Authors: Lauren Dane
Frustrated at being unable to pull her T-shirt off, he grabbed hold of the neck and ripped it down the middle. “That’s much better.” He kissed the exposed mound of each breast and her skin broke into gooseflesh.
“I’m sorry I hurt you with this whole thing about my father. I would never want to make you feel like a failure. You’re not. You’re my hero in so many ways. You do make me feel safe.” Her voice shook and got breathy as he traced along the edge of her bra cup with his tongue.
He kissed her, nipping her bottom lip quickly. He sighed, rolling off her long enough to rid himself of the towel and start yanking on her jeans.
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“Venus, I love you. We’re together and we’ll learn more about each other as we go. You
will
stop giving that bastard money, do you hear me?
I
will
pay the next month’s mortgage on this house. I’ve been here three months and you haven’t let me pay my share. We’ll work it out with your brothers and the school and with Shane to make sure the kids are safe.”
“It’s hard to concentrate when you’re naked and ordering me around.” She may have complained but she lifted her ass so he could pull her pants and panties off. She sat up, removed her bra and tossed the ripped T-shirt aside before pulling the blankets back.
“Tough. Now you’re naked too.”
“I noticed. Why are you over there?”
“I like looking at you laying there naked, your chest heaving because you want me so much even when your eyes are sparking at me because you’re mad.”
“You really should write all this stuff down. You could turn it into one of those books that teaches guys how to get a woman into bed. You’d make a million dollars. Oh and you’re not paying my bills. That’s not going to happen. Half the people in town already think I’m only with you for that. Although I question whether or not they’ve actually seen you because anyone with a brain knows I’m with you for the sex ‘cause you look so good.”
He laughed. His Tate was back. Their rhythm was back. Relief crashed through him as he knelt between her spread legs and skated his palms up her thighs.
“I’m paying
our
bills and I’m not arguing. I may be good in bed but I don’t want to be a kept man.” He winked at her.
“Well that’s good since I’ve got three dollars to my name and you’re worth way more than that.”
He frowned. “Tell me you’re going to let me pay next month’s mortgage or there’ll be no sex. I’ll withhold it and everyone knows you’re only with me for my cock.”
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“I don’t want you to think I’m after you for money.” She writhed beneath him though, grabbing the body part in question and squeezing lightly. He didn’t hide his smile.
“Tate, that’s not what I think. I live here. This is my house too, right?
Don’t you want me to feel at home? How can I if you won’t let me pay my share? And hello, in case you haven’t noticed, I’m a firefighter. It’s not the kind of salary my father makes. Between the two of us, we do fine.
But the whole after-my-money argument is based on what my parents have, not what I have. We can talk more about how we’ll split the bills after the sex. You’ve avoided the conversation so far but this situation wouldn’t have been as bad if we’d talked more openly about finances before.”
He wet a fingertip and drew it over the hardened point of her nipple, making her arch into his touch. Pinching it enough to make her moan, he bent to kiss the hollow of her throat and across her collarbone as her free hand slid down his back.
Tate needed him so much right then she felt like she’d die from want.
Needed to feel that reconnection with him, making them two as one again.
She knew he hadn’t broken off with her but it hurt that he’d beg her to reveal something and then leave. Still, hearing that he’d felt like a failure, knowing she’d hurt him when she’d only meant to protect him made her realize just how important it was that they communicate with each other.
He kissed down her neck to first one nipple and then the other. She grew wetter, felt her pussy ready for him. The bristles of his beard abraded over the sensitive flesh of her breasts and what started out gentle took on an edge as they both realized the intensity of their need.
“Matt, please, please,” she murmured and he kissed down her belly and settled between her thighs.
“Glad to oblige, Venus.” He pulled her open with his thumbs and looked at her for long moments. It should have weirded her out, the way 190
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he gazed at such an intimate part of her body but instead, it made her feel beautiful.
Even more when his thumbs slid inside her and his mouth finally brushed across her, tongue flicking quickly over her clit until she panted.
He backed away, licking slowly, avoiding her clit until she arched her hips into his face like a floozy.
