Sweet Hill Homecoming (21 page)

“Yes…” he said a little shaky because between the sinister look in her eyes and her fingers progressively going south, it made his whole body turn on.
 

“Too bad. I had an idea but I think it falls into a gray area.”

Tate raised a brow. “Oh?”

She nodded and Tate glanced down to realize she hadn’t just been tracing the buttons on his shirt, she had been undoing them.
 

“Being with you feels right,” she said, untucking his shirt and opening the last button so she could push it off his shoulders and to the floor.
 

She never took her eyes off his and all Tate could do was nod dumbly because yeah, being with her felt right too.
 

“And I’d like to show you how right.” She pressed a little closer until her mouth brushed against his neck. “But if I show you the way I want, right here, in your office, I fear that might be a little…naughty.”
 

Tate hissed a breath when she gently nipped his earlobe.
 

“Can’t have that,” he rasped back and her shoulders slumped a little.
 
She went to take a step away and Tate grabbed her hips, spun her around, and sat her on his desk.
 

“Oh!” she said, caught off guard but giving her no time to settle because Tate instantly wedged himself between her thighs.
 

“What if I want to show you first?” he said.
 

Her eyes dazzling with realization that he accepted her naughty advance was the last thing he saw before leaning in to taste that amazing smile of hers.
 

“Fuck, Mia,” he groaned. “It’s only been a few days and I’ve missed you. Missed this…”
 

He thrust his tongue deep and it was like drinking down sunshine and happiness. He lost himself. She wanted to show him? Well, he wanted to show her how much in just the past several weeks she’d changed everything in his world.
 

She kissed him hard and her movements turned quick. He loved her passion. The way she clawed at him like she couldn’t get enough. Like she needed him right then. And he wanted to give her everything she needed.
 

She was strong and ferocious with everything, and she didn’t tamper it for his sake. Something he was beyond grateful for.
 

There was so much he wanted to say but couldn’t figure out how. So he just kissed her, wrapped his arms around her tiny little waist and hugged her close. He wanted to feel again what it was like to have Mia Blake’s sole attention. Because he realized real quick, if she gifted you with it, a man could get addicted.
 

“Have me,” she whispered between kisses. “Please.”
 

No sweeter words had ever been said. She was asking, like she said she never would, and Tate knew what that meant. Knew that the tough front and unbreakable façade of hers was chipping. She wasn’t demanding or informing. She was letting him in. And he wouldn’t disappoint.

Kissing down her neck, he rucked her dress up to her hips, exposing the smooth flesh of her thighs. Her skin was so soft, it was like caressing a cloud. He ran his palms higher to grab her panties and peel them down.
 

When her fingers tunneled into his hair, pulling him closer, he lost it. Desperate for her touch. Desperate to worship her in a way he hadn’t gotten to yet. And he wouldn’t wait any longer.
 

He hit his knees and threw both her legs over his shoulders. He kissed her inner thigh, going high and scooting closer to the paradise he was anxious to get lost in.
 

“Tate…” she breathed.
 

Her little pant called to him. All he wanted was his name on her lips. He licked and nipped higher. Until he found her sweet spot.
 

When he ran his tongue along her folds, she squirmed, and he smiled. She was like warm honey. Sweet and sinful.
 

He needed more.

Want was too tame a word when describing his desire for Mia. Maybe it always had been. But tonight, he’d get lost and fall into the need of the moment. And he’d take her down with him.
 

Delving his tongue inside, he relished in her sweetness. Everything from the way she moved to how she let him love on her. Not an ounce of shyness. She allowed him to see her vulnerable, and that was a treasure he wasn’t taking for granted.

She fisted his hair. He looked up to see her leaning back on the other hand, slowly rocking her hips to meet his mouth. So he thrust in and out, going deeper every time. Drinking her down, and loving on her with his mouth, he paused the erotic pace only to lick her swollen little clit. She went wild and the heels of her boots scrapped down his back. The sting only heightened his need.
 

He licked faster, harder. When she was right there on the brink of ecstasy, he sank one finger into her core and she came apart.
 

“Tatum!” His name never sounded so good than when it was screamed from her mouth in pleasure.
 

He lingered, not willing to give up his newest obsession quite yet. Kissing her thighs, he took in every soft taste of her skin. As he pulled away, she was breathing hard and covered in a sheen that only a well pleasured woman could have.
 

“Don’t leave me yet,” she sighed.
 

She didn’t hurry to move or adjust her clothing. She was sinful, legs still spread, sitting on his desk, looking thoroughly pleased. The sight was fucking erotic and Tate’s cock was about to go off just from looking at her.
 

“I want more, Tate,” she said, her bright eyes locking on his.
 

Everything in him wanted to give it to her.
 

“I can do this all night, sweetheart,” he said with a grin.
 

She smiled. “No, I mean, I want more of you.”

She tugged on his belt and he stepped closer. Disappointment rocked him. “I don’t have a condom.” He cupped her face. “Are you on the pill?”
 

She shook her head. “I haven’t been with anyone in a long time so I didn’t see the point.”

Tate frowned. “A long time?”

“Years…” she whispered.
 

If that didn’t shock the hell out of him, nothing would. “How is that possible? Look at you.”

She glanced away and something sad crossed her features. That’s when it hit him: Men always
looked
at her. And he knew that looks could spur unwanted perceptions. Still holding her face in his hands he coaxed her gaze back to him.
 

