Now and Forever

by April King

  Diesel smiled. “Her name’s Bunny. She was just a temporary fix.” He leaned closer and whispered, “I’m a free man.”

  A lack of interest washed over her face. “Many women will be glad to know you’re available.”

  “But not you.”

  “That’s right.”

  He straightened. His eyes traveled the length of her body. “You’re one fine woman. I can see why Tanner is obsessed with you.”

  She sighed contently. “The feeling is one hundred percent mutual.”

  “Lucky man.”

  Her heart swelled. Joy sank deep into her bones. She felt breezy. Unbelievable. Did Tanner consider himself lucky to have her in his life? Kevin had tricked her into believing she was the light of his life. The apple of his eye. He had dangled his love like a carrot on a string. No matter how hard she had tried, she hadn’t been able to capture it. Those dark days were behind her now. She was sick and tired of looking through the rearview mirror of her life, reflecting upon what had gone wrong. Time had come for her to look ahead. Words couldn’t describe how liberating it felt to tackle her fears and surrender herself to Tanner’s love, which proved to be more than an illusion. Against all odds, she was prepared to board the Love Boat and sail away from heartache. For good.

  “I’ll holler at you later,” he said, flashing the peace sign.

  “Bye.”

  As soon as he walked away, Lorilee appeared at her side with four total strangers, an attractive woman and three identical men. Triplets. “Grace, I’d like you to meet my cousins, the Wallenbrocks. This is Zelda, Dash, Dexter and Weston.”

  Grace uttered a greeting and extended her hand to them. They were an impressive group. Each had wheat-colored hair and hazel, or bluish-green eyes. Deep dimples dented Zelda’s cheeks when she smiled. She was Grace’s height and wore a black knee-length wraparound dress. Her brothers were another story. They were slightly taller than Tanner. Obviously, Dexter took pride in his physique. He sported tight-fitting black pants and a pullover shirt, which accentuated every muscle. Weston was a little more conservation. It was evident he had paid a pretty penny for his attire—crisp white button-down shirt, navy pants and shiny wingtips. All business. Based on his khaki pants and wrinkled striped shirt, Dash probably wasn’t that much into clothes, or appearances. The two-day scruffy beard on his face was a dead giveaway. “Pleased to meet you all.”

  “In the family, my brothers are better known as The Quiet One, The Pretty One and The Boring One,” Zelda said.

  Lorilee added, “Dash is a writer, Dexter is a model. He’s been in many of my fashion shows. Weston owns several hotels and casinos in the Southeast. Zelda is a journalist.”

  Grace asked Zelda, “What’s your moniker?”

  “The One Who Just Lost Fifty Pounds,” she said with a twirl, showcasing her svelte figure proudly. “Remember, I’ve got first dibs on any sexy red number in my size,” she told Lorilee.

  Dexter huffed. “I declare, I’m going to deck the next man who hits on you. And the next photo you see of my pretty face will be a mug shot.”

  “The only thing pretty about you is your fan club,” Dash sniffed.

  “Jealous?” Dexter shot.

  Zelda tossed her hands in the air with exasperation. “Grace, do you have overbearing siblings?”

  “I’m an only child.” Her spirits deflated somewhat with the admission. Growing up, there had been no one for her to tease or swap secrets with. She had bore the brunt of her mother’s disdain alone. Despite their banter, she could tell the Wallenbrocks were a unified and loving family. Their holidays were probably enviable at best. Flowing warm drinks, laughter, conversation and devotion. Picture perfect. Nothing like the silent nights she’d spent with her mother. Frosty and bleak.

  Ava joined the group. Instantly, she sidled up to Weston. “Hi, handsome.”

  “You won’t have any fun with him,” Dexter warned. “He’s a workaholic.”

  “Weston, you know what they say about all work and no play,” Lorilee said, waving a finger at him.

  “Playing doesn’t make me money,” Weston clarified coolly.

  “Money can’t keep you warm at night.”

  “But my mansion can.”

  Ava visibly trembled. She grabbed his arm, “We need to talk.”

