Empty Net

by Toni Aleo

  “Is this the humping you spoke of?” he asked when he parted from her mouth.

  Audrey smiled, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck before she started to rock against him, fast and frantically. Tate moved against the wall, pushing her back against it as he took control. Slamming into her, she started bucking and arching against him, until they were colliding in a perfect rhythm. It was fantastic, and when he pulled the top of her dress down, taking her nipple in his mouth, she came. Harder than ever. Screaming, she dug her nails into his shoulder as the end of her heels dug into his butt and her body squeezed his.

  Audrey let her head fall back as Tate feasted on her breast. He had snaked his arms up her back to hold her shoulders while continuing to pound into her as little gusts of air left her lips. When he came, he bit down on her breast, and for once the pain was actually pleasing, causing Audrey to let out a hiss. Taking a gust of breath, Tate leaned his head against her neck. Audrey had her eyes closed as her body shook in the aftershocks.

  Tate pulled back and grinned at her, “So are you reassured that you are the hottest woman ever to me? I can’t even control myself around you.”

  As she giggled, her cheeks warmed and so did her heart. Didn’t he realize that to her he was the hottest man ever, and that she was probably going to love him for the rest of her life? “Yeah, but now I gotta change.”

  “So my plan of not being late backfired.”

  “Yup, ‘cause we are so going to be late now.”

  Audrey held onto Tate’s arm tightly as they walked into the Gaylord Opryland Hotel. The Assassins’ Christmas party was being held in the atrium and when they entered, Audrey was breathless. The whole place was filled with white lights; they dropped from the ceiling, all around the foliage, and covered the huge white gazebo in the middle of the room. There were huge Christmas trees everywhere trimmed with white lights. The cool thing about the trees was that each player’s number hung from purple and black ribbon. It was really neat, and Audrey couldn’t wait for the night to unfold.

  Tate placed a kiss on her temple and she grinned up at him as her nervousness coursed through her body. “You look stunning, love,” he said softly.

  Audrey face broke in a wide grin as she held his arm tightly, “Thank you.”

  “I was hoping you would disagree with me.”

  Her brows gathered together in confusion, “Why’s that?”

  “I wanted to have my way with you again, to prove my point.”

  Audrey giggled, rolling her eyes. “We’ve already ruined one dress.”

  And she wasn’t ruining this one. The long silk champagne colored strapless dress was to die for. It was plain, but stunning, bringing out every one of Audrey’s curves. Pairing it with a pair of champagne lace heels that she had worn to Fallon’s wedding, she felt confident and ready to meet Tate’s friends. Tate had to change his pants and he had even changed his tie to match her dress. They looked amazing together, but when she glanced up and saw Tate’s lazy grin along with his lusty blue eyes pinned on her, she knew she was in trouble.

  “And I plan on ruining a million more,” he said with a wink that went straight to her throbbing girly parts.

  “You’re so bad,” she muttered as he chuckled.

  They moved towards the party, looking for their table. They had missed the hors d'oeuvre , but thankfully not the dinner. Finding their table, which was with Lucas and Fallon, Tate pulled the chair out and Audrey sat down grinning over at Fallon. Of course, her sister was gorgeous in a short lace dress that hugged every curve Fallon had. The lace came around her neck, and only covered some of her shoulders. She couldn’t see Fallon’s shoes, but she bet they were pumps, something sexy, to match the dress.

  “Hey you,” Fallon said, smiling as she held her glass of wine in her hand.

  “Hey, where’s Aiden?” Audrey asked since she was the one who usually kept Aiden when Fallon went out.

  “With mom and dad.”

  Audrey nodded and then Tate called for her attention, “Audrey, this is Matthew Parra and his wife, Roxy, and then Bryan Rochester along with his wife, Ellen. This is my girlfriend, Audrey Parker,” he said, wrapping an arm around Audrey’s shoulders.

  Audrey smiled, “Nice to meet y’all.” Matthew and Bryan both returned the smile, while the two women did a once over of Audrey before sharing a look.

  What the hell was that about? Audrey thought as she looked over at her sister. Fallon was shaking her head, holding Lucas’ hand in her lap. Lucas shot her a wicked grin and said, “You look good kid.”

