Chapter Eighteen

Reed

I wasn't proud of how I handled Tatum's warning about her ex.

All I wanted was for her to know he wasn't going to scare me off or hurt her again. I wasn't worried about him coming after me, but she didn't know I could destroy his life without leaving a trace behind. Hell, I could do it without so much as leaving my house.

"C'mon, let's head inside," I say, opening the truck door. I held my hand out for her and helped her down. "You look far too good tonight to be sad. Let's have some fun."

She accepts my hand, letting me guide her across the parking lot and into the bar. It's packed tonight. I guess word must've gotten out that the football team would be here to celebrate their win. Judging by the size of the crowd, I'd guess most of the campus was here to join us.

Tate releases my arm when we step inside, and I resist reaching to pull her back to me. I understand why even though I hate it.

I spot our group of friends by our usual tables and lead her over. Tate smiles when she spots Colter's sister, Wyatt, among the group. She pulls her in for a warm hug. I'm pleased when I see Knox and Zane are here as well.

"Everything good?" Hayes asks. Beckham studies me for a long pause, his attention flicking from me over to Tatum.

I'm understanding the phone call I overheard with Talon now more than ever.

"She's good," I reply, nodding firmly.

Colter and Beckham step away to get drinks for the girls. Hayes ends up joining them, and I choose to hang back, deciding not to drink in case I needed to drive. I trusted Colter to stick to one. He's not one to overindulge when he's driving.

The song changes, and Hallyn pulls Tate with her and Ava out onto the dance floor. Tate might play coy, but there's no denying the looks she shoots in my direction or the way she bites her lip when she catches me watching her.

Wyatt sidles up to me. "You and Tatum seem to have hit it off since she moved here."

"We're roommates." I shrug. "She's staying in the room next to mine, ya know?"

She smirks. "Oh, we're still playing the ‘roommate' card. I figured the secret was out with all those flirty looks you two send each other."

Sometimes I forget she's Colter's little sister. Though they don't look alike—Colter takes after their mom and Wyatt their dad—they sure as hell act alike.

"What's with you hanging around more after closing? Any reason?" she asks.

"We're friends?" I say, though it sounds more like a question. "I give her a ride home from work sometimes since she doesn't have a car."

"I've offered her a ride home too. It's right on the way for me. She turns me down, though. Guess she'd rather get a ride from her roommate ."

She tilts her head to the side, pasting a mischievous grin on her face.

"How'd you figure it out?"

"Figure what out, Reed? That you're in love with her?"

"It's not what you think."

Wyatt snickers and nods. "Oh, right. Still the roommate thing. Got it."

"Just answer the question."

"You know, for someone as observant as you are, you can be pretty clueless sometimes."

I narrow my eyes. "Care to elaborate?"

"If you're not in love with her, then I'm not in love with Zane." She gestures toward the dance floor, leaning her forearms on the bar.

I hadn't expected her to come out with it so directly. I've noticed her and Zane's on-again, off-again friendship. One second, she hates him, and the next, she's trying to get under his skin.

"What I'm trying to say is, sometimes, no matter how hard we try, we can't deny what the heart wants. You don't have to pretend with me, Hendrix. You might think you're good at hiding it, but it's pretty obvious you're in love with her."

I narrow my eyes. "I think you're too young to understand what love is."

"Oh, that's rich," she replies, rolling her eyes with a mocking tone. "I hadn't heard that one before."

I think my comment struck a nerve. Something tells me it has to do with Zane too. Or maybe the problem is she's Colter's sister, and there's no way in hell he'd approve of her hooking up with a player like him.

"Just take it from me," Wyatt says, clapping me on the shoulder. "Wise up and tell her soon, or you might fuck yourself over like your teammate."

She slips past me, disappearing into the crowd. Her words hang in the air as I turn back to the dance floor, watching Tate laugh and dance with the girls.

When the song changes to something slower, I say, "fuck it," and head out there with them. Hallyn eyes me as I stalk toward Tate, a grin taking over her face when she realizes what I'm doing.

"Dance with me." I pull Tate toward me.

She flicks her gaze around the bar, checking to see if anyone's watching. "I don't think we should—"

"Knock it off." I cut her off. "Two friends can't dance? It's not like I'm pulling your pants down and fucking you right here in the middle of the dance floor, Tate."

She sucks in a sharp breath as I wrap my arms around her. I fold her other hand in mine.

"I hope no one heard you," she whispers low enough for only me to hear.

"Why is that, sweetheart?" I ask.

"I thought we agreed to keep this between us?"

"You think Everly doesn't know already?"

Tate leans away, her gaze narrowing on mine. "She doesn't, not unless you told her."

I chuckle and shake my head. "Mm-hmm, blame it on me, why don't ya? Maybe you're not as good at faking as you think."

She sighs heavily. "Either way, she's not gonna tell anyone."

"Of course she won't." I chuckle. "I trust her. You can too."

I spin her around before pulling her into my arms again. She laughs, and the sight of her smile makes me forget about who might be watching or what they might think. All I care about is that she's happy.

We dance some more, and Tate enjoys a couple of shots before I cut her off, even though she gives me a narrow-eyed look. When it's time for us to head out, she reluctantly agrees.

On the ride home, she rests her head against my shoulder. When we get inside, she mutters she wants to get out of her damn jeans, and I grunt in agreement.

She levels me with a scolding look, ordering me to go to my room before she shuts her door in my face.

I should be exhausted from our game today, but I have too much on my mind. When I don't hear anything coming from Tate's room, I assume she's fallen asleep and decide to do some digging on that piece of shit ex of hers.

