She presses her lips together. “I am right.” This is all it takes to lighten the mood. Caroline’s face falls. “Guess we should go in.”
My throat is still tight, and my mind still fuzzy with images I’d like very much to get rid of, but I’m not sure how. “You talked mad shit about them. Pretty sure meeting these two is going to be the highlight of my evening. Let’s go.” I open my door, when she hops out.
She waits for me at the tailgate. “Can you behave in the mildest manner you’re capable of?” she asks, clasping her hands together in front of her stomach. “I wasn’t talking bad about them, either. I just told you the truth.”
I wrap my big arm around her shoulder and pull her against my side. “I can try, but nothing about me is mild.” I ignore her correction, but I mentally note she doesn’t even like the suggestion of meanness. She’s that good.
My dick twitches.
Chapter Six
Caroline
Bobby’s Bar smells like sweat and lies. The music is blaring from the beaten down jukebox, and Tahoe looks right at home as he edges in at the bar to grab us a couple of drinks, his monstrous figure forcing those sitting nearby to part. I play with the hem of my shirt and try to focus on the present instead of the way he made me feel in the cab of his truck. He almost kissed me. Told me I could be his girlfriend if I wanted to, basically said I already was. Words like I like you, and more than like, did things to my proverbial armor—pierced me directly in my heart. You’d think there would be something other than stroked desire after his spoken words, I don’t know, maybe something such as anger or disdain, but nothing else came. The words yes please nearly popped out of my mouth the second Malena banged on the window. I could have killed her for ruining that moment, but I was also grateful because I don’t seem to be thinking very clearly when I’m around Tyler these days. Or ever, honestly. A man like him doesn’t pursue a woman like me. If they did, I wouldn’t be single without a solitary prospect. I never pictured myself with an outsider, an intruder, but it’s easy to let my mind reason the magnetic draw to the massive, arrogant stranger. I can’t trust myself around him. It’s why I took the entire month to make a decision about the airport. Can I be around him on a regular basis and keep a level head? Do I trust myself to get closer to him than I already am? In the end, the money offered won out regardless of my feelings toward the man. Plus, my daddy didn’t raise a fool. When a once in a lifetime deal comes along, you take it. Isn’t that what being Tahoe’s girlfriend would be, though? A once in a lifetime deal? How do I adhere to one while abolishing the other?
Casually, I watch Tahoe as every woman in the room watches him. Even old Magdalena who hasn’t so much as looked at man’s foot since her husband Curtis died, has her mouth open as she takes in Tahoe’s physique.
Malena and a group of girlfriends, all of which I recognize, point at him. Even men narrow their eyes with contempt and jealousy as they study him. They don’t know how inside the rough, rogue exterior, he’s a decent guy. A smart man. A man who despite my best efforts, still hangs around after I’ve pushed him away. Sure, he says stupid things once in a while, but what man doesn’t?
Tahoe glances over his shoulder, a lopsided smirk morphing his chiseled features into something more boyishly handsome. I grin back, even though I have no idea what he’s smiling about. Surely being polar opposites never damned a relationship from the start? The possibility of success must be buried somewhere behind our vast differences. As I smile back at him, I’m aware that everyone is looking at me, a fact that would typically send me running for the hills. He’s looking at me, at no one else but me, and I’m basking in that knowledge. I make my way closer to him and grab for the foamy glass mug he’s extending. “What’s so funny?” I ask, sipping the white foam before it spills over the rim. “This place is kind of comical, but anything in specific?” I amend.
Tahoe takes a long swig while watching me over the rim of his beer. After he swallows, his neck working with more muscles than I have in my entire body, he lets out a long, satisfied breath. “Just how out of place you look here. Don’t come here often?” He grins.
“I should have known you were making fun of me. And to think, I was thinking,” I halt my words before I finish my thought.
“Thinking about what?” His laconic voice sends a shiver from the tip of my toes all the way to my head. “What we were talking about in the truck? The g-word?” He nods his head toward the door. “Want to go back and talk…some more?”
I shake my head before he’s finished speaking. “I was thinking that this whole room is staring at you right now.”
