted late into the night as we sat around at Madeline’s house, talking and laughing. My parents fell in love with her almost instantly, and by the time Erik, Marcus, and Dr. Filipo had to leave for the airport, even Marcus seemed to be warming up to her. Marcus and I had some time to talk to and agreed we’d spend some quality time together soon. I’d promised to make a trip to Limaj so we could just hang out, get to know each other all over again, and give him a chance to get to know Ariel as well.
Madeline graciously offered to have my parents spend the night at her house, even though I’d been planning to put them in a hotel, and Lexi went back to the apartment she and Ariel had been staying in. To my surprise, Ariel had randomly decided she wanted to go home to her house in Beverly Hills. Tex and Dane were staying with us, with strict instructions to wake us if Douglas showed up, and then Ariel had simply led me up the stairs to her room.
I wasn’t sure why she’d wanted to stay here last night, but as I rolled over in the morning and stared at her beautiful face, I was so grateful she’d forgiven me. Or at least that we were on the way to forgiveness. I understood she needed a little time to fully trust me again, but we had all the time in the world. Now that the conservatorship was dissolved, we’d have the freedom