by Carrie Elks
“You’re beautiful when you come,” he told her. “I want to see it again. With me inside you.” He dropped his head to hers, kissing her hard.
His words sent a fresh shot of excitement through her. She could feel him begin to enter her, and she closed her eyes.
“Open them,” he said roughly. “I want to see you.”
He was overwhelming, filling her body and soul. She gasped as he stretched her, inching slowly inside, then stopping to give her time to accustom herself to him. He began to move, muttering an oath about how good it felt. Van slid her hand down his back, to his ass, her fingers pressing against his hard flesh in encouragement. She could already feel the ache starting to throb inside her again, her body moving against his as he increased the rhythm.
“Van…” he said roughly, dipping his head to suck at her nipple. “You’re everything, you know that?”
She nodded, too full of him to speak. He sucked at her again, the tugging sensation making her thighs tighten around his hips, as pleasure started to steal at her once more.
“Are you close?” he rasped out.
“So close.”
“Thank fuck.”
She laughed softly, then gasped as her climax began to peak. It was slower this time, more intense, her body shaking as he moved in and out of her. Then he was coming, too, his eyes staring right into hers. She thought she could see stars in them as they both gasped out loud.
It took a minute for him to get his breath back enough to pull out of her, tying the condom and putting it aside. He pulled her into his arms, kissing the top of her head as she spooned into him, pleasure still warming her body as her eyes began to droop.
“I love you,” he murmured. It was so soft, she wasn’t sure she was supposed to hear it. So she closed her eyes and let her breathing slow, trying not to think too much about those words.
He loved her. And it was beautiful. But it was scary, too. Because he’d loved her once before and look how that turned out. Love was a fluffy cat with claws, it soothed and it cut in equal measure. She hoped to god the claws stayed hidden this time, because she had no idea what she’d do if they didn’t.
We’re not kids anymore. Damn, she hoped that was true. Because she’d been in love with Tanner Hartson her whole life.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
“Guys, I gotta head over to the drive-in and get everything ready for tonight,” Van called out, walking out of her bedroom into the hallway. When she reached the kitchen, she gazed out of the window, checking for the twentieth time that morning that the sun was still out. The clouds needed to stay away. There was no way she wanted the grand opening party to be a wash-out.
“Mom?” she called out. “You and Zoe need to get there by six, okay? I’ve reserved you a space at the front.” She grinned at Zoe who was sitting at the kitchen table, spooning Rice Krispies into her mouth. “And you get all the popcorn you can eat.”
Zoe grinned back. “I can eat a lot.”
“I know.” Van winked at her. “Mom?” she called out again. “Where are you?”
“She’s in the bedroom.” Zoe inclined her head toward the hallway. “She came out about ten minutes ago to pick up the mail, then disappeared again.”
Van walked back into the hallway and knocked at her mom’s bedroom door. “Mom, I gotta go. Did you hear what I said?”
No answer. Van sighed. Don’t let her be like this. Not today of all days. She needed everything to go perfectly. It wasn’t too much to ask, was it?
“Mom?” she said again, trying to keep the impatience from her voice.
“Come in.” Her mom’s voice was thick. Croaky.
Van pushed the door open, and tried not to wince at all the clothes strewn over the floor. “I was just saying I gotta go.” She looked over to the bed. Her mom was curled up, facing the wall, papers in her hands. “Are you okay?” Van said softly.
Her mom rolled over. Her eyes were red, her hair a mess. She held out the papers to Van. “He’s divorcing me,” she whispered. “I just got this.”
Van took the papers from her mom’s outstretched hands and scanned through them. “It’s a letter from his lawyer. He wants to discuss separation terms, not a divorce,” she said, looking up. “It’s not that bad.”
Her mom’s lips trembled. “It’s the first step. A separation agreement and then a divorce after a year. He really isn’t coming back.”
“But it’s a good thing, right?” Van said, forcing a smile onto her face. “It says here he’s going to pay you enough money to cover the rent. And he doesn’t want any of the furniture.” She turned over the page. “Look! He wants to see Zoe every other weekend. She’ll be happy about that.”
