Empty Net
Page 29

 Toni Aleo

  • Background:
  • Text Font:
  • Text Size:
  • Line Height:
  • Line Break Height:
  • Frame:
Tate’s chuckles ran up her spine while his grin couldn’t get any bigger. His eyes were darker and Lord, help her; she was convinced she was going to spontaneously combust with the way he was looking at her.
“I would love to see the new bed, Audrey,” he said in a husky manly way that made Audrey’s clothes want to fly off. She was pretty sure he didn’t care about the new bedroom set, more like laying her down in it. The more she was around this man the more she forgave herself for going home with him so quickly. He was basically sex on legs! But how at such a young age?! Poor little girls, they would have no chance with him! Lord knew, Audrey didn’t!
He had to be a lady killer. A man whore. He was just too damn sexy.
“Ugh, yeah, here’s your cupcakes,” she said, basically throwing the tin to him.
He laughed as he looked down at them, “Wow Gummy Bears, I love them.”
When he glanced up at her through half lidded eyes, his eyes boring into hers and his lips curving into a sexy little smirk, Audrey knew he had to leave. “Thanks for being there the other morning.”
Tate nodded, “My pleasure.”
The way he said pleasure sounded way more intimate than he probably meant it, and it had Audrey’s body tingling. Or maybe he did mean it that way?
He needed to go.
Now.
“Thanks again,” she said quickly, looking around him to see Aiden dancing by the door trying to put his shoes on, “Ready bud? Aiden’s got a game,” she said still not looking in Tate’s eyes. She could get lost in them and since that was a horrible idea, she kept her eyes on the ground.
“Yeah, he told me.”
His voice was so husky, and dirty sounding. He honestly had the kind of voice that could talk a girl out her panties…oh wait, he had. Bad Audrey, bad. With a shake of her head, Audrey looked up to see that Tate was still staring at her. Damn it! With the voice and the eyes and the gap, how was she supposed to stay on a guy break!?
Audrey looked away, gathering her things as she told herself to not look him in the eyes. As long as she didn’t make him talk or look in his eyes, she wouldn’t be tempted to hump his leg.
“Tate, wanna come to my game?”
Oh, come on!
Aiden was hanging off Tate’s arm laughing while Tate grinned and lifted him off his feet.
“I would love too,” he laughed.
Audrey couldn’t stop the smile that came across her face if she wanted too. Levi didn’t like kids at all. He never played with Aiden, that’s was probably the reason why Aiden didn’t like Levi at all. The kid was one smart cookie, another person she should have listened too.
“Cool! Let’s go, AA,” Aiden exclaimed between giggles.
Audrey leaned against the island, taking in a deep breath. Part of her was excited while the other part was nervous. She was still upset about Levi and the love she had lost when he left. But the curious part of her wanted to know about Tate. She wanted to know everything about him, while the other part of her, knew it was a bad idea to get to know him. She knew they were fantastic in bed. What if they were great together out of bed? What if she fell for him and he just wanted another roll in the hay?
Exhaling a long breath, Audrey’s shoulder slumped while she watched Aiden and Tate rush out the door.
This was going to be a long game.
***
“Centennial, right?”
Tate watched as Audrey nodded her head, walking with Aiden’s hand in hers, “Yup.”
“Alright, I’ll meet you guys there.”
“Okay,” she said as they reached the car.
Tate watched as Audrey made sure Aiden was buckled in before she got into the car, and started it up. He waited until they were driving away before he made his way to his truck.
Like always, his pulse kicked up with every step he took. He reached for the handle of the truck three times before he actually took a hold of it, and opened the door. He stood for another couple minutes staring at the driver’s seat before he took a step towards it. He then ran his hand nervously through his hair before he finally climbed into the seat. Tate let out a long breath as he laid the cupcakes Audrey had made for him on the seat beside him. His knee bounced uncontrollably as he reached in his pocket for the keys. He stabbed at the ignition, trying to put in the key, countless times until he finally got it right.
After another long breath, Tate turned the key and the engine roared to life. Sweat trickled down his neck and he felt like his chest was closing in. Even though a big part of his brain begged him to shut the truck off and run inside the house where he would be safe, the other part was eager to see Audrey.
Tate was sure the only reason he put the truck in reverse and drove off was because he was going to get to spend time with Audrey. Tate found himself looking for reasons to go over to her condo, but found none. When he saw Aiden outside as he pulled up after an afternoon skate, he became overly excited. And when Aiden asked him to go to his game, he couldn’t say ‘yes’ fast enough.
Tate heart picked up in speed at the thought of getting the chance to pick Audrey’s brain, and find out what made her tick. It also encouraged him to get over his anxiety, so that he could get to the arena.
So he could get to Audrey.
The drive was quick, thankfully. After parking, Tate made his way inside. He carried his cupcakes in his hand while tucking his phone and keys in his pocket. When he entered the ice arena, he saw Audrey instantly, even though the arena was full of parents of the kids who were playing. She sat alone at the very top, watching Aiden and his teammates as they warmed up. As Tate made his way towards her, he noticed that she looked so beautiful. Every time he had seen her, she was always so glossed up and beautiful, except for the time she was burning things and when he woke up beside her. Usually he liked it better when his women where natural, but with Audrey, he liked her both ways.