Just Breathe

  Without another word Tate grabbed my hips, turning my body toward his. His lips engulfed mine within seconds in a primal need. He pressed his body hard into mine; his hands gripped my hair in an attempt to pull me closer. I gasped at the feeling of pleasure and pain that shot through my body. My tongue begged him for access. He bit my bottom lip lightly before letting me in. This kiss was heated, desperate and furious. Our tongues probed and massaged each other’s in frenzied need, tasting every inch of our mouths. I was gasping for air, but I wouldn’t break. I needed to give him this. I felt his hand slide up the back of my cami, his fingers dancing on my skin, causing me to moan against his lips and I melted as I felt him smile into the kiss. I wanted to be in his lap, I wanted to be straddling him, I wanted his body flush against mine. I forgot where we were, I forgot about the world around us.

  “I don’t know how I’m going resist you,” I murmured against his lips in an honesty that scared me.

  “I don’t want you to resist me.”

  The sudden jerk of the Ferris wheel caused me to break from the kiss, leaving us both breathless. I felt flushed; I felt heat swirling through my body in a way that I hadn’t felt before, I was aching for him and I needed him to touch me. Tate rested his forehead on mine, our noses touching as we struggled to catch our breath.

  Watching him closely, I smiled as I saw him take a hesitant look over the edge. “Thank you,” he whispered before placing a soft kiss on my lips.

  “You definitely don’t need to thank me for kissing you. Believe me, it was my pleasure,” I replied. Tate’s laughter broke the tension surrounding us.

  I grabbed his hand before turning my attention back to the view in front of me. The ocean looked amazingly inviting. I smiled as I felt Tate place his head on my shoulder, hearing him sigh. “I’m going to shut my eyes until we are back on the ground.”

  We made it to the ground and Tate was out of the carriage within seconds; I had never seen someone move as fast as him. He didn’t even wait for me to get out. He was holding on to the rail of the boardwalk, the color in his face slowly coming back.

  “We are never doing that again, Sav. I was shitting my pants.” I couldn’t hold my laughter in anymore. He was too cute.

  “I’m glad you find my issues so amusing.” Tate pouted and turned away from me while trying to hide the smile trying to overtake his lips. He stormed off overdramatically toward the surging crowd of people on the pier. I followed him, keeping my eyes locked on him. Once I finally got to him, my arm snaked around his waist and I clutched his shirt as we walked in silence.

  “Ahhhh, fairy floss!” I shrieked as my eyes found a cart surrounded by excited children and an overwhelmed woman handing out bags of my favorite treat. I grabbed Tate’s hand and swerved through the crowd. Fairy floss reminded me of days spent at local shows back home and getting the best sugar high ever. The memories!

  “What the hell is fairy floss? Seriously, you Australians crack me up!” Tate boomed with laughter beside me and his eyes followed mine to the stand that I was pulling him toward, the stand with the sugary goodness.

  Tate’s face lit up like a Christmas tree when he realized what I was saying. “Cotton candy is my favorite.”

  This guy was really too much. I was in stitches, I was gasping for air from the laughter shooting out of my body.

  “I can’t handle you, Tate Connors, you are too much,” I said between bursts of laughter.

  “What? A grown man can love cotton candy. Pink is my favorite.” He smirked as he paid the vendor and ripped the bag open and stuffed his mouth full.

  “I will always call it fairy floss. It would be like calling thongs flip-flops. I am Aussie through and through.” I opened my bag and my senses were overcome by sugar. I pulled out a piece of pink fluffiness and it melted in my mouth.

  “Don’t move.” Tate suddenly warned with wide eyes that narrowed on me.

  Tate took a step toward me, his eyes never losing focus, his lips taut. “Seriously, don’t move, Sav. You have something on you.”

  My eyes shot open wide in fear. Did I have a spider crawling over me? Did I have sauce still on my face from lunch? Had my mascara run down my face because I was laughing so hard? What the hell was it?!

  “Tate, what is it?” I choked out. “Tell me!”

  He leaned in close, smirking as his eyes dropped to my mouth. “You have fairy floss on your lip.” His lips skimmed over mine as he spoke, his voice deep and husky. I could have killed him.

