Pepper Lane Sweet Shoppe (Pepper Bay #14)

23

Erin

It was good to be home with Tyler again, and Erin couldn’t stop smiling. She made sure he was comfortable at all times and made tea for anyone who popped in to see him, which was most of his family at one point or another during the evening.

‘Normally I’d be working the late shift this close to Christmas,’ he told her, snuggled in his PJs beneath a blanket on the cream corner sofa. ‘We get a lot of customers who like to mooch about when it’s dark. It looks magical with all the twinkling lights and Christmas tunes playing.’

Erin tipped the empty pizza box into the bin, then made her way over to him. ‘You sound like you’re missing being out there.’

‘I am. It’s what I’m used to, and we all need to join in this time of year.’

‘Well, I happen to know your mum is paying overtime to the staff, so everything should be fine. If not, I can get back out there.’ She would rather stay cosy and warm indoors but would do whatever was needed if she was called.

‘It just saves us money if we work.’

‘There’s not much you can do while injured.’

Tyler laughed. ‘That goes for you too.’

Erin raised her good arm. ‘Oh, I’m fine now. Just this thing in my way.’

Tyler flipped his blanket over, offering her a snuggle underneath, which she quickly and carefully slipped into. ‘Let’s just watch a film and be done with the world.’

A snort of a laugh left her, which made her laugh even more. It was good to feel normal with him again, because when she saw Mandy all over him in Fran’s kitchen, part of her heart cracked.

Tyler kissed the top of her head, and she snuggled further into his good side.

‘You okay?’ she asked.

‘Oh, I’m just fine.’ His voice low and husky, sending fizz to her stomach.

Erin sat up, wanting to look at his face. He still looked quite pale, but she figured that was normal under the circumstances.

‘Why are you staring at me?’ he asked, quirking an eyebrow.

‘I’m worried about you.’

‘The doctor said I’ll be good as new soon.’

‘It’s not that wound I’m worried about.’

Tyler glanced down at his side, clearly confused. ‘That’s the only one I’ve got.’ His eyes rolled up, then he grinned. ‘Wait, are you talking about my broken heart? Because that’s healed too. I am so over Howie and Mandy, trust me.’

There was a woman who Erin had worked with back in London who was mugged one evening on her way home. It took her well over a month to go outside again, so Erin wanted to know if Tyler was jittery at all.

‘You were stabbed, Tyler. That kind of thing can mess with your head. I just want you to know that you’re safe, and if you feel you need someone to talk to, you can talk to me, or we can go to the doctor and ask to see a therapist. We can—’

‘Whoa, whoa, whoa. That’s a bit much, Erin. I don’t need that kind of help, and I know I’m safe.’

She studied his expression for a moment, not buying into his tough-guy act.

Tyler took a deep breath, winced, then relaxed back into the sofa.

‘It’s okay to be afraid,’ she said softly, placing a hand on his.

‘I’m not afraid.’ His shaky breath told a different story.

‘It’s traumatic.’

‘What are you a psychiatrist now?’

‘Stop snapping, Tyler. I’m trying to be helpful.’

His lips twisted to one side, then he relaxed. ‘I won’t lie to you, of course it’s scary, but I can’t let it own me. Yeah, I’m a little freaked out, and yes, I’ve gone over the what-ifs more often than I care to, but I won’t let this beat me.’

She saw water in his eyes but remained still, allowing him the space to clear the crap off his chest. Maybe then his breathing would settle.

‘I got rattled earlier today when I was surrounded by the trees,’ he added. ‘But I told myself to stop being stupid. I can’t crumble every time I see a Christmas tree. I’d have to move.’

She smiled as he let out a small laugh.

Tyler was silent for a while, then he turned to face her and bobbed his head. ‘I’ll see someone if this affects me, okay?’

‘That would be good for you.’

‘Right now I feel I can cope with the shock of it all, and it was a shock, so I understand it might mess with me on occasion, but I’ll be damned if I let some loser ruin my life.’

Erin reached forward and lightly brushed back his dark hair, smiling softly when he closed his eyes, relaxing under her soothing touch.

How can I think about leaving you now?

As though reading her mind, Tyler asked, ‘You never did tell me how the chat with your cousin went.’

She continued to gently rake her fingers through his hair, knowing it was comforting him. It wasn’t the time nor place for that conversation, but she had to tell him something. ‘It was good. Adam was really nice, and his family came on to say hello as well. They were super friendly.’

