CHAPTER FOURTEEN
S lowly my eyes opened. My favorite woodsy scent crept up my nostrils. Butterflies fluttered in the pit of my stomach. “Where am I?”
His teeth clenched my earlobe. A direct signal shot to my clit. “Oh.”
I circled my ass against his hard cock.
His fingers slipped inside my panties, rounding my clit. My pussy pulsated against his fingers.
“Oh, shit.”
“That’s right, baby. I want you to come.” His tongue trailed along my neck. “Come, so hard in my mouth.”
He laid me flush against the bed. He lifted the T-shirt, he obviously dressed me in. Problem was whenever I wore one of his T-shirts, he was only tempted to peel it off of my body again. He sucked my nipple into his mouth as his thumb circled my nub.
“You’re so wet.”
As crazy as it was, I couldn’t look into his face. Not at that moment. I could barely stand his voice. But I needed him. I needed my boyfriend. The man who wouldn’t betray me. The man I rescued from the bowels of hell.
He slid my panties down my legs and tossed them aside. Spreading my legs, he whispered something to himself. Then his lips sank into my pussy.
My eyelids slammed shut and a pleasurable moan escaped my lips.
“I can’t ever let you go.”
My legs shut around his head and my eyes popped open. I tugged and massaged his scalp desperate to feel his smooth skin under my touch.
He pounded his fist against the bed. “Fuck! Look what’s become of us.”
He grabbed my hand and his lips melted against my palm. His empty deep blue eyes stared into mine.
“Tate.” I cried.
“Yes, baby it’s me.” He turned away hiding his sadness. Tate wasted no time sucking my clit into his mouth. My back arched off the bed as my fingers tangled in his curly hair. The orgasm heightened the faster he flicked his tongue. Shivers shot through my body. He didn’t let up. He constantly attacked my clit with his tongue. Waves of euphoric eruptions swept over my skin. Tate massaged my hips, and the tingles subsided.
“I love you so much. ”
“Chelsea, I love you too.”
I took in his new bedroom and exhaled. We were alone. No one watching us. It was just me and the man I loved.
“Chelsea, I’ll do whatever I can to keep us together.”
“You can’t. Come here.”
His head snapped up. “What?” Confusion flashed in his eyes.
My toes shoved his shorts down his ass and legs. “Make love to me.”
He kicked off his shorts. Gripping my thigh, Tate slid inside my warmth.
His glistening face came into view as he hovered over me. I crushed his lips.
“Chelsea, we’ll leave Haven River.”
I clenched his ass pushing him deeper inside me.
“Shush, don’t stop.”
Tate flipped me over on all fours. He pulled my ass toward him and slipped inside me again.
“I am not giving you up.” He fisted my hair and pounded into me. Tate bit down on my neck.
“You want me to walk away from you. Fuck, no,” he growled.
I slammed back against him, meeting his rhythm. Tate clutched my breasts. Our lips tangled hungerly. He circled inside me and I fell apart in his arms. Another orgasm tore through me breaking me into pieces. Tate stilled and exploded inside me.
“You’re mine,” he roared. Chest heaving, he held my body flush against him. He fell on the bed and pulled me onto his chest.
“Chelsea, we’ll figure it out.”
“Tate, we have to pretend to break up.”
He peeked at me under his wrinkled brows. “Go on.”
“At school we won’t be a couple.”
“Ok.” His eyes narrowed.
“But we can’t really be a couple away from school either. Yet we’ll still be a couple.”
He shook his head.
“Tate, we know we aren’t breaking up even if we do have to see other people.”
“Fuck, that,” he spat.
“I’m not letting you date another guy.”
“Tate, you don’t have a choice. If we break up at least it will allow all this shit to blow over.”
“There’s no way I’m kissing another chick and you are not kissing another guy.”
“But I already have. What if Lake pretends to be my boyfriend?”
“No,” he scowled .
“Or I can link up with some other guy who wouldn’t know we were in a fake relationship and would expect more.”
Tate squeezed his eyes with two fingers. “Fine fake relationship it is. Because I doubt you want me going to jail for beating the shit out of some guy for kissing my woman.”
