Tell Me Something Good (14 page)

Noelle twisted around, her eyes wide. “What? No, he doesn’t.”

“Despite being as smart as you are, you can also be naive. And being a guy who’s…”

She raised her eyebrows. “Who’s what?”

“Who’s been around a whole bunch of blocks, I recognize game from a mile away.”

“You’re out of your mind.”

“If you say so. Just remember I don’t share.”

Her back went poker straight. “I’m not your favorite toy you hide from your brother.”

“I don’t have a brother.”

Her lips pursed. “You know what I mean.”

“He wants to get in your pants.”

“He does not.”

“I don’t share.” Despite himself, Tate was getting a little annoyed.

“And I don’t take orders from anyone other than the person who signs my paycheck.”

His arm tightened around her. “So you want to go out with him?”

Noelle threw her hands up. “Tate, you’re being ridiculous! No, I don’t want to go out with him. Even if I did, what’s it to you? Aren’t you the one who said you didn’t believe in limiting yourself to just one woman?”

Tate stilled at the reminder of the statement he’d made in what seemed like another lifetime. “When I’m seeing a woman, I see her only, not her and ten other women. What about you?”

“Are you asking if I sleep around? Because if you are, I fail to see how it’s any of your business.”

“It is my business. I don’t share.” Especially her.

“So you’re saying you want to be exclusive?”

Hell yes!
his less than reasonable side screamed. He didn’t know why this time was different, only that it was. And that’s all he needed to know. “As long as this lasts. Is that a problem?” His hand spread across her stomach, pulling her closer as he held his breath waiting for her response.

“No.” She sighed. “Why are we arguing? You know good and well I’m not seeing anybody else.” She grinned. “Putting up with you is bad enough.”

He cupped the nape of her neck and drew her in for a hard kiss. “Good. I’m glad we’re in agreement. Oh, and one more thing. That guy wants to get in your pants.”

She whacked him on the shoulder. “He does not.”

“Let’s make a bet. I say he makes a move and asks you out sooner rather than later.”

“You’re on.” The competitive spirit that lit her eyes was infinitely preferable to the shadows that had been there earlier.

…

Caitlin snapped the office door shut and leaned against it. “You’re sleeping with him.”

Though it was phrased as a statement rather than a question, Noelle went with her first instinct. She scrunched up her face in confusion. “Who? What are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about the fact that you’re having sex with Tate Grayson. Don’t try to deny it again, especially as pitiful as that last attempt was.”

Okay, then. Playing dumb hadn’t gotten her anywhere. Her shoulders slumped. “How did you figure it out?”

“Damn, Noelle. So you really are sleeping with him?” Caitlin moved farther into the room and collapsed in the chair in front of Noelle’s desk.

Noelle stared at her best friend, puzzled. “I thought you knew.”

“I did, but I was holding on to the slimmest hope that I was wrong.”

Noelle sighed. “Well, you weren’t. It only started over the weekend, but yes, it happened.”

Caitlin’s eyes widened. “Wow. Okay. But to answer your earlier question, I’ve noticed a change in how y’all interact. You still bicker, but it’s been more playful lately. Plus, based on the way he looks at you when he thinks no one is looking—well I’m assuming the sex is scorching hot.”

Noelle bit her lip and took particular notice of the office supplies on her desk. Oops. Looked like she was running low on paper clips.

“Okay, must be if you won’t cough up any details.” Caitlin leaned forward. “But are you sure you should be doing this? You know what his reputation is like. Hell, he tells you his views on relationships every day on the show.”

Although Caitlin voiced the same concerns she’d had herself, Noelle shook them off. “I’m fine. I knew the score going in. He’s not going to change, and I don’t expect him to. This is the first time in a long time I’ve allowed myself to be selfish and have some fun that only benefits me and no one else.” She gave herself a mental pat on the back for how strong and sure her voice sounded.

But Caitlin shook her head. “This isn’t like you. I thought you wanted to fall in love and get married.”

“I do, but it hasn’t happened yet. Why not take a break from focusing on that and have some fun? It’s only temporary.”

Although she smiled, the concern was heavy in Caitlin’s gaze. “Are you doing this because you think you don’t deserve better? Because you do.”

Noelle jerked back in her chair. “You think I’m acting out?”

“I don’t know. I hope not. I know this time of the year is hard for you.” Caitlin searched her eyes. “
Are
you acting out?”

“No. I don’t know.” Noelle ran a hand through her hair. “It’s hard to explain. It’s good between us. I’m enjoying not worrying about the future and what it may or may not include. Right now that’s all I care about.”

