by K. A. Finn
She is so looking forward to spending their first Christmas together. She’d already decided to have the Christmas party at Tate’s house and Becca was in total agreement - unlike Tate. He wasn’t overly keen about the party full stop, let alone in his house, but he eventually gave in. In a break from their usual tradition, Tate’s family would be landing at his doorstop tomorrow evening.
In truth, Chloe can’t wait. The Archer’s had welcomed her as part of the family. Not a day went by while he was gone without either Becca or Bria getting in touch with her. Her fortnightly shopping trips with Bria were something she looked forward to greatly.
She hears voices outside and smiles as the door opens. Tate steps inside and shuts the door, locking it behind him. It doesn’t matter how many times she sees him, she’ll never be able to get enough of the six-foot-three, well-built, tattooed, stunning rock star who right now is looking at her in a way that means trouble.
‘Hi.’
Instead of responding, he grabs her around the waist, pressing her back against the wall as his mouth finds hers. His kiss is desperate as his hands seem to touch everywhere at once. She pulls at his t-shirt and he tears it off, throwing it across the room. Chloe looks at his chest and her smile grows. There’s a matching black bar through his left nipple.
‘I’m going to have to watch what I say around you.’
‘No touching until it heals. You go pulling on that and there’s a strong chance you’ll see a grown man cry. It won’t be pretty.’
She slowly runs her hands down his chest, taking care not to touch the new piercing. He looked sexy as hell with one, having the second one pierced elevates him to a whole new level of sex appeal.
Chloe kisses the original piercing, flicking her tongue across the metal bar as he reaches down to open her jeans. She gasps as he slips a finger inside, followed by another. Chloe writhes against his hand as she fumbles with his belt, desperate to touch him. Once the belt has been dealt with, she unfastens his jeans and takes him in her hand through his boxers. She slips her hand under the waistband and runs her thumb over the tip.
He hisses as she pulls against the piercing. ‘Jesus, Chloe. Keep that up and I’ll be ripping your fucking jeans off, bending you over, and burying my cock in you so hard and deep you won’t be able to walk straight for a week.’
She smiles and flicks her tongue across the bar in his nipple. ‘Go on then. I dare you.’
∞
That’s all it takes to convince him to do just that. Then again, it wouldn’t take more than seeing Chloe for him to want to get his hands all over her.
Tate glances at the door, making sure he locked it properly then carries her over to the counter that serves as a dressing table. He pulls off her shirt and unfastens her bra, throwing them behind him somewhere, then rips her jeans down her legs and bends her over the dressing table. He kicks her legs apart then slips a finger inside. She feels better than he remembers. Warm and wet and begging for attention.
He’s been thinking about this moment every spare second for the last few weeks. Knowing she was waiting for him made the interview the longest of his fucking life. He’s played this entire scene out in his mind too many times to count.
He looks at her reflection in the mirror in front of them and has to take a few breaths to calm down before he ends this too fast. Her dark hair is hanging over her shoulders, spilling over her breasts onto the dressing table. He runs his thumb over her lips and meets her eyes in the reflection.
‘Look at me and don’t make a fucking sound.’ He rams his hips towards her, burying himself as far as he can go. Chloe drops her head to the table to stifle her scream but he reaches around and lifts her head up. He locks eyes with her in the reflection as he pulls out then rams in again, harder this time.
He slips his hand around her hips and covers his thumb in her juices. ‘Open your mouth.’ He watches as she sucks him clean and the small semblance of control he had disappears. The dressing table groans with each thrust of his hips but he couldn’t give a fuck if he destroys the whole room. They’ve got six weeks to make up for. If he wasn’t on stage tonight his dick wouldn’t be leaving her pussy for the next few hours.
Her eyes don’t move from his as his thrusts turn more desperate, more frantic as the need builds.
‘Fuck me, Tate. Please.’