I pressed my lips against his chest. “No, I don’t.”
“You will date other females.”
“Nope, I’m not doing that.”
“Tate, invite them to sit at your lunch table and to your games.”
He caressed my face. “I need you at my games.”
“I’ll be there cheering you and Lake on.” My lips crushed his.
“That works. And how will I see you?”
“We’ll need a new place to meet.”
“My grandparents have properties all over the city. I will tell my granddad what’s up with Mason and me.”
“Has he seen him?”
“Yeah, he went to visit him at my parents. He understood I didn’t want him here. But if we fake break up, Mason will definitely start popping up to see if you are here.”
“And planting cameras. ”
“There have been only three places we’ve been really alone together. The hotel in London, the hotel on New Year’s, and here.”
He cupped my face. “I promise I will find another place for us to be alone together. Even if I have to tap into my trust fund from the Hughes, because I’m sure my Forrester trust fund is null and void. I will not allow them to take you from me.”
Tears escaped my eyes. “I hate that we can’t be happy. All because of your evil twin and his twisted woman. What kind of girl is ok with her man sleeping with other women to seek revenge? That’s just weird.”
“They’re both nuts.”
“Tate, I’m starving.”
“I’ll be right back.” He climbed into his shorts and darted out of the room.
How long had I been here? I grabbed my cell off the nightstand. My dad called twice, and I had several texts from my friends. I gripped my hair. Shit. My meltdown was all over social media.
I swallowed hard, then called my dad.
“Where the hell are you, Chelsea?”
“With Tate.”
“How could you get in another fight with Marisa?”
“But I didn’t... ”
“You’re the one who’s expelled. Get home now.”
“Yes, Dad.” I ended the call.
Tate placed two plates on the desk across the room. I turned and screamed into the pillow. The bed dipped.
“What happened?” His hand swayed my back.
I peeked up at him. “I’ve been expelled. That bitch pulled my hair, all I did was twist her nipple, so she’d release my hair.”
Tate chuckled.
“What else could I do? She is after all carrying a baby.”
“Come on and eat.”
“My dad ordered me home.”
Tate sat me on his lap and placed a potato chip in my mouth. “I wish we didn’t have to leave. But I probably should pick up Lake your new boyfriend.”
I threw my head back in laughter.
“I’ll take you home after I make love to you a second and a third time.” Tate pecked my lips.
“Not sure when we’ll be together again.” He dropped his forehead against mine.
I caressed his face. “You know we have to break up tonight?”
“Yeah,” he sighed.
∞
I laid on the sofa staring at my father’s lips. They moved a hundred miles a minute. He gestured several times to the house across the street. Not sure why. Mom, already called on her break between surgeries tearing me a new asshole. I think it was obvious I’d never been kicked out of school before.
“God, Dad. What was I supposed to do not defend myself? Then I exited the classroom and who was waiting for me? Mason.” I sat on the edge of the sofa.
“He’s evil. He wants me to be a broken shell. It won’t happen.”
Dad slipped his fingers through his blond hair and sat beside me. “I am proud of you for sticking up for yourself. Do you want to complete the semester in Texas?”
My eyes widened. “No.” Tate would surely lose it if I moved out of state without him. The plan was for us to move together.
The doorbell chimed.
My heart plummeted to my feet. “I’ll get it.”
Tate and I were settling into our lives again and now we had to break up. I felt sick to my stomach. Grabbing the door knob, I swung the door open. “Come in, Tate.”
“What was so urgent that I had to rush right over?”
He closed the door behind him and stalked toward me.
“Tate, we’re over. ”
He chuckled. “No, we’re not. We were just together earlier. What happened?”
“All those pictures of you hooking up with other girls. We haven’t even been home a month, Tate.” I cried.
“What the hell,” dad roared from behind.
He darted past me. “Get out, Tate.”
“Sir, I did nothing wrong.” He widened his arms.
“I haven’t been with another girl.”
“Tate, there’s proof. Just go. I never want to see you again.” My fists slammed into his broad chest.
