38. A Promise to Keep
THIRTY-EIGHT
A Promise to Keep
STEVE & TARA
Steve
Steve closed his eyes and stifled an f-bomb.
The voice pulled them apart from the dance just as another slow song poured from the speakers. Steve pulled back and looked right into Tara’s deep green eyes. His heartbeat was already beating so hard that he felt his chest might burst. With his hand still cupping her face, he knew it wouldn’t slow down anytime soon.
“Oh, Ste-eve!” Steve closed his eyes when the high-pitched voice singsonged again.
A round of laughter burst out from the bar. Steve cringed and turned in time to catch Kiro and Tank strutting up to the bar to join Emerson and Derek. They were all pointing in his direction upon hearing his name called out a third time by an old lady at a nearby table.
“What are they doing?”
Steve dropped his chin and mumbled. “Damned firefighters.” He met Tara’s curious expression with an apologetic look and let out a frustrated sigh. “I’m sorry. I have to take care of something.” He led her back to their table and made sure she was comfortable. “I’ll be right back.”
Without moving his eyes from hers, he lifted her hand to press his lips against her knuckles with dark eyes that conveyed he wanted so much more than a kiss on her hand. “Our dance isn’t over.”
With a confident smirk, he excused himself and flashed a big smile to the source of the voice calling his name. He stepped over to a nearby table, placed one hand behind his back, and extended the other, palm up. “Good evening, Miss Abigail. May I have this dance?”
Abigail's hand went to her chest in surprise. The diminutive lady turned her head to the side with a coquettish glance but gently took his hand. “I thought you’d never ask!”
Tara
Tara’s smile grew upon seeing him lead Abigail Forsythe, one of the Tres Widows, to the dance floor to the sound of hoots, hollers, and cheers from his fellow firefighters standing at the bar. She didn’t miss the sideways glance he threw them when his diminutive dancing partner wasn’t looking.
As the music played, she leaned back in her seat and watched him give the elderly lady all of his attention as they started dancing. Abigail ate up every bit of charm Steve dished out, smiling in absolute delight as he spun her around the small dance floor. On one such spin, he sent Tara a wink. She could hardly be disappointed by a missed dance now. If he wanted her the same way she definitely wanted him, they were sure to have another opportunity.
Tara sat back and let her eyes scan the room. She exchanged an enthusiastic wave with Aimee, who was sitting with some friends a few tables away.
Tara also caught Emerson milking his glass of beer while constantly watching Aimee. Tank and Kiro joked around while Derek downed a bottle of beer with his arm wrapped around the woman next to him.
Tonight, Derek’s date was brunette. Tara had yet to see him with the same woman twice.
A nearby movement drew Tara’s gaze as Steve escorted Abigail back to her table. She hadn’t even noticed the song had changed.
Steve tilted his head as he thanked Miss Abigail for the dance and wished her a good night. Her smile could have lit up the night sky.
Steve was still grinning when he returned to their booth and sat down. “I, uh… had to keep a promise.”
Tara’s face broke out into a grin. “So, I see!”
They both laughed.
“I think you made her night.”
“I’d rather make yours,” he said with a glint in his eye. “What do you say we head on out of here?”
“Why,” Tara asked. “Is it past your bedtime?”
Steve smirked and took care of their tab. “Something like that.” He stood up and offered his hand to help her up. He then led her to the door to walk back to the shop so she could get her purse since she only took her small wallet with her to the restaurant.
He followed her inside and stood silently as she locked the door behind her. Beyond the lights coming in the front display window, the store was dark. Steve stayed with her when she headed toward the office. She didn’t bother to flip on the lights. It was just a few steps to the desk where she’d left her purse. Barring the tiny green light flashing behind the computer monitor confirming the Wi-Fi was still going strong, the room was as dark as a moonless night sky. She extended her hand to grab her purse but hesitated, sensing his presence directly behind her.
Not daring to move, she closed her eyes and breathed in the scent of his cologne. He was so near her pulse raced. One brush of his hands on her shoulders made it skyrocket. Her body shivered beneath her light jacket covering the lightweight boat neck sweater she wore, feeling every single movement his fingers made.
She fought an urge to lean back against his chest and pull his arms around her. Her breath caught when he dragged her long hair to one side. Eyes opening wide in the dark, her chest rose and fell when the stubble of his chin touched her skin.
And then his lips brushed her neck. Another kiss. This time to that sensitive spot just below her ear, causing the softest moan to escape. His lips smiled against her skin as he pressed more kisses in that same spot, sending bolts of heat spearing straight to her core.
She let her head fall to the side to give him better access. She was already melting at the gentle caress of his knuckles sliding down her neck. When his fingers cupped her chin, he dropped more kisses along her jawline. Then his tongue trailed back down her neck, followed by more kisses along her shoulder.
Her knees threatened to give way, and she was less and less able to support herself.
How did a simple touch of his lips hold this much power over her?
She caught her hand on the edge of her desk to the sound of a low, confident, and breathy laugh. She wanted this.
Oh yes.
Steve’s hand slid down her back and around her waist, pulling her back against his chest. His fingers toyed with the hem of her sweater, but not yet attempting to slide underneath.
“Tara.” His gravelly voice was much deeper as he breathed out her name.
Her power of speech was apparently gone. “Hmm?” was all she could say in response. Her eyes closed.
He turned her to face him. Her thoughts were occupied by the hand slipping underneath her sweater, landing squarely on the small of her back. His thumb barely moved, but it was enough to send tingling shivers of warmth up and down her spine.
He cupped her chin and tilted her face up to meet his. She could feel his lips against hers as he spoke. “I want to kiss you.”