Page 31 of A Date with Fate

“Until now.”

The beer was cool on my tongue. “I barely convinced Taylor to stay with me. I was not about to explain that the two of you would be having breakfast with us every morning.”

Oliver snorted. “Sure, because that’s what you’re worried about.”

I curled a brow.

My brother swaggered towards the door. “Clearly, you’re just worried about keeping her all to yourself. If she hung out with me long enough, she would realize she was with the wrong brother.”

I guffawed as my brother made his way out. I soaked in the silence for another long moment, taking a swig of my beer before I picked up the wineglass and headed back to find my date.

She was in the corner of the living room, my mother at her side, introducing her to a tall, black-haired man who was only remotely familiar. I couldn’t remember why I knew him, but I immediately had an issue with a man close to my girl.

“For you,” I murmured, handing off the wine to Taylor before slipping my arm possessively around her waist.

My mother gave me an exasperated look before gesturing to the man next to her. “Do you remember Coach Fairchild? He moved here at the end of the school year.”

“Oh yeah.” I shook his hand briskly. “Nice to see you again.”

“Thanks. Your girlfriend was just telling me that you drove nearly all the way through.”

Girlfriend. I loved it. But I was a greedy man. I wanted more. But this would suit, for now. “Yeah, it wasn’t too bad.”

“I’m from Omaha, and it took me days.”

Taylor smiled, friendly and seemingly content with my arm around her. And while the coach seemed to be nothing but respectful, I was ready to move my girlfriend as far away from his handsome face as possible. There was no reason to start his relationship off in Jackson Falls with my brothers and me having to rearrange it.

To my surprise, it was Taylor who begged off though, her eyes meeting mine before she excused herself to the restroom. I endured a few minutes of friendly small talk with Coach before politely looking off into the distance.

When my mother was briefly distracted, Coach surprised me by leaning in and jerking his chin to the side. “Make a run for it.”

“Excuse me?”

“Your girl. I’m sure she’s waiting for you now.”

My girl… Everyone kept calling her that. And I needed to hear it about a million more times. I laughed, giving the coach a light pat on the arm as I passed by. “Make my excuses, then?”

“I’ve got you.”

When my mother called out my name a few moments later, it was only for a second. Then I heard the deep rumble of the coach again, and I knew she would be distracted. And even if she wasn’t, I would be back soon. I just needed to see Taylor, to let my hands trace those lovely curves. Then it would be back to family time.

The perfect combination.

It wasn’t difficult to find Taylor, the silhouette of her body framed by the moon that was only now beginning to show in the night sky. I approached her from behind again, tucking her against my chest as I dropped a hot kiss against her neck.

“Thinking of cashing in on our bet?” Her voice was soft, breathy in the cooling air. My palm tingled, and I wished I had taken her over my knee and reminded her exactly who was in charge here. But then, she was right. I was dying to have her on her knees in front of me.

“Eager, are you?”

“Curious,” she said coyly, turning to face me. “Interested to see how quickly I can make you come apart at the seams.”

My chest ached at the sight of her face, my mind shouting at me to kiss those soft, smirking lips. And so I did, pressing lightly and gently against her. So at odds with what I was about to ask her to do.

“You don’t need to get on your knees to make me come apart, baby.” I ran a thumb across her lower lip. “You’ve been undoing me this entire time.”

Her eyes darkened, and I could almost hear her pulse speed up. “But you were right. I am here to cash in on my winnings.”

She glanced over my shoulder, as if worried someone might see us. But I’d grown up on this property. I knew every nook and cranny and secret space.

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