If she and Tyler were really in a proper relationship, she might’ve actually told him to be gentler next time.

But the kind of situation they had now was already strange enough. Bringing this up now would make it seem like she was looking forward to a next time with him or something.

Rachel denied it. “No, my back is just a little sore.”

“I told you last night that position would strain your back, but you wouldn’t listen. You insisted I hang you—”

“Can you not bring up what happened last night again?”

Rachel couldn’t take it anymore and slammed the coffee mug hard on the table. Her cheeks were flushed, and her whole body felt like it was burning up.

She honestly couldn’t understand how Tyler could talk about that so casually—right at the breakfast table, no less! He did it like he was just chatting about the weather, as if it was the most normal thing in the world.

This time, though, Tyler let it go. A faint trace of indulgence flickered in his deep-set features.

Rachel probably didn’t even realize it. He looked at her now in a way that seemed as if he wanted to have her all over again.

They just started things off. It was probably best not to scare her off just yet.

“Alright, I won’t bring it up again. Say any more and you really might dig yourself a hole to crawl into.”

Rachel forced herself to calm down and went straight to the point.

“Can you think of something to help with my dad’s situation? If not, I’ll have no choice but to go to Jason.”

Right now, she was fully focused on Jim.

The playful gleam in Tyler’s eyes darkened the moment she mentioned Jason.

“You still want to go to Jason? Planning to sell yourself again?”

Rachel didn’t lie.

“My whole point in finding Jason was to ask for his help. He’s the only one who can do anything. It’s not like I’m looking for a man to sleep with.”

That last line made Tyler’s furrowed brows finally ease a little.

He reached behind him and pulled out a document, sliding it across the table to her.

“Sign this.”

Rachel looked at him suspiciously, picked it up, and opened it. Her eyes widened at the terms inside.

“You want me to be your girlfriend?”

“My old man’s been on my case. At my age, I have to start seeing someone. Otherwise, the whole damn city of Yurelia’s going to think I’m into men.”

Rachel didn’t object. This was actually the best option right now.

If it came down to sleeping with someone like Jason, whom she neither knew nor trusted, she’d much rather it be Tyler.

At least they knew each other.

Instinctively, the scales in her heart tipped toward Tyler.

Rachel bit her lip and hesitated a little.

“But you know I was married to William. If you really want to be with me, you have to be prepared for all the backlash.”

She laid it out plainly.

“It’s not just people in Yurelia. Even your family probably won’t approve.”

Tyler’s status meant that he was the kind of man every woman in Yurelia dreamed of marrying.

He could have anyone. Why her, of all people?

Tyler looked up and stared at her. His voice was deep and carried a hint of irritation.

“Then you’d rather go to Jason?”

Rachel felt like they were talking past each other.

“I don’t want to go to Jason. I’m thinking about you and your situation.”

Tyler stood up, casually pulled a change of clothes from his bag, and slipped them on. He continued speaking nonchalantly.