Sarah glanced up from her monitor to see Tanner standing in front of her, holding a square cardboard box.
“I didn’t know you were back yet, and is that what I think it is?” She recognized the colorful logo from the House of Buns.
“I left Houston early this morning to make it in for work. Had this sudden craving for caramel sticky buns and I know how much you love ‘em.” He opened the box, releasing the aroma of fresh from the oven cinnamon rolls covered in buttery caramel and pecans.
“Oh . . .yes, and they’re still warm.” She took a deep breath, reaching for a delectable roll drenched in sticky goodness. One bite later, she closed her eyes as the decadent flavors melted in her mouth. “Damn, that’s good.”
Tanner laughed and placed the box on the table near the office coffee pot. “I’ve had all I wanted so I’ll just leave the rest here for you and your co-workers.”
She swallowed the bite and licked her lips. “Mm, I guess I’ll share.” She set the bun on a paper towel he’d placed on her desk. “Thanks, Tanner. I’ve been thinking about you, your dad’s surgery and all. How’d that go? No complications?”
“He’s in some pain—he must be because he takes his medication religiously, and he normally hates taking pills.” His brow furrowed with obvious concern. “I know it’s only been a few days, and he’ll start to improve every day, but damn, it’s hard watching him go through that. It’s hard on my mom, too.”
“Is she taking care of him by herself?”
“We hired a nurse to stay full time with him, but Mom still does a lot for him. I think this scared both of them into actually admitting they care for each other.” He scratched at his chin pensively. “It’s been kind of a pleasant experience. Not him needing the surgery, of course. It’s just that lately I’ve seen sides of them they’ve never shown me before. It’s been eye opening.”
“I guess as couples age they aren’t as quick to show affection as they did in their younger years.”
Tanner gave a slow shake of his head, still seeming to mull it over. “My parents seemed to get along very well from what I witnessed growing up, but they’ve never been outwardly affectionate with each other. I never thought my mother would miss not having Dad around, but she was terrified of losing him.”
She kept her silence, letting him sort out things in his own mind. He caught her staring at him and cleared his throat uneasily.
“I’m glad you came by,” she rushed, when it looked like he was going to leave. “It’ll keep me from having to call you later. We’re planning a little party at the ranch this Saturday from about 2 p.m. to whenever. Red’s DJ will be there, but he’ll have to pack up around six-ish to get back to the club. Everyone can either go home or pick it up at the club later that evening. I want Mitchell to meet all the people that have been so wonderful to me since I’ve been here. Good food, good music, but BYOB. Think you can make it?”
“I think I’d sure as hell like to try as long as nothing comes up in Houston with Dad. Thanks for the invite,” he said, beaming at her.
“Thanks for the sticky buns, and uh, feel free to bring a date.” It may have been her imagination but she could have sworn his smile faded a bit before he nodded and left her office.
“Bring a date?” he grumbled to no one in particular as he stepped inside the elevator. Yeah, that’s just what he wanted to do at a party hosted by the woman he couldn’t seem to keep his mind off of, no matter how hard he tried. By the end of the elevator ride, he felt even more dejected, deciding she’d thrown that in as a subtle message. Sarah was not, and never would be, interested in him.
Tanner made his rounds, trying like hell to act cheerier than he felt. A few patients looked as confused as a two-headed turtle, making him wonder if he’d laid it on a little too thick. Mr. Fournet, his grumpiest patient, told him he didn’t appreciate the sarcasm. Too bad Tiffany wasn’t in today. She’d have been able to tell him straight up if he was acting like a douche.
The last call of the day was the woman who’d lost her infant daughter in the drunk driving incident the previous month. He seated himself and rolled the chair to sit in front of her. Once he completed her check-up, he leaned forward slightly, taking her hands in his.
“From a neurological standpoint, you’re doing fine, Beth. How’s your frame of mind? Are you having any episodes of depression, sleeplessness, or times when you feel overwhelmed?”