He caressed my arm. “Can we talk?”
I backed away toward the living room.
“There’s nothing to talk about.” I motioned with my hands behind dad’s back. What was Tate doing? He needed to be a little more convincing.
“Tate, I trusted you with my daughter. I just knew you would never hurt her. How could you break her heart?”
“Dad, this is between me and Tate. I have it handled. He’s leaving.”
“You know what? Good riddance. You’re high maintenance.” He rolled his eyes.
I wanted to laugh. Now he was just being lazy with our break up theatrics.
“Don’t worry, Mr. Culver, you’ll never see me again.”
Tate swung the door open and stormed out .
“That’s right. I never want to see your sorry ass again,” Dad roared, then slammed the door.
I crossed my arms over my chest. “Dad, I could break up with my boyfriend just fine.”
“You two suck at a fake break up. I had to make it look convincing.”
My hand flew over my mouth to hide the laughter. “I’m turning in.”
“What are you two up to?”
“Dad, I haven’t the foggiest idea what you are talking about.”
“Yeah, right? The last time you two really called it quits he was ready to fight me over you. Tate loves you. He wouldn’t jeopardize his future with you.”
“Dad, you can’t tell Mom. If you do...”
“She’ll tell Melissa. I’m aware. Do a better job at school pretending to be upset. Stay away from each other.”
I leaned on my tippy toes and kissed his cheek. “Will do. Thanks, Dad.”
I LAID ACROSS MY RED bedspread, staring at Tate.
“You know this shit sucks. We’re limited to FaceTime every day. I can’t even see you in the hallway because you're expelled. ”
“At least we can see each other. My dad wanted to talk principal Wade out of my week long suspension. I told him don’t bother. Maybe all the chatter would have died down by the time I return to school.”
“I don’t know, babe. I think they are waiting for your return. You’ve announced on social media you’re single. Which I hate, by the way. Not sure that asshole couple will buy our break up.”
“I doubt they will either. But we have to try. This is more so for the girls bidding for your affection. I want the videos to stop. Remember when I return to school, you’ll need to invite girls to sit with you at lunch.”
He slipped his fingers through his hair. “I really don’t want to do that. All I want to do is crush those lips. How about I come over? You can let me in the back door.”
“Dad said we suck at fake break ups and we need to do a better job pretending to hate each other.”
“You’d think we’d be better at faking to hate each other seeing as though we did.”
“It’s hard to fake hate someone you love.”
“You’re right. I need to hold you.”
“Tate, it’s Friday night. I’m sure there’s a party you are supposed to attend. ”
The sexiest smile lit his lips. “Three to be exact. But I’m not going. Meet me at the diner. Wear a baseball cap. I’ll wait for you in a back booth under the name Gramm.”
“Tate, we shouldn’t.”
“I haven’t touched you since Monday. If it wasn’t for FaceTime, I’d be climbing the walls of your house.”
I threw my hand over my face and laughed. “Tate, you’re so romantic.”
“No, baby, I’m not. I need to be. When this shit is over you and I will frequent ritzy restaurants. Now get a move on. I’ll see you in forty-five minutes.”
I waved goodbye before tossing my cell on the bed.
My week was spent studying. The mountain of homework was outrageous. Dad emailed all my teachers requesting extra credit assignments. He wanted to ensure my focus was on my studies. I’d like to think my parents believed I wouldn’t cut myself while I was alone. But deep down I think they were still afraid all the pressure I was under would make me crack. Dad worked from home Tuesday and Wednesday. Mom moved her appointments to Friday so she could stay home Thursday. I hadn’t seen my mother much, so it was a real treat. Today was the first day I was home alone.
The gold Bentley screamed follow me, so I drove the Yukon to the diner. Hm, maybe I should drive the truck next week and park in the back lot. Bet I’d walk into school undetected.
I didn’t wait to be seated. There was only one big booth in the very back. I’d eaten at the diner enough to know where Tate was sitting.
I slid into the booth. “Hey,” I whispered.
