“Your ride just pulled up, Tate.”
“Ah,” Tate nodded, reaching into his coat pocket. “As promised – four front row tickets for you and your family.”
“Thanks, man. I appreciate it and I’ll tell yous like I tell ma’boy Gerry – anytime you wanna come back, just text me and I’ll have your table waiting.”
“Will do.”
Nettie couldn’t believe their evening was over – just like that. No more sweet stolen moments, no more bonding, and what exactly was Tate about to say before they were interrupted?
Tate was already out of his seat, extending his hand to her, and his expression was telling because she knew him. He wascalm, cool, and his eyes – obviously frustrated. Why? Was it something she said?
This was awkward.
More than awkward.
Weirdly so, again with the theme of her life, she thought and glanced at the clock – doing a double-take. They had been there for three hours already, and time had flown by. It was nearly eleven o’clock at night, and she knew he had practice tomorrow, and she had work. Their magical moment was over, almost like Cinderella at the ball, except nobody was losing a shoe, and her ‘pumpkin’ turned out to be the same black, sleek limo that had dropped them off.
Edwin was holding the door like this was an everyday occurrence, like this was normal, and to Nettie, this was anything but normal.
As she slid into her seat, Tate entered a moment later, and both were strangely silent. The only inclination that she had that he wasn’t upset with her was that he still had his fingers laced with hers, resting on her thigh like it had always meant to be there, like they were always a couple.
Everything seemed so abrupt, so off-kilter, that she was trying to cling to the memory of only moments ago to keep from freaking out at this abrupt change that seemed stifling. Within the blink of an eye, the limo pulled up to her house – and Nettie was almost beside herself with worry.
Edwin opened the heavy limousine door and smiled at her. “It’s been a pleasure to meet you, Miss Yarborough.”
“You too,” she whispered emotionally, holding back tears as Tate gripped her hand.
“Ten minutes, Edwin,” Tate said gruffly.
“Certainly, sir.”
Suddenly, Tate’s hand was tugging her toward the front door. He took the keys from her trembling hand and unlocked it, urging her forward silently, and stepped inside behind her.
She couldn’t take this anymore.
“Is something…”
“Kiss me like you own me, own my soul,” he growled, pulling her to him within a second of comprehension. His lips mashed against hers as he kissed her with everything in him. Her fingers sank into his hair, needing this connection between them with everything in her as he broke the kiss, muttered a hushed curse word, and then kissed her again like this was the only thing that mattered. He had one hand on her hip, lifting her leg and curling it around his, claiming her with his mouth as he smashed her against him with his other arm. She was practically climbing him with an intensity that was staggering between them – but hadn’t it always been like this? The anger explosive, the desire melting, the rush breathtaking…
“Sticks…” he growled against her lips as they parted, her head falling back at the passion rolling over her in waves. “You’re mine – and you will always be mine.”
“Yes…”
“There will never be anyone else for me – ever…”
“Oh my gosh, Tate,” she whimpered as he kissed her throat, cradling her body to his. “I need this, need to know you want me, that you love me…”
“Marry me,” he breathed against her skin, and she stiffened only a split second before he pulled back, looking at her. “I’m so angry that Vinny interrupted us, but I need you to know where I’m going with this, and I want more. I want it all for us - forever.”
“Oh my gosh,” she warbled tearfully, moving to cradle his face with her hand as she stared into his beloved dark eyes. “Are you serious?”
“I am,” he chuckled softly, kissing the tip of her nose delicately as he smiled at her. “I am – and I needed but two minutes more so I could propose. I want you by my side, at every game, sharing every moment as my wife.”
“Tate,” she managed to make out as she stared at him.
“I promise that’s a ring box in my pocket,” he laughed tenderly, brushing a soft kiss against her parted lips as he whispered to her. “Not a banana…”
Nettie burst out laughing tearfully, treasuring his weird innuendo and flirtations that were only for her. Throwing her arms around his neck as she hugged him. Her other leg hooked around his waist, like she couldn’t get enough of him and never wanted this moment to end. He held her in the strangest, most awkward, bodily hug a person could share as they both laughed and smiled at each other, drinking in their shared joy.
