Chapter Twenty-Two

Reed

A few days later, I walk into Sweet Tooth to find Tate behind the counter. I've been hinting at our date since the day I asked her, and now it's finally here.

She's leaning over the counter, chatting with a little girl about which cake pop flavor she wants. Only when Tate moves around the display case does she notice me standing by the door. Her eyes light up, and she flashes a slow, knowing smile. She holds up a finger, signaling she'll be a minute. I'm early anyway—her shift still has a few minutes left.

Tate kneels in front of the girl, who looks no older than five. Her cute-as-heck pigtails bounce when she hand delivers the dessert to her. The girl's eyes widen, clutching the cake pop to her chest like it's the most precious thing in the world.

"Can I have it yet, Mommy?" the little girl's soft voice sings.

"You sure can, sweetie. Let's wait until we get in the car, though, in case you make a mess," her mom replies with a smile.

Her tiny fingers grip the stick tightly as her mom takes her other hand and whispers, "Let's go."

Tate and I watch her as she skips out the door.

When I turn back to Tate, her face softens, and she grins. "Give me just a second to hang up my apron, grab my purse, and clock out. I'll be right back."

I nod and step aside, out of the way from other customers, as Wyatt emerges from the back room.

"Well, look who it is." She snickers. "Tate mentioned you were taking her out on a date today. I thought I misheard her, though, because I could've sworn you said the two of you were just friends. "

I smirk, moving closer to the counter. Wyatt turns away and grabs a rag to wipe down the counter, deliberately avoiding my gaze. She doesn't say a word, waiting for me to admit the truth.

"If I confess that we're more than friends, then you need to tell me about the history with Zane."

She clears her throat, tightens her hand into a fist around the cloth towel, and tosses it on the table.

"I mean, sure, but there's nothing to tell." She shrugs. "I was young and had a crush on my older brother's best friend, even when I knew he'd never see me as anything more than Colter's kid sister. When I told him I was in love with him, he made it painfully clear that we'd never be anything more either."

There's a twinge of pain in Wyatt's voice, and I immediately regret bringing it up.

"Listen, Wyatt, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have…"

She holds her hand up to stop me. "No, it's okay. From what I've seen of him, he seems to be happy and doing well. I've moved on and am happy too. That's all that matters, right?"

I don't point out that she doesn't look as happy as she pretends to be. I know the signs of someone faking it when I see them. I've become an expert at masking my own pain.

Tate comes strolling through the swinging door, her smile as bright as ever, making it hard not to do the same.

"Ready?" she asks, glancing from me and over at Wyatt.

Wyatt offers a genuine smile, this one more convincing than the one she tried to force with me, and Tate is none the wiser. "You two have fun. Behave!"

Tate giggles. "I have no idea where we're going or what we're doing, but we'll try."

We exchange goodbyes, and I reach for Tate's hand, leading her outside and around to the side of the old brick building.

When she spots the truck parked along the side of the road, she stops in her tracks. I'd signed the papers this morning and have been waiting to show her.

"Whoa, whoa, what the heck is this?"

"My new truck." I turn so she can see my new F-250.

"New truck? Wait, you didn't get rid of the Mustang, did you?" The disappointment is evident in her tone.

I laugh, shaking my head. "Never, just got a second vehicle. I thought we could take it today since I needed something to haul that bad boy."

When I point at the trailer hitched to the back, Tate continues walking down the sidewalk. Her eyes widen when she sees the four-wheeler loaded on it. Her mouth drops open in surprise.

"Is this yours too?" She's excited. "Good grief, Reed, what the hell did you go do?"

"No, no, the quad isn't mine. It's Colter's. We're just borrowing it for the afternoon. The truck is the only new purchase I've made."

I help Tate into the passenger seat, and we make a quick stop at home so she can change before heading out to Black Rock Cove.

The temperature is in the high seventies—ideal weather for an October day. Black Rock has several trails, some for walking and running, and others for dirt bikes and four-wheelers.

We pull into a parking area, and I start unhooking the straps from the quad. Tate watches me closely, her smile growing as I climb onto the quad and rev the engine.

"C'mere," I call, motioning for her to come over and handing her the helmet I brought. "Gotta wear our protection, baby."

She leans in, and I fasten the strap beneath her chin. I hold out my hand to help her climb on, and she settles behind me. I reach for her legs, pulling her closer.

Tate yelps, her laughter muffled through the helmet. "I need you closer to me," I mutter, taking her hands and wrapping them around my waist.

"You're very needy, Hendrix."

"You're damn right, I am. Only with you."

She slides her hands over my chest, one drifting lower before I stop her. "Someone's a bit needy themselves. This is supposed to be a fun date, sweetheart. There will be plenty of time for that later."

She giggles. "All right, I guess I can wait. But I'm looking forward to it—both the date and what comes after."

I adjust my helmet and tighten her grip around me, savoring every second with her wrapped so close. We take off, following the trail into the woods. It loops around with several paths branching off, eventually bringing us back to the starting point. The longer trail is about five miles, with hills and jumps. I avoid the jumps, taking the scenic route near the water so Tate can enjoy the ocean view.

