Empty Net

“Hush up and watch the stars,” she said, looking up at the sky again.

When she felt his breath on her cheek, she gasped. He whispered, “Why don’t you want to touch it?”

She was pretty sure he was talking about his dick and not his statement, but it didn’t matter. “We’re outside! I am not having sex with you out here! My ass would freeze!”

Tate chuckled as he nipped at her jaw, his hands sliding down her ass as he pushed her into the hard bulge in his pants. “I would keep it nice and warm, I promise.”

“I bet you would,” she said breathlessly, “but you’ll have to wait till we go inside.”

Tate nodded. His beard tickled her as he moved his nose against hers. “Question,” he whispered.

“Mmm-hm?” she whispered back as her eyes locked onto his dark-with-lust, blue ones.

“Whose bed are we not sleeping in tonight?”

And with that, Audrey swore she came.





Chapter 19


Audrey woke up to the sound of a piano being played. She was alone and cuddled deep in Tate’s feather-soft bed, dead tired from being gloriously loved. But hearing the beautiful melody had her stumbling out and wrapping a sheet around her to cross the hall to his music room. He sat at his piano, wearing only a pair of boxers as he played a song she didn’t recognize. She smiled as she walked over to him, taking in the general beauty that was Tate Odder.

He was lost in the music, his eyes shut as he played. She watched his arm muscles flex as his fingers moved skillfully across the keys. It was a sight to see, and it was hard to keep her hands off him. Moving behind Tate, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. She must have startled him because he jumped and the music stopped abruptly.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, still not letting him go.

“No, its fine, did I wake you?”

“Yeah, but I don’t mind,” she said, kissing his temple. His hand came up to hold her arms as he moved his other hand along the keys, playing a one-handed melody. “Are you okay?” He nodded, kissing her hand before saying, “I am great.”

“Me too.”

He nodded, a grin on his face as he continued to play.

“Do you not want to go back to bed?” she asked.

Tate shook his head. “I can’t sleep.”

“Oh, okay.” She kissed his cheek softly. Wanting to make him laugh, she said, “I could sleep for days after the acrobatics you put me through in the bedroom.”

Her intentions worked, and he smiled. “You will get used to it.”

Audrey giggled. “Lord, I hope not. I like the surprises you give me.”

Tate nodded, dropping both hands to the keys. Audrey watched for a moment, then whispered, “Can I watch you play?”

He turned his head, looking up at her with a grin. “Of course.”

Audrey almost hopped in excitement as she crawled up on the sleek dark-colored piano, sitting cross-legged as she smiled down at him. He looked up at her, and for some reason she saw pain in his eyes.

“What? Do you want me to get down?”

“Not at all. Matilda used to do that. She would sit up there for hours, writing in her book or playing with her dolls while I played.”

“Aw, that’s sweet. Y’all must be close. I can’t wait to meet her.”

She watched as Tate swallowed before giving her a small grin. “Yeah.”

Audrey smiled. “Well, play me something. Blow me away, Mr. Oooodder.”

Tate shook his head as a smile tugged at his mouth. “I have been working on something.”

“Really? What?”

He sat up and started playing a familiar song. When he looked at her and began to sing, she suddenly felt dizzy. Her hand came up to lightly clasp her throat as her heart pounded. His voice was low, rough-sounding, and she swore she could feel it in the pit of her stomach. While he sang, he didn’t look away, but held her gaze.

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