Face Value (Next Generation 7)

by Cheryl Douglas

  The ringing phone crudely forced her back to reality. “Hello.”

  “Hey, beautiful.”

  Two little words and her resolve melted like hot chocolate. “Hi, Tucker. Are you guys downstairs?”

  “Yeah, Monica and Mason are at the convenience store on the corner grabbing some drinks. You want me to come up?”

  “No, it’s okay. I’m ready. I’ll be right down.”

  “Sounds good.”

  She hung up and caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. She was grinning like an idiot, and her cheeks were flushed. Stupid, stupid woman. She quickly locked up and made her way downstairs, grateful no one else was on the elevator. She was too nervous to make small talk with her neighbors.

  Lauren caught sight of Tucker as soon as she rounded the corner. He stood with his back to the door looking positively edible in trim, faded jeans and a black leather jacket. His longish dark hair was windblown, and he had the ever-present dark shadow of whiskers masking his jaw. She couldn’t see his dark eyes because of his sunglasses, but his attention was obviously fixed on something down the street… which gave her plenty of time to admire his masculine perfection.

  He was tall, very tall, with impossibly broad shoulders and a narrow waist. She suspected he was a little too bulky to have the six-pack the gym rats favored, but he didn’t need it. He was delicious exactly the way he was, and the polar opposite of every other man she’d ever dated.

  As though he sensed her staring, he turned around slowly, a grin spreading across his face. The flash of white teeth amidst the dark stubble made her stomach do a little back-flip. She was in so much trouble.

  “There you are,” he said, opening the door for her. He brushed a kiss across her cheek. “I was just keeping an eye out for the kids. They’re at that age where they want to assert their independence.” He chuckled. “The problem is, I don’t think I’m ready to let them.”

  She loved that he was so protective of his children… and her. “I hope they don’t mind me tagging along?”

  “Are you kidding?” He smiled. “They told me it was about time I started dating again. Apparently they were worried that I was lonely.”

  “Are you?” Why did you ask that? It’s none of your business.

  “Not at all. I like my life exactly the way it is.”

  Of course he did. He got to have all the fun without the headaches that often went with commitment. Typical.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked, sliding his index finger over her forehead. “You’re frowning.”

  “Nothing,” she said, forcing a smile. She pointed at the black Range Rover by the curb. “Is this yours?” She was used to seeing him drive the black pick-up truck.

  “Yeah. The F150 is my work truck. This is better when I have the kids. Mason usually has hockey on weekends, so I have to keep his gear protected.”

  “He’s not playing hockey today?”

  “No, he’s out with a heel spur. It’s been a few weeks, so he should be back at it by next weekend.”

  “I’m sure he’s looking forward to that.” She smiled when she saw a boy and a girl leaving the convenience store. There was no doubt that was Tucker’s son. He looked exactly like him, with shorter hair. “They must be yours.”

  He laughed. “How could you tell?”

  “I’ve seen pictures, remember?” Not that she would have needed them. As they got closer, she saw they were just as cute in person.

  Tucker chuckled when he eyed the plastic bag in his son’s hand. “Did you leave anything in the store?”

  “You didn’t say you wanted change,” Mason grumbled.

  “Forget it, it’s fine.” Tucker set his hand on the small of Lauren’s back. “Guys, I want you to meet my friend Lauren.”

  Lauren smiled as she offered her hand to his son, then his daughter.

  “This is Mason and Monica.”

  Both children greeted her politely, but she could tell they were sizing her up, trying to establish whether she was really just their father’s friend or something more. She couldn’t blame them. She would have had the same questions. “I hope you don’t mind that I’m joining you today?” She wondered whether they would be resentful, since they got so little time with their father.

  “No, it’s cool,” Mason said, reaching into the plastic bag. “You want one?” He offered Lauren a bottle of water.

  “Sure, thanks.” She saw Monica looking at her.

  “Are you a model?” Monica asked, tipping her head to the side.

