by Claire Adams
"That's not it. You know I'm completely into you." He reached out again, but I turned and opened the door to my car.
"I wasn't sure what I would find when I got out here today; fuck, I'm not even sure what I was looking for, but somehow, I think the truth. You were right. The rich people of the world are selfish assholes who just want what they want and don't care who gets hurt in the process." I shrugged and got in my car. "Too bad all I wanted was you."
Chapter 23
Tate
Decision time. What're you gonna do?
"Val." I held onto the door tightly as she tried to close it. I wasn't at all sure of what the right decision was, but I wasn't going watch her drive away from me. I knew that much for sure.
"No. You don't get to sweet talk me into staying here with you. You're the most wishy-washy man I've ever met. You want me one minute and ignore me the next. I'm done." She yanked on the door, and dammit if I didn't crack a smile. She was impossibly cute in her ranting.
I pulled the door back open and reached in, tugging her out and catching her when she half fell into my arms. "Stop it. I didn't know what your father was capable of. Look at it from my perspective for a minute."
After muscling her to the back of the car, I pressed her against it and gripped her wrists tightly by her side as I pressed my cheek to hers and rested my mouth just beside her ear.
"I was told to back off because I wasn't good enough, and it's true," I whispered softly as her tension started to melt a little. "I took you to the lake and then to bed, and I show up the next morning to find the house in shambles and my mother in the hospital. What was I to think?"
My heart broke when a sob left her. The last thing I wanted to do was hurt the beautiful girl in front of me. She was the culmination of everything I wanted in a woman and the kind of girl I needed in my life, though I'd never deserve her in a million years.
"He doesn't have that kind of power." She tugged her hands free and wiped at her eyes before wrapping her arms around my waist and pressing her cheek to my chest.
I petted her long, dark hair and pressed my lips to the top of her head. "I didn't know that. Fuck, I still don't know that. It all played out a little too well."
"Then, let me get in my car, and you can be rid of me. Of all of this mess. I told you that I wasn't worth the hassle." She glanced up at me and searched my face.
"No. That's not possible, either, and you know it." I leaned down and pressed my lips to hers tightly as I shifted forward to feel more of her against me. "You're all I've thought about over the last two days. I'm not letting go. I'm just confused."
"Then, we figure it out together." Her fingers brushed by my sides just under my shirt, sending chill bumps down my spine. "You can't keep playing lone wolf and expect anyone to be okay with that."
"What are you saying? You wanna try this dating thing even though we both know for sure that your dad is completely against it?" I ran my hands down her side and wrapped my fingers around her hips as I rocked against her again. All I could think about was getting her naked all of a sudden. She'd look damn fine stretched across the back of her car while I ate her out.
"Yes. That's exactly what I'm saying. My sister’s wedding is coming up soon, and you're going with me or I'm not going. My parents are going to have to realize that I'm not a child anymore. I don't have to jump when they say jump." Her cheeks were growing pink as her eyes narrowed. I wasn't sure if it was the cold getting to her or the fact that she was waking up to who she had become under her mother's thumb.
"Baby, we'll figure this out later. It's freezing out here. Come inside with me and let's watch a movie or something. I'm sorry for pulling back. I'm not used to much more than a quick one-night-stand and then I'm back to being single." I brushed my hand down the side of her face and cupped her neck. "You're the first woman that's left me wanting something more."
"No talking about your past exploits. I'm not interested." She lifted to her toes and kissed me once more before I moved back.
"No? I could tell you some wild-"
"Not at all, in any way, whatsoever interested. Nope. Don't." She took my hand and gave me a warning glare.
I laughed and reached over to close her car door before we walked back to the house together.
"I'm not used to all this dating stuff, so be patient with me." I popped her ass as she walked up the stairs to the house. It wasn't going to be as simple as a quick kiss in the snow, but I would work to make it up to her for the rough start we'd had, no matter how long it took.