He heaves a shoulder up and down quickly. “And while I’m only interested in looking at you, I’d be remiss if we didn’t meet your friends.” Tahoe runs his tongue over his front teeth and he catches me watching his mouth. He quirks one brow in question. “What else were you thinking?”
I chug my beer while staring down the dusty, wooden ceiling. I can’t trust myself around him. Maybe that’s not a bad thing. “That they’re all staring at you because you’re so good looking.”
“Ohhhhhhh!” Tahoe yells, drawing gazes our way once again. “You actually said it out loud. It only took a month.”
Before I can object to his outright vanity he snakes an arm around my waist and draws me to him. Clinking his glass to mine, he then whispers, “I’ve got nothing on you. Looking at you is like looking at the sun, Caroline May. Everyone looking my way is only looking because they want to know what it is about me, that made you fall.” Staring wide eyed at his mouth, I’m aghast at what he’s insinuating, and gutted at the same time because he’s absolutely right. Not about me being the sun, no, that can’t be true, that’s a line, but I am falling for him. I let him hold me in this moment, staring into his mirthful eyes as some 80’s pop song echoes a synthesizer chorus around the small room. “You don’t have to admit it now. But I know,” Tahoe drawls. “Cheers,” he adds “to our first official date.”
I swallow down the bitter beer taste, and let his words float around a second or two before I come back to reality. Never in my life have I wanted to kill someone and kiss them at the same time. It’s a deliciously volatile feeling. Floating. Falling. Fretting. I take a sip of beer, but I don’t taste anything. My body is warming—the heat from his skin melting into me. My face heats, and even though I’d love to correct him and tell him this is our only date, I know for a fact that would be a lie. At this point, I’d do anything he says. Because I want him.
I want him. The admission feels odd and right at the same time.
He releases me, leaving my stomach bereft and cold. The hand holding my beer shakes a little and I have to make a concerted effort to still it. Tahoe notices—his eyes dropping to my hand, and then skimming the rest of my body. A throaty noise lets me know his obvious appraisal is satisfactory. Desire floods between my legs from a solitary noise.
Malena and Britt bound up to us, and it takes all of my strength to muster the ability to say hello. Malena introduces Britt to Tahoe and I smile, wondering how Tahoe can turn it off and on so quickly, when I’m trying not to quake with every emotion he’s invoking. The small talk seems so trivial to what’s happening inside my body and mind. Like I should be sitting alone, sifting through what everything means instead of talking about the approaching hurricane season. My heart is a hurricane. My body is an unloved temple seeking refuge with a man I wouldn’t know how to handle. Tahoe’s laugh breaks me from my horrendous, thrilling thoughts.
It’s also the same moment I see Whit approaching. “You gonna’ introduce me to your friend, Caroline?” Whit asks, the hint of drunken stupor tripping up his vowels. His gaze finds Malena as she appraises Tahoe with all the reverence of Christ on a cross. My heart starts racing.
Tahoe tilts his head to the side. “Whit, right? I’ve heard so much about you,” Tahoe croons, lips pressed together as he threatens everyone with a look. He looks at me conspiringly, and then back to the drunken has-been.
/> Whit runs a hand through his long red hair once, and then again. It’s a tell. He’s agitated. I hate that I know that fact about him. The negatives of living in a small town. Whit spits out a compliment about Malena because he assumes she’s been talking about him. He has no clue Tahoe knows all about him because I told him dirty secrets. “Congratulations, Whitney,” I say, breaking the awkward silence. “You too, Brittney. We all knew you guys would end up together.” I smile, hoping it looks genuine. Malena rolls her eyes. Tahoe covers a laugh with a cough.
Whit narrows his eyes at Tahoe, and I drain the rest of my beer.
“Looks like congrats are in order for you too, Caroline,” Britt replies, eyes flicking back to Tahoe’s midsection. Her words are hollow. After a couple decades of deciphering the almost imperceptible undertones of small town gossip, I hear the empty snark for what it really is. Jealousy.
Tahoe hears it too. He wraps an arm around my shoulders. “She’s pretty awesome, isn’t she? Landing the biggest contract this town has ever seen. Building and finishing her loft apartment on her own. You should see that thing. It’s beautiful. I’m telling you, it could be in a magazine,” he explains, waving his free palm in front of him, like he’s painting an invisible picture for them. I smile, because what else can I do in this moment? A moment he’s saving me from so gracefully, and mildly, even I have to acknowledge his non-effort.
