Jaded Hearts
Chapter 79

Tyson

After my shower, I crawled into bed and passed out. It had been a long couple of days, and we had been going nonstop. I was beyond tired.

I don’t know how long I was out before I heard the rustling behind me.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you up. I just wanted to bring you some clean clothes to put on.”

Taylor was sitting on the bed, pulling out a few different outfits, underwear, and a fresh pair of shoes that she neatly arranged on the bedside chair. Once she was done, she grabbed a first aid kit and began to clean a cut on my forehead I didn’t even know was there.

“Xander told us what you did. You risked your life for them, Tyson. You didn’t have to do that.”

I grabbed her hand and looked into her eyes. “I did. I couldn’t let you lose anyone else you loved, and I promised I’d bring him home to you.”

She flashed me the most beautiful smile I’d ever seen before lowering her lips to mine. The k**s started off slow and sweet, but when my body recognized what was happening, it overpowered my mind. I wrapped my arms around her waist and poured everything I had into it. After a few seconds, she pulled her head back and let out a long breath.

“Wow. That was intense.”

“I’m sorry, sunshine. I didn’t mean to push myself on you like that. I’d never want to disrespect you, it’s been a crazy few days, and I’m just—”

“Stop apologizing. You didn’t push yourself on me. If you were paying attention, you would see that it’s me who’s lying on top of you.”

I hadn’t even registered when she settled herself on my chest; it all felt so natural. My heart began to race. The one thing I’d wanted more than anything in the world seemed to finally be happening, but I didn’t want to jump the gun.

“Tell me what’s going on here, Taylor. Please.”

She placed her small hands on my face and looked down at me. “I was terrified when you left that I’d never get the chance to tell you how I felt. I’ve told you that I love you plenty of times, but I never told you that I’m in love with you. I want you to be mine, and I want to build a life with you.”

“Is Matt okay with this? You mean everything to me, but I won’t step on his toes, and I won’t go behind his back. I can’t do that to him.”

She frowned her face and smacked my chest. “What do you take me for? I wouldn’t ever cheat on him; I couldn’t hurt him that way. Yes, he’s okay with this, but we can all sit down and talk before things go any further.”

“I trust you, gorgeous. But I do want to talk with him first. It’s a matter of respect, and I don’t want to start off on the wrong foot.”

She nodded her head, then pushed herself off me.

“I understand. Let me finish cleaning you up, and then you can go back to sleep. We’re planning on leaving tomorrow morning to give you all enough time regain your strength.”

“How about we have dinner together? We can order room service and figure all this out. Does that sound okay?”

“It sounds perfect.”

* * *

Taylor

After my moment in the room with Tyson, I went back to check on Matt. He was also in bed, but awake and waiting for me when I walked in. “How’s he doing?” he asked.

“Much better. Just like the rest of you, he can use a few more hours of sleep and a hot meal, but he should be back to form in no time.”

Matt took my hand and pulled me down to sit next to him.

“I never gave up hope that I’d see this beautiful face of yours again. I knew we would make it out, but I didn’t expect Tyson would be the one deserving of the credit.”

“He made me a promise and refused to break it.”

Matt nodded. “He did. So, did you finally tell him how you feel?”

Usually, I’d be so nervous at a time like this, but all I felt was calm. This was the right thing to do. It was what I wanted and needed.

“Yes, I told him, but your bromance is so damn strong that he won’t even touch me before he talks to you about it first.”

Matt laughed out loud and pulled me down for a tight hug. “You know what they say: bros before hoes.”

“I’m going to ignore the fact that you just called me a hoe and just roll with this. Are you hungry? I was going to get some food together for all of us.”

“I’m starving. We haven’t eaten in over twenty-four hours.”

That kicked me into gear, and I jumped up. “Oh my god, I didn’t even realize. Just relax, I’ll go order something now.”

I rushed out before he could respond and called down to the front desk. Luckily, there was a steakhouse nearby that delivered and had amazing ratings. Forty-five minutes later, thirteen T-bone steak dinners with potatoes, vegetables, rolls, and multiple bottles of wine were delivered to the room.

“Food’s here!” I yelled from the small dining area. I didn’t have time to go door to door and get everyone. Besides, these were wolves, so I know they heard me.

“Thank god for you, Taylor. I thought I was going to die, I’m so f*****g hungry,” Kade said dramatically as he grabbed a plate and took the nearest seat.

