you had this wall around you, and I was always curious as to who you really were. Over time, I started to see more and more, but even after you let go with me, you still didn’t let me all the way in. But now I see such a carefree version of you, and I’ll do anything to keep this look on your face.”
I nudged him. “You’re procrastinating.”
“You caught me.” He nervously met my gaze. “Maybe I’m just worried I’ll lose you again, and I’m not willing to do that.”
I halted and turned to face him. “Tyler, as long as you’re honest with me, that’s all I care about. Everything else, we can work through. I may yell and become irrational, but that’s why I keep Jenna and Brayden around. They’re really good at smacking some sense into me.”
“Okay.” He took a deep breath and I prepared myself for him to drop some sort of bomb that would make me question everything I thought I knew about him. “I just need you to know the only reason I’m doing this is because I care about you…deeply. Probably more than you can even begin to fathom.”
“Tyler, just spit it out.”
He paused briefly before releasing a breath. “I’ve ordered Martin and everyone else to remain on their protection detail.”
“Why?” I asked, confused.
“Because, Mackenzie. I need to do everything I can to ensure your safety and my top priority right now is to figure out what the fuck is really going on here. Between your father, our mysteriously disappearing CIA handler, your friend, Damian, and Charlie–”
I inhaled quickly at the mention of that name and Tyler noticed my reaction.
“What is it?” He raised his brows.
“Nothing,” I replied, turning from him and continuing along the shore.
“It wasn’t nothing,” Tyler said, catching up to me. “You want me to be open and honest with you? This is a two-way street, Mackenzie. I can only keep you safe if I know what’s going on.”
“I’ve told you, Tyler. Charlie isn’t a threat to me. He knows where I am. If he really wanted to hurt me, he’s had plenty of opportunities to do so. Am I certain he didn’t kill all those people? I don’t know. But I’m not ready to believe he’s got a vendetta out against my father or me.”
“Let me be the judge of that.” Crossing his arms in front of his chest, making him look formidable, he glared down at me. A chill enveloped me, part of me irritated with his inability to accept I was an adult capable of taking care of myself, the other part becoming increasingly turned on with the dominance and power that covered his appearance as he stood in that stance, his suit making him even more attractive than I thought possible.
“You know,” I began, “you make it nearly impossible for me to be upset with you. You’re using your suit against me.”
He scrunched his eyebrows briefly before his stern expression melted into one of amusement. Chuckling loudly, he pulled my body into his and I got lost in his strong arms, the sound of his laugh vibrating through him and warming me with adoration for him…my strong, protective mystery man.
“You know, a man in a suit to a woman is like lingerie to men. There’s nothing hotter.”
“I’m glad you think so, Mackenzie.”
“I do,” I admitted, pulling my head from his chest and peering into his eyes, the stars and ocean causing them to shimmer. Forgetting my former irritation with him, I reached up and ran my hands through his hair, playing with it.
“Kiss me,” I begged, pulling his face toward mine. Our lips met, the kiss soft and tender. He took his time exploring my mouth, his hand running over the contours of my body as if it were the first time. Everything with Tyler felt like the first time. It was always new and exhilarating, the high I continued to feel whenever he swept his tongue with mine or brushed his fingers on my skin more vibrant than the previous time. We were still chasing the dragon together and I never wanted to stop.
I dropped my shoes, pulling his body closer, our kiss growing fevered and intense. Growling, Tyler lifted me and I wrapped my legs around his waist, but it still wasn’t enough. At first, I appreciated the effort Tyler was making to take things slow, giving me the opportunity to learn to trust him again, but I didn’t care about any of that right