Page 12 of Insatiable

“Tate, it’s one o’clock in the morning. It’s hardly early.” I smile softly, surprised when she scoots over and pats the empty space I’d just left. I move slowly, not sure if she will change her mind. I sit on the edge of the bed, surprised again when she offers me some of her comforter to share and in that moment, I was transported back in time.

“Like old times.” She smiles sweetly as I join her underneath the blanket.

“Like old times,” I repeat as she lay her head on my shoulder.

“You want to talk about it?” I ask her as the night settles around us, the soft sound of ocean waves breaks through the silence when she doesn’t say anything at first.

“You first.” She nudges my ribs with her fingers, and I pull away with a yelp. I’m ticklish, and she shamelessly knows exactly where to touch me.

“It’s a long story,” I say with a sigh. I don’t want to talk about my divorce or my ex-wife, but if it chases away her demons and she eventually falls asleep, then I will face my own humiliation head on.

“I’m not going back to sleep anytime soon. So, spill the beans, Seanie Sean,” she teases me, and I smile. I haven’t heard that nick name in a very long time.

“Alright, Tatum, but this story does not have a happy ending,” I say wrapping my arm around her shoulder, and tuck her in closer to me. The smell of cocoa butter hits my nose and I blow out a shuddering breath. I want to get lost in her smell, lost in her, but we are not there yet. Pulling her back against the padded headboard I begin to t my tale of love, betrayal, and eventually divorce. She listens as I tell her how I caught my wife with another man, only to find out that he wasn’t the only one. She listens to me for what feels like hours, asking me questions here and there, but eventually she falls asleep as the sky begins to change from night to dawn.

I lay her down and tuck the covers in around her tight. I slide out of bed, looking back to see her snuggle into her pillows and smile. It is enough to see her sleeping soundly. It is all I need to leave her room. I drag myself in my own bed to fall into a peaceful dreamless sleep myself.

I don’t know if she will still be the same closed off Tate when

she wakes but I will take this moment between us as a win. I needed it just as much as she did.

I am not going to lie. It’s been awkward these past few days. No one wants to talk about the night Tate arrived and all the words that were said between us. I blame Sean and Cace for opening up their chest cavities and taking their hearts out and offering them up on a silver platter to her. Although, it’s refreshing to know that it’s all out there now. She knows our intentions, sort of, at least. So, there is that.

Now we are tiptoeing around each other. Of course, Cace, Sean, and I take turns driving Tate to her physiotherapy and therapy appointments at the hospital but that is all. Yes, we make small talk. Mostly we talk about what we’ve been up to these past few years. Tate loves talking about her job, regaling us with tales of diva actors and actresses over dinner every night. She becomes so animated, her face lights up with excitement when she talks about the many films and shows she’s designed. Her tales of her bestie Paul are some of my favorites and I can’t wait to meet the man.

As much as I love our talks, it’s not the same comfortable level of companionship that we’ve had our entire friendship. A heavy cloud hangs over our heads after the truth bomb that exploded a few days ago, and we’ve been too chicken shit to break the cycle of avoidance with one another. Well, that ends today. It is Saturday, and Cace and Sean went for their morning runs on the beach. It’s been like this every day, allowing Tate time to herself in the morning so we weren’t making things more awkward than they already were.

Making my way downstairs, I walk through the open plan living room and straight into the kitchen where Tate has her back to me as she leans her hip against the black marble counter with her coffee cup in her hands. In a matter of days, after lots of home cooked meals that she has been determined to cook us every night, her body is starting to fill out again. Tate was never a tiny woman but being in a coma had depleted her muscle mass and she is smaller than I am used to. I will take her any way I can get her, as long as she is happy. Those black leggings hug her thickening thighs, and just the sight of her ass makes my dick stir. Her red razorback tank shows off her black sports bra and her black dragon tattoo I’d forgotten she got done in our senior of college. With her hair short, I can see the black beast clawing its way up her back. It is so detailed I can see the scales clearly from where I am standing. Tate is hot without even trying. I quickly make sure I stand in front of the counter so she won’t notice my growing erection. ‘Damn it, Jay, control yourself,’ I mentally berate myself as I clear my throat to get her attention.

“No,” she says as she lifts her hand to stop me from speaking. She turns and lifts her eyes to mine as she lifts her coffee cup to those beautiful full lips of hers. Her right-hand trembles as her hand rises, and I notice the brief flash of disappointment and sorrow on her face for it happening. The physio told her to keep using it dominantly in the hope the tremors will get less and less. I guess to Tate she isn’t progressing fast enough.

“What—”

“Shhh, no talking before I’ve had my first coffee for the day, Jay.” She cuts me off as she takes a sip. Her eyes closed, as if she’s savoring the hot beverage. I visibly witness the stress drain away from her body. Her shoulders drop and the rest of her body follows and then, the moment passes, and she opens her eyes watching me over the rim of her cup.

“Can we hang out today? Me and you. It is Saturday morning,” I say lifting my eyebrows suggestively, and her face lights up, already anticipating where this is going.

“I found this café close to the waterfront and the pièce de résistance, a music store is not that far away,” I tell her the last part hoping it will win her over. She smiles and jumps up and down with her excitement, making her large breasts bounce as well. Fuck, I was tracking their every move. How long has it been? Geez, my number one mission today will be to control my dick. “Tell me I’m your favorite.” I smile and she puts her hands on her hips and shoots me a glare.

“Look, I am willing to do anything except facing the big ass elephant that’s been following us around for two weeks now. I can go get changed and will meet you outside,” she says as she goes to leave.

I quickly step in front of her, my hand grabbing her hip to hold her in place. Her eyes go wide in surprise, and her brow lifts in question as she looks to where my hand is holding hers and then back up to my face.

“You look perfect. You don’t need to change.” My fingers automatically move in a circular motion along her hip bone, and she closes her eyes briefly from the sensation of it. Being able to touch her at all is total bliss for me, and I relish it until she steps away and out of my reach. The spell is broken.

“Okay, then I will go and get my bag.” She hurries away from me, and I watch her go. Shoving my hands in my pocket, I try to adjust myself inconspicuously just as she turns around and almost catches me in the act.

“What about Cace and Sean?” she asks, placing one foot on the step of the stairs. I glance outside wondering if we should wait. Nope, this is Tate and Jay time.

“I’ll send them a text once we are on the road. We are not going far. If they want to catch up later, they can.” I smile knowing I will have her all to myself. Like old times and she knows it too. There is no denying how good it feels to do something that is as easy as breathing back then. She hurries up the stairs and disappears out of sight.

Yes. I will get us back on track. I can see how affected she is by me, so she is feeling it too. She just needs to let us in. Let us help her forget the darkness and welcome her back into the light with open arms.

Downtown Santa Barbara is a hive of activity this early in the morning. There are surfers walking along the sidewalk, people are out walking their dogs, families are shopping with kids in tow, and the outdoor tables for restaurants seem to have no available spots left, with the umbrellas providing shade it looks like a colorful rainbow assaulting your eyes.

Tate walks beside me taking everything in, she looks casual and relaxed with her large tote bag hanging from her shoulder and her black oversized sunglasses hiding her eyes. She fits right in with the locals. I am already kicking myself for not wearing shorts, my jeans were not ideal. Even though it is early October here it is still warm. Speaking of October, it will be Halloween soon and I am wondering . . .

“Tate,” I say her name as the idea forms in my head.