Next came Xander, Alexi, and Alaia, followed by an obviously well-screwed Morgan. When Tyson and Matt appeared, I signaled for them to sit in the living room. There was a small table next to the balcony, and I figured it would be a perfect place to sit and talk.

“You men have two steaks a piece; I figured you needed it. If you want anything else, just let me know, okay?”

The sounds of happy m***s and silverware hitting plates filled the room, so I assumed everyone was set. I rolled the cart to the living room, then served my guys. It was strange referring to them as that, but that’s exactly what and who they were. They were mine.

I pulled Tyson’s favorite beer from the minibar and poured Matt a glass of wine before I took my seat between them. “How does Alaia do this every night? I’m already exhausted.”

“I’m sure you’ll figure it out, tesoro. If not, we can always feed ourselves. We’re big boys,” Matt said with a smile.

“How are you feeling? You scared the hell out of me down there,” Tyson said to Matt.

“I’ve never been so sore and stiff in my life, but besides that, I feel incredibly lucky to have people willing to risk everything for me and those important to me. I appreciate what you did. I’ll never be able to repay you for it.”

“Don’t get all soft on me, man. I just did it to make that beautiful lady of yours smile.”

“I can understand that. It’s the motivation for the majority of what I do, but you got one thing wrong. This beautiful lady isn’t mine. She’s ours.”

Tyson put his fork down and straightened up in his chair.

“Are you sure? I don’t want this to be something you feel you have to do because I saved your life. I would have done that regardless.”

“It’s not like I’m giving her to you as some type of payment; she’s not my property. All I’m doing is allowing you both to be happy. You’ve proved that you’re worthy of her, and that’s all I could ever ask for.”

“Unless you don’t want me. You could always go back to sleeping with randoms whenever you wanted. That’s probably fun too,” I said, smiling at Tyson.

“I’ll pass on the randoms, sunshine, but thank you for the offer.”

“Anytime, handsome.”

* * *

The rest of the night was surprisingly fun. Almost dying seems to give people a bit of clarity when it comes to what truly matters. We laughed and talked and drank for hours while Morgan expressed her excitement over the new threesome as loudly and obnoxiously as she possibly could.

By 1:00 a.m., Kade had cut her off and was pouring water instead of vodka in her glass. She was going to have a raging hangover on the flight home.

“I’m going to head off to bed now, angel. My leg is starting to throb again, so I figure it’s time to lay down and let it rest.”

“Okay, come on. I’ll help you get settled in.”

I helped him to the room, and once he was comfortable, he quickly fell asleep. I decided to take a shower, then join everyone else back in the living room, but by the time I came back, only Tyson was there.

“Did everyone go to bed?” I asked, looking around the room.

“Yeah, Mo passed out as soon as you and Matt left, and Alaia though it was a good idea for Xander and Alexi to get some rest too. Being kidnapped is hard on the body, or so I’ve heard.”

He was holding a glass of bourbon, staring down into the amber liquid. It was clear something was on his mind, but I didn’t know what.

“Do you want to tell me what’s wrong?” I asked as I walked up and settled myself in his lap.

“You smell so good. What is that?” he asked.

“Whatever they have in the shower, now stop stalling. What’s up?”

“I don’t want to let you down. I’ve never been in a relationship before. Ever. I don’t know what to do, and that scares me. Especially when I have Mr. Perfect to contend with.”

“You’re not in competition with each other; that’s not how this works. Just love me the best way you can, and he’ll do the same.”

“How will things work back home? We’re just a few hours in, and I already feel like I’m taking you away from him. You should be in there with him. He needs you right now.”

“All he needs right now is sleep so he can heal. If I was in there, I’d just be sleeping too. Meanwhile, you’re out here doubting yourself. No, I think I’m right where I should be.”

His huge arms wrapped around my waist, making me realize just how small I was compared to him.

“Tyson?”

“Yes, gorgeous?”

“Have you ever crushed anyone during s*x? I mean, if that’s the way I’m meant to go out, then so be it, but a little advanced warning would be nice.”

He laughed out loud and kissed my neck, sending that familiar tingle down my spine that seemed to appear whenever he was close. “No, I’ve never crushed anyone. And when the time is right, and you’re ready, we’ll go as slow or fast or as hard as you want.”

His words were like a lightning bolt to my sweet spot, and in that moment, I wanted nothing more than to test how fast and hard he could go.

“Not here, baby. And not now. Give this a little time to settle in first. I want everyone to be completely sure that this is what we all want because once I replace my place between these thighs of yours, it’s game over.”