The next morning, I was in a frenzy. I hadn’t heard the alarm clock, but I somehow woke up anyway. Only it was fifteen minutes too late.
I got ready quickly, choosing a red dress that brushed my knees and had a generous V-cut. It was hot as hell outside and told myself that was why I was wearing this.
I had a huge grin on my face as I left the building, and it hadn’t toned down one bit when I arrived at Tate’s house. But that was okay. I didn’t think Paisley would be able to tell if anything was different about me. Kids weren’t inherently suspicious.
I knocked at the door, bracing myself for the sight of Tate. To my astonishment, Declan opened it.
“Morning,” he said. “Gran and I stopped by for breakfast.”
“Hi,” I squeaked.
Oh wow. Is that my voice? What’s wrong with me?
I tried to dampen my smile as I stepped inside.
“I’ll come in the kitchen and see if I can help,” I said.
When I entered the kitchen and greeted Beatrice and Paisley, I realized I had no clue how to act around Tate. I stole a glance at him as I sat down in front of the plate Beatrice indicated was mine and found him looking at me.
One corner of his mouth tipped up in a smile. As he brought the coffee cup to his lips, he muttered, “I’m sorry,” darting his eyes at his brother and then at his grandmother. I took that to mean he didn’t know they would be stopping by.
I smiled to myself as I dug into my breakfast, which was an omelet today.
Midway through breakfast, I felt my skin heat up for no reason at all. I stole another glance at Tate. With a jolt, I realized he was watching me. It was as if my body was tied to him on a different level since last night. I could feel his presence and his gaze on me, even if I couldn’t see him.
Declan cleared his throat, and I realized he was looking between the two of us. Oh God, was he able to tell there was something different between us? Men could be oblivious to such details, but I didn’t know Declan well enough to know if that was the case with him too.
He wasn’t the only one watching us. Beatrice was also looking at me with a sort of knowing smile. I could practically feel her reading my thoughts. How was that even possible? I glanced back down at my plate.
“So, what brings you both here this morning?” Tate asked Declan and Beatrice. I mentally thanked him for shifting the focus.
Beatrice narrowed her eyes. “Declan told me last night that Malcolm is suing for the right to use my building.”
Tate stared at Declan, who held up his hands in defense.
“You try lying to Gran’s face when she asks you point-blank what’s going on.”
She shook her head. “You two are acting silly. I spoke to Reese. I guess you forgot to warn her to keep it a secret from me.”
Tate groaned. “I didn’t explicitly warn her.”
“Tate, I don’t appreciate being kept in the dark.”
“Gran, we’re taking care of it,” Tate said in a strong voice. He sounded so reassuring, like nothing could happen if he were in charge.
“Oh, I’m not worried,” Beatrice said. “With Declan representing me, I know this will go away.”
“It will,” Declan said in a voice that was as strong as Tate’s. “We’re not going to let anyone get away with anything or harm you. Or Reese.” His voice was cold now. It also had a menacing note, and I was hoping that whoever was causing trouble for them was cowering in their boots. They deserved it. I couldn’t deny I was melting a bit, seeing how both of them were so protective of their grandmother.
“That isn’t what this is about. It’s about how disappointed I am that you two didn’t tell me anything. Is this what you were so secretive about at the cookout?”
“Yes,” Tate admitted.
Beatrice pressed her lips together. “I don’t want this type of treatment from either of you ever again. Understood?”
Both Tate and Declan nodded. I barely held back laughter. These two were used to always getting their way, yet they now looked thoroughly schooled.
Paisley seemed to pick up on the same vibe I did, because the corners of her mouth tipped up in a smile.
“Good,” Beatrice said. “Now, I’ll just spend some time with my lovely great-granddaughter while the two of you sort it out.”
“Are you hanging out with us the whole day?” I asked.
“Yes. Gran’s staying with us, and next weekend I’m staying with her.”
“That’s right,” Beatrice said. The two of them looked a bit guilty, and I was sure Paisley would be spoiled nonstop while she was at her great-grandma’s.
“That’s awesome. Paisley, you still want us to go on a picnic today?” I asked, and she nodded vigorously. “All right, then. I’m going to go prepare the backpack we’ll take with us.” It was a perfect excuse, as I didn’t want to intrude on their family time any longer. “Thank you for breakfast, Tate.”
“My pleasure,” he answered, and I swear my lady bits tingled at the sound of his sexy voice. Was there a double entendre there, or was my imagination out of control? I couldn’t tell. I’d barely been able to keep my thoughts straight around him before I had those sexy hands on me and his body over mine, but now it was downright impossible.
I headed to the back entrance of the house. The backpack was there in the mudroom. I was already making a mental note of everything I was going to put in it. I needed an extra change of clothing for Paisley, towels, a blanket.
I was about to unhook the backpack to take it upstairs when I felt someone behind me. I drew in a sharp breath as Tate’s hands gripped my waist, and before I even had time to turn around, I felt his lips on my neck.
“Good morning.” His breath landed on a sensitive spot on my neck. Goose bumps broke out on my arms and then my legs. I wasn’t sure how I would resist his proximity if my body reacted this way every time.
