Uncovering Love

by Kacey Shea

  Tate was full on smiling. My heart lifted.

  “Shh! You’re not supposed to talk. You’re spoiling my grand gesture.” I returned his smile before continuing. “I donut know exactly when it happened, but I started looking forward to our time together. Your text messages; our talks; hell, even our PT sessions. I knew it wasn’t right, but I rationalized my feelings by insisting everything I did was strictly for the case. Only it wasn’t, and I couldn’t help but get lost in your smile.”

  I clapped again and the boys returned. This time they left a bowl of popcorn. Tate raised his eyebrows and gave me a smirk. He chuckled quietly as I explained.

  “You buttered me up with your charms. The way you helped others; the way you were with the boys and your sister; and last but not least, your culinary skills. So when you popped the question for a real date, I couldn’t have said no if I’d wanted to. And I didn’t want to. I wanted to be with you with every fiber of my being.”

  He had only taken a few bites when the boys returned at my clap. Tate’s intense eyes bored into me, stripping me of all my fears and barriers. I felt him to my core and hoped he felt every raw emotion inside me. When Eli revealed a platter of tortilla chips with cheese sauce I continued.

  “I know it’s nacho problem, but I made a huge mistake. I thought the best thing to do was to break things off. I wanted to tell you the truth, but I also wanted to spare you the pain of my mistake. Instead, I ended up hurting you more. I never wanted to hurt you but I’m glad you know the truth. You deserve the truth. You’re a good man, Tate.”

  I paused, pulled a lollypop from my back pocket and held it out to him.

  “I suck because I didn’t trust you enough to tell you the truth about my feelings and about the real reason for us meeting in the first place. I didn’t trust us, or what we shared, to be strong enough to withstand those false pretenses.”

  I mouthed an “I’m sorry,” and clapped again. Tate finally took the candy I offered from my outstretched hand. Ezra removed the lid from the final platter, a plate of hot wings. Eli giggled. “Enjoy your meal, sir.” And both boys disappeared once more.

  “I know it’s a long shot, but I’m just going to wing it. Will you give me another chance? You have my heart. You are all that I want, all I can think about. Because I love you, Tate. I love you more than I even knew possible. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to earn your trust back. If there is any part of you that still wants me too, that still thinks it’s possible, all I’m asking for is a chance. A chance to show you how much you truly mean to me.”

  Tate met my eyes, his gaze unwavering yet unyielding of any feeling. My breath caught in my throat as I waited for a response.

  “I don’t know, Evie. I don’t know. After everything we’ve been through I’m not sure I can ever forget what you did.” He turned away with a frown and I understood. It was too late. I tried to fight for him, bared my feelings and soul, but it just wasn’t enough. Nothing I said or did would replace the hurt I caused.

  “It’s okay, Tate. I won’t bother you anymore. I understand, I do. Thank you for hearing me out. I had to know for sure if there was a chance. Now I know. I want you to be happy. I promise I won’t harass you.” I was rambling and couldn’t seem to stop. I moved to stand, gave him one last look and smile and blinked back tears.

  I turned and trudged towards my car. Though a few tears managed to escape, I was determined to not make a scene.

  “Wait! Evie, wait!”

  At the sound of Tate’s voice I turned to find him running towards me. He surprised me by scooping me off the ground and taking me into his strong arms, crushing me to him.

  “Don’t leave me,” he whispered into my ear. He loosened our embrace until we were face to face, his arms still wrapped around my waist, holding me off the ground. I wrapped my legs around him and gripped his shoulders.

  “I’ll never leave you, Tate.” As the words fell from my lips he captured them in a kiss of passion and forgiveness. We stayed that way a few minutes before Carly and the boys came outside and interrupted.

  “Ewww! Uncle Tate don’t do that to Evie!” Ezra shouted.

  “Gross! Girls have cooties!” Eli called out.

  Tate grinned and lowered me to the ground. We turned to Carly’s smiling face.

  “So, I just promised the boys I’d take them out for Fro-Yo because they did such a good job with your surprise. I’ll be back in an hour. One hour. Better get busy, little bro!” She winked and the boys clambered into the backseat of her car. Tate grinned again, his dimples winking at me. God, I loved this man.

