Keeping What's His(25)

He planted his hands on her hips, bringing her flush against his body, pressing his dick against the V of her thighs. Expecting her to stiffen, he was surprised when she melted against him, her arms circling his shoulders.

Delving into her mouth, he sucked her tongue into his, letting her take the lead, encouraging her with a moan. Boldly, she stood on her tiptoes to raise to his lips, he helped by lifting her onto the edge of the sink.

Her thighs circled his waist and her hands slid to sink her fingers into the thick mass of hair, holding him in. Her tongue teased his, sliding against his intimately, stroking the fire in his dick into a burning pain that was going to be hell to bank down.

Groaning, he lifted his head despite her trying to use his hair to tug him back to her mouth.

“Unless you’re ready for me to carry you to your bed and fuck you, we need to slow down.”

Her passion-filled eyes blinked up at him. “I thought you said we could go at my speed?”

“We can. That’s why I’m giving you the option of stopping now.” He teased the side of her neck. Sliding down, he brushed the top of her breast that was exposed by her T-shirt.

“I’m not ready.”

“I’m cool with that.” He lifted her down, placing her back on her feet before stepping back. “Want some help with the dishes?”

“Yes.”

Tate went back to the table for the rest of the dishes. Then, taking a dish towel, he dried after she rinsed, placing them back onto the counter.

“Do you miss San Diego?”

“I miss the friends I made there. I went back to work at the pharmaceutical company, and I’m enjoying being back at work.”

“That’s good.” Tate went quiet.

If she stayed in Treepoint, she wouldn’t be able to keep her job. He didn’t want to take away something else that was important to her. That had been done too often.

“Rachel works for The Last Riders.”

“She told me when I had dinner with her and Cash.”

“She’s growing plants that can filter water.”

Sutton quit washing dishes to stare at him. “That’s interesting.”

Tate nodded. “Maybe they could hire you to sell them. Or Dustin’s an accountant. He’s just starting out, but he was talking about hiring someone to watch the office and keep track of billing.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

“So you know you have options.” Tate continued drying the dishes without looking at her. “Treepoint is getting bigger, too. They’re going to build a sporting goods store, and Dustin told me last week that Drake told him a nail salon is looking at the building next to the diner.”

“It’s good to know that, if I decide to stay, I can go out and buy a new fishing rod. I do my own nails.” She lifted a soapy hand, showing him her unvarnished nails.

“Just thought I’d tell you,” he grumbled.

“I think it’s sweet the way you’re trying to get me to stay, but a sporting goods store or a nail salon isn’t going to be the reason. A job isn’t, either. My company has a route in Kentucky. I would have to travel through the state, but that wouldn’t bother me.”

“It wouldn’t?”

“No. If I wanted to stay, I could make it work.”

“Good, and don’t call me sweet. It might get out, and I’d have to kick someone’s ass.”

“I’ll keep it just between us,” she promised.

When they finished the dishes, he turned to go back into the living room, but her hand on his arm stopped him.

“Tate, I don’t need you to fix me. I’m not broken.”

He smacked her on the ass. “I can see that.”

“Did you just smack my ass?”

He reached his hand out to cup her ass. “Do you need me to do it again so you can decide for yourself?”

“I can’t believe you just did that. To a woman who’s been physically abused, it could be traumatizing.”

“You’re the one who told me you weren’t broken. You know I was playing. If you want me to walk on eggshells around you, tell me.”

“Would you?”

“No, but I would try.”

Sutton laughed. “At least you’re honest.”

“There you go.” He slung an arm around her shoulder. “Let’s watch some television.”

Tate sat down on the couch, pulling her down next to him. He was about to reach for the remote when she snatched it up before he could.

“I’m not watching another episode of Justice or Mountain Justice.”

“How about—?”

“I’m not watching Moonshiners, either,” she cut him off, turning the channel until she came to the show she was searching for.

“Hell no, that isn’t going to happen.” Tate made gagging noises at Naked and Afraid.

