“Alright, I’m game if you are. Now, what are we going to tell the lovebirds when they get back? You do realize Kels thinks everyone should be married and have a kid or two down the road. I’d blame the Hart family if she hadn’t already dreamt up her whole life when we were growing up.” Emily scrunches her nose up in mock disgust. I’m not sure if I should laugh or kiss her.
“We’ll tell them to butt out of it. Deke already knows the lay of the land. It’s Kelsey who needs to catch up. Now, the next question is, whose place are we staying at tonight?” I glide my hand up the length of Emily’s back, pulling her upper body until her lips are just a breath away from mine.
“I have tomorrow off, so it doesn’t make a difference to me.” Her tongue slides along her upper lip, giving me all the answers I need to take them with mine, feeling them pressed against mine. Em is like no other, fierceness like that of a storm, brewing in the dead of night. The wind pulling at you every which way, turbulent at first, bringing the rain, cold to your bare skin, the heat from the humidity making it warm again. But once it’s over, all is calm, pure softness in everything surrounding you, so much like the woman who is currently writhing on my lap as our kiss deepens, a duel of tongues, hands greedy, pushing and pulling at each other. It isn’t until I hear Deke’s voice talking louder than he usually would that I pull away from her, hating that I just finally got her back in my arms yet we have to stop before anything begins.
“Em, time to make this G-rated, unless you want your family to see more of us than they need to.” A low hum leaves her mouth, almost a cry, mourning the loss of my mouth on her.
“Ugh, your place it is. Think we can say our goodbyes quickly?” Emily moves off my lap quicker than I’d like her to, not that I blame her. That still doesn’t mean I’m thrilled with the idea of her leaving me.
“I’m sure that can be arranged. Looks like we’ve got two minutes or less until they make it back. Think you can turn off the sex kitten until I can get this under control?” I point to the bulge in my pants that she’s responsible for.
“So, what’d you want me to do? Turn ugly somehow? I’m pretty sure that’s impossible, Tate.” Yeah, even Em acting cute is not helping.
“Fuck.” I stand up, pulling my shirt down to at least cover the evidence of what she does to me.
“Yes, please. Tonight, your place or my place, it doesn’t make a difference as long as it happens.” Em shuffles backwards until she’s back to sitting on the couch, looking cool as a cucumber.
“Not helping, babe,” I grunt but keep standing. It’s a good thing, too, since that’s about the same time Deke and Kels make their way up the deck.
CHAPTER NINE
emily
“It was great hanging out with you, sis, and Deke, but I’m leaving, and so is Tate. Don’t ask questions you don’t want the answers to. I’m only letting you know so that no one is worried. Tate and I have some things to still figure out, and sadly, that can’t happen here, so thanks for the girls’ night and wine, but I’m out.” I greet the two of them before they’re completely on the deck. What can I say? Six months makes for some very active imagery, and I know which fantasy I want to act out with Tate first.
“Well, okay, then. I’ll see you at work the day after next.” Kels pulls me in for a hug, whispering so the guys can’t hear, “Are you two good?” I don’t even have to respond; she feels my body relax like only the sister of blood relation can know. That’s how tight our bond is, has always been, even if we were fighting like cats and dogs. We fought hard but loved harder, exactly how our parents raised us.
“See you then. Also, be prepared. We’re remodeling the Beach Babe, and soon,” I forewarn her, already knowing how my sister is when it comes to change. She hates it, desperately, and will only relent once I have it all narrowed down. Which means more legwork for me, not that it matters. This is the type of shit I thrive on. My creativity knows no bounds, and it’ll take Kelsey reeling me in on the budget, making it work out for the both of us.
“Shit, there goes our bank account.” I hear the guys chuckle behind us. Clearly, Deke isn’t asking questions when it comes to Tate and me, thank God. I love having Deke as a brother-in-law, but having another overprotective alpha man in my life besides my father would annoy the ever-loving shit out of me.