Page 18 of One Hot Texas Summer (The Prentice Brothers of Sweet Ridge #1)

God, that was such a sweet gesture, but so unnecessary.

Was he letting her know that he wasn’t going to pressure her into doing something she wasn’t ready for?

Well, he didn’t have to worry at all. She was more than ready for the next step and, going by his reputation, she figured he would be too.

Surely he didn’t see her as a young na?ve girl who hadn’t had a boyfriend before and needed to be protected every step of the way in a relationship?

He couldn’t be more wrong, she was a grown-ass woman who was older than him.

She’d show him that he didn’t have to be all old-fashioned with her. Kelly trailed her hand down his back until she reached his ass, giving it a small squeeze. “That won’t be necessary. I’m okay with one room.”

Tate jumped and a small smile stretched his lips before it disappeared and he turned serious again. He loosened his hold on her, putting a little bit of space between them. “I was just trying not to rush you—you know, take things slowly. I didn’t want to assume that we’re on the same page.”

What was going on here? Here she was ready to go the next step and Tate was taking a step back. None of this made sense. His actions contradicted his words. “The kisses we’ve shared don’t suggest we’re moving in a forward direction?”

“Well, yes, but as I said, I don’t want to assume.”

Okay, this serious Tate needed to take a hike. Kelly placed her hand on his chest, slipping her fingers in the gap between the buttons. “Well on this occasion you can definitely assume with me.”

She went up on her tiptoe and pressed a quick kiss on his lips. If that didn’t give him the confirmation he needed she was definitely okay with one room, then she didn’t know what would.

Tate tightened his hold on her, now they were getting somewhere. “Okay. Okay, I get the message; one room is fine. But I want you to know I will never assume with you, Kel. Never.”

Her heart skipped a beat at his declaration.

Even though Tate had been the one to suggest going away for the weekend, he’d been nothing but considerate about it.

The total opposite of how she thought a player was supposed to act.

Now who was assuming when they shouldn’t have been?

Still, they had the weekend together; maybe he’d be more relaxed away from the farm.

Picking her purse up off the ground, Kelly hitched it on her shoulder. “I think I need to go now. I’m sure Tyler is wondering where you are.”

Tate nodded, yet he didn’t release his hold on her. “Yeah, probably. Thanks again for coming over. I’ll see you Thursday morning.”

“Thursday? Don’t you mean Friday?”

“No, I’m seeing Dad on Thursday, so I’ll need some flowers.”

“Ahh, the Flower Magician.” She smiled when she saw a trace of pink bloom across his cheeks. “I’ll work some of my magic to make sure it’s the best arrangement yet.”

If she didn’t make a move now she’d never leave. Going up on tiptoe again, she pressed her lips against Tate’s. “Have fun with your brother.”

“Thanks, I’m sure it will be great.”

Laughing, she made her way to her car. If Tate weren’t watching she might have skipped, she was feeling that happy. She couldn’t wait to see him on Thursday.

*

“Are you planning to stay out here all night?” Tyler said from behind where Tate stood, gazing at the dark driveway. Kelly’s lights had disappeared a long time ago, but he hadn’t made a move to go back inside.

Tonight would be the first time he’d be alone in the house without Dad acting as a buffer between him and Tyler.

Tyler hadn’t spent time inside the house for any length of time since Dad had his stroke.

Dad never interfered much anyway if he and Tyler were exchanging words, he’d look at them both, roll his eyes, and walk away.

Usually, after that Tate and Tyler would go their separate ways.

Perhaps Dad did do something, after all, and Tate just never realized what it was until now.

Knowing he couldn’t avoid his brother, he turned to see Tyler leaning by the door. He’d been so lost in his thoughts he hadn’t even heard his brother come out onto the porch with two glasses of wine in his hand.

“One of those for me?”

“Yeah.” Tyler held a glass out and Tate grasped the slender stem of the glass. “Have you come up with a name for your hobby yet?”

