exaggerating and being overly dramatic about his family, but his body language since we’d arrived in South Carolina led me to believe that he really was stressed out about going home. I didn’t really understand. I, like most people, had a love-hate relationship with my parents, but I was never uncomfortable around them. They were my people. They loved me more than anyone had ever loved me and I knew that everything they said and did was due to that love. Even Marco, with all his alpha male protectiveness, only had my best interests at heart. I’d never be nervous to be around them.
“Maybe we can talk as well?” He suddenly, his voice lower than before and I noticed that his Southern Drawl was even more pronounced now we were back in his state. “I need some help.”
“Oh what do you want me to help you with?”
“I’ve got a little bit of a problem and I need your advice.”
“Oh wow.” My eyes widened. “Is it because you’re here to help your sister and Sam, but you don’t actually think they should get married?”
“Whoa.” It was his turn to look surprised. “How did you know that?” His eyes narrowed as he stared at me. “Did I tell you that?”
“No, but I can read between the lines.”
“You’re very perceptive.”
“I try to be.” I grinned. “So are you going to tell me what the problem is?”
“I’ll wait until you finish in the bath.”
“Ugh fine.” I grabbed my pajamas and my toothbrush from my bag. “Will you decide upon a movie then? So when I get out of the bath we can talk and then watch.”
“You don’t want to decide?”
“No, why?”
“I just figured all women wanted to pick a romantic comedy or something and that you’d want to get to decide.”
“You’ll find I’m not like most women.” I winked at him and then headed towards the bathroom. I could feel his eyes on me as I walked and I wanted to turn around and see the expression on his face. What was he thinking? Had he also had an amazing time this afternoon? I closed the door behind me and I leaned back against it for a few seconds. My knees felt weak. It was getting harder and harder to be around him and not want to throw my arms around him and pull him in for a kiss. I wanted to touch him and I wanted him to touch me. I was falling for Tate Howard and it made me nervous. What could I possibly expect from him? And would he ever feel the same way about me? I didn’t even want to think the love word, but I knew that I was close to falling, if I hadn’t already. Tate’s blue eyes haunted my dreams and all I wanted was to be with him. I groaned and walked over to the bathtub, putting the stopper in and pouring in the entire small jar of bubble bath that sat aside the large spa tub. I was going to enjoy my evening and this weekend. I was going to let Tate show me around and I was going to make sure all my barriers were down. I wanted to be in this moment completely and not overthink everything like I normally did. As I took my clothes off, I looked around for a razor. I wanted to shave my legs again so that they were silky smooth, just in case, Tate decided he wanted to touch them. As I found the razors, I grabbed one and then grinned and grabbed the other. There were other places I wanted to make sure were silky smooth as well, just in case.
“Better to be prepared with a smooth runway, rather than a jungle, just in case the plane wants to land.” I said under my breath as I took off my panties and stared at my pubic hair. I didn’t want to look like a little kid down there, but I sure wanted to clean it up a bit, just in case, things got a little bit naughty. I stepped into the tub and smiled to myself. Who was I kidding? I was hoping that things were going to be more than a little bit naughty tonight. Tonight I was hoping to lose my virginity. I just hoped that Tate wasn’t going to be shocked when he realized that he was my first.
I slipped out of the bathtub, silk soft and smooth and I grinned as I