With his befuddled antics, my heartache has turned into amusement as I follow him, or rather the noise of pans clattering.
I sigh in pleasure as I watch him bending to grab the vegetables, and stretching for the pasta and a jar of sauce.
He suddenly grips the countertop and drops his head, his shoulders moving back and forth. “If you don’t stop looking at me like that, I’m going to break every rule we’ve made.” He slowly turns his head and gives me the sexiest look imaginable, making my toes curl and liquid warmth spreads between my thighs.
“I need some clothes,” I blurt. “Being naked under this robe isn’t helping me.”
His eyes caress over me, leaving a trail of fire before he curses and quickly leaves the room only to return a few minutes later with a pair of his shorts, sweat pants, a T-shirt, and a plaid button down. “I need you covered,” he grumbles, dumping the clothing into my outstretched hands.
I laugh and head toward the guest room, but I have to have the last word in this, even if I am teasing the beast. So pausing, I glance over my shoulder, and ask, “So it isn’t going to bother you that my naked breasts are going to be rubbing against the fabric of your T-shirt, or that my pussy is going to be bare inside your shorts?”
His eyes darken to slits, and he takes a step toward me—hunger filling his eyes. With a smirk, I slowly make my way to the guest room. Sagging against the closed door, I sigh with a big smile on my face.
I’m in love and I’m happy. I’ve been sad for so long that it’s such a relief to know I have a reason to smile again.
68
Tanner
Placing the food on the table, I brace myself for the sight of Charlotte wearing my clothes. Her words still echo through my head, which fuels my imagination beyond anything.
I’m used to being teased and I love that Charlotte does it with me. It’s playing hell with my libido, but I don’t give a shit about that. I’d much rather be uncomfortable and happy, than comfortable and miserable. It was a bad place to be for wanting to do the right thing. I’m beginning to realize that doing the right thing by Charlotte is what should have happened from the moment we met. Instead of doing the right thing for Emma and going home to support her, I should have stayed in Lexington. Permanently staying wasn’t an option, but at least I could have had more time with her, and maybe, had her come home with me.
I hear the door opening and then closing, so I wait, and wonder what really is going to happen between the two of us. Her life is in Lexington and my life is here in Montana. I can’t just up and leave when I have people dependent on me. Neither can she.
You won’t know unless you ask…
My throat goes dry as I catch sight of her in my clothes. They’re large on her, but she looks sexy as hell and it’s an image I’ll never be able to forget.
She stands fidgeting while I grin at the pretty picture she makes. A blush climbs up and into her cheeks, which is when I take pity on her and jump up. “It’s just ready so come and sit.” I wave my hand toward the seat beside me where I placed her.
“This looks good.”
“I make excellent pasta.
She winces as she sits.
“No better?” I ask.
“A little bit. I guess it’s going to take a few days before I can move without feeling it.” Picking her fork up, she digs into the food. “I’m really hungry though.”
I pause with a fork of food halfway to my mouth. “Please tell me you ate before I brought you here?”
Reaching out, she holds my hand. “One of the nurses gave me a sandwich just before you arrived…I’m also capable of asking for something if I want it.” She smirks. “As you’ve probably figured out by now.” Shoving a piece of pasta into her mouth, she munches around the smile currently lighting up her face before becoming somber.
It doesn’t take long to finish eating but it bothers me that she’s no longer happy. The teasing spark seems to have disappeared.
“After dinner, we can watch a movie if you’d like? I have a good collection.”
She softly smiles. “I’d like that.” Her head dips, as though she wants to avoid my gaze, and just as I’m about to tilt her face upwards, she pushes away from the table. “I’ll do the dishes.”
I watch her quietly as she collects our dishes and moves to the sink, her whole demeanor is one of sadness.
Frowning, I watch as her shoulders droop while she lets out a long sigh that reaches my ears.