  “So, one hour?”

  “You’re a resourceful man. I’m sure you can accomplish a lot in that time.”

  “Hell yeah, I can!”

  He laced his fingers in mine and pulled me inside the house, both of us laughing the short distance to his bedroom. Tate turned to shut and lock the door before facing me. He stalked towards me until we were standing so close I had to strain my head back to meet his eyes. I looked into his stormy green irises and couldn’t help but proclaim my feelings out loud once more.

  “I love you so much, Tate.”

  His hands came around to grip my hips before he lowered his head to mine. “I love you too, Evie. Now let me show you how much.”

  I squeaked out an “okay” as he rained kisses up and down my neck, softly tasting my skin with each movement. He gripped the edges of my shirt and peeled it off me. I returned the favor and raked my eyes and hands up and down his well-defined chest and abs. I couldn’t help but lean forward to kiss the skin before me. My tongue darted out to lick one of his small nipples and he moaned.

  One of his hands snaked behind my back, releasing my bra with a swift movement. I giggled. “You’re quite good at that.” He chuckled and picked me up. His hands gripped my ass as he walked us towards the bed and tossed me onto the covers. I lifted onto my elbows and looked up at Tate, who was still standing at the edge of the bed.

  “You are so beautiful. I’ve thought about you every damn day.”

  I smiled at him and he leaned over the bed, one hand coming to squeeze my breast while his mouth attacked the other. I moaned at the sensation. He reached out to pull off my shoes and socks. Both hands zeroed in on the button and zipper of my jeans. “These need to come off. Now.”

  I lay back on the bed and helped him as he gripped my panties and pants together and yanked them off my legs. He dropped to his knees on the floor and pulled me by my thighs to the edge of the bed, spreading me wide for his hungry mouth.

  “Three,” he said seriously. He looked into my eyes as I lifted my head to watch him.

  “What’s three?”

  “The number of times I’ll make you come before I do.”

  I couldn’t help but giggle. “Once would suffice.”

  “Once would never be enough for you. I’ll never have enough of you.”

  I smiled at the sincerity of his words and he grinned at me, his mouth centimeters from my throbbing, wet core.

  “I better get to work. I only have an hour.”

  I was a writhing, sweaty puddle of satisfied woman within a few moments of his delicious tongue working my most sensitive spots. It didn’t take long for me to reach my first orgasm. I shouted out his name as his tongue sucked, licked, and tasted me. He stood and pinned me with his intensity while he kicked off his shoes one at a time. His excitement strained through his shorts, and I licked my lips in anticipation. He gripped the waistband of his athletic shorts and dropped them along with his underwear in one slow movement.

  I sat up on the bed, my own body and mind at full attention with this unbelievable specimen of male before me. I crawled forward on my knees and met him at the edge of the bed to kiss him fully. I could taste the evidence of my own arousal on his lips. It made me even wetter than before. He moaned into my mouth as I gripped his full erection in my hands, stroking him up and down.

  He moved one of his hands into my hair, grabbed it gently at the ba
se of my neck and gave a little tug while his other hand moved between my legs. His fingers rubbed against my swollen clit, sliding inside my wet opening. I continued to stroke him, quickening my pace to meet my building desire. I was already so close again.

  My inner muscles squeezed together against his two fingers as they slipped inside. He moved his lips to my neck, sucking against my skin. “Come for me, Evie.” At his words, I flew over the edge. My entire body shook from the waves of pleasure he had brought me.

  He pulled away and took a condom from the nightstand. He stroked the latex over himself and lowered over me. With our fingers laced together, he brought my hands high over my head, effectively pinning me to the bed beneath him. He was so strong. Had I not trusted him completely he would have been intimidating.

  His intense gaze bore into my own as he steadily moved his hips, thrusting inside me for the first time. The sensation of him stretching me took my breath away.

  “I love you, Evie. Only you. Only ever you.”

  I moaned his name as he took that moment to speed things up, thrusting deep with a steady, rhythmic pace. His mouth captured mine and his tongue danced inside me. He released one hand to reach down to my thigh, widening my legs to thrust even deeper. My moans turned to cries of pleasure and he continued his pace, hitting deeper and harder with each movement. Soon I was crying out as an orgasm overtook my body. Tate joined me with shouts of his own, slowing his pace as we each came down from our high. He kissed me slowly before rolling off the bed.