Tate wasn't exaggerating about him coming from money. It turns out his dad is the governor of Rixton. Their family has been involved in their fair share of scandals, but each one seems to be swept under the rug, keeping dear ole dad's image spit-shined clean.

My phone vibrates on my desk, and I see Tate's name flash on the screen.

Tate: What are you doin'?

Me: Thinking about you. I thought you fell asleep.

Tate: Thinking about me?

Me: Wondering if you'd be mad at me if I woke you up with my head between your legs.

Tate: You wouldn't…

Me: Are you tempting me?

Tate: I'm just saying, you wouldn't.

Me: I think you underestimate how badly I like to be between your legs, sweetheart.

Tate: What else have you been thinking about?

Me: Oh, we're doing this now, are we?

Tate: Quit avoiding me and answer the dang question.

Me: Well, I've told you about how I've pictured coming all over those perfect tits of yours…

Tate: Mmm, keep going.

Me: I've thought about using your vibrator on you, at least to torment you a little. Have I told you how much I like to watch you get off?

Me: What were you watching that day?

Tate: I wasn't watching it as much as I was listening to it.

Tate: I think we could make that happen one day too. Only under one condition, though…

Me: What's that?

Tate: I need to hear you while I do. I want you to talk me through it, to hear how much it turns you on to watch me pleasure myself.

My God. This girl is every dream come to life.

Me: Oh, I promise you'll hear me all right.

Tate: What else do you think about?

Me: Well, right now I'm thinking about tossing my phone on the bed and sneaking into your room. I don't give a shit who hears us either.

Tate: image attached

I click on the photo to find a sexy picture of Tate. It's modest, showing only the curve under her breasts, revealing the lingerie she's wearing. It's cut off before it goes any lower.

Me: I think you've teased me enough. If I come over, are you going to be wearing this for me?

Tate: I guess you'll have to come look for yourself.

I shed my T-shirt and toss it along with my phone on my bed. I'm down to my gym shorts and underwear. I move quietly, careful not to make a sound when I slip out of my room and test the doorknob to hers. It turns easily—unlocked.

My heart races like it's my first time with a woman. With Tate, every time feels like the first time.

I open the door and see her standing across the room, one leg crossed over the other. Her lingerie hugs her body, fitting like a one-piece bathing suit. The fabric beneath her breasts is sheer, barely concealing anything. Her legs are crossed just enough that I can't make out more, but the sight is enough to take my breath away.

It takes a moment to steady myself. Carefully shutting the door, I listen for the click as I lock it, ensuring no one can walk in on us.

I'm only a couple of steps to her when I drop to my knees, my eyes wide in awe at the sight of her.

"You're fuckin' beautiful," I whisper, glancing up to meet her eyes. She bites the edge of her lip, clearly enjoying my reaction, but damn.

She turns, letting me take in all of her.

I'm not much of an ass man, but if she'd let me, I'd bend her over the side of this bed right now and claim every inch of her.

"I need to touch you," I muttered, and she turned to face me again.

This time, when she does, she doesn't cross her legs, and I'm able to see how the piece that covers her pussy is missing, revealing her to me.

I push myself up on my knees and shove my shorts down enough to free my dick. Her mouth drops open, watching me, and I grip my dick and fist it hard at the sight of her.

"Look at what you do to me, Tate," I growl. "You want me to come in my hand just taking in the sight of you?"

She saunters over to me, and I stop my thrusts, squeezing the tip to hold me off. When she's close, she lifts her leg and sets her foot on the bed frame, opening herself up for me.

"Use your tongue, Reed. Lick my pussy, and maybe I'll let you finish."

She drags her nails through my hair. I lift her thigh over my shoulder and brush my tongue through her folds, flicking over her clit. I do that a few times before I add a finger, slipping it into her tight heat.

When she starts to tremble, I grip her hips to make sure she doesn't fall and guide her over to the bed. She spreads her thighs open for me, and I bury my face between them again.

"How am I ever supposed to get enough of this?" I growl, moving my head lower to fuck her with my tongue.

She leans up onto her elbows to stare down at me, watching me as I alternate between fucking her and licking her clit.

"You're so wet." I pull away, letting her see her wetness coating my mouth and chin.

Her eyes grow heavy, and she lifts her hand to cup her breast, tweaking her nipple.

"I want you to fuck me," she begs.

It dawns on me that I forgot to grab a condom. She must pick up the flash of disappointment.

"It's okay," she adds. "I'm on birth control, and I'm clean."

My nostrils flare. "Are you sure?"

She nods. I push myself to stand and shove my shorts the rest of the way down, kicking them to the side.

"I'm clean too. You have nothing to worry about with me."

"I know," she says without an ounce of hesitation.

I wrap my hand around my dick again and motion for her to roll over.

"Get on your hands and knees."

She turns over, and I guide her to the edge of the bed, aligning us perfectly. The sight of her bent over for me—I'm not sure how long I'll last.

I slip my fingers inside her before thrusting in deep. She arches her back and moans into the mattress, rocking in time to match my thrusts.

Leaning over, I press my chest against her back and wrap my hand around her throat. My hips piston into her hard, and I stop caring if anyone can hear us. All I hear are her muffled moans and our skin slapping against each other.

When we come, it's together, like it's always supposed to be.

She doesn't say a word or bat an eye when I tug my shorts back on and lift her into my arms, hitting the light before we step into my room. My bed is bigger than her twin. Otherwise, I'd climb in behind her and pull her into my arms.

She lets out a contented sigh and murmurs, "Now I can fall asleep. Good night."

Her words echo in my mind as I listen to her breathing even out, and I wonder if I heard her right.

Maybe I'm not alone, and the only time sleep comes is when she's next to me.