Frowning, Tate ignored Zoe and the check. He would deal with that later. Leaning forward in his seat, he met his father’s gaze. “I’m not cut out for the oil business, Dad.” He waved his hand around the room. “I’m not cut out for this life, either. I’m a simple man, with simple tastes.” He took Zoe’s hand once more. “I love my work in the construction business, and I love Zoe. I am happy where I am, and have no desire to return to my old life.”
Silence descended around them as his father stared at the check. Tate shifted uncomfortably in his seat and glanced at Zoe. She, in turn, tried to smile reassuringly, but he could see that she was just as worried and confused as he was.
Suddenly his father let out a bark of laughter. “I never thought I’d see the day.”
“What?” Tate asked as his father stood.
“So this is it, then,” he said as he looked up from the check and focused on Tate. “You just show up, drop a check in my lap, tell me you don’t want to be a part of my life, and leave?”
“No Dad, that’s not it at all.” Tate let go of Zoe’s hand and moved to the edge of his seat. “All I’m saying is that I don’t want to be a part of the family business. I never said that I don’t want to be a part of your life.”
“But the business is my life.”
“Not all of it. At least, it doesn’t have to be.” Tate hesitated, then added, “You love to host charity events and attend town functions to mingle with the locals.” He glanced at Zoe and smiled. “Zoe is an event planner. In fact, that’s why we met. I’m building a chapel for the wedding she’s planning.” He turned back to his father. “We both love parties, and would be more than happy to attend some of your functions with you.”
“I can even help with the planning,” Zoe offered. Tate flashed her a look of appreciation.
“Parties, eh? You know how I always love a big, flashy event.”
“I do.” Tate leaned back in his seat and smiled. “We love them, too.”
“And golf. You were always good with a club.”
“Well, I wouldn’t go that far.”
His father laughed. “He’s just being humble. “Do you golf?” he asked Zoe.
“No, but I’d be willing to learn.”
“Splendid.”
“Not with other executives, mind you. Just us,” Tate said.
“Just the three of us?”
“For fun,” Tate said as the heavy weight of his legacy lifted from his shoulders. “No other corporate executives, no business deals, just having a good time. Getting to know one another.”
“Just for fun. I like it,” Tate’s father said.
“Good. It’s settled, then.”
His father considered him for a moment before responding. “Your mother would be proud of you.”
Tate blinked. “Excuse me?”
His father shifted in his seat and glanced at Zoe. “His mother died when he was still an infant, you know,” he told her.
“Yes, I know. Tate told me.”
“He was a surprise really. That’s why there is a sizable age difference between him and his brother. But once he was born, we knew he was going to change our lives for the better.” He turned to Tate. “She called you her little ray of sunshine.”
“I had no idea.”
“No, you wouldn’t. Rob and I never really talked about her in front of you. I think it was just too painful for us, but in doing so, we were doing you a disservice.” His eyes took on a glassy, faraway look. “She was quite a woman, your mother. Strong, spirited, and full of passion.” He refocused on Tate. “Both you and your brother take after her in that regard.”
“Dad…”
“Hear me out.” His father held up his hand. “When your mother died, I was devastated. I didn’t know what to do with myself. I had two young boys and no clue how to be a father. Your mother used to take care of all that stuff. To cover up my pain and sense of inadequacy, I turned to something I was good at—work. Looking back, I think I also did it because she was so involved with the company. Working reminded me of her.”
“I know that now,” Tate said. “But back then…”
“Back then you were too young to really understand what had happened, but Rob knew.”
“Yes.”
“I saw that he was in pain and wanted to share with him something that your mother loved. I wanted him to become something and make your mother proud.” He rubbed his chin in thought. “I can see now that I pushed him too hard. He wasn’t ready or willing to let me share something with him that brought your mother joy.” His eyes sparkled with memory. “Your mother was a fierce competitor, and a force to be reckoned with during negotiations. Her passion was infectious. It was one of the reasons why I loved her.”
“We all loved her,” Tate said. “Even me, and I was just a baby.”
“Yes, well…” His father straightened in his chair. “After your brother died, I was too heartbroken to see the error of my ways. I thought that perhaps if I pushed you harder, made you understand what an incredible bonding experience running a company together could be, you wouldn’t end up dead on the side of the road like your brother.”
Tate thought back to how he had almost gotten in an accident on his motorcycle with Zoe. “I almost did.”
“And I accept the blame for that. You may look like me, but you have the personality of you mother. I thought… Well, it doesn’t matter what I thought. When you got put in charge of building that headquarters, part of me knew that my dreams of running the company with you were never going to come to pass.”
“Then why did you keep pushing?” Tate asked.
“It scared me,” he admitted. “If you had no interest in running the company, then what was left? There was nothing to hold us together anymore.”
“Dad…”
He shook his head. “I tried everything to get you to stay, even trying to arrange a marriage to your childhood friend. I was still clinging to the past, and I wanted you to hang on to it, too. You didn’t want to, though. Oh no, you had too much of your mother in you. I saw you fight the path I had laid out for you and knew that I had no choice but to let you go.”
