CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
L ake and Connie entered our team names on the scoreboard. Tying my shoe, I peeked at the other end of the bowling alley. Tate stared back. Our pull was monumental. I wanted to run to him, and snuggle in his big strong arms. God, I couldn’t wait until later tonight to be with him. Tate wore a black baseball cap low over his eyes. Dark, chiseled, and brooding never looked so good.
“All right, Chelsea, you and I are up.” Lake cocked a crooked smile.
I stepped over and selected a ball.
“Lake, me and the guys are setting up beside you and the geek squad.”
Asshole number one has joined us. Great.
I glanced over my shoulder. “Ugh. You are so lame, Tate.”
My friends rolled their eyes and shot him the middle finger. His arrogant gaze roved over them. He wasn’t at all offended .
“Relax princess, my friends and I won’t interrupt your playtime,” he snickered, turning his cap backwards.
Stephen gripped his shoulder and whispered in his ear. He glanced at the grinning waitress. Tate’s smile widened. He walked over and struck up a conversation.
Asshole Tate had definitely returned? Or, was I the only one oblivious that he was always an asshole?
“Chelsea, Chelsea.” Megan shook my arm.
“Huh?”
“You’re staring. Did you forget you’re on a date?”
I wanted to squeeze my eyes closed, but I couldn’t. I needed to concentrate to have fun because Tate was bowling two lanes over.
“Thanks, Megan.”
I turned to our friends. “Alright, I’m up.”
I stalked toward the lanes with total concentration on the game. The bowling ball released from my hand and barreled toward the ten pins. Jumping up and down I squealed with anticipation. The ball crashed knocking down eight pins.
“Yeah,” my friends screamed.
“Lake, a strike. Good stuff.” We slapped hands.
“Chelsea, he’s not on our team,” Connie growled.
“But, he’s my date and so cute, right? ”
Connie laughed. “Sure is. If I were into cradle robbing, he’d definitely be my first target.”
“We’re only two years apart.”
“I think you also have a thing for cocky guys.”
I shoved her as a chuckle dropped from my mouth. “You are such the jokester tonight.”
She peeled back her blue jean jacket and flashed the flask.
“Oh, I’ll definitely take that.”
“Trevor has one too. We’re set for the night.”
I glanced at my friends. “You guys are the best.”
Connie placed the flask in my hand, then she strolled to the lane.
Our lane was at the very end. Perfect place to drink.
“Trevor, who’s the designated driver?”
“None of us. I rented a stretch Hummer for tonight.” He hooked his arm around the redhead girl. “You know this being my first date and all.” He introduced us earlier to Raven who attended Haven River.
“Awesome, Raven looks like you’re up next show us what you got.” I turned up the flask, pouring a stream of vodka down my throat. The burn lingered then crashed into the pit of my stomach.
My hair cascaded over my shoulders as I danced in a circle. This moment was what I needed. To be lost and free. Lose sight of the danger looming at every turn. My bodyguard was outside. He had my back. The toasty bowling alley made me forget it was winter, if just for a little while.
“Stephen, Mr. All-American. Gutter ball. What happened?”
He flipped me the bird. It was just like old times minus Matt. I hated my best friend couldn’t hang with us. That had to change soon. Hopefully, before I graduated from Haven Saints Tate and I could hang out with our friends together. Not apart like we were tonight.
A smile crept across my lips as I peered at my friends, laughing, talking, and chowing down on pizza. I leaned on my elbow against the top of the circular seat.
“Are you alright?”
I peeked at him. He stared at me from the other side of the circular leather seat. I returned my attention to the lanes.
“Yes. What are you doing over here?” I mumbled, under my breath.
“Checking on my woman. I figured an hour in and everyone’s inebriated this was a good time to see how you were holding up.”
“I am enjoying my friends.”
He quickly crossed over sitting behind me .
“Tate, don’t. I can promise if you touch me, I’ll fall apart.”
Bowling balls crashing into pins filled the air around us.
“I won’t. After what happened at the game, I needed to be next to you.” Concern laced his words.
My eyes closed briefly.
“Cosmic bowling has begun,” an employee announced overhead.
My eyes popped open. Neon lights danced throughout the dark bowling alley.
“You play asshole convincingly.”
“Baby, I never pretended not to be an asshole. I was just no longer an asshole to you. Later tonight, I plan to bury my face between your legs and feast on your goodness that I love so much.”
His words left me breathless before he walked away. I swear I came a little. Only Tate had that effect on me. Faking I was attracted to Lake after that moment was difficult. Was that my boyfriend’s plan all along?
