Green Eyed Daydream #Wattys2016

Chapter 24

Carrie's POV

The creme brulee is incredible. I break off little shards of the caramelized sugar shell with the spoon and bring it to my mouth. It tastes sweet, and the crunchy texture mixed together with the smooth custard is amazing.

"Thank you for such a wonderful dinner."

"It was my pleasure to watch you enjoy it so thoroughly," says Tyler. He looks at me then, with a kind of an assessing gaze that begins at my feet, and travels slowly up my entire body, until the greens of his eyes are fixed on mine. "I like your dress," he says finally.

I feel my temperature rising, and adjust my cardigan nervously, attempting to wrap it tighter across my chest. Even though I deliberately chose this overly conservative look in order to escape Tyler's predatory gaze, the way he's looking at me right now I feel as though I don't have a stitch of clothing on.

"Thank you," I say, and fidget with my fingers. "So, dinner was fun..."

"You're not leaving yet," he tells me, frowning. "Not until you see the sunset from the terrace."

"Oh."

"It gets a little chilly out there in the evening. I'm gonna go grab a blanket, and we'll go check it out, yeah?"

I nod, and he gets up and disappears down the corridor. I look out of the window and notice that the sun is already hanging low on the horizon, and the sky is painted with bright orange, and pink hues. Tyler's home is really fantastic in every way. The gourmet kitchen, the open layout of the living room, the modern furnishings, and the stunning views make it a place unlike any other I've ever seen. There is something distinctly masculine about the interior design, but it's not cold or sterile. It actually does feel like a sanctuary, just as Tyler described it.

A buzzing disrupts my thoughts, and I glance around to find the source of the noise. I stand from the stool, and walk over to the other side of the counter, where I see Tyler's phone light up with the name *Nicole*. For a second I think I should alert him to the incoming call, but then it stops ringing. I wonder who Nicole is. I choose to ignore the irrational pang of jealousy, until I see a text message from her. I know I shouldn't be snooping, but it's right there, and I'm not even touching the damn thing. The temptation to read the message is simply too great. I hover over it and read the text.

*Thinking about you. Miss hearing your voice. xoxoxo*

Of course. What did I expect? That Tyler had eyes only for me? This girl has probably tasted the same creme brulee, and seen the sunset on the terrace, hell, she's probably seen the bedroom, and most likely much much more. I am just another girl in a long line of others. The thought sickens me. I know I am being completely insane. Tyler is a free agent, and he is allowed to have as many lovers, girlfriends, dates, or whatever else, as he pleases. I have zero right to be possessive, or even jealous. I am the one who insisted on friendship. I am the one with a boyfriend. He's not to blame for anything. He just wants to sleep with me, and he's busting out all these moves to accomplish that goal. And truth be told, it was actually working. I found myself falling under the spell. But seeing this definitely snapped me back to reality. I should call this girl back and thank her.

"Here we go," Tyler says, as he approaches me with a smile. "Come on," he gestures for me to join him. I stand unmoving, but when he opens the doors to the terrace I follow him outside.

When we step out it's a bit windy and cold from the night air. I approach the railing and lean on my arms. The view is breathtaking. I can see the city lights, and the bridge over the bay far off in the distance. I feel Tyler approach me from behind. Instead of wrapping the blanket around me, he wraps it around himself and then comes up behind me, wrapping his arms around me and enveloping us both in the warmth. I know I shouldn't let him be this close. I know I should just push him away, and tell him I need to leave and go home. I know all this. And it still doesn't matter. At least not now. Not in this moment.