He rolled her over and pulled her hips up. He’d never taken her quite like that before and it thrilled her. She pushed back against him and he laughed. “All in due time. I haven’t finished what I started.” With that, he spread her thighs wide and bent, his mouth finding her again, making her groan into the pillow. With his hands on her upper thighs, he held her wide and steady as he devoured her. All she could do was hold on and be glad she walked as much as she did so her legs were strong enough to hold her up despite her trembling muscles.
Edging into her, sharp and bright, the pleasure of her climax burst over her emotions as the depth of her love for Matt Chase rushed through her.
She wasn’t sure exactly what she said but whatever it was, the neighbors probably heard it, she said it so loud.
She didn’t have much time to wonder though because within moments, Matt’s cock began to press into her pussy, her body parting for him, accommodating him as it always did because she was made for him.
“So beautiful. Do you have any idea how beautiful you are right now, Tate? The curve of your back, creamy and pale, your hair like moonlight against your shoulders? Spread out before me like a banquet and I didn’t get nearly enough to eat.”
She squeaked at the rough eroticism of his words but there was no denying he turned her on.
“You’re mine, Tate. From the first moment I saw your face you worked your way into me. Mine. No one else’s. Even when I’m an ass, you’re mine. Even when you hide things you should tell me and your brother throws beer in my face. Even when you scrub the toilet with my www.samhainpublishing.com 191
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toothbrush, minx. You’re mine as I’m yours and we’re getting married.
You got me?”
Surprised but still realizing there was no way she’d say no, she nodded enthusiastically into the pillow.
“You realize I just asked you to marry me, right?”
“Yes,” she managed to gasp out and he reached around and toyed with her clit, idly, as he fucked into her body.
“You’re not going to argue with me?” Amusement laced his voice and she tightened herself around him, bringing a grunt from him.
“Do you want me to? What, it’s just idle sex talk?” She smiled, pushing back against his thrusts.
“Seeing as how I’ve wanted to ask you for months, it’s not idle at all.
Holy…damn Tate…that was…shit!”
Laughing, she tightened again and swiveled.
“Oh it’s gonna be that way, is it?” He leaned over her body and bit the flesh where shoulder met neck as his fingers on her clit sped. In that position he totally controlled everything, her movement, his depth and speed. It was beautiful and erotic. He was nearly a foot taller than she was, muscled and very strong but she knew he’d never hurt her.
And today had only underlined what she’d already come to learn—
even emotional hurts would be something they could get past because, as improbable as it seemed, he was the one.
Unbelievably, another climax hit just as he pressed hard, fingers digging into her hip, the others still playing against her clit, teeth dug into her shoulder. A long groan came from him and she realized then he wasn’t wearing a condom. The third time in a few weeks. Moments later she realized she never wanted him to again either.
He fell back against the bed and pulled her against him. “I love you, Tate. With everything I am. Will you marry me?”
“I love you, Matt, with everything I am. So yeah.”
“You make me very happy. I’m sorry we didn’t make each other happier earlier today.”
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“It’s gonna happen. I’ll try to keep my family from moving you out next time. I know my family, or my parents, are a mess. I’d understand if you were wary of that.”
“Tate Murphy, I love you and your crazy brothers and sisters. My family loves you all. Your father, after Shane speaks with him and you get yourself a protection order in place, won’t be an issue. My father would be happy to guide you through the process and Cassie too. She’s done the protection order thing before.”
“And it protected her really well.”
“Hey.” Reaching back, he turned on the lamp and looked at her closely. “That was a very different situation. In the first place, I know how much of a priority Petal’s law enforcement puts on protection orders and family violence prevention. Shane, even before Cassie, cared and now the department is even more committed. I’m here too. And my dad is the best attorney around and the judge who hears protection orders is really good. First thing you need to do is tell him he’s not getting a dime from you again. And then we’ll take the next steps.” www.samhainpublishing.com 193
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Christmas Day and the Chase’s home was filled to the absolute rafters and Polly was in her element. Tate bustled around the kitchen along with Maggie, Matt’s aunt and both his grandmothers.
