My Sweetheart (Book 3 in The Love and Dessert Trilogy) Page 12

  Jane felt horrible that Tate was sad over disappointing his aunt and uncle. But what option did they have?

  “And Alea? How did she take the news?” she prodded, knowing that Tate really didn’t want to talk about it, but needing to know regardless.

  Tate tightened his arms around her and kissed her forehead. “She knew exactly who I was talking about when I said I had fallen in love with another woman. She’s furious. I honestly don’t think I broke her heart, but I do think I hurt her pride which can be dangerous. I want you to be careful from here on out Jane. I wouldn’t put it past Alea to confront you,” he said worriedly.

  Jane nodded. She’d survived high school. She knew how to handle mean girls. “What did your aunt and uncle say to you?”

  Tate stiffened for a moment before his body relaxed against hers again. “They said I was just like my mom,” he said quietly, but with so much pain in his voice that she shuddered against him. “Shallow, thoughtless and selfish,” he finished sounding sad and hurt.

  She squeezed him tightly and then pulled back. “Harsh. They were upset when they said it. I’m sure they didn’t mean it Tate. Come on, let’s get you something yummy and go relax,” she urged and pulled him through the door into the kitchen. She set her dessert cup down and opened the fridge. “You’re probably full, but if you have room, you’re welcome to anything you see,” she said gesturing to the contents of the fridge.

  Tate smiled, his face lightening as he picked a crème brule cup. “I love these,” he admitted, taking the spoon she held out to him. “I didn’t stay for dessert. Poor Meredith. She had to sit there listening to Toa and Pika and I go at it in her backyard while she sat with Kam and Alea in the dining room.”

  Jane winced and guided him out of the kitchen and up the stairs to her little family room. Tate looked around curiously. “I love it up here. It’s so warm and homey feeling,” he said with the sound of yearning in his voice.

  Jane smiled and turned the light on for him and pointed to the large comfortable couch. “My grandmother decorated the top floor for me and my sisters. You should see our rooms. They’re all decorated with each of us in mind.”

  Tate set his dessert down and turned around. “Well, then give me the tour,” he said smiling at her.

  Jane showed him Kit’s room first and he admired the artwork on the walls. Then she showed him Layla’s room and the peaceful and warm environment their Grandmother had created to soothe Layla’s hurt heart. Then she showed Tate her room. She wondered what he’d think of all the book shelves and the warm and vibrant colors. He paused in the doorway and wandered slowly around coming to stand in front of her window seat. He turned around and a tender smile played around his mouth.

  “I take it your grandmother pegged you as a romantic bookworm?”

  Jane blushed and ran her hand through her hair nervously. “She kind of hit it on the head. Growing up, I was kind of shy and always had my nose in a book. I came out of my shell in high school and college, but I still love to cuddle up in a patch of sunlight and read a good love story,” she admitted.

  Tate walked slowly back to her and ran his hands down her hair. “I’m not the most romantic guy Jane. Like I told you before, we’re very different people. You’re going to have to be patient with me,” he said, reaching down and taking her hands in his.

  Jane shook her head. “I’m glad I didn’t fall in love with someone just like me. Can you imagine me with a librarian?”

  Tate shook his head with a frown. “No. I can’t see you with anyone but me,” he said and kissed her to prove his point. They went back to the family room and watched a DVD of Spider Man with Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone. She cuddled up against his side and felt him relax moment by moment until by the end of the movie, he was happy and content again.

  She turned the TV off and looked up into Tate’s rich brown eyes. “Better?”

  Tate nodded slowly and ran his fingers through her hair. “It’s not over. They’re determined to fight this, but we have Kam on our side. He respects and loves his mom and dad but he’s not happy with how they reacted. Especially now that he’s dating Meredith. Eventually I know they’ll accept you and love you, but until then, we’re just going to have to do our best to deal with all the opposition.”

  Jane frowned and leaned her head against his heart. The strong steady beat comforted her and she nodded. “What if they don’t Tate? What if they never change their minds? I don’t want you to lose your family over our relationship,” she said softly.