  “I’ll be right back.” He winked at me and walked over to his bathroom, closing the door behind him. He returned a moment later clad in a pair of tight gray boxer briefs, carrying a small, damp towel which he used to gently wipe between my legs. The gesture was sweet and thoughtful; I was at a loss for words. He lay down close on his back and pulled me to him, one arm wrapped around me to lazily stroke up and down my side. He tipped my chin up so I met his eyes.

  “You are so beautiful, Evie. I love you.”

  “I love you too, Tate.” I smiled and added, “And wow! All I can say is wow. I didn’t expect you to come through on your orgasm promise!”

  He grinned and laughed lightly. “Yeah, I’ll always come through for you, no matter what the challenge. And while I could stay here like this with you all night, I think our hour is almost up.”

  “Yeah, I really don’t want your nephews to catch me without my clothes on.”

  “That’s comforting.”

  We dressed and I couldn’t believe the joy and peace I felt inside. I loved everything about this man. I loved the person I was when we were together. Without him I was a broken version of myself; together he made me whole. I was thankful for that knowledge. Knowing how incomplete I was without him gave me the fortitude to never let anything, or anyone, come between us again.

  I STRODE DOWN THE BUSY street, my black heels clicking softly on the hot concrete surface. It was a warm evening for late April and summer was right around the corner. I attempted to keep cool by peeling my light black cardigan off and stuffing it into my bright orange oversized handbag. Evie liked to tease that it was larger than most diaper bags, but it was quite useful. No one ever complained when I had a full first aid kit, change of clothes, and array of snacks within reach. It was my own version of the Mary Poppins bag. Besides, it was really cute.

  I smoothed my hands over my black and white dress before sliding my bag onto my shoulder. I loved this dress; it had a tulle skirt underneath and a retro lace overlay. It was classy and sexy and because it was sleeveless, my toned, tanned arms looked better than usual. I wore my hair straight and long down my back, using a flat iron to get the desired texture. I wore only one piece of jewelry—my staple, which was a vintage ring, a swallow shaped to seemingly wrap around my finger with one small turquoise bead at its center.

  I was excited to be meeting up with friends this evening. Evie and Tate had arranged this get together for happy hour at one of their go-to dining spots. Honestly, I couldn’t keep track of their favorite places; the couple loved food more than anyone else I knew. Evie was always raving about some great new place they discovered. I was glad they were having fun with their newly labeled relationship status.

  Evie and Tate had been reconciled for two weeks now and tonight would be the first time we were formally introduced. Of course I met Tate before, but that was during our sad attempt at working undercover.

  I walked into the restaurant and the hostess pointed towards the high top table filled with loud laughter. Melissa and her husband Drew were huddled in the corner together, his arm wrapped loosely around his wife’s back as he lazily played with her red curls. She was leaning towards the woman next to her, someone I didn’t recognize, chatting away with a friendly smile on her face. I would guess that was Carly, Tate’s sister.

  Tate and Evie sat at the center of the table, Tate’s hand tightly interlinked with hers on top of the table for everyone to see. I liked that he wasn’t afraid of telling and showing Evie his affection for her. While some guys would be embarrassed, Tate wore his emotions for his girlfriend proudly. And although she left most details out, he was the type of man who delivered in the bedroom. I was so happy my best friend found someone to cherish and love her as she deserved.

  Jon sat next to Drew, looking a little overwhelmed at all the chatter going on at the table. He seemed to be brooding, sitting back in his seat and sipping his beer. That was just his face, though. He could be happy as pie and he’d still appear pissed to an outsider. My guess was during his years of military training, he also trained his face to put up a protective front.

  To me he looked intimidating and hot as hell. I hated that I still found him attractive. I was an adult, independent woman who didn’t need a man for anything, but when it came to Jon my inner sixteen-year-old self still reigned over my emotions. I told that bitch to shut up.