“Never picked you to be an asshole, Tate. What’s wrong, Kelly didn’t put out for you?” Tyler fired back, and just like that he and his brother were back to taking cheap shots at each other.

He was so tired of it all. Tired that he and his brothers had somehow lost the connection they’d had growing up.

Tate had memories of him, Trey, and Tyler all swimming in the creek at the back of the property during summer.

Many a time, they’d ended up camping in the backyard, Mom bringing what they needed to make s’mores.

Nine times out of ten, Dad joined them and they’d eat until they were all full.

Mom and Dad would disappear back into the house, leaving the boys to do their own thing.

In those days, they had fun.

“I can’t take any more of this, Ty. I’m sick of the bickering and low blows.

I’m sorry for calling your winemaking a hobby.

” Tate took a swallow. The wine was dry but had a sweet aftertaste.

“I’m no wine connoisseur and I’m sure you’ll be able to tell me all the different undertones that wines have, but it’s good. Smooth and tastes good.”

Tyler chuckled. “I’m sorry too, Tate. My comment about Kelly was uncalled for. I like her. Although she’s a bit older than you, isn’t she?”

Why were people so hung up on the age difference? He didn’t care if she was younger or older. He liked her. Liked spending time with her. He found her funny and attractive and he couldn’t wait for their weekend away.

“I don’t see the difference in our ages as a big problem.”

“That’s good then. As I said, I like her and I think you like her too.”

Tate took another sip of the wine, as much as he and Tyler were back on the shaky ground they called normal, he wasn’t going to share his innermost thoughts about Kelly with him.

“So, the wine. What’s the plan? I know you’re not planning to launch until the fall, so what are you wanting to achieve with the festival being held here? ”

Tyler’s raised eyebrow was the only indication he noticed Tate’s attempt at changing the subject. “Why don’t we go inside? I cooked while you were talking to Kelly.”

Tyler disappeared back in the house, leaving Tate gaping at his retreating back. His brother had cooked dinner for them? Since when was Tyler domestic like that? Tate supposed he’d have to be, considering he lived by himself.

Inside the house, the scent of garlic and tomatoes filled the air.

Tate’s stomach grumbled, reminding him it had been a long time since he’d last eaten.

He walked into the kitchen and burst out laughing.

“Did you use every single fucking pot to make dinner?” The sink was piled with dishes and the countertops were covered with salad cuttings and what looked like a piece of uncooked chicken.

Mrs. Bates, their housekeeper who came once every two weeks, would freak out if she walked in and saw the mess Tyler had made.

“Also, I thought you said we were going to order food.”

Tyler looked around him and shrugged. “I changed my mind. I made a couple of different things to go with the wine.”

Tate sat on one of the bar stools. “Well, don’t expect me to clean up this mess. You made it, I didn’t.”

Tyler waved a spoon at him. “Nuh-uh, that’s not how it works. The cook doesn’t clean up.”

“Not sure where you heard that, but doesn’t apply here. I cook, I clean. Dad cooks, Dad cleans. Tyler cooks. Tyler cleans.”

Tyler burst out laughing. “Oh, I didn’t realize it was so difficult to heat up Mrs. Bates’s meals.”

“She hasn’t made us a meal in years.”

While they bantered, Tyler had been putting the chicken pasta he’d made into some bowls. “Why don’t you grab the wine and bring it over to the table while I bring the food?”

Tate’s stomach grumbled again; he really needed to eat. “I can do that, where is it?”

“In the ice bucket on the counter.” He headed toward the round table situated in the bay window. The table he and Dad always sat at to eat breakfast. The table Tate hadn’t been near since his father had his stroke.

No way was he going to tell Tyler that though. Tyler wouldn’t understand how hard this was for him.

“Food’s getting cold and my glass is nearly empty.”

“Nothing about this is going to be pleasant,” Tate muttered to himself as he picked up the ice bucket.