  Audrey giggled, “Why thank you very much.”

  Audrey glanced back over the table to see Ellen and Roxy still watching her and Tate. She didn’t know what their deal was, but it was unsettlingly to be under their scrutinizing gaze.

  Finally, Roxy said, “What’s the age difference between you guys?”

  Tate glanced up and then back at Audrey, “Excuse me?”

  “It’s obvious you’re younger than her, I just can’t pin point the age gap,” Roxy explained with a condescending smile on her face.

  Audrey blinked a few times, taken aback by Roxy’s rudeness. What the hell did it matter how far apart they were? It was their business, not hers. But before she could say anything, Tate said, “I don’t think there is an age gap between us. I don’t look at age. I look at the fact that she makes me happy,” he said, his eyes locked with Audrey. She smiled, squeezing his hand as he turned to look back at Roxy, “Plus, it is none of your business.”

  That seem to shut them up, and Audrey was beyond proud of be on Tate’s arm. Before dinner was served, Tate decided to introduce her to most of the team. Audrey had to admit, her favorite person was Mary Ann Welch. She was married to Alex Welch, who was the co-captain of the Assassins and also a really nice guy. Mary Ann was a hoot though, she reminded Audrey so much of Piper with her bright sunny outlook on everything. She was beautiful too. Stunning blue eyes, long blond hair, and a skinny little body that at the moment was very pregnant with their 6 child. Another girl.

  “We can’t get a break!” she gushed in her thick country accent, moving her hands with every word. Audrey used to think Elli was bad, but she had nothing on Mary Ann Welch. “Alex wants a baby boy so bad, but for some reason, he’s only shooting girls!”

  Audrey giggled as Tate smiled beside her, “Well you look stunning, I don’t believe for a second you had all 5 of those babies.”

  Mary Ann laughed as Alex smiled proudly beside her, “Girl, I got the stretch marks to prove it!”

  Mary Ann and Alex were simply a delight to meet. Unfortunately, they had to go back to their table to eat. Audrey and Tate were making their way back to their table when they ran into two of Audrey’s favorite people. Elli was gorgeous in a long purple chiffon dress; the bust was covered in sparkling jewels. Her long dark hair was up in a bun and her makeup was done beautifully. She looked like a million bucks and with Shea Adler beside her, looking just as gorgeous, Audrey couldn’t help but think they were the most beautiful couple there. Elli was glowing, her bump noticeable under the purple chiffon.

  Wrapping her arms around Elli, she said, “You look beautiful, babe.”

  Audrey gave Shea a sideways hug as Elli said, “I have to agree with you tonight. Shea picked out the prefect dress.”

  Audrey smiled up at a proud Shea, and nodded her head, “He sure did. How are you feeling?”

  Elli nodded, “Pregnant. This pregnancy is a doozy. It has to be a boy; I’ve never felt so sick in my life.”

  “Eek, that sucks. I hope you start feeling better.”

  “Me too, I have an appointment at the end of the week. Hopefully the doctors can give me something for this.”

  “Hopefully,” Audrey agreed.

  “Yeah, because I want my happy wife back,” Shea agreed with a grin.

  Elli looked up at him and smiled, “Me and you both.”

  “Baby, they are serving dinner,” Tate said beside her.

  “Befor
e y’all run off, I just have to say, y’all are the cutest couple ever,” Elli gushed, squeezing Tate’s bicep.

  “That’s funny, because I said the same thing about you,” Audrey said, receiving a grin from both of them. “Thanks though, we’re gonna get going. Go feed those babies.”

  “I will, bye guys,” Elli said as the two couples parted. Tate wrapped an arm around Audrey as they made their way back to the table. Even though she was happy, and everything was great, Audrey couldn’t help but feel the pang of jealousy from seeing Mary Ann and Elli’s beautiful pregnant bellies. She had found the man who didn’t care about having a child of his own, but it still hurt Audrey to the core that she couldn’t give it to him.

  “Hey, are you okay?”

  She glanced up to see Tate watching her very intently, “Yeah.”