  “No, why?”

  “You’re pretty enough to be a model.”

  “Thank you, sweetie.” Lauren was grateful they didn’t seem resentful. In fact, they seemed charming.

  “Well, are we ready to go?” Tucker walked to his SUV to open the passenger’s door for Lauren.

  “I am.” Lauren smiled her thanks at Tucker, and he winked at her.

  No matter how often she told herself to shield her heart, she felt him chipping away at the armor, probably without even realizing it. Every time he smiled or winked at her… when she heard his laugh… and when she saw him as the attentive father who clearly adored his kids. She loved every facet of his personality, except for his temper.

  They chatted all the way to the mall. Mason told her about his hockey team, and Monica chimed in about her upcoming dance recital. They told her about school and their teachers and the sports and camps they had planned for summer vacation. She adored them already. They were sweet and funny, with a typical sibling relationship involving a lot of teasing and arguing.

  For the most part, Tucker just listened and observed Lauren’s interaction with them. She couldn’t help but wonder what he was thinking, but he gave nothing away.

  By the time they found a parking spot at the nearest mall, Monica was bouncing in her seat. “This is gonna be so much fun.”

  “This is gonna be torture,” Mason groaned.

  “I have an idea,” Monica said with a sparkle in her eye. “Why don’t you come with me, Lauren, and Dad can go with Mason.” She wrinkled her nose. “They like sporting goods stores.”

  Tucker shifted in his seat to look at his daughter. “I thought the whole point of this little excursion was so that you could show me what you want for your birthday.”

  “I can show Lauren, and she can fill you in.”

  Tucker looked at Lauren. “I don’t know. What do you think?”

  “Works for me,” Lauren said, smiling. She would love some girl time with Monica. The little girl was so enthusiastic about everything; maybe her excitement would take Lauren’s mind off Tucker for a while. Her brain could use the rest.

  “Yes!” Mason said, pumping his fist in the air.

  Tucker pointed at a family-style restaurant just outside of the main doors. “Why don’t we meet back here at one and grab a bite to eat?”

  “Sounds good to me.” Lauren reached for her door handle.

  Tucker grabbed her forearm. “Are you sure you don’t mind?”

  “Not at all. It’ll be fun.”

  ***

  Tucker was horrified when Lauren and Monica returned carrying half a dozen shopping bags and giggling like life-long friends.

  “What did you do?” he asked, scowling at his daughter.

  Monica sobered as soon as she turned her big brown eyes on him. Sinking her teeth into her bottom lip, she said, “I didn’t ask Lauren to buy me anything, Daddy. I swear.”

  Lauren jumped to her defense. “She’s telling the truth, Tucker. It’s nothing really, just some nail polish, lip gloss, pajamas, sparkly sweats…” Her voice trailed off when Tucker glared at her.

  “You shouldn’t have done that.” Tucker couldn’t be mad at Lauren; she was way too cute. And he knew her heart was in the right place. “I’m paying for it.”

  “But-”

  He held his hand up to silence her. “I appreciate the gesture, Lauren, but she can’t accept these gifts from you.”

  Lauren let out a gusty sigh before her
bottom lip slipped out.

  Rolling his eyes, he wondered who was worse: Lauren or his daughter. But God help him, he could barely resist the urge to kiss that pretty pout right off her lips, with or without an audience. “You ladies must have worked up an appetite. Let’s grab some lunch.”

  “You guys didn’t buy anything?” Lauren asked, allowing Tucker to lead them into the restaurant.

  “We took our stuff out to the car.” He paused before reaching the hostess stand. “You want me to put your stuff in the car?”

  “No, that’s okay.”

  She said she didn’t, but he could tell she was just being polite. “Here, let me have those. Why don’t you grab us a table? I’ll be right back.”

  When Tucker returned, they were crowded into a booth playing Angry Birds on Mason’s iPad. His breath caught in his throat, and he slowed to a stop before he reached their table. His kids obviously liked Lauren almost as much as he did. Imagining her fitting into their world was so easy, but he knew he wasn’t the man she needed.

