Now and Forever (12 page)

He finished his muffin, thinking
Lorilee
was just up to her nosy ways again.
Forever minding his business.

“I bet you had a hot date with you-know-who,” she said, wriggling her brows.

“Grow up.”

First, it was Bud. Now
Lorilee
was trampling on his last nerve. He was totally tempted to throw her out of his office. He wasn’t wired for nonsense this morning. There was too much work to do.

Great
.
He felt tension creep into his shoulders. Man, he sure could use a heavy dose of Grace’s mesmerizing kiss, captivating touch and mind-bending taste. With her presence and affection, the day would go by faster and smoother.

Excuses, excuses, excuses.

Tanner smiled. Buddy, you just want to be with Grace, he told himself. End of story.

Without waiting for an invitation,
Lorilee
eased into one of the leather chairs situated on the opposite side of Tanner’s desk, which usually reserved for patients…or important people.

Lorilee
was a nuisance.

“Get out!” Tanner ordered, pointing towards the door.

Lorilee
completely ignored his command. “The way I see it, you two crazy kids should have a fall wedding.”

He covered his face with his hands and groaned.

His oblivious and obstinate sister chatted away. “Mama and Dad had a fall wedding. In fact…”

Silently, he considered his options. He could call security.
Nah, too messy.
Plus, he would no doubt incur the wrath of his parents. Not to mention, the long and enduring sermon he would receive from his mother about how family should always stick together. Furthermore, her conversation would drift to that sensitive territory—his love life.

No, sir.

After a good mental shake, he dragged his attention back to
Lorilee
, deciding to feign interest.
At least, until Bud arrived for his physical.

“Everyone thinks you’re this mild-mannered, even-tempered man. Most of the time, this is true. But I know that other side of you,”
Lorilee
said.

Tanner sipped his coffee, staring at her over the rim.

“There are instances that you have acted like hunter, going after whatever you want with passion and precision. This includes the house you live in, the truth you want to know and the woman you love,”
Lorilee
said, trying to read her brother’s thoughts.

He remained silent.

“Heaven help the person, or thing, which stands between you and what you want. Then, the warrior in you surfaces. Mountains are scaled and oceans are scoured. Adversity is a minor like a mosquito bite in your mind,” she said.

Tanner shrugged nonchalantly.

“This time, let what who want come to you.”

His hands formed a steeple in front of his face. Genuine interest reflected in his eyes. He lifted a brow. “What do you think I want?”

Lorilee
looked at him with an unflinching gaze. “Grace.”

Although it was none of her business, she was on his subject. Just the name alone ignited flames of desire in him. Grace’s flavor still saturated his tongue. The warmth from her perfect body was imbedded in his memory. The priceless look in her eyes when she climaxed was framed in his mind. Ecstasy personified was her image. His petite goddess was worth any amount of adversity he had to endure to make her his wife. And he didn’t care who knew it.

Lorilee
snapped her finger. “Did you hear me?”

“Loud and clear,” Tanner responded.

“Grace is like me: she knows what she wants. She doesn’t enjoy being pressured into doing something. She acts on her own time and terms,” she said.

“I know. She’s a self-reliant woman,” Tanner said.

“Exactly,”
Lorilee
said. “But she’s also a woman who has been hurt, which makes her afraid to jump into a relationship with a man.”

“With strong conviction, Tanner said, “I would never hurt Grace.” The thought of anyone causing her pain was enough to make him see red. It was hurt that stood between their
love
. The warrior inside him was bound and determined to eradicate the unwanted intruder.

Lorilee’s
expression softened. “I know you would never hurt her and you know it. But her heart is still too sensitive for her to realize this.”

“Well, I’ll show her.”

“No, what you’ll do is let her heal. When she is strong enough to accept your love, you will welcome her with open arms.”

Wait.

What kind of lame advice was she trying to dish out? He was used to making plans and executing them. And he definitely planned to make Grace his wife. Then, bed her in a thousand different ways. They had love and a family to make.

Wait.

Tanner rolled the idea around in his head once more, looking for a silver lining. Nope.
Still nothing.
He wasn’t convinced. It’s not that Grace wasn’t worth waiting for. She was worth waiting any length of time. But what would he do in the meantime?

Wait.

Then again, it’s not like he couldn’t see her. He just had to be careful not to push her into a serious relationship, until she was ready.

What if she didn’t come around?

She would.

What if she didn’t?

She had to come around because their love was written in the stars.
And branded on his heart.

Okay. He would wait.

“You have always done the right thing,”
Lorilee
said. Obviously, reading his thoughts. “I think you’re in the wrong profession. Why don’t you become a matchmaker or something along those lines?”

Lorilee
laughed. “Fashion is my thing. In fact, I have the perfect idea for your wedding.”

The door flies open. Bud storms into Tanner’s office like a tornado, looking like a hot mess. His shirt is wrinkled and his pants are covered with dirt. His boots are caked with mud. Irritation rang in his voice, “Let’s get this over with.”

*

Afternoon.

The Pigeonhole buzzed with the hustle and bustle of workers hired by
Lorilee
to transform Grace’s lounge into a glitzy affair for the fashion show. Colorful lights were hung. Additional tables and chairs were set up and draped with gold-colored linen. Grace didn’t know the theme of the event. Based on the presentation so far, it certainly wasn’t simple.

She and Ava stood in the center of the floor, observing the activities. Neither provided any input. Since
Lorilee
was at the helm, everything seemed to run like clockwork.

