“The essential years of your life were taken from you, Pippa, but it doesn’t make you weak. You just have to learn again. If you wanted to learn, little one, why the hell didn’t you come to me?”

“You have Andi.”

He sighs. “Pip . . .”

“I don’t want to be a burden to anyone.”

“Pippa.”

“I didn’t know how to ask.”

He reaches down, capturing my chin in his hand and tilting my head back. “You come to me. Do you hear me? If you have a problem, fuck, Pippa, you come to me.”

“I was afraid,” I whisper.

He strokes his thumb over my cheek. “Don’t be. If you want to learn, I’m here to teach you. When is your next day off?”

I blink. “Pardon?”

He grins. “Answer me, baby. I know you heard me.”

“Ah, tomorrow.”

“Good. I’ll be by at seven. Be ready.”

“For what?” I squeak.

His eyes flash. “To learn how to live again. Don’t worry, I’ll go easy on you.”

God help me.

~*~*~*~

NOW

Tyke arrives at my house at seven the next morning, as he said he would. He looks extra perfect today, wearing a pair of faded black jeans and a tight black tee. His jacket sits comfortably on his broad shoulders, showing off his colors. His hair is messy and he’s wearing a wide smile.

He puts me in his car and we drive. I have no idea where he’s taking me, but I fidget the entire trip. Even when he puts his hand over mine to help me feel at ease. He stops the car at an old lighthouse on the beach edge, a good two hours away from my house. There are a few people milling around, but it seems quiet.

“What is this place?” I ask in a whisper.

“This is The Lighthouse. I know, fitting name, right?” He smirks, climbing out of the SUV.

He comes around and opens my door for me, helping me out. I climb from the car, my hand in his, and stare at the beautiful red and white lighthouse sitting on a small cliff, the waves of the ocean lapping it at the base. Tyke joins me and we stare together. There seems to be a cafe overlooking the ocean.

“I wanted to start you small,” Tyke says, gripping my hand. “This is a good place to start.”

“Okay,” I whisper.

“No,” he says, turning to me. “Don’t whisper. You never have to be scared to speak, Pippa. Use your voice, and use it proud.”

“Okay,” I say, my voice shaky but in full force.

He grins. “That’s my girl.”

His girl.

That slams into my heart in the best possible way.

He leads me up to the lighthouse, limping slightly. I don’t make mention that he hasn’t got his chair, because I think it bothers him to be thrown in it when I’m around. I think it makes him feel less of a man. If only he knew nothing could take that away from him.

We reach the massive lighthouse and climb a few steps, entering a cafe. I was right. It overlooks the ocean, the big wooden deck the feature. It is covered with tables and chairs, and on them are red and white checked table covers. Fitting. Tyke leads me to a table and I sit down, and he sits beside me. Only a moment later, a waitress is by our table.

“Hello there,” she says, her voice thick with a southern twang. Her eyes, the beautiful green eyes they are, are fixed on Tyke. “What can I get y’all?”

“We’re just going to look,” Tyke grunts.

“Oh, of course.”

She turns and rushes off and I smile, unable to stop it. Tyke looks up at me, and grins. “What’s so funny?”

“You grunted at her.”

His eyes flash with humor. “She was looking at me like she wanted me to bend her over this table and fuck her. That’s not okay when I’m with my girl.”

My cheeks burn and Tyke’s grin gets bigger.

“Shut up.” I giggle.

“Fuck I love that sound,” he says, staring at my mouth.

God. My whole face is probably bright red now.

“Anyway,” he says, with a smile in his voice, “tell me what you want? But you’re going to order it.”

I jerk. “I can’t . . .”

“Pippa, darlin’, you can.”

I shake my head, and he reaches over the table and takes my hand. “You trust me, don’t you, Pip?”

“Of course,” I whisper.

“Sorry?”

Shit.

“Of course,” I say in a bigger voice.

“Good. Then know I won’t make you do anything horrible. You can do all of these things, you just have to believe you can.”

I nod, swallowing. He smiles, making a dimple pop out as he slides the menu towards me. “They have amazing food.”

I glance down and my stomach grumbles. This food does look amazing. It’s mostly seafood, which is great, because I adore seafood. It’s only morning, but I didn’t eat breakfast and this is something different. I’m okay with different. I pick the seafood chowder with freshly baked bread, and Tyke decides on the same. When the waitress comes back over, Tyke gives her a look, and her eyes dart to me. Here goes.

“Ah,” I begin. Tyke reaches over and squeezes my hand. God, why does it seem so hard to do something so simple? It’s just ordering a bit of food, nothing major. I can do this.

“I’d like two seafood chowders with the bread, please.”

Oh my God.