To Love A Beast

one || TLAB

•••Allison•••

"Smile, Allison!"

I looked up from my intense stare down with the luggage carousel, to my aunt's camera practically in my face. She clicked a couple of times, giving me no time so even crack a small smile.

"Lovely!" She said as she went through the photos.

"You're such a tourist, Aunt Jo!" I teased, making her pout at me. I shook my head at her show of childishness, but let out my own shriek of delight when I finally found our bags making its round on the conveyor belt. The man in the suit behind me groaned and stepped back. Uhm, oops?

Once Aunt Jo and I secured all of our bags, she called her best friend to let him know we were ready to go. We were staying at his hotel our entire stay in London. Oh, the perks of having connections.

"So," she spoke as we weaved around the people milling about. "John's still in that meeting of his. But he sent Tyler to pick us up. Did you want to go sightseeing before we settle in at the hotel?"

"Honestly? I'm pretty beat," I shrugged. "I could use a few hours sleep. I mean we're here for a few weeks. What's the rush?"

"You got me there," she chuckled. "I could use the rest myself. Come on, I think I see Ty."

She pulled me along while I struggled to hold on to our luggage cart.

"Tyler! My, my, how you've grown!"

Aunt Jo stopped in front of me so abruptly that I crashed into her back. The woman had balance, even ridiculous heels. Me? Not so lucky. I landed right on my butt. Can anyone say painful?

A hand shot in front of me, accompanied by an oh so familiar chuckle. If I was embarrassed when I fell, I am fully blown mortified now. Of all the people to see me go down like a sack of potatoes, it just had to be Tyler Vaughn.

"You okay there, sunshine?" He asked, wiggling his fingers in front of my face. I couldn't look at the guy, much less take his hand. "Let me help you up. Or did you break something and prefer to be carried? I can do that now, you know. Aunt Jo did say I've grown up."

"She said you've grown, not grown up. Know the difference," I looked up at him.

Big mistake. Steady there, heart. You don't need to go through this again.

Aunt Jo was right though. He'd grown all right. Grown up, grown old, grown hotter. Meh! What's wrong with my head today?!

"Just take the hand, Alybear," he teased. "Or did you really hurt yourself and you're just being stubborn?"

He quickly gave me a once over, doubling back to the cleavage I was inadvertently showing. I cleared my throat, snapping his attention to my face.

At least he has the decency to look chastised.

"Stop calling me that," To avoid any more awkwardness, I grabbed his hand and let him pull me up. I mumbled a thanks, righting my clothes to avoid having to look at him.

"Calling you what?" He smirked. "Alybear?"

"Yes, that," I hissed. "You're the only-"

"The only one who still calls you Alybear," he cut me off, essentially finishing what I wanted to say. "I'm sticking with it. I want to feel special."

He laughed before taking hold of the luggage cart behind me and walking to the car.

Why that little-

"What are still standing there for, Allison?" Aunt Jo looks at me, puzzled. Where was she the last few minutes? I held the urge to stick my tongue out at her, stalking over to where they stood instead.

Tyler came round from stuffing our bags in the trunk. He opened the back door for Aunt Jo and shut it just as soon as she got in.

"You're sitting up front with me, shortcake," he opened the passenger side door and made a ridiculous 'get in' gesture.

Shortcake? I glared at him. He smirked right back.

"Just get in the car, Allison," Aunt Jo called from the backseat.

"Yeah, Allison. Just get in the car. I promise I won't bite."

"But I might," I grumbled to myself as I shouldered past him.

"Just say where," he laughed. Great, he heard.

"Where to m'ladies?" Tyler winked at me as he got behind the wheel. "My father gave me strict instructions to keep you entertained while the Board sings him to sleep. His words, not mine."

I looked away from him and dug around in my handbag instead.

Where's that darned iPod when you need it?

"Just the hotel please, Tyler," Aunt Jo answered his question, even though I knew he was waiting for me to speak. "Allison and I had a long flight. Some shut eye sounds heavenly right now."

He kept staring at me even as I plugged the buds in my ears. I shrugged at him and looked away, hoping he'd get the hint. I focused my attention to scrolling through my playlists until I settled on something familiar.

"As you wish," he nodded. "Just so you're aware, I've officially been appointed as your tour guide/chauffeur during your stay in London."

He glanced at me as if to say, 'you won't get rid of me that easily'.

I rolled my eyes and turned up my music to deafening levels. I let Ed Sheeran lull me to sleep.

I rejoined the world of the living when I felt arms go around my upper body and behind me knees.

"What-"

"Sshh. Go back to sleep, Alybear," Tyler whispered. "I've got you."

I felt my bag being lifted off my body and my head tucked into a warm shoulder. I breathed in, suddenly assaulted by a scent I never thought I'd smell again.

"I missed you, Alybear," Tyler said so softly, I wasn't sure if that was part of the dream I was starting to have.

One thing is for sure, though. I'd missed him terribly. Not that I'd confess that anytime soon. Not willingly anyway.

._._._._._.

Introducing: Allison, Aunt Jo, and Tyler Vaughn.