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amber
He didn’t knowwhat he was saying.
The pain?
We were from two different worlds. Sure, I’d started off a Haven girl, but not anymore. Was I supposed to get hooked on this man and have to be away from him? That would never work.
Would it?
The quiet voice in the back of my mind—or maybe hiding behind my heart—asked.
He was beyond dirty. I couldn’t stop myself from watching him earlier. I’d only meant to get a glimpse of what was going on to report back to my mom and dad. Maybe to Cindy, who was seriously invested in their TikTok page now that I’d talked about it.
I’d never been one to get thirsty about a muscular working man.
But when it came to Tate, it seemed that nothing was off limits when it came to turn-ons.
And it wasn’t just his big, beautiful, strong body. It was that he threw himself into everything he did.
I wasn’t just afraid of this not working.
I was afraid of falling in love with him and screwing it all up because of who I was.
He lowered his mouth to mine and like a magnet, I rose up to meet him. The kiss was soft at first. He brushed those incredibly talented lips over mine as if learning me all over again. But it never stayed soft. Not with what grew between us like lightning over the water. He was the calm water to start, but there was always so much under the surface when it came to this man.
When I wrapped my arms around him, he smiled against my mouth. “I’m dirty, babe.”
I shivered at the word. Usually it rankled, but when he said it with that rumble it made everything inside of me purr.
“You have a very nice shower.” I rose onto my toes and the grit scraped my fingers and arm, but I didn’t want to break whatever this thing was between us.
He was right. I couldn’t stay away from him.
I’d snuck over a few times, but he hadn’t spotted me until today. Or at least he hadn’t let on that he’d seen me.
“Tate?”
I groaned into his mouth.
The familiar voice rankled. While part of me knew Molly was a better fit for him, I didn’t feel the same about Valerie. I knew a schemer when I saw one and she had plans for Tate that were all about what he could do for her both in money and prestige.
“Ignore her,” Tate murmured against my lips.
I nodded and lost myself in his kiss again. In the wide expanse of his shoulders that felt so good and safe in ways that I couldn’t resist.
“Tate—Oh.”
Tate’s body stiffened as he hid me behind him. “What is it, Valerie?”
“I had a question about something.”
“Can it wait?”
Her voice went sharp. “We’re still working aren’t we?”
He found my hand when I started to move back. “I’ve been busting my ass all day. Why don’t you take off for the day.”
