by L. P. Dover
“That’s not good,” I laugh.
She shakes her head. “It’s not. I’ve been so caught up with the drama in my life, I’m not focused on what’s around me. It’s dangerous. The other day, I walked into my office, right past a patient and never said good morning or hi, which is incredibly rude of me.”
I have no idea what spurs me to do this, but I take her hand and bring it to my lips. “I’m declaring this a drama free zone. You have nothing to worry about with me, I’ll protect you.” Sophie keeps her hand in mine, even after I set it down on my lap.
When I moved back home, I never thought the person sitting beside me, helping me move, would be Sophie Peterson. As happy as I am, I’m torn. I’d love to make her my fuck buddy, my stress reliever, but she’s so much more than either of those things. She’s a relationship. The woman you bring home to mom, even though my mother knows her already. Sophie is the woman you schedule lunches with, the one you have flowers delivered to because she washed and folded your laundry. She’s the one you wife up because you’ve been in love with her from the first moment you laid eyes on her. Yet, a relationship is the last thing I need right now. Starting a new position, with new to me employees is going to be stressful. Add a relationship into the mix and one of the two is going to suffer, and it can’t be my job. But the joke’s on me because I want to be with the woman sitting next to me.
Every so often, I glance at Sophie. Her eyes are hidden behind her sunglasses and her face is titled toward the sun. You would think, after living in a place where it’s mostly sunny, you’d get tired of it, but there’s something about driving down the road, with the top down and having the sun shining on you. It’s refreshing, invigorating.
I turn down another road, and another, to where the trees are taller, and the sun isn’t beating down on us so much. “Wow, the trees really make a difference. The temperature has dropped considerably.” She rubs her arms against the chill.
“We are almost there,” I tell her. I signal to turn even though no one is behind us and drive down a dirt path. My driveway is scheduled for paving next week as long as we don’t get a rainstorm or anything. The moving truck is already there, backed up to the garage and I can see workers moving around. As soon as I park, my hand is on the door handle. “What do you want to see first?”
Her eyes widen. “Your house, definitely.”
We get out and I motion for her to follow me to the front door. I want her to get the full experience of seeing the inside of my home for the first time. What Sophie doesn’t know is I’ve already been here this morning to meet the movers. I didn’t want my meeting with them to interrupt my time with her.
I point toward the yard. “The landscaping isn’t finished yet, but this part of the driveway will have a circular brick layout, with trees and shrubs blocking the view from the road.” I open the door and step in first because I want to see her expression.
“Wow,” she says as she looks around. We’re in the entry way, where the staircase leading to the second floor is. The walls are an off white, with white wainscoting and black cherry flooring. She looks up at the ceiling. “That chandelier is amazing.”
“My interior designer found it at a flea market,” I tell her. “It’s an old bird cage.”
Sophie starts to look around and turns to me. “This is not what I expected at all.”
“No?”
She shakes her head. “I expected open concept and stark white.”
I shrug. “You know, after designing houses for the rich and famous, I realized how much I hated open concepts and loved built-ins.” I point to the wall of built-ins at the top of the stairs where I designed a small sitting space on the landing. “I have so many books, I needed a place to put them.” I guide her into my library room, where the wall of shelves extends over the doorway. “It’s the best use of space.”
“I completely agree.”
We go from the library to the formal dining room, through the butler’s pantry, and finally into the kitchen where the color of the walls is now a gray, with white cabinetry, black marble countertops and stainless-steel appliances. From here, you get your first view of the lake.
“This view is inspiring.”
I stand next to her and wonder what she’s thinking. What could be so inspiring? “I imagine it could be. Come on, let’s go upstairs.” I take her to the front stairs again so she can see the landing.
“You have a reading nook?” She says it’s like she’s surprised I like to read. There’s a lot she doesn’t know about me, but I’m ready to remedy that.
“I do,” I reply.