‘That’s good,’ he mumbled, his face softening.

‘They offered to buy me a ticket to visit them.’

‘Ooh, lovely. I’ll come with you if you like. I’ve never been to Australia.’

‘Yeah, maybe.’

Tyler sighed. ‘It would be nice to have a holiday. It’s quiet here in January. Perhaps we could go then.’

How could she tell him the visit would be more of a peek of what her life could be like living close to her relatives? He didn’t need to hear that part.

‘Let’s think about that after Christmas,’ she said quietly, watching him fall asleep.

His phone rang, jolting him.

‘It’s your mum,’ said Erin, peering over at the coffee table to see the phone.

‘Just answer it and tell her I’m about to go to bed, please.’

Erin did just that, then asked Fran if any more help was needed for the night.

Fran told her to get an early night, then open the Frozen Forest first thing.

Erin hung up, then turned back to Tyler, who looked worn through. ‘I’m on the early shift for Christmas Eve.’

Groaning, Tyler shifted on the sofa, then flicked back the blanket. ‘Looks like we both need an early night.’ He stood, offering his hand, but Erin stood without putting a strain on him. His head dipped and he glanced up through dark lashes. ‘Would you consider sitting in my bed with me and stroking my hair again?’

She smiled. ‘Yeah. You get snuggled while I’ll turn everything off and get my pyjamas on. Won’t be a sec.’ She watched him slowly walk away, then got on with her tasks before grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge, in case he needed to take any painkillers during the night.

Looking rather peaceful, Tyler was propped up on pillows, with half his chest covered by the quilt.

‘I got you some water,’ she said quietly, as though anything louder would disturb him.

‘Thanks,’ he muttered.

Erin clambered in his bed, appreciating the cosiness at once. She smiled as she sighed, then beamed when she saw his lips curl. His eyes were closed, so she put her arm around the top of his head and raked her fingers through his locks. The best angle she could find with one arm in a cast.

‘That’s nice,’ he mumbled.

It was hard not to stare at his full lips. They looked so kissable, even more so since he had kissed her. She closed her eyes and rested her head towards her shoulder, feeling exhaustion creeping in.

‘Erin,’ he said softly, his movement making her open her eyes.

‘Hmm?’

‘Move your arm and snuggle down. I know you’re not comfortable like that.’

It was true, but she had made it work and felt too tired to move.

‘Come on,’ Tyler insisted.

She shuffled down until their faces were inches apart, and suddenly her eyes didn’t want to close anymore. His looked tired but filled with warmth and were staring directly at her.

Tyler moved ever so slightly, stopping when their noses touched, and Erin had never felt so close to someone. His gaze lowered to her mouth, and she leaned into him, tasting his lips once more.

It took mere seconds for the kiss to heat, but somewhere in amongst the passion, Erin remembered he was wounded. She pulled back and smiled, wanting so much more.

Tyler peppered kisses along her jawline, but when he groaned she wasn’t sure if that was delight or pain.

‘Ty, we have to stop. I’m worried your stitches might pop.’

He breathed out a small laugh. ‘I’m well wrapped.’

‘You could still get hurt.’

Kissing the tip of her nose, he grinned. ‘Can we just lose the clothes then? Be naked together? I really want to feel you, Erin.’

It wasn’t the worst idea, so she made him stay put whilst she removed their nightwear, thinking the less movement he made the better.

The night chill ran through her, so she quickly snuggled back into his warmth.

Tyler groaned. ‘This feels so good.’

‘I wish we could be closer.’

‘I’m game if you are.’

Oh, she was game all right, but the thought of ending up back in A&E put her off doing all the things she wanted to do with him in his bed.

‘Let’s wait until you’re fitter.’

Tyler grinned. ‘You’re worth popping a stitch for.’

Erin had to laugh. She kissed him softly, not wanting to pull away.

‘Can we at least try?’ he mumbled on her lips.

It was worth seeing how far they could go, so she carefully wrapped her leg over him and joined their bodies, watching his eyes close and his mouth open.

‘Erin, I…’ His words faded, so she kissed him again, knowing there wasn’t much more they could do, as it was obvious it would be awkward and painful for him.

‘Let’s just fall asleep like this, Ty.’

He pressed his mouth against hers. ‘Every night,’ he mumbled.

‘Hmm.’

‘Goodnight, Erin.’

‘Sleep tight,’ she replied.