  Tate frowned and closed his eyes, pain hardening his jaw. “I’m not going to lie. It could happen although I’m praying it won’t. But even knowing that my family might turn their backs on us, I can’t let you go. Jane, I won’t let anything tear us apart,” he said, his voice deep and low and strong.

  Jane sat up and ran her hands through his thick black hair, studying this beautiful austere face. “You would do that for me? You would give up your family?” she asked shaking her head.

  Tate reached up and grabbed her hand, kissing her palm. “That’s what a man does when he loves a woman. He forsakes all others for her. He takes care of her. He protects her. He loves her and he defends her. Even to his own family,” he said, his eyes warm and loving.

  Jane felt her heart melt and she fell even more in love with him. “I guess I can see why you were so cautious to jump into a relationship with me. Sorry I threw that cupcake at you,” she said, biting her lip at the memory.

  Tate grinned and placed her hand over his heart. “You’re kind of feisty, but I like that. I could never love a woman who wasn’t passionate about me,” he said laughing at her expression.

  Jane blushed and looked away. “Well, it’s true. I am passionate about you. That’s why it was so hard. I tried everything to get over you. I followed a ten step program and that didn’t work. I even wore rubber bands on my wrists and every time I thought about you I had to flick my wrist. I was trying to rewire my brain so I would stop daydreaming about you, but it didn’t work at all. It’s been horrible,” she said looking at him with a frown.

  Tate’s eyes lit up and he grabbed her and pulled her onto his lap, hugging her warmly. “Ah Jane, you are the sweetest, most beautiful, giving woman I’ve ever known. I’m so grateful you were unsuccessful,” he said, grinning before kissing her. “No more rubber bands though. I don’t like the idea of you hurting yourself.”

  Jane’s arms automatically went around his neck and she had to admit she was glad too. If she had fallen out of love with him, she would have never experienced what it was like to feel like this. Loved. Cherished. Adored.

  She heard the bang of the downstairs door and pulled away. Kit was home. She stared into Tate’s dark eyes, caressing his jaw with her fingers. “My sister’s home and I’ve gotta get to bed.”

  Tate nodded and his arms tightened around her. “I have to get up early too. But being here with you like this, is the happiest I’ve been in a long, long time,” he said quietly, staring at her pensively.

  Jane tilted her head with a half-smile. “Why do you look so worried about that?”

  Tate shrugged and picked her up off his lap and stood up, pulling her up with him. “Not worried. Determined. Determined to choose happiness and love.”

  Jane smiled and hugged him before walking downstairs with him. She lifted her face for a goodbye kiss at the door and Tate kept it short and sweet, promising to call her tomorrow. She watched him walk down the steps toward his car and smiled when he turned back to look at her.

  “By the way thanks for getting the restraining order. I’ll sleep better tonight,” he called out.

  Jane nodded and waved at him. “I have you now Tate. I’m not worried.”

  Tate grinned and opened his door. “Lock up,” he ordered and drove away.

  Jane watched him go and smiled sadly as she hurried inside and locked up. Tate was an orphan. All he had was his aunt and uncle. It must have hurt him terribly to go against their wishes. She walked u
p the stairs to her room slowly and wrapped her arms around herself, closing her eyes and praying that Toa and Pika’s hearts would be softened toward her. Because if not, Tate would only have her and her sisters and she was scared that that just wouldn’t be enough for him.

  Chapter 13- Possessive

  Jane woke up the next day feeling energetic and ready to take on the day. So what it was four in the morning and sane people everywhere were still in bed. She jumped up, took a quick shower and headed downstairs, beating Kit and Layla. She turned on the lights and started pulling out her ingredients for her daily cupcakes. Today, she wanted to do something truly amazing. She couldn’t help wondering what would put a smile on Tate’s face.

  She thought of the dessert Meredith made for Kam and his parents and got a buzz of inspiration. She went to work, barely nodding at Kit and Layla as they walked in and went to work making her new masterpiece. She made her basic chocolate fudge cupcakes but then filled the centers with caramel sauce. She topped them with a heavy sweet cream and finished it with crumbles of Heath bar on top. She stepped back and studied her newest creation and smiled.

