"Tyree." His name sounded like a plea, but he wasn't certain what she was begging for. "I'm sorry," she said, shattering his hopes. "We share a daughter, Tiger. We can't let it get awkward."

"Tiger," she repeated, and his heart actually skipped a beat.

She looked as surprised as he did. "It just slipped out."

It was the name she'd only called him in bed. A secret endearment, just between the two of them. And it told him one hell of a lot about where her head was.

He wanted to press her, and in light of that slip, he was certain he'd win. He wanted her comfort. Wanted to lose himself inside her.

But she'd said no, and he wanted to honor her, too.

Still, would it be so bad to just have a taste...?

He forced the thought away. Better to work together like adults. To get to know each other, even long distance, so they could quit dancing around the lust and settle in as friends. As Elena's parents.

His cock didn't like that idea as much, but all things considered, Tyree wasn't inclined to give his cock much say in the discussion.

She was right after all. She was leaving tomorrow.

Unless, of course, he could figure out a way to change her mind.

Chapter Twelve

She overslept, naturally, and now Eva hurried to toss all of her crap into her duffel bag so she could race down to the taxi stand and get to the airport in time to catch her plane.

It was Saturday, and Elena had emailed sometime during the night to say that she'd been invited by someone at the University to go to a picnic sponsored by the Community and Regional Planning program where she intended to apply after her gap year. She'd said she hated missing seeing Eva off, but that she'd fly home to San Diego soon, maybe for the fourth of July holiday.

Not that Eva begrudged her daughter the picnic, but if she'd only picked up the phone that morning, then Eva might not be rushing now. And what if the bellman had to call for a taxi? Dammit.

In the hall, she pressed the button to call the elevator, silently cursing as it crept to her floor at its own lethargic pace. Finally, she made it on and down to the lobby. Then she raced out the door, waved for the bellman to signal a taxi, and then froze on the sidewalk as she saw Tyree standing across the street, his large frame leaning casually against the side of a slate gray Jeep Grand Cherokee.

"Need a lift?" he asked, jaywalking toward her.

"Depends. Does that thing fly? I'm ridiculously late." She waited for him to make some reference to last night, but he seemed to be all business. And since that attitude made it much easier to walk away, she decided that she was grateful.

He hoisted her duffel, then held out his free hand. "What time's your flight?"

She told him, and he looked at his watch, then let out a low whistle. "If I was smart, I'd tell you there was no way, just to keep you here a few more hours."

"Yeah, but we both know you're not that bright."

His laughter rolled over her like a sweet caress. "True that. Come

on. I'll get you there on time. Getting through security quickly's on you, though."

"I'll take that deal." Gratefully, she hurried to match his stride as he crossed illegally once more.

Once inside the car, she relaxed into the leather seats. "Thank you. This is much better than a taxi. And, frankly, better than Elena's tiny Honda."

"Speaking of Elena," he said as he pulled into traffic, "I wanted to talk to you about her. Parent to parent, I mean."

"Sure. Actually, wait." She shifted in the seat to look at him. "I never told you what time my plane left. How did you know when to linger outside the hotel?"

"I'll give you one guess."

She flopped back in her seat. "Our little conniver. Does she even have an event at the University?"

"Actually, I think she does. Tonight."

Tags: J. Kenner Man of the Month Romance
Source: readsnovelonline.net