Now and Forever (3 page)

“That’s not necessary,” Grace protested.

Tanner looked down at her. “Since I consider myself a gentleman, it’s very necessary.”

They walked in silence the short distance to her car. However, a sexual beast roared between them. It was hungry and pulsating and determined. They weren’t aware of its power, pulling them together. No matter how they struggled against the intensity of their emotions, this was a battle they were destined to lose.

Tanner placed the bags into the trunk of her car. When she reached for her car’s door, Tanner blurted, “I can’t get you off of my mind. Have dinner with me.”

Totally caught off guard, Grace sucked in a ragged breath and muttered, “I…us…together...”

Real smooth, Dr. Love
, Tanner chided himself.
 
The poor woman looked flustered at his sudden and unexpected admission.

Grace regained her composure slowly, but surely.
 
She allowed Tanner’s words to sink

in
. Then she weighed her options: dinner with a hunk of a man, or spend another night alone with a microwave cuisine and a cup of herbal tea?
The dilemma.
Anyhow, what was the fuss? It’s not like he’d asked for her hand in marriage. But his confession did ring clearly in her ear,
‘I can’t
get you off of my mind.
’ If she were stronger, she’d tell him the same. But the wound in her heart was still too fresh. When would it heal?

She swallowed the lump in her throat. “I’d love to have dinner with you.”

Tanner exhaled. He didn’t miss the faint smile that crossed Grace’s lips. She looked so delectable with the afternoon sun beaming down upon her. Oh, how he was tempted to repeat the passionate kiss they shared the other night. But he was certain there was some law against public displays of affection. At least the kind he had in mind. He pulled his wallet from his back pocket. He handed Grace a card with his work and home phone number. His email address was also listed. “Why don’t you contact me and let me know what time to pick you up. Just in case you don’t like the sound of my voice, feel free to email me,” he said with a devilish grin. “I check it several times a day.”

And he was gone.

Grace slipped Tanner’s card into her purse. Despite trembling hands and a racing pulse, she managed to open her car’s door. She slid into the leather seat and rested her head against the steering wheel. The nerve of the man, she thought. How dare he tease her?
If she didn’t like the sound of his voice indeed.
Humph!
 
She loved the sound of his voice. She only wished she could hear it whispering softly in her ear, telling her each and every way he wanted to make love to her.
And how long.
She didn’t know what she was getting herself into by agreeing to have dinner with Tanner, but the mystery of it all thrilled her. She smiled at the thought of what Ava would say when she told her about their plans.
Don’t let the next good one get away…

Chapter 3

“Whoa!”
Lorilee
chortled as her feet left the ground. The beautiful woman struggled to catch her breath as she laughed uncontrollably, while her summer-blond hair flew in every direction. Tanner easily twirled her in his arms. He made her feel as light as a feather.

“Put me down,” she commanded, playfully.

“Not a chance, sis,” Tanner said. “I haven’t seen you in over two years. You’re not getting off that easily.”

“I can explain.”

“Save it.”

“I’ll call Mama,”
Lorilee
threatened.

Bullseye
.

Tanner gently placed her on the floor.
Lorilee’s
words carried weight. Of course, Tanner loved his mother dearly, but he wasn’t in the mood for her inquiries about his personal life.
No,
I’m not dating anyone…Yes, Sheila’s still history… Sure, I want children one
day
...Same old same old. Furthermore, he really wasn’t interested in having dinner with some ‘nice girl’ she’d met at church, at the mall, at the dentist’s office, etc. He knew she meant well.

He was also privy to the fact that she really, really wanted grandbabies to spoil. Since
Lorilee
was as immersed in her career as he was—and lacking a special kind of love they both deemed necessary to begin a family—it looked like his mother would have to continue to wait.

Tanner hugged
Lorilee
and kissed her on the cheek.
 
“It’s good to see you, baby girl.”

“Thanks,”
Lorilee
said.
 
“I missed you, too. I would have come sooner, but you know how it is.” She emphasized with a shrug of her shoulders.

“Yeah, I know.
 
Since you’ve become a hotshot fashion designer, traveling the world with beautiful people, it seems you don’t have time for us common folk.”

“Common, my foot,”
Lorilee
said, taking in the stylish décor of Tanner’s home. The warm gold, brown, and orange tones of his furnishings provided his place with an earthy, comfortable atmosphere. She marveled at the array of African masks and statues on display. He even had tasteful paintings on the wall—the kind you buy at an art gallery, not a department store.
 
“It appears you are living well.”

Tanner smiled. “I can’t complain.”

Grace eased herself onto Tanner’s sofa, slipped off her shoes, and tucked her legs beneath her. It was good to see her brother doing well. He was a good man and deserved the best life had to offer.

“So, to what do I owe this pleasure?” Tanner asked.

Lorilee
gasped dramatically. Her hand flew to her heart as she feigned hurt. “Can’t a sister visit her brother without having an ulterior motive?”

“A
sister
could, but I suspect this visit has more to do with business than pleasure. Spit it out,” Tanner ordered.

Lorilee
fell silent and bit her lower lip.

Tanner rolled his eyes. His sister’s hesitance annoyed him. “I hope you’re not planning to set me up with one of your model friends or some makeup artist you know.”

Lorilee’s
eyes widened.
 
“Give me a break. You know I don’t go around playing matchmaker. Heck, I hate it when people meddle in
my
love life.”

Tanner relaxed. “Well, whatever else is on your mind can’t be bad. Talk to me.”

Lorilee
tucked a wayward braid behind her ear. “Here’s the thing: I’m embarking on a new phase in my career.”

“Good for you,” Tanner said, enthusiastically.

“I’m glad you think so. I have started a new line called Liberation. It’s affordable clothing for ‘real’ women.”

Tanner nodded. “How do I fit into this?”

