Chapter 10

TYLER

CHAPTER TEN

I don't know what made me blurt out an offer to move to Houston before Ariana even accepted a job, except that the image of our baby growing inside her was too much for a simple man like me. I'm a lineman. I'm never going to send people to Mars or change the world in any way. Still, I'm in love with someone who can do those things.

All I can do is wait. She only stared at me blankly when I offered to move for her. She does it often, and I haven't yet figured out what that stare means. Is she thinking I'm an idiot or mad for offering to move for a woman I only met a few weeks ago? Someday, if I'm lucky, I'll know what all her expressions mean.

My phone rings on Tuesday afternoon, and I cringe when it's my mother instead of Ariana. "Hi, Mom."

"You sound down." She is way too perceptive.

"I'm finishing up for the day." In the main building of the power company, I wave to my team before clocking out. I cross the parking lot to my pickup truck. "How are you doing after the comedown from the wedding?"

"Were we talking about me, Ty? Why are you changing the subject? Is everything alright with you and Ariana?" My mom is a hunter when it comes to sniffing out what's wrong with me.

"It's fine." I don't even know if that's a lie or the truth. "She's in Houston talking to people about a job."

"Oh dear. Is she moving away?" There's genuine concern in Mom's voice.

"You sound more upset than me. You must really have liked her." My heart tightens as if a hard stone is lodged inside.

Mom is silent for a long beat. "I think she's a very interesting woman. However, I can see how much you like her."

"Yeah. Maybe too much." I mean it to be joking, but it doesn't come across.

"That's not possible. If you're in love with her, you should tell her sooner rather than regret it later." She clears her throat. "Sorry, Ty. It's none of my business, and you're a grown man."

"It's okay. I agree with you. Ariana is brilliant. Her life will always lead to new, exciting things. I already told her that I would go with her if she wants to take a job in Houston." This could go either way.

Mom sighs. "I see. Well, as much as I like having you within driving distance, I can't blame you for following your heart."

I pull out of work and head toward Roseville. "Thanks, Mom. I'll let you know how things turn out."

"You know, your father thinks Ariana is extraordinary. He told me he wouldn't be surprised if you married her."

In the moment between holy crap and that sounds perfect, I gulp down any words I might mistakenly spit out. Taking a deep breath, I calm myself. "Maybe we should wait and find out if Ariana even wants me for the long term. After all, she's a genius and I'm a lineman."

With a derisive huff, Mom says, "She didn't strike me as a person who judges others that harshly. You work hard, hold a good job, make decent money, and love what you do. What else can a person want out of a career?"

She's right. "Thanks, Mom. I appreciate the vote of confidence." I pull through town. I live on the square above an insurance office. Leaning against the front of the office, Ariana is wearing black pants and a white blouse. Her hair is perfectly combed neatly away from her pretty face. Her blue eyes follow my truck as I approach and round the corner to a free parking spot. "I've got to run, Mom. I'll call you in a few days."

"Have a good night, sweetheart. Let Dad or me know if you need anything."

Once the line disconnects and I'm parked, I steady my pulse before I open the truck door and walk to the corner where Ariana waits.

She gives a short, pensive smile. "Hi. I wanted to see you."

Leaning down, I kiss her and let my lips linger on hers for a long moment. "I'm happy you did. I thought your flight was later tonight."

"I took an earlier one. The meetings were over. I suppose I could have called." She stares over my left shoulder as if she's thinking about what other people might have done rather than wait outside my apartment for me to get home.

I'm too dirty to hug her properly, so I take her hand and kiss the back. "Let's go inside. I need to get cleaned up, but I'm excited to hear your news." It's a half-truth. I'm apprehensive would be more accurate.

Once I unlock the door, I lead the way up the narrow stairs that end between my kitchen and living room.

She looks around, scanning my one-bedroom, somewhat sparse place.

"I made an offer on that house. They're taking offers for another week or so and then I should know if I got it. I know this place isn't much."

"You're neat." She runs her hand along the stair rail and sits on the end of the couch. "My brothers are not as neat."

"Do you want to tell me your news first, or should I shower and we can eat something? You can tell me over dinner."

Looking me up and down, she asks, "Why are you so dirty? You looked clean on the day we met."

"We had to lay lines in the ground today. It's a dirty job and one I don't much like." I untie my boots and step out of them before I walk into the living room.

"You can shower." She watches me, probably deciding if that was the appropriate response.

I lean down and kiss her hard and fast. "You don't ever have to worry that you might say the wrong thing. I hope we're past that now."

Her smile is everything.

Wanting to stare at her and revel in the fact that she's back in New Jersey and sitting in my living room will not get the grime off of me.