The backyard held a makeshift touch football game with players from one to ninety-five. Fourteen Murphys plus Royal, Anne’s boyfriend, twenty various Chases and Cassie’s brother visiting from California wandered around laughing, talking, snacking and laying out plates and preparation for breakfast.
Tate had made a turkey and a ham at their house, Maggie also made a roast beef and another turkey and Liv brought a ham as well. Add to that the three turkeys and two hams Polly had baking and the side dishes nestled in Tate’s, Maggie’s, Liv’s and Cassie’s kitchens and they were good to go for dinner. But for the moment, they needed to finish up breakfast so they could get the presents as the kids were begging every three minutes.
After dishing up the scrambled eggs and putting a lid on the large bowl, Tate grabbed Lise from Liv, who laughed at Polly’s snort.
“Y’all never let me hold those babies. Stingy, every last one.” Tate snickered. She’d had to race to get to Lise first because Polly hogged every baby and child in sight. Her own nieces and nephews included. She glanced at Liv over the baby’s head. “I think she looks more like you every day. Her hair is so dark but she does have green eyes like her daddy.”
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Liv grinned. “She’s so amazing. I never imagined it would be like this, you know? Marc’s so good with her too. Gets up with her in the middle of the night, rocks her.”
Tate nodded. “You’re very fortunate to have such wonderful parents and grandparents, Lise,” she crooned to Lise before kissing her forehead.
“And such wonderful aunties too.” Maggie picked up Nicholas who’d run in with Kyle on his heels.
Everyone else filed in and sat at the long tables. Edward at the very head, Polly on his right. Matt put an arm around the back of Tate’s chair, his nearness bringing the reality of the moment home. How fortunate was she? Despite the blight of her parentage, she had amazing brothers and sisters and a new extended family with the Chases. Her life was very good.
Edward rose. “Welcome and Merry Christmas one and all. I’m not one to talk a whole lot. Because Polly doesn’t let me get a word in edgewise.” Everyone laughed, including Polly. “But today I have to tell you all how truly thankful I am. My goodness look at you all. My boys grown into men. It was just yesterday wasn’t it, that I had to yell at you to get your cleats off the front porch? You wanted to borrow the car for a date? You lost your first tooth?” He had to pause a moment, pressing a hand to his stomach.
“And today you’re here, two of you with children of your own and finer babies I’ve yet to see. Polly and I have been gifted with four new ready made grandchildren in Belle, Sally, Shaye and Danny. I admit to my share of worries at first with the bird-brained women you used to squire around but you never brought anyone home who wasn’t perfect.
Maggie, girl I just adore you. You came into our lives and you brighten them every day. Your fire and caring, the way you mother my grandson, I’m proud to have you in this family.”
Maggie gave him a wobbly smile and blew him a kiss.
“And you, Cassie. When Shane brought you here that first time I was simply bowled over by your beauty. Truly, there are few women walking this earth who are as physically stunning as you are. And yet, what www.samhainpublishing.com 195
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sticks with me every day when I think of you is how strong you are. How much you give to Shane, how much courage and tenacity you have.
You’re every inch a match for my oldest.” Cassie leaned into Shane and blinked back tears.
“Livvie. Oh girl, you knocked my Marc out, you know that? I remember him coming over here and telling me about his feelings for you. Smart. Blunt. I love that. You say what you feel and you decided what you wanted and went for it. That’s the kind of girl my boy needed.
You’re a good woman, Olivia. A beautiful mother and a fine wife and you keep Marc out of trouble. You two were made for each other. Happy first anniversary.”
“Thank you, Edward. If it weren’t for Marc and Polly, I’d have snapped you up already.”
He winked at her and chuckled before his eyes settled on Tate.
“And Tate. Well your path here, like my other daughters, hasn’t been an easy one. When I watched you stand up in court and tell the judge about your father, I realized something about you. You’re small but your heart, your courage is large. Even with extortion threats, you cared about the man who’d harmed you. And you let Matt in, and you let him help and you let him love you. Each time I wondered if you’d run away from the ugliness some in this town have hurled your way, you stood up and you stuck it out.