“Try all of the above.” She bit her lower lip as tears flooded her eyes. “I miss my baby girl so much, you know? I still wake up in the morning expecting to hear her crying for her bottle and needing her diaper changed.” She wiped her eyes brusquely. “It’s kind of difficult to perk up when you start the day out like that, but my days are getting better. I have to believe that God has a plan for her little soul.”
“Totally understandable reactions to a loss like that. Do you need me to prescribe anything for depression or something to help you sleep?”
“No, it really is getting better, and I don’t want to be zoned out in case my little boy needs me.”
Tanner imagined Sarah in her place, one of Sarah’s girls in the place of the infant this woman had lost. Just for a moment, he felt the ache of her loss pressing at him. He squeezed her hand gently. “I’m truly very sorry I couldn’t save her, Beth.”
She nodded, the sadness in her big brown eyes tugging at his heart.
“I know you are, Dr. Collins, and I’ll be okay in time. I’ve still got my husband, and my little boy. We’d been thinking about trying for another child. Maybe we’ll start thinking about it seriously soon.”
“I think that would be a wonderful idea. Maybe give yourself a couple more months to recuperate before going for it?”
She stood, straightening her blouse. “I’ll do that, Dr. Collins.”
Tanner placed his hand on her shoulder and gave it a light squeeze. “Keep me informed, and if the depression or sleeplessness gets to be too much, you let me know, all right? You don’t need to deal with this alone. We’ve got excellent psychologists on staff if you need any kind of treatment in that area, even if it’s just to talk.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” she said, nodding as she walked away from him, still limping slightly from a sprained ankle, another less painful reminder of the accident.
He found himself thinking about her several times that week, even as he lay in bed trying to get some much needed shut-eye. He even caught himself mumbling a quick prayer for her benefit one night. He laughed about it to himself. God was sure to take his sweet time answering any prayer from a guy like him.
Tanner shifted his Lexus into park and got out of the car, reaching inside to grab his small cooler that held a six-pack of beer, and a gift bag containing two bottles of wine for the host and hostess.
Within seconds of Tanner ringing the bell, Daniel LeBlanc, holding a curly-haired toddler, pulled the door open, his deep voice booming a welcome.
“Hey Tanner, how’s it going? Come on in! And before I get too busy and forget to ask, how the hell’s your dad?”
“He’s good, sir. I think this whole heart attack episode must’ve scared the crap out of him because both Mother and his nurse claim he’s being an excellent patient.”
“Oh, yeah, it’s still too fresh in his mind. He’ll get over all that as he starts feeling better.”
Tanner joined in with Daniel’s booming laughter. “I expect you’re right about that. When he’s feeling spry he’ll be back to his old stubborn self and refuse to take his medicine.”
“Eating fried shrimp ‘po-boys’ behind Celine’s back. You know, I’ve spent a lot of time with those two over the years.” He jerked his head for Tanner to follow him inside. “Come on in, buddy. Everybody’s out back through that door.”
Tanner thanked him and handed him the gift bag. “This is for you and Leah.”
“Thank you! I’ll just turn this over to the lady of the house when I can find her. Here, hold this for me, would ya?”He handed the baby over to Tanner. “Her parents are out back somewhere and I think she needs her diaper changed.”
“Good God, is this Tiff and Red’s?” Tanner lifted the child for closer inspection. The baby, wearing a hot pink romper boasting “Daddy’s Girl” on it, squealed with delight as he faked throwing her up in the air.
“Yep, that’s Brianna. She’s a beaut, ain’t she?”
“She’s changed so much in two months, I don’t know if I’d have recognized her.” He gazed at the adorable toddler then froze as he heard a vaguely familiar sound, followed by the unmistakable smell of poop-filled diaper. “What’s the deal, man? It seems like every time I hold one of these things, they do this.”
