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“I’m sorry,” he whispers against my lips. “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do that.”
My lips brush against his. “You have no idea how much I’ve wanted you to.”
“Really?” He pulls away, searching my face.
“I want you, Tate. I’ve wanted you since the moment we met at the café.” The words fly out of my mouth before I can stop them, but it’s the truth. We’ve been so truthful with each other it just seems natural to tell him how I’m feeling.
He’s smiling. “Same.”
“Well, let’s just leave it at that for now, fiancé,” I say, not wanting this to get out of hand.
“You’re probably right,” he agrees and places his hand on my exposed knee.
I welcome his touch more than he knows and I place my hand on top of his, giving him all the permission he needs. He gets the message loud and clear because he leans over and whispers in my ear. “You’re sexy as hell.”
I give him a smirk and raise an eyebrow when he pulls away. “I think you are too.”
We continue to drink, and Tate briefs me on his family again, on what I should expect, and who I should avoid.
“It sounds like something out of a dynasty,” I say with a laugh.
“You have no idea,” he replies. “There are many skeletons in my family’s closet that you could write a book about it.”
“More money, more problems. Isn’t that what the rich people say?” I laugh, and so does he.
“Exactly. It seems like my family might’ve been normal had there not been a fortune involved. Maybe everyone would have gotten along. Maybe I would’ve lived a normal life.” He sounds almost sad about it.
“I understand what you mean. There was never any money in my family and that made things pretty simple. But it wasn’t always easy. We learned to be humble and grateful for the little things we did have.”
“I envy that.” He takes a sip of his drink.
“Yeah, but just think about the types of problems your family had. Never having to worry about food being on the table or if the lights would be turned off next week. There’s something to be said for that.”
He gives me sad eyes, and I smile.
“I’m grateful for those experiences though. It makes me appreciate everything,” I tell him.
“I adore you, Brianna. You have no idea.” His words make me smile.
“Just know my family will uphold a façade. Everyone’s working their asses off constantly to try to uphold this image. Imagine if all that energy went into something else, like doing something meaningful with their lives, the world would be a better place.”
“Like felling trees,” I say, playfully teasing him.
Just mentioning trees and the mountains makes Tate light up. “When I work with my hands and do things in nature, I feel like that’s a hell of a lot more meaningful than the kind of shit my family does. You’re going to meet my brother Tanner this week, and the guy is a total asshole. He’s never worked a day in his life, well not in the traditional sense. He knows a lot of people, gets in on a bunch of deals, and uses their money to make him more money. And not only that, but he’ll stop at nothing, no matter who he hurts in the process.”
“He sounds charming.” I roll my eyes, not really wanting to meet this tool.
“I’m sure he’d love to steal you away from me too. Just if his hands go places they shouldn’t, feel free to kick him in the balls. Then there’s my father, Richard, who has always tried to be a good guy, but unfortunately, my mother pressured him for perfection and success. Then there’s my sister, Rebecca, who married a jerk who talks about nothing but his yacht for hours. It’s the most boring conversation so if you can escape them, do it.” I can tell that this conversation is putting Tate in a bad mood because he’s downing whiskey like it’s spring water.
“I’m sorry, I’m already getting wrapped up in this shit,” he says, squeezing my knee tighter.
“It’s okay. It’s interesting to see this different side of you.”
“It’s funny. You think you’ve escaped something. Changed your life, you know. And then it all comes back like it never left.” His sad eyes meet mine, and I wish I could fix the way he feels.
“I get it. Tate. If you ever need to talk, just know I’m always here for you. You don’t have to hold all the shit in all the time, okay?”
He moves loose strands o
