Tempting Tatum (9 page)

I allow myself to relax against him and focus on slow even breaths. Once I get my emotions under control, I pull away. Blaise again gently lifts my chin; his silver eyes capture me. “You good?” he asks.

I shake my head yes, which causes him to lose his hold on my chin. He grabs my trembling hand and leads me to the rear of the car, out of the danger of oncoming traffic. Gah! He probably thinks I’m crazy.

I’ve been in enough intense situations to recognize fear when I see it. Tatum was scared. Pulling her into my arms and pushing her against the car out of harm’s way was instinct. Once she was there, molded against me, let’s just say other instincts were forefront in my mind.

I grab her hand and lead her to the back of her car. This is my attempt to make her feel safe. I can still feel the tremble in her hands. At first, I thought she was just startled, but now, I know it’s more than that. I kinda feel like an asshole. When her tight little body was pressed against mine, I…let’s just say there were inappropriate thoughts.

Lots of them.

Now that she is safely behind the car, I gently lift her chin so I can really look at her. Her green eyes stare back at me. “You good, sweetheart?” I ask her.

She nods her head yes.

“All right, well, Mom called and said you were having car trouble, so here I am,” I say, holding my arms out.

“Thank you,” she says it so softly that I almost missed it. “I’m sorry to bother you. I told her I could call a tow truck,” she says, her voice stronger.

I wave my hand in the air. “It’s no problem at all. I’m happy to help,” I say as I study her. Her big green eyes seem…sad. That look makes me want to wrap her in my arms and make it better.
What the hell is wrong with me?

I’m not sure what’s got me thinking like a chick, but I feel like distance is the answer. I walk along the right side of the car, the one opposite the road. I open the passenger door, reach over the console and pop the hood. I make my way to the front of the car and lift the hood. I don’t see anything amiss from a quick glance. I’m leaning over the engine when I hear her soft voice.

“I started losing power: lights, radio, things like that. I think it might be my alternator,” she says.

I slowly stand, trying to hide the affect her soft voice has on me. Shit! What is it about this girl? “You know cars?” I ask her.

She shrugs. “This happened a few years ago and my dad had to replace the alternator. I just assumed it was the same thing. Your mom also said it sounded like the alternator,” she shrugs.

I nod my head in agreement. “You’re probably right.” I step back and close the hood of her car. “I’ll call Larry’s and have him tow it to my house. I can have a new alternator on in an hour tops. While I do that, why don’t you call your dad and see where he bought the last one. There may be a warranty, and if it’s a store we have here in Tennessee, we can have it transferred,” I tell her as I remove my cell from my pocket and call Larry.

Larry answers on the first ring and says he is on his way. I turn to relay the information, and what I see has my feet moving double time to get to her. Tatum is standing at the back of her car. Both of her hands are placed on the trunk, holding her up. Her face is white as a ghost and tears are streaming down her cheeks.
What the fuck?

I’m at her side in an instant. I hesitate at what my next step should be. I don’t know what has her so freaked out, and I don’t want to make it worse. Before I realize it, my hand is on the small of her back. I’m not so sure touching her is a good idea for me, or for her, but my hand apparently has a mind of its own.

“Tatum?” I say softly.

She jumps and her legs wobble. I use the hand on the small of her back to pull her against me. “What happened, sweetheart?” I softly whisper in her ear.

She’s shaking again.

I gently rub her back as I hold her tight. I want her to know she’s safe. I don’t think it’s me she’s afraid of from the way she’s holding onto my shirt. I briefly take a few seconds to relish the feel of her in my arms. She’s beautiful and she fits perfectly. I instantly feel like a prick…again. She is obviously upset and here I am thinking inappropriate thoughts about her…us.

I stand there and hold her, giving her time to get her emotions under control. I realize I’m going to be the talk of the town. I’m not exactly known for being affectionate, at least not in public, and yet here I stand, holding a beautiful woman in my arms on the side of the road. I see Larry in the tow truck heading our way.

“Tatum, the tow truck’s here,” I say gently. She slowly lifts her head and looks at me.

“I’m so sorry,” she says, her face flushing with embarrassment.

I place my hands on her waist and gently squeeze. “Nothing to be sorry for. Are you all right?” I ask.

She exhales. “Yeah.”

I don’t want to upset her, so I nod my head and step away as I see Larry climbing out of his truck. I introduce him to Tatum and tell him to tow her car to my house. Once the car is loaded, I usher Tatum to the passenger side of my truck and open the door for her. She is so tiny she has to climb in using the running boards. My hand’s itching to touch her. I place both hands on her hips and give her a boost. She sucks in a breath at my touch. I smile at her and wink. Glad to know she’s just as affected by me as I am by her.

I make my way to the driver’s side of my truck and settle in behind the wheel. “I don’t want to push you.” Yes, I do. I really really do, but more than that, I want her to feel safe with me, so I won’t do it. “But are you okay? I won’t push for you to tell me what happened back there, but you’re safe with me,” I tell her. My eyes bore into hers, willing her to understand I’m being serious.

Her eyes go wide at my admission and then they focus on my hands, which are currently gripping the wheel so tight they’re white. I will myself to release my grip. This girl has me tied up in knots. I hate that she was frightened. What happened to her?

“I know that,” she says softly. “Thank you for coming to get me, and calling Larry to tow my car. I’ll find a garage and get it out of your hair.”