“I know a lot of people look at you, sweetheart.” He brushed his thumb over her lower lip. “But I see you. All of you. And I want you to understand that you’re more. In every way. You’re just…more.”

Her lips parted and her brows furrowed. Like she couldn’t believe what she’d just heard. For a moment Tate saw water creep up to her lower lashes, but she blinked them back.
 

“This whole time I was thinking the same thing about you, Tatum,” she whispered and kissed his lips softly. “I was also going to say that I brought a condom.”
 

He nipped her bottom lip and she giggled. “You planned to seduce me?”

“Yep.” She leaned over and grabbed a long strip of condoms from her purse and tore one off.
 

Tate raised a brow. “Ah, just how many times were you expecting me to give in?”
 

She smiled. “Every time, of course.”
 

She worked his pants open just enough so that his cock sprang free and she gently sheathed him in the latex. Scooting closer, she wrapped her legs around his waist and he nudged her hot core.
 

Tate groaned as he slowly sank inside of her. “Every time,” he agreed on a ragged breath. He knew that all Mia had to do what glance his way, and he’d come running.
 

When he was sheathed to the hilt, he stilled, enjoying the feeling of being joined with her. Sweeping her palms over his back, she kissed his chest from one side to the other. Tate tilted his head back, just stood, taking in every feel of her. The way she surrounded him. Enveloped him. Experienced him.
 

And he was experiencing her.
 

All the fight, all the sass and all the tenacity he’d gotten from Mia over the past several weeks was nothing compared to the way she loved. Because that’s how Tate felt in that moment. Loved.

Threading his fingers into her hair, he kissed her with every ounce of strength he had. She hugged him closer and Tate stirred his hips, terrified to retreat even an inch. He was buried in a paradise he didn’t want to give up. Not even for a second.
 

“One of these days,” he rasped against her lips, “I’m going to get you all the way on a bed.”
 

He delved his tongue to take a long taste of her.
 

“As long as you hold me,” she whispered, and tilted her hips to take him deeper, “I’m happy.”
 

Tate’s release spiraled through him on that single word. She was happy. He made her happy. And that was the most intense feeling he’d ever had.
 

Chapter Twelve

“This event is going to kick some major ass,” Luke said, helping Tate place the last booth in its assigned spot.
 

They were all painted either red, green or white—per Mia’s instruction last week—and already made the ballroom a little more festive.
 

“She’s done an amazing job,” Tate said, double checking to make sure all the index cards and labels were still on the booths so everyone knew which booth they were assigned for set up tomorrow.
 

Annie’s Café booth, where she’d display her pies, was right next to Yolanda’s House of Yarn. Check. Tate marked a little note on the map and thought about how much hotter Mia looked with a clipboard than he did.

But everything was coming together. It seemed like most of the small businesses in town, nearly all signed up to help raise funds for the drive.
 

“Careful, you’re looking a little moon-eyed there,” Luke said, nudging Tate’s shoulder.
 

“I think I’m falling in love with Mia.” He didn’t even realize he said it out loud—and so easily—until Luke’s shocked expression hit him.
 

“Oh shit…” Luke said as if Tate had just told him he slipped poison into his dinner or something.
 

Tate frowned. “What?”
 

Luke took off his ball cap, scratched his head, and then put it back on. “She’s not a lifer, Tate. You know that. Not the kind you’ve talked about finding anyway.”

True, Tate had thought he knew what kind of woman he wanted. Mia changed that in a hurry.
 

“She’s more than anything I thought I wanted. Everything about her is extreme. Everything she does—she goes all in. I’ve never known a single person like her and she makes me want to be the kind of man that is deserving of her. The kind of man that can keep up.”

“What about all the other stuff that comes with a woman like her?” Luke put up his palms because Tate gave him a shut-the-fuck-up look with enough heat behind it to be a threat. “I’m not dissing on Mia. Calm down. She’s a cool girl. It’s just I know you. Mia is very different. Not to mention, men hit on her all the time and I thought she said she wasn’t interested in a long term relationship right now.”

“Whatever she wants and will give me, I’m going to take. Long term, short term, I don’t fucking care.” Though Tate did. If she went with short term, he’d take it as a challenge to change her mind to long. “She looks at me like…” Tate shook his head. “It’s like she already sees in me the man I’m trying to be.”
 

“That’s awesome.” Luke slapped Tate’s shoulder. “I just worry you haven’t made peace with the unknown. Because imagine how hard it’s going to be to let her go if she’s not interested in the same end game you are.”

Tate had imagined it. And didn’t like the thought so he just cut it off and refused to go any deeper into it. If she really wasn’t interested in a long term future with him, then what?

He shook his head. Sweet Hill was his home. Mia was here and his community was here. Everything would just have to work. All he focused on was that he had some time to convince her they could make it work. To show her how he felt and maybe, it just might be enough. He might be enough.
 

“I appreciate your concern, but I have this covered, alright?”
 

 
“Alright.” Luke put his hands into his pockets. “You going to the game tonight?”

“Of course.”

Ten hours until Kyle’s game. The kid was cleared to play and the scout would be there. This past week Tate hadn’t seen anyone near him or giving him a hard time. Maybe whatever was going on with him was finally over.
 

“I’ll see you tonight then,” Luke said.
 

Tate nodded. It was a beautiful Friday morning and with any luck, he’d be off his shift by five and with Mia at the game at seven.