  Tate’s lips glided onto mine and I sighed as I felt his tongue swipe across my bottom lip to get the lingering fairy floss. It was hands down the most deliciously hot moment of the day, and boy did my body know it. I was alive once again—just like every other time he kissed me, he electrified me. He kissed me almost elegantly as his hands rested on my hips. I was kissing him again. I had told myself I wouldn’t kiss him today, but here I was once again going against my better judgment. The damn Tate Connors Effect had swept me off my feet again. He pulled away slowly and winked.

  This truly was a perfect day and yes I admit it was a date.

  Chapter Fourteen

  My plans for a quiet night were shattered by the shrill of my phone as I walked into my dark apartment. As I fumbled for the light switch I pulled my phone out of my bag to find five unanswered text notifications flashed at me, all from Tanzi.

  Tanzi: Savannah Rae, answer your damn phone. I know you are out with my brother. Call me.

  Shit, I hadn’t even thought of Tanzi. I was officially the worst friend ever.

  Me: I am so sorry! I just walked in the door. Don’t hate me xx

  Tanzi: You can make it up to me by coming to the bar with me. I am pretty sure Jack and Lucas are going down. Pick you up in an hour.

  An hour later, I was showered, dressed, made up and waiting for Tanzi. My purple skinny jeans were my favorite and hugged my body closely, my heels were new and my top showed just a hint of cleavage to bring me the attention of Tate. I knew I was stepping into dangerous territory. I was the one who said it was just one night, but the way my body was reacting to him, I knew I wanted to turn his head. More than anything I wanted him to want me as much as I wanted him. I wasn’t looking at him like prey anymore. I had pure unadulterated want for him. The thought of his body pressed against mine was causing every inch of me to ignite.

  The bar was packed for a Sunday night and the moment I stepped into the crowded bar I stopped in my tracks as I heard the sexy and irresistible voice of Blake floating from the stage. Shit. My eyes betrayed me as I was drawn to look toward the stage and my mind went crazy with flashbacks of our night together.

  “Did you know they were playing tonight?” Tanzi asked and I couldn’t help but notice the suspicion in her voice.

  I shook my head in response. “I haven’t spoken to him or seen him since that first night,” I said stuttering on my words.

  “He keeps staring at you,” she whispered into my ear as if trying to make sure Blake couldn’t hear her. I swallowed my giggle at the hilarity of the situation. Had she not realized he was on stage and not within earshot?

  “He can stare all he likes. I’m not interested in him, Tanzi. I promise.” No, Tanzi, I really want your brother in my pants again.

  Walking hand in hand, we giggled as we walked through the crowd toward our usual table, the same table that provided the too-good-to-be-true view of the stage. My goal for tonight was to keep my eyes from Blake. I couldn’t ignite Tanzi’s suspicions.

  “Are you two single? I’d love to have a threesome.” Jack’s cocky voice beamed from behind me. I turned in my seat and rolled my eyes at Jack. Lucas chuckled beside him and I shot him a look, which only made him laugh louder.

  “You guys are idiots!” Jack and Lucas pulled out the seats around Tanzi and me and collapsed.

  “I’m going to buy drinks. We will talk about that threesome later.” Tanzi winked in Jack’s direction and hurried off toward the bar.

  Jack’s wiggled hi
s eyebrows at me, awaiting my answer. “I only do threesomes with two guys. How ’bout it boys?” I mocked and smirked at Lucas and Jack.

  Jack boomed in laughter, while Lucas shook his head at me and smiled amusingly. “I knew there was a reason I thought you were a freaking awesome!”

  “Do you really have threesomes? Have you?” Jack suddenly asked in seriousness. His eyes wide with anticipation of what I would say. He and Lucas looked at me, both with stupid smiles on their faces, gawking at me for an answer.

  “How about we let your mind go crazy wondering whether I have or not?” I winked at them and smiled over their shoulders as Tanzi approached us with a tray full of cocktails.

  Handing me a cocktail, Tanzi looked between Lucas and Jack. “Why are you two looking so damn happy?”

  “Sav was telling us about her history with threesomes!”