“I’m in awe.” I laugh and place my hand on her back and direct her up the next flight where I show her the additional rooms, point out which one will be my office and finally into the master. “How many rooms total?” she asks.
“Five bedrooms and seven bathrooms.”
Her mouth drops. “What do you need all this space for?”
I shrug. “I want to get married and have kids,” I tell her honestly. I point toward the last room and let her enter my oasis by herself.
“Holy shit.” She turns and looks at me. “This view, Tanner.”
“I know.” I enter the room and open the French doors. Outside, the pool installers are putting their finishing touches on the inground pool, but it’s the dock, with the small sailboat tied down that gets my attention. “Did I go overboard?”
She shakes her head rapidly. “My God, no. This place is beautiful. I’m so jealous.”
I rest against the railing and tug on a strand of her hair. “Don’t be, Sophie. It’s just a house, waiting for someone to fill it with love.” I don’t know what spurs me on, maybe it’s being in my dream house with my dream girl, but I finally have a moment too good to pass up. My hand cups her cheek and I guide her to my lips and kiss her for the first time.
Five
Sophie
The second his lips touch mine, it’s like every nerve ending in my body lights on fire. It’s been so long since someone other than Warren kissed me. It feels right, but I know I shouldn’t get close to Tanner like this. He’s my best friend’s brother. Which means too many complications.
Tanner deepens the kiss and a moan slips out of my mouth, spurring him on more. His grip around my waist tightens, pulling me into his body. I can feel his cock, hard and at attention. From what I can tell, he’s definitely not your average size male. He’s much bigger. The thought sends shivers all over my skin.
Tanner kisses a path down my neck, and I suck in a breath. “We have to stop,” I beg, stepping away from him. All I want to do is fist my hands in his blond hair and let him ravage me. My breaths come out as rapid pants and Tanner smiles at me with that wicked grin of his. He knows exactly what he’s done to me.
“Figured we should get some practice in,” he says teasingly.
Clearing my throat, I nod toward the door. I’m just glad his bed hasn’t been moved in yet. I could see myself getting into some serious trouble. “And we will,” I reply, trying to catch my breath. “But right now, we have to get you moved in. Let’s go get your boxes.”
Turning on my heel, I hurry out the door and I can feel him right behind me as we walk down the stairs. “I’m assuming Warren never kissed you like that?”
That makes me laugh. “Not at all.” Warren wasn’t what you call passionate. Yeah, he was romantic in the beginning, always buying me flowers and gifts, but when it came to the physical stuff, he didn’t know the first thing about what a woman wants or needs. It was all about him.
“Then why were you with the toolbag then?” he asks.
I make it down the stairs and face him. “Because there’s more to relationships than sex, Tanner.” But it sure was a good starting point. Guess I just got used to Warren only thinking about himself when it came to the bedroom.
His grin widens. “Yeah, but if you don’t have passion, what’s the point?”
As much as I try to think of a reason, nothing comes to mind
. Tanner flashes a triumphant grin and I roll my eyes. “Come on, let’s get your crap out of the Jeep.”
Chuckling, Tanner follows me outside to his Jeep. The weather is perfect for February in North Carolina. Then again, it’s always finicky in the winter. One day it can be seventy degrees, and the next it could snow five inches. Today, however, is one of the warm ones. I’m taking full advantage of it.
“What’d you see in him anyway?” Tanner asks as he grabs one of his boxes.
Reaching in, I grab one as well and hold it to my chest. The words living room are written on the outside of it. “I guess we had a lot in common. We spent a lot of time together and it just made sense to see where it could go.”
I meet his gaze and he nods. “I can understand that.”
We take the boxes inside and I set mine down in the living room while he disappears upstairs. Everything has already been brought into the living room; all brand new by the looks of it. There’s a couch, a recliner and loveseat, all in dark gray leather along with a unique wooden coffee table with live edge sides. Tanner has really done well for himself. I’m impressed. His house is absolutely gorgeous.
