Tate nods, his eyes full of fury still but he lets the man go slowly.
“That wasn’t so hard, was it? You’d better keep that promise too or I’ll be hunting you down.”
The man shoves his hands into his pockets and walks away, his step getting faster and faster trying to get away from us.
When Tate turns to me, I relax a little. The threat of the night is gone. I should feel a million times better. But all I can see is the way that guy looked at me. It’s too familiar and too cutting for me to cope with.
Will anyone ever truly look at me and see me as a person? Will anyone ever treat me the way I deserve to be treated?
“Are you alright?” Tate asks, stepping forward and cupping my cheek in his hand.
The sudden contact sends a shock through my system. I’ve never been touched this way before, not by anyone. It feels so good that I lean my cheek into his hand subconsciously, feeling the warmth of his palm against my skin.
“I’m okay,” I whisper. There’s concern in his eyes as he walks me over to his car.
“Then let me take you home now. I insist. I know you’ve had a rough night.”
“You’ve already done so much for me,” I protest.
“And now I want to do more,” he growls.
He opens the passenger door for me and I get in, feeling my heart racing in my chest. Is he just being polite or is he going above and beyond for me because he feels something?
I can’t tell.
I guess by the end of this ride, I’ll have a clearer idea.
I just pray that he wants me as much as I want him.
CHAPTER FOUR
Tate
Being in the car with her is torture.
I feel far too close to her even as I sit in the driver’s side and there are several inches between us. Too close to stop myself from pouncing on her like an animal and having her right here, right now. She’s too damn gorgeous, too damn irresistible.
How am I meant to survive this drive without touching her, without telling her what I want from her luscious body or her mine forever?
I’m obsessed. I don’t even know where this came from. Before today, I’d never felt an attraction like this. I’ve never wanted a woman before in my life, no matter how many of them have thrown themselves down at my feet. I’ve been waiting so long to feel this way, to finally figure out what I want. Now, this sexy young thing has tumbled into my life so suddenly.
I know I shouldn’t have her.
She’s too young. She’s at least half my age, and she’s probably still figuring out what she wants for herself. Why would she ever settle for me, an older man, when she could have anyone in the world? Men like the one we met tonight are few and far between. I’m certain most men would appreciate exactly what a girl like Macy has to offer.
Because she brings everything a man could want to the table. Curves for days, to hold on to as you fuck the woman of your dreams. She’s beautiful, sweet, shy, and quietly intelligent. I don’t need to know her well to know those things about her. So what’s not to like? And how is it that a girl like her hasn’t been swept up by some man already? Not that I’m complaining. If she’s single, then there’s no way in hell I’m letting this night end without asking her out.
I know I shouldn’t. I should just be grateful that I got to meet her, that I had an opportunity to be in her presence. I should let her go, let her be with someone her own age. But I can’t let her go. She’s the woman I’ve been waiting for. The one woman who can bring me happiness, I just know it. There’s no way I can let her go now. Not without at least trying to win her over.
I glance over at her as I drive, following her instructions to get home. She’s so timid, it’s hard to tell whether she’d be receptive to my advances or not. She didn’t shy away from my touch earlier, but she did look a little like a deer in the headlights. Maybe it’s just because she’s young and uncertain of everything. Hell, I know I was at that age. And what would I have done at that age if an older woman approached me? I would likely have run a mile.
But there’s this chemistry between us that we can’t ignore. At least, I can’t. It’s so strong that it feels like it could conquer anything. Nothing will matter as long as I can have her by my side.
“A left ahead,” she says quietly. I nod, following her direction.