Yours Seductively

Chapter 9.2

   Tyler was lying in his back, staring at the ceiling, his right arm around her, her cheek cradled on his damp shoulder. He hadn't said anything since a choked cry had erupted from him during their lovemaking. Jane had no clue what was going through his kind. She lifted her head and propped her cheek on her hand. "You know how annoying it is when someone asks what you're thinking?"

   He looked at her. "Yeah?"

   "Prepared to be annoyed."

   He reached up to smooth her hair. "You want to know what I'm thinking?"

   "As long as it's flattering to me."

   Chuckling, he threaded his fingers through her hair. "I was thinking that I'm very glad you invited me to lunch today."

   "Okay," she said after a moment. "I'll take that as a compliment."

   "If it's not enough, I have a list of other compliments for you."

   "Hang on to them. I'll want to hear them all later." She bent her right leg at the knee, sliding it onto his. "I have a few for you, too, but I wouldn't want to make you conceited."

   "There are some who might say you're too late."

   She thought of the flashes of uncertainty she had glimpsed in his eyes. The fleeting hints of self-doubt. Things she hadn't seen in him when he was younger. Something had shaken him badly since then, something that had hurt him, stolen the laughter from him. At first she had thought it was the shock and grief of his wife's death. She had begun to wonder if there was something else. For one thing, he never mentioned his wife, not even in passing, and that seemed strange to her.

   Of course, now was hardly the appropriate time to ask about her.

   What was he feeling now? She had made him laugh and the. Made him groan in pleasure, but what had aroused the renewed somberness she sensed in him? Not regret, perhaps, but guilt, maybe? Wariness about what the future held for them?

   She wanted to see him smile again. She walked her fingers up his rib cage, searching for a ticklish spot. She found one about an inch below his armpit. He jerked sharply and she laughed. "Ticklish, Ty?"

   "No."

   She flicked the area again with the tips of her fingers. And , again, he flinched.

   "Liar," she said.

   He caught her wandering hand. "Don't make me retaliate."

   "You're much too gentlemanly to do anything like that."

   "You think so?"

   "Of course. Everyone knows that Tyler Hamilton is the perfect Southern gentleman. Charming, polite, genteel—Tyler! Stop that!" She dissolved into helpless giggles when he flipped her over and tickled her with both hands.

   He was grinning, she noted in satisfaction, even as she squirmed to get away from him. He looked relaxed and happy again. A little tickle-retaliation was a small price to pay to see him that way.

   Tickling, of course, led to hugging, which led to kissing and then more. By the time Tyler reluctantly dragged himself from the bed, he had little time to wash up and dress for his meeting.

   Wrapped in a short robe, Jane followed him to the front door. He paused before opening it to don his jacket. She reached up to straighten his collar.

   "He do I look?" He asked with a smile.

   "Great," she assured him. "Like you've spent the entire afternoon rolling around between the sheets."

   "That isn't exactly the image I had in mind," he said dryly.

   She laughed and gave his tie a final pat. "It's the image I'll keep in my mind."

   He kissed her quickly. "So will I." And then he stepped away. "I'll call you."

   "Do that." She reached for the doorknob. "Now go, before you're late for your meeting."

   "See you, Jane."

   "See you, Ty." She hoped she would be seeing him very soon.