Speak To Me

(Tilly)

I stared out the window aimlessly, my head filled with confusion as I tried to wrack my brain about what Caroline Walters could have been speaking about.

"Well, honestly, that dinner went a lot better than I expected.." Rylan suddenly spoke up, making my head turn towards him as I saw his sheepish grin.

I couldn't help but smile in return as I tried to push what Caroline said out of my mind. Maybe she was just upset and didn't know what she was talking about.

"At least your ex didn't pop out of nowhere this time." I joked, trying to lighten the mood as Rylan burst into laughter.

"Who knows, she could still be waiting in the closet, wondering what's taking so long." He added as I felt the tension slowly disappearing.

That's when Rylan took his hand off the steering wheel and rubbed the back of his neck..it was hard not to stare at his muscular bicep as he did..even through his dinner jacket it was noticeable.

"Sorry about all of that..my mom..well, she is tough to deal with..and this kinda has been a long time coming." He mumbled, making me nod in understanding.

"It's okay Rylan..I know you didn't expect any of that to happen. Do you think your sister will be okay?" I asked, feeling bad for Jolie and all that she had to go through.

Especially with that jerk Matteo..I have heard about him..he is a regular at the restaurant I work at..mostly in the bar space so I never ran into him. But I've heard enough about how he hits on the waitresses and stuff. So that was a pretty big clue on the type of guy he is. "Oh yeah, not much can take Jolie down..you know she used to beat up my bullies for me in grade school?"

"She did?" I asked, feeling surprised.

"Yeah, one summer before school started I got a black eye from getting hit by a baseball..my whole side of the face was black and blue..kids made fun of me for weeks..until Jolie punched one of them in the face, giving them a black eye of their own." He explained, making me smile as I couldn't help but admire their relationship.

They seem so close..I almost wish my sister and I were like that too. Some days it feels like I'm an only child considering she has her own life.

"Of course she got in huge trouble and almost suspended..but still, no one messed with me again after that." He said proudly.

"Well, she is lucky to have a brother like you too." I said, seeing Rylan glance towards me a few times before the car suddenly swerved to the side of the road, making my eyes widen. "Rylan..wh-what's wrong?!" I asked worriedly, looking around outside as I wondered if we got a flat tire or something.

"Listen..I know this seems kind of crazy..I mean, this whole thing has been from the start..but spending this time with you Tilly..It's been incredible. And from the moment we left my parent's house, I've been trying to build up the courage to say this.." He rushed out, leaving me sitting there staring at him in shock.

What is he about to say?

"I like you Tilly..and it would kill me if I didn't shoot my shot and take this chance. Of course you probably don't feel the same..considering I practically begged you to do this with me..and now you probably think I'm some psycho with a crazy ass family.." He rambled as my eyes widened in shock..what did he just say? That he..likes me? I felt my heart pounding in my chest..the sound making Rylan's words jumble together as he suddenly stopped speaking and looked at me worriedly.

"Tilly?" He whispered my name, causing my eyes to lock onto his as I let out a shuddering breath..this was really happening..all those years of crushing on this guy and thinking he would never notice me have come to this.

Even when I hadn't seen him for years, he still filled my mind at the weirdest times..and now..now we are sitting in his car and he is staring at me..waiting for me to say something..anything.

I opened my mouth, feeling like this had to be some type of dream when I finally gathered the courage to speak.

"I..I like you too." I whispered, feeling like my chest might just explode because of how nervous I felt right now...I never in a million years thought I would be brave enough to say those words.. "You do?" He asked me, sounding completely surprised.

I just nodded my head yes, unsure if I could say it again as Rylan stared at me for a few seconds, letting it sink in.

Then without warning, he reached forward, his hands gripping the sides of my face as he hastily pressed his lips to mine kissing me deeply.

I let out a gasp, my eyes fluttering shut as this kiss was even more intense than the first. I had no idea what I was doing..but the feel of his mouth gliding across mine caused my body to react all on its own.

I lifted my hands, gripping the sides of his jacket as Rylan's hands held my head firmly in place.

I felt his tongue swipe across my bottom lip, causing butterflies to rush through my tummy as they settled deep down into my core.