“Then why make the deal?”
He hesitated a moment before responding. “I think I was still clinging to the hope that you’d change your mind and we could go back to the way things were.”
“We can’t go back to the way things were, but we can move forward. We can find other things in common and remember the past in different ways. It doesn’t always have to be about the company.”
“No, it, doesn’t. I can see that now.” He stood. “Come here.”
Tate stood and hugged his dad.
“I love you, son.”
“I love you, too.”
His father let him go and turned to Zoe, whose eyes were filled with tears. “And you brought my son back to me. I think that deserves a hug as well.”
Zoe stood and fell into his embrace. “Thank you for letting Tate be himself,” she whispered.
“No, darlin’. Thank you.”
The rest of the visit went well, with Tate and his dad telling stories about different events they had attended, and awkward things they had to do to ensure a business deal went through. A lot of laughter ensued, followed by a tour of the mansion and grounds. When Tate’s father insisted that they stay for dinner, they did. Zoe even vented a little about the upcoming wedding and the rainbow roses she couldn’t manage to find.
“I think I may have an idea about that,” Tate’s father said. “I know this guy…”
With a new plan set into motion, Zoe couldn’t help but grin like fool as they headed back to the airport.
“Your father isn’t as hard as you made him out to be,” she said. “Deep down, he’s softer than a teddy bear.”
“That’s just because he’s not doing business,” Tate said. “You should see him in the board room. That man is an animal.”
“Oh, I don’t know. I just see an old man who wants his son to
be happy.”
“I am happy.” He reached over the divider and took her hand. “I’m with you.”
Chapter Sixteen
One Week Later
“Okay, is everybody ready?” Sadie shouted from her place in the gazebo. Dozens of women in brightly colored dresses fanned out before her with their arms raised.
“Over here!” one of them shouted.
“No, throw it to me!”
Sadie grinned and turned her back to the crowd. “One.” She held her bouquet of rainbow roses high above her head. “Two, three!”
She tossed the large bouquet harder than anyone expected. It sailed up into the air and over the crowd, arcing over everyone’s hands like the rainbow the roses were named for. Then it started to fall, and excited squeals erupted as elegant women started to dive for the flowers.
“I got it!” Zoe said as she held the bouquet high above her head. “I got it!”
Disappointed groans mingled with polite claps as the rest of the wedding guests applauded her accomplishment.
“I guess that means you will be the next to get married!” Sadie said. “I hope I get an invitation to the wedding.”
Zoe smiled and glanced at Tate. This moment was all because of him. If it wasn’t for his connection, money, and effort, this wedding never would have happened. Now, not only was it a huge success, but Zoe had gotten a few of the bridesmaids already trying to reserve her for their weddings next year.
“I wouldn’t hold my breath,” Zoe said as Tate came up and slid his arm around her waist.
“Not in a rush to get married?” Gavin materialized at her other side.
“No.” Zoe slid her arm around Tate. “I don’t want to think too much about the future. I just want to enjoy the moment.”
“That’s my girl.” Tate kissed her forehead.
Gavin snorted. “I give it a year.”
“Give what?” Tate asked.
“Before you two tie the knot.” He winked. “Just don’t forget about my invitation. I was the one who introduced you, after all.”
Zoe started to tell him that after this headache of a wedding, she was in no rush to plan another, but Gavin had already walked away to join the rest of the crowd.
“That’s not to say that a wedding wouldn’t be nice, somewhere down the road,” Tate said.
“No, of course not. Just not now. After this, I need to take some time off from work and visit my mom. While this job has been a huge help in providing for her care, it has also kept me away from her for far too long.”
“I’ll go with you for emotional support, of course.”
“Of course.” She grinned.
He raised his brows. “And after that?”
“Who knows?” She turned to face him and slid her fingers up his chest. “Right now, all I can think about is that vacation you booked for us.”
“I hope you don’t get seasick,” he said. “Because it will be just you and me on a private sailboat for two weeks.”
“I can’t think of anything better.”
She stood on her tiptoes to kiss him, but he held up his finger, holding her off. “Not on resort property.”
Zoe frowned and eased away. “It’s such a stupid rule, and now that the suit was settled out of court, it doesn’t seem like anyone cares anymore.”
“Still, I don’t want you to get into trouble.”
“I don’t know. With all of this stress off me, I’m feeling a little bit reckless.”
“Reckless, really? Like…climbing into a hut for a condom rose reckless?”
She flashed him a coy look. “Maybe.”
“Well…” He nodded to the crowd. “The planning is done, and the wedding is almost over.” A wicked gleam sparkled in his eyes. “Perhaps I’m feeling a little reckless, too.”
She took his hand and smiled. “What do you have in mind, exactly?”
“Something a little…creative.”
“Creative?”
He tugged her toward the building. “Come on, I’ll show you.”
