20. Tate
CHAPTER TWENTY
TATE
P eople have started to arrive at the estate. Some old faces from my father’s ruling days, and fresh faces I’ve brought into the businesses over the years. Both legal and illegal. I greet them and offer pleasantries, but I’m nervously waiting for Sian to make an appearance. I’m second-guessing the note I left her.
Was it too much too soon?
Did I overstep the boundaries?
I know I haven’t been the nicest of people since she's been here, but I've got so much going on that she doesn't know or understand. Whenever I'm close to her, I struggle to keep my emotions in check. Yes, she was brought here under false pretences. I had to keep her close in order to keep her mouth shut about what she saw. But that wasn't the only reason.
Who am I kidding? The moment I met her, I knew there was a strange connection between us. I'm still not sure what that is, but I'm finally admitting to myself that I need to find out.
I see Rick approaching from my left. He looks flustered, which is new for him, as is always on point. He flanks my left side and lets out a huge puff of air.
“You okay?” I arch my brow.
“No, I'm not. Trouble incoming. Twelve o’clock.”
I twist my neck and look straight ahead at where he senses danger, instantly on alert. I scan the area in front of me, not seeing anything out of the ordinary until I see a petite, familiar face approaching us.
“Are you kidding me?” My shoulders shake as I try to hold in a laugh. “That little thing there has you troubled?” I drop my head down to look at the floor, trying to hide my smirk.
“No, I'm not kidding. She's a fucking firecracker on steroids.” He shifts his feet uncontrollably as Rowan comes to a stop in front of us. Thank God because I have no comeback for that.
“Hi, Tate,” she says with a smile. I nod in greeting. Then she turns her gaze to Rick. “Tiny dick.” She smirks.
“Straight to the insults. Why did I expect anything else?” Rick says with a roll of his eyes.
She ignores him, turning her attention back to me. “Your home is… something else,” she says as she takes in the surroundings.
“Glad you could make it. I'm sure Sian can't wait to see you.” I offer her a smile. “If you’ll excuse me. I just need to check on something.”
I don't miss the pleading look on Rick's face when I smirk so wide my cheeks are sore. In his mind, I know he’s cursing the fuck out of me for leaving him to fend for himself.
Maybe he's finally met his match. I chuckle to myself when, all of a sudden, I get a tingling in my spine. She's close. I can feel her. I feel the burn for her slip through my veins.
I look left and right, trying to locate her, yet she can’t be found. I turn my back to find a handful of people staring up towards the top of the staircase, and my father flicks his champagne glass and tips his head at me. I got his hidden message loud and clear.
I spin around and slowly lift my eyes to the top of the grand staircase. Everyone and everything in the room disappears.
Sian holds me captive in her gaze, and no amount of willpower can break it. She slowly descends the stairs, looking like an angel, testing me to see if I'm capable of anything pure in my dark world.
I hear the whispers around the room, people questioning who she is, commenting on her beauty. I have no right to feel rage, as she is not mine. I made no claim on her. I didn't even have the balls to invite to the party as my plus-one. Even though we both know she would have said yes if I’d asked.
Why didn't I ask? Was I afraid in case she bruised my ego?
Would I have been disappointed if she had said no? Was I afraid in case she took it as more than it would have been?
I watch her close the distance between us, I'm really regretting that decision.
She comes to a halt at the bottom of the stairs, just an inch or two from me. I can see the blush spreading across her cheeks. She's nervous, but there's no need. She entered this room like she was the queen of my world, and everybody took notice.
“I thought those stairs were never going to end.” She chuckles softly. “I had images of me tripping and making a fool of myself.”
“I don't think that would be possible,” I say, closing the gap between us. She has to tilt her head up to get the full view of my face. “You look… exquisite. I see you had everything that you needed to prepare for tonight.”
“I did, thank you. You have great taste and an even greater eye for details. You sized me up perfectly, so again, thank you.”
“You're more than welcome.” I open my mouth to speak again, not really sure what I intend to say, but I'm saved from embarrassment when Rowan joins us.