  Layla and Kit came to stand beside her. “Oh. My. Heck.” Layla breathed out. “I hope you made an extra dozen of these bad boys because we’re going to sell out as soon as people find out about them. I have to have one right now. I can’t wait,” Layla said, reaching out and picking one up.

  Kit groaned as she stared at the cupcakes. “How can I resist that? Jane it’s like you’re a food Fairy,” she said giving in and grabbing one.

  Jane held her breath as she watched her sisters take big bites. Layla shook her head silently and then took another bite. Kit closed her eyes and lifted her face to the ceiling as if she were praying.

  “Save me one for Hunter Jane. Oh my heavens,” she muttered again, walking back to her bread as she finished off the rest of the cupcake.

  Layla grinned at her and kissed her cheek. “These could win a contest, they’re so good. Jane honey, you are one talented woman,” she said and took her cupcake back to the counter she was working at.

  Jane grinned at all of the cupcakes and sighed happily. She set two cupcakes aside for Tate and one for Hunter and went back to work. When the bakery opened up, Layla was right. Her cupcakes flew out the door. At eleven that morning, she went back to the kitchen and made another batch for the afternoon crowd. At the end of the day, they’d done more business then they’d done since their opening week.

  Layla and Kit each grabbed one last cupcake as she turned the sign to CLOSED. She heard a knock behind her and turned around and saw it was Tate. She grinned and opened the door for him, and was immediately pulled into his arms for a hug and a kiss.

  “I’ve missed you,” he said, whispering in her ear before pulling back and looking at her.

  Jane squeezed him back one more time, so happy she could burst. “I’ve missed you too. I kept thinking you were going to stop by and say hi,” she said, pouting a little.

  Tate grinned and put his arm around her shoulders as he turned to smile at Kit and Layla. “The perks of being a cop. Drug bust at the junior high, shop lifting at the grocery store and a report of a stolen car. What are they eating?” he asked softly, staring at the decadent cupcakes Layla and Kit were devouring.

  Jane smiled with glee. “My newest cupcake inspired by the dessert I helped Meredith make yesterday. Well, that and I tried to think of what would make you smile. We sold out of them this morning so I had to go back and make more, can you believe it?”

  Tate’s face looked crestfallen as he stared at the empty glass cases. Layla grinned at Tate as she popped the last bite in her mouth. “This is my third Tate. Honestly, I’ve never in my life tasted anything so good. Be glad they’re gone. They’re addicting,” she said with a wink at Jane.

  Kit jumped in, torturing Tate too. “I’m so glad I snuck one for Hunter. He’s going to fall at my feet after he takes one bite,” she said with a grin.

  Tate’s face was a picture of yearning as he nodded. “I can believe it,” he said sounding so sad, Jane gave up and laughed before running back to the kitchen and taking his cupcake out of the fridge. She turned around and saw that Tate, Kit and Layla had followed her. She held the cupcake behind her back and grinned up into his hopeful face.

  “Okay, close your eyes and hold out your hands and say pretty please,” she said as Layla and Kit laughed.

  Tate smiled at her, not closing his eyes or saying the magic words. “If you give me what you have behind your back, I’ll take you out to dinner and the movies,” he said and she quickly brought the cupcake out in front of her.

  Tate stared down at the small creation, his eyes big with wonder. “Jane have I mentioned that I love you,” he said reverently and took the cupcake out of her hand, taking a bite and closing his eyes.

  All three sisters surrounded him, watching his expression avidly. Jane bit her bottom lip and clasped her hands together. “Well?” she asked, not being able to take the silence any longer.

  When Tate finally opened his eyes he stared down at her looking stunned and amazed. “Jane, I’m speechless,” he said and then took another bite and then another and another until it was completely gone. When he was done he licked his lips and then looked at her with hot gleaming eyes.

  “You are a dream come true,” he said and then picked her up with his good arm, kissing her breathless as Kit and Layla looked on, grinning.

  “Put me down Tate. You’re going to hurt yourself,” she ordered, blushing bright red.