It’s dangerous being close to her, but when I love her then it really isn’t a choice. So very quickly, I surround her with my body and brush a kiss against her neck as I gently move the hair away. “What’s wrong? One minute you were teasing, and the next, really sad.”
“I’m the other woman,” she whispers so softly, I hardly hear her.
Placing a dish on the side, Charlotte turns in my arms and meets my gaze with her watery one. “I fell in love with you after only one night. At the time, I just knew that you were meant to be mine.”
“I love you, and I promise you that you are mine. You’re the only one who is.” I search her gaze and then, leaning forward, kiss her forehead as I hold her in my arms.
“Emma has been a part of my life for longer than I’ve known you.” I admit. “I think we both knew for years, well before I met you, that our relationship, or whatever you want to call it was over, which is why she went off with someone else. I stuck around to protect her for old time’s sake more than anything.” I kiss her again. “Leave the dishes. I’ll get them later. I want you to sit in front of the fire and we’ll choose a movie.”
“Mmm,” she wraps her arms around my waist and holds tight, “I’d like that.” Walking her over to the sofa, she adds, “A lot.”
“So would I.” I grin, and tease, “So, an action movie?”
Groaning, Charlotte strokes my chest. “No action movies. Do you have any Christmas ones?”
I smirk before I hide all amusement. “You just sit right there, and I’ll select something we’ll both enjoy.”
Getting her settled on the sofa, I offer her a blanket. “I’ll be too hot with that, but thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” I toss the blanket to the side and quickly grab the DVD I know she’ll love.
After placing it in the player, I settle on the sofa and gently tug her legs across my lap. “What do you think of my choice?” I ask as soon as the movie starts playing.
Her eyes light up. “The Christmas Card.” She sighs. “I adore this movie. I watch it every December…except this one, up to now.”
“I knew you’d love this one.” I smirk, running my hands over her legs.
“Mmm, you were right, I just don’t think it’s a good idea to keep doing that.”
My hands stop their journey over her skin. “You’re right. Don’t move them though.”
“I won’t.”
She settles into the cushions and turns her face toward the television; the movie distracting her while my eyes stay on her face. My memory of her doesn’t do her justice because she’s breath taking, and I know the minute the storm stops and I can get into town, I’ll be out of here.
69
Charlotte
Stretching in bed, I roll over and face the window. Outside the sky is blue and I realize the snow has stopped. There's a sense of stillness as I roll from the bed and look out at nothing but whiteness. All the outbuildings, which I hadn’t seen last night, are covered and are hardly visible. I do notice some deep tracks out front that look as though a tractor, or some other heavy machinery, made them.
Turning my head toward the bedroom door, I hear someone downstairs, maybe in the kitchen as it sounds like pots and pans clattering. Smiling, I feel my heart flutter at the thought of seeing Tanner.
Last night could have been awkward between us, however, I did refrain from teasing the man. The feeling that he’d wanted to lead me toward his room had overwhelmed me. Instead, I’d reached up and kissed his cheek, wishing him a good night’s
sleep. I did want to snuggle down into bed with him, but it was safer if we slept apart. For now, at least.
My excitement grows as I quickly put his sweats and over shirt back on before leaving my room. The first thing I smell is freshly brewed coffee as I get closer to the kitchen, except I freeze when I realize its Tanner’s father.
The man turns and I have to blink a few times to hide my disappointment. He smiles and offers me a cup of coffee. “Tanner told me we have a guest.” He leans forward, smiling. “I’m his father, Derek. I do believe we met at a wedding.”
I shake his outstretched hand and then take a sip of the warm beverage that is a welcome from the coolness of the morning. “I’m sorry to barge in like this.”
“Nonsense. You’re more than welcome.” Derek tosses some bacon onto the griddle along with pancake batter. “I hope you’re hungry. Tanner said you’d need feeding when you woke.”
“Thank you.” Curious, I ask, “How did you get here with the storm outside?” because all I can see is vast whiteness as I glance out of the kitchen window.