“I’m not letting my girl go and stay with him and that bitch,” Kim hissed. “They don’t get to play happy family with my kid.” She shook her head. “Zoe isn’t even his.”
Van’s phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out to see Tanner’s name on the screen. “Can we talk about this later?” she asked. “After the gala? I have a thousand things to do at the drive-in. And you don’t have to do anything about it right away.”
Her mom said nothing, just took the papers from Van and turned back on her side again.
“You need to be there at six,” Van said. “I’ve saved you a spot. Just give your name at the booth and they’ll direct you. Everybody else arrives at seven, so don’t be late.”
“Okay,” her mom whispered.
Van leaned forward to rub her back. “It’s going to be okay. Nothing’s changed. We’re all still good, right?”
Her mom sniffed.
Van’s phone rang again. This time she answered the call. “I’m on my way,” she said.
“Good. Because I miss you already.” Tanner’s voice was warm. The tension immediately seeped out of her. They’d get through tonight, then tomorrow everything would be easier. Her mom, her relationship, all of them could be dealt with.
But now she had a party for five hundred people to finalize. Everything else would have to wait.
“Is this okay?” Van asked, walking into the office later that day. She’d spent most of the morning and afternoon running around getting everything ready, before heading to the salon to get her hair done and pick up her dress.
Tanner leaned back in the chair, taking in the sexy red gown that clung to her every curve. Her hair was down, freshly waved to make her look like some kind of old-style movie actress, and her full lips were slicked with a scarlett gloss. Tanner pushed the chair back and walked over to her, his mouth dry as he looked her up and down.
“You look beautiful,” he said, reaching out to touch her face. “Why don’t we skip this party and head straight to my place?” His voice was low. Needy.
She smiled. “For one, you still don’t have any furniture.”
He leaned forward to brush his lips against her cheek. “I’m working on that,” he murmured. “We’ve got an appointment at the store tomorrow. I want you to help choose it.”
He slid his lips to the sensitive skin below her ear, right where her jaw met her neck. She sighed as he kissed her. “It’s just a couple of hours,” she said, her chest rising up as he kissed her again. “We can’t miss our own party. I’ve been working on this for weeks.”
Curling his hand around her waist, Tanner gave her a lopsided grin. “I guess I can wait. If you promise that I can peel that dress off you later.”
Her eyes caught his. “It’s a deal. And now I need to go check on the band and the refreshments.” She glanced at the slim gold watch on her left wrist. “One hour before the guests are due to arrive.”
“I’d better get my suit on.” Tanner raised an eyebrow hopefully. “Unless you’ve changed your mind and I can stay in my jeans.”
“No can do. The dress code is Hollywood glamor.” She looked at his frayed jeans and checked shirt. “I don’t think that will work.”
It had been fascinating watching her organize tonight’s event. She’d taken care of every detail,
working so hard with the caterers, the entertainment, and the ground staff they’d recruited. It was another side of her he hadn’t seen before, but he liked it. A lot.
“I love you,” he told her, kissing his way down her neck.
“I…” Her phone buzzed. “Damn. This thing never shuts up.” She grinned at him, then checked the screen. “It’s Mom. Hang on.” With her eyes still on his, she answered the call, lifting the phone to her ear. “Hey, Mom, what’s up? You guys on your way?”
He took advantage of her distraction to kiss his way along her shoulder, breathing in her floral scent. He could never get enough of her. Not even if he were to kiss her for the rest of their lives. He wanted lifetimes. Eons. Long days filled with only her and nobody else. Damn, he wished this party was over already.
“Zoe, calm down.” Van frowned, and he lifted his head up, a questioning look on his face. “What time did she leave?”
He couldn’t hear Zoe’s words. Just a low murmur as Van held the phone to her face. He leaned back on the desk, watching her as she took a deep inhale, her chest rising up in that magnificent dress.
“Okay, just stay there. One of us will come and pick you up. Are you in your dress? Good. Don’t worry, she’ll be okay.”