“Oh my God, Sian. You look incredible.” They embrace one another before Sian pulls back and looks Rowan and up and down.
“Row, you do too.” She beams at her friend. “Who knew tiny di- I mean Rick had it in him to choose a gorgeous outfit that brings out the green flecks in your eyes.” Sian smiles again.
“That's the vibe I was going for,” Rick says, announcing his presence. I subtly roll my eyes. Rowan clearly has Rick wound up tight by being here. Maybe they can use tonight to erase some of the friction between them.
“Of course you did,” Rowan says sarcastically.
I shake my head and huff. Yeah, Rick's really got his work cut out with that one.
My father chooses that moment to clink his glass to silence the room for a toast.
“I want to thank everybody for coming tonight. It's an honour to have you all here. I know I've been retired for a few years now, and that wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication and determination of my son, Tate. When I handed over the reins to my empire, not only did you thrive, but you also succeeded in ways I could not. Although it is sad that your mother is not here with us today, I know she would be proud of you.” He clears a lump in his throat. I drop my head as I have a quiet moment as I think of my mother. “Enough about you. Today is my day. I'm only gonna turn eighty once, right?” The room rumbles with soft laughter, and I can't help but smile myself. My father raises his glass and everyone else mirrors this action. “So, enjoy your evening, sip as much champagne as you like, dance like no one's watching, then go the fuck home.” the laughter gets louder, followed by claps and cheers before the music starts.
Sian’s arm rubs against mine as she steps into my space. “I didn't realise just how funny your father is.” She smiles.
“We're not serious all the time. We can have fun and laugh sometimes,” I say, shrugging.
“Is that so?” I can hear the challenge in her voice. “Prove it.”
“And how would you like me to do that?” I angle my body so I'm face to face with her. “Just so I know that we're on the right page.”
“Jeez. At least buy a girl a drink.”
Shit. Is she flirting with me?
“I would, but drinks are free tonight.” What a stupid thing to say. I don't know why I'm acting so nervous around her. Normally, I don't have to say much to get what I want. I'm no fool. I know women long to know what a night with Tate Matthews would be like, and only a handful ever find out. But with Sian, everything is different. I feel the need to prove myself to her, prove that I'm not the monster she sees me as deep down, and no amount of thinking helps me to understand why I feel like this. I've never had to be anybody but myself; that's how I've always lived. Yet Sian has me questioning whether I can have that little bit of light that she provides me in this world.
Is that selfish of me?
To want a little something for myself when I've never asked for anything in return?
I've been so much inside my own head that I didn’t notice my father approach.
“Sian, you look breathtaking. I hope my son keeps you company tonight, as I feel most people in this room want to get to know you.” I see a tiny flicker in my father's eyes as he looks at me. At first, I don't fully understand until everything clicks into place. My father thinks he's clever. This is his way of forcing us to spend time together.
But why? What’s in this for him?
“Oh, I think Tate has more important things to do with his time than keep me company. I have Rowan here for that.” She smiles politely at my father.
“Very well, but I’d keep him close in case the vultures start circling.” He winks at Sian, who hasn’t got a clue what he’s on about. “Enjoy your evening, Sian.” He kisses her cheek and nods his head at me before disappearing into the crowd.
She slides closer to me. “Vultures? Should I be worried?”
“Depends. How are you with dirty old men who haven’t seen any action for years?” I’m joking, but my stone face puts fear in her eyes, and she shivers at the thought. I should put her out of her misery, but I don’t. “They sometimes get too overexcited.” I wiggle my brows so she gets the idea.
“Oh, God, really?” I nod. She scans the room as if trying to seek them out. “How will I know who to be on the lookout for?” The panicked look on her face makes me feel slightly guilty. I’m about to tell her it’ll be fine when John Barker tips his head in my direction. That man can make anyone’s skin crawl. He’s seventy years old, fat and bald, and he has a thing about younger women who are way out of his league. Anything from twenty to late thirties are his favourite, and I can see him eyeballing Sian. It causes a menacing growl to curl through my throat.