“Made it into town before the storm and got waylaid. By the time I’d finished up the storm had gotten bad, so I stayed in town. Got a lift on the snowplow first thing.” Derek smiled. “It’s been a long time since I’ve ridden one of them.”
Derek turns to the stove while I take a seat at the breakfast bar and watch him work.
“So,” he grins placing food in front of me, “how is your sister and my friend? Their baby is due soon, right?”
“Sirena is due in about two months.” I smile. “Garrett is beyond excited and spends more time than ever at home with her and their son, Elias.” Sighing, I add, “I’m so glad she found Garrett. He's such a good man and loves her completely.”
He nods. “Garrett is a good man, has been for as long as I’ve known him.” He joins me and looks slightly uncomfortable. “Doesn’t it bother you that your sister is married to my best friend, who happens to be my age, and you’re in love with my son?”
I’m shocked at how outspoken he is, not to mention with the change of subject. “I don’t…”
“He hasn't said anything, but I saw the way you looked at each other at the wedding. He’s been unhappy since he’s been home, and you’re here now. I’m putting two and two together, and getting four.” He grins. “I love my son, Charlotte, and I want what’s best for him.” He pauses as he searches my face, weighing me, and continues, “And, I do believe, that’s you.”
“Thank you for saying that,” I whisper, trying to swallow food around the lump stuck in my throat. “I didn’t know what to say to you, really. I’m usually the confident business woman but here, and for matters of the heart, I’m a wreck.”
“Eat up, need to put some meat on those bones.”
I smile. “Where’s Tanner?” I frown looking out of the front window.
“He’s taken the large tractor up to the main road with the plow attached to help with the clearing. Could take a while, but he’ll be back for breakfast soon.”
“So, you can get into town if you needed to?”
He looks at me closely and adds, “I guess you could, but it’s going to be dangerous going today. I’d leave it until tomorrow. One accident is enough.” He raises a brow.
“Yes it is.”
“Hmm.” He shakes his head and removes our empty plates. “I know you’re probably waiting for me to say something about Tanner and what’s going on with Emma, but it’s not my place. One thing I will say is that she’s never been the right woman for him. She doesn’t love him. Just sees him as a meal ticket. She always has. They’d have been married long before now if Tanner hadn’t kept putting her off… He doesn’t love her either.”
“Thank you for telling me that.” I move toward him wanting the subject to change. “Let me wash the dishes.”
He shakes his head. “Tanner said you were hurt so no dishes for you.” He nods in the direction of the sofa. “Go and watch some Christmas movies while you wait.”
I tilt my head to the side and ask, “Doesn’t it bother you that your son is engaged to one woman but in love with another?”
“If Emma was a lovely girl like you, then yes, it would bother me. The fact is that girl has given my son a lot of grief over the years. She’s been unfaithful to him, which was why the engagement was broken. I didn’t know at the time of the wedding but I confronted him the morning after he’d spent his time with you.” He sighs. “When we came home things were…different. My son has been raised to do the right thing, and I think that’s what he was trying to do when we came home and the engagement was back on. I don’t know what happened but I’m guessing he felt bad for the way the town was treating Emma. It’s in his nature to protect, and that’s what he did.”
I hold his gaze and admit, “I love him, and before I showed up here, I was conflicted. I didn’t want to make a mess of his life if he was happy with Emma. But, at the same time, I couldn’t move on with my life without knowing if what we had was as special as I thought it was.” I offer him a wry smile. “It was special, and I’m glad I’m here.” I wince. “Although, I would have preferred to have the arrival be a little less dramatic.”
“I bet you would.” He shoos me toward the sofa. “Go and get settled, so Tanner doesn’t get annoyed with me for keeping you standing.”
I refrain from adding that I can’t imagine Tanner annoyed with his father while I settle into the sofa. There’s nothing that I fancy watching on the television, so I get comfortable, pulling a blanket over me and wait for Tanner.