…
Tate couldn’t help smiling as he pulled Zoe behind one of the large rainbow rose bushes he had manufactured and brought in for the occasion. It took a lot of negotiation and pulling in some favors, but both he and his dad had gotten a group of florists to take ordinary rose bushes and spray paint the flowers so that they looked like the rainbows Sadie had envisioned. The process had brought them closer together, and the result was impressive. Sadie was beside herself with glee. Tate didn’t care about Sadie or her flowers. All he cared about was how appreciative Zoe was for his efforts.
Sadie wouldn’t be the only one with a soft spot for rainbow roses. Tate would never be able to look at one again without remembering the look of appreciation and adoration in her eyes.
While most of the bushes were out in the open, this one was off to the side and created the perfect hideaway with the side of the newly erected chapel close by.
“What are you doing?” Zoe asked as he pushed her up against wall.
“What does it look like I’m doing?” He pressed his aching cock up against her. All day, he had been helping Zoe get ready for the wedding. He had been working beside her, unable to touch her beautiful body or kiss those wonderful lips. Now that the event was almost over, he didn’t want to wait another second.
“But there are people right over there,” she said. “Someone might see us.”
“No one will see us.” He rubbed his hips up against hers. “Trust me, this will only take a few moments. I’ve never been so hard for you in my life.”
She giggled, and he used the opportunity to swoop down and cover her lips before she could protest further. Her soft groan filled his ears, and as he tilted his head, she relaxed and slid her arms around his neck. She wanted him, he realized, and despite her protests, the thought of having sex out in the open like this excited her. Hell, it excited him, too.
“That’s better,” he said, as they broke for air.
“Tate, I don’t think—”
He turned away and pulled one of the rainbow flowers from her bouquet.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
Instead of answering, he examined the stem to make sure all of the thorns had been removed. While he had instructed that the thorns be removed before they were shipped to the island, one could never be too careful.
“Those were expensive,” she said.
“I know.” He slipped the smooth stem into her mouth. “I paid for them.”
She immediately bit down on the stem, and he smiled as she realized she could no longer speak. She started to remove the rose, but he grabbed her wrists and pinned them against the side of the building.
“Now, where were we?” Dipping his head, he kissed the delicate skin between her neck and shoulder. He lingered there, tasting and exploring until she wiggled her delicious curves against him.
Slowly, he let go of her hands. This time, instead of protesting, she slid them around his neck and threaded the fingers of her free hand through his hair. Desire surged through his bloodstream as he heard the shouts and laughter of the wedding guests on the other side of the bush. They had to be quiet. Zoe knew this, and a quick glance at her face told him that she was up for the challenge.
Good, so was he.
Tate tugged her shirt out of her skirt and lifted it over her breasts. He kissed her right nipple through her bra, loving how it quickly formed a peak behind the light lace. He hooked his finger under the thin fabric and pulled it down, exposing her soft skin. Letting out a soft groan of appreciation, he took her nipple into his mouth and teased her sensitive tip until she whimpered and rocked against him.
“You taste so perfect,” he whispered as he shifted to the other breast. “So damn perfect.” Hooking his finger into the bra, he pulled it down and repeated the same, sweet, torture.
“Please,” she mumbled past the flower in her mouth. Tightening her grip, she held him close, whimpering and moaning as he slowly slid his hand
up underneath her skirt.
“Damn,” he said as he touched her mound. “You’re already wet for me.” He straightened and slid his palms along her backside. “I can’t wait any longer, Zoe. I have a condom in my pocket. Can you pull it out?”
He let go of her and she slid her fingers into the side pocket of his pants, brushing them along his swollen shaft. He moaned and moistened his lips as she grabbed the condom and held it up between them.
“Good girl.” Curling his fingers, he bunched the fabric of her tight pencil skirt up into his hands and lifted it to her thighs. She moaned as he rubbed his hands over her backside, enjoying the feel of her skin next to his. She let out a surprised sigh as he lifted her hips and leaned her back against the building. She wrapped her legs around his waist as she fumbled with the condom package. Within moments, she was searching for his zipper.
Tate groaned as she pulled out his cock and slid the condom into place. “Position me.”
She reached between her legs and moved aside the fabric of her panties. He stepped forward as she stroked him from root to tip and placed him at her opening.
“I love how ready you are for me,” he murmured as he dipped his head and kissed her neck. Stepping forward, he leaned in, sliding his cock into her hot, wet opening. She moaned and tightened her grip as he pushed forward, then sighed as he slid in as far as he could go. It felt like coming home. Never had Tate felt so complete, or so connected to another person. He didn’t know how or when it happened, but Zoe had come to mean the world to him, and he was never letting her go.
…
Zoe clung to Tate as he moved against her, loving how the sweet friction heated her core. It was crazy to have sex out in the open like this, but she didn’t care. It was part of why she loved Tate—he was always living in the moment and keeping her on her toes. He pushed her out of her comfort zone and made her experience new things. With Tate, she felt as if anything was possible. He had become her everything.
She tightened her legs around him and tried to pull him deeper inside her body. She loved how well they fit together, and how they seemed to move as one. As desire surged through her bloodstream, she leaned her head back on the side of the building and let the voices of the crowd fade into the background, instead choosing to focus on the moment.
Secret Games (Tropical Temptation) Page 14