Pulling back, Tate looked deep into Fallon’s eyes as he said, “Wouldn’t think of it.”

***

Audrey loved her outfit of skinny blue jeans, white tee, grey blazer and coral scarf with matching Kate Spade pumps. She just hoped that it was warm enough and that Tate liked it. She sat at the counter, looking over different spots for Audrey Jane’s when Tate finally arrived back.

“Awesome, you are ready and look really good, come on, we’ve got to go,” he said, still standing at her front door, letting the cold air in.

“You said you wouldn’t be gone long,” she said, grabbing her coat, and rushing towards him. He gave her a quick kiss, taking her hand into his.

“Sorry about that. Got caught up, come on, I don’t want to be late,” he said pulling her out the door. She rushed to lock the door and then followed him across the lawn. It was her first time riding with him, and she was a little nervous. He had explained his anxiety to her on one of their late night calls when he had been gone for a game, but holding his hand, he seemed okay. So maybe her nervousness was unneeded, but all her hopes changed when they reached the front of his truck. She felt his hand grip hers tightly as he walked with her to the passenger side and opened it for her. She could see his hand shaking as she slowly got into the truck. Shutting the door, he went around the truck. She watched as he stood by the driver’s door for a moment, shaking his arms out by his side. She gave him another minute and when he wasn’t in the truck, she jumped out, coming around to him.

“What are you doing?” he asked as she walked up behind him.

He looked at her, but she shook her head, “No, look at the handle of the truck, I read that this is all about breathing, and training yourself to be calm. You got this,” she said, placing her hands on his waist, and resting her head against his back feeling his heart beat out of control. “Now, breathe baby,” she whispered, moving her hand up and down his side. His heart wasn’t slowing down, but he reached for the door handle, and opened the door. She wanted to cheer for him, but he was nowhere near done. She continued to massage his side, slowly coaxing him to take each step. Moving her hands around his navel, like the news article said, she slowly rubbed, encouraging him to get into the truck. When he did, he looked down at her with a grin as he reached over to put the key in the ignition. She watched as his hand shook, so she took his other hand, stroking it slowly until he finally got it in. The truck started with the roar of an F-150 engine and he squeezed her hand.

Glancing up at her, she said, “Did it help?”

Tate nodded with a shy smile on his face, “Kind of, but it mostly just turned me on.”

Audrey laughed, “Well at least it took your mind off of your anxiety,” she said with a shrug of her shoulders as she shut the door. She ran around the truck, and climb up into her seat to find her scrumptious boyfriend grinning at her. “You are lucky that it is cold outside and our neighbor is over there raking his leaves or I would have taken advantage of you.”

Audrey giggled as her face warmed, “Drive, Ooooodder.”

Tate took her hand in his, kissing her knuckles as he groaned out, “Fine, Parker.”

Audrey grinned as they backed out of the driveway. She was excited for their surprise date. He had been talking about it for weeks, and she was finally glad it was time for it. She usually hated surprises but Tate made them kind of fun. As they drove out of Nashville, Audrey tried to keep the conversation going, so that Tate wouldn’t get anxious and it seemed to work.

“I don’t think I’ll ever find a spot for Audrey Jane’s,” she pouted.

“Sure you will, love, it just takes time. This isn’t a quick process, baby.”

“I know,” she said with a sad smile, “I’m just so impatient.”

“I know you are, that’s why I love you so,” he said softly as he kissed the back of her hand, “This is off the subject, but I have been thinking of something lately.”

“Okay?” she asked, looking over at his profile. He hadn’t shaved in days, and his face was delectably covered in his coarse blonde hair. She loved the feel of it along her skin, and she would lie for hours running her fingers through it. Reaching out, she cupped his chin, running her thumb along his jaw.

She was rewarded with a smile before he asked, “Did Levi hurt you?”

Her thumb stopped as her brows drew in, “How do you mean?”

Tate glanced over at her, then quickly back to the road, “Did he physically hurt you?”

“What brought this up?” she asked, buying herself some time.

“It was brought up a couple weeks ago.”

“By?”

“Lucas.”

“Oh,” she said, dropping her hand from his face. He didn’t let her get far, before he tangled his fingers with hers.

“Tell me.”

She shrugged her shoulders, “Yeah, he did.”

“How?” he asked, his hand squeezing hers as his body went tense.

“He was really rough with me in bed, he never hit me, but he would make me take it the way he wanted. He also liked to choke me, when he climaxed. It did nothing for me, but he got a kick out of it. He was really mean when he talked to me sometimes too, but it’s fine. I’m over it,” she added quickly when she saw him shake his head.

“I am going to kill him,” Tate sneered.

“No, you’re not. What good would that do? He is gone. It’s me and you now. Nothing else.”