On their way down to the meeting from her room, he'd, again offhandedly offered to take her place as the speaker. She'd promptly refused, insisting she could do it. Looking around the room, he couldn't help but have second thoughts. During the drive to Savannah and during dinner last night, they'd talked in depth about the effect government controls had on soybean farming. He wanted to offer to speak on her behalf again, but he didn't want to undermine her confidence.
"Are you nervous?" he asked, wondering if she'd even admit it if she was.
Rolling her eyes, she gave him a sidelong glance. "Shh. No, I'm not nervous. When I'm up there, I'll just imagine you naked," she told him with a teasing smile.
David leaned very close to her ear and whispered, "Then don't look at me, because if you do, I may just come up there and drag you back to our room."
She slid her tongue out of her mouth and slowly traced her lips, her grin wicked. David felt his temperature go up a hundred degrees as she turned her attention toward the front of the room. Trying to concentrate on the speaker at the podium, instead of his hard groin, he listened for a few minutes as the man answered a question from one of the senators. Caught off-guard and unprepared, the man stumbled over his response. Becoming even more concerned about Tanya's turn, David touched her arm. "Are you sure you don't want me to do this?"
She turned toward him and gave him a tolerant look. "Don't worry. I know what I'm doing."
Before he could say anything more, her name was called over the loudspeaker. Tanya stood and made her way to the front of the room. David watched her in awe, her graceful stride holding his gaze. She was easily the most beautiful woman in the room. He couldn't take his eyes off her as she stepped behind the podium and introduced herself.
At the sound of her voice, a hush fell over the crowd. David glanced quickly around him and noticed that all of the participants had turned their complete attention to her. She began to speak, her voice eloquent, her tone firm. David listened to every word and was impressed by her ability to get her point across. Poised and confident, she fielded question after question by the government officials, her answers concise, carefully worded and convincing.
David stared at Tanya, his mind spinning. He'd seen women who had attended finishing school, who had earned graduate degrees, who couldn't speak as well as she could. Where had she learned the skill of public speaking?
Or had she come by it naturally? He couldn't understand it. From what they'd been told of her background, it just didn't make any sense.
She left the podium amidst the loud clapping and cheering of the crowd, her smile appreciative and pleasant as she slid into her seat. Still taken aback by her composure, David took her hand, then threaded his fingers between her slim ones. Her amber eyes met his, shining and excited with energy.
"You were amazing!" The word was, of course, inadequate for what he really wanted to say to her. He was ashamed that he'd thought her incapable of carrying this off. She'd done that and much more. With her knowledge of soybean farming, she'd been more effective than he ever would have been. "You practically had the members of congress eating out of your hand."
She shrugged her shoulders. "I think I got my point across. At least, I hope I did."
"Sweetheart, I watched them. You did a hell of a lot more than that. It was obvious by their expressions that they were really impressed." He hesitated. "Hell, I'm impressed," he admitted as they waited for the next speaker to begin.
Her smile was indulgent. "You thought I'd fall on my face?"
"Not exactly, but I'll admit that I was worried. Now I see that it wasn't warranted." He'd been smiling, but his expression sobered. "Tanya, you handled yourself better than many people that went to school to learn to speak in public. Where did you learn to speak like that?"
Pleased by his praise, she blinked. She'd never given any thought as to why she wasn't hesitant to speak. She'd been more worried about leaving Cottonwood. "I don't know. I knew what I wanted to say. I'd like to think I don't intimidate easily."
David knew that was true. He'd given her hell more than once since he'd returned to Cottonwood, and she'd held her own against him every time. Was her ability to speak publicly in a professional setting yet another peek at her former life? It couldn't be, he reasoned, because it certainly didn't correspond with the description of her as a troubled teen.
He was learning that there were many facets to this woman. There was a lot about Tanya that he admired and respected. She was caring and had been fiercely loyal to his father. At every turn, she surprised him with her intelligence and self-assurance. He'd never met a woman he wanted more.
And for the first time, he wondered if he'd be satisfied by an affair.
* * *
Eight
« ^ »
"What do you think happened to Senator Danforth?"
Tanya frowned. "I don't know. I was disappointed that he had to cancel his appearance at the meeting," she said as she and David lay in bed talking. She slowly ran her hand over his arm. The meeting had ended a little earlier than planned, so they'd collected her things from her room, then had returned to his room with plans to go to the zoo.
They never made it.
David had pulled her against him and kissed her as if he'd been starving for the taste of her. Tanya had quickly forgotten their plans as they began to undress each other. Eager to be loved by him, she planted kisses on his neck and chest as he shed his shirt, then pressed her lips along his belly as he tugged his slacks down. They'd fallen into bed, and this time David hadn't held back. He'd worshiped her body, then when she was crazy with wanting him, he'd entered her and loved her until she cried out his name.
Now exhausted, they lay in each other's arms, leisurely stroking each other. Tanya had never been so happy.
"I was disappointed I didn't get to meet him. There was something strange about him not being there, but I can't exactly say what makes me feel like that," she told David. "It was almost as if his presence meant something more than just support for soybean farmers."