"I didn't see a TV in here. Where are we watching movies?" She walked into the house and turned to look over her shoulder at me.
"Mom's got one in her bedroom. I'll get it out of there. Make yourself comfortable on the couch." I ran my hand along the small of her back as my cock stiffened in my jeans. I'd never had a woman over to the house for more than a few minutes. The idea of snuggling up with the beautiful girl who was sure to steal my heart was invigorating.
I knocked on the door to my mother's bedroom and went in as she called out.
"Did Val leave?" She turned from her open closet door and lifted her eyebrow at me.
"No, but I barely caught her." I rubbed my chest and let out a long sigh. "Her father threatened me the other night that he would fuck our lives up good if I kept seeing her."
"Watch your language." She shook her head at me before walking over and touching the side of my face. "You can't believe everything you hear, right?"
"Yeah, but to have him say it and then come home to find you all beat up again and shit. And stuff." I moved away from her and went to work on the TV. "Can we borrow this?"
"Yes, of course." She sat down on her bed while I worked to get the cables undone. "Tate, you know some people are more hot air than anything else. Daniel's brother got him out of jail, not Val's dad. They've put a lockdown on him getting out at all now. It's going to be fine. What else did Mr. Scott threaten you with?"
"It doesn't matter," I mumbled feeling all of twelve. "It's fine. I'll take care of it."
"Damn right you will. Sam's father is a lawyer. Go talk to him. He'd represent you any day in a civil suit against that bastard." My mother's voice rose significantly.
"Mom, it's all good. Don't get worked up, and don't let Val hear you. I just got her to calm down." I picked up the TV and walked to the door. "Don't come into the living room without warning me."
"Oh Lord." She rolled her eyes and opened the door for me. "I swear, I raised a heathen."
"Something like that." I chuckled and walked back down the hall. Valentine was sitting on the couch with an old photo album in her lap and a smile on her face. "You find something of interest?"
She glanced up. "Oh, yeah. You've known Sam for a really long time, haven't you?"
I put the TV down on the empty stand and started to work at getting it hooked up.
"All my life. He used to live down the street when we were in preschool, but the neighborhood was much better back then. After his folks finished up college, they got good jobs and moved to a better part of the city." I shrugged. "We never stopped seeing each other. We used to ride our bikes ten miles in the snow just to hang out."
The sound of her laugh warmed me. "I love it. I'm close to Amy, Katelyn, and Lucinda, but we knew each other from high school. I didn't have too many friends as a kid. My father was running for public office and kept us half-locked up just to make sure we didn't do or say anything that might hurt his chances."
"Yeah, no offense, but your father's a piece of work." I popped in an old black and white movie and moved to sit beside her on the couch.
"He's nothing compared to my mother. Had she come to see you, you likely would have shit yourself." She reached up and ran her hand over my back, pressing her fingers into the muscles.
"I doubt it, but I'm sure I'll get the opportunity to prove my bravery." I bent over and worked to get her boots off before tugging mine off, too. I leaned back and lifted my arm. "Come here and
let me hold you."
She moved toward me, tucking her long legs under her as she cuddled up to my side.
I pulled a thick blanket from beside me and we worked together to get it around us.
"I like this," she whispered almost reverently as she looked up at me.
"Good. I'm not sure how much of the movie we're going to see, but it's a good one. Take my word for it." I leaned down and brushed my lips by hers, teasing her as I let my tongue snake out and lick at her mouth.
"I don't wanna see the movie." She pressed into another long kiss and ran her hand down my stomach to cup my dick. Her fingernails teased me as I deepened the kiss and let out a long groan against her mouth.
"Keep it up, and we'll be naked in the bathroom with me taking complete advantage of you and your sexy little body." I ran my fingers through her long hair and gripped a good handful of it tightly before pulling down a little and forcing her to look up at me. "Did you not hear me?"
She was undoubtedly in the mood to play because her fingers had yet to stop teasing and stroking me. The wicked smile on her face left my heart racing in my chest.