I drop my filthy clothes in the washing machine, which is inside a closet in the bedroom. The bathroom is a Jack and Jill to the hallway. I step through and turn on the water. As soon as it's warm, I let the spray rinse some of the grime away. Once I'm washed, I'm about to turn off the water when I hear the door to the hallway open and close.

Through the steam, Ariana is a silhouette, but there's no mistaking the stripping away of her clothes.

Frozen in place, I watch her perfect figure draw close and step past the glass door.

Perfect. That's what she is. Her rounded tits with dark nipples tipping upward, the swell of her hips, and the way her runner's legs and ass curve is heart-stopping. "I missed you." She runs her hand from the center of my chest to my abdomen.

My cock responds immediately, and she takes it in her soft fist. Gliding up and down and driving me more quickly to an orgasm than I want.

I cover her hand with mine. "Slow down, love." I set an easier pace and lower my mouth to hers.

The water runs over our bodies as I explore her mouth. Taking in her top lip and then sucking her bottom one. Driving my tongue inside and enjoying the dance with hers. I'm breathless when I break the kiss. I soap my hands and caress every inch of her body while she continues the slow rhythm of jerking me off. I run my soapy fingers over her nipples, down her stomach, and between her legs. "Ariana, if you keep doing that I'm going to come first."

She leans her back on the tile wall and places her leg on the bench, opening herself to me. Her eyes are full of passion. "I need you inside me, Tyler."

Removing her hand from my cock, I run mine through her wet folds. She's soapy perfection and it's a wonder I haven't come all over the shower by now. I press my body to hers, grip her ass in both hands and lift her so she wraps her legs around my waist. Notching at her pussy, I lower her onto my shaft until we're perfectly joined. "Ariana."

"Tyler." She presses her arms against my shoulders to lift herself, then lets gravity rejoin us.

Unable to keep a slow pace, I grip her harder and pound deep and hard. "I'm sorry. I want to take my time, but I need you."

"More. Tyler. Harder." She digs her short fingernails into my skin.

The pain adds to my pleasure and I thrust harder, exploding inside her on a groan.

She screams my name and her sheath pulls every last drop from me.

Easing out of her exquisite body, I carefully put her back on her feet, then drop to my knees. I place her foot back on the bench and press my mouth over her clit. I suckle her sweet bud until she's pumping against my face, gripping my head, and calling my name over and over. She bucks hard, and I slip my fingers inside her as her body pulses a second time.

Standing, I pull her into my arms. "I missed you, too."

We wash up and get dressed. I'm waiting in the kitchen when she joins me. "There's almost no food here. Can I take you out for dinner?"

"How about the hot dog truck?" She wraps her arms around my waist and presses her cheek against my chest.

Combing her damp hair with my fingers, I wish it would always be like this. "What happened in Houston?"

"They offered me a lot of money, an apartment, and a car to live there and work on the mission to Mars." Her back expands and contracts with a deep breath.

My heart is literally breaking. The pain is the worst I've ever felt in my life. She will leave and live her dream and since she hasn't asked me to go with her, I'll stay here and try to mend. I want her to be happy, so I swallow down my pain. "When will you leave?"

She breaks the hug and stares up at me as if I've spoken in an alien language. "I'm not going to Houston, Tyler. Well, I suppose from time to time I'll have to go down for meetings, but most of them can be done online."

"You turned them down?" It's not possible. "It's your dream job." If the pain in my chest could worsen, it has. I don't want her to give up on her dreams, not for me, not for anything.

"I altered the parameters." She raises her eyebrows and gives me an impish smile.

"What does that mean?" The pain has eased, but I'm still uncomfortable.

Pressing her cheek to me again, she tightens the hug. "I told them I need to work from New Jersey. I said that I want to do the math, but that if it can't be done from my home, then they would have to find someone else."

"Is there anyone else?" I'm beginning to see just how clever as well as smart my girl is.

She shrugs. "Maybe. Maybe not. It doesn't matter. They offered me more money and a better vacation plan. I want to be with you, here, in my hometown. Maybe you will want me to move into that big house you're going to buy. I have a lot of money. I can help with things."

Placing my fingers under her chin, I let the magnitude of what she's said rush like a wave over me. My pain is gone and pure joy floods to replace it. "You don't have to sell your virtues to me, Ariana. I love you. I want you. This may be the happiest day of my life. I'd have gone to Houston to stay near you."

"I know. I think that's when I understood how much you love me. It's also when I realized I love you just as much. I would move to the other side of the world if that's where you were. I'm not going to Houston because I'm happy here with you in Roseville. Nothing will ever be more important than that. Not even numbers."

There's no doubt in my mind that's a first for Ariana, and on the subject of numbers, I feel like I've won the lottery. I wrap her tight in my arms and spin her around the kitchen. "I love you."

She giggles and clings to me. "I love you too."