His big blue eyes smiled from underneath his favorite team’s cap. “So good to see that beautiful face in person.”
My skin heated. I missed him so much. He locked our fingers, and we scanned the menu.
“Matt said you could probably use your connections to try out for football teams.”
“Yeah, Uncle Lake Sr. knows the owner of my favorite team and a few other important coaches in the league. I’ll try out in April.”
I threw my arms around his neck. “I am so proud of you.”
“I want you there.”
Pulling back, my fingers slipped over his cheek. “Of course, I’ll be there.”
We placed our order with the waitress. She returned with our drinks a short time later.
“I’d been meaning to tell you about Kyle. ”
He sighed as his head thudded the wall. “Rocco told me a few days ago.”
“I can’t believe he knew Mason was alive too.”
“It makes sense now that I think back. He hated we were together. Stephen didn’t give a shit. But Kyle grilled you that night at his party.”
“Yeah. Did you tell him?”
“Nope. I might be able to use the knowledge to my advantage. He doesn’t sit with us anymore. Mason has his own table.”
“Good.”
“That reminds me. My granddad Harlon said I can use one of his condo’s up the street until the end of the school year.”
I looped my arm around his. “Yes.” I sipped my cola.
“Did your granddad Harlon ever ask you to work at his company?”
“He said I could if I wanted too. He also deposited money into my account. My granddad said he always had a bad feeling about grandfather Douglas. He said he had no idea he’d go to such lengths to force my hand into running the Forresters empire.” Tate shook his head. Besides, I much rather work in real estate. ”
The waitress returned and placed our orders before us. We expressed our appreciation, then returned to our conversation.
My hat tipped up as I nuzzled his neck. “So good to have you home.”
“Baby, it feels good to be home in a real bed. The Hughes estate is lavish, but I’d rather live at home with my parents. Not to mention sleep in my bedroom.”
“Tate, maybe you should go home. Or visit on the weekends.”
“I think you’re right. I’ll visit on the weekends for now. If I can tolerate Mason then I’ll return home full time.” He bit into his cheeseburger.
“It’s hard to believe he was living in London for four years. You were the only kid living in your parents’ house now your brother has returned. What is that like?” I slid a forkful of chicken fettuccine into my mouth.
“Sitting in that conference room and in walks Mason. I couldn’t believe it. How was he alive? His need to seek revenge seeped from his bones. His evil stare penetrated my soul. It was enough to make me want to rip his head off. All he wanted was you.”
A chill swept up my spine as I remembered how he tried to pretend to be Tate.
“He couldn’t wait to lock me away. Mason wanted my girl and to ruin my life,” he stated through gritted teeth.
“Do you think he’ll ever change?”
“I don’t know. The second grandfather died, I thought Mason would snap out of it. See that he could become himself again. The revenge shit’s still at the forefront of his mind.”
“Believe it or not he loves Marisa. The way they stare into each other’s eyes...it’s almost like they feed off the other. One thing is for sure, he can do no wrong in her eyes.” I swiped a fry off Tate’s plate.
“Mason thought your family forgot about him. He didn’t know about the holiday candle y’all lit for him every year. For a millisecond, he wanted to do good. I was thankful he put your grandfather in his place. He pulled him off of me. Told him he wouldn’t allow him to abuse me. He grabbed him up by his shirt. Said he knew how he felt about Marisa but he was agreeing to marry me. After Mason carried me out of the office, I tried using his moment of clarity to free you. No such luck.” I shook my head.
“After Matt and I rescued you his hate for you returned. Outweighing anything else.”
Tate gripped my neck, staring into my eyes. He swallowed hard. “I hate I wasn’t able to put him down before he laid a hand on you.”
I rubbed my cheek along his hand. “I love that we’re in our special place.” I peeked up. “The mood lighting is always perfect.”
“Yeah, it is.” He breathlessly took my lips.
I shoved my tongue into his mouth. Tate wasted no time tangling our tongues.
“We have to stop.” I broke our kiss. My head rested on his chest.
“Asshole Tate needs to be present Monday.”
He sighed. “Fine.”