  Grace shook her head as she watched them walk away. She had to give it to Ava, she definitely had chutzpah. “You go girl,” she thought, giving her best friend a mental thumbs up. If her guy ever showed up, she intended to stake her claim on him, too. Tonight, big changes were on the menu. So was a sensual, mouth-watering buttery dessert.

  “Dash and Dexter need to hook up with someone so they can get out of my way,” Zelda said.

  She had barely gotten the words out of her mouth before a swarm of women surrounded each man. Some even wielded pens and paper, seeking autographs.

  Lorilee said, “They must have seen the latest issue of GQ. Dexter is on the cover.”

  Zelda sighed. “Maybe their soul mates are in that bunch.” She turned to Grace. “Tanner seems to have done a great job in finding his. Lorilee tells me you two are enga—“

  Lorilee clamped a hand over her mouth. “Oh, dear. Look at the time. The show will be starting soon. Come along, Zelda.”

  Alone. Grace paced the floor. Her restless gaze shifted to the front door, hoping to see Tanner walk through it. What was keeping him? Surely, he wouldn’t miss such an important event. He had marked the date on his calendar. Maybe, he was stuck on the side of the road. Hurt. Horrible images filled her mind. Desperately, she shook them away.

  What if he had called?

  She reached for her cell phone. Wait, she had left it charging in her office. Meandering through the throngs of people, she made her way towards the hall. Just as she rounded the corner, wringing her hands, she bumped into a couple locked in a passionate embrace. Kissing. “Oops. Sorry.” Recognition caused her eyes to widen. “Diesel. Lorilee.”

  “We…we were just…” Lorilee stammered. “Please don’t tell Tanner.”

  “Hey, I didn’t see a thing,” Grace lied.

  Lorilee pushed away from Diesel forcefully. She lost her balance and he caught her in his arms. “Don’t touch me.”

  Hurt flickered in his eyes. “Who cares if someone knows that we’re a couple? I’m tired of hiding our relationship.”

  “We are not a couple,” Lorilee protested. “I haven’t made you any promises.”

  “It’s time you did. Tanner must think I’m some sorta player. Do you know how many different women I have paraded in front of him just so he wouldn’t catch on to the fact that I’m in love with you? We should make it official. I’m ready.”

  “Well, I’m not. Besides, now is not the time, or place, to discuss this matter.”

  Grace could practically hear his heart breaking. He stalked past her wordlessly.

  Lorilee shrugged. “He’ll get over it.”

  “You were kind of hard on him,” Grace said. “He seems really into you.”

  “Don’t go there. You know nothing about our…um…situation. If you’ll excuse me, I’m certain they need me backstage,” Lorilee brushed past her.

  She continued down the hall, until she reached her office. Tanner would have to find out about his best friend and his sister on his own. Unlike Lorilee, she didn’t play matchmaker, or presume to have the power to discern which man and woman were undeniably soul mates. Heck, it had been nearly two seconds ago that she mustered up the courage to accept her feelings for Tanner. She would be damned if she forced another kicking and screaming grown woman to mull over her feelings for a man who cared deeply for her. Lorilee told her not to ‘go there’ and she wouldn’t dare cross that line.

  Eagerly, she unlocked the door and hurried to her desk. Picking up her phone, she observed its fully charged status. Three missed calls were displayed on the screen. She checked them. None were from Tanner and all were unknown numbers. More crank calls. Lately, she’d been receiving call
s at all hours of the day from some nutcase who refused to do anything, except hang up in her ear. Obviously, someone hated her. There were worst things, including the torture she endured missing Tanner.

  She closed the door and relocked it. Walking through the hallway was laborious. She tried to get it together before she rejoined the crowd. They were in a festive mood and had a lot to celebrate and much to be grateful for. Her sulking would have to wait.

  The scene had changed in the front. Lights had been altered from bright to dim. Thunderous applause and cheering erupted. Sage Sweet’s sultry voice floated throughout the building. The first model stepped on stage and all eyes were on her.

  *

  The entire audience jumped to its feet when Lorilee took her final bow. Applause died down. Everyone dispersed. Many guests headed for the wine. Others fell under the spell of Sage Sweet’s mesmerizing voice once she began to croon a jazz standard into the microphone. Couples, and a few individuals flying solo, started to cut a rug.