  “Jack! I didn’t tell you anything.” I pushed him back into his chair and rolled my eyes at him. Tanzi sat in his lap and Lucas sat back in the chair beside me a deep laugh escaping his chest. I loved playing with their heads. I knew they would be thinking of my so-called threesomes for hours. Ahhh, being a girl had its advantages.

  “So how was your hot date with Tate?” Jack said with a wink. I spluttered my drink at his directness, although I should have expected it. I was learning quickly that nothing was off limits when it came to Jack.

  “Can I just say that it’s about time. Seriously, since day one it’s been so obvious. I totally knew it would happen,” Tanzi stated with confidence.

  I looked at her wide-eyed. “What are you talking about? Since day one?”

  “Believe me, we all saw it. Hiding behind a fake hate for each other?” she scoffed. “Oh please, you two were clear as day.” She laughed and turned her attention toward Jack, leaving me in complete astonishment.

  Baffled at her response I looked at Lucas, who was chuckling softly beside me. What the hell was Tanzi on about?

  “Are you as confused as me?” I asked with a laugh.

  Lucas took my cocktail from me and I watched amused as he gulped down half of it. “Yep, but Tanzi is right. I knew you two were into each other the moment Tate turned up and said you’d fuck me on our first date.” He smirked beside me and I could feel my face flush.

  “Why do you find it necessary to remind me of that?”

  “Because it causes me great please to see you get embarrassed like you are now.” Lucas winked at me before he stiffened in his chair, his eyes dropping momentarily.

  I felt the air shift around me and the feeling of someone standing behind me was confirmed when Lucas’ eyes left mine and he looked over my shoulder and nodded in acknowledgement. I knew exactly who it was. I twisted in my seat, my eyes landing on the guy that I had just spent an amazing day with.

  I stood from my seat and moved so I was standing in front of him. I grabbed the corners of his shirt and rested by hands on his hips. “Hey,” I said with a smile.

  Tate’s eyes flashed between mine and the stage behind us. “What are you doing here?”

  A chill ran down my spine the moment the music faded out and the sound of the cheers from the crowd dispersed. My urge to turn toward the stage overcame me. As I turned to look at Blake, I felt Tate go rigid beside me and move. I gripped his arm tightly to make him stay with me. “Sav, I can’t do this.”

  It seemed that time stood still the moment that Blake’s smooth voice floated through the air. “So this song goes out to Australian girls who fuck you senseless. She is here tonight, and I can’t wait to get my hands on her again.”

  Tate’s body went stiff beside me and I felt him turn toward the stage. He looked at Blake with anger fuming from every inch of him as Blake smirked in his direction.

  “Fuck,” I cursed under my breath. Blake’s eyes were scorching mine and it was the grin on his lips that spoke a thousand words.

  “Fuck this shit, I can’t do this again,” Tate grunted. He ripped his arm out of my grip and stormed out of the bar. I stood in a daze, cursing the situation I found myself in. What was it with karma and always wanting to find me?

  Jack touched my arm softly, breaking my gaze from where Tate had left. “Give me a second with him.” I nodded and slowly made my way back to Tanzi and Lucas, who were looking at me in disbelief.

  “At least everyone in the bar knows you’re a good fuck.” Tanzi chuckled opposite me. All I could do was laugh, it was either laugh or crumble into a mess on the floor.

  “Always looking for a positive.”

  “Tate and Blake have a lot of history. We were all best friends, and yeah, Blake fucked it up and Tate has never forgiven him.” Tanzi spoke softly, almost choking on her words.

  I looked at the door the moment Tate and Jack walked in. Tate’s eyes immediately landed on mine, and I began to stand to move toward him but my heart crushed the moment when he shook his head and mouthed don’t across the room.

  Jack sat beside me, shaking his head. “He is a fucking idiot,” he mumbled under his breath.

  I turned my attention to the stage. Blake’s eyes continued to land on mine and it was obvious he was singing to me, and the way he was moving his hips suggestively in my direction showed that he wasn’t shy about what he wanted.