"I'm sure whatever prevented him from attending was important. Probably something pressing that had to do with his Senate seat," David speculated, noticing that her eyes were actually sparkling. He wondered whether it was from her success earlier in the day or from making love.
Tanya yawned and snuggled closer to him, seeking his warmth. "Probably."
David smiled down at her. If he could summon the energy, he'd satisfy himself with her body again. While at first shy when making love, she'd quickly become accustomed to him touching her, responding eagerly when he'd stroked her and brought her to climax. She'd become eager to learn and take part in their lovemaking. Tanya was surprisingly passionate, and he was having difficulty keeping his feelings for her under control.
He'd thought that once he'd made love with her he'd be able to get her out of his system. However, the exact opposite was happening. She was all he thought about, and he'd even begun imagining what it would be like if he stayed at Cottonwood.
David wasn't sure he could do that. The memories of his father were painful. It was hard not to associate Cottonwood with years of disappointment and heartache. He'd always wanted to stay and work the plantation with his father. Now that his father was gone and David could stay, he had a successful business in Atlanta, another life away from the farm.
But Tanya belongs at Cottonwood, a voice inside him whispered. When it came time to leave, would he be able to walk away from her?
* * *
Tanya sat in silence as their plane began to make its descent to Savannah International Airport late in the afternoon. As she and David had prepared to leave Washington, uncertainties of where their relationship was going pulled at her. While she was in love with him, his feelings for her were less tangible, and she worried about how they might change when they returned home.
Would returning to the plantation, which held so many unpleasant memories of his father, make David withdraw from her? In Washington,
they'd been away from everything that reminded them of Edward's will and the stipulation that forced David to move back home. How would he feel about her when he was forced to remember his father's prerequisite to his inheritance? Did he still harbor bad feelings about her being there? Did he still resent her managing the plantation?
He didn't love her. She wasn't going to pretend that he did. But he desired her, and she prayed that he might grow to love her if he gave their relationship a chance.
Turning to look at him, Tanya's heart swelled. She had no idea where their relationship was headed, but she was powerless to protect her heart.
She loved him. So much. Still, she held the words inside, knowing it was a mistake to say them.
David didn't love her.
He cared for her. He wanted her.
But he didn't love her.
She wasn't going to complicate things between them. Wasn't it possible that one day she'd mean more to him? They had more than eleven months to live together. Their relationship had been rapidly changing. A week ago she'd believed he hated her, and now they were lovers.
Hope filled her. She'd enjoy the months ahead of her, enjoy being with him.
And maybe one day he'd fall in love with her.
* * *
Tanya felt a sense of accomplishment as they arrived back at Cottonwood. In retrospect, she thought it silly that she'd been apprehensive about leaving the farm. Just because something tragic had happened to her once didn't mean that it would happen again. Still, she was glad to be home.
David got out of the car when she did, and he popped open the trunk and retrieved their luggage. It wasn't until they went up the stairs that she began to feel a little anxious. He stopped at the top of the stairs and put his own luggage down, then followed her to her room and placed her bags in a corner of the room. They hadn't talked about the change in their relationship, and she wondered what he was thinking.
She needn't have worried. He pulled her against him, kissed her hungrily, then told her he was going to put his own things away. Catching her breath, Tanya watched him leave, her heart encouraged.
After unpacking, she went to the office to check the mail. Sharing the space with David had been difficult before they'd left, as she'd tried to do her work when he wasn't there. Now she walked in, saw him at the desk, and smiled. "I thought I'd call the doctor today and see about getting an appointment," she told him as she approached him.
David looked up. "Who's your doctor?"
"I've been to Dr. Brewer, your father's doctor, a few times. I really haven't had much of a reason to go to a doctor while I've been here. Besides the amnesia, I've been pretty healthy."
"Have you been thoroughly examined since you arrived here?"
"They did a lot of tests on me when they found me, but I've had no reason for any further testing."
"Then I'd like to take you to Atlanta."
"Atlanta?" Her brows wrinkled. "Why? Certainly there are doctors in Cotton Creek that I can go to."
"I'm sure there are, but it might be hard to get an appointment right away. I just got off the phone with Justin. Something's come up and I need to make a quick trip to the office for a meeting. You can go with me. I have a friend who's a neurologist. I want you to see him."
Her eyes filled with confusion. "Do I need to see a specialist?"
David stood and came around the desk, then tugged her into his arms. He kissed her and looked into her eyes. "You need to be examined by an expert on brain injuries. Considering what's been happening to you, I want you to see someone right away. You might need to have some tests. We can get all that done in a day or two in Atlanta. It could take weeks here."
His argument made sense. Besides, she was curious about his life in Atlanta. Going there with him would give her an opportunity to see where he lived, maybe see his office and meet some of his friends. Still, she hesitated. She'd been looking forward to spending Thanksgiving here with him. Then there was the town's celebration. She didn't want to miss it. "When would we have to leave?"
David rubbed her back with his hands, bringing her closer to him. "In the morning."