“Matt is a good man but you don’t let him coast. You appreciate the outside of my boy, but you love the inside. Polly told me about how you told her why you loved Matt earlier this year. And then you and I had lunch. I came over to your house on a Sunday and you made me a very lovely meal and we sat and talked. Your eyes, when you talked about Matt, your eyes practically glowed. No one has known my boy as well as you. Thank you, beautiful girl, for loving my son. Welcome to our family.” Tate put her hands over her face. These people were so wonderful and they were real. They meant it.
Edward came over and hugged her. “Hey, sweetness, I didn’t mean to make you cry,” he said softly.
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She hugged him back. “Thank you for making Matt.” Polly shook her head. “Y’all are too good to be true. I’m a lucky mother-in-law.”
Matt looked around the table as his father went to sit back down but before he could speak, there was a pounding on the front door.
Tim stood and put a hand out. “Tate, you sit your butt down.” He craned his neck. “If you will all excuse me a moment. It’s for me.” William perked up and moved to follow.
“It’s my father,” Beth whispered.
“Everyone, please sit.” Shane stood and put his napkin down.
Matt got up. “Don’t move,” he admonished before he and the rest of the men at the table got up and left.
“Oh for goodness sake!” Tate stood. “This is ridiculous.”
“Tate, let them handle this,” Polly spoke. “Let Matt do this. He needs to. You exorcised that demon with the protection order. Let him feel like he’s protecting you. It seems silly but that’s what men like to do.”
“I’ve ruined yet another gathering with my drama.”
“You sit your butt down, Tate Murphy! I will not have you making this about you. It’s not. It’s about your father, who is a bad man. You all deserve better. Now you let those boys kick some tail and we’ll crack the windows here to hear what’s happening.” Polly raised an eyebrow, daring her to disobey and moved to open the windows.
Matt felt nothing but the ice of resolve to end this bullshit once and for all. The oily fucker had come to the firehouse to try and work him for money a few weeks before and he’d sent him packing.
Tim was standing on the porch, menacing Bill Murphy when Matt came out. Shane stood in the doorway, letting Matt handle things.
“I don’t know what you’re doing here but as Tate is inside, you’re violating the protection order even being this close.” Matt stood next to Tim with William on one side and Nathan on the other.
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“I been hearing around town how my girl is using you for money. I figure if you want me to keep quiet about it, you need to provide incentive.”
“You’re aware that this kind of thing is illegal. It’s called extortion, might be considered blackmail but I’d go with extortion. You’ll do more jail time that way,” Edward spoke lazily from his place on the porch but Matt heard the steel in it.
“You’ve been warned to remove your carcass from this property and that you’re in violation of the protection order. Get your sorry ass away from here. I’m not going to let you hurt Tate ever again, you got me? This has gone on long enough with your pathetic abuse of your daughter.” Matt stepped forward, pleased to see Bill step back, his bravado failing.
“Why doesn’t Tate tell me herself?”
“
We’re
all telling you. You’ve threatened my children, you’ve threatened my wife, you’ve hurt my brothers and sisters and it’s not happening ever again. I beat your ass fifteen years ago, you want another helping?” Tim asked.
“You’re a weak, pathetic excuse for a human being. If the only thing that makes you feel like a man is abusing a woman a foot smaller than you who’s never done a damned thing to hurt you, no wonder your wife doesn’t stay at home.”
Tim gave him a sideways glance that held a cringe. Matt knew he pushed hard but damn it, his woman had been terrorized for most of her life by this piece of shit, he was done trying to reason with him.
Bill lunged at him but Matt was ready and his fist was cocked back to deliver a very satisfying punch to the nose. The other man howled in pain and stumbled back. “You hit me! I’m going to sue you for assault!”
“You’re on my property, you’ve been advised to leave and you attacked him. It was self defense and there are plenty of witnesses to say so.” Edward chuckled. “Now get your drunken ass off my lawn. If you so much as look at my daughter-in-law-to-be again, or any of these children you were gifted with but threw away, I’ll come up with ways to sue you until the end of time.”