  Jon caught me staring as I approached the table and gave me a slight smile. There was an empty chair between him and Evie and he nodded towards it, indicating I should sit beside him. I moved over to the tall chair, and hung my bag on the back of it.

  “Kate! You made it!”

  “Of course, I wouldn’t miss this for the world!” I hugged Evie before sitting and reaching to shake Tate’s hand.

  “Nice to officially meet the man who has stolen my best friend’s heart.”

  Tate smiled and then his face lit with recognition. “Hey! Flamingo girl! You’re flamingo girl!”

  I just giggled and Evie eyed Tate with a guilty expression.

  “Oh, shit! Really? That was part of your investigation?” His loud, booming laugh filled the table as everyone listened in humor. “Flamingo girl is your best friend, Kate. Ha! We still talk about you at the gym.”

  “Well, I do make quite the first impression.”

  “Were you faking your injury too?”

  “I’m great at faking things too, though I prefer not to.”

  Jon choked on his beer and I leaned over to pat his back lightly. “You okay, big man? They not teach you to drink properly in the Army?”

  He rolled his eyes at me—and removed my hand to the table top. “Please don’t touch me,” he said in an impassive tone.

  “Gladly.” I tossed my hair over my shoulder and turned to face Evie.

  The rest of the dinner was fun. We shared several appetizers and I had to concur, the food here was amazing. It was nearing the end of happy hour and everyone looked ready to leave.

  “Oh! I almost forgot! Evie, Jon, I have a little surprise for you both. Now that the PI firm is growing and you guys are taking on so many new clients, I thought I should right a wrong.” I reached into my bag for the box of newly printed business cards.

  I handed them to Jon. “After the last cards I had printed, I wanted to make up for my botched gift.” Evie pulled me into a side hug.

  “That is so sweet of you, Kate! You didn’t have to make us new cards. You’re the best.”

  Jon pulled one of th
e cards out.

  “Uh, Evie, you may want to hold off with the appreciation. Kate? Did you read these cards?”

  I spun towards Jon. His snotty attitude was getting under my skin.

  “What now? You don’t like the font, or the placement, or maybe the color isn’t to your liking? Oh my god, can you not jump down my throat for every little fucking thing?”

  Even I was taken aback at my angry rant. I must have had too many drinks tonight. Usually, I did a better job at masking my pain when Jon’s opinions hurt my feelings.

  Jon’s eyes widened.

  “Okay, then.”

  Everyone at the table must have wondered what was taking place. They all reached over as Evie pulled more cards from the box and handed them out. Tate looked over Evie’s shoulder to read along with her. Their silence and troubled expressions had my stomach in knots.

  “Um, Kate?” Evie shoved the card back at me and strummed her fingers against her wrapped arms.

  I read the card and gasped in surprise. I was officially never allowed to proofread again. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t caught the error. Again.

  I grabbed the box from the table, threw it in my bag, and proceeded to pluck the loose cards from everyone’s hands. “Oh my god! You guys! You can’t hand these out! This makes it seem you’re pimping out prostitutes! I’m burning this box!” Everyone burst into laughter, and I couldn’t help but join in.

  They say laughter is the best medicine, and in looking around I had to agree. I was proud to call these people friends and my life was better for them. Life is better when you have good people to share your joy. In that moment, I knew mine was just getting started.

  The End

  Look for Uncovering Desire, Book Two in the Uncovering Love series, coming later in 2015 for the continuation of Kate’s story.

  Thank you to my family. My husband for tolerating the late nights of writing and the clickty-click of my laptop as you watch TV each night. For the weekend writing getaways, Joe, thank you for taking care of our children solo so that I could meet my word count goals each week. To my oldest daughter, Abby, you are forever my cheerleader, and although you won’t be reading this book until you are eighteen, you have inspired me to chase my dream to become a published author. You were also my first investor; you are a smart girl with business savvy. To my son for writing his own book alongside me and telling me how “cool” I am. I’m not, but he doesn’t know that yet! JD, you may be making doodles and potty humor cartoons now, but with the imagination you have I can’t help but wonder if one day you will write books as well. To my little two-year-old bundle of joy, Gianna, thank you for greeting me every morning with a smile and enthusiasm for life. Your easy going disposition made it possible for me to write every day.