She covered the mouthpiece and looked at Tanner. “Mom left the house at lunchtime. She hasn’t come home. Zoe’s panicking.”
“You think she’s gone to a bar?” Tanner asked her. Van had told him about the separation papers. And It was typical of Kim to go drown her sorrows when she could be supporting her daughter.
“Probably.”
“I’ll get Becca to go pick Zoe up,” Tanner told her. “And I’ll ask Logan to drive to Moonlight and see if she’s there.”
Van nodded, her lips pressed together, then uncovered the phone. “Honey? Becca’s gonna come to get you. And we’ll get somebody out to look for Mom. Try not to worry, okay? She’ll be fine.” Van’s eyes caught Tanner’s. She tried to smile at him, but it looked like a losing battle.
He sighed, and started calling his sister. If Kim spoiled Van’s night, she’d have him to contend with.
Van took a deep breath and looked out at the crowd. Women in elegant dresses laughed with men wearing dark dinner suits, rolling their heads awkwardly, unused to starched collars and bow ties. Waiters weaved their way in and out of the cars carrying trays of champagne and hors d’oeuvres. Mini hotdogs and little cardboard boxes of truffle-oil fries carried on the movie theme, and in front of the stage the orchestra she’d hired was playing movie themes.
Becca had brought Zoe an hour ago. When she saw her sister, Van felt the tension seep out of her like air from a balloon. Logan was still looking for her mom – apparently the Moonlight Bar was empty – but it didn’t matter. Maybe it would be better if she wasn’t here.
The hum of the crowd increased, and Van tipped her head to the side, watching as Gray and Maddie drove up in a shiny old Cadillac. Gray stepped out of the car, looking every inch a superstar, his strong, muscled body encased in the finest wool suit. He opened the passenger door and held his hand out to Maddie, helping her stand on her heels. She looked beautiful with her dark hair caught in a side-chignon, her baby bump visible beneath her champagne silk dress.
“That’s Gray Hartson,” she heard somebody say. “Did you hear his latest album? It’s amazing.”
“I know Gray. I went to school with his sister. Have you seen his brothers? They’re as gorgeous as he is. They sure know how to breed handsome in that family.”
“Hey.” Tanner was smiling at her. Van turned her head to take him in, suddenly feeling breathless. “You okay?”
“I am now.” She stepped forward, curling her fingers around his lapels. “You look amazing,” she whispered, rolling on her toes to kiss him. “Promise me you’ll let me peel this off you tonight.”
He laughed. “I promise,” he said solemnly. “I just left Zoe and her friends. They started screaming when they saw Gray and I couldn’t take it anymore.”
Van laughed. “They all have a huge crush on him.”
“I got that impression.” He rolled his eyes.
“Tanner Hartson!” a deep voice boomed. Van’s stomach dropped when she saw Johnny Fairfax heading their way, wearing an old-fashioned powder blue dinner suit. Nora was dressed in a peach knee-length dress, her hair perfectly coiffured. Van looked over their shoulder for Chrissie, breathing a sigh of relief when she couldn’t see her.
She’d sent their invitations with gritted teeth. Part of her had wanted to slide them into the shredder, but that would have caused more gossip. She could put up with the Fairfaxes for one night.
And maybe she’d enjoy them seeing everything she and Tanner had achieved.
“Good evening, Johnny,” Tanner said, sliding his arms around Van’s shoulders as if he could sense her unease. She didn’t pull away. Didn’t want to. Maybe she didn’t care what the Fairfaxes thought of her.
“Oh. Are you two an item?” Nora asked, looking from Tanner to Van and then back again. “I didn’t realize. Though I guess it makes sense.” Her lips curled up as her eyes met Van’s. “I did wonder why he gave you the job of running this place.”
Van felt the skin on the back of her neck prickle.
“I gave her the job because she’s good at what she does,” Tanner said mildly. “As you can see.” He nodded at the crowd surrounding them. “I’d call this a success.”
Nora’s smile faltered. “It all looks lovely,” she said, her nose wrinkling as though it hurt her to say.
