CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
TATE
T he pressure was building and building, and I was ready to break. Sitting in that dungeon, I had nothing but time to figure out what to do with my brother. The moment I was able to pound his face in gave me new life. He kissed my woman while I was locked away. He made plans to marry and impregnate my woman. Killing my own brother consumed my thoughts most days. Chelsea asked that we handle them together. I’d try to control my rage when the time came to have a face-to-face meeting with him. Right now, all that mattered was getting lost in Chelsea this weekend. I whipped my T-shirt over her head and chucked it on the floor. My teeth clenched her bottom lip, as I gripped her ass cheek, and buried my cock deep inside of her.
I’d do anything for her. She had no idea how far I was willing to go to keep her locked in my arms. Murder wasn’t off the table. Stroking deeper inside her, I watched her come undone for me. I was the only man who’d bear witness to such beauty.
“Take it all, Chelsea.”
Arms anchored around my neck, she stood on her knees. I plunged inside of her, keeping a steady rhythm. Her head dropped back and my tongue slid across her collarbone.
“Tate, don’t stop. Faster,” she breathed.
Her orgasm was coming. I loved watching her beautiful face contort. Nothing more beautiful in this world. Lying her on her back, I sat on my knees and slid inside her warmth again. Holding her thigh, I plowed into her. Chelsea’s eyes hooded and the cutest smile lit her lips. I knew she was ready to explode. The action movie playing in the background couldn’t drown out our skin making constant contact. One of her breasts rose and fell under my hand. I loved every minute. Our eyes locked as her body shook in my grasp. Tiny shivers waved over her skin. I didn’t let up. A sea of steady strokes brought on a ripple effect as she came again.
I fell apart inside of her as I slammed into her heat a final time. “You’re mine,” I grunted, through gritted teeth. I slumped over her chest heaving. “I’ll kill him,” I repeated on a loop .
Chelsea held my head against her heaving bosom. “Tate, no.” she cried.
After I thoroughly cleaned Chelsea, I warmed up our hot chocolate. Resting my head against the headboard, I peeked down at her. “Are you all right?”
“No.” Lying in the crook of my arm, she swayed my hand along her belly under the blanket as she sipped the piping hot cocoa.
My lips pressed against the side of her head. “I can’t sit on my hands any longer.”
“At least hear Rocco out tomorrow.”
She met my gaze.
My lips melted against hers. “Ok.”
I woke up in need of my face being between her legs again. My hunger for her was always insatiable. My friends witnessed first hand over the years my need to be near her. She just had no idea how bad it was. The second I received my driver's license I drove to her little hick town, sat in the bleachers and watched her run cross country. Just watching her run off into the distance and return kept me from losing it.
But when she returned to Haven River for good, I hung on by a thread. The second she stood on her porch and kissed Ethan, I knew I had to shut that shit down. My stubborn princess wasn’t trying to hear what I had to say. But the way she whimpered against my lips in my backyard, told me everything I needed to know. She wanted us just as bad. That fucker was working on borrowed time. She was my woman. Always had been. So you could imagine my rage when I learned my brother returned from the dead and wanted her for himself. No motherfucking way. If my brother would have stopped the stupid games once we were back in Atlanta, maybe I wouldn’t be ready to commit murder. Mason knew what he was doing. It was all a part of his mischievous revenge plan. He needed to get the fuck over it already. Chelsea was back in my arms where she belonged and nothing would change that. Poor Lake received the brunt of my anger. It wasn’t his fault Chelsea, and I had to run around in secret.
I considered being civil. Mason and I could pound each other’s face in, until I was the last man standing. My lips tipped up.
“Tate. Tate, wake up.”
I must’ve been dreaming about bashing in Mason’s face.
My eyes slowly opened. “Huh?”
That cute little nose slid along my neck. “I cooked breakfast come and eat. ”
My hand swayed over her ass. “I already ate.”
She giggled. “That was so fucking good. But I’d like it if you join me downstairs.”