  Lauren was young and beautiful. She had her whole life ahead of her. She undoubtedly wanted to get married and have children of her own someday, not play pretend-Mommy to someone else’s kids. No, he couldn’t allow himself to think about the future they could never have.

  She looked up at him. “Is everything okay?”

  The kids sat beside each other, leaving the spot next to Lauren available. He slid in, trying to ignore his body’s fierce reaction when his thigh brushed against hers.

  “I ordered you a Coke, Dad,” Mason said without looking up from his game.

  “Thanks.”

  “Guess what, Dad?” Monica said, in the sing-song voice that irritated her big brother so much. “Lauren beat Mason at Angry Birds!” She held her hand over her mouth to conceal her laughter when her brother nudged her.

  “It’s best two out of three,” he grumbled.

  Tucker laughed and bumped Lauren’s shoulder. “How’d you get so good at Angry Birds?”

  “I have it on my phone.” She smiled. “Sometimes I have to wait around a while for contractors to show. It kills time.”

  “Damn contractors,” he said, grinning. “They don’t think time applies to them.”

  “I know, right?” She smirked. “I still don’t know how you guys get away with running your businesses that way. Late, always over budget, quick with excuses-”

  “Keep talking, lady,” he whispered in her ear. “But don’t think I won’t get even when we’re alone.”

  Her eyes landed on his mouth, and it took everything in him not to steal a kiss right there in front of his kids. Lauren was hijacking his good judgement and making him want to break all of his rules.

  “Your turn.” Mason handed her the tablet.

  “Not bad,” Lauren said, looking suitably impressed. She winked at Mason, and he shifted in his seat and blushed. “You’re a worthy opponent, kid.”

  Apparently Tucker wasn’t the only one with a crush on the stunning Miss McCall. Mason appeared enamored as well. Tucker didn’t know how he felt about his kids getting close to Lauren. He’d hoped they would like her, but he never expected the instant rapport. The last thing he wanted was for them to get the idea he and Lauren were planning a future together. He would have to talk to them about their expectations when they were alone.

  The waitress came to take their order of burgers and fries all around. Tucker didn’t know why he was so pleased Lauren didn’t mind digging into a calorie-laden meal. Perhaps because most of the women he dated were waifs who thought munching on salad instead of eating a meal would impress him.

  He hadn’t dated a real woman in so long he’d almost forgotten what it was like. Frowning, he tried to recall the last time he dated a successful, independent business woman. Try never. He usually went for women cool with keeping it light, which often meant younger women putting themselves through school working as waitresses or in retail. It never bothered him until he met Lauren. She was his equal in some way and so much better than him in so many others.

  “Can you come to my hockey game next Saturday?” Mason asked Lauren.

  Uh oh, his son was more infatuated than he thought. “Um, I don’t think so, hon,” she said, smiling to soften the rejection. “That’s your time with your dad. I don’t want to intrude.”

  “You wouldn’t be,” he said, his voice taking on that desperate edge Tucker knew too well. “She wouldn’t, would she, Dad?”

  “Hey, that’s not fair,” Monica said in full-on pout mode. “If she comes to your hockey game, she has to come to my dance recital.”

  “No, she doesn’t,” Mason said, looking disgusted. “Who would want to go to a stupid dance recital when they could go to a hockey game?”

  “Guys, that’s enough,” Tucker said, shooting them both a glance that warned them either to back down or face the consequences. “Let’s not pressure Lauren, okay?”

  Lauren looked back and forth between the kids, and Tucker could tell she hated to disappoint them almost as much as he did. How the hell could he avoid losing his heart to that woman? He was so screwed.

  “Let me see what I have going on next weekend, okay?” she said, including both kids. “Your dad and I will talk about it.”

  “Cool!” Mason looked as though she’d just promised to buy him a car.