I strolled over to Connie and threw my arms around her neck from behind. “Vodka please?”
I took a swig after she gave me the flask.
“What did king douche want? And don’t lie. Not sure what’s up with you two, but I can tell you are still fucking him. And if I can, others can too. ”
I felt his eyes on me, but I didn’t peek. We were failing at pretending to not be in a relationship.
“You got me. I fell victim to him earlier. It’s just sex.”
She snickered. “The way he looks at you. That’s not lust. It’s love.” She gasped. “He loves you.”
Connie turned and yanked me into a dark corner.
“We’ve been friends since the school year started. I know you are holding out. You can trust me.”
Connie was the only person who didn’t care I was the outcast.
“I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want to involve you in our dangerous world.”
Her eyes widened. “Dangerous?” She pondered on my words. “Spill.”
I divulged the important details in fifteen-minutes.
“Connie, close your mouth. You’ll draw attention to us.” I scanned the lanes. Lake, Tate and one of his jock buddies argued probably about sports. Rocco couldn’t stop smiling at Kelsea. They needed to come out with us more often.
My eyes fell back on Connie.
“Tate’s an asshole but Mason’s down right evil.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “My ex-best friend wants me dead. And she’s sent the deep southerner from down home Alabama to handle her dirty work. I will take her down.”
She pulled me into a hug. “Whatever you need let me know.”
“I can’t pull you into my fucked up world.”
“Nonsense, we are in this together.”
“Thanks, Connie. Let’s join the gang.”
∞
Mr. Finch searched every room of the condo for listening devices, and explosives.
I sat on the off-white sofa twirling the door key between my fingers. The light from the street lamp cascaded through the window across the gray paisley chair across from me.
Heavy footsteps pounded the wooden stairs.
“Why are you sitting in the dark?”
“I didn’t want to touch anything until you were finished with your walk through.”
He nodded. “Smart.” Mr. Finch rubbed his gruff face. My tall, stalky bodyguard continued into the kitchen.
“Where’s Tate?”
He stepped back into view, flipping on the crystal chandelier.
“Not sure.” My smile rose and fell. “He’ll be here. ”
Mr. Finch’s ears perked up. “Someone’s at the back door,” he whispered. His fingers flew over his lips.
My heartbeat pounded against my ribcage. Did someone find our secret place?
My bodyguard slipped his gun from his holster and stalked toward the back of the house.
“Hands up,” Mr. Finch growled. His deep vocals rattled my body.
“What the hell? It’s my house.”
“Keep your hands up and walk into the living room.”
Tate’s brooding face came into view.
“Ms. Culver, is this Tate?”
I walked toward him. “Yes.”
“How can you tell them apart?”
“Tate grew his hair out. We also agreed on a secret number only he and I would know.”
Tate’s hands remained in the air.
“What’s our number?”
“Eight,” he sighed.
I fell against his thick winter jacket. Tate kissed the top of my head and gripped my waist. His strong arms squeezed me tight through my coat.
“Thank you for keeping her safe, Mr. Finch.”
“You’re welcome. Why did you enter the back door? ”
“I parked two condo units back.” He gestured over his shoulder.
“Just in case someone was watching us they wouldn’t see us walk into the same house. It was also best we didn’t arrive at the same time. I had to drive around for twenty-minutes before arriving to ensure no one followed me.
I stepped beside Tate.
His heavy hand landed on Tate’s shoulder.
Mr. Finch nodded. “If you two decide you want to leave this weekend call me. I’ll be here in a heartbeat.”
I smiled. “Thank you so much, Mr. Finch.”
“You’re welcome.”
I sank into the sofa. Tate locked the door behind my bodyguard.
“Wow, that guy’s thorough.” He shrugged off his winter coat then tossed it on the chair. Tate sat on the sofa and kicked off his boots.
“He has to be. That bitch is really certifiable.”
His brow rose. “Agreed.” I’ll take your coat and boots. “You’re probably cold. Give me a sec. I’ll turn on the heat and start a fire.”
“Do we have food for the weekend? ”
“Yes, my granddad's assistant stocked the fridge and cabinets with items we like. Well that was what I requested. I’ll check.”
“Ok. I’ll walk around after you get that fire going.”
“Where’s your bag?”
“Not sure. Mr. Finch carried it upstairs.”
“Ok.” He tossed a match into the fireplace and pushed the logs around with the poker.
