by Piper Stone
“Don’t worry. Once you’re on those winter beaches, you will find another hottie to take his place.”
“Maybe.” But Hope sincerely doubted it. She feared she was ruined for any other man. She wondered why that didn’t worry her as much as she thought it should.
The next night, Tucker left his monthly teleconference early so he could be outside when she locked up.
“Hey, how about going with me to grab a bite to eat and then we can strategize about the company party.”
“Sure, but I’m tired, can it be a simple dinner?”
“How about Thai?” asked Tucker.
“Not tonight. Chinese?”
Tucker nodded. “I could do that.”
There was a connectedness that she was beginning to crave. She watched the snow come down as they finished dinner. “I need to get home early to do laundry.”
Tucker seemed to consider her words for a few moments before he smiled. “Well, at least it isn’t so you can wash your hair.”
“What?”
“Wash your hair. Isn’t that what girls say when they don’t want to go out with a guy?”
Hope laughed. “I really do need to do a load of laundry, and I’m tired.”
Tucker reached his hand out. “And this scares you.”
“Doesn’t it scare you?” she whispered.
Instead of answering her he said, “Okay, so wash your laundry.”
During the slow moments of the next day, Hope created wreaths for the shop. She made several extras and had them in the refrigerator. She called a courier to deliver the ones she made for Tucker and Susan asking Tucker to deliver to his sister.
Instead, he picked Hope up outside the shop that evening. They had hamburgers as they drove to Susan’s to deliver her wreath. Tucker made her help him put his up on the door of his town apartment afterward. He made her laugh, and she got a glimpse inside. He only had a few holiday things in his house.
When she asked about it, he shrugged. “It isn’t important when it’s just you. I go to my sister’s for holiday spirit. They have plenty.”
The next morning, Margaret let her thoughts on Hope be known. It had been evident to Tucker that she believed he was going way over the line with Hope.
“You never did more than three dates and the two events. You paid them their money and you were done. Your sister never even spoke to them more than once or twice. Miss Michaels’ contract was rewritten by your sister, you have dated her more times that I can imagine, and now you say that the two of you have grown to be good friends. I don’t know, sir, but it sounds like a mistake. She’s going to expect more from you, and she won’t ever fit into the life you need to live.”
Tucker didn’t respond, but he did think about her words. Part of him agreed, part of him disagreed, and part of him had no idea. It was the part of him that sat on the fence that he needed to help pick a side. It would tell him what to do. When he was with Hope, he wanted to be with her more. When he was away, he second-guessed himself all the time. When he was in a room full of over-priced, ostentatious executives, he knew Hope would never fit in. And his wife would have to fit in. Wouldn’t she?
Days before the company party, Hope received a delivery of a comfortable and very holiday appropriate burgundy dress and shoes with matching jewelry. The card read, For the party.
She called him. “Tucker, I’am sending this dress back.”
“Don’t you like it?”
“I love it.”
“Wrong size?”
“No, but—”
“If you like it and it isn’t the wrong size, you have to keep it and wear it.”
“I’m sending it back.”
“Don’t you dare. We have already had this conversation, and you know where it leads.”
“It’s too expensive.”
“It’s a gift, and I want you to have it. Look, I can’t come over there right now, but if you don’t show up with that dress on for the party, I’ll…”
“What? You can’t make me wear it.”
“If you don’t…” He liked this woman, and Tucker knew he didn’t want to scare her away, but if he didn’t tell her or give her a better clue now, it would be wrong. “If you don’t wear it, I promise to give you a taste of my discipline. It’s what happens when my woman disobeys me.”
The line was quiet as he waited for her response.
“Your woman? A little caveman, aren’t we?”
He changed tack. “I would love you in it.”
“It’s very expensive, too expensive.”
“Hope.”
“It is beautiful.”
“You make it hard to gift you things.”
“Sorry, you’re right. Thank you, Tucker.”
He was relieved. “You’re very welcome.”
“Tucker, what did you mean by discipline?”
Again, the line was silent.
“I might practice a little spanking.”
“You might? Oh. Look, I have to go. I’ll see you later.”
Tucker worried that he had ruined what was beginning to be something special. He hoped he hadn’t, but he couldn’t tell. He would have to be patient.
Susan stopped by later that morning and asked after the couple.
“Is she still going to the company Christmas party?”
“Yes, why wouldn’t she?”
“I thought maybe you would have scared her off or something.” Susan watched for his reaction.
“She signed the contract. I would at least have her for Saturday night.”
“True but don’t you want her for more? I really like her. Has she had some strange habit you can’t deal with?”
“No and that’s a problem,” admitted Tucker.
“How so?”
“I like spending time with her.”
“I can see how that might be a problem. Compatibility was always my biggest hurdle with Mark.”
Tucker shook his head. “In my world, certain things are expected, and I don’t see… Can’t imagine Hope changing who she is to fit in just for me.”
“People do many things for love. Do you think she might be falling for you?”