Tanner makes his way downstairs as the movers walk in and out of the house, carrying things in left and right. I start for the door and we walk out together. “So, tell me about all your women in California? You’re a hot guy. I’m sure you had plenty of them.”
He laughs and reaches in his Jeep to grab a box. “Sure, there were plenty. Nothing serious though.”
I grab one of the boxes that has kitchen written on it. “No special someone you left to come here?”
“Nope,” he says, shaking his head, but then winks. “Can’t say I didn’t break a few hearts when I left though.” I can totally see that.
“I bet,” I laugh. We carry the boxes inside to the kitchen and finish up bringing in the others. While I start unpacking the kitchen contents, the movers take Tanner away so they can show him everything they’ve done. I can’t wait to see what all the rooms look like once they’re set up. As long as I stay away from Tanner’s bedroom, I’ll be fine.
Tanner walks into the kitchen and smiles. “Everything looks good. There’s really not much I have to unpack. Most of my stuff I had brought in brand new.” He nods down at the box of kitchen utensils. “Well, other than that. My mom was adamant that I take it.” The box was full of spatulas, serving spoons, and about a dozen whisks.
Giggling, I hold up one of the pink whisks. “Yeah, she did the same thing to me and Ellie when we went to college. I love your mom.”
He laughs along with me. “Why she packed me a pink whisk, I don’t know. I’m not going to use that shit.”
I shrug. “I love whisks.”
His eyes twinkle. “Then you can use it when you visit me.”
Pulling out all the different whisks, I find them a place in one of his drawers, making sure to keep from looking in his hypnotic blue eyes. I’m going to get myself in a shit ton of trouble if I do. “Now that you’re back, what do you think you’ll do with your time besides work?” I ask, meeting his gaze quickly before starting on the spatulas. “I know you like to surf, but you can’t really do that here in Raleigh.”
Letting out a deep sigh, he turns to the window, overlooking the lake. “No, which sucks ass, but the beach isn’t too far away. I plan on buying a couple of jet skis to sit out there with my boat. I’m sure I’ll find other hobbies to occupy my time.”
He glances at me over his shoulder. “What about you? I’m sure drilling and pulling out teeth isn’t all you do.”
“God, no,” I reply with a laugh. “Although I do love teeth. It was either that or a doctor, but I can’t handle blood spurting out of a body or anything like that. A little blood in the mouth is perfectly fine.”
Looking disgusted, Tanner shakes his head. “Don’t see how you do it.”
I shrug. “It’s fun.”
He walks over and grabs my wrist before I can pull out the serving spoons. “What’s fun is not unpacking this mess right here. Come on, let’s go out to the dock. We’re probably not going to have another seventy-degree day like this in a while, especially in February.”
I peer over at the sun shining through the window and give in. “Okay, let’s go.”
Tanner smiles triumphantly and nods toward the back door in the living room. “Go on out there and I’ll grab us some towels to sit on.”
I walk out the back door and slowly stroll through the backyard down to the dock. There are people out on their boats, enjoying the warm day. The water, however, has to be cold. I definitely don’t plan on finding out.
Tanner catches up to me and we walk the rest of the way to the dock together. I look up at him and it’s hard not to smile. He has such a fun, laid back presence about him. I feel comfortable around him. “Do you have to start work on Monday?” I ask.
He nods. “Yep. I already have projects I need to work on. Looking forward to it too. I have to drive out to Charlotte one day a month to meet with my boss, but other than that, I can work from home.”
We make it to the dock, and he lays our towels out. “Must be nice,” I say, sitting down on my towel. I stretch my legs out and tilt my face up to the sun. “I can’t complain. My office is closed on Fridays. A three-day weekend isn’t too bad.”
Tanner moves closer to me. “What do you usually do on your day off?” My answers seem boring compared to the life he lives. In a way, I’m too embarrassed to even mention it. Tanner bumps me with his leg. “Sophie? You okay?”
