Page 65 of Revelry
“He did it on purpose!”
“He did, did he?” Tate glanced over at Bert who was kicking a hoof in the leaves and ducked his head like a naughty dog.
“He knows what he’s doing. Kat warned me and I didn’t listen. We need to be vigilant around him!”
“You were the one who took your clothes off and left them where he could get them,” Tate replied.
“You can put me down now, I’m calm,” I sniffed.
“I don’t believe you.”
Tate carried me over and surprisingly Bert backed away, Tate’s sweater still in his mouth. I glanced over Tate’s shoulderand most of our clothes were floating nearby. Thank God Bert had left my boots alone. His skull would be mounted on my wall if he’d damaged my boots gifted from Charlie.
“Bert, we’re just going to get our stuff then get out of your territory,” Tate intoned calmly.
I snorted. “Don’t be nice to him, he’s an asshole.”
Bert shuffled backwards and my eyes widened when I saw he was almost the same height as Tate. He was a huge animal but he also radiated pesky childlike energy. Bert shuffled back far enough that it was safe to get our things. Our clothes were soaked, and we were freezing, and it was all my fault.
And partially Bert’s.
We put our boots on in silence, Tate glancing over at Bert who investigated some nearby bushes. “Where’s his herd?”
“They probably abandoned him because he’s a douchebag,” I grumbled, and Tate rolled his eyes.
“So he’s all alone? No wonder he’s getting into mischief, imagine how bored you’d be if you were meant to be around people and were all alone.”
I stared at Tate. “Yeah, imagine that,” I said pointedly. Interesting that he made that connection with Bert but not himself.
“We’ve got a long trek back to the truck, you gonna be okay?” Tate looked down at me, concern in his silver eyes.
I rubbed the back of my neck. “Uh, it’s actually not that far. I took us in a loop, twice. We’re not far from Redemption Ranch.”
I expected anger, frustration, maybe even the silent treatment, but not the deep rumbling laugh that barreled its way out of Tate’s chest.
“You’re unbelievable,” he said again before taking my hand and heading the other way. “Sir,” he said, doffing his imaginary hat at Bert as we passed. I giggled at the silliness of it, loving this unseen version of Tate.
We trekked back in silence, both of us lost in our thoughts, our hands still clasped, and it wasn’t long before we found Tate’s truck parked on the road. We leapt inside, Tate firing up the seat warmers and we both shivered until our asses warmed.
As we drove past the trees, I thought I spotted Bert peering at us from the treeline but surely he wouldn’t have followed us all the way back?
I couldn’t be more grateful to pull into Tate’s driveway ten minutes later. He switched off the engine and shook his head, snorting.
“What?” I asked.
“You, with all those ridiculous directions. I drove for an hour and yet we only went ten minutes down the road.”
We got out and came around the front to face each other. “But did you have fun?”
He tipped his head back, his fingers tapping his chin. “You know what, I did. You’re two for two now.”
I pumped my fist. “Yes!”
He turned towards his door. “You coming in for a shower? Assuming yours isn’t fixed?”
I paused, I felt like if I went inside it was dangerous territory. I hadn’t had the shower fixed, because I purposely hadn’t called anyone out yet. I enjoyed our bathroom chats too much the last few days.
However, something was changing between us. There was a tension, a chemistry burning away. I didn’t know what it meant, other than I wanted to rip his clothes off and I was running low on willpower. Which meant I was vulnerable.