I sighed. “All right.”
Chomping on a slice of bacon, I stood with Chelsea staring out the window at the thick fluffy snow sticking to the ground.
“The weather channel said we may get six inches of snow. We’ll be snowed in until Tuesday.”
I kissed her cheek. “Fine by me. No place I’d rather be than right here with you.”
Her finger swept over my nose. “Me either.”
Chelsea shook her head trying to shake off my spell. I chuckled inside.
“First, we need to talk to Rocco.” She tugged my hand until I was sitting at the counter next to her.
She placed the cell on the marble counter between us.
The phone rang on speaker.
“Hello.”
“Hey, Rocco. Tate and I are here.”
“Rocco, what’s up?” I slipped my fingers through my tousled hair.
“I dug up info on the crazy chick. ”
“How crazy is she?” I caressed Chelsea’s arm.
“Full on stalker. Once you are in her line of sight, there’s almost no way of escaping.”
“How many other guys?”
“Four including you. They transferred to other schools.”
“I am not doing that shit. It’s obvious we need to prove she’s crazy. Once she’s locked up, she can’t cause anymore trouble. Chelsea would be safe again.”
“Rocco, did you find a connection between Marisa and Regina?” she asked.
“No. She probably paid her in cash.” Chelsea dropped her head and growled. I rubbed her back.
“I agree with Tate. Focus on proving she’s insane. If you don’t, I’m afraid she might follow you both to college.”
“Rocco, Regina said her father relocated to Atlanta for a job. Where does he work?” She bit her lower lip.
“Shit. Brauner Holdings.”
Chelsea’s eyes lit up. “I knew there was a connection. Can you forward her address and license plate info to my Sabrina email?”
“Sure.”
“Did anyone file restraining orders?” I asked.
“Yeah, two chicks who almost lost their lives.”
Chelsea gasped. “What the hell? ”
“Yeah, one girl’s car flew off the bridge with her in it. She was smart enough to roll down the window before the car hit the water and climbed out. The police couldn’t prove the faulty brake line on the new truck caused the accident.”
Chelsea rolled her eyes. “Oh please. We know she did it.”
“The other girl was nearly trapped in the girls burning locker room at school. She escaped within an inch of her life. You have to be careful not to piss her off, Chelsea.”
“I have a plan.” A devilish smile took her lips.
“We will drive her crazy. Her parents will be forced to commit her to a mental institution.”
“Let me know what you need.”
“Will do. Thanks, Rocco.”
“No problem. Bye, guys.”
Chelsea disconnected the call.
“God,” she screamed, jumping to her feet.
“This is crazy.”
I stood, pulling her into my arms. “Hey, we’ll get through this together. Tomorrow before we leave, we’ll devise a list of ways to display her craziness.”
Chelsea sighed. “Sounds like a plan.”
“I think we should build a snowman in the backyard, then warm up inside while baking chocolate chip cookies. ”
She wrapped her arms around my neck and leaned up on her tippy toes, kissing my lips. “Today will be a blast.”
I loved watching her face light up.
The remainder of Saturday we spent playing video games and watching movies. Making love was obvious. We couldn’t get enough of each other. We’d have to be careful returning to our special place at least for a few weeks.
∞
We studied Regina’s routine for a week. Rocco hacked her laptop, and we bugged her house.
Regina insisted I meet her parents. I agreed.
“Rocco, we’re in place,” Chelsea stated, over the earbud.
Rocco and I sat outside in a white painter’s van. We watched the live feed camera on Chelsea and Megan’s jacket. Rocco unlocked their computerized house. The girls slipped inside. They scurried up to her personal bathroom and changed out her brand of toothpaste for the one we added numbing cream to.
Connie and Matt stood outside the organic grocery store pretending to ask customers to sign a petition. They chatted with Regina’s parents, asking them to help save the town mall from closing. It wasn’t closing, but they didn’t need to know that. I laughed inside.