“We’re not even getting near that sentiment in conversations or anything else. We’ve only kissed. Hope’s with me because of a contract.”
“Do you believe that?”
“I have to, Suess, because if I don’t, I would have to admit I am falling for her and the game we are playing would be over.”
“With two winners,” Susan pointed out.
Tucker shook his head. “No winners, but two losers. I would lose the woman I have begun to really enjoy spending time with, and she would have lost herself trying to be who she thinks I want or need, and that would change her, destroy her.”
“Well, bring her to dinner on the twenty-third. Then don’t forget to call her on Christmas Eve.”
“To keep her as my friend.”
“Whatever you say.” Susan kissed her brother’s cheek and left shaking her head in disbelief.
Hope had been thinking all day about what Tucker had said about discipline. He was the most considerate man she had met in ages that was still single, and he had to throw in a statement using disobey and spanking. She felt a little flutter in her belly at the unexplained excitement that thought gave her, but for the bedroom, not as the response to disobedience. Maybe he was playing with her. Of course, he must be.
Hope answered her cell phone as she closed the shop door. “Hi, Tucker. I have to rest tonight. Tomorrow and Saturday are big days.”
“I know, but how about I bring something over, and we watch a movie or something?”
Hope knew she should say no. Their association would end soon, and she didn’t hold high hopes that he would call her after the twenty-third. She didn’t want the money now, she knew in her heart that it would cheapen their time together. She just wanted him.
“Tucker, what are we doing?”
“Hanging out?”
�
�You know what I mean.”
“Just let me come over.”
She couldn’t deny him anything. “Fine.”
An hour later, Tucker was at her door with roast chicken and sides.
“Yum. You know, I can cook pretty well, but the holidays are too hectic for me to do more than grab something or eat cold.”
“Now you don’t have to.”
He watched as she plated the food. He could really fall for her. He was falling for her, and he was scared to death. He had said she was scared, but really, he was terrified of making a mistake. Susan had found her Mr. Right and had to work hard at getting to the finish line. Mark was not one to compromise on his ideals, and Susan was used to getting her way. He could see Hope being like Mark. Was he like Susan enough to make this work?
“What movie shall we watch?”
Hope walked in on bare feet, wearing soft leggings with a long cozy shirt. He wanted to have her for dinner. His libido wiggled in every part of his body in anticipation of something happening and his toes were preparing to curl. He willed his cock to relax, but had minimal success. He changed positions.
“What do you want to watch?”
“I feel like something sappy. I want to watch the news first and then something Christmas. Can you handle that?”
Tucker groaned his protest. “Fine, but the next time we watch a movie, I get to pick.”
“Don’t be a Scrooge. And I’m kind of squeamish.”
He settled her in next to him. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Okay, deal.”
When the news and their dinner was done, she put on the Hallmark Channel and snuggled into his arms. Soon Tucker had her between his outstretched legs, his chin propped against her head. He wasn’t sure he had ever felt so content in his life. It was all due to Hope. Nothing could go wrong as long as he held her in his arms. Surely they could overcome any barriers they encountered, together.
Her soft snore told him that she was sleeping. She lay there trusting he would protect her. He waited and watched for a while before sliding out from behind her. He kissed her goodnight and left her to go back to sleep. She woke up enough to lock the door behind him. He wanted to crawl into bed with her, hold her, sleep with her. Wake up with her. That was dangerous territory.
But tonight he would have to go home and go to bed alone. He was determined it wouldn’t be forever. His man on the fence had just jumped off. Hope Michaels was going to be his if he had to turn both their worlds upside down. He was falling in love with her, and he intended to convince her that she was his. He was more worried about the outcome than he had ever worried about any board meeting or business deal. The stakes were high. This was their future.
Chapter 4
“Come to the ranch tonight.”
“I can’t. I have to go to someone’s company party tomorrow night, so I don’t have any free time.” Hope loved teasing Tucker. Susan had shown her that he liked it and now Hope had found her own way to do it.
“We’ll make the party. It’s at the ranch.”
“Really? Well, then I’ll see it on Saturday.”
“I want you to see it without everyone here. I want you to see it first.”
“Oh right, so people will think I’ve been there. I guess I should in case you decide to practice your spanking technique on me.”
“Hope, we’ll talk about that, but not right now.”
“Not sure I want to talk about it, but okay. Call me later. I have to go now.”
She had an unexplainable feeling of melancholy descend over her. This was the last time she would probably see him. He had been attentive this whole month, but it was for these events. They had a contract. Hope said as much to Christie when her friend mentioned her mood drop.
“Hope, you’re joking, right?”
“No, it’s fine; it’s how things were meant to be.”
“Listen to me. How many times have you two been out to dinner, or watched a movie, or spent time together?”
Hope folded the sweater and shrugged. “I don’t know, a lot.”
Christie put her hands on her hips in a challenge. “Right, and how many times did the contract say? Three dinner dates and two events. Girl, you have been to his niece and nephew’s Christmas program. That is not an event, and not needed, but he wanted you there.” Christie dropped her hands and began putting money in the till.