“Actually, you won’t be able to ‘fit’ into anything,”
Lorilee
said, laughing.

“So, you have jokes.” Tanner chuckled.

Lorilee
was so grateful for the strong bond she shared with Tanner. The only time she felt she could let her hair down and be at ease was when they were together. She didn’t have to live up to the image of being
Lorilee
McGregor, the world-renowned fashion designer. She could tell weak jokes and not feel totally silly. Of course, she wouldn’t change a second of her jet set lifestyle, but she understood the value of being with someone who truly loved her—flaws and all.

“As you were saying,” Tanner prompted, getting back on track.

Lorilee
sat up straight and struck a business-like pose. “This line means a lot to me because a portion of the proceeds, and clothes, will go to Starting Over. It’s a foundation that helps women who have found themselves in unfortunate situations get a second chance in life.”

Tanner smiled proudly. Ever since she was young,
Lorilee
had taken the opportunity to give back to the community by volunteering her time. They had grown up in such a stable, loving environment that she felt it was only right for her to help others who had not been blessed with the same. She had such a big heart. And it ran in the family. “I’m willing to help you anyway I can.”

“Good. For the unveiling of Liberation, I intend to have a fashion show. Several women from Starting Over haven’t only agreed to be there, but also model. That’s why I need to hold the show in a place where the women will feel comfortable. It’s one reason I chose our hometown, Nashville. However, I haven’t lived here in years. So much has changed. I was hoping you knew a good location.”
Lorilee
waited for his response.

Tanner rubbed his chin thoughtfully. The first and only place to come to mind was The Pigeonhole. He had no problem approaching Grace about holding the fashion show at her establishment, but he wasn’t certain they were on that level. However, she struck him as a woman who would be up for a good cause.

Lorilee
sniffed the air. “Something smells good.”

Tanner jumped out of his chair and bolted towards the kitchen. Grace followed. She watched as Tanner stood over the stove, lifting the lids of various pots. Delicious scents wafted through the air. Tanner took a deep breath and smiled.
“
Mmm
.”

Lorilee
eyed her brother suspiciously. She didn’t have a name or a face, but some woman most definitely had him smitten.

“Stop staring. It’s rude,” Tanner said, giving
Lorilee
a cutting glance.

“I’ll stop staring when you start talking.”

Tanner folded his arms over his chest. What was there to talk about? He was enamored with a phenomenal woman he met a year ago. She has a power over him he can’t explain. Earlier, she made his day by agreeing to have dinner with him—via email. He had no clue if dinner would be the start of a romance, a friendship, or nothing at all. But he did know he had an insatiable need to be in Grace’s presence. Feel her heat. He hungered to touch her and to be touched by her. However, he didn’t feel comfortable discussing his sexual urges for Grace with
Lorilee
. He wasn’t ready to admit to anyone—but himself—how hard and quickly he’d fallen for Grace. After all, he was still recovering from the sucker punch Sheila had dealt him. He wasn’t ready for another blow to his heart. A man could only take so much.

Lorilee
watched as Tanner’s brows furrowed. His eyes grew warm and dark like freshly brewed coffee. He was obviously in turmoil. A wave of emotion washed over his face. He stared off into the distance.
Lorilee
wondered if he saw a vision of the woman he
craved?
If not, what caused his jaw to clench and unclench repeatedly?
Lorilee
didn’t appreciate the fact that she always seemed had to resort to playing the guessing game whenever Tanner began a new relationship. She hated how he tried to shut her out of his personal life. So what if she was a
little
tough with the women he dated? And what of it if she’d ran one, two,
five
at the most, away with a few honest questions? That was in the past. Besides, Tanner now dealt with tough-as-steel women like Sheila. They played for keeps. It took more than an interrogation for them to take their long legs and hit the road. So, she was surprised the woman left as quietly as she had when Tanner told her the wedding was off. It didn’t add up.

Tanner.

Didn’t he realize how he needed her help with choosing the right woman? Not that
Lorilee
considered her brother weak by any means. It’s just that he was, well, a man. Furthermore, she wouldn’t tolerate him getting duped by the perfect beauty…again. Judging by the romantic dinner he was preparing, he could be headed down the path to Heartbreak Inn once more. Yep, she’d come back to Nashville just in the nick of time.

“Listen, sis,” Tanner said.
 
His voice was calm and low. “It’s nothing serious.”

Lorilee
rolled her eyes. Sure, she wanted say. That’s why the kitchen was consumed with sensual aromas, which were definitely designed to entice, and spice up any evening. Chef Tanner was definitely cooking up something, and he intended to wet more than his woman’s appetite. “What you do and who you do it with is your business,”
Lorilee
said, casually.

“Since when?”
Tanner grunted, walking around
Lorilee
. He pulled a wooden salad bowl out a cabinet.

“Since Sheila.”

“Get real.” Inwardly, Tanner smiled. They were only a year apart in age,
Lorilee
being older. His sister had frequently felt the need to make his business her business. This included his love life. She couldn’t fathom how any woman wouldn’t feel lucky to have her ‘handsome, intelligent, and compassionate’ brother. The woman was overprotective to the bone. He certainly didn’t need her to be. He managed to handle his affairs quite nicely without her.

Strong women.
He loved them, but sometimes they could work a nerve.

Not Grace. She only affected his other body parts.

Lorilee
was a different story. She had no problem speaking her mind, or losing her cool. He was glad Sheila was nowhere to be found.
Lorilee
was still heated about the fact that she had used and deceived him.
Lorilee
would have annihilated the conniving witch with just a look. Tanner stifled a laugh. The only reason his dear sister hadn’t stuck her nose in his personal life lately was because he hadn’t had one since Sheila. And he wasn’t about to allow
Lorilee
to punish Grace because of something Sheila had done.