Chelsea and Megan walked into Regina’s closet and sprinkled itching powder on her uniforms, underwear, and the dress that was displayed on a single hanger on the closet door.
“I bet this is the dress she’s wearing for Tate tonight.” Chelsea and Megan laughed.
“All right, ladies, you need to get out of there.”
I peeked at the second monitor. “Connie and Matt just walked away from the parents.”
“We’re on our way out,” Chelsea stated.
Hiding behind, dark wigs, hats, and sunglasses the girls peeked both ways before crossing the street and hopping into the van.
“What an adrenaline rush,” Megan exhaled.
“Yeah, that was cool.” Chelsea smiled.
They peeled off their disguises. Carefully, they ditched their leather gloves and the itching powder in a disposable plastic bag.
Rocco climbed into the driver’s seat and drove toward the supermarket.
My cell rang, and I looked at the screen.
“Chelsea, it’s for you. ”
Her eyebrows rustled together as she grabbed the phone from my hand.
“Hey, Matt.”
She glanced out of the windshield. “We are pulling up now. I see you guys. Rocco, they are on the left.” She hung up the phone.
My best friend had forgiven Chelsea but not me. Today was the first time he called my cell in a long time. I figured he’d rather talk to Chelsea. She scooted into my lap. “Why didn’t you talk to Matt?”
“Chelse, I don’t want to argue about him. We’ll talk about it later.”
The side door slid open, and he climbed inside, shutting the door behind him. Connie hopped in the front seat.
Matt released a low whistle. “Rocco, nice surveillance set up.”
Rocco grinned from ear to ear. “Thanks, dude.”
Megan dropped her head on Matt’s chest. Those two were confusing as hell. They always ran hot and cold. His head thudded the wall. He was deep in thought. More than likely about her. I knew Matt better than anyone. He loved Megan. But if he couldn’t have her the way he wanted her, he’d rather be miserable and walk away. Megan lifted her head long enough to zip down his jacket then placed her head against his heart, clutching him tight.
His fists clenched at his sides. He was warring with himself to keep his hands off of her.
“Matt, how did it work out with Regina’s parents?” I swallowed hard. Taking one for the team. Even if my friend wanted nothing to do with me, I had to save him.
He smiled. “It was like feeding candy to a baby. I gave them a complete rundown of the history of the mall.”
Chelsea chuckled. “Matt, that was awesome.”
Connie peeked over her shoulder. “Regina’s mother was perversely attracted to Matt. She smiled and laughed at everything he said. Her husband turned red as an apple.”
We burst into laughter.
Rocco rolled to a stop in my grandparents driveway.
Chelsea caressed my cheek. “We’ll be right up the street tonight. Don’t eat their food.”
“I’ll only eat bread if they have it.”
“Good. We’re all hanging at the theater in Alpharetta afterwards.”
I pressed my lips against hers. “I can’t wait, Chelse.”
SITTING ACROSS THE table from crazy Regina grated on my nerves. I couldn’t stand being in her presence. She asked me for two weeks straight if I’d have dinner with her family. She insisted we were meant to be together, based on how cute we were together. What the fuck? Regina was attractive but her crazy persona made her unattractive.
I straightened my red tie a few times.
“Tate, relax,” Chelsea said in the earbud.
I knew her and the geek squad got a kick out of this shit show.
“Mr. and Mrs. Bright, you have a lovely home.
His smile widened. “Thank you. I understand you and our little girl make quite the couple.”
My lips twisted. “I’m sorry. We aren’t a couple. We’re friends.”
My brows wrinkled as I brought the fork full of peas to my lips.
I peeked across the table. “Regina, everything ok?”
She scratched at her arms. “Fine,” she babbled. Drool hung from her lip.
My fork clinked against my plate. It took every muscle in my face to hold back the laughter.
“Regina,” Mrs. Bright hopped to her feet, ushering her daughter out of the room.
