There was no need to admit to calling his oldest brother, Mason, not once but twice. Hell, he’d even talked to Blade again. He’d been trying to get some perspective on what the hell was happening. He hadn’t liked it, and figured he could fight it, ignore it, or just not give a damn about it, but found none of those options worked. Unless he wanted to become a drinking man, he had to eventually face the fact he’d been p-whipped by a woman who hadn’t even been trying.
Of course, his brother and Blade thought they had it all figured out and felt it was more serious than that. They thought he’d fallen in love. He’d tried to assure them that such a word wasn’t even in his vocabulary. They’d laughed and said it hadn’t been in theirs, either, and they’d been unexpectedly tackled by love pretty much the same way.
“I haven’t wanted another woman since having you,” he said. “The thought of sharing another woman’s bed no longer has any appeal. The very fact that I’m even admitting all this to you is crazy. But I can’t help it. I need you to know where I’m coming from and why, Lyric. What’s been happening to me since Monday is some really weird shit. Normally I like women, but now the only woman I want is you.”
Damn, he’d said a mouthful and all of it had come from his heart. His heart... Could he really be in love with her? Hell, if he was, then it made sense now. What other reason could there be for this madness?
She crossed her arms over her chest. “It’s a phase.”
“A phase?” Is that what she thought after all he’d just said? News flash. He didn’t go through phases.
“Yes, and there’s no doubt in my mind that you’ll eventually get over it.”
No, he wouldn’t be getting over it. “When it happened to your brother, did he get over it?” he asked her.
She didn’t say anything for a minute. Then she asked, “What do you want of me, Tanner? Why did you come here? For more sex? To let me know I’ve been promoted to CH, your casual hookup list?”
Her words sent sharp anger through him. If only she knew how vulnerable he felt right now, and it was something he’d never had to deal with before. “I told you, Lyric, I don’t desire any other woman.”
“And did you not hear what I said about it being just a phase? You’ll get over it.”
He pushed off from the door. “I honestly don’t think that I will. I want all of you, Lyric. Not just the sex. You’re different.”
“How so? I fell into your bed quick enough like all the others.”
“But you are different. You’re not a one and done, or even a casual hookup.”
“Really? Then what am I?”
He took another step closer to her. “You’re the kind of woman that a man would want to be in a relationship with for the long haul.” He chuckled in surprise. “You’re the kind I would usually stay damn clear of. You’re a keeper, Lyric.”
* * *
LYRIC STARED AT TANNER, thinking he had it all wrong. She was definitely not a keeper for anyone. Westley had effectively proven that. She hadn’t permanently written off having a serious relationship. Just not anytime in the near future. She had trust issues she had to deal with before giving her time and attention to any man, and she didn’t even want to think of her heart.
She knew people could change, even die-hard womanizers. Her brother was a prime example of that.
“I’m going to ask you again, Tanner. What do you want of me?”
He took another couple of steps and now stood directly in front of her desk. “A chance for you to get to know me and for me to get to know you. I shared some of myself with you, but not all. I want you to get to know the real Tanner Jamison.”
She nibbled on her bottom lip. “What good would that do?”
“We won’t know until we do it. It’s not about sex, it’s about us. As much as I want you, Lyric, I will be operating on a hands-off policy until you give the word.”
She stared at him. “And if I never give the word?”
“I feel certain that you will one day. I believe by getting to know me you will see that I would never hurt you and that I’m ready for a change in my life.”
Lyric wished she could believe him, because although she was deliberately acting standoffish, resisting every point he was making and trying not to succumb to the desires she was feeling, she had thought of him every day and every night, too. At work, at play and even when she was helping out at her favorite charities. Should she even waste her time with him? He wasn’t giving her any guarantees of anything, other than what sounded like an exclusive relationship for the time being. Is that what she wanted again? She’d shared one with Westley and look what had happened.
However, he had said she would be in control. A hands-off, “get to know you” period was an interesting idea. They knew they had amazing chemistry and it would give them a chance to figure out whether or not they even liked each other. But how long would they last without sex? He’d said he’d let her decide when she was ready to engage, but just having him stand in front of her desk was wreaking havoc on her mind and body. The temptation to give in to desire would be very strong.
“How often do you want us to see each other?”
“Every day.”
Surprised, she echoed, “Every day?”
“Yes. I want us to spend time together doing something constructive every day this week. I’m flying out early Friday morning to Texas for an aunt’s birthday party and won’t be back until Sunday night. I want to spend as much time as possible with you before I leave. You can, of course, come with me.”
“No, thank you. I don’t want to travel anywhere with you again. And what will we be doing every day we spend together? What’s the meaning of constructive in your book?”
“Whatever the meaning is in yours. I want you to decide how we spend our time together. You work ten-hour days so you might not want to do anything but sit around and watch a show on television with me, meet up for dessert and wine, or enjoy dinner somewhere. You have to eat sometime, right?” He paused a moment, then added, “I want to prove to you, Lyric, that you are a keeper.”