Grace’s thoughts drifted to the incredible night she had shared with Tanner. An alligator smile covered her face. She twirled her hair around her fingers absent-mindedly. Tingling sensations skittered under her skin as she recalled how she and Tanner had pawed each other like two horny teenagers. Every inch of her body had cried out for his touch. The sinful way his mouth had feasted on her luscious womanly center had been just plain…sinful. He brought out the tawdry side of her. And, well, she liked it.
A little too much.
Never before had a man given her such immense pleasure and release. Who knew she could fell so much passion.

Nothing could compete with waking up and seeing his handsome face in the morning or listening to his heart beat as her head rested on his chest. She vividly remembered his chiseled abs rising and falling beneath her fingers. His toned legs coiled around hers.
Priceless.
It was enough to make a girl lose her mind.

Or her heart.

Grace couldn’t shake the niggling feeling that she and Tanner shared more than a cheap tumble in the sack. They connected on a higher level, which ran deeper than mere physical communion. An incomprehensible bond had developed between them, linking their spirits and much, much more. Although Grace tried to fight it, she couldn’t ignore the fact. The truth shined as bright as sunshine. Her heart swelled with strong emotions for Tanner.

Impossible.

She absolutely and positively couldn’t fall head over heels for the first man who made her feel like a woman—wanted, sexy, whole. She wouldn’t allow it. Then again, he was so gentle, compassionate…

“You’re mighty quiet,” Ava said. “That table must be amusing because you have been staring at it with a silly grin on your face for a while.”

Grace immediately removed her fingers from her hair and ran them over the tablecloth, attempting to smooth away nonexistent wrinkles.

Ava moved closer to her friend and scanned her face with suspicious eyes. “Wow. You’re glowing. And don’t tell me it’s because of the gold linen on that table.”

Busted.
Grace fanned her face with her hand. “Actually, it’s hot in here.”

“No, it’s not,” Ava retorted, crossing her arms over her chest.

Grace searched for words. “Um…well…”

Ava held up a hand. “Save it, sister. There’s a twinkle in your eyes and I can guess who put it there.”

Grace swallowed the lump in her throat.

“The jig is up,” Ava said. “You’ve been making nice with that handsome doctor. You must be seriously attracted to him. I’ve never seen you look so…unfettered.”

Grace released a heavy sigh. She was more than
attracted.
Tanner. Desire for man fluttered through her. He crept into her dreams at night. His kisses left her dizzy. His touch drove her over the edge. She was possessed. Maybe she needed an exorcist.

She squared her shoulders. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Cut the crap, Grace,” Ava said. “We’re girls. We tell each other everything. There are no secrets between us. So why can’t you admit how you feel about Tanner?”

“Because I’m falling in love with him and I don’t want to,” Grace said, stunned she had uttered her true emotions.

Quickly, Ava wrapped her arms around her friend.

Tears formed in Grace’s eyes. Her bottom lip quivered. She said, “This wasn’t supposed to happen. I only wanted a little affection. I’m such a fool.”

Ava huffed. “Girl, you’re a damn lucky fool. Here you are, crying on my shoulder about possibly being in love with a handsome, sexy and successful doctor who is completely smitten with you. I wish I were in your shoes. High and low I have searched for my soul mate.
Nothing.
Hell, I should be crying, instead of you.”

“Yeah, well, at least you won’t get hurt.”

Ava pushed away from Grace and stared her square in the eyes. “Neither will you. Tanner isn’t Kevin. He didn’t crawl from under a rock and fill your heart and head with lies. Tanner is special. His kind only comes around once in a lifetime. So you better grab hold of him and never let go. He’s one of the good guys. Don’t let him finish last.”

Grace lifted a brow. “Haven’t you heard: All that glitters isn’t gold?”

Ava rolled her eyes. “Sure. But I’ve also heard: That’s crap.”

“Hey, whose side are you on?”

“I’m on the side that says you and Tanner are soul mates.”

Tired of debating, Grace’s surrendered. Her shoulders slumped and she exhaled. “How do you know?”

“I’m just plain observant,” Ava smiled. “Dry your
eyes,
count your blessings and tell Tanner about your feelings for him.”

I can’t
, Grace thought helplessly.

Although she didn’t speak the words, Grace’s angst was written all over her face. Ava read the negative expression and shook her head. She had done all she could do.

Grace’s cell phone rang. She unhitched it from the case on her hip and looked at the caller ID. No number appeared. She answered anyway. To her surprise, the phone went dead on the other end.

Wrong number
, she concluded.

“Who’s the young woman by the door?”

Grace pivoted on her heels. She followed the direction of Ava’s gaze. A rail-thin female with pale skin stood alone. An outdated polka-dot dress hung loosely from her frail frame. A limp and frizzy ponytail was slung haphazardly over one shoulder. Her face was clear, natural and vibrant with youth. Her green eyes reflected a little bit of awe, a lot of innocence and an inkling of fear. “I’ve never seen her before.”

“Well, she’s not one of the workers,” Ava added.

At a slow and cautious pace, Grace headed for the stranger. Ava followed. “Excuse me, we’re closed.”

The young woman stared straight ahead, locked in her own world. It was not until Ava cleared her throat that the young woman’s mind registered the fact someone was speaking to her.

A visible shudder tumbled through her body. Her eyes grew wide as saucers. Dark clouds of trepidation overshadowed the youthful glow on her face. “I’m…I’m sorry.
Lorilee
said I could come and take a look around.”

Before she could make an exit, Grace said, “Wait. Are you in the fashion show tonight?”