Holding Out For A Hero
Page 18
“Oh, Tanner…”
“I’ve listened to all you’ve said, and you were right. But I’ve changed. I want what you want. I have plans to create a community near Abilene that takes advantage of the sweep of the plains the way my houses near Dallas make use of the woods and the lakes. You’ll help me, because you have a better feel for this land than I do. Your father can help me. Build a life with me, Dori.”
Her head was spinning. She didn’t want to be lured into the wrong decision, but he was so appealing, sitting there with his earnest expression. She groped for her objections to his plan. “I don’t know how to be rich. I tried to fit in with the way the Devaneys did things, and I couldn’t. I’m not comfortable with fancy cars and hotel suites where your clothes are laid out for you every day, and—”
“Neither am I. But money can buy other things. A deserted island in the middle of a turquoise sea of warm water.” His voice became a caress. “A little hut, with enough provisions flown in to last a week. Soft sand you can sink your bare toes into as you walk in the sunlight, or the moonlight. A place where no one else will bother you.” His voice dropped to a murmur. “And no one lays out your clothes, because you don’t have to wear any.”
Desire stirred, hot and furious, within her. “That sounds sinful.”
“There’s nothing sinful about it if you’re on your honeymoon.”
“A deserted island?” She couldn’t help it. She pictured them there, playing at being Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. “Are you making this up?”
“I flew there last week to scout it out. The temperature is perfect, Dori. We can pick fruit from the trees, cook on an outdoor grill, make love under the stars. The world will disappear and there will only be the two of us. I reserved the island for a week beginning the ninth of December.”
“Tanner! That was taking a big chance.”
“No, it wasn’t.” He rose from the couch and came over to kneel by her chair. “Sending you the contract was taking a big chance. I was afraid you might throw it in my face.”
“I couldn’t throw anything into such a dear face.” She smoothed her palm over his cheek, and he caught her hand and turned his head to kiss it.
He closed his eyes and took a shaky breath. “Marry me, Dori.” He looked up into her eyes. “My life isn’t worth a plugged nickel without you in it.”
“You planned this, on the ninth of the month,” she murmured, cradling his head between her hands. “That was very devious of you, Tanner.”
“I wanted every advantage I could get. I thought of coming into the café at nine o’clock tonight, which would be a nice touch, but I couldn’t wait that long.”
“Speaking of that, I have to go to work soon.”
He stood and drew her to her feet. “Alice said she’d fill in.”
“You talked to Alice?” Then a suspicion entered her mind. “And Crystal?”
“The whole town knows I’m here.” He brought her in tight against his aroused body. “And they’re all on my side.”
“You’re a sweet-talkin’ man, Tanner Jones.”
“Am I sweet enough?”
“Yes,” she whispered just before she kissed him with all the love in her heart.
Epilogue
WARM WAVES SWISHED like lace ruffles on the hem of a turquoise negligee. A few feet up the sloping beach, two towels lay spread on sand the color and consistency of light brown sugar. For the first time in her life Dori had an all-over tan.
She lay on her stomach, a briefcase beside her and corporate reports spread across the top of the towel. Tanner reached over and ran a finger down her spine. She brushed him away. “You know I can’t concentrate when you do that.”
“Depends on what you’re trying to concentrate on.”
She pulled her sunglasses down her nose and glanced at him over the top of them. “If I’m half owner of this business, I want to understand everything about it.”
Tanner put his sunglasses aside and moved over to her towel. “I built the business. I think your best strategy would be to study me.”
“I just bet you do.” She laughed as he swept the documents out of the way and took her into his arms. His skin was warm from the sun and he was scented with coconut suntan lotion.
“I should never have let you bring that briefcase.” He took off her sunglasses and nuzzled her neck before placing an exploratory hand between her thighs.
“You said I could bring reading material.” But she’d already lost interest in the reports. The tropical sun kept her skin and blood permanently heated to the temperature of lovemaking. All Tanner had to do was touch her and she became as pliable as a mound of sand.
“I should have been more specific.” He fondled her breast with lazy strokes of his palm. “I thought women brought sexy novels to the beach.”
“There you go, generalizing again.”
“I really have to learn not to do that.” He licked the space between her breasts. “You taste like coconut.”
“So do you.”
“Having a good time?”
“Tanner, this is better than winning the lottery.”
“I should hope so. I—”
“That’s it!” She sat up, toppling him off the towel.
“I don’t think so, Dori. I’m good, but not that good. I barely touched you, and I don’t think you’re so responsive that you—”
“No, I mean, that’s how I’ll pay you for my share of the business!”
“You’ve lost me.”
She laughed as she leaned down to give him a resounding kiss. “I nearly forgot, with all that’s been going on. But you see, I’ll win the lottery in 1999. I have it all worked out. I’ll buy the ticket at nine in the morning, on September ninth.” She threw her hands into the air. “And I’ll be rich! I can pay you for my share in only three years!”
Tanner chuckled and drew her gently back down to the towel. “Thank goodness for that. I was worried about it.”
“Well, worry no longer. I will soon be a full partner in all ways.”
“I have no doubt.” Tanner moved over her. “But right now, there’s only one aspect of this partnership I’m concerned about, Mrs. Jones.” And with that he solidified their contract in the way Dori had found was the most gratifying of all.
eISBN 978-14592-7838-7
HOLDING OUT FOR A HERO
Copyright © 1996 by Vicki Lewis Thompson.
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