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“I don’t have anything for you to take, Chase!” Bill moved back to the sidewalk.
“Certainly not pride. But it’d amuse me to mess with you for a good long time. My grandchildren are in the house, we’re having Christmas breakfast. You get on out of here.”
“Go on now, Bill. You’re in violation of the order and if Tate wishes it, I’ll arrest you right now.” Shane moved his hands to his waist.
“No, I’m just fine, Shane, thank you.” Tate came onto the porch and leaned into Matt, who put an arm around her. “If he leaves now. If not, arrest him.” She looked at her brothers, the Chase men and finally Matt and smiled. “Thank you. Now, food is getting cold and there are some children who want to open presents, oh and me too, so let’s eat.”
“I love you,” Matt murmured as they walked into the house after watching Bill stalk away.
“Me too. Matt?”
He stopped and looked down into her face. “Yes, Venus?”
“You’re really going to get some tonight. You’re very sexy when you’re tough.”
He laughed, leaning down to kiss her quickly. “Thank you for letting me handle that.”
“Come on already!” Liv called out from the doorway and Matt sighed, dragging Tate into the dining room.
As they ate breakfast, Polly watched the children, her grandbabies as well as her newly, ready made ones, play and laugh. Children should grow up safe and knowing they were loved.
She looked at Tate who held three-year-old Shaye, kissing the top of her hair as she buttered a pancake one handed. Polly realized the sins of the parents hadn’t damaged those children. They’d pulled together and held tight against all odds. Tate Murphy was extraordinary. Polly couldn’t remember the last time Matt actually got worked up enough to get into a www.samhainpublishing.com 199
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fist fight with anyone. Even with his brothers it was more of a wrestling thing and they’d get tired and do something else.
Shane had his share of fights, even Kyle. But Matthew had been her lazy boy, nothing got him passionate enough. Until Tate. She knew she should be frowning on two fights in a few months but in truth, it made her happy to know he’d found something worth fighting for.
“I vote we leave the dishes until after presents and then the men can clean up,” Polly announced to a cheer.
Everyone adjourned into the large formal living room where the tree took up most of the front windows.
Pop, Edward’s father, put on his Santa hat and began to hand out presents. The process, which in the past had taken multiple hours, lengthened as more members had been added to the family and Gramps, Polly’s father, stepped in and they double teamed the effort.
At the end, nearly four hours later, after several pots of coffee and snacks throughout, Matt stood, helping Tate to her feet.
“We’ve got a few things to tell everyone.” Polly beamed at them and Matt slid a ring on Tate’s finger.
“Finally! When’s the date?” Cassie asked.
“Yesterday as a matter of fact. Tate and I got married yesterday at the justice of the peace in Riverton. Obviously if we’d gotten married here at city hall, you’d have all heard about it in two minutes.”
“You did not! You eloped? Why? Matthew Sebastian Chase, you should have let us plan a big wedding for you. What’s Tate going to think when we threw weddings for the other girls and not for her?”
“Aren’t you happy for us, Polly?” Tate asked.
Polly jumped up and hugged them both tight, followed by forty others. So many Tate was dizzy with all the love they showed her.
“We wanted to keep it simple and quiet and it was sort of a surprise.
We’d planned to announce the engagement officially today and get married in March.”
“But I’ll be showing by then and I’m already embarrassed enough.” 200
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Polly blinked rapidly and burst into tears, hugging Tate as she hopped up and down excitedly.
“So you’re happy then? You’re not mad that I um, got her pregnant before I married her?” Matt laughed.
“Mad? Oh Matthew, Tate, you’ve both made this day even better! A new daughter-in-law, a new grandbaby, it’s all fabulous. When are you due?”
Tate took a deep breath. “August thirteenth they think. I’m afraid to even announce it this early, we just found out for sure three days ago.” She winked at him and he kissed her hard and fast. “An accident but not so much.” She shrugged. “More like throwing caution to the wind one too many times. And this isn’t something I want to go into more detail over with all these grandparents and children in the room.”