at the shocked look on her voice. “I’m a Howard, there’s no need for us to share.”
“Hmm.” She pursed her lips. “That explains a lot.”
“Oh yeah? Like what?”
“Like why you’re such a mean bully.” She giggled and pushed me back.
“You think I’m a mean bully?” I turned on my side and looked at her. She turned her position slightly so she was also looking at me.
“No, not really.” She shook her head. “You’re cocky and arrogant, but I don’t think you’re mean and I don’t think you’re a bully.”
“Oh good.” A warm feeling spread through me. “I’d hate for anyone to think I was a mean bully; especially you.”
“But you’re okay with cocky and arrogant?” She laughed.
“Yeah, I’m okay with that. Many people misplace confidence with arrogance.” I moved onto my elbows. “And I’m plenty confident.”
“Oh you are, are you?”
“Yes, I am.” I stared at her lips. I wanted to kiss her so badly. “Let’s go out.” I jumped up off of the bed. We needed to leave the room because the longer we stayed the closer I was to ravishing her.
“Where are we going?”
“I’m going to show you around Charleston. In the way that only a native can.”
“Ooh, that sounds like fun.”
“Change into some comfortable shoes because we’re going to be doing a lot of walking. I’m going to take you to The Battery, and I guess we’ll stop at Waterfront Park first. Then we’ll walk down East Battery Street and stop by White Point Garden, maybe we’ll even go on a sunrise boat tour, that will be fun.”
“That sounds amazing.” She got off of the bed and walked over to her bag and unzipped it. “I’m excited.”
“Good, I want you to see as much of my city as possible. I don’t know what my parents have planned, but I’m sure there won’t be much tourist stuff.”
“I don’t mind, Tate. I came for you. And I guess for your sister, that I’ve never met yet.” She laughed. “I don’t need to see everything. Whatever I get to see is fine by me.”
“Okay.” I nodded and then walked to the bathroom to wash my face with cold water. Jane didn’t know it, but I didn’t even need to leave the room. I could spend my entire weekend in here with her, making love, and getting to know her body, but after I’d read her note, I didn’t want to tell her that. I didn’t want her to think that I was all about sex. I didn’t want her to think that that was all she was to me. I didn’t really know what we had, but I did know that I wanted her to see and fall in love with Charleston. For some reason, it was important to me that she had a good time.
Chapter 16
Jane
“Do you want me to rub your feet?” Tate asked me as I took off my shoes. “I know that was a lot of walking.”
“No, I’m okay, thanks though.” I pulled off my shoes and wiggled my toes. “I might have a bath. That way I can soak my weary bones.” I found myself yawning and I stretched my arms out. “Wow, I’m really tired.”
“Is that your way of telling me to go and grab my blanket and head to the couch?” He asked me with a little smile and I shook my head.
“No,” I walked over to him and rubbed his arm. “Today was fun. I had a good time. Maybe we can watch a movie or something?”
“I can lie on the bed next to you to watch it?” He arched an eyebrow and I punched him in the arm now.
“Of course.” I nodded. “I think that should be okay.” Even as I said the words I knew that I was playing with fire. Tate and me on the bed together, late at night, watching a movie., what could possibly go wrong? But as the thought hit me, I realized I didn’t care. I was really starting to like Tate. He was a genuinely nice guy. We’d had a fun time exploring the city and trying different foods. And I felt closer to him than I ever had before. I had definitely noticed that he also hadn’t made any moves on me and had barely made any sexual innuendos. It seemed like maybe he wasn’t interested in me that way anymore. Maybe it was because we were going to meet his family. He seemed so uptight about them. At first I’d thought he was