Daniel’s laughter rang out as he opened up the back door leading out to the deck. “Quick, bring her to her parents out there. I don’t mind feeding and rocking ‘em to sleep. I’ve even been known to change a pissy diaper or two, but this Paw Paw draws the line at changing the old number twos. That’s what parents are for.”
The appearance of Tanner holding Brianna at arm’s length drew Sarah’s gaze like a drowning woman to air. She remembered how he’d held one of her daughters the exact same way and obviously for the same reason. She approached him just as Tiffany took Brianna off his hands.
“You should be getting used to that by now.” She grinned at him.
“I seem to have that effect on babies, don’t I? How are you, Sarah?”
“I’m good, thanks. I hope you’re hungry. Red and Mitch started cooking before sunrise.” She pointed to a corner of the deck. “Put your cooler down in that area.”
He grabbed a beer before stashing the cooler aside. “So where is the man of the hour?” he asked, looking around.
“He’s over there, talking to Mel. The two of them are comparing battle scars, I think.” She watched their animated discussion for a moment, before turning back toward Tanner.
“Yeah, Mitch definitely looks like he’s in the middle of something; I’ll catch him later. Are the twins out here?”
“They’re napping.” She pulled on his shirtsleeve. “But, we have another set of twins here today, a pair of adorable little boys. Look, there they are.” She pointed out two toddlers, who looked to be a couple years old.
“That’s got to be Jackson’s boys. My God, I bet that’s exactly what he looked like at their age.”
“So, you already know Jackson and Giselle?”
“Jackson, Red, and I all played baseball together for LSU.”
“I didn’t know that. I don’t know much about baseball,” she admitted, wrinkling her nose. “I do love football, though. A good weekend for me is watching any team in the SEC on Saturdays, and all day Sunday watching NFL. I start suffering severe withdrawal symptoms after Super Bowl Sunday.”
“Any football, or do you have favorite teams?”
“LSU and the Saints of course, but I watch everything.”
“I have season tickets for two to all Tiger’s home games. Maybe you’d like to come along some time. I know some serious tailgaters who know how to party.”
She managed to pick her jaw up from the floor. “Don’t tease me, Tanner. Are you serious?”
His gaze grew somber. “I never tease about LSU football. So, can I count on you to come to a few, or do I need to start asking around?”
“Oh buddy, did you ever just make a huge mistake. Now I really can’t wait for football season.” She clapped her hands in excitement. “I haven’t been to Death Valley stadium in nearly ten years.”
“I usually try to make five or six Saints games during the season if I have time. Say the word and I’ll save a ticket for you. I always buy several at a time. It’s more fun going to games in a group.”
“I’ve never been to a Saint’s game . . . ever.” It took serious effort not to throw her arms around his neck.
He smiled. “After next season, you won’t be able to say that anymore.”
She hopped back and forth on her feet, unable to contain her excitement. “Can I dress up for the games? I’m prepared to do the black and gold face paint, cover myself with fleur de lis and Who Dats, while wearing my number nine jersey.”
Tanner gave her a sidelong glance. “Give it your best shot, but I doubt if you can come up with anything I haven’t seen before. Some fans really get their freak on come game day.”
She released a throaty chuckle and gave him a slow nod. “Is that right? Well, it looks like I’ve got between now and football season to come up with something freakier, then.”
He leaned in closer. “So, are you planning to shock me, or just embarrass me?”
Sarah’s breath caught at his sudden nearness, and her olfactory receptors kicked in. The sexy combination of Tanner’s own chemical make-up combined with some tasteful cologne tantalized her taste buds, making her mouth water. “Maybe I’ll do both.”
“Or neither,” he countered.
Her eyes widened. The hand holding her drink froze in mid-air, halfway to her lips. “Is that a dare?”
One eye squinted as he pursed his lips. “I think it’s more of a challenge.” He straightened slowly, his eyes pinned on her as he sipped from his bottle of beer. “Shock me if you can, Ssaarraah.”