Lyric gazed into the depths of his dark eyes and saw something she hadn’t seen before in the time she’d known him. A plea. A desperate plea. He actually wanted this, although she wasn’t sure what he thought he would be getting out of it when she would be calling the shots. A keeper? Her? Puhleez. But just the thought he somehow believed it broke a barrier within her. One she’d erected after her breakup with Westley, who hadn’t treated her like anything other than a convenience.
“Okay, fine, Tanner. We can try this for two weeks and that’s it.”
A smile spread across his face and he said, “You won’t regret it, Lyric.”
She sure hoped she wouldn’t. She broke eye contact with him and studied the floor. She didn’t bother looking up when she saw the toes of his shoes, indicating he’d come around the desk and was standing by her chair. She looked up at him and when he offered her his hand, she took it.
Immediately, just his touch sent sensations spiraling through her. And from the way he was looking at her, she knew he’d felt them, as well.
He gently pulled her to her feet. His face was close to hers, right there, nearly lip to lip. She could feel the heat of his breath on her mouth.
“May I kiss you to seal our agreement?”
She honestly didn’t think that was necessary, but with his mouth so close to hers, he had her remembering his taste and how delicious it was. She licked her bottom lip at the memory. Their lips were a breath apart and she said, “Yes.”
“You don’t know how much I needed to hear you say that, Lyric.” He took her mouth in a ravishing kiss.
Like he had on Monday, he was kissing her thoroughly and deeply. Tanner was kissing her in a way that lit up every part of her body. Over the next few weeks, they would not make love. When he saw that he wouldn’t be scoring
with her again, he would move on to someone else.
In the meantime...she’d begun throbbing down there, as well. A little at first, but now it was as if she was being stroked between her thighs with the same pace and rhythm his tongue was moving in her mouth.
She could actually feel herself getting wet and moaned his name. It was then that she remembered his kiss alone had the ability to make her come. How had she forgotten that? Snatching her mouth away, she drew in a sharp breath and took a step back. Tanner had her at a disadvantage. She was putty anytime his tongue, that gloriously experienced tongue, went inside her mouth.
“I have some things I need to do before I open up the gym,” she said, breathless.
“Mind if I hang around?”
Her eyebrows shot up. “Why?”
“I need a good workout and promise not to get underfoot. Then I’d like to take you to dinner later. That is if you don’t mind sharing a meal with me.”
She tilted her head and looked at him. “I thought you were going to let me decide how we spent our time together.”
He nodded. “Okay, you’re right. Dinner was just a suggestion.”
“One I accept.”
He smiled. “Thanks. And you don’t have a problem with me hanging around for a while?”
A part of her wanted to say yes, she had a problem with it, because she knew she’d be ogling him every chance she got. But instead, she said, “No. I honestly don’t expect we’ll be too busy today. We weren’t yesterday. Most of our regulars participated in Friday’s marathon and are giving their bodies a break.”
He nodded again. “Okay. I’ll go to the car to grab my gym bag. I’ll be back in a second.”
Lyric watched him leave, hoping her decision to spend time with him was one she would not regret making.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
“I CAN’T BELIEVE how lucky I’ve been today,” Roman said, glancing over at Victoria.
“Speak for yourself.”
He shook his head, grinning. He had caught several types of fish. His pail was full, practically brimming over. Unfortunately, except for a red bass, and a small one at that, the fish weren’t biting Victoria’s hook. “Be careful. You’re sounding like a jealous fisherman.”
She rolled her eyes. “Who cares? Just because you’re having a good day doesn’t—”
He lifted his eyebrows. “A good day?”
“Okay, okay. You’re having an exceedingly good day. That’s no reason to brag.”
Roman threw back his head and laughed. “So says the woman who’s been bragging on all our other fishing adventures. The woman who took a picture of her huge catch and texted it to all her family to see. The woman who—”
“Okay, Roman. I get the reminder. Please don’t rub it in,” she grumbled.
“Sure, sweetheart. I’ll save my rubbing for later, at a more opportune and pleasurable time.”
Their gazes held for a moment and he knew his words had had the intended effect. He only hoped the more time they spent together, the more she would want to continue seeing him after he left Catalina Cove.
One of the things on his agenda was a meeting with Bryce Witherspoon-Chambray. He had contacted her a couple of days ago regarding waterfront property to purchase. Although he had enjoyed sailing on the yacht, he wanted to build a home—a summer home in the cove so he could return whenever he wanted.
“Are you ready to go back to work tomorrow?” They had left Catalina Cove on Friday and were headed back now. It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon and several boaters were out. Luckily, they had claimed this particular spot right before sunrise, and he was glad. The fish were biting. At least for him.
“No, I am not ready. I needed Friday off and this weekend with you. However, my family was a little upset that I didn’t come home for Labor Day. As usual they had a huge cookout at Whispering Pines. I haven’t been home in a while.”
He nodded. “How long is a while?”
“Not since the Fourth of July. I talked to Mom and she said Lindsay was brave and brought a guy home.”
Although it had been years since he’d seen her, Roman knew Lindsay, Victoria’s sister, was five years younger and attending law school at Harvard. “How did your brothers and cousins handle that?”