I seem to have gained Sian's full attention. “Tate, are you okay?” she asks, coming to stand in front of me. “You look like you're about to do something dangerous.” She places her hand on my forearm, severing my hatred towards the man approaching. My eyes find hers, and for some reason, just the sight of her in front of me calms me. “What’s wrong? I lost you for a second then.” Her fingers subconsciously stroke my forearm through my suit.
“Those vultures you were warned about… one of them is about to get close. Do you trust me?” I gaze into her eyes, looking for any kind of uncertainty in them.
“Yes, I trust you. Why?” The way her eyes stare at me is like she's looking at my soul, and I know she's telling the truth.
“Whatever I do, just go with it.”
“That isn't really telling me anything, but I'll do my best.” She smiles.
“Hello, Mr Matthews,” John greets, outstretching his hand for me to shake. I stare at it in disgust.
“John.” I nod, purely out of respect for my father. He and my father go back years, but they’re miles apart in personality and respect.
He casts his eyes to my left, where Sian is standing, unsure of what to do. His eyes move from her toes, up her legs, and then pause on her chest before he eventually finds her face. I'm only just holding it together, not wanting to cause a scene.
“And who do we have here?” John takes a step closer to Sian; too close for my liking. Either he's oblivious to the fact that I pull Sian behind me, shielding her from his greedy eyes, or he chooses to ignore it. I guess John's feeling brave tonight. That will be a mistake on his part. “What's your name, pretty little thing?” He cocks his head, trying to look behind me. Sian's hand squeezes the bottom of my suit jacket.
“I don't know what your intentions are here, John, but whatever they are, they don't include Sian,” I say through gritted teeth. It's taken all of my restraint not to pound my fist into his face.
“Is she yours?” he asks with a slimy smirk.
“She's not an object, she's a human being,” I spit. “You're under my roof. Have some fucking respect.”
“I mean no disrespect, Tate. I'm simply asking if she's available to keep an old man like me company for the evening.”
My lip curls in disgust.
Sian wiggles out from behind me. “Oh, dear yo-”
I pull her back out of view, not liking the way he's looking at her at all. It causes something in me to shift. I become primal, wanting everybody to know that she's with me.
I get in his face. I'm done with playing nice. “She's with me,” I state, loud enough so those listening hear it too. “I suggest you disappear, and I hope for your sake that I don't see your face again tonight.”
John's throat bobs as he swallows nervously, finally getting the message. “Understood.”
He takes a couple of steps back, not taking his eyes off me until he's out of my reach and scurries off like the fucking weasel he is.
I take a few calming breaths before I can face Sian. I have no clue what she's thinking or how she must be feeling. When the raging bull inside me disappears, I turn on my heels and I’m met with Sian’s teary eyes.
I want to comfort her, but I don’t know the best way to go about it. I opt for being honest. “Sian, I-”
She doesn't give me the chance to explain, as she does something that surprises us both. She slowly closes the distance between us, places her delicate hand on my chest, and my heart beats rapidly. She looks up at me from under her lashes. So perfect, so fucking pure. She takes my breath away. “Thank you, Tate.”
“You don’t need to thank me. That guy was disrespecting you and me, and he’s nothing but a dirty-”
“I don’t just mean about him. I'm thanking you for everything. For being so gentle with me after my attack, for saving me from a burning car, for keeping me safe like you promised.” Her hand slides up around my neck. “For this gorgeous dress and beautiful necklace. For the note you wrote. Your words will always mean a great deal to me. I know we didn't meet each other under the best circumstances, and I know the only reason I'm really here is because of what I saw, but I can promise you that I will take it to my grave and not tell a soul. You have my word.”
I gaze into her eyes, then down to her lush lips, painted blood red. It's in that moment that everyone else ceases to exist. The undeniable feeling between us is more than I was willing to admit before. From the moment I met her, she was mine; I just didn't want to admit it until now.
