Heat surged through her. His lips were warm, firm yet devastatingly tender, coaxing hers to part, to yield. A low, broken sound tore from her throat, betraying every ounce of longing she had buried so deep down inside. At the noise, he jerked back suddenly, his eyes wide with alarm, as though terrified he had hurt her.
“No,” she whispered, urgent, desperate. The word scraped raw from her soul as her hands scrambled to pull him close again. “Please.”
She leaned forward this time, reclaiming his mouth with a fervency that shook her. A soft sigh rumbled from his chest, vibrating against her lips as he gave in. His arm slid around her back, strong and steady, pulling her closer, holding her in the awkward angle she had forced herself into. Then one hand shifted upward, threading into her hair, cupping the back of her head in a way that was both possessive and achingly gentle.
When his tongue brushed hers, a shiver ran straight to her bones. The kiss deepened, became an unspoken language of everything they couldn’t say aloud. Fear. Desire. Regret. Hope. She poured it all into him, letting it burn away the walls she had spent years fortifying. Every time he’d glared at her, she’d steadied herself against it, and now it was gone, melting and chipping away into nothingness.
Time seemed to fade. Minutes passed, maybe hours—she couldn’t tell. The world outside that car didn’t exist. Only the warmth of his mouth, the safety of his arms, the way he kissed her as though she were something precious he’d been waiting his whole life to claim.
But her body, traitorous and awkward, finally demanded mercy from the painful side cramp she was getting – and growing worse. Her back screamed from the contorted position she had twisted herself into simply to get closer to him. She tore her lips away with a shaky laugh, biting down on her lower lip as she admitted breathlessly, “I think I’ve got a spasm in my lower back – or I’ve got a kidney about to revolt… one of the two is happening.”
His lips quirked, his voice husky with something darker as he countered, “I’ve got the same problem - but in another place.”
Her breath caught with understanding, then she let out a startled laugh that tumbled into the thick, electric air between them. He chuckled too, though it was strained, his thumb brushing her cheek before hesitation flickered across his face.“I probably shouldn’t have said something to you like that. My mother would flip if she heard me say that.”
“I’d rather you be yourself with me,” she said, the truth spilling out softer than she intended.
“I’d rather we keep going as a couple…”
The wordfriendsrose instinctively to her lips. Friends—that safe harbor she had always steered them toward- pressed hard to keep her feeling safe for so long now. But one look at him stopped her. She saw the tension in his jaw, the way he braced himself for rejection, his eyes shuttering in resignation. She couldn’t do it. Not this time. She knew his secrets, his thoughts, and dreams, and this time – she wanted it all.
“As a couple,” she said instead, her voice almost fragile as she looked at him sideways seated in the car beside her and reached down, taking his hand in hers before lacing their fingers together.
“Are you sure?”
She swallowed hard, forcing her heart to steady. “I think we’re turning a corner, Tate…”
“I’ve been waiting for you to decide to come with me, Sticks…” His voice cracked faintly on her nickname, and the vulnerability nearly undid her.
“Things will be different,” she murmured, locking her gaze with his. “We can’t go back now, not after that… just…”
“Just what?”
“Just don’t push me away again,” she whispered, the words trembling out of her, carrying every fear she had buried deep inside. “Don’t hurt me, don’t hurt my feelings…”
His hand tightened over hers, grounding her. “I might be a jerk and hardheaded, but the last thing I’m going to ever try to do is hurt someone who is special to me. I’ll make mistakes, but things will be different— I promise.”
“I believe you,” she replied openly, realizing that she did.
With everything in her.
CHAPTER 26
NETTIE
Opening the front door,Nettie’s heart gave a little kick at the sight of Tate standing there on her porch. Evening shadows pooled behind him, the porchlight catching the edges of his dark hair and carving his jaw in sharp, restless lines. His eyes—those smoldering, unreadable eyes—lifted to hers, carrying both hope and hesitation.
That wary smile on his lips tugged at her in a way she hadn’t expected. It was careful, almost boyish, and so unlike the guarded, tough exterior he usually wore that she caught herself staring.
She pushed open the screen door, forcing a casual lilt into her voice. “C’mon in,” she said, arching one brow with playful mischief. “You look scared.”
“I’m not comfortable with this,” he admitted gruffly, holding up a wrinkled shopping bag as though it were a shield. The poor thing looked like it had been through battle—creased, faded, one handle stretched thin.
Her chuckle bubbled out before she could stop it.
“Well, change happens when you find yourself uncomfortable.” Without waiting for an argument, she slid her hand into his—large, warm, calloused—and tugged him insideher little house. The scent of fresh coffee and chocolate still lingered in the air. “Hang your jacket, and I just made us some… oh!”
She didn’t finish. Tate suddenly pulled her closer, his hand tightening around hers as he drew her into his solid chest. She felt the heat of him, the quiet intensity that rolled off his frame like a storm barely restrained. One broad hand claimed her hip, almost possessive, while the other rose with startling tenderness to cradle her cheek. His thumb brushed lightly over her skin, sending tingles down her spine.