"Let's go to the bathroom, then." She ran her nose along my jawline, pulling hard against my hold on her hair.
"You're supposed to be mad at me." I pulled back a little and pressed my hand to the top of hers as I stroked myself with her help.
"I'm having a hell of a time wanting to stay that way." She moved up to press her lips to my ear. "I wanna taste you."
A shiver ran through my body and I groaned. The girl was far more than I deserved and way too hot to say no to. What the hell had I been thinking almost letting her go? It was going to be a steep climb to having a healthy relationship with her, but I wanted to give it a go.
"Get under the covers and get to it then." I smiled as she moved forward and nipped at my mouth.
"With your mom in the other room? I feel like a wayward teenager again." She lifted her eyebrow at me.
"Yeah, I know. Feels great, right?" I shoved the blanket back and worked on unbuttoning my jeans as she watched me. I could tell by her breathing that she was slightly panicked over my request. It would only enhance the moment. Fear always did. Some part of me wanted to tell her that my mother would make a hell of a racket coming out of the back to warn us, but I decided against it.
"Tate." Val touched my chest as I lifted up a little and pulled my jeans over the curve of my ass, leaving my cock on display as the damn thing stood fully erect.
"What, baby?" I stroked myself once before touching her back with my free hand. "Come here and enjoy yourself. You said you wanted it."
She glanced up toward the darkened hallway, but started to work her hair into a ponytail anyway. "If we get caught doing this, I'm never coming over here again."
"We won't. Lay down and take your time with me." I leaned back and slid my hand into the opening at the back of her jeans as she placed soft kisses up and down my shaft. Her skin was silky smooth, and I almost enjoyed touching the top curve of her ass more than the attention she was giving me. She was refined and high class, and I was a poor boy that wanted to be something more just for her.
"So sexy," she mumbled against the head of my cock before spreading her lips and taking in far more than I thought her possible of doing.
An arrow of pleasure lodged itself in the center of my groin, and I let out a long growl as I closed my eyes and dropped my head back on the couch.
Her soft panting and moans as she worked me into a frenzy were enough to drive me over the edge.
"Baby, wait. I don't want it to be over just yet." I ran my hand up her back and gripped the back of her neck. "It's too damn good to be over."
"Just come more than once." She flicked her tongue over my swollen, tight flesh as the air left my lungs.
I nodded and pushed at her head softly. "Yeah, just do it. I need it. I need you."
"Good," she whispered before taking me over the edge.
I cried out, not caring who was in the other room or what anyone might think. Some part of my heart mended in her tenderness and the way she was willing to take care of me unselfishly.
She brought me to come three times before snuggling in next to me and kissing the side of my neck over and over again. "I love how you taste."
"Good. I'm gonna need that often." I smirked and turned to face her. "It's not something I'm used to.”
"No? I thought you said you had a ton of one-night stands." She moved her knees up and rested them in my lap as I pulled her as close as I could get her.
"Just a quick fuck and then I'm out. Nothing too intimate." I shrugged, thinking that maybe I should shut up.
"I understand." She kissed me once more before tucking her face against my neck and letting out a long breath. "I'm staying here tonight. That okay?"
"Every night would be better, but I'll take tonight, for sure." My heart raced in my chest over the idea of committing fully to the woman in my arms. Could I really live up to anything she might need me to be? It didn't feel like it, but I couldn't shake the thought that regardless of what I was headed into...she would be well worth the effort.
Chapter 24
Val
I woke the next morning with a crick in my neck from being snuggled against Tate all night. My mixed feelings could be dissected later when I had some free time to myself on the basketball court. For now, I was going to try hard to go with the flow and not think about the fear that crept around inside of me. Tate's mood swings were enough to leave me wondering what was coming next, but I wanted a chance at us enough to try to be the calm in the storms he kept coming up against.
"You awake?" He kissed the side of my head as I glanced up at him.