“I hope you know what you’re doing. Be careful.”

“Don’t worry. I’m fine. I know what I’m doing.”

…

The slight crunching of grass alerted Noelle to the fact that she was no longer alone. “What are you doing here?”

Tate tucked an arm around her waist and drew her into his side. She didn’t have the energy or the desire really to push him away. He kissed the top of her head. “Caitlin told me where you were.”

What he left unsaid was that she’d slipped out that morning without saying good-bye and turned off her phone. “She shouldn’t have.”

She’d been dealing with the pain and hurt by herself for years.

“You don’t need to be alone.”

Yet she was so used to it. From behind sunglasses that blocked out most of the sunlight, she studied the matching gray tombstones of her parents. Remembering how in love they’d been. How loved they’d made her feel every day of her life. How much she’d loved them.

She’d gotten used to not sharing her pain with friends. People didn’t want to hear it. They didn’t know how to react. It forced them to acknowledge their mortality. Yes, it got easier to deal with the hurt as the years passed, but one day a year, fresh, devastating pain hit her as though the losses had happened yesterday.

“They died on the same day? On this date?”

“Yes.” She broke his hold to place the roses she always brought on the two gravestones. She crouched there for a few seconds, her limbs weighed down by agonizing grief, before gathering her strength, rising, and facing Tate for the first time since he’d arrived.

How tall, strong, and handsome he was. His lips were drawn into a concerned, grim line, his perpetual smile was nowhere in sight. He thumbed away the tears she hadn’t realized were slipping down her cheeks. “Want to talk about it?”

Surprisingly, she did. Her heart was threatening to splinter into a million pieces, but she wanted to share, lean on someone else for a change. No, not someone else. Tate. She nodded.

He returned his hand to her waist. She snuggled into his side, finding strength in his nearness. “Let’s walk.”

What a funny contradiction cemeteries made. Death and sadness surrounded by flowers and trees blooming with life. They meandered through the grass for a while she gathered her thoughts and gained control over the tears clogging her throat. “My parents were my world. We were a team. Neither had siblings or large families. They struggled to get pregnant for years before I came along.”

“You were their miracle baby.”

She glanced up at him. “Yes, but you know what was really cool about them? It’s something I’ve learned to appreciate more as an adult. While I always felt loved and cherished, they never forgot about each other. They were so in love with each other it was crazy. I learned what love was from them.”

They came to a bench. He sat and settled her next to him, curling his arm around her shoulders. “What happened?”

Noelle pushed her sunglasses to the top of her head and took a fortifying breath. She told the story matter-of-factly, the only way to ensure she’d get the words out. Sinking into the old hurt wasn’t an option. “I went to a party. I drank because I was a stupid teenager trying to be cool. I had no clue about limits. I got drunk. I called my parents to pick me up. I know that sounds dumb, but they always told me that I could call them if I was in trouble no matter what, and I didn’t know what else to do. The party was starting to get wild, and my friends weren’t any better off than I was. They said they’d be right there. On the way, a drunk driver going the wrong way on the freeway hit them straight on. They died instantly.”

“Doc, I am so sorry. How old were you?” He covered her hand with his left and interlaced their fingers. She didn’t pull away, letting his warmth seep into her.

“Eighteen.”

“What…?”

Noelle looked up at him. “What did I do? It was the summer after I graduated from high school. I went to college because that’s what I was supposed to do, right? To move on?” She shook her head at the ridiculous notion. “But I was the girl no one wanted to be around. I was sad, crying at the drop of my hat. I couldn’t develop deep bonds with anyone, and my high school friends were scattered everywhere. Going to class was something I did, but didn’t take part in. Thank goodness for one of my professors, who basically forced me to come see her after class one day. Dr. Barry was my lifesaver. She heard about what happened and said I needed therapy and marched me down to the grief-counseling center. It was the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. I wasn’t a freak. The crying, the anger, the numbness—it was all normal.”

“She’s why you became a psychologist.”

“Yes.”

Her parents were why she believed in love. Since their deaths, she’d been unsure she deserved it. If it wasn’t for her stupidity, her irresponsibility they would still be alive. But maybe it was time to forgive herself. To fully embrace life.

…

Tate pressed a kiss to Noelle’s forehead. He didn’t know what he’d expected to happen at the cemetery. He’d acted on instinct, knowing he needed to be with her, that she didn’t need to be alone. He thought he’d understood her, but he’d had no idea. Now that he did, he had no clue what to do. Giving her up filled him with trepidation and dark anger, but what else could he do? The love and admiration she held for her parents came through loud and clear. Now he knew. There was no denying it. She truly believed in love. It wasn’t radio shtick.