  “Come to the bar with me. I’ll buy you a shot,” Lucas leaned in and said loudly over the music. The music was loud that you couldn’t speak; it was all about nodding and thumbs up. I stood and grabbed his arm as he pulled me through the expanding crowd to the bar, I was bumping off people and groaned as I felt other people’s sweat on my skin. That was the worst part of live shows.

  “What do you want?” he yelled over the excessive feedback coming from the stage.

  “Something incredibly strong,” I replied, pulling out a stool and sitting at the bar. I looked at the person pouring our drinks and recognized her instantly. Ali.

  “Hello!!” I said enthusiastically with a smile.

  “Hi Savannah, how was your day out?” How did everyone know what I was doing?

  “Day was great but the night is turning into shit,” I groaned into her ear as I leaned over the bar to speak with her. She pulled away and pouted at me.

  “How ’bout I make you and your friend something strong?” Ali’s eyes flickered to Lucas, who had been standing silently beside me.

  Lucas watched Ali like a hawk as she started shaking our drinks. It was quite adorable. He watched her every move and I saw him look her up and down. I chuckled as I bared witness to Lucas being on the prowl. His eyes met mine and I raised my eyebrow suggestively at him.

  Two disgusting-looking shots were placed in front of us and Ali stood back with her arms folded across her chest to watch. I was hoping the effect was instant.

  “Ali, this is Lucas, Lucas this gorgeous girl is Ali.” I watched as they exchanged smiles and handshakes and a look that lingered a second too long. Ali was interrupted by another customer and Lucas turned to me, clearly intrigued.

  “Don’t say a word,” he said as if he was reading my mind. “Bottoms up.”

  I tipped my head back and threw down the shot. It was outrageously strong, and thankfully it made my head fuzzy, which was exactly what I wanted.

  After another two shots I looked back at our table, Tate was slumped in the seat I had left, leaning in close to Tanzi and talking.

  “Let’s go,” I spoke as I grabbed Lucas’ hand to steady myself as we walked toward the table. The disgusting shot that Ali had served me was now swimming through my veins and my confidence was sky-high.

  The second Tate saw Lucas and me coming toward the table, he stood to leave. His eyes flashed at me and the anger I had seen earlier was gone and now I was looking at eyes that showed regret and fear. I grabbed the back of his shirt and pulled him toward me. He swung around and was now facing me.

  “Tate, sit the fuck down.” My words were direct; my eyes were intense.

  “What do you want, Savannah?” He stepped away from me and folded his arms defensively ov
er his chest.

  “Tate, just tell her,” Tanzi said from behind me. I looked back at her and her eyes were pleading at Tate. Tell me what?

  “What’s going on? We had such a good day and now you’re acting like this. I don’t understand what’s going on. Talk to me. What does Tanzi mean? What do you need to tell me?” I grabbed his arm and felt him flinch at my touch.

  “I can’t do this. I warned you to stay away from Blake, and now he is telling everyone what an incredible fuck you are.”

  “Tate, why are you being like this?”

  “Look, just leave me alone, okay? You are all over Lucas, and now you have the singer of the band telling everyone what an incredible fuck you are, so you definitely have options, Savannah.”

  I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “You cannot be serious.”

  “I’m dead fucking serious.”

  “Okay, for the last time, nothing is going on with Lucas. We are friends! What the hell kind of person do you think I am? I was with you last night, Tate, in your bed, or did you suddenly forget that? I don’t give a shit what Blake says, and I don’t know why you have such an issue. You cannot stand here and tell me that there is no one in this bar that you’ve fucked. I came here for you tonight but now you can just piss off.” I glared at him and watched as his face softened.

  “Tell her, Tate,” Tanzi begged. I didn’t wait around for an explanation; I left the bar and tried to get as far away as possible from Tate Connors.

  Chapter Fifteen

  It had been five days since I had seen or heard from Tate. I hadn’t been to the bar, I hadn’t been to his and Tanzi’s apartment and I hadn’t run into him at the apartment complex. I was avoiding him.

  I was furious at myself for caring so much. My thoughts were filled of our day at the pier, our soft kisses, the way he touched my body and I couldn’t handle the way my body was craving his touch. I needed a distraction and thankfully, Tanzi came through.

  I grabbed my phone from my desk at the sound of vibration.