Part 9 (2/2)
”Hmm?”
Her head was laid back against the seat, her eyes closed. She could never have another s.e.xual interlude with Tyler, but just being with him was nice, too. Maybe she should let that be enough, she thought. Maybe she should try to relax and enjoy her time with him, even though it was risky.
She didn't see his incredulous expression, or the way he was watching her.
”Carlie, did you mean you thought it would be 'nice' to make love to me during a storm?”
Her eyes shot wide open, her relaxed position shot to h.e.l.l. She felt tense from her toes to her eyebrows, her heart going into spasms. She peered at Tyler, totally speechless.
They stopped at a traffic light and he turned to face her, bracing one arm on the back of the seat. ”Well?”
Her laugh sounded a bit forced. ”I didn't mean you specifically. I meant...the storm in general. Someone who really enjoyed s.e.x would like it in this kind of weather.” She was babbling, but she couldn't seem to stop.
His gaze was disturbingly intent. ”You don't enjoy lovemaking?”
”I never said that!” She was fl.u.s.tered and had to struggle to keep from looking away. ”I just meant there are a lot of people who don't. But someone like you, someone who appears, by all accounts, to like it very much, probably would enjoy it during a storm. I...I think I would, just because I love storms, I mean.”
Carlie ground to a painful halt, her rambling finally at an end. Tyler stared at her, and Carlie didn't want to know what he was thinking.
He cleared his throat, but the words came out sounding husky. ”You should definitely try it sometime.”
Conversation, after that bit of advice, was nil. When they arrived at the video-rental store, Carlie gaped. ”What are we doing?”
”Renting a movie.”
Uh-oh. ”Renting a movie, to watch...where?”
Tyler shot her a grin. ”My place. You said you didn't want to dress up, so I thought you'd be more comfortable at home.”
Her home, maybe. Not this. She didn't want to go to his...
”Wait here, and I'll run in and get it. No reason for both of us to get soaked.”
Carlie sat in his car, stupefied. How could she refuse without looking ridiculous? How could she explain the difference between being in a crowded theater and being alone with Tyler?
She was still pondering that problem when he returned, the tape tucked inside his jacket, his dark hair glistening from the rain. ”All set.” He took his seat and started the car. ”You're gonna love this movie.”
She had her doubts.
There was an underground garage at Tyler's building, so they didn't get wet going in. Carlie walked slowly, hesitant to enter his private domain. But, like his office, Tyler's home was fairly generic. It was large, with a fantastic view, and very tastefully decorated. But everything looked...cold and impersonal. He explained it was a furnished apartment, and a cleaning crew came in weekly.
Carlie thought that was a sad way to live.
Tyler must have picked up on her sentiments, because he said, ”Not exactly 'home sweet home,' is it?”
”If you don't like it, why did you move here?”
He shrugged, looking around the apartment. ”When I was a kid, we lived in a dirty little h.e.l.lhole with ratty furniture and peeling paint. I decided that when I picked a place of my own, I'd make sure it was nice.” He shook his head. ”At the time, I suppose I thought this place was nice.” He winked at Carlie. ”But I like your house much better.”
She grinned. ”Thank you. I like my house, too. I picked it because it's small. Grandfather had a huge old farmhouse. It was always cold and empty. I hated it.”
”You said your parents died when you were young. Your grandfather raised you?”
Carlie nodded, but looked away. ”My brother was already old enough to be on his own, and I didn't see him much. It was just me and Granddad.”
”Were you lonely?”
”I suppose.” Then she changed the subject. Talk of her childhood always made her melancholy. ”So, are we going to start this movie or not?”
Tyler took her hand, gave it a soft squeeze, then left the room. After fetching colas and pretzels from a sterile kitchen, he turned off most of the lights. ”A scary movie has to be watched in the dark...for effect.”
Carlie relaxed, settling herself into the soft leather sofa. ”I know why you wanted to come here to watch the movie.” She waved a finger at him. ”You didn't want witnesses when you get scared and start screaming.”
”Perceptive girl.” After putting in the tape, Tyler took his seat next to Carlie. He sat very close, his damp hair pushed back from his face, his long legs stretched out.
Unexpectedly, Carlie leaned toward him and nudged him with her shoulder. ”You're all right, Tyler.”
He stared at her, grinning crookedly and looking very pleased by her offhand compliment.
He gently touched her cheek. ”I'm glad you think so.”
It was such an easy and natural thing to do. She leaned into his hand, and his fingers found a stray wisp of hair escaped over her temple. He toyed with it, running it through his fingers, then giving her a gentle tug.
He could make her stomach flip with just a word or a look, but he also made her feel accepted, made her a part of things in a way she'd never been. Being raised by her grandfather had left her sheltered but alone. Brenda had been her first real friend.
Now she had Tyler, too.
”I like you, Tyler. I'm...really glad we're friends.”
”I am, too. Though I'll admit, I've never been just friends with a woman before.” He tucked her hair behind her ear. ”And by the way, this is another date. Try to remember the rules.”
She immediately put on her best vacant expression, removed her gla.s.ses and batted her eyelashes. ”Tyler,” she whined, looking pathetically vulnerable, ”I'm scared of the dark. Hold me.”
He grinned and reached for her. She promptly shoved him back into his seat. ”You've got the basics down right, but you're supposed to be clinging to me right about now.”
”You big coward.” She shook her head at him. ”You better control yourself during this movie, Tyler. I mean it. Date or no date, I don't want you crawling all over me just because you chose a movie you couldn't handle.”
He smiled slyly, apparently enjoying himself. ”Did I tell you, I've seen this movie before? I'd be willing to wager that about halfway through, you'll be crawling all over me.”
”I'll take that bet.” She grabbed his hand and pumped it. ”What will you give me when you lose?”
”I won't lose. You will. Then you'll invite me over for another home-cooked meal. Agreed?”
”Fine. But when I win? What do I get?”
”A kiss?”
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