** There's detailed sexual intimacy in this episode. Skip this one if it makes you uncomfortable.**

Knuckles softly trailed down my cheek. "Shortie?"

"Hm?" I didn't open my eyes. Even though my body slept for days while I was in Purgatory, I was still exhausted. We watched the entire Matrix Trilogy, and sometime during the third movie, I passed the fuck out.

There had been no conversation about who I was or how I needed to ask the right questions. It'd only been playful banter between Tyler and I, speculating the possible dilemma of technology taking control of humanity and essentially the earth.

"It's late. You need to go to bed." Tyler whispered.

"Too tired. Don't wanna move." I whined with my eyes closed.

"You don't have to. I'll carry you up." Tyler whispered as he scooped me up in his arms. Squinting, I glanced over at Lucas to see him asleep on the couch.

Wrapping my arms around Tyler's neck, I curled into him. His minty aroma was heavenly as I inhaled the skin on the side of his neck. "Mm. You smell so good."

"I thought you said I looked like crap and that I needed a shower." Tyler chuckled as I felt goosebumps rise along his neck.

"I was wrong. You smell clean. Like minty soap. I love how you smell." Pressing my lips to his neck, I inhaled through my nose and tried to understand how I could forget such perfection.

Tyler tugged me tighter to him as he leaned his head to the side, giving me better access. "Fuck, Shortie. You have no idea what you do to me."

"Tell me." I grinned, pressing my lips to his neck.

He smiled as he walked up the stairs. "Okay. So, you have this amazing scent. We all agree it's hard to nail down, but I've still tried like a thousand times. It changes, and the guys always say you smell different when you're with them. Right now, you smell like honeysuckle and apples, which is my favorite."

"Your favorite?" I asked, trying to imagine my ever-changing scent.

"Yeah, when we first met, it was confusing because it changed a few times within the first five minutes, but no matter what, it was fucking alluring. I wanted you right away, but you hated me and you let me know it. Even when Justin had to find out what you were from the Timeweaver, I couldn't go with him. I had to go where you were. I can't be away from you for too long, and when we're together, you always smell good enough to eat, just like you do now." Tyler opened the door to the room where I'd been sleeping earlier.

"I hated you? How's that possible? You're so nice to me." I pulled my head back from his neck, catching Tyler's gaze. He didn't put me down. Instead, he sat at the end of the bed with me in his lap.

"Well... I don't know how to tell you this, but I was a total prick to you when we met. You hated me from the start, and I enjoyed making you mad. Then, it became the only way you would give me attention. I know one day you'll remember the shitty things I did, but I want you to know, I never meant to hurt you. I just fell hard and fast, which made me a total shithead in your eyes." Tyler's eyes flicked between mine as he lowered his head. His lips were almost touching mine when his tongue slid over his bottom lip, and holy shit, I wanted him to kiss me.

When he didn't kiss me, I glanced at the bed, and fear took over. "Are you gonna leave me in here? I don't wanna sleep alone."

One corner of Tyler's lips lifted. "Lucas has been sleeping with you every night and watching over you. This is his room. I'll wake him up and he'll be in here soon to sleep next to you."

Thinking about Lucas and his shitty attitude pissed me off. He seemed kind of thoughtful, but his ticking-time-bomb temper and the way he yelled at me weren't forgiven yet. I still needed an apology.

"Where're you sleeping?" I searched Tyler's face. "I mean, I'm not offering myself to you or anything, but I wanna sleep next to you, if that's okay?"

Tyler's eyes blazed into a smoldering fluorescent blue. "I always want you to sleep with me, Shortie. You don't even have to ask, but I have to warn you, Lucas won't be happy about it. He's barely left your side since you crossed over to Purgatory."

I opened my mouth to speak, but I was too bewildered to come up with anything to say. Lucas hadn't left my side, but he was a complete asshole to me. This was all so confusing.

"Don't worry. I'll handle him." Tyler leaned in, skimming his lips over mine. His hot breath danced over my cheeks as we gazed into each other's eyes.

Unable to hold back any longer, I tugged Tyler's neck down, crushing my mouth to his. His lips molded easily over mine as he groaned deep in his throat, telling me he wanted me. I ran my tongue over his upper lip, enjoying his minty flavor.

He cared so much about me, and I wanted him to know how much I cared about him. I sucked his bottom lip into my mouth and bit lightly. Moaning, I was suddenly self-conscious. I hoped he liked how I kissed him.

"Fuck." Tyler's voice was gritty as pulled back slightly. He grinned as he quickly stood, carrying me down the hall. "Let's go to my room."

Understanding dawned on me. He didn't want Lucas to catch us, but the thought didn't bother me. I didn't want Lucas like I wanted Tyler, and I couldn't imagine ever wanting Lucas. He was a jerk. Even though I somehow knew all three guys were mine, Lucas had anger issues, and I had no idea how I ever thought it could work between us.

