Page 61 of Guarded from Havoc

Handing me the flowers, Erik takes my free hand and leads me over to the couch. Once we’re both seated, he looks at me with an almost nervous expression. “I wanted to do this sooner, but I didn’t want to rush things. Make you feel weird by giving you gifts on our first date. But since this is our third… I thought it would be okay.”

More happy bubbles fizz up in my chest. “It’s okay.”

“So, the flowers are kind of obvious,” he continues. “And I know you could cut some yourself from the garden. But I thought it was fitting, showing up with roses.”

“They’re perfect.” I take a deep inhale of their heady scent. “And these pink ones are my favorite.”

Erik glances at my dress, one Lucy lent me, a deep shade of pink that nearly matches the roses. “Is pink your favorite color?”

“It is. When I was little, my whole bedroom was pink. Comforter, pillows, the paint on the walls… My dad used to joke that it looked like cotton candy exploded in there.” Pausing, I smile at the memory. “But he’s the one who painted the walls for me.”

“Tate.”He catches my hand and laces his fingers through mine. “I’m so glad you have such good memories with your parents. From everything you’ve told me about them, it sounds like they were great.”

“They were,” I agree. “I miss them, of course. But I was lucky to get as much time with them as I did.”

A pang of loss hits me. My parents would like Erik. A lot.

“I’m sorry,” Erik says, recrimination lacing his tone. “I didn’t mean to make you sad.”

“No. You didn’t.” Kissing his cheek, I add, “I was just thinking how much they would like you. Is that weird? I know we haven’t?—”

“Tate. If your parents were around, I’d insist on them coming here. And I’d do my very best to make a good impression on them.” He stops. “I’m sure a lot of parents wouldn’t approve of me. With the tattoos, and I know I’m not always the friendliest…”

“They wouldn’t care about your tattoos. My dad had some. Nothing visible, but on his arms and shoulders. Back before he and my mom had me, he was in a band. A rock band, which is still hard to imagine. But he definitely wouldn’t care. Neither would my mom. And anyway, they were fine when I got mine?—”

“You have tattoos?” His voice dips, going low and rough. “Where?”

“Just three. One on my hip, one on my shoulder blade, and one on my ribcage. They’re all pretty small.”

Erik shifts; almost but notquitehiding the bulge beneath his waist. “Are you trying to torture me, Tate?”

“Me?” I widen my eyes innocently. “I was just answering your question. Do you want to know what they are?”

He shifts again. Desire tightens his features. His voice goes even huskier. “No. Not yet. When I find out, I want to see them for myself. Kiss each one as I discover it.”

Oh.

My panties go damp. “That sounds… really nice.”

A beat later, I inwardly wince.

Nice?

Erik basically just said he wants to see me naked and kiss my tattoos, which sounds incredibly sexy, and I told him it soundsnice?

But wonderful Erik doesn’t even blink. Holding my gaze, he says, “I think it sounds pretty nice, too.” His smile sobers. “But there’s no rush, Tate. Or if you don’t want to go that far, that’s okay, too. I know I can be kind of… domineering sometimes. Especially when it comes to keeping you safe. But this thing between us—you decide everything.”

For a few seconds, I can’t seem to form words. All I can think about is how freaking perfect he is. And how much I would like to feel his lips trailing across my hip and up my ribcage, lighting my body on fire as he goes.

Also, I wouldn’t mind seeing his naked body, either. Or to trace the intricate designs of his tattoos with my tongue. How I’d like to follow that one tribal pattern that winds its way down his side and below his waistband, discovering where it ends.

Erik stares at me, his desire a visible thing. For a moment, I think—hope?—he might make a move right now.

I wouldn’t stop him.

And now that I’m really thinking about it, do I really want to use caution? Knowing firsthand how life can turn in a blink? Being given this incredible chance, not just surviving the island, but finding Erik?

Nope. Caution was for old Tatum. This new Tatum wants to embrace the good in her life. Embrace this unexpected and wonderful opportunity I’ve been given.

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