“Stop it, you’re making me blush. You helped me,” I quip. “Gave it that manly flair,” I tease.
Tahoe brushes my compliment aside and continues on. “You should have a housewarming party,” he gushes. “You guys would come, right?” The horrified look on my face must stoke their curiosity because not only do they agree, they are voracious in their agreement, Malena even offering to help me plan it.
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea, Tahoe,” I say. “We can talk about it later.”
“Nonsense. It’s a great idea. Everyone wants to see what you do up there...I mean see your new house.” Britt says, staring at Tahoe. “Right, Whit?” she adds on as an afterthought, grabbing his elbow.
“Yeah. I’d love to see it. Coming here and snapping up all the prime real estate,” Whit mumbles, slinking back to the bar for a refill without as much as a nod.
Britt brushes him off, giggling nervously. “You’ll be there?” she asks Tahoe.
Malena even looks uncomfortable, shifting from one foot and looking off to the side. Tahoe laughs, all white shark teeth and astonishment. I shrink into myself a little more. Britt is proving why a relationship with Tahoe would never work. He’s out of my league and it’s obvious to everyone around us. Why do I care? “I’ll be there. Caroline can’t keep me away. Right, Sunny?” Tahoe asks. It takes a second for me to realize he’s referring to me.
I let the nickname breeze past in lieu of ambivalence. “Sure, yeah. Why not? This is all your idea,” I reply, handing my empty to Tahoe which he grabs, eyes narrowed, curious about my attitude. Social gatherings aren’t my thing. Ones where I’m the sole focus are of the variety that haunt my nightmares. He has to know me enough to surmise it. Some sleuthing SEAL he’s turning out to be.
Whit returns with a new beer that Britt eyes down with unmasked hatred. He ignores Tahoe in favor of looking at me. With beady eyes, Whit bops his head to the new tune. “Crick’s Beach and now the airport, huh, Caroline? Didn’t take you for that kind.” Neither did I. Wouldn’t have dreamt it up in a million years. Me, entertaining the thought of a relationship with someone who doesn’t know every sordid detail of my entire life. That’s not the way it works around here. Britt and Malena speak quietly to avoid Whit’s accusation. “Maybe that’s what it takes,” Whit adds. That statement is why I dreaded walking into this place.
When I don’t respond, Tahoe does. “Everyone loves fresh blood, man. Lighten up. Not like I’m stealing your girl. She’s all yours. Forever,” he says, his words dripping with sarcasm. The glowing smile Britt has worn since spotting Tahoe vanishes in an instant. It’s probably the opposite of what you’d expect from a newly engaged woman. Whit gets to watch as she seethes in irritation so deep it’s written all over her body. I could kiss him for this—for exposing their false love. Without thinking, I grab his hand and lace my fingers between his. My hand gets lost in his sheer size, and my body shudders at the immediate warmth. It takes several awkward seconds before she realizes Whit is watching her—judging her reaction, scorned in his masculinity in the presence of such a fine example.
Slowly, Tahoe leans over and grabs Whit by the shoulder. Never has he looked larger than life than in this moment. “Congrats again, man. You lucked out,” he says, voice gravelly. Before he leans away he flicks his gaze to a horrified Britt. “I wish you an eternity of happiness.” The wish sounds like a threat. My heart is racing because no one talks to the It’s like that, no one calls them out on the lies so effectively. Tahoe even did it the southern, subtle way.
“Caroline May!” My name is screamed in a high pitched shrill. Bless that girl. Shirley. She bounds to us breaking the circle of awkward. It takes her less than two seconds to assess the atmosphere. “Don’t tell me,” Shirley drawls, “Whitney has his panties in a bunch because this fine ass specimen got into Caroline’s panties before he did?” Shirley runs her hands, spirit fingers and all, up and down in front of Tahoe’s body. I stifle a laugh. Malena, finding a comrade in her appreciation for what isn’t hers nods in agreement. Britt flips her hair over one shoulder while looking annoyed.