“No need, sweetheart. I’ll have it fixed in no time. I don’t have to be at the shop until five, so I have all day.”

She fidgets in her seat. I don’t say anything more. I start the truck and wait for Larry to pull out so I can follow him to my place.

I turn on the street that leads to my house. “Where are we going?” Tatum questions. “The office is the other direction.”

I nod. “Yes, but Mom said you are to take the day off. She said the office is slow, and she checked your calendar, you don’t have any appointments,” I tell her.

“I can’t miss work. I’ve only been there a couple of weeks. I can’t lose this job,” she says, her voice getting louder.

I reach over and grab her hand, which is resting on her leg, and give it a gentle squeeze. She doesn’t pull way.

“Relax. Harry is great to work for. He understands. It’s not a big deal. Let’s get your car fixed,” I say in a soothing tone.

“But—” My ringing cell phone cuts her off. I retrieve it from the cup holder. “Hey, Mom,” I say in greeting.

“Yes, I called Larry and he’s taking it to my place. I think she’s right, it’s the alternator. She said her dad replaced it a few years ago, so that could be the issue again. Sometimes you get refurbished parts and they don’t last as long. Yes, I told her and we were just discussing it. I know. All right hold on.” I hand the phone to Tatum. “She wants to talk to you,” I tell her.

“Hello,” she says, and I can hear my mom talking. Tatum can’t get a word in edgewise and I smile. I love my mother.

“Yes, but—” She stops to listen. “Okay, thank you. I’m so sorry,” she tells my mom.

I can hear Mom chastising her for apologizing. I hear Tatum say goodbye. She hands me the phone. “She wants to talk to you.”

Mom tells me to take care of Tatum. She says she’s had a rough couple of months, and her friend Leah and her fiancé Brent are all she has. I want to drill her for more information, but I won’t. At least not in front of Tatum.

I glance at her out of the corner of my eye. I can still see the sadness in her expression. I have the urge to make it better, to make her smile. Her hands are clutching her purse like it’s her lifeline as she chews on her bottom lip. I can’t help but wish it was me biting that lip.

I say goodbye to Mom as I pull into my driveway. I hop out and rush around to the passenger side to help Tatum. Again, feeling like I need to touch her, I grab her hips and lift her from the truck. I let her body slide down mine slowly. I’m torturing myself, but fuck is it worth it. I see her face turn pink in embarrassment. Fuck, this girl is beautiful.

Once she is steady on her feet, I release her. “I’m going to help Larry unhook; then we can go get the part we need,” I tell her. “Why don’t you take a seat on the swing and wait for me.” I motion to the swing on the front porch.

She nods her head in acceptance and walks off toward the front porch. I watch her walk away of course. I hear the grinding sound of the tow truck wench and snap back to reality. I help Larry unload the car and pull my wallet out of my back pocket. Of course, he refuses to let me pay, telling me my service on the department is payment enough.
I love this town.

I wave to Larry as he pulls out of the drive. I walk toward the front porch where Tatum is sitting. As soon as I see her, I stop dead in my tracks. Tatum is sitting on the porch swing, legs propped up, with her Kindle in her hand. The gentle breeze is blowing her hair. I have to adjust myself. My reaction to her is surprising. It’s been a long time since a woman has held my interest like this. I’m not sure it’s ever been like this.

I continue my approach. Tatum hears my footsteps and looks up from her Kindle. She would get along great with Ember and Grace. Those two are glued to their Kindles. Tatum sits up and swings her legs around. I assume it’s so I can sit next to her, and there is no way in hell I’m going to pass up the opportunity to be close to this girl. Nope.

I sit down on the swing and give us a gentle push with my feet. Tatum closes her Kindle case and smiles at me.
Wow!

“My parents…” She clears her throat. I have no idea what she’s trying to tell me, but from Mom’s earlier speech and what I have witnessed from her today, I know it’s big. I reach over and lace our fingers together while controlling the motion of the swing with my feet planted on the porch.

“My parents passed away a few months ago,” she whispers.

I tighten my grip on her hand. I can hear the heartbreak in her voice.
Fuck!
I told her she needed to call her dad. I’m the one who caused her to freak out earlier.

“I’m sorry for your loss,” I say, my voice low. I know my words are just that to her, words. I’m sure she’s heard them a million times since the loss of her parents. She doesn’t know me well enough to know that I am. I’m truly sorry for her pain, her loss. I feel a tightness in my chest.

“Thank you. I’m sorry I freaked out on you. They were killed in an auto accident and well…” she trails off.

I pull one leg up on the swing as I turn to face her. I keep one hand laced with hers, while I wipe her tears with the other. “Never be sorry for that. Not to me. I can’t even begin to imagine what you’ve been through. I’m sorry I caused you pain,” I say. The tightness in my chest intensifies at the thought of hurting her. What is going on with me?

Tatum’s beautiful green eyes hold mine captive. “Thank you, but it wasn’t you. I still have triggers.” She smiles softly. “That’s what Brent calls them.”

I tuck her hair behind her ear. The thick locks feel like silk. “I’m a good listener if you ever need to talk,” I tell her.

She nods. No words are needed.

I lift her hand to my lips and place a gentle kiss on her knuckles. “Okay, well how about we run to the parts store and get that alternator. We can stop and grab an early lunch while we’re out. Then we can come back here and I’ll have you fixed up in no time,” I say, trying to distract her.

I stand up and feel her grab my wrist. I look down at her.