Her words hit him like a shock to his dick, and the familiar tingle builds at the base of his spine. He drops his hand to circle her clit with his thumb then does exactly as she demanded. He fucks her until they both collapse onto the dressing table, sweating, exhausted, and breathless.
∞
Tate keeps hold of her as they try to catch their breath. He rests his head between her shoulder blades with one thick arm braced on either side of her.
‘Fuck me, Tate?’ he mumbles into her shoulder.
She smiles lazily up at his reflection as he lifts his head. ‘And you absolutely did. Thank you. Can you get off me now?’
‘Not sure I can move. I’m kind of fucked myself.’ He pushes off the dressing table and wraps his arms around her, holding her against his chest. He wipes sweat soaked hair back from her forehead. ‘And for the record, you can demand I fuck you whenever you want.’
‘Not quite sure where that come from.’
‘Yeah well, you can let it out again. It was such a turn on.’
‘I’ll keep that in mind.’
He looks up as someone bangs loudly on the door. ‘Tate! You finished yet?’
‘Fuck off, Gregg!’
‘We need you for a sound check in ten minutes.’
‘All right!’
‘As in on stage. Ideally dressed.’
‘I heard you. Now fuck off!’
‘Will do. Hi, Chloe.’
She laughs into Tate’s shoulder. ‘Hi, Gregg.’
Tate shakes his head as Gregg laughs and bangs once more on the door before walking away. ‘Sorry about him. He’s completely un-trainable. I suppose I better grab a shower.’
‘I suppose you better.’ He doesn’t make a move to let her go. ‘I thought you were going to have a shower.’
‘I kind of want to go again.’
She squirms to get out of his arms, but it’s like trying to move a tank. ‘Get off me you oaf. If you’re late Gregg will burst in and I’m not keen on that, thanks all the same.’
‘Fine. But as soon as the show is finished, we’re picking this up again.’
‘No arguments there. I really like the piercing by the way.’
He smiles widely at her. ‘Thought you would. Don’t say I didn’t warn you though. Fucking thing is driving me crazy already. I’ll show you exactly how much later.’
‘You just did show me.’
‘That? No, that was just the warm-up act. I’m only getting started with you.’
‘Well if you don’t get on stage you’re going to run out of time. Now go. You need to get ready.’
She watches as he goes into the bathroom and turns on the shower. ‘Do you fancy—’
‘No, Tate. You’ve got eight minutes.’
‘Believe me, after not seeing you for six weeks, eight minutes is more than enough time.’
She gets up and pushes him into the bathroom, closing the door in his face. Once he’s done, she has a quick shower herself. When she goes back into the dressing room, he’s dressed and pulling on his boots.
‘I’ve got one minute. You sure?’
‘You are unbelievable.’
‘Thanks.’
Right on schedule, Gregg pounds on the door. ‘C’mon Prince Charming. Move your arse.’
‘Okay!’ He pulls her into a tight hug again. ‘How long you need to get ready?’
‘I was ready until you went all caveman on me.’
‘Not going to apologise for that. Ten minutes be okay?’
‘Should be more than enough time. Why?’
‘I’ll ask someone to come and get you. Bring you up to the stage. They’ve got somewhere set
up at the front where you can watch from. Gregg was going to bring Bria there while I was saying hello to you.’
‘That’s how you say hello?’
‘To you? Fuck yes.’ She stands back and looks at him. ‘What?’
‘Is this you ready to go on stage?’
He looks down at his dark blue jeans and black t-shirt. ‘What? You expecting platform boots and glitter?’
‘No, it’s just nice I guess.’
‘I’m not following?’
‘You don’t change who you are. It’s just you and your mates playing music.’
‘That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you all along. Glad it’s finally gotten through to you.’
Gregg kicks the door this time so Tate yanks it open. ‘Would you calm the fuck down? I’m coming.’ He gives Chloe a quick kiss. ‘Sorry. I better go.’
