Free My Sweetheart by Shannon Guymon

pursed her lips. He sort of had a point. “So they start out as friends. Big deal. That’s how all great relationships start out anyways, right? He just needs to see her with new eyes. And he will today,” she said grinning as she thought of her banana cupcake.
                  Tate laughed and put his arm over the back of her seat, turning his body so he could look at her better. “I still don’t see how you’re going to get Kam to take his eyes off you long enough to look at Meredith. I wouldn’t,” he said quietly.
                  Jane looked at him quickly and blushed. “Tate, she’s so pretty. She’s got the cutest figure and all that blond shiny long hair. Have you even noticed her eyes? They’re beautiful. She’s a stunner Tate. Seriously, I swear men are blind,” she muttered.
                  Tate frowned and leaned over to push a strand of chocolate colored hair over her shoulder. “She’s great. No argument, but then there’s you. Tall and beautiful. You have the deepest, sweetest brown eyes I’ve ever seen. And when you smile, your whole face lights up. And you have these two dimples right here and here,” he said, touching her face softly. “Who could resist that? And your hair. I dream about your hair. It’s so soft looking. No one could ever compare to you,” he said softly.
                  Jane let out a breath she’d been holding and came to a stop at a red light. She turned slowly to look at him and felt like crying for some reason because he looked so torn and unhappy about it.
                  A loud honk from behind her made her jump in her seat and she floored the gas pedal. Feelings of joy and misery fought with each other as she tried to formulate a response. When Tate had turned her down months ago, she’d wondered over and over if the chemistry she had felt between them had been all in her head or wishful thinking. But here he was, basically admitting that he was attracted to her.
                  “Tate, it’s hard for me to even know what to say to you right now. I’ve never been one of those girls who like to play games. I’m not made that way and I don’t think you are either. So I’m a little confused here. You act like you like me and then you push me away. I feel like a yo-yo. I just don’t understand you,” she said quietly, feeling her throat clench with emotion.
                  Tate stared at her silently for a moment. “Pull over here for a second,” he said pointing to a grocery store parking lot.
                  Jane looked at him in confusion. Here she was, pouring her heart out to the man and he wanted to stop and get something at the store. Rrr.
                  She parked away from the rest of the cars and turned her car off. She sat back in her seat, not looking at Tate, completely still. Waiting . She sensed him move finally and then felt his hand cup her chin, turning her face to look at him.
                  “This can’t mean anything Jane. I won’t let it. But if I could . . . if my life had been different, I would have loved you,” he said softly and then leaned in and began kissing her.
                  Jane squeaked in surprise and pulled back, staring at Tate in shock. “You just kissed me!”
                  Tate grinned at her and put his hand behind her neck, pulling her closer. “So then let me finish,” he said and began kissing her again. Jane sighed happily and wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him back.
                  Finally.
                  When Tate pulled back a moment later, he stared down into her eyes and his thumb caressed the underside of her jaw. “I’ve wanted to do that for a very, very long time,” he murmured before letting go and pulling back.
                  Jane stared at him, still breathing raggedly. “Is this where you pull