I bite my lip. “Yeah.”
His brows furrow. “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know,” I say, shrugging. “Your life seems so exciting, and here I am, an old lady in a twenty-seven-year-old’s body.”
He bursts out laughing. “Let me guess, you sit at home and do nothing on your days off?”
I smack his arm. “No. I go to the grocery store and order things online. When I was with Warren, we’d go play golf and meet with friends.”
Grinning mischievously, Tanner pats my thigh. “Don’t worry, sunshine, I’ll help you find your wild streak again. From what I remember in high school, you were a firecracker.”
I groan. “That was so long ago.” But he’s right, I used to be fun. I let my relationship with Warren completely change me. My phone rings and I pull it out of my back pocket. I figured it’d be Ellie, but when I look at the screen, it’s definitely not. “Great,” I grumble.
Tanner’s gaze narrows. “Who is it?”
I show him my phone. “Warren. I have no clue what the hell he wants.”
Tanner holds out his hand. “Want me to answer it?”
A part of me wants him to, but I don’t want to be childish. “I don’t know,” I say.
His grin widens. “Come on, Soph. Firecracker, remember?”
Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath and hand him my phone. “Fine.”
Tanner chuckles once before putting on a serious face. “Hello,” he answers, his voice deep and sexy. He puts it on speakerphone so I can hear.
There’s silence on the other end, but then Warren clears his throat. “Uh … is Sophie around?”
Tanner waggles his brows. “Hold on, she’s in the shower.” He holds the phone away from him and calls out, “Babe, you almost done in there? You have a phone call.”
I try not to laugh. “Yeah, I’ll be out in a minute.”
Tanner brings the phone back to his ears. “She’ll be here in a sec.” He sets the phone down on the dock and puts it on mute. “Let’s leave him hanging for a while.”
We both laugh and I stare down at my phone. “Wonder what he wants.”
Tanner huffs. “You don’t think he wants you back, do you?”
I scoff. “Please. He can forget that shit. Him cheating on me was the best thing that could’ve happened.”
Tanner moves closer. “You sure? It seems like you two have a lot of history.”
I look right into his eyes. “I’m positive.
”
His gaze drops to my lips. “Good. I’m starting to enjoy being around you.”
He moves closer, and I know I should stop him, but I can’t. His lips touch mine and I melt into him. He lays me back on the towel, his body covering mine. “Is it time to practice again?” I ask.
He kisses me again. “Yep. I’m thinking we should take it up a notch.” He glances around the backyard and I do the same. His neighbors aren’t close by which does give us a little privacy.
“Take it up a notch how?” I wonder.
He slides his hand over my stomach and down to my waist. “Just a little touching. We need to look comfortable together.”
I can’t argue with him there, and I sure as hell can’t tell him no. I want to feel him touch me in more ways than one. “What about Warren? He’s still on the phone.”
Warren is still waiting on the line, and I can hear him huff with impatience. Tanner chuckles and shrugs. “What about him? He can wait a little longer.”
I have a feeling he’s going to be waiting a long time.
Six
Tanner
The lady behind the counter at the car rental agency stands taller and smiles brightly as soon as she hears the door chime announcing my presence. It’s almost as if she thinks I’m going to fall for her in the time it takes to complete the transaction on my rental and take her with me tonight. I suppose it’s not every day they see a man walk in dressed in a tux walking in to rent a car, yet here I am. The thought never occurred to me until I climbed into my Wrangler that while my car may be fun, some call it sexy, it is not a vehicle you take a woman to a gala in.
“How may I help you?” she tilts her head to the side.
“I need to rent a car for the night.”
“Just the night?” she pushes their laminated spec sheet toward me. They have everything from what I refer to as a human roller skate to the stranger danger van.
“Yes, I’ll return it tomorrow. Do you have any luxury vehicles?” I ask, pushing the placard back toward the desk agent.