Gregg sticks his head around the corner and wiggles his eyebrows. ‘Looking good, Chloe. I like this dishevelled, out of bed thing you’ve got going on.’ He grunts as Tate thumps him in the stomach.
‘You say another word and I’ll flatten you. Walk.’
34
Chloe thanks the waitress as she places their lunch on the table in front of them. The fact she is completely engrossed in her lunch companion instead of listening to a word Chloe herself says is no surprise. If anything, Chloe is getting used to the attention Tate sometimes brings to their trips out. He wasn’t recognised every time, but it was definitely more often than not.
Although initially irked by the attention he was getting from people who could clearly see he was out with her, she had become strangely accustomed to it. Tate was polite and allowed photos and gave autographs, but as soon as he was done, his attention immediately swung back to her.
She stifles a yawn and looks out at the boats in the harbour as the waitress gushes over Tate. Her magnificent boyfriend had kept her up until the early hours and, after a long lie in, had continued to show her how much he missed her when they woke up. By the time they had finally left the bedroom, it was well past noon. Instead of his usual request for chips, he’d surprised her by suggesting they go to a restaurant for lunch.
The waitress finally finishes rearranging pretty much everything on the table. When Tate smiles and thanks her she blushes then backs away with a huge grin on her face.
‘I think you have a fan.’
He glances over his shoulder at the girl as she waves and blushes again. Tate nods to her and turns back to Chloe, his eyebrows raised. ‘Yeah. You might be right. She’ll get bored in a minute. So, you okay while I was gone? Was work good?’
She nods as she chews her sandwich. ‘Work is great. The kids are wonderful and so are the other teachers. It was nice to have something to occupy myself while I was eagerly waiting for you to grace me with your presence.’
‘Sincerest apologies for leaving you waiting. Did being at my place help or was it too far from work?’
‘It was fine. I have to admit, having use of your truck had its advantages.’ She frowns slightly at him. ‘Okay, out with it. I know that look. What’s wrong?’
He wipes his mouth with the back of his hand and takes a deep breath. ‘Busted. Right, so I was thinking a lot while I was away. Not much else to do some days. Anyway, I... do you want to move in?’
‘To your house? With you?’
‘Well I’m not planning on moving out, so yeah, with me. I just thought it could work. I know it’s a bit of a longer commute to work for you, but you could take one of the spare rooms as your office. Take another for your art stuff. I don’t know. It was just an idea.’
She examines him over the rim of her cup as she sips her tea. ‘Are you really sure you want to share your personal space with someone?’
‘No. I want to share it with you. I want to come home from work and find you in my, I mean our, kitchen. I want to wake up beside you. I want to laze on the couch watching crap TV with you. I want you to offload on me if you have a bad day at work. I want to do online grocery shopping with you.’
She laughs at that one. ‘How romantic.’
‘I’m all about the romance.’ He reaches across the table and holds her hand. ‘Seriously though. I love you, Chloe. I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. So, what do you reckon? You want to give it a shot?’
‘I’d love to give it a shot.’ She leans across the table and kisses him, much to the waitress’s obvious annoyance.
Tate reaches into this pocket and pulls out a set of keys and a control for the gate. ‘Better take these then.’
‘I already have a set of keys.’
‘No, you have the spare set. This is your set. Cut just for you.’
After lunch he takes her hand and walks back over to the bike. He looks down at his phone and curses. ‘What is it?’
‘Salad.’
‘Excuse me?’
‘My mum wants me to get some salad for tonight. Who the fuck eats salad at these things?’
‘People who want to eat healthy food.’
‘That better not be a dig at me and don’t go thinking it’ll be all salad and fucking goat cheese tarts when you move in.’
She taps him on the cheek. ‘Don’t worry. I know you’re a simple kind of guy.’
‘Fucking charming. Anyway, you better go and pack. Might as well move in today.’
‘You don’t have time to drop me back and get salad and help your mum.’
