He deserved a spot in The Skulls. Murphy was loyal, and he’d never once blabbed to her father about the parties she attended.
Her father had told her Murphy offered to take care of her. She knew her father liked the thought of Murphy looking after her rather than a prospect. Once the man before her got patched in, he was a Skull.
“I take it Ben was not very welcoming of your attentions?” Murphy asked, folding his arms.
“No, he sucks like everyone else.”
She watched him climb off his bike and come toward her. He wrapped his arms around her, and she sank against him. The scent of leather and his own natural smell overwhelmed her. She wanted to soak everything up about him.
“Hey,” he said, lifting her head up by a finger under her chin. “If he can’t see how amazing you are then the bastard is not worth it.” He pressed a hand to her chest, above her breast. Tate almost swallowed her own tongue. “No man is worth your kindness if they can’t show it back.”
“You told me to get out there.”
“I lied. Don’t become something you don’t want to be. There’s nothing wrong with you. Besides, you sure know how to party, and if he can’t appreciate that, then f**k him.”
She sighed, stepping back. Tate had to create space between them before she did something she would regret. “You don’t think there’s anything wrong with me?”
“Nah. The only thing I’d change is how damn sweet you are. Someone is going to destroy that part of you, Tate, and I’d hate to see that happen.” He leaned down and brushed his lips against her cheeks.
Her stomach tightened as she tensed. The small touch made the hairs on her arm stand on end.
“Now, get your ass on my bike. I’ve got popcorn waiting. I’m not letting you out of my sight tonight.”
Murphy dropped her off at home to finish preparations for their movie night. He left her for an hour, and when he returned his knuckles were bruised. She didn’t give it much thought until she saw Ben at school the following week. Whoever dated Ben for the next couple of weeks was not going to get the picture perfect guy.
Seeing the bruises should have bothered her. Tate couldn’t help but smile, knowing Murphy had seen to the guy who hurt her. She made a promise to herself that the parties were going to stop. There was nothing gracious or graceful about a woman vomiting down a toilet from too much alcohol.
****
Tate, age eighteen
Murphy had danced with her all night. His arms wrapped around her with his scent surrounding her as they moved together. She was so totally in love with him. He was more than her babysitter or friend. When he’d been patched in she’d been so happy for him. She hadn’t been invited to the party, but he’d come to visit her at home. Eva turned a blind eye to his presence.
Even in drink, Murphy was adorable.
When no date had come to collect her, Murphy had decided she wasn’t going to her prom alone. She’d been more than happy to go alone. He wouldn’t have any of it, offering his arm as they went to the dance.
She ignored the whispers as people pointed her out. None of them knew her, and she wasn’t going to let them spoil this one night that was all her own.
“Are you ready to get out of here?” he asked.
“Yeah, I’m ready.”
Murphy escorted her out of the dance, and together they left the building. He didn’t take her anywhere, and she smiled up at him. “School is almost finished.”
“I know.” He leaned against his bike, stroking her cheek. “You look so damn beautiful.”
“I’m eighteen as well.”
He tensed, and she wished she’d kept her mouth shut. “I know this is going to scare the living hell out of you, but I need to say it.” She bounced on her feet, ignoring the pain from her heels. “I love you, Murphy. It doesn’t make any sense, and you don’t need to say anything to me, but I needed you to know how I feel.”
She waited for him to curse or growl. He did neither.
His hand banded around her waist, tugging her close. “I could be f**king killed for the way I feel about you.”
Tate gasped as his head lowered.
“I’ve told myself time and time again to leave you the f**k alone. You don’t need me in your life. You’re Tiny’s daughter. You deserve so much more than me, but I can’t stay away. I love you too damn much.” His lips claimed hers, making her moan. She gripped his arms, needing to get closer to him.
Murphy plundered her mouth, and she whimpered. Sensation was running riot throughout her whole body. His hands sank into her hair, holding her in place.
“We could go somewhere,” Tate said.
“What?”
“It’s prom night. I’m ready.” She looked into his eyes to see the answering arousal reflected back at her.
“No, we’re not doing this tonight.” He ran his fingers over her lip. “We’ve got all the time in the world. Tonight we’re going to have fun and celebrate.”
He kissed her again. For the rest of the night she was on cloud nine. Murphy was attentive and spent the whole night telling her how much he loved her.
If she was in a dream she never wanted to wake up.
****
Murphy’s betrayal
Tate stared across the space at the mall. Another prospect was with her, but she didn’t care. Only a few weeks ago she’d been loving her life and wishing it would never end. It had all been a lie. Murphy had taken the piss out of her. She’d seen him with the women from The Lions. All the time she’d been with him, he’d been preparing to leave.
Her father was outraged by his betrayal. She was heartbroken by what he’d done. There were times she found herself crying from what he’d done.
Don’t think about it or him.
Across the mall she saw him as if she’d thought him into being. His arm was slung around a blonde woman, and across the way she saw him fondling the woman’s breast. A wave of sickness swept through her.
The pain suddenly peaked, and she didn’t know what the hell to do. Then, as if a switch had gone off in her mind, she glared over at him. Grabbing her bag, she ignored the prospect walking with her, and she began shopping. Tiny had sent her out with his credit card. Eva had told him how she’d been heartbroken.
No more. She’d let herself love Murphy, and she refused to let another man close to her. Blanking the prospect she started shopping, and as the hours passed, she felt something shift inside her.