  Grace tapped her foot. She had enjoyed the fashion show. Although Lorilee’s attitude was hard to swallow at times, her talent as a designer was indisputable. An array of finely crafted clothing guaranteed to flatter women of all shapes and sizes had been presented. The models had appeared confident and comfortable strutting on the stage. She intended to order a few outfits for herself.

  With outstretched arms and tears streaming down her face, Heather rushed toward her.

  An older man and woman followed close behind. “Thanks for calling my parents. This is the best gift anyone has ever given me.”

  “Same goes for us,” Mr. Hendrix said.

  “I thought I would never see my daughter again. Bless you,” Mrs. Hendrix said. She was so overcome with emotions that she held onto her husband for support.

  “Glad to help,” Grace said.

  Silence ensued. Mr. and Mrs. Hendrix refused to take their eyes off of Heather even when they spoke to Grace. Perhaps, they thought she would disappear. Grief had taken a toll on Mrs. Hendrix. Dark circles framed her eyes. And she was too young to have so much gray hair. The corners of her mouth sagged like she hadn’t lifted them to smile in a very long time. Grace doubt her own mother held the same strong emotions for her. Sometimes she wished…

  “Hate to cut the conversation short, but we really want to take our home. Where she belongs,” Mr. Hendrix said, reaching for Heather.

  “I understand. Goodbye.” Her spirits elevated. Better late than never to have a happy ending. At least one woman from Starting Over would begin a new chapter of her life on a positive note. She wished she could help all of them.

  “You’re one special lady,” Dexter said, staring at her with admiration.

  “Oh, I didn’t see you. Do you make a habit of sneaking up on people?” she said good-naturedly.

  “I just happened to be walking by,” he said. “Tanner must tell me his secret because he hit the jackpot when he met you.”

  She blushed. “Praise isn’t necessary.”

  “Be still my beating heart. She’s modest, a rare quality nowadays.” He stepped back and made a sweeping bow. “May I have this dance?”

  Since her true dance partner was absent, she curtsied and said, “Yes, you may.”

  Dexter kept a respectable distance between them. Surprisingly, he was light on his feet. Grace was a bit rusty at first, but quickly got the hang of things. Eons had passed since she last danced. Getting her mojo back inspired her to kick up her heels and shake a leg. “Whew!”

  “Two stepping must be one of your many talents,” he said. “If Tanner doesn’t watch his back, I might steal you away from him.”

  Highly unlikely.

  “Speak of the devil.”

  She followed the direction of his gaze. Air whooshed out of her lungs. Her heart skipped one…two…three beats. An ache formed in the pit of her stomach and anchored between her legs when she saw Tanner. Their eyes connected. A firestorm of heat raced through her body. Her knees buckled. Exuding pure testosterone, he moved across the floor like a sleek panther. Dressed in black pants and a black shirt opened at the neck, he looked super sexy. Dexter may have been a model, but Tanner was the most sizzling, tempting and appetizing man in the room. Hands down. No man had a right to look that delicious. She wanted to sop him up with a biscuit. A dollop a day of his good-loving would appease her sexual appetite.

  She struggled to catch her breath before she passed out. A dizzying whirlwind of desire whipped through her. She was being swept away without a safety net. Effortlessly, his magic made her come undone for the millionth time. How quickly longing had replaced anger. Of course, there was no way she intended to let him off easy for showing up late. However, there was no way she could resist the pull of gravity, which forced her closer to him. Nor could she ignore the raw and intense gaze in his eyes. It penetrated her to the core of her being.

  If anyone had told her a man like him would want a woman like her a year ago, she would have laughed in their face. Tanner was the kind of man every woman dreamed of snagging, taking his last name and making babies with. Authenticity and strength were qualities he possessed. Plus, he was intelligent, educated and financially stable. More importantly, he wasn’t destined to remain a bachelor forever.

  “Let’s make Tanner jealous,” Dexter said, bending forward and placing a smack on her cheek. He pulled her closer and slow danced.

