Only Him (Only One 1)

“I want to talk about what happened between us the other night. So you want me to stand right here and have that conversation? Or do you want to invite me inside where we can have some privacy?”

He shrugs but doesn’t say anything.

Fine then.

“We need to get back to normal. My dad asked what’s going on because he noticed things have changed between us. I don’t want him to get suspicious, so can we act like we’re friends at least? For the sake of working together every day?” I hate how desperate my voice comes out but talking to him and being this close to him when he looks like that makes me anxious.

Tyler crosses his arms over his chest. “It was nothing more than a heated kiss and amistake, Gemma. That’s it. You’re engaged, and like you said, it never should’ve happened, so let’s pretend it didn’t. It meant nothing to me anyway, so you can go back to planning the wedding of your dreams.”

Excuse me?My blood boils as my adrenaline spikes. “It meant nothing to you?”

I’m not sure what I wanted or expected him to say, but it wasn’t that. If he’s saying that to hurt me, it’s working.

“That’s what I said. You. Are. Engaged.” He stresses every word.

“I am. But that doesn’t mean you have to lie, Tyler. I felt something, and you fucking did too.”

“Sorry, I didn’t,” he says calmly. “It’d been a long time since I touched a woman, so perhaps you got the wrong signals.”

My breaths are shallow as my anger rises, and when I open my mouth, I see a gorgeous brunette walking down the hallway wearing nothing but a towel.

She smiles wide as I look her up and down. She rocks a short pixie cut, sleeves of tattoos on both arms, and bright blue eyes. The woman looks like she fell off the pages of a fitness magazine as she saunters toward us. She oozes confidence, and the closer she comes, the smaller I feel. My heart stops when Tyler turns and smiles suggestively at her. It’s not hard for me to put all the pieces together since they’re both wearing towels.

Fuck, I’m an idiot.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you had company.”

Tyler grips the side of the door as though he’s ready to slam it in my face. “It’s fine. Do you need anything else, or are we done here?”

“I guess we’re done.”

The woman moves beside Tyler, and we make eye contact. Her perfect smile has my jealousy burning me alive.

“Hey, I’m Ruby.” She holds out her hand, and I reluctantly take it.

“Gemma. I’m Tyler’s sister’s best friend.”

“Nice to meet you! From what Tyler’s told me, Everleigh is awesome.”

I swallow hard at how sweet she’s being and know I won’t be able to hate her for having a crappy personality. “She is.” Blinking hard, I stare at how radiantly beautiful Ruby is. “How’d you meet Tyler?” The words blurt out, and I mentally slap my forehead.

“The gym,” she says, which makes sense by how toned her arms and legs are. It’s obvious they have working out in common.

“Alright then,” Tyler interrupts. “Ruby and I have plans, so I’ll see you Monday,” Tyler tells me before shutting the door in my face. I walk to my car more frustrated than I was when I arrived. My mind is reeling, and I don’t know why my emotions are bouncing around like a ping-pong ball. As I back out of the driveway, angry tears stream down my face. I’m pissed at myself, and my confusion isn’t helping.

When I get home, I sit and turn on the TV, but I’m not paying attention to it. I replay everything when Tyler came over that night. Is it possible that I exaggerated what happened? That I felt something he didn’t, and he was just going through the motions?

There’s no way.

His body responded just as quickly as mine. Did he say it meant nothing because he’s dating Ruby? I flipped out right after he gave me the best orgasm I’ve had in years, then told him it was a mistake. I asked him to forget it and leave. Perhaps I should be happy that he moved on.

Even if he is dating someone, it shouldn’t matter. I’m fucking engaged.

Leaning my head back on the cushion, I close my eyes and slowly inhale. I feel absolutely ridiculous for going over there. If I could take it all back, I would. If I hadn’t lost control and gave myself to him, I wouldn’t feel so damn guilty and confused.

It’s never felt that way with Robert, not even in the beginning. And it’s supposed to, right? I’m supposed to feel like I’m floating on cloud nine with fireworks as I succumb to him. Admittedly, there have been numerous times when Robert couldn’t make me come during foreplay or sex. With Tyler, my panties were drenched before he even touched me. Though it’s wrong, Tyler touching me like that is what I fantasize about when I’m alone. He’s always known my body better than I do and still has every inch of me memorized. When we were together in the past, we shared more than just a physical attraction. We’ve always had a deep emotional connection, and it made the sex even better. Though we’ve changed, the chemistry between us hasn’t.

I’m a blubbering mess, and I need to calm the hell down. It’s not too early to drink, is it? Fuck it. I go ahead and have a glass of wine that soon turns into three, and before long, the whole bottle’s gone. With heavy eyes, I lie on the couch and watch the Hallmark channel until I fall asleep. Hours pass and I’m woken by a text message from Everleigh.