“Excuse us.” I rose as they vacated the dining room.
“I hope she will be ok. ”
“Tate, I am so sorry about dinner. I’m sure Regina will be ok,” Mr. Bright stated.
“She... Never mind.”
“What’s on your mind, Tate.”
I leaned in. “Sir, I’ve told your daughter several times we are just friends, but she threatened me.”
The burly dude laughed. “What? You feel threatened by a girl?”
“No, Mr. Bright, but she behaves strangely at school. She has a voodoo doll that looks like me in her locker. Regina said if I didn’t join your family for dinner, she’d kill me. Sir, obviously the doll isn’t real. But if the principal finds it. Let’s just say she’ll get kicked out,” I whispered.
“Several students are afraid of her random outbursts in class. After tonight, the drooling and itching. Sir, I’m concerned for her well-being. I don’t mean to overstep but she should probably be in a mental hospital. You don’t want her inflicting harm on an innocent person.”
“I assure you my daughter is just fine,” he grimaced.
“Is this the first time she’s behaved this way?”
He clenched his fist and didn’t answer.
Her parents were in denial. Regina was a bomb waiting to explode.
“Tate. ”
I peeked at Mrs. Bright standing in the archway.
“Yes, ma’am?”
“I do apologize. Regina’s under the weather. We’ll have to have you over another time.”
“Thanks, for having me over.” I stood, shaking Mr. Bright’s hand. He was deep in thought about what I said. If her parents didn’t institutionalize her, we would.
I kissed Mrs. Bright’s cheek on my way out. My eyes darkened the moment I stepped over the threshold.
The perfect way to start off our night out was watching the new Marvel movie at the theater. We arrived early and ordered our meals. Our group occupied the first row off the stairs.
Grease dripping from my cheeseburger never looked so good. I picked up the piping hot sandwich and devoured a mouthful of all my favorite toppings. “Oh god, the lettuce and the patty together never tasted so good,” I moaned.
Our friends stared at me.
“Starving Forrester,” Matt snickered.
I whipped the back of my hand across my mouth wiping away the mayo.
“Dude, did you see those half-cooked peas on my plate? ”
“Yeah, and you almost ate them,” Matt snickered.
Everyone laughed.
I pointed past Chelsea. “Rocco, those button cams are the best.”
“Thanks. It was fun pulling out all my gadgets for a good cause. To save my friend,” he grinned at her.
I swear he still held a torch for my girl.
“Yeah, you all came through for Chelse.”
I bumped her shoulder.
“We stick together,” Connie smiled.
“Thanks guys. Today was a blast. I admit I was a little scared. I felt my heartbeat in my ears.”
“Me too.” Megan peeked at Chelsea.
“Getting that opportunity to take back my power. Felt good. I can’t get over she threatened to kill me.” She sniffled, then a devilish smile crept across her lips.
“We will finish her.”
Her revenge snarl was such a fucking turn on.
“The drooling and scratching was a nice start to her take down.” Chelsea’s evil smile remained.
Everyone burst into laughter.
“The look on your face, Tate. I swear I thought you’d laugh in her face.”
I threw my head back, laughing. “Matt, I wanted to, but I had to keep my focus. ”
“Rocco, please tell me we can watch that footage again?” Connie pleaded.
“We sure can.” He sipped his cola.
“She didn’t know what hit her,” Megan giggled.
I tore into my hamburger again.
“Tate, slow down. Give us a chance to catch up.”
“Matt, I can’t. I am starving.”
The theater darkened as the first preview popped on the screen.
Thirty minutes later, Chelsea looped her arm through mine engrossed in the movie. Our friends oohed and ahhed around us. It appeared the geek squad enjoyed Marvel movies as much as me, Matt, and Chelse. They were all right.
My lips pressed against her ear. “I love you, baby.”
She caressed my cheek. “I love you, too.”
Our goal to get rid of Regina was almost complete.
We had a few more tricks up our sleeves.