  “Your time will come, Audrey.”

  She smiled, he knew her so well. “Yeah, I know but I just wish I could do it like they have. Like Fallon will do again one day. I want to carry my own child.”

  “Well maybe there is a way. You never know. The medical field has advanced so much in the last 10 years. Maybe we can find a way. Don’t give up.”

  Audrey’s eyes filled with tears and the words were right on her lips. She was going to tell him, right now, but before she could even say anything, they were interrupted.

  “Hey, Audrey.”

  She knew his voice before she even turned.

  Levi stood before her, wearing a black crisp suit, his hair in its regular buzzed cut and an evil grin on his face. But that wasn’t all, Janet stood beside him, wrapped so tightly around his arm, Audrey was sure Levi was losing feeling in it. Janet wore a short black dress, with ballet flats. Her brownish blonde hair was down, framing her face, and Audrey couldn’t help but think:

  He left me for her?

  It felt great to look as good as she felt and be wrapped up in the arms of a man who cherished her. No one could touch her or hurt her anymore. The only person who could was the man who held her. Smiling up at Tate, she noticed that he wasn’t smiling at all. More like wishing Levi to the fiery depths of hell with his eyes. Looking back at Levi, she saw that he was looking at Tate with eyes that could kill.

  “This is the new guy?” Levi asked nodding his head up at Tate.

  Tate’s chest puffed up and Audrey spoke before he could, “This is Tate Odder, Tate this is Levi Moss and, I’m sorry I don’t know your name.”

  Janet gave her a ‘yeah right’ kind of look before saying, “My name is Janet, not that it matters.” Turning to Levi, she said, “Are we done here Levi? I thought we were going to the table to eat?”

  “We know each other. Lucas’ friend, right?” Levi asked. Tate gave him a quick nod, still eyeing him. Levi shook his head, glancing from Tate to Audrey, “He’s kind of young don’t you think?”

  “I don’t think that’s any of your business,” Tate sneered.

  Levi chuckled, rolling his eyes, “Calm down, kiddo, I was just stating a fact.”

  “Levi,” Audrey warned, “is there something you wanted?”

  Levi nodded and then sent Audrey a small smile. It was the one he used to give her when they would be alone. It was a real smile and the great thing was it had no effect on Audrey at all.

  No loss of breath, no dizzy spells. Nothing. She was completely over him.

  “You are gorgeous tonight, Audrey, I don’t think I told you that enough before,” Levi said. Janet took in a sharp breath before dropping her arms from him and stomping away.

  “And it is not your place to say that now. She is taken,” Tate said, wrapping his arm tighter around Audrey.

  “Yeah she is, and you are a lucky man,” Levi said holding out his hand. Tate looked at him and then at his hand before shaking his hand. Levi laughed, moving his hand into his pocket before giving Audrey one last glance. His eyes were calm and Audrey swore she could see the regret in his eyes. “I really messed up, letting you go.”

  Before either Tate or Audrey could say anything, Levi walked away in the direction that Janet had gone. Audrey watched him walk away feeling absolutely nothing for him. She looked up to see Tate watching her.

  “Do you want to run after him?”

  Audrey laughed, “Hell no, why would I?”

  He shook his head, a smile tugging at his lips, “I was worried for a minute there.”

  She smiled, wrapping her arms around his waist before puckering up her lips at him. Obliging, Tate leaned down, pressing his lips to hers. Audrey pulled back first, and smiled, “No need to worry Mr. Oooooder, I’m yours.”

  Tate smiled as he nodded, “Good.” He moved his hand to behind her neck, cupping it as he looked deep into her eyes, “Question.”

  Audrey grinned as she said, “Yes?”

  “After we eat, would you like to dance with me?”

  She smiled as she nodded, “Yes, but I have a bigger question,” she said as they started walking back to their table.

  “What is that?”

  “When do we get to go home?”

  Tate chuckled, “I was only asking for one dance,” he said insinuating that they wouldn’t be there long. He then pulled out her chair as Audrey flashed him a knowing smile. From beside them, Lucas piped in, “Make sure it is a Salsa one. That Facebook video was too blurry. Anderson was laughing too hard!”