  Tate set her down and stared at the fridge expectantly. Kit ran to stand in front of the fridge. “Don’t you dare Tate. The last cupcake is for Hunter and I will fight you for it,” she said, narrowing her eyes at him dangerously.

  Hunter walked in right at that moment and looked curiously at the tableau before him. “Kit why are you threatening an officer of the law?” he asked curiously. “I’m pretty sure that’s a crime.”

  Layla walked over smiling and slipped an arm around Hunter’s waist. “She’s in the process of protecting the very last cupcake from Tate. She wanted you to have it and she’s willing to take on a large armed Samoan man all because of her love for you.”

  Hunter grinned and walked over, tipping Kit’s face up. “Darling, I’ve never felt more loved in my entire life,” he said softly before kissing her lightly.

  Jane laughed and slipped her arms around Tate’s waist. “Honey, I do have one more cupcake I held back just in case you did like it,” she said, laughing at his relieved expression.

  Tate sighed happily. “I’m so happy I don’t have to wrestle Kit now. I was a little worried.”

  Layla laughed and shook her head. “I’ve gotta run. Michael and I are taking Stella to the park for a picnic. Don’t hurt each other now,” she said and picked up her purse and walked out.

  Kit and Hunter left soon after Layla. They had a meeting with the caterer and were late. Jane sat on a stool and smiled as Tate finished off his second cupcake. She stood up and walked over to him with a small smile. “You’ve got a little cream on your upper lip,” she said softly.

  Tate raised an eyebrow. “But there aren’t any napkins. What am I going to do?” he asked, his eyes teasing her.

  Jane leaned in and kissed the cream off, laughing as his arms went around her. “I had no idea you were so messy.”

  Tate kissed her neck. “Do you blame me? I always knew dating you would be dangerous. I’m going to get fat.”

  Jane laughed and felt his rock hard stomach. “Not likely. So where are we going tonight?”

  Tate pushed her hair back from her face and smiled. “We’re actually double dating with Kam and Meredith. We’re meeting them at the Iron Skillet in a half an hour and then if we feel like a movie after we can do that too.”

  Jane thought immediately of Rob’s gnocchi and hurried to get ready while Tate waited in her family room and watched TV. She came out wearing a Chevron style maxi skirt and matching blue scooped neck t-shir
t she’d bought when they’d gone up to Seattle to help Kit pick out bridesmaid’s dresses.

  She pulled her long, heavy hair up and then thought better of it and let it stay down. She took a 2” curling iron out and took a few strands wrapping it around the barrel to make loose waves all over. She stood back and tilted her head as she studied the effect. She smiled at herself and even though she wasn’t the most beautiful woman in the world, she looked pretty good for going out to dinner.

  She grabbed her purse and hurried to the family room and Tate. He looked up at her and did a double take, his eyes going wide in approval.

  “I know you’ve heard it before, but you are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”

  Jane rolled her eyes a little and looked down in embarrassment. “Tate, I know I’m not. Stop being silly. Let’s go,” she said crossing her arms and looking at him as he stood up and walked to her, frowning and looking dangerous.

  He took her hand in his and shook his head at her. “Jane, you didn’t just disagree with me did you?” he asked softly.

  Jane shrugged feeling very uncomfortable. “Tate, I’m not blind. Look, I grew up with Layla and Kit. I’ve grown up seeing men go speechless when they see my sisters. I don’t exactly have that kind of effect on men. I know I’m sort of attractive, but I’m definitely not the most beautiful woman in the world. But it’s sweet of you to say so,” she said, soothingly as his face hardened and he shook his head.

  “When I look at your face, I see the most beautiful woman in the world. I don’t care who Hunter thinks is most beautiful or Michael or any other man in the world. Nobody’s opinion matters except mine when it comes to you. And you better believe me when I tell you that you are definitely the most beautiful woman in the world,” he said slowly and carefully.

  Jane bit her lip and for the first time in her life she felt truly beautiful. She looked up shyly into Tate’s face and smiled. “Okay. Thanks for that,” she said and stood on her tip toes to kiss his cheek.