Shirley clears her throat when no one addresses her statement. “Oh, yeah. Congrats guys. It was a slow week at the diner.” She shoves a white envelope into Britt’s hand, and then turns to me. “You’re drinking right? Let’s go grab a drink. Gaston will let you out of his grip, yeah?” Tahoe squeezes my hand and the nervous energy in my body morphs into a warmness stemming from where his skin touches mine.
Not once in my life have I been more appreciative of my best friend’s insane, straight forward personality. “Beer. I’m drinking beer. Let’s go to the bar.” She snakes an arm around my waist and the rest of the group moves on, leaving Tahoe alone. “Thank God you showed when you did.”
She skips once, pleased with herself for her social torment. “They’re a mess. Notice neither denied it. Whit has wanted you since the moment you were born.”
“That’s disgusting, Shirley.”
Shrugging she says, “He’s a gross dude. I don’t know what to tell you.”
I lean into her ear. “He asked me to be his girlfriend. Says he’s ready for something more. I don’t know what to think. I told him he could rent air space and equipment, so I gave him what he wanted and he’s still here.” I swallow down the fear of the unknown. Somehow, I know if I agree to take on Tyler Holiday in a relationship capacity, everything will change and probably not for the good.
Shirley catcalls. “I fucking knew it. This is your reward for being a social recluse all of your life. You get to have that.” She eyes Tahoe over my shoulder. “He’s checking out your ass right now.”
Whit grumbles under his breath as he takes another drink off the wet bar top and retreats to his friends. Shirley orders our drinks, flirting with the bartender because that’s her protocol, and passes me another foamy beer without turning around. Some of the amber liquid splashes on my neck and chest before I can sip and I wipe at it with my bare hand, managing to make more skin stink like dirty brew. It’s crowded now that the sun has disappeared and folks are out of work for the weekend. I tap Shirley to thank her and make my way back to Tahoe.
A few people stop me to chat, but I can’t help but seek him out in the crowd as I make small talk. Most are curious about the airport and have heard the news I was taking it over. He watches me, like he’s studying me. I wonder if he regrets what he said earlier, if he’s deciding I’m not worth the trouble and whether he should stick to his status quo. Malena would give him what he wants, so would a number of other girls. He knows I’m more…complicated, though. I’m giving mysel
f a pep-talk when Shirley comes up next to me and links arms. She’s not done telling me what I should think yet. I never get away that easily.
“Have you told him?” she asks. It could mean a thousand things, but without saying a word, I know which question she’s asking because of how he’s watching me—undressing me.
Tahoe drains his beer without taking his eyes off me. Bringing the glass down, he licks his lips. I shudder as heat overtakes my whole body. “I’m blushing right now aren’t I?” I pant out. “Of course I haven’t told him. It’s not like that.” I amend, “It hasn’t been like that.”
“Don’t. I wouldn’t. You should lie,” she says, patting me on my ass as she scuttles away to tackle Caleb in a hug. It’s probably sound advice, with the only problem being I cannot lie. Not for all the tea in China. My poker face looks like a scared cat after being dipped in water. Something tells me a man like Tahoe, a SEAL, will call me out on any lie I try to concoct. One watching me as closely as this one right now? Game over. It will only be a matter of time before he knows the truth about me. He’ll have all of my dirty secrets in the palm of his hand, just like every other person in this bar. The beers have mellowed my mood, but my stomach is flipping wildly with the unmade decision looming in front of me. He’s a breathing masterpiece of masculinity and an untouchable quality that leaves me lightheaded.
When I’m close enough to touch, he runs his knuckles down the side of my face—a feather light touch that seems impossible given the size of his hand. “Head back to your place and hang that fixture?” Tahoe says, leaning forward so he can be heard over the new, louder music blasting around us. “If you want.” It feels like a loaded statement. Does agreeing to this, mean I’m agreeing to everything? I take another sip of my beer the second he brings his hand away from my face. Breathing is hard. Focusing is hard. Everything on his body is hard. Sure I’ve had crushes on men before, but the crackling between my body and Tahoe’s feels like being squeezed to death without care of the outcome.
Keeping It: A Navy SEAL meets Virgin Romance Page 6