She groaned. "I've just finished unpacking." She gave in when she saw the determination in his eyes. "All right, but you have to promise that we'll be back by Thanksgiving. I want to go to the celebration."
"I promise," he whispered, then moved against her, his intent obvious.
Tanya's eyes grew into big circles. "David!" She glanced at the open door. "Someone could see us," she exclaimed, her cheeks turning red.
"We'll shut the door," he whispered as he began kissing her neck.
Tanya thought that was an excellent idea. Relieved his desire for her hadn't diminished, she went to the door and locked it. Eager for each other, they stripped out of their clothing, then came together in a heated rush, his mouth crashing down on hers, drugging her with his kisses. David maneuvered them to the sofa and eased her onto it on her back. A frenzy of lovemaking ensued as their bodies met and moved together, until David was nudging her legs apart. He entered her with one hard thrust, then pushed deeper and deeper as his hips drove against hers.
Tanya locked her legs around his waist and hung on, straining against him to reach that elusive peak, then suddenly her body quivered with surrender. David's release came only moments later. Afterward, as they lay together, Tanya knew there would never be another man for her.
* * *
The Atlanta skyline lay before them as Taylor Corp.'s jet eased down to the runway and landed on the tarmac. Tanya began to feel more and more uncomfortable about being in Atlanta, but if someone had asked, she wouldn't have been able to say why. A sensation of foreboding had settled inside her, and she just couldn't shake it.
David took her hand in his as the wheels of the plane squealed to a stop. She smiled at him, hoping her nervousness didn't show.
A few minutes later, her eyes widened as she stepped out of the plane and went down the steps. A sleek black luxury car was pulled up nearby. The driver, a handsome, well-dressed man, got out and circled the front of the vehicle. He looked to be about David's age, maybe a little older, but he was taller with a lean frame. His dark suit fit his broad shoulders, then narrowed at his trim waistline. A broad smile spread on his lips as they reached him.
"Welcome to Atlanta," he said to Tanya, taking her hand in his.
Tanya knew from the moment he'd spoken that she'd like him. There was no other word for him except gorgeous—the kind of man that might have caught her eye if her heart hadn't already been taken by David.
David's glance flitted from Justin to Tanya, and his gut tightened. Having been friends a long time, he knew the number of women who passed through Justin's life. While his friend wasn't flirting with Tanya, he was damned close. Taking her arm possessively, David introduced them. "This is Tanya Winters, Justin. Tanya, Justin West, my friend, and vice president of Taylor Corp."
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Justin said, then gave his friend a long look before shifting his gaze back to Tanya. "David said you were beautiful," he told her, his tone sincere, "but I don't think the word does you justice."
She smiled at him. "Thank you." She gave David a sidelong glance. So he'd talked about her with Justin. She wondered in what context.
Justin turned to David, then gestured toward the car. Once they were seated, David and Justin jumped right into business. "Delgado is one tough customer. You have a meeting set up with him in one hour at the office," Justin informed David.
"This merger will give him a greater customer base with the added luxury of decreased overhead. That alone will generate millions for him."
"We've talked in depth about that, but his feathers have been ruffled. He thinks he's not important because you haven't been here," Justin told him as the car headed toward downtown Atlanta.
Tanya listened as the men talked, and it became apparent to her that although David had been running his business from Cottonwood, it hadn't been easy. Obviously he was used
to being in the thick of things. As he talked with Justin, his whole demeanor changed. He shifted into a different mode of performance. Watching the changes in him, she wondered how much he missed the world he'd created for himself.
He was living at the plantation out of necessity, not out of choice. After they'd made love, she'd let herself hope that he could be happy at the farm. But would that really be an option for him? Though he'd seemed interested in the workings of the plantation, his interest probably stemmed from the need to know more about his newly inherited business and not from his personal interest. Discouraged by her thoughts, she stared out the window at the passing scenery. She was fooling herself if she thought that he would one day want to live on the plantation.
The car slowed and parked in an underground garage on Peachtree Street
. Tanya followed the men inside a tall, impressive glass-windowed building.
"I also called Lucas," Justin said, then looked at Tanya and explained, "Lucas Avery is a friend of ours. He practices here in the city."
"What did he say?" David asked. He pushed the button for the elevator. A moment later, the doors opened and they stepped inside.
"He made some time for Tanya at two o'clock today. If that's okay with you," he commented to Tanya. "While David is meeting with Delgado, I'll take you to Lucas's office." He paused, then added, "I hope you don't mind that David mentioned your amnesia to me."
Tanya shook her head. "No, that's fine. I appreciate your calling someone for me." She did. She thought it was nice of him to offer to take her. But she would have preferred David accompany her.
The elevator doors opened with a swish, and they stepped into an impressive foyer. She walked across the beige marble floor, following the men through a door, then down a hall. David spoke to several people, then stopped in front of the desk of a dark-haired woman who appeared to be in her late twenties. She had a generous mane of black hair and eyes the color of a blue, summer sky. Striking was the word that came to mind as David introduced them.
Terms of Surrender Page 9