70
Tanner
It’s so cold I’ll be surprised if my balls don’t freeze off. I grin behind my pulled up collar at the thought of how I could warm them, if only.
The main road isn’t passable today but should be by lunchtime tomorrow, which means I’ll be able to get into town and talk to Emma.
Rubbing my brow at the thought, a snowball to the face catches me off guard. I narrow my eyes and realize my asshole of a best friend is responsible.
“You need to stay in there, otherwise you’ll get hurt,” Bo shouts over the roar of the tractor he’s jumped from.
Wiping the snow from my face, I mutter under my breath, and then add, “And you thought a ball of freezing-as-fuck snow to the face would do that, huh?”
He winces. “Sorry, wasn’t thinking.” He smirks. “Saw the opportunity and took it.” Moving closer so that we no longer need to shout, he says, “Talking about opportunity, how’s Charlotte?”
Heavily sighing, I tell him, “She’s banged up, but okay.”
“Come on, Tanner. I’m your best friend, I want details.”
I meet his gaze and realize he’s serious and not messing around, so I’m honest with him. I take a deep breath as I try to find the place to begin. Finally, I say, “We spent a night together when I was at Garrett’s wedding in Lexington. We connected and I’ve been unable to forget about her.” I grab my chest. “I love her, Bo. The only person stopping us from being together right now is Emma. The minute I tell her we’re through, Charlotte is mine.”
“In all the years I’ve known you, I don’t think you’ve ever talked about Emma so animatedly…which proves my point.” He grins. “You don’t love Emma and never have.” Bo turns and looks along the road. “I could take you back to town on Horace.”
“Horace?”
“The tractor.”
“Oh!” I rub my jaw, undecided. “It could take all day to head back into town with how bad the roads are…I’ll go tomorrow if they’re clear.”
“You sure?” He narrows his eyes.
“I’m guessing that it would be dark by the time you’d be dropping me back home. It’s dangerous. One more day won’t kill me.”
“Whatever,” he mutters. “You heading back home now?”
“Yeah,” I turn toward the tractor, “my dad caught a ride on the other snowplow early this morning so he’s up at the house with Charlotte. I need to make sure she’s o
kay as well.”
“I’m happy for you Tanner. It’s about time you had someone in your life who makes you smile.” Bo disappears into the tractor and with a honk of the horn moves off.
I climb back onto the tractor and head for home with a smile on my face. It’s the first time in forever that I remember feeling this excited as I hurry toward the house.
Stomping snow off my boots, I enter the small room off the kitchen. It has the washer and dryer in here as well as my outdoor gear. It saves getting the rest of the house wet during the winter months.
I strip out of my clothing and quickly pull on my sweats that are sitting on the heater along with a T-shirt, sweatshirt and socks before I head into the kitchen.
My dad is sitting quietly with a book and a cup of coffee in the living room. When I spot Charlotte asleep on the sofa, my heart flutters with love for the beautiful woman.
Dad sees me and quietly places everything down on the side table and indicates for me to follow him into the kitchen. The first thing I do is pour a coffee, which slowly starts to warm me up some.
“Did you get the road cleared?”
“Some. Won’t be ready until sometime tomorrow, and that’s just a guess.”
He nods and glances over to Charlotte, my eyes follow and caress over her sleeping form. She looks so peaceful. I crave to be able to lie down beside her with her in my arms, like we did the night before. Just to be able to feel her against me to know that she’s real and not a figment of my imagination.
Hearing a throat being cleared, my eyes are drawn to my dad’s who looks worried. “You have something to say?” I ask.
Taking his time, he moves closer and leans over the breakfast bar, saying, “I’m going to ask you to respect me by not being with Charlotte until everything is broken off with Emma.” He holds up his hand when I go to speak, and then continues, “I know you’re in love with Charlotte and after all these months, you’re going to want to always be with her, and as much as I love you, I need you to be the good man I raised you to be. The man I know you are.”
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