Rylan tilted my head back even more..my lips parting in response as his tongue delved inside of me.

The taste of him was sweet and delicious, making a soft moan escape me as I pressed my chest against him, feeling completely swept away.

That's when things got even more intense..Rylan dragged his mouth down, finding his way to my neck as he kissed and sucked on my skin.

"You are so beautiful." He grumbled, his words soaking into my flesh as I kept my eyes shut, afraid that if I opened them..none of this would be real.

"From the moment I saw you..I just knew this was meant to be Tilly.." He confessed, making my head spin as his hands trailed down, wrapping around my waist before pulling me flush against him. "Tell me you feel it too..that you felt the same thing I did." He groaned, making me nod yes.

"I've always felt that way..ever since I was eight years old." I whispered, freezing the moment those words escaped me..

I wasn't supposed to say that..

I felt Rylan pause, his body pulling away from me as I kept my eyes shut..did I freak him out?

"Tilly..what did you just say?" Rylan asked, making me swallow hard as I bit my bottom lip anxiously..trying to think of what to say next.

"N-nothing.." I sputtered, going to turn away as I opened my eyes finally.

"No..please..say it again." Rylan rushed, his hand cupping my chin as he turned my head back to face him.

"B-but..it's embarrassing.." I whispered, making him smile softly before he shook his head no.

"Please tell me. I need to make sure I heard you right." He pleaded, the sweet look in his green eyes causing my heart to skip a beat.

"I..I've liked you for a long time Rylan..since I first saw you at the Dance Academy.." Might as well put it all out there..since I said all of that anyway..

Without warning, Rylan kissed me again..and again, his mouth feathering kisses from one corner of my mouth to the next.

"I knew you were my dream girl... fucking knew it." He grumbled, making me giggle as he continued to kiss down my neck.

That's when I heard my phone ring, making me stiffen.

"Rylan..I better get that." I breathed, feeling him nod as he continued kissing my throat.

"Go ahead, I will keep doing what I'm doing." He sighed, causing me to let out a breathy laugh as I reached for my phone..seeing it was my mom calling..crap. "Rylan..just stop for one moment." I rushed out, making him pause for a second.

Then I took a deep steadying breath and answered.

"Hi Mama, is everything okay?" I spoke calmly, trying to sound like I wasn't just making out with a man in his car.

"Mija..where have you been? I called the restaurant and they said you aren't working tonight!" My mom rushed out as I glanced towards Rylan who was just staring up at me like an adorable puppy.

"I..I went to dinner with a friend." I lied, making Rylan frown, causing me to glance away guiltily. I just wasn't ready to say anything yet..I mean..I don't even know what to say!

"Friend? What friend Matilda?" She asked firmly.

"Just someone I ran into.."

"Who Mija.." Yeah..she was mad..

"You remember Jolie Walters? I saw her at the restaurant and she wanted to get together." Not exactly a lie...just the wrong Walters kid.

"Jolie?" My mom asked, sounding surprised.

"Where are you now?" She rushed out, making me glance around.

"On my way home. I will be there in about fifteen minutes."

"Okay, just..come right home..and next time, you need to tell me Tilly."

And with that, she hung up..I lowered the phone..my eyes staring down into my lap as I felt like a jerk for not mentioning Rylan..

"So..that was your mom huh?" He asked, making me nod as he slowly gripped my chin, tilting my head back until our gazes finally met.

"I'm sorry..I just..she is really strict and I never really do this, so I'm not sure how she would take it.." I rushed out, seeing his gaze soften.

"Do what?" He asked while stroking my chin with his thumb.

"Date..I mean..this is pretty much my first time..ever.." I grumbled, knowing my cheeks had to be bright red by now.

"Fuck..can you get any more adorable?" Rylan asked, bending forward and kissing my lips gently.

"So...I just don't want her to go crazy..my mom is very traditional..like..no sex before marriage type of traditional.." I added, looking away as he suddenly wrapped his arms around me in a hug. "I understand.."

"You do?" I gasped, feeling surprised.

"Yeah, so I guess I better meet her." He added softly.

"Wait..meet her? Why?!"

"So she knows who her future son-in-law is going to be."