“A rear-facing one?” I can’t believe he knows what she needs.
“Yep. Come on, spitfire, because you’re cruising for a spanking with your attitude.” His words have my breath stopping again and I bite my bottom lip. “Oh no, you don’t. Come on.” He lifts Mari and grabs my hand with his free hand and drags me from the house.
We pull up to Bryson’s Steakhouse after dropping Mari off at my mom’s. I turn to him and smile. “I haven’t been here in forever. This is the best place to come.”
“Your mom told me how much you loved this place, and Asher helped me get a reservation.”
“It’s Valentine’s, this place has had to have been booked for at least a month.”
“Don’t worry about it. Come on.” He gets out of the truck and moves around to my side to open the door for me.
We make our way inside and are seated at a table right away. I can’t believe we are really here. My gram used to bring me here. After a wonderful steak dinner and a couple glasses of wine, this whole night has been one surprise after another and helps to close the coffin of doubt I had about him. I know he’s proving to me that I’m his focus. Me and Mari. Buying her a car seat. Always being there for me. He leads me out to the truck with his hand against my back and I feel his touch all over my body. When we get to the truck, I twist around and lean up against it as I pull him toward me.
“Tucker, I want to go home before we pick up Mari. I want to spend time just you and me.”
“Spitfire, do you know what you’re asking me?” I nod. He opens the door and reaches for my hand. He lifts me up and turns me to face him. “I want you so damn much, but we are only going to play because you still don’t get it if you can’t say it.” He pulls away before I can drag him against me.
The whole way back to my house I try to figure out what he wants me to say to get him to finally give in and take me. Usually, it’s the other way around. The guy wants to go all the way and the girl is asking for more time. We pull into my driveway and walk to the door. As I’m unlocking the door, I hear a car door slam and turn to see Colton coming toward us.
“Shit,” I say under my breath.
“Who is this?” Tucker asks.
“You think you’re big, bad, and tough on the phone, don’t you, asshole, calling me an asswipe. Well, who’s the asswipe now. Where is my family?” Colton yells at us.
I try to move around Tucker, but he presses me back. I hear another door slam and see Wes moving across the lawn toward us.
“Syd, go stay with July.” Wes orders, and I try to stay.
“Baby, go,” Tucker says, his voice leaving no room for argument.
“Tuck, you got this?” Wes asks as I move to his porch. I don’t hear anything because July ushers me inside and closes the door.
“Why can’t I be out there? I’m the one he wants to talk to.”
“That man doesn’t want to talk, he wants to intimidate you, Syd,” July says, and we watch from the window as Colton’s arms start waving around in his anger. Tucker’s body is tight, and I can see his muscles ripple from this distance. A few minutes later a cop car pulls up to the curb and Colton leaves. Tucker and Wes come back over and I watch in shock as they laugh and chuckle.
“What’s so funny? That man was angry and could’ve hurt you.” I demand as I step outside and advance on Tucker.
“Tuck, man, she cares for you.” Wes laughs. “Fucking Boom.” He moves over to July and kisses her temple.
“Yep, she does,” I hear Tucker say as I move to his truck instead of my house and reach for the passenger door. “Where you going, spitfire?” He laughs as he walks up to me.
“I want to go get my daughter. The date is over.” I’m so angry with him for stepping in and taking over.
“Baby, I told you no man is going to talk to my woman that way.” He stands next to me.
“I could have handled it myself. What if he hurt you?”
“Exactly. What if he hurt you?” He argues back, and I know he has a point but I’m still just so angry with him.
“Please. I want to go get Mari.” He nods and helps me into the truck so we can head off to my mom’s place.
When we arrive, I tell her what happened with Colton. She says she’s going to get a restraining order to help protect me.
* * *
I’m still pissed when I get to work the next morning. I know it mostly has to do with the fact that I’m horny for Tucker, who still won’t give me what I need.