“It’s educational. If the world comes to an end, I’ll know how to survive in the wilderness.”

“If the world comes to an end, we won’t be alive, and if we are, I’ll hunt for us, but I’ll guarantee I won’t be buck-ass naked when I’m doing it.” He tried to take the control from her.

“All right, all right, I’ll change the channel.” She flicked through the channels, coming to a stop.

Tate sat back, relaxing, recognizing Duck Dynasty.

“This okay?”

“I can live with it.”

“Figures.”

“What does that mean?”

“Rednecks and hillbillies are kissing cousins.”

“That’s not true.” He propped his feet up on the coffee table.

“Yes, it is.”

“Nope, hillbillies are smarter.”

“I don’t think they would agree with you.”

“Yes, they would. That’s why they’re rednecks.”

Sutton rolled her eyes. She managed to watch one episode, but when another reality show came on, she rose.

“I’ve got to go for a walk. My brain’s going to turn to mush if I watch anymore.”

“Hang on, and I’ll go with you.”

It didn’t take him long to pull on his boots and grab his straw hat. Searching through the closet, he took out what he had been itching to do for the last week.

“I’m ready.” Tate came out of the bedroom, carrying the fishing poles.

“We can’t go fishing. Someone will see you.”

“Get your keys. I know a spot where no one will bother us.”

“All right.”

They went outside after she retrieved her car keys. Once in the car, she turned to him.

“Where are we headed?”

“To Cash’s house.”

Sutton drove down the gravel driveway, turning in the direction of Cash’s. It was just getting dark, but the drive didn’t take long. When she parked in front of Cash and Rachel’s home, Rachel ran out to greet Tate.

“You okay?” His sister stared up at him with worry.

“Everything’s fine. Sutton and I were getting stir-crazy and thought we’d go fishing.”

“You two have fun. Cash worked a double at the factory, or we’d join you.”

“Rider doing okay?”

“Yes, he’s lucky he was wearing his helmet. Usually, he doesn’t wear one, but they were coming back from racing with Stud.”

“Who’s Stud?” Sutton asked.

“He’s the president of The Destructors and The Bluehorsemen motorcycle clubs.”

“His biker name is Stud? I need to see this guy.”

Tate shook his head at her teasing. “You want to stay away from him.”

“Why? Is he dangerous?”

“No, but his wife and her friends are,” Tate told her, his hand going to Rachel to pull her to him. “How’s the baby doing?”

“Good.” His sister started to reach up and pat him on the chest, but Tate grabbed her hand.

“I’m fine. You take care of my niece or nephew.”

“It’s a girl,” Rachel told him with a grin.

“Is Cash happy he’s having a girl?”

“I haven’t told him.” Rachel laid her head on his chest, giving him a tight hug before taking a step back. “If you catch any extra fish, bring me one.”

“Sure thing.” Tate told his sister good-bye as he motioned Sutton forward into the woods.

The lightning bugs were just beginning to come out as they headed to the stream.

“I missed them.” Sutton’s voice was filled with wonder as she grabbed one of the small bugs, holding it gently in her closed hand before releasing it to fly again.

“I remember when I caught some in a jar for Rachel, and even though I put holes in the lid, you convinced her to let them go.”

“I couldn’t bear to see them trapped.”

Tate thought of the irony that she had been too gentle to harm a bug then had found a monster to capture and torture her.

“What are we going to use for bait?”

Tate went to a tree. Picking up a stick, he dug around for a few seconds until he found a couple of worms and lifted them up to show Sutton.

She took the fat one wiggling in the palm of his hand. “You can have the skinny one.” She pierced the squirming creature onto the hook.

“I dug it up. I should get the big one,” Tate grumbled.

“I’ll dig them up next time. I’ll find two big ones.”

“You always did try to one-up me.”

She expertly cast her line into the water. “That’s because you stop digging as soon as you find them. I keep looking until I find the one I want.”