“Connie asked what was really going on between us,” I hesitated. “I told her.”
“Shocked you waited this long.”
“I didn’t want to endanger her. I already involved Matt and Rocco.”
“No, we did. I won’t allow you to take the blame alone.” He peeked over his shoulder. “I am proud of you, baby.”
My cheeks heated.
“Would you like tea or hot chocolate?” He stood and stretched those muscles. My body vibrated with need. I was tired of being away from him.
“Tate, come here.”
I gripped the edge of my sweater sleeves into my palms. He sat and pulled me into his lap.
“I wish we never had to leave.”
My head rested on his chest. I could feel his heart racing .
“Me either. You know I didn’t want to play today, and then she sat behind you. If Mr. Finch wasn’t there, I would have put a stop to her bullshit.”
“I hoped you wouldn’t have stepped off the court.”
He massaged my leg. “Not taking action is taking its toll. I want to kill my own brother. He’s returned from the dead and has done nothing but stir up trouble.”
Our blue-eyed gaze locked. “I want to be free to kiss you in public. Take you anywhere I want.”
He widened his hands. “Not hide out here. I have to confront Mason. Chelsea, I can’t guarantee the outcome. He needs to be put down.”
I caressed his face. “Tate, we will figure it out together.”
“Are you warm?”
He changed the subject.
“A little.”
“We’ll relax upstairs in front of the fireplace. We can drink hot chocolate and watch a movie.”
My eyes rolled in the back of my head. “That sounds perfect.”
He laughed. “We’ll create special memories right here until we head off to college.”
My lips pressed against his. “I am all for creating beautiful memories we’ll never forget.”
Lying fireside, I was mesmerized by the orange and blue flames warming my skin. Tate was in the kitchen grabbing snacks and our hot chocolate. His duffel bag caught my attention. I darted over and retrieved a T-shirt. I whipped off my panties and stuffed them in my bag he placed next to his. Tate’s fingers caressing my body was what I wanted more than anything else at that moment. We’d tackle a plan on how to handle Mason and Marisa. I swept my hair over one shoulder and returned to the bear skin run. I flipped through the channels until I found an action movie.
“You found my favorite movie.” His boisterous deep voice bounced off the walls as he walked into the room. Tate placed the tray of goodies on the floor at my side.
“I did. Who could ever not watch Iron Man one through three at least a hundred times?”
His lips melted against mine. “At least.” That boyish smile I missed appeared. He was the boy I always loved. Now he was all grown up.
“Tate strip down to your boxers. I want to caress that muscled chest.” I winked.
“I have something else for you to caress.” He flashed a cocky grin .
He tugged his shirt over his head and tossed it aside. “As promised, you’d be on your knees.” He hooked his finger in the air, drawing me closer.
“The affection you showed my cousin was over the edge. A quick friendly hug. Not bodies touching. You’re my woman,” he growled.
I blinked, and he had completely shed every stitch of clothing. Standing on my knees, I peered into his lust filled eyes. My fingers smoothed along his hips. His rock-hard cock stole my attention. I gulped then my lips parted. Tate’s fingers massaged my scalp, pulling me closer. I stroked his length and slipped my lips over the head.
“Fuck, Chelse.” His head fell back.
I only ever loved my nickname falling from his lips. It was an instant turn on. Gripping his dick, I sucked faster. He fisted my hair and stilled into my mouth. I stared at him as I swallowed his release. He helped me to my feet and pressed his lips against mine.
I scooted onto the bed. “Lie back.”
Dropping to his knees, he lowered his head between my legs and his tongue circled my clit.
“Tate, I needed you.” Tears seeped down the sides of my face.
He paused. “Damn it, baby, believe me I know. I needed you too.”
I tugged his silky locks every time his tongue slid inside of me. My back arched and my legs trembled as a surge of heat shot through my body. The uncontrollable tears continued. They tried to steal the man I loved. They had to pay.
Tate scooped me up. He sat us in front of the fire, resting his head against the bed. I caressed his neck as Tate held me tight in his embrace. The salty tears slipped over my lips.
“Cry as long as you need to. Chelsea, I’ll do everything in my power to keep you safe.”
An alarm went off in my head. I straddled him, gripped his face, and stared into his eyes. He was ready to destroy the world to protect me. Shit.
“You can’t do anything crazy. Remember, you just asked me not to behave recklessly. You can’t either. I know you want them to pay, but we have to figure this out together. You need to hear me, Tate. Don’t take matters into your own hands.”
Darkness flashed in his eyes.