Dangerous to let him make her feel that way but she couldn’t seem to grasp her caution with him so close. Swaying there, their bodies moving as one she might almost believe he could love her. And even if he didn’t, it didn’t matter. He treated her with respect, made her feel sexy and funny, there was simply no reason she could see to not enjoy him.

“You’re so beautiful, Tate. Have I told you that lately?” he murmured, dipping his head to kiss her temple and then her lips.

But that bugged her. It was like he said it just to say it or something. Beautiful was Cassie Chase or Liv. He’d run through his share of beautiful in his lifetime and his flattery, comparing her to them just made her mad.

“I don’t need that stuff.”

“What stuff? And why are you so pissy?”

“Pissy?”

“Yeah, you’re cute with your chin jutted out and all but I like it when you’re snuggled up to me even better.”

“Look, I don’t need compliments. Other women you’re with may expect it, but I’m not them. I don’t want empty flattery.”

He stopped and pulled her out onto the back deck, past their families. Once outside she yanked her arm away from him and took a step back. “Don’t ever manhandle me again.”

Matt felt like she’d punched him in the stomach. What a fool he’d been. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you feel unsafe with me. I just wanted to talk to you out here.”

“Just ask me. I’m not a pet. Don’t just yank me around like I’ve got no will of my own.”

He couldn’t help but be charmed, touched and really turned-on by the spark in her eyes.

“Of course. I didn’t think.”

She relaxed and he did as well.

“Now, repeat this bullshit about empty flattery, please. Because it sounded to me like you called me shallow.”

“What? I’d never say that.” She reached out and touched his cheek and he saw the sadness in her eyes. “I’m sorry. Did I make you feel that way?”

“We’re both kinda touchy, huh?” He grinned. “Yeah, I felt that way. Why are you upset that I complimented you?”

“Look, I don’t need that, okay? I’m all right that I’m not all supermodel gorgeous. I have eyes. You have eyes. I’m not Liv, I can’t even knock on the door of the kind of beauty your brothers’ wives have. Don’t shit me because it insults me. We’re here, I’m fine. I’m not some bimbo who needs to be massaged. You’re totally in, right? You know you’re getting some, so spare me the lubrication with the flattery.”

Did she not know? He backed her against the railing and caged her with his arms. “Yes, my sisters-in-law are lovely women. But there’s more than one kind of beautiful and none of them can hold a candle to you. You are beautiful. I’m not making that up. Although, it’s nice to know I’m in later.” He chuckled. “Tate, when I look at you, I see a beautiful woman. Curves in the right places, beautiful eyes, lips that call to me, your smile melts me. I don’t say things I don’t mean. Especially not to someone I care about and respect.”

Because he couldn’t resist, he leaned down and kissed her. It started slow but built until he was on fire for her.

“Well, now. Did you hit your head or can a real woman get in on this action?”

Stunned, Matt broke the kiss and looked up to see Melanie standing there, wearing a smirk.

“Slumming on the wrong side of town, Matt? Trust me, I’m better than she is in bed and my dad isn’t an alkie and my mom’s not a slut.”

Not quite comprehending that anyone could be so cruel, Matt stepped in front of Tate to shield her from Melanie’s verbal assault. But he should have known she wouldn’t take being shielded that way. She stepped around him.

“Opposed to slumming on your side of town, Melanie? My goodness, is this what they’re growing here on the pretty side of town these days? Hmm, big mouth, I can see the appeal. Too bad her brain’s so small.”

Matt put his arm around Tate’s shoulder and saw her brother come out onto the deck.

“Everything all right out here?” Nate’s face was guarded and Matt got the feeling this sort of thing wasn’t unusual for them. It made the nausea he felt even worse.

“Just throwing out the trash. God, Nate, how is it you can stand being related to this fat bitch? You lucked out, you’re not like the rest of them. Why do you associate with this scum?” Melanie turned to speak to Nathan.

Nathan blinked several times and Matt gasped. Tate was the only one who seemed unsurprised.

“Just when I think people can’t get any worse, you go and lower the bar, Melanie.” Nathan shook his head as he moved toward Tate. But Matt was going to protect Tate, not anyone else.

“We all have our crosses to bear. Matt, I’d like to go.” Tate’s voice was remote, flat and it sent a chill down his spine.

“We’re not going anywhere. You and I are here to dance. Nate, I think you and I need to share a beer when your sister and I are done dancing.” Matt guided Tate back into The Tonk, keeping his body between her and Melanie at all times.

Melanie grabbed his arm. “Remember what you come from, Matt Chase. She’s a fat nobody, you come from better. We come from better.”

He shook himself free with a sneer. “You could have fooled me, Melanie. You best be aware that Tate’s my girlfriend, I won’t tolerate any nonsense.” He continued past her and back toward their table.