Page 88 of Tate
You are wanted.
He held her face in his big hands and he slowed down the kiss, tasting her, drawing her close.
And something that had been simmering between them for over a month simply blew open and found her soul.
She didn’t know why Tate liked her, but when she was around him, when his gaze turned to her, she felt whole. As if she didn’t have to do anything but smile in his direction and he’d want her.
And even that smile was optional.
Because she’d done her dead-level best to push him away and he’d still followed her across the country, dragged her back to his home, and chased after her to…to…
She broke away, searching his face. “Did you bring me here because you wanted to get me away from my mother and your ‘deal’?”
His smile was slow, like the sunrise, something lighting in his eyes. “What happens in Montana stays in Montana, Glo.” Then he winked.
No, she hadn’t a clue why this man wanted her.
But for today, she wasn’t going to argue with him.
The perfect night, the perfect place, the perfect moment and Tate never wanted it to end.
He sat on the ground, his back against a wooden bench that faced the flickering campfire. Glo sat beside him on a blanket he’d spread out, prying a gooey marshmallow from a skewer, the mess twining around her fingers as she listened to a story Reuben was telling about his smokejumping team, something that had happened this past summer in Alaska.
“Then the fire curled around the lake, right for this homestead, and apparently, Riley’s girlfriend was trapped there. So the man jumped into a plane and dropped right in on top of her?—”
“Even with his broken shoulder?” Kelsey asked. She sat on the ground in front of Knox, her back to his chest. She broke off a piece of chocolate and handed it to him.
“I remember Riley from rookie camp a few years ago. The kid had crazy eyes,” Kate said. “I’m not surprised.”
“He found her just in time but had to deploy his shelter.”
Kate made a face as if she’d been there, done that. Sometimes Tate forgot how dangerous wildland firefighting was. Probably it was a good thing Reuben was hanging up his chain saw and joining Knox on the ranch.
Actually, replacing Knox, who’d decided to take the job as Director of Livestock for NBR-X, a professional bull riding show.The same show that had hired the Yankee Belles for a six-month gig.
Glo hadn’t mentioned the Belles getting back together, but the minute she did, he’d quit working for the senator and beg Carter, the Belles’ manager, to take him back.
He’d even become a groupie if it meant having Glo in his life, in his arms.
Without guilt.
Because despite his best moves, he kept hearing his promise to Senator Jackson in his head, her challenge, and his own stupid words in reply.I promise to keep my distance from Glo. As long as I get to make sure she’s safe.
You can do that? Stand on the sidelines, watching her back as she attends parties, speeches, and events?
Ma’am, I can do anything if it means keeping Glo safe.
Apparently, he was the King of Liars because if he searched his heart, he had no intention of staying away from Glo.
And yes, it had decimated him to see her with Sloan.
But he’d given his word, and once upon a time, that had meant something.
Still he wasn’t so disgusted with himself that he wasn’t going to pull Glo against him as the firelight crackled into the Montana darkness, pine scented the air, and the stars spilled out in brilliance overhead.
“I can’t believe you’re giving up jumping out of planes, Rube.” Ford sat next to their mother, poking the fire with his empty skewer. “It’s one of my favorite parts about being a SEAL.” He turned to Tate. “You jumped out of planes when you were a Ranger, right?”
Tate didn’t have to disguise his surprise at seeing Ford when his little brother had pulled up in his F-150 this afternoon. The kid had turned into a man, built to serve his country, with a calm demeanor that reminded Tate a little of Knox or even Reuben, aquiet steadiness that had bypassed Tate and Wyatt, their hockey star who’d called in with a no-go on this weekend’s events. They hadn’t heard from Ruby Jane.