“I think his sister invited me, really.”
“See, his family is getting involved. Not a contracted date kind of thing to happen. You like him, right?”
“Yes, I like him, but he said he practices a little spanking.”
“Wow, he’s a little kinky too? That could be really fun.”
“For disobedience.”
“Oh. Well, he hasn’t tried to do that, has he? I mean, if I loved a guy I might consider it occasionally.”
“I really do like Tucker, but I’m just shooting for a friend. Spanking, in the bedroom, might be fine, outside of it, I would have to hear what he says about it.”
“I wouldn’t worry about it now. You said you were just shooting for a friend. I’m banking on much more than that,” said Christie as she shut the till.
The phone rang, and Hope answered. “Landan Michaels Boutique.”
“I know you said no, but could I just pick you up from your place tonight with all your things you’ll need to get dressed tomorrow and have you spend the night? I’ll get you to work tomorrow, or rather Manny will, and then you can come back here tomorrow afternoon as we planned.”
“Why?”
“Because I want you to see the ranch, I want you to feel comfortable here and because I could use some help making sure things are set up properly before guests arrive. Please help me out. Susan isn’t going to be able to come until six, and the guests come at seven.”
“What about the service you hired?”
“They aren’t you and because I’d like you here.”
Hope sighed outwardly, but was thrilled underneath. It wouldn’t do to let him know how much it excited her to see his ranch though. The home he loved.”
“Okay. Pick me up at the apartment at six-thirty. It’ll give our teens a few extra hours covering me. They’ll love that.”
“Great. See you tonight. Oh, and Hope?”
“Yes?”
“Alicia will cook for us tonight, so don’t eat a late lunch.”
“Alicia?”
“My housekeeper. Oh, and Hope?”
She giggled and sighed, “Yes, Tuck?”
He paused, and she wondered what she had said. “Thanks for coming. And I like that.”
“Like what?”
“That you called me Tuck. I like it.”
Hope smiled into the phone. “I’ll see you tonight.”
As they were eating dinner later that night, Hope spoke of her concerns about the company Christmas party.
“What do you mean, you won’t be good enough? You have that knock out dress, there’s no comparison.”
“Not looks, silly. I don’t care about that. Well, I want to look good for you, but it’s not what I mean. The people at your company will know that I’m not your girlfriend.”
“You can’t be serious. Besides, I didn’t say I was bringing my girlfriend. I said I was bringing my date.”
“Either way, people are going to talk.”
Tucker laughed as she took another bite of the beef burgundy. “People from my company will be more interested in who you are as the person their boss is enamored with. They won’t wonder why you’re there. Susan and Mark know you and will be happy to show that you are more than welcome. These aren’t bad people. I guess I don’t understand why you would be more worried about them than the Winter Ball.”
“I’m not going to pull this off, that’s why. These people know you. They’ll know I’m rented and not like the perfect women you normally take. I’m the outlier.”
“And what a beautiful dark horse you are.” He reached over and snagged her han
d as it lay on the table. “Besides, no one would dare say anything against you. Don’t worry.”
“Of course not to your face.”
“You worry too much.” He took a drink of his wine and looked at Hope. He saw that she didn’t believe him. His voice deepened. “I want you there, and that’s all that matters. Just enjoy the evening because I’m honored to be there with you.” He paused a few moments. “I have feelings for you, Hope. Feelings I want to explore.”
“Well, after tomorrow, it might not matter. Your December dating contract will be nearly over.”
He threw his napkin. “You’re wrong and I’d like the chance to prove it.”
“Okay.”
“Okay? Good.”
After dinner, they walked through the comfortable two-story ranch house as Tucker talked about all the things he loved about his home. He wanted her to fall in love with it like he had. He needed to tread carefully. He didn’t want to tip the scale in the other direction by being too forward. He was ready to take the next step, but when Hope hesitated, Tucker pulled back.
“I want you more than you know, but I don’t think you’re ready yet.” He looked deeply into her eyes. “Am I right?”
“Tucker, you excite me, but I don’t want to regret anything. Can we wait?”
“Of course we can wait, honey. I’ll wait as long as you keep saying there’s a chance. There is, right?”
She smiled impishly. “I suppose there’s a chance.” She grinned.
He swatted her bottom playfully. “Minx.”
She giggled.
He kissed her lips one last time, slowly, gently. “Then we wait.”
Tucker had been right, it was much more relaxing when she knew where things were in the ranch and could go places with confidence. She played hostess, even though he had plenty of paid wait staff for the event. Hope told the supervising caterer to find her first for questions. Hope didn’t know if that was the right call or not, but it gave her the added feeling of ownership and security boosting her confidence.
Hope had just left Tucker, who put his arm around her everytime he was near enough, speaking close to her ear to compliment her or just to check on how she was doing. He was a private man, but he was showing himself to be demonstrative when he wanted to be. “I have to make a quick exit. I’ll be back in a few moments.”