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TATE

Mischief. This woman is full of it. I’ll play into her little game for now.

The moment she says yes, all bets are off the table.

I’m going to make her beg until she’s writhing in pleasure.

As it is now, she’s standing between my spread legs.

The bottle of my beer is dripping with condensation as I rub it on the back of Em’s leg.

“Tate.” A growl leaves my throat. I want to hear the way she moans, her soft cries of pleasure when her fingers pressed so deep into my shoulders bruises were there for days later.

“Here’s how this is gonna go. I know you’re opposed to a relationship just as much as I am.

I’m not a man who comes with labels. My work schedule is shit, meaning I’m gone more than home.

If that’s something you can deal with, we’ll make it work.

” My other hand touches the back of her thigh, trailing upwards, gliding underneath the flimsy fabric, meeting nothing but skin when I cup the underside of her ass.

I’d take this a shit ton further if I weren’t worried about Deke and Kelsey walking back up.

Instead, I squeeze her once then reluctantly pull away.

“I’m good with it just being us, no strings attached, but that doesn’t mean I want to share you with anyone else either, and I’m sure you think that’s whacked.” Em’s hands go to my shoulders, whether that’s to hold herself up or to touch me, there’s no telling.

“Got no problem with that. Think by the comment Joey made inside that was more than clear.” I place my beer on the deck, pulling her closer until she’s straddling my lap, knowing that this will have to end sooner than later.

It’s not like we’re at my place, where not a fucking soul would walk up on us.

“Yeah, you might as well have gotten us matching loin cloths, tossed me over your shoulder, and stomped out of the room with the way you went at Joey. Which, by the way, I think he’s harmless, more or less trying to get a rise out of you.

” My hands cup her ass. She gets the memo to slide closer until she is settled along the length of my cock.

“Now he knows for sure, though I’m not opposed to seeing you dressed up in something like that.” Em chuckles, deep and throaty, not a single thing fake about her body or personality.

“Back to this thing between the two of us. How is this going to work?” It’s her move, massaging the base of my neck until Em’s fingers wrap in the longer than I’d like hair that’s gotten unruly.

“I say we figure out the logistics as we go along. If I’m home, we’ll meet up.

If I’m on the road and you’ve got a free day or two, I’ll fly you to wherever I am.

” The suggestion seems easy. I know she’s a workaholic, but everyone gets a day or two away.

If Em can’t make it to me and I get a two-day stretch away from work, I’ve got no problem coming home.

“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.