“Morning,” I said in a chipper tone, wondering if he could tell the effect he had on me.
“I’m sorry about the ambush. I had no idea they were planning to stop by until they were here.”
“Hey, it’s your family,” I said. “You don’t have to apologize.”
He growled against my neck, sending delicious tingles through me. “No, but I had a plan for this morning.”
“Oh? By your voice, I’m guessing it was a sexy plan?”
He turned me around to look at me intently. “Yes,” he replied seriously, making me laugh.
My heart was thumping in my chest. My entire body heated up. “Well, keep it in mind,” I whispered. “I’m sure you’ll have an opportunity to put it in motion.”
From the dangerous glint in his eyes, it was clear he disagreed with me. He parted my legs with his knee, spreading his fingers on my neck. This bad man wanted to put whatever sexy plan he had in motion right now. That spelled disaster. He tilted closer, and I sucked in a breath.
The next moment, Paisley called for him from the other room. He groaned, pulling back and dropping his hand. I immediately missed having him near.
“I want to talk to you before I leave,” he said.
I nodded. “Okay, but go. You don’t want her thinking there’s something between us.”
“Right,” he said, his expression tightening before he turned around.
All in all, I was proud of myself. I didn’t think Declan or Beatrice could tell anything was happening between the two of us. It wasn’t that I necessarily wanted things to be a secret, but it only made sense that if we didn’t want Paisley to know, it would be easier if the rest of the family didn’t either.
Tate and I didn’t get a chance to be alone again because Paisley was determined to tell me all the decoration ideas she had. After he and Declan left, Paisley declared that she wanted to watch The Jungle Book for a bit before we headed out. She had strict screen time, so I opened my mouth to suggest watching it later in the evening, but Beatrice said, “Let her watch it. Nothing will happen. I will never understand why young people have so many rules for their children.”
I pressed my lips together to hold back a laugh. Spoken like a true grandmother.
“Let’s you and I drink a coffee,” Beatrice said after Paisley moved to the living room with her headphones and the iPad. “And you can tell me all about what’s happening between you and my grandson.”
I nearly swallowed my tongue as my hands froze in the act of making coffee. I turned around. How could she tell?
“I’ll take a guess and say that physical attraction won over,” Beatrice said in a relaxed tone, as if she were talking about the weather forecast.
All I could do was nod.
“Paisley doesn’t know,” I added hastily. I couldn’t admit it was more than physical attraction. Saying it out loud felt dangerous. Like the idea would take hold of my heart and not let go.
Beatrice was studying me but didn’t say anything.
I turned around, twiddling my thumbs after pressing the button that made two coffees at once. Once they were ready, I took them to the kitchen island and climbed on the bar stool.
Beatrice was watching me intently. “How do you feel about my grandson?” she asked, again in that relaxed tone, as if she were asking me what I thought about our picnic today.
“I… Well, I haven’t known him for long,” I mumbled. I’d met the man a month ago, after all.
She laughed, covering my hand with hers. She radiated warmth and motherly energy. “It’s too early. My bad. I shouldn’t have asked.”
I felt like I was talking to Mom. Over the past few years, most of the conversations with my parents centered around her health. I couldn’t remember the last time I talked to Mom about a guy I liked. Of course, I hadn’t been attracted to someone in a long time, not the way I was to Tate.
“Beatrice, I’m not sure what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything, darling. I’m happy that my instincts weren’t wrong. I could tell the minute you entered the kitchen that something has changed. He couldn’t take his eyes off you the entire time.’
He’d looked at me that much? I’d caught him a few times, but I hadn’t realized he’d been watching me the whole time. My face split into a grin again.
“I know my grandson. He’s been different lately. He’ll disagree with me on this and say he likes his life as it is, but I know deep down he longs for a relationship. He doesn’t allow himself to admit it.”
Her words stirred something in my chest. Oh, Tate…
Beatrice went to the living room and sat next to Paisley. I seized my chance and texted Tate.
Lexi: Beatrice knows. I have no clue how this happened. I didn’t tell her.
He replied immediately.
Tate: Don’t worry. I was sure she caught on. She was giving me funny looks this morning. Can you get somewhere alone? I want to call you.
Lexi: Sure. Give me a minute.
I headed upstairs to one of the bathrooms. There was no chance of Paisley or Beatrice finding me here.
Lexi: I’m alone.
He called the next second.
“Hey,” I said, leaning against the closed door.
“Hey. We didn’t get to talk again before I left.”
“I know. What did you want to talk about?”
“Seeing you. Out of the house. Every time I make plans, something gets in the way, so I’m going to be spontaneous.”
“Why do I have a feeling that’s not your thing?” I asked with a grin.
“It usually isn’t.”
“So I get special treatment?”
“Yes, Lexi. You do. You fucking do.”
My breath caught, and I only managed a whispered “Okay.”
“Do you have time for a date tonight?”
I shimmied my hips, barely restraining the urge to break out in a happy dance.
“Yes, I do,” I exclaimed. “I do.”
“Good. I can’t wait for tonight, Lexi.”
“Back at you.”
I hung up, and my face exploded in a huge smile.
I had a date with Tate Maxwell.
A date.
I was the luckiest woman on the planet.