She wanted a marriage like her parents’. She wanted love. She deserved it all. He couldn’t give that to her. Had no idea how to.

His gut twisted. He didn’t want to give her up. She brought a lightness and freshness to his life he hadn’t been aware was missing. Her uncompromising opinions, her dedication to her career and her listeners and patients, her belief in the human spirit, her disapproving frowns, the little sigh she made after every kiss. He enjoyed it all.

No, he didn’t want to give her up. Not yet. In any case, it wasn’t like he had to do it now. Matter of fact, it was probably better if he didn’t break things off. They still had another three days to go with their show. No need to make things awkward.

After their show was over…his heart clutched. Yeah, he’d think about it later.

Chapter Thirteen

“Wow. You look amazing.” Noelle ogled Tate unashamedly. A black suit, obviously custom-fitted, draped his figure like it had found its rightful home and never wanted to leave. Lucky suit.

“That’s supposed to be my line,” he said.

He stepped back, and Noelle twirled. His audible intake of breath made the two hours she’d spent getting ready worth it. From the front, the fire-engine-red dress gave off an innocent vibe. It showed not a hint of cleavage due to its boatneck collar. But the truth was revealed when she turned around. The back plunged to a vee at the base of her spine, leaving most of her back open. Oh, yeah, the dress also cupped her behind.

“You look better than amazing,” he drawled.

“Thank you, kind sir.” Noelle followed him outside her house and halted in her tracks. “What is that?”

Tate clasped her hand, and they started down the walkway. “It’s exactly what you think it is.”

“Right.” The stretch limo was sleek, black, and gleaming. Gorgeous. “I guess I should have said what is it doing here? What’s going on?”

He grinned and squeezed her hand. “All in due time.”

“Are Mike and Shannon inside?” She’d made separate reservations at a restaurant for the two couples for her second love-is-the-way-to-go date.

“Change of plans. They’re having alone time.”

“You hijacked my date?”

Tate chuckled. “I wouldn’t call it hijacking. Don’t worry about them. They’re well taken care of. Tonight is all about us.”

“It is?” Sounded promising.

“It is.” He held the door open. She scrutinized his handsome face for a second. She saw nothing but kindness and enthusiasm in his expression. What was he doing to her? It was hard, nearly impossible, to keep him at a distance when he insisted on being a stand-up guy. He was so much more than she’d given him credit for. Than he gave himself credit for.

Noelle kissed him on the cheek, then stepped inside the vehicle and sank into the sumptuous leather seat. This wasn’t the bottom-tier limo high school seniors rented for prom.

Tate slid in next to her and pointed to a champagne bottle icing in a silver bucket. “Can I offer you a drink?”

She shifted uncomfortably. “I don’t drink, remember?”

“I remember.”

Ice clinked as he picked up the bottle and tilted it toward her. Noelle let out a delighted laugh. Sparkling grape juice.

“Only the best will do tonight.” He twisted the cap off and juice dribbled down the sides. Noelle laughed, grabbed the white towel next to the bucket, and handed it to him.

“Thanks,” he said, wiping the bottle.

“No. Thank you,” she said after he handed her a glass. She took a sip of the cool, crisp liquid.

“My pleasure,” he said, leaning in. He sipped gently at her mouth. The taste of his tongue blended perfectly with the sweetness of the juice.

Noelle caressed his smooth jaw as the kiss came to an end. “Hmm. Nice.”

“Just nice?”

She met his twinkling eyes. “Okay. Very nice. Very, very nice. Let’s make a toast.”

“To what?”

“To us. The best youth baseball team coach and cheerleader in Dallas.”

Tate nodded. “We are, aren’t we?”

They clinked glasses. “To us,” they said at the same time.

The limo glided through the streets. Noelle let Tate lead the conversation. He kept it light, regaling her with tales about some of his more opinionated listeners.

When the car stopped, Noelle peered out the window, hoping to clue in to their whereabouts, but she couldn’t see much. The driver opened the door and they alighted. Noelle turned in a circle, taking in their ramshackle surroundings, which consisted of a group of what looked like abandoned warehouses and an empty parking lot. “What are we doing here?”

“Come on. You’ll see.” He tugged on her hand. His excitement roused hers and she hurried alongside him. They rounded the corner and Noelle gasped.

In front of them, a helicopter beckoned. She whirled to Tate. “Is that for us?”