‘I’ve no intention of dropping you anywhere. You’re perfectly capable of driving yourself.’ He points over her shoulder and Chloe turns to see a bright red Mini at the far side of the car park. ‘Happy Christmas.’
‘Tate. What the hell have you done?’
‘It’s 1984 and fully restored so it should last you for a bit.’
Chloe can’t get any words out. It’s better than she could have ever afforded herself. The paint is immaculate. It looks like it’s just rolled off the production line. It either cost him a small fortune or he had it restored - which would have cost him a small fortune. Either way, she’s speechless.
‘How did you know?’
‘About the make? You can thank your sister for that.’
‘Hold on. When did you talk to Steph?’
‘At your party. She was kind of drunk and started rambling on about you. I think she gave me a breakdown of your entire life in half an hour.’
‘Oh dear God. I’m going to kill her.’
‘I’ve no fucking idea how she got onto cars but she mentioned your mum and how she’d bundle you both into the back of one of these and head off on beach holidays while your dad was stuck at work. Steph said you have a thing for Mini’s and apparently have been saving for one for a few years.’
‘Are you serious? She said all that to you?’
He grins. ‘That and so much more. I’ve got enough info to dip into for years. Please tell me she wasn’t making it all up?’
‘No. It’s true, but I’m still going to kill her for telling you.’ She gazes over at the car and smiles. ‘This is too much. It’s beautiful, but far too much. You can’t spend his much on me, Tate.’
‘I’m a control freak, remember. If I want to buy you a car, I’ll buy you a car. Best to go with it and not argue.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Yes. It’s yours so get used to it. The damn thing was a pain in the arse to restore too so it’s absolutely not going back. I bought it just before I went on tour and a mate of mine did all the work. The keys are on the ring with your house keys.’
‘Tate. I don’t know what to say. Thank you. I really do love it.’
‘Glad to hear it. How about you take it for a spin back to your gran’s, load it up with some of your stuff and bring it back to mine?’
‘Do you not want to come too?’
Tate laughs and shakes his head. ‘Eh, no. You’d need a can opener to get me in and out of that. Besides, it appears I have a date with some salad. God help me if I arrive back without it. Mum will kick my ass.’
She runs her hand over the pristine paintwork and smiles as she takes the keys out of her pocket. She finds the correct one and unlocks the door. Even the inside is immaculate. Chloe starts the engine and claps much to Tate’s amusement.
‘You okay?’
‘This is fucking amazing! Enjoy the party - I’m off for a spin.’ She closes the door, ignoring his threats that she better fucking be at the party as it was her fucking idea or something along those lines. She waves at him and pulls out of the parking spot, laughing as he flicks her the bird as she drives away.
∞
Tate leans against the counter and watches his family and friends eat and drink him out of house and home. Chloe and his mum weave through the guests, each holding a plate of food, stopping to talk to anyone they pass.
He’ll never know how he managed to find and hang on to someone like Chloe. Since that first day on the beach when she burst into his life, she’s been changing it and him for the better. He has no doubts this year would have ended very differently if not for Chloe.
He looks down at the inside of his left arm. For the first time in months, the skin is clear. He also managed to get on top of the scratching before he permanently damaged the tattoo. Again, thanks to Chloe.
She looks over at him and smiles widely. He points to his watch then gestures towards his crotch. She laughs and walks away, swinging her gorgeous ass.
He curses when he gets an elbow in his ribs. Shane leans against the counter beside him and looks over the room.
‘Not a bad party. Is this going to be a regular thing now?’
‘That depends on Chloe. No way I’m volunteering to do this on a regular basis. They’re like a bunch of savages.’
‘Ah quit complaining. It’s going well. Look.’ He points to the far side of the room. ‘Gary is having a one-on-one with the tree.’
Tate laughs when he sees Gary raise his glass and toast the ten-foot tree. ‘Worrying that’s how we decide if it’s a good party or not.’
Shane nods towards Chloe. ‘I really like her. She’s a good one, Tate.’
‘I know she is.’