"It's so beautiful." Her voice is filled with awe.

Few people are out today, making the trail quiet and serene. After an hour of riding and a few stops to take in the sights, we decide to make one more loop around the smaller trail before wrapping up.

As we enter the woods for the last loop, I notice Tate's hands roaming over my chest again. One slides down to my inner thigh, gripping me through my jeans.

Over the next hill is a small clearing, so I slow down and pull off into a spot hidden among the trees. You'd have to stop and look through the trees to see us.

I flick the switch to kill the engine and remove my helmet, hanging it from the handlebar.

"So what'd you think?" I ask, pulling off my gloves and running my hand over her thigh.

She's struggling with the helmet strap, so I gently undo it and pull the helmet off her. Her long brown hair falls over her face, and she runs her fingers through the strands, attempting to tame it. I can't help but get lost in the sight of her.

"This was a frickin' blast." She grins. "I used to go riding with my brother when we were younger. We never had our own ATV, but his friends did. This was the perfect way to clear my mind and be with you."

I hold my hand out to her. "Come here, sweetheart."

Tate slides down from behind me, and I help her onto the seat in front of me, straddling my lap. Her floral scent, mixed with the woodsy aroma around us, relaxes me, and I bury my face into the crook of her neck.

"Thank you for today," she whispers.

"You don't need to thank me."

She leans in, her eyes fixed on my lips when she kisses me. I hum against her mouth, my hands roaming over her back and gripping her ass to pull her closer.

When she pulls away from the kiss, our foreheads rest together, and her voice drops to a whisper as she moans my name. I search her gaze, recognizing the look in her eyes. I've memorized it the few times I've seen it before, replaying those memories while alone and thinking about her.

"Tate?" I rasp, the sound barely more than a croak.

"Touch me, Reed. I need you to touch me."

My heart begins to race, the heat of her gaze searing into me.

"Lean back, baby," I urge.

She listens, reclining against the handlebars. Her legs are spread open, resting on my thighs now. I slide my hands up her inner leg, grazing along the bottom of her shorts.

Each time I do, her body trembles with need, the anticipation of when I move higher and touch her pussy driving us both out of our minds.

I don't rush, savoring each moment. Her breath quickens, her chest rises and falls with each gasp, and her eyes begin to flutter. When I give in, I brush my finger along the hem of her shorts before gliding my finger along her panties.

"Reed, please." Her voice and her legs quiver.

I move slowly to unhook the button on her shorts, and she assists as I slide them down her legs, setting them aside. She's left in nothing but her red panties.

The silk turns a deep shade of maroon, the wetness seeping through the satin material. My mouth waters at the thought of tasting her, the sound of her moans, and her hips grinding against me when she rides my face.

It's almost more than I can take when I give in, slipping my finger beneath her panties and into her tight heat.

Her mouth drops open, but she doesn't utter a sound.

"You're so fuckin' wet," I growl. "You're like a fuckin' dream, Tate. Look at you, turned on and needy. All for me."

"Reed, I'm so turned on. Please don't stop."

"Lift your shirt for me, Tate. Let me see your beautiful tits."

Her movements are slow at first. She doesn't bother taking her top all the way off, settling for lifting it under her arms, then unhooking her bra for me.

The sight of her soft pink nipples already has my dick straining painfully against the front of my jeans.

I pull my fingers out of her, flicking the wet digit over her nipple. Her wetness coats her soft skin, and I lean in to lick and suck her tight bud into my mouth.

Tate's moans grow louder, thrusting her hips toward me, desperately seeking more.

When I pull away, she reaches for me, unzipping my jeans. She's almost frantic as she tugs them down enough to free my dick.

Without hesitation, she climbs over my lap and pulls her panties to the side, positioning herself above me. When I grip her hips to guide her onto me, her eyes roll closed and her mouth drops open again, and I'm unable to breathe.

It's as if all the oxygen is sucked out of my lungs.

I bury my face in the crook of her neck, nipping and biting her skin, definitely leaving another mark. She doesn't stop me, and I've come to understand that she loves when I mark her as long as it's hidden from view.

Our movements are slow at first, both of us needing a moment to calm our racing hearts, but when I break away and stare into her eyes, I swear there is more than just desire there.

I'm not sure I've ever felt love before. I mean, I know I love my gram and Darren, but this feeling I have for Tate is different in ways I can't put into words.

All I know is I'm starting to understand what my friends felt when they fell in love.

The emotions on her face are all-consuming, and even though she hasn't said it aloud, I can't help but hope she's feeling the same way. But with everything in life, as soon as I start to believe it's mine, it feels like it's snatched away. So I keep my feelings to myself, scared of having them ripped away once more. The intensity builds, syncing with the wild rhythm of my heart racing for her.

"Let me feel your pussy tighten around me, Tate. Come for me, baby."

She moans, her nails digging into my hair and tugging at the strands. I grit my teeth, breaths coming out in heavy grunts.

When she whispers that she's close, I know I'm not far behind. Her lips crash against mine, her hips moving rhythmically against me.

I'm falling in love with Tatum Pierce, and it hits me that I'll do anything to keep her.