“Yes,” he said, bending down in for a kiss. She met him halfway and laid her hand against his cheek, the contact thrilling her. She lost herself in him until someone behind them cleared his throat. She reluctantly pulled away and smiled, silently acknowledging Tate’s promise for more later.

“Welcome to Destiny Aviation,” the man who’d interrupted them said. “I’m Nolan Avery, your pilot. I’m assuming you’re Tate and Noelle.” When they nodded, he said, “Follow me, please.”

The pilot showed them into the helicopter. They buckled their seat belts and put on headsets that would allow them to hear and talk to each other while in flight.

Tate reached behind their seats and pulled out a bucket of ice, a bottle of juice nestled inside and a tray of strawberries, kiwis, and other fruit. “You’ve thought of everything, haven’t you?” she asked, taking a champagne flute from him and holding it while he poured.

“I try,” he answered with a quick grin.

Then the helicopter was off. Noelle knew her smile stretched from ear to ear, but she had no desire to dim it. She couldn’t believe he’d remembered her desire to take a helicopter tour of Dallas.

She gasped in wonder at all they saw. The downtown skyline, White Rock Lake, Southern Methodist University. Skyscrapers took on a beautiful, otherworldly view. They shared a smile as they passed the behemoth stadium the Cowboys played in.

The setting sun added an extra layer of romance to the tour. On the ground with all the city lights shining, it was impossible to see the bountiful twinkling stars in the sky. In the air, brilliant stars, tons of them, were almost close enough to touch. A clear night with no clouds marring the view made the experience even better.

Tate seemed as in awe as she was. He held her hand the entire time, raising it repeatedly to apply kisses to the palm.

“Is that…?” Noelle pointed with her free hand.

“Yep. Southfork Ranch.” The place where the TV show was filmed. The old version and the new. Noelle laughed. Despite being a Dallas native, she’d never made it to the tourist attraction.

When the helicopter started descending, Noelle frowned. They weren’t anywhere close to the airport where they’d taken off from. She turned to Tate. Was something wrong? Not if his demeanor was any indication. He lounged in the seat, his expression calm.

“What’s going on?” she asked.

He leaned in for a quick kiss. “Don’t worry. It’s fine.”

After the aircraft touched down, Captain Avery exited and held the door open for them. Tate jumped out and offered his hand. She took it and stepped out.

“I’ve enjoyed having you both with me,” the pilot said. “Enjoy the rest of your night.”

Was he going to leave them there? Apparently so, because he got inside the helicopter and flew away.

Noelle held her hair back as the rotors whipped the air. They stood on top of a building in downtown Dallas, which was cool, but… “What are we doing here?”

“Come on. You’ll see.” Strands of glittering lights offered guidance. They walked, stepping carefully, to the other side of the rooftop, which was draped in shadows. Two portable fans cooled the hot July air. He really had thought of everything.

Tate stopped and stepped aside.

Noelle gasped at the tableau before her. A table covered by a crisp, white tablecloth. A centerpiece of blooming red roses. Flickering candles. Gleaming silverware. Silver domes that presumably covered their dinner. He’d done this? For her?

She’d been sure he couldn’t surprise her any more, but he’d just proven her a liar. “Wow. Thank you. It’s gorgeous, but can I ask what the occasion is?”

…

Tate held out a chair for Noelle. After she sat, he took his seat. “I realized we’ve never been on an official date, which isn’t fair to you. You deserve better.”

When their relationship ran its course, as all relationships did, he wanted her to remember their time together fondly. Yesterday, at the cemetery, he wanted nothing more than to obliterate the sadness from her face. He couldn’t give her forever, but he would give her tonight.

“You look beautiful.” He drank her in. Soft, black curls cascaded down her back the way he liked. The sinful red dress skimmed her delectable curves. Candlelight played across the planes of her face, highlighting her expressive gray eyes, sharp cheekbones, and luscious lips. She was the perfect mixture of effortless class and sexiness. How had he missed it for over a year? “Why aren’t you married?”

Noelle jerked back, her eyes opening wide. “What brought that on?”

He was as shocked as she was that the question had spilled out. Still, he couldn’t bring himself to regret it. The answer was part of the puzzle that was Noelle, a puzzle he found himself becoming more and more obsessed with solving. Beautiful, ambitious, compassionate—why hadn’t some guy who believed in happily ever after snapped her up? “I don’t know. You’re a good catch, Doc.”

“Thanks.” Her lips twisted. “I was engaged.”