“It really does. Congratulations.” Johnny leaned forward to shake Tanner’s hand. “Of course it was all my idea.” He smiled as he saw people looking at them, listening in. “I showed Tanner the details, suggested he should make the investment.” He chuckled. “Maybe you should name the drive-in after me. Fairfax Drive-In. That has a good sound, doesn’t it?” He pushed his chest out, like a self-important rooster.
“I’ll think about it,” Tanner said, his tone implying he’d do no such thing.
“Van?”
She turned to see Logan and Cam standing there. Tanner’s brothers looked more alike than ever, both dressed in dark tailored suits and crisp white shirts, their hair slicked back from their handsome faces. She could usually tell the difference between them without issue. Logan was the one who wore suits and talked about food. Cam nearly always had bruises and cuts from playing football, and was much more casual than his twin.
“Can we have a word?” Logan asked her. “In private?”
She nodded and followed them, shooting Tanner an apologetic glance for leaving him in Johnny Fairfax’s clutches.
“Did you find Mom?” she asked as soon as they were out of earshot.
“Yeah. She was in a bar in Shawsville,” he told her, referring to the next town over. She’s pretty drunk, too. I wasn’t sure what you wanted me to do with her. She’s sleeping it off in the car.”
“She’s here?” Van’s eyes widened.
“Yep. You want me to take her home?”
Van sighed, pulling her lip between her teeth. “No, it’s okay. If you can stay with her until the movie begins, I’ll take her home then.”
“You sure?”
She nodded. “Yeah, I’m sure.” She reached for his arm, curling her hands around his wrist. “And thanks for going to look for her. I appreciate it.”
“Any time. You’re one of us.” He gave her a soft smile. “Family takes care of family.”
Tears unexpectedly came to her eyes. There was something so sweet about the Hartsons. Every one of them filled her heart. “Thank you,” she whispered, her voice thick. “I truly appreciate that.”
She’d spent most of her life pretending family didn’t matter to her. But now it felt like everything. Tanner and Zoe, his brothers and sister, Aunt Gina, and even his dad – they meant everything to her. Her fractured relationship with her mom felt more bearable than it ever had. Maybe things were looking up after all.
She pain
ted a smile back on her lips and walked over to where Tanner was still held captive by Johnny and Nora. “Chrissie couldn’t be here,” Nora said, all sweet smiles for him. “But maybe you can give her a tour sometime. She did love this place growing up. Said she has a lot of happy memories here.”
Van reached for Tanner’s arm, her fingers closing around his wool-covered bicep. “I’m so sorry, but I’m going to have to steal him away. We’ll be starting the speeches and movie in a few minutes,” she said, forcing the smile to stay on her lips as she looked at the Fairfaxes.
“Of course. We can talk later, Tanner.” Johnny said, leaning in. “I have a couple of business opportunities I’d like to discuss with you.”
“I’ll be too busy tonight,” Tanner told him. “But maybe another time.”
Johnny beamed. “I’ll call you next week.”
Van blew out a mouthful of air, feeling relieved as they turned to walk away. But then she heard a voice. One she recognized. And it sent a shiver right down her spine.
“Darling! I’m so sorry I’m late.”
She turned to see her mom walking toward them, wearing a skimpy white top and tight jeans. Her feet were bare, her soles dark from the earth as she walked toward them. Van swallowed hard, shooting Tanner a look as he stared at her with wide eyes.
“Mom? You were supposed to wait for me at the car.” Van reached for her, but Kim somehow managed to dodge her grasp.
“And miss the party? Oh no.” Kim was slurring. She looked over at Johnny and his wife. “Nora, how lovely to see you. You look beautiful as always.”
Nora said nothing, staring at Van’s mom with disgust curling her lips.
“Aren’t you going to say I look nice, Nora?”
“Come on now,” Johnny said, his voice full of false humor. “We were just off to get some champagne.”
“That’s lovely,” Kim said. “Remember when you used to buy me champagne?” she asked, her eyes looking hazy as she stared at him. “We’d drink it naked, remember? You’d pour it over my tits and –”