He spoke her name slowly, drawing it out like verbalized erotica. She stared, unable to break the trance that locked her to her spot. The man was hot. If Tanner were an asphalt highway, she would see waves of heat emanating from his surface.
A voice from behind jarred her, making her jump.
“Hey Sis. What are you two discussing over here?”
“Football!” Sarah answered, too quickly to sound sincere, even to her own ears.
“The air seemed a little too thick for a football discussion. I heard someone say the twins are awake, Sarah.”
“Oh, they’ll need changing before I bring them out.” She headed towards the door.
Tanner waited until she disappeared into the house before extending a hand to Mitch. “Master Sergeant Hebert, I trust you’re well.”
Mitch accepted it, giving it a firm shake. “I am. I hope you remember the discussion you and I had at the farmers’ market the other day.”
Tanner finished his beer, and used the opportunity to move the conversation next to his cooler, and away from curious ears. He grabbed another bottle and straightened. “I remember.”
“Good. I’d be extremely unhappy if you’d forgotten about it. You and I both know you’re not the right guy for her.”
“We’re friends. Have you heard of that concept? You know, two people hanging around together and having fun just for the sake of having fun?”
Mitch took a step closer to him. “The kind of fun a guy like you has would only end up breaking her heart.” He poked his finger in Tanner’s chest and lowered his voice. “Look Collins, you need to go find your piece of ass somewhere else and leave my sister the hell alone.”
Tanner’s pulse pounded furiously as he closed the gap. “I would never hurt her like that.”
“You damn well better not, or your ass is mine, I swear to God!” Mitch snarled.
“What’s going on here?”
Sarah’s unexpected appearance had Mitch backing off and facing his sister. “We’re just discussing a few things.”
“It didn’t sound like a discussion. It sounded like you were issuing orders, except they were about me. I must be mistaken, though, because you’re bound to know better than that.”
Tanner was thankful she concentrated her piercing glare at her brother rather than himself.
“Look, Sis, I know what guys like him are after—”
“I’m sure you do, because you are a guy like that, and don’t you dare try to deny it.” She lifted her hand to stop his comeback. “I just heard you bragging to Jackson about how girls can’t say no to a guy in uniform.”
Mitch hung his head, at least having the decency to look ashamed of himself.
“You’re right, and I’m sorry,” he said. “But I worry about you.”
“Did Tanner say we were anything but friends?” She cast a sidelong glance at Tanner.
“No.”
“There you have it, but just for future reference, if I was to start up a relationship with a guy, any guy. . .” she poked at her brother’s chest for emphasis. “It would be of no concern of yours. You clear on that, big brother?”
“Yes, Ma’am,” Mitchell murmured.
“What was that, Marine?”
He gave her a sharp salute. “Crystal clear, Ma’am.”
She nodded and jerked her head in the direction of the far end of the deck. “You’re dismissed. I believe Red needs your help with the pit.”
Mitch looked over to where Red was practicing a balancing act with a large pan of poultry and ribs. “Oh hell, there goes the grub,” he said, rushing over to lend him a hand.
Sarah’s throat clearing pulled Tanner’s attention from the scene.
“He’s over compensating.”
“For what?” he asked.
“He feels guilty as hell, for not being around for the whole Troy mess. So he’s being hyper-vigilant. I keep telling him it’s not necessary. I’ll never choose another Troy. After tending to broken bones and black eyes, a little heartache is nothing.”
“Is that what you see when you look at me? A little heartache?”
She took a sip of her beer, keeping her gaze locked on him. “I haven’t quite decided yet. For now, all I expect is a good friend who’s promised to take me to some football games.”
“Gah. She’s just using me for tickets.” He dropped his head in utter dejection.
“I warned you I take my Tiger football seriously. I know you didn’t plan on my pain in the butt brother to run interference, though. Do you regret the offer, yet?”
He gave her a smile. “Not even a little.”
Mitch took a long chug from his beer, keeping watch over Sarah and her new ‘friend’, that asshole Collins. He didn’t want to have to tell her about his little underage piece of ass the other night, but if he had to, he would.