“They were their usual troublesome selves. The interrogators. But Mom said the guy held his own and didn’t seem the least bothered by their inquisition.”
“Are things serious between Lindsay and the guy?”
Victoria shook her head. “I talked to Lindsay yesterday and according to her, they’re just friends. But I’m not sure the family is buying it. For years Reese and Kenna were ‘just friends’ and we all saw how that turned out.”
He wondered if she’d given any thought that their relationship had evolved the same way. They’d started out as friends who’d wanted to share each other’s company and...they’d gotten to know each other, both physically and emotionally. He definitely liked both. No, he definitely loved both.
“I wish we didn’t have to go back to Catalina Cove.”
Her words prompted him to glance over at her. The midday sun slanted across her features, making her look even more beautiful. “Any other place you rather be?”
“I could stay right here, in this same spot in the Gulf with you forever.”
Forever...
Whether she knew it or not, that one word packed a lot of promise. Was that a hint of what her answer would be? That she didn’t want things to end any more than he did?
At that moment, he wanted to put aside his fishing rod and go to her, hold her, kiss her and then take her down below and make love to her. He felt whole whenever their bodies were connected in a way that he hadn’t thought he was capable of feeling.
They had gone to bed last night making love and had awakened this morning making love. By no means did he want her to assume the physical part of their relationship was what he enjoyed the most—although he had to admit the physical part was good, damn good. He’d also fallen in love with her—the woman she was—and he was convinced his life wouldn’t be the best it could be without her in it.
He met her gaze and held it when he said, “I could stay right here, in this same spot in the water with you forever, too, Victoria.” She had no idea how much he’d meant it.
“Prove it,” she said.
He would have taken her words a whole different way if he hadn’t seen the sparkle of mischief in her eyes. That sparkle meant she was up to no good. “And how do you want me to prove it?”
She smiled sweetly. “By changing positions with me. I want to fish on that side of the boat for a while. Seems the fish are jumping more over there.”
He burst out laughing. “What am I going to do with you, Victoria Madaris?”
“I have a lot of ideas tucked away for later, Roman.”
He winked. “I’m counting on it, sweetheart. I am definitely counting on it.”
* * *
LYRIC ENTERED HER apartment and released a deep breath as she closed the door behind her. Good to his word, Tanner had spent the entire day at the gym. Like she’d told him, very few people had come in, so he basically had had all the equipment to himself.
She’d tried not to notice his powerfully built shoulders, his well-defined deltoids, pectorals and biceps, along with his broad chest. Every time he moved a muscle, it seemed her body moved a muscle, as well, in all the sensuous places. Then there were his hands—hands she’d remembered so well. They had touched her, gripped her hips to thrust hard inside of her. His fingers had brought her to an orgasm several times on that memorable Monday. She had studied those same hands today and had remembered their touches, their caresses, their ability to make her feel things she hadn’t experienced with any other man. All in one day. Monday had definitely been Labor Day because he had labored to make her feel pleasure in the extre
me.
When it was close to dinnertime and she still had paperwork to do, instead of waiting to go out to eat, Tanner had left the gym to get takeout for them. He had returned with a big container of seafood jambalaya, cornbread and a huge salad from a restaurant. They’d shared the meal in her office.
Over dinner, she’d established a schedule for the week. Dinner again tomorrow. A movie on Tuesday. A jazz concert on Wednesday. He’d even agreed to go with her to the children’s hospital on Thursday for story time. Then he was flying out Friday to attend an aunt’s birthday party and wouldn’t be back until Sunday. She figured she would need that time-out period to recover from his presence. Just being around him today still had certain parts of her body tingling.
He had hung around the gym, waiting until she had locked up, and walked her to her car. He’d held her hand during that short walk. When they reached her car, he’d turned her into his arms and kissed her goodbye. There was no doubt in Lyric’s mind that the coming week ought to be interesting.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
“TO WHAT HAS been a wonderful time spent with you in Catalina Cove,” Roman said, lifting his wineglass in a toast. “And I will forever cherish the memories.”
“And it will be the same with me,” Victoria said, before they clinked their glasses together.
It was hard to believe his three weeks in Catalina Cove was coming to an end and he would be leaving tomorrow. For their last night together, they were dining at the Lighthouse. The cove’s lighthouse-turned-restaurant was the place to dine.
Roman noticed Victoria hadn’t said much during dinner and he hoped that wasn’t a sign she would be giving him bad news, that she’d decided it would be best for them not to continue what they’d started. He loved going to sleep with her in his arms and waking up with her the same way. It was going to be hard to adjust to not having her with him when he returned to Washington.
A short while later they were heading back toward the marina to spend their last night together on his yacht. He thought she looked absolutely gorgeous in her red pantsuit, and walking beside her and holding her hand felt like this was the way it should be. The night air off the Gulf was cool, but it didn’t do anything to counteract the heat flowing within him from touching her. Being with her. Feeling a need for her.
Follow Your Heart--A Novel Page 21