Tyler had literally cried next to me. I knew how he felt about me before I came back into full consciousness. He loved touching me while Lucas only broke things and yelled. The choice of which bed to sleep in was obvious. I wanted to sleep next to Tyler. I wanted him next to me. Not Lucas.

Tyler shut his door behind us. Similar to Lucas's bedroom, a nightlight with blue laser dots circled the ceiling. Carrying me over to the bed, he dropped me and released a hearty laugh when I bounced up and down liked an idiot. Shocked, I stiffened and then started laughing.

"Don't push your luck, Ty." I shortened his name sarcastically, and his eyes flared brighter.

"What did you just call me?" Tyler crawled onto the bed, planting his hands next to my shoulders as he hovered above me.

"Ty?" I whispered this time. Spreading my legs, I wrapped them around his waist and forced him down to my level. He smiled as he fell to his elbows. I instantly noticed the large bulge in his jeans pressing against me. I wound my arms around his neck as one of his hands smoothed over the top of my head.

"Gods, Ember. I know this isn't a good time, but I can't stand to live in regret any longer. I have something to say, but I don't wanna scare you." Tyler's blue eyes flicked between mine, calculating.

"Ember? Is that my name?" I whispered as my heart pounded hard in my chest.

Tyler's nose touched mine when he nodded. "Yeah, and it's perfect. It fits you."

A grin tugged at my lips as I searched his eyes. "Ember and Ty. I like how that sounds."

Tyler smiled against my lips and softly pressed his lips to mine as he spoke. "Me too."

"So, what do you wanna tell me?" I pulled my head back slightly and ran my fingers through the messy hair on top of his head. It felt silky between my fingers.

He shut his eyes, enjoying my curious hands. "I have something to tell you, but I don't think I need to say it now. I just don't want to say it too soon. I think it'll freak you out, and I'd hate that."

"Weren't you just talking about no regrets?" I chuckled as I pulled his hair down, forcing him to look at me. His eyes searched deep within mine as I smoothed my thumbs over his eyebrows and drew a line down the bridge of his nose. When I got to his upper lip, I grinned. "It's okay. I won't freak out. You can tell me, Ty."

Tyler's head fell as he rested his forehead against mine. "I love you, Shortie."

Knowing he was going to tell me something profound, I wasn't taken entirely off guard by his feelings. Warm shivers ran over my entire body as my grin spread into a wide smile. "You do?"

Tyler's forehead rolled back and forth on mine. "Yeah. I just wanted you to know."

Seeing him so vulnerable made me release a small giggle as I nuzzled my nose against his. He was mine forever. Don't ask me how I knew, I just did. He was made for me, and I was made for him. I couldn't remember our past, but none of that mattered. I knew the truth. He loved me.

Someone had locked me in an awful dark place that I never wanted to see again, and I knew how much love truly meant now. It was a precious, irreplaceable emotion that I wanted and needed to feel. Tyler had been with me this whole time, waiting for me to return and wanting me even though I was the girl that supposedly hated him. He didn't care if I hated him when I came back, he just wanted me back.

"Ty?" Sliding my hands over the soft overgrown hair on his cheeks, I urged him to look at me. He lifted his head off my forehead. When his warm blue gaze landed on me, there were tears in his eyes. "Hey, why're you crying?"

Scoffing, Tyler closed his eyes and rubbed them. "I'm just so happy you're back. I thought I'd lost you forever. None of us could help you, and I felt so helpless. I hate feeling like that. I just... I love you so much. We really haven't known each other long, but it's like I've grown up with you. I saw you in my dreams all my life, and I saw so many of your desires and got to experience so many pieces of you. You're everything to me. I can't live without you now that we've actually met."

Tears came to my eyes. "I wanna say I love you too, but it wouldn't be fair. I know you're a part of me, and I know I care deeply for you because I can feel it in my soul, but I just want to be sure when I say it."

Tyler nodded as a tear rolled off his nose and fell on my lip. "You're right, and fuck, how do you always speak the truth in such a loving way? You're so perfect. I don't deserve you."

Licking his salty tear off my lip, another memory rushed to the surface. I'd been crying a lot over a different relationship. The taste of tears was more familiar than the taste of the pizza. I recalled hurting someone that I cared about. A guy. Maybe a good friend?

Without giving the memory much thought, I lifted my head, touching my lips to his. Tyler instantly kissed me harder, pressing my head into the bed. Parting his lips, our tongues collided with force, and holy shit, his need for me was intoxicating.