"Yeah. I can't believe we slept on this couch." I smirked.
His mother's voice caught my attention. "I can't believe you did, either. You guys need to get up and get moving. I have a detective coming out this morning to question me over this stuff with Daniel."
I sat up and groaned as my back popped. "It will be great when all of this is finally behind you guys."
"Let's just hope it stays that way." Tate stood up and turned to give me a quick kiss. "I'm jumping in the shower. You want me to walk you out to your car?"
"No, I'm good. I have a basketball game tonight. You guys should come and watch me play." I turned my attention back to Ms. Phillips. "It's up at the college."
"I'd love to. I'll make Tate bring me up there." She walked toward me and gave me a hug as Tate disappeared down the hall. "I'm so glad you two are working things out. He needs a good woman like you in his life."
"I'm not sure how good I am, but I'm not going anywhere just yet." I smiled at her and moved to pull my boots on before grabbing my keys and heading toward the door. "Good luck today."
"Good luck tonight." She smiled at me warmly and closed the door behind me.
I wrapped my jacket around me tightly and cursed myself for not getting a scarf from the house before heading out to Tate's the day before. It was freezing and the snow was moving in fast.
I jogged to my car and got in as my teeth started to chatter. I didn’t mind the cold, but the minute I graduated, I was going to look for a warm weather state to move to. The idea of Tate coming with me gave me pause. Was I that serious about him? We'd just started dating.
"One day at a time," I grumbled under my breath as I tried to start the car.
Nothing.
"Not again." I tried again. Not a sound. "Great."
A familiar truck pulled up next to me, and Sam got out all bundled up.
I opened my door and got back out of the car, giving him a curt wave. "Sam, is there any way I could get a ride to school? My car won't start and I have an exam this morning in my ten o'clock class that I need to study for."
"You bet. Is Tate's mom making breakfast?" He nodded toward the house.
"I don't think so. The detective from the police station was supposed to come down and visit her today." I walked toward the passenger’s
side door quickly as the wind picked up.
We got into the truck and I worked to get my seatbelt on as he started the engine. It was still warm from him just getting out, but it was so intensely cold outside, that it took me a few minutes to thaw.
"You sleep over last night?" He lifted his eyebrow at me.
"That's kinda personal for someone you barely know." I gave him a grin and laughed.
His lips lifted as his cheeks grew pink. "I didn't mean like that. I just meant-"
"Yeah, I stayed the night. The couch is less than comfortable, but I wouldn't have been anywhere else." I pulled my phone from my purse and texted Katelyn to get me some clothes thrown in the dryer. Everything I had was wrinkled thanks to my rebellion over having to hang up clothes like I'd been forced to do my whole life.
"That's good to hear – about you wanting to be with Tate, not the crick in your neck." He pulled out onto the main lanes and glanced over at me as if nervous. "So, you really like him? Cause he's a great guy and watching you hurt him isn't going to fly."
"Are you trying to be tough with me?" I smirked. Tate's best friend was almost too cute. He reminded me of a young Clark Kent.
"I'm trying," he chuckled. "Is it working?"
"Yes. Absolutely." I leaned back in the seat and closed my eyes. "Tate's an interesting guy. I've yet to even start figuring him out."
"He's a great guy. Life's been hard for him, far harder than I could ever imagine living through."
I turned my face toward him and opened my eyes. "I think everyone has a story to tell though, don't you think? Tate being an orphan and not knowing his parents is horrible, but there are lots of kids who know their parents and wish like hell they didn't."
He gave me a quick glance and nodded. "Yeah, I get that. My parents are great, but I can imagine there are plenty of people we encounter at UMN every day that hate their home lives. It's sad."
"Yeah, but life isn't about where we were raised. It's about where we're headed. It's about where life is going, not where it came from, right?" I felt calm and comfortable around Sam. He exuded this feeling of acceptance that left me understanding why Tate would be so close to him.