“Hey Marine. Want to dance?”
“Absolutely, Detective,” he told the buxom red head as he grabbed her by the waist and swung her onto the dance floor. Melanie Finley was one friend of his sister’s he highly approved of.
“This is some party, isn’t it?” She looped her arms casually around his neck as they swayed to the slow country rhythm of Hunter Hayes singing his latest ballad.
“Sure is.” He glanced over to where his sister pulled Collins out on the dance floor. Fingers gripping his chin had him looking down into the gorgeous eyes of his dance partner.
“You need to butt out of that, Marine. Your sister can take care of herself,” Melanie scolded.
“He’s no good for her, Mel. I wasn’t here to protect her from Troy, but I can damn sure stop her from getting hurt by that SOB.”
“Why do you dislike him so much? He seems like a decent enough guy. Tiffany and Red have both known him for years, and they say he’s changed a lot for the better lately.”
Mitch caught himself looking in their direction again and shook his head as his sister laid her head on Tanner’s chest. “I don’t trust him.”
“It’s not your problem. They’re friends for now, and after that, whatever’s meant to be, will be, whether you approve or not. I do know if you keep up this attitude, you’re going to be the one to hurt her. Now shut up and pay attention to me or I’ll find someone else to dance with. I’ve been told I’m passably good on my feet, and decent to look at.”
He laughed at the innocent smile she gave him and wrapped his arms tighter around her waist. “You are beautiful, both to dance with and to look at, and I apologize. My attention is all yours.”
The next song was a rousing crowd pleaser by Toby Keith. Along with everyone else, Mitch raised his voice to Red Solo Cup, his arm draped over Melanie’s shoulder. After that, Tiffany pulled him out for a Cajun Two Step Mamou by Richard LeBouef. He danced with his sister to Storm Warning by Hunter Hayes then he switched off with Tanner to get Mel back.
“Hello beautiful,” he said, swinging her into his arms for a slow one. “Where’ve you been?”
She beamed at him. “Oh, here and there. I had an interesting talk with Tanner.”
“Oh yeah? What’d he have to say?”
“Like I’d tell you,” she said, with a secretive giggle.
He gave a snort then cocked his head to hear the song better. “I know this song. Is this a remake?”
“Uh huh, I believe someone requested it.” She batted her eyelashes innocently. “Who would have thought Sarah Smile could sound so good in a country version?”
“You requested it?” he asked, stealing a glance at Sarah and Tanner, who were getting entirely too cozy on the dance floor.
“I was on my way to make a request, and Tanner said she liked this song. So, I requested it while I was up there.” She jerked her head toward the DJ’s set up on a flatbed. “Having your own in-house DJ is definitely a perk of owning a club.”
“I gotta admit this is a damned cool party.” He gazed down his nose at her. “So what song did you request?”
“Patience is a virtue, Marine. Now shut up and dance.”
Turned out he didn’t have to be patient for long. As soon as the song ended, the D.J. pulled out his wireless mic to make an announcement.
“This is a very special request for the guest of honor of this shin-dig. Here’s another home-grown Louisiana boy, Trace Adkins singing ‘Semper Fi’, his own tribute to the United States Marine Corps.”
Even though the two of them started out dancing to the slow ballad, they finished it singing along with the crowd that had gathered around them.
Mitch swallowed the lump in his throat as everyone erupted in hoots and cheering, interspersed with several loud whistles. His gaze found Sarah smiling through her tears. As she approached he wrapped her in a bear hug.
“I love you, big brother. I’m so proud of you,” she said. “But I just want you safe, dammit.”
“Likewise, and that also goes for the part about wanting you safe. Thanks for putting this together for me, Sis. This means a lot to me.”
“All I did was show up. Red did it all.”
Mitch gave her a hug before finding the McAllisters. “Hey, Red, I want to thank you for this, man. This is the best time I’ve had in years.”
“Glad to