It was like I was tasting his soul for the first time. His lips were gentle, yet firm as he plunged his tongue deep into my mouth. My tongue was still sore, but it only wanted more when Tyler kissed me like this. My legs tightened around his waist and ass, tugging him closer. His chest rested on mine as one of his hands wandered to my thigh, tugging me up against his erection.

The bulge in his pants grew thicker and longer. We were lined up perfectly against each other as I started moving my hips up and down. I moaned when he began gently thrusting his hips. He was hitting all the right spots as I noticed how wet my panties were.

"Take off your shirt. I need you closer." I instructed as I tried to pull my tee-shirt over my head, but with the way we were positioned, it was impossible.

Tyler chuckled against my lips before he pushed back to sit on his knees. He quickly removed his black tee shirt. And oh, my fucking God! He was ripped. He'd sculpted every muscle on his body perfectly just for me. Unable to stop myself, I ran my fingers over his abs.

"I thought we were both losing our shirts," Tyler smirked as he watched my hand roam over his six-pack. His muscles flexed instinctively under my fingers.

"Give me a second. It'll happen. I need time to worship perfection." My fingers outlined the deep crevices between his abs as he watched my every move. When I was done, I sent him a small smile as I slid two of my fingers just below the hem of his boxers. I tugged them forward and let go, snapping them like a rubber band. Tyler laughed, and I loved the sound.

I wiggled as I took off my shirt and realized I was still covered in black symbols.

Tyler sucked in a long breath as he took me all in. "You're so fucking beautiful, Shortie."

"Even when I have hieroglyphics drawn all over me?" I giggled as my cheeks heated.

"I love you more this way," Tyler gave me a sly smile as he skimmed his hands up my stomach all the way to my breasts. He took one in each hand and squeezed, thumbing my nipples. "Shit, even your tits are perfect. Not too big. Not too little. They're amazing. I wanna taste them."

"Then do it." My core heated with delight as I watched him lower his lips to one nipple. He squeezed as his tongue swirled around it over and over. His tongue was driving me crazy. He needed to do something else before I tackled him and did the same thing to him. Sending me a knowing smirk, he sucked my entire nipple into his mouth and bit lightly before he let it go.

I moaned and bucked my hips. "More."

Giving his attention to the other nipple, he flattened his tongue against the top and sucked it into his mouth with a long moan. "Fuck. You taste like apple pie. I could eat you up."

Without warning, his lips crashed into mine, and his bare chest pressed into mine as he wound one arm around my shoulders, pulling me close. Incredible wasn't a good enough word to describe what he was doing to me.

As his tongue and lips explored my mouth, one of his hands worked its way under my joggers and slipped easily inside my panties. Lifting his head, Tyler's blue eyes were glowing brighter than I'd ever seen. He breathed heavily as he asked, "Is this okay?"

Wondering why he stopped, I nodded quickly and pulled his lips back to mine.

He smiled against my mouth and continued devouring me while his fingers dipped into the wetness between my thighs. I moaned in his mouth. His fingers caressing my most secret area felt better than anything ever.

His hand slowly slid up to my most sensitive spot. Using two fingers, he began swirling in circles and figure eights. I moaned into his mouth as I rocked my hips. "Fuck. I need more."

"I promise we will one day, but first, I wanna see what you look like when you get there." He whispered against my lips before kissing me again.

Confused and unable to focus on anything but his hand, I bucked uncontrollably under him as I did my best to kiss him back. My hands wound into his hair, pulling and kneading the strands between my fingers.

I moaned as he sucked my tongue into his mouth. Suddenly an overwhelming need took over as I rocked harder and begged for more. He did as I asked until I sucked in a breath, holding it. My jaw opened wide as rockets of ecstasy cascaded over me, reaching far into the depths of every cell in my being.

I'm not sure how long I experienced the ecstasy, but when I came back to consciousness, I released his hair, letting my hands fall to the bed. Shocked at what just transpired, my cheeks burned in embarrassment.

"What?" Tyler had a smile plastered to his face.

"I don't know. I don't think I've ever felt anything like that before. And you watching me go through that makes it weird." I worked my bottom lip.

"Don't hide. We did that together. I've never seen you more beautiful." His thumb pulled my bottom lip free before he started kissing me again. My arms wrapped around him, tugging him close as I melted into his embrace.

His hand dipped into my wetness once more. Pulling back slightly, he tugged his hand out of my panties. His fingers were still wet with my juices as he slipped them into his mouth and sucked hungrily.

I watched him with wide eyes. "What're you doing?"

"Mm. Holy shit. Just like I thought." His eyes closed as he swallowed and shook his head slowly. "You taste like the Gods, Shortie. You're fucking delicious."

I groaned and covered my face. "I am not."

"Yes, you are." Tyler chuckled as he moved my hands and gave me a warm smile. "And they made you for me."

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