“You were engaged?” Every muscle in his body tensed. The thought of another guy being with her, having a claim on her, touching her filled him with an unfettered amount of fury.

“For about six months. I worked at a college doing research with my then-fiancé. I thought we were living my three Cs until he accused me of loving work more than him and told me he’d found someone more biddable, someone who didn’t mind revolving her whole life around him.” She paused. “I stayed at the job for a while.”

“That must have been uncomfortable.” He forced himself to relax back in his seat.

She rolled her eyes. “To say the least. But thankfully, a few months later Deb called me. She’d heard some guest segments I’d done on another show. The call came at the perfect time. I needed a fresh start, and I missed counseling and connecting with people.”

“And…um, you’re over that relationship?” Tate took a sip of juice, needing to do something besides holding his breath while he waited for her answer.

Noelle let out a small laugh. “Without a doubt. He was a self-righteous ass. I dodged a bullet.”

Tate smiled. “You’re a strong woman.”

“You’re a smooth talker.”

“It’s a skill,” he said, shooting her a flirtatious glance. “Let’s eat before the food gets cold.”

She lifted the dome in front of her, revealing surf and turf artfully displayed on white bone china. “This looks amazing.”

“I’d say I made it, but we’d both know that would be a lie.” During their nights together, she’d assumed most of the cooking duties, and he’d made up for it by cleaning up. And satisfying her in other ways, as he liked to remind her.

“Too true.” Noelle looked around again, her surprise about being on a rooftop in downtown Dallas clear. “I never would have expected all this.” She waved her hand. “How did you get permission to be up here?”

He let his mouth curve into a brief smile. “I have my ways. Now let’s eat.”

“Ooh, you’re being mysterious, but I like it.” She dug into the steak first and moaned. “This is so good.” She ate a few more bites and then said, “Can I ask you a question?”

She sounded and looked serious. He swallowed a bite of lobster before answering. “Sure.”

“Why did you sell your website?”

An unexpected question, but one he’d answered plenty of times. “The short answer is I received an offer I couldn’t refuse.”

Noelle studied him over the rim of the glass, her gray eyes seeing far too much. “And the long answer?”

She demanded the truth. More importantly, he wanted to give it to her. “The long answer is it wasn’t as fun as it was when I first started it. It was successful beyond my wildest dreams, but it wasn’t a challenge anymore.”

“You got bored.”

“Yes.” He shrugged. A problem that had plagued him his entire life.

“And then you went to radio?”

“Yeah, Deb offered me the job when she found out I was local. The website became popular, in part, because I was never afraid to offer my opinion. The job sounded interesting, so I said sure. Like you, I enjoy connecting voice to voice. It’s way better than doing it through a computer.”

“You’re happy doing radio?” Her eyes probed deep.

He paused before answering. “Yeah.”

“Are you sure? That wasn’t the most convincing answer.”

He shrugged again. “I’ve been doing it a long time. Sometimes I get a little restless. Well I did until a certain doctor started mouthing off about how sports weren’t important.”

“I have my moments,” she said with a sexy twist of her lips.

Contentment settled over him. Being there alone with Noelle, with no bet, no radio show, no well-meaning friends to distract them was nice. Better than. Way better.

“Have you thought more about going to your parents’ wedding?”

His fork dropped out of his hand and clanked against the plate. “Way to spoil the mood.”

“I didn’t mean to.” She reached across the table and covered his hand. “I know they drive you crazy, but they are your parents. You never know what tomorrow holds.”

“I know, but I haven’t thought about going.” Which wasn’t precisely true. He had thought about it, but didn’t know if he could stomach sitting through the ceremony watching his parents make promises to each other they had no intention of keeping. He stared at her, while he took a long swallow of juice. “My turn to ask you a question.”

Her lips pressed together like she was repressing a sigh. “Okay.”

“Have you heard anything about your book?”

Noelle smiled. “Good way to distract me, but no, not yet. The publishing business moves at a snail’s pace, so I don’t expect to hear anything for a while. At least that’s what I tell myself to keep from going crazy.”

“My money is on you. It’ll happen.”

“You are such a smooth talker. What am I going to do with you?”

A husky tone entered his voice. “I have some ideas.”

…

After dinner, Tate escorted her to a door on the far wall of the roof, down a flight of stairs, and into a lit hallway. Noelle assumed they were heading for the elevator, but he shocked her again, stopping at a door about halfway down the hall. He pulled out a key card from the inner breast pocket of his suit jacket. He opened the door and flipped the switch on the wall, bathing the room in bright light. “Welcome to my place.”