  “I wouldn’t do that,” she warned belatedly. “Anyhow, he doesn’t strike me as the jealous type.”

  “Think again,” Dexter said. “Even at this distance, I can see his jaws clench. Steam is coming out of his ears. If looks could kill…”

  She chuckled, “You brought this on yourself.”

  “Hopefully, he won’t punch me in the face. That’s my money maker.”

  “I won’t let him hurt you. Too badly.”

  “Hey, where’d the compassionate, humble woman go?”

  Before she could answer, Tanner growled, “Beat it, Dexter.” However, his gaze was glued on her.

  Hot liquid fire set her ablaze. She stifled a moan. From a distance was one thing, but to see him up close was another. His clean shaven face looked smooth. His lips were just begging to be kissed. So irresistible. The scent of his cologne, light with a hint of sandalwood, made her head spin. She inhaled deeply. Holy Moly. She was slowly dying where she stood. Had Kevin stirred up her passion the same way Tanner did, instead of shattering her emotions they still may have been together. On second thought, the way Tanner affected her mentally and physically, no man could duplicate. His kind of magic was the exception, not the rule.

  Dexter cleared his throat. “Can’t you see I’m busy dancing with this lovely lady?”

  “I said back off,” Tanner snapped. His voice was low and lethal. A brilliant blaze developed in his eyes. His glare settled on Dexter. Even a blind man could see he meant serious business.

  Clearly, Dexter got the message. “Alright, alright. Geez, somebody needs to get laid and it isn’t me.” He winked at Grace slyly before disappearing into the crowd.

  *

  There she is.

  As he made his way across the floor, his thoughts and his eyes zeroed in on Grace. She looked just as luscious as ever. Her body was banging in a royal blue silk dress that dipped low in the back and flowed over her curves smoothly. A cascade of dark curls framed her face, which she tossed back whenever she laughed at something Dexter said. Seeing the two of them together did nothing for the sexual fantasy that was taking place in his mind, while staring at Grace. He would definitely give his cousin a piece of his mind at a later date for cozying up to his woman.

  Instead of fighting, loving was on his mind.

  Actually, he couldn’t fault any man for seeing a beautiful woman standing alone and wanting to get next to her. If only for a minute. Grace was the kind of woman a man shouldn’t leave unattended too long because vultures were always waiting to swoop down and carry her away to…wherever vultures lived. That’s right, Ta
nner knew the deal. He intended to protect her from the clutches of those feral beasts.

  Speaking of feral, a raw and primitive need gnawed at his senses. Strong desire shot through him like a cannonball. He almost lost his self-control when her gaze fastened on his.

  With super-restraint, he resisted the temptation to throw everyone out of the lounge so he could make love to her in the middle of the floor. Wild, uninhibited and tribal in nature. Just the way he’d envisioned it. Her moans of pleasure would be music to his ears. A tune he’d replay over and over in his head.

  She wanted him, too.

  He read it in her eyes, the way she licked her lips and swayed her hips. These were signs she wanted him to pick up on. He swallowed hard. Silently, she begged him to have his way with her. Ripe and ready, she dared him to taste her. Careful, he warned with his own silent gaze. She was coming dangerously close to having her pretty, expensive dress ripped to shreds and piled at her cute feet. She had no idea how she affected him. For months, he hungered for her love. Starvation had driven him raving mad. He wanted her body, needed to swim inside of her.

  But he’d settle for a dance.

  Getting rid of Dexter hadn’t been difficult. His entire family knew how he felt about Grace. Thanks to Lorilee. So, Tanner didn’t have to paint the grim picture of what would’ve happened if his cousin had defied his command to back off of his woman--consequences and repercussions. Enough said.

  After taking his rightful place as her dance partner, she narrowed her eyes and crossed her hands over her mouth-watering breasts. He could tell she wasn’t going to let him off the hook for being late. “Where have you been?”

  “Long story,” he sighed.

  “Give me the short version,” she pressed.

  He really didn’t wish to rehash the details of his tedious evening. But if he could bury her anger with the truth, he’d go over it a thousand times. I had to bail Bud out of jail. Seems he and another gentleman had gotten into a fight at a bar.”