  Chapter 22

  “So where’s the ring?”

  Audrey looked up from the dishes she was washing, “Huh?”

  “You and lover boy out there,” Fallon said cocking her head in the direction where Tate and Lucas were playing with Aiden in his new tree house. “I know darn well, there is a ring and probably a baby on the way.”

  The last part burned a little but Audrey ignored it, shaking her head, “No ring, or babies, he hasn’t even told me he loves me.”

  Fallon stopped smiling, her brows coming together in confusion as she said, “Seriously? Shit, I could tell that he loves you from 1,000 miles away.”

  A small smile played on Audrey’s lips as she looked down at the dishes she was washing, “You think?”

  “Ugh yeah, so why don’t you just say, ‘I love you’ and get it over with.”

  Audrey shrugged her shoulders, “I don’t know. I want him to say it first.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I do, I’m nervous.”

  “Why?”

  Audrey glared as she shook her head, “Because what if you and I are wrong and he doesn’t love me.”

  Fallon rolled her eyes, “Well that’s just dumb. Anyone could see that he completely adores you.”

  Audrey giggled at the thought of that being true. It had been a week since the Christmas party. They had burned up the floor with their mad dance moves before going home and tearing up her bed. It was amazing. She had never felt so close to someone in her life. He was there for her when she needed him. He believed in her, and listened when she talked about her dream of opening her cupcakery. He was there for her, and she didn’t think twice that he wasn’t.

  He was her everything.

  The next morning, Tate left for three days, but it passed quickly and Audrey was glad he didn’t miss their first Christmas. The bad thing was he was leaving in another four days which meant he was going to miss their first New Years and that was probably worse than missing Christmas. New Years meant a lot to Audrey. It meant she was starting over and would try to make the next year better than the last. She always started it with a kiss from someone, whether she had a boyfriend or not. This year would be no different, just Tate wouldn’t be there.

  Total bummer.

  “I don’t know, okay? Today has been amazing Mom loves him, and Dad seems to like him somewhat. All I can hope is that he is comfortable and has enjoyed our first Christmas together, and that my family didn’t scare him away. When he is ready he’ll tell me, and I’ll be right there, ready to scream it in his face.”

  Fallon glared and then said, “You always are going to sit back and let stuff h
appened to you. You’ll never make things happen for yourself.”

  “I do too!”

  “Do not!” she yelled, sticking out her tongue.

  “Oh my God, childish much!? I do too!”

  “Do what?” Nora Parker, Audrey’s mother, asked as she came into the kitchen. Glancing at her mom, Audrey wondered what Tate thought. Did he think she looked like a doll? Because Audrey sure did. The woman needed to stay away from that plastic surgeon. Her lips were bigger than Angelina Jolie’s and her ass was bigger than JLO, and she wanted it that way! It was insane, but man, Audrey loved her mom.

  “Nothing,” both the sisters said before they returned to cleaning.

  “Huh? Okay,” Nora said with a wave of her hand. She came over between them, wrapping her arms around Audrey’s waist and smiling, “I love him, Audrey Jane. He is a complete delight.”

  Audrey grinned up at her mother, and nodded, “He is.”

  “He’s young though,” Nora warned.

  “I don’t care, I’m happy.”

  Nora nodded, kissing Audrey’s temple before helping with the dishes. The three women worked in silence until William walked in. Her father was still a dashing looking man. He reminded Audrey of Pierce Brosnan, without the accent. He was hard on them, but she still loved her daddy. She just hoped he wasn’t too hard on Tate. He threw question after question at him all through dinner. Tate sat confidently though, one hand in Audrey’s as he answered each question. It was so sexy, and he looked so strong, but she was still worried that later Tate would decide she wasn’t worth it. Her daddy was hard to deal with.

  William watched the women work, and when Audrey looked up at him, he smiled.

  “Well, Audrey, I can’t believe it, but I like your new guy.”

  “Fantastic, Daddy, he’s great and makes me very happy,” Audrey beamed as she wiped her hands on a towel. William nodded once, and Audrey knew that was the end of the conversation about Tate.