Free Tempting Tatum by Kaylee Ryan

word in edgewise and I smile. I love my mother.
    “Yes, but—” She stops to listen. “Okay, thank you. I’m so sorry,” she tells my mom.
    I can hear Mom chastising her for apologizing. I hear Tatum say goodbye. She hands me the phone. “She wants to talk to you.”
    Mom tells me to take care of Tatum. She says she’s had a rough couple of months, and her friend Leah and her fiancé Brent are all she has. I want to drill her for more information, but I won’t. At least not in front of Tatum.
    I glance at her out of the corner of my eye. I can still see the sadness in her expression. I have the urge to make it better, to make her smile. Her hands are clutching her purse like it’s her lifeline as she chews on her bottom lip. I can’t help but wish it was me biting that lip.
    I say goodbye to Mom as I pull into my driveway. I hop out and rush around to the passenger side to help Tatum. Again, feeling like I need to touch her, I grab her hips and lift her from the truck. I let her body slide down mine slowly. I’m torturing myself, but fuck is it worth it. I see her face turn pink in embarrassment. Fuck, this girl is beautiful.
    Once she is steady on her feet, I release her. “I’m going to help Larry unhook; then we can go get the part we need,” I tell her. “Why don’t you take a seat on the swing and wait for me.” I motion to the swing on the front porch.
    She nods her head in acceptance and walks off toward the front porch. I watch her walk away of course. I hear the grinding sound of the tow truck wench and snap back to reality. I help Larry unload the car and pull my wallet out of my back pocket. Of course, he refuses to let me pay, telling me my service on the department is payment enough. I love this town.
    I wave to Larry as he pulls out of the drive. I walk toward the front porch where Tatum is sitting. As soon as I see her, I stop dead in my tracks. Tatum is sitting on the porch swing, legs propped up, with her Kindle in her hand. The gentle breeze is blowing her hair. I have to adjust myself. My reaction to her is surprising. It’s been a long time since a woman has held my interest like this. I’m not sure it’s ever been like this.
    I continue my approach. Tatum hears my footsteps and looks up from her Kindle. She would get along great with Ember and Grace. Those two are glued to their Kindles. Tatum sits up and swings her legs around. I assume it’s so I can sit next to her, and there is no way in hell I’m going to pass up the opportunity to be close to this girl. Nope.
    I sit down on the swing and give us a gentle push with my feet. Tatum closes her Kindle case and smiles at me. Wow!
    “My parents…” She clears her throat. I have no idea what she’s trying to tell me, but from Mom’s earlier speech and what I have witnessed from her today, I know it’s big. I reach over and lace our fingers together while controlling the motion of the swing with my feet planted on the porch.
    “My parents passed away a few months ago,” she whispers.
    I tighten my grip on her hand. I can hear the heartbreak in her voice. Fuck! I told her she needed to call her dad. I’m the one who caused her to freak out earlier.
    “I’m sorry for your loss,” I say, my voice low. I know my words are just that to her, words. I’m sure she’s heard them a million times since the loss of her parents. She doesn’t know me well enough to know that I am. I’m truly sorry for her pain, her loss. I feel a tightness in my chest.
    “Thank you. I’m sorry I freaked out on you. They were killed in an auto accident and well…” she trails off.
    I pull one leg up on the swing as I turn to face her. I keep one hand laced with hers, while I wipe her tears with the other. “Never be sorry for that. Not to me. I can’t even begin to imagine what you’ve been through. I’m sorry I caused you pain,” I say. The tightness in my chest intensifies at the thought of hurting her. What is going on with me?
    Tatum’s