  Lauren held the screen up so Mason could see it. “I beat you again!”

  Mason shook his head, smiling in spite of his defeat. “Dad, you better face it. She’s too good for you.”

  Tucker knew his son was referring to the game, but that didn’t make it any easier to smile at the off-hand remark when Lauren’s eyes met his.

  Chapter Nine

  “I had so much fun today,” Lauren said, curling up on the couch under a faux-fur throw.

  Tucker stoked the fire before reclaiming his spot beside her.

  The kids were in bed, and his house was blissfully quiet. Tucker couldn’t imagine a more perfect ending to the best day he’d had in years, maybe ever. “If Mason was smitten before, I think he’s in love with you now. When Aiden invited him to the dressing room to meet the rest of the players, I thought he was gonna go crazy.” Nothing made him happier than seeing his kids happy, and it meant so much to him that Lauren seemed to understand that.

  “Aiden was glad to do it. Your kids are great, Tucker. You should be really proud of them.”

  “I am. They’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” He shifted to face her, and he knew right away it was a mistake. She looked so striking under the glow of the fire, and he knew he couldn’t resist her. “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered, stroking her hair.

  She closed her eyes and turned into his touch. “What’re we doing?”

  “I don’t know, but I don’t think I can stop.” That’s as honest as he could be. It wasn’t a question of whether he wanted to stop. He couldn’t.

  Lauren opened her eyes and captivated him with her stare. “Me neither.”

  He shifted closer, cupping the back of her neck. “I haven’t felt this way about a woman…” Ever. He couldn’t tell her that without scaring her away. They were moving way too fast. “In a long time, Lauren.”

  “I’m scared,” she whispered. “There are so many things I like about you, but I know there’s another side to you.” She sighed. “Plus, there are things you won’t tell me…”

  Tucker knew she was talking about his jail time. He’d never talked to anyone about what landed him there. He didn’t even try to defend himself in court. He wouldn’t put his daughter through the hell of having to testify about what happened.

  He knew expecting Lauren to have an intimate relationship with him without knowing the full story wasn’t fair, even though half a dozen women had before her. But he wouldn’t even try to convince himself she was like all the others. She deserved the truth.

  Shifting away, he leaned his head back on the sofa and closed his eyes. “It was shortly after Amanda and I separated.”<
br />
  Lauren reached for his hand as though she sensed he needed her support. She was right.

  “She was seeing this guy…” He drew a shaky breath, praying for the strength to relive a day that still haunted him. “I didn’t like him from the start. Not because I was jealous. Our marriage died a long time before we separated.”

  “Then why didn’t you like him?” she asked quietly.

  “I didn’t trust him. Call it a bad vibe.” Tucker knew his instincts about that guy were right and he couldn’t ignore it, especially when his kids’ safety was at stake. He’d learned the hard way what happened when he kept his mouth shut and pretended evil didn’t exist.

  “So, you guys got into it?”

  If only it were that simple. “I walked into the house and heard him saying things to Monica…” He shuddered, and Lauren moved closer, wrapping her arm around his and laying her head on his shoulder.

  “What kind of things?”

  He wanted to wretch just thinking about it. “He told her how pretty she was, talking about all the things he wanted to do to her, but he told her she could never tell her parents.” Tucker’s hand curled into a fist, and he feared the rage rising to the surface. He hated feeling as though the fury inside of him was a beast he was powerless to control.

  “Oh God, no,” Lauren whispered, covering her mouth with her free hand.

  “I didn’t want to scare the kids by confronting him in front of them, so I waited for him outside.” Tucker could still hear the sickening thud of that bastard’s skull bouncing off the pavement. If the police hadn’t shown up when they did and physically restrained him, he knew he couldn’t have stopped. “I beat the hell out of him.” That was an understatement. That guy was lucky to be alive by the time Tucker finished with him. “I had to send him a message that if he got within ten feet of my kids again, it would cost him his life.”