Page 16 of One Hot Texas Summer (The Prentice Brothers of Sweet Ridge #1)

Her eyes widened. Tate took a step closer, sliding his free hand around to cradle the back of her head.

In the dappled light through the branches of the trees basking her face in a golden glow, her lips shone from the gloss she wore, tempting him to taste them.

Giving into the need, he lowered his head and a shudder rippled through Kelly as they touched.

The tension he’d been carrying around for the last couple of hours seeped from his shoulders.

She wiggled her hand free from where he still held it against his cheek and wrapped it around his neck.

He pulled her tighter, deepening the kiss.

Kelly was with him all the way. It was almost like she couldn’t get enough of him—just like he couldn’t get enough of her.

The wind rustled around them and he resisted the urge to lower her to the ground. Lay his body over hers and make her his under the trees that were as essential to him as breathing.

However, he and Kelly weren’t there at the moment, no matter how much he wanted to be.

He was taking things slowly. Would respect any pace she’d like to go.

Breaking the kiss, he reached up and grabbed her arms from around his neck, bringing them down until they were in front of him.

Tate rubbed his thumb across his mom’s bracelet.

“I can’t tell you how the sight of this on your wrist makes me feel. I wasn’t sure if you’d keep it on or not.” He couldn’t explain the sense of joy growing inside of him to know everyone who’d came into the shop today would’ve seen it on her arm. How many had asked her about it?

“That’s why you gave it to me, isn’t it? To be worn.”

“Sure, and I know you accepted it last night, I guess—” He paused and looked up for a heartbeat before looking back at her, his words lodged in his throat.

“What?” Her fingers touched the bracelet and it was almost like she was touching him. Which was an entirely stupid concept to believe.

“I don’t know. I just, look forget it. I’m really happy that you’re wearing it.” He took a step back, putting a little breathing room between them. He couldn’t think straight. Everything coming out of his mouth sounded so wrong.

“Do you regret giving it to me?”

Beneath the words he could hear the hurt in her voice. Shit, he was making a mess of things.

“No.” He practically shouted the word. Closing the gap he’d just made he gently cupped her elbows. “No, Kel, I don’t regret it. If I could articulate what I want to say properly you’d know exactly how seeing something so beautiful, something that my mother loved, on you makes me feel.”

“I’m truly honored that you’ve entrusted me with this. It means a lot to me too.”

He pulled her in tight for a hug. “Thank you for not rolling your eyes and walking away. I know I was acting like a complete idiot being unable to articulate myself well.”

“Trust me, you’re far from an idiot. But I have to ask…” She leaned back to look at him. “Do I make you nervous? I mean, when you first came into the store, you stuttered around me, but not when you spoke to Mom. Why?”

For weeks before he’d walked into her store, he’d been attracted to her.

He’d seen her at Silver Spurs bar, laughing with Macy.

Her whole body seemed to vibrate with happiness, and he’d stopped in his tracks, fascinated by her.

He’d wanted to go over and talk to her, but one of the guys who worked at the guacamole factory whisked her onto the dance floor and he’d missed his chance.

“I wouldn’t say you make me nervous, per se. It was more like I really wanted to impress you and that made me nervous when I spoke to you those first couple of times. Only I think I impressed you for the wrong reasons.”

Kelly laughed. “Well, yes, but I know why you’re doing it now so my opinion has changed. And I’m glad I don’t make you nervous now.”

No, you just make me want to forget about all the things I want to do with the farm and spend all my time with you.

Something he should not say out loud to her. As it was, she seemed very different from the woman she’d been a week ago. Turning up unannounced at the farm last night and today was out of the ordinary for her.

It was definitely time to get off the cliff edge of conversation about what they felt for each other. “I think the reason you came out was to talk about the event and your idea for more flowers.”

If his change in subject shocked her, she didn’t show it. In fact, she almost looked relieved. “Right, yes. Let me get my tablet out and show you some of the designs I mocked up.”

“Before you do that, let’s find somewhere to sit. I think it might be best that I don’t stand while you show me your grand plans.”

Cupping her elbow, he led her back the way they came and around to the front of the house so they could sit on the porch swing.

Tyler’s car was still parked close to the house, but the truck was gone.

At least Tyler had finished loading all the peaches and hadn’t slacked off the second he walked away with Kelly.

Perhaps his brother did want to sit and share a bottle of his wine with him.

The last thing Tate wanted was to be suspicious of his brother’s motives, but he couldn’t help it. What did Tyler want this time?