“Come with me.” I take her hand, leading us somewhere quiet. She doesn't resist.
I pass Rick on the stairs, in a heated debate with Rowan. He gives me a small nod in passing. I know he would have seen the exchange with me and John, and the closeness of Sian and me. That's the thing with Rick; I don't need to see him to know he will always have my back.
I continue up the stairs, taking a right, and head towards my office. “Leave us,” I order the man on guard.
“Tate, what are you…” I push the door open, pull her inside, and slam it shut. Her back it’s the wood, knocking the wind out of her.
“Tell me it’s okay,” I whisper softly into her ear. “I need to be inside you, but I need you to want it, Sian.”
She looks up at me, searching my eyes before she whispers. “I want it, Tate. I want you.”
I lean down and kiss her deeply. She tastes delicious and fresh. I don’t care that I’ll smudge her lipstick all over me. I press my body against hers, pressing her against the door. I want her so much it’s almost painful. I’m already growing hard.
I run my hands up her side as she kisses me back just as fiercely. I blindly find the zip on the side of the bodice and slowly coax it down, freeing up the silk material. Not one to waste time, I reach behind her to untie the halterneck as she starts unbuttoning my shirt. I feel almost frantic, like she’s the air I need to breathe.
I drop the dress to the ground and run my fingers over her smooth skin. She’s wearing a strapless bra and matching silk panties. She groans softly as she pushes my jacket and shirt off in one motion.
I scoop her up at the back of her thighs. She knows what I want to do, and she holds onto my shoulders as I lift her up and wraps her legs around me.
I carry her to the desk and sweep my hand over it, sending everything flying, then I gently sit her down and reach to undo my pants.
“I’ve never had anyone consume me the way you do,” Sian murmurs against my skin as she kisses my shoulder. It gives me shivers.
I push my pants down, and my erection stands to attention. I’ve never been so hard for anyone before. I’ve never needed someone so eagerly until her. The fire that burns through my veins whenever I’m near her is reaching new heights.
I reach down and touch Sian through the thin fabric of her panties, leaning in to kiss her again. Her moan gets lost in my mouth when I move the material to the side and slide two fingers across her clit and massage gently. She’s getting wet. I want her dripping for me.
We’re consumed by our kiss, and Sian reaches behind her and undoes her bra, throwing it across the room. Her breasts are perfect. I kiss down her neck and chest, capturing a nipple in my mouth. I suck, tease, nip, and play with it. She whimpers softly as I switch to the other nipple.
“Tate, please,” she groans.
I stand straight and reach down, pulling her panties down her legs, and toss them aside, hooking my hands under her thighs. I scoot her forward in one quick movement, and she gasps as my cock presses against her opening.
I edge myself in slowly, not wanting to hurt her. She moans quietly until I’ve bottomed out inside of her and there’s no more of me to give.
“You okay?” I ask.
“Of course,” she says quietly. “I’m ready.”
I kiss her deeply as I move my hips. I try and move slow and steady at first, but when she moves her hips to meet mine, I lose control. I start moving a little harder. Sian whimpers. I reach between us to finger her clit as I move. She yelps and buries her face against my shoulder. It’s so cute. I use my free hand to tilt her face up and kiss her.
I keep moving until she starts to tense. She’s close; I can feel her squeezing me tight, but I won’t come until she does. I move my fingers faster, and Sian groans my name. I kiss her again, and she clenches around my cock as her orgasm rocks through her. I grab her hips tight and continue to move, letting her ride out her orgasm.
She breaks the kiss, panting, and I move my hips a little faster. “I’m close,” I groan before I bury myself deep inside of her and come. My dick twitches, and I lean down and kiss her head.
Sian looks up at me. “Perfection,” she says quietly.
I’m not perfect at all. I’m from it, but when I’m with her, that is perfection.
We get dressed and straighten up, and I take hold of her hand as we exit my office.
“Wait.” Sian pulls me to a halt and wipes her finger across my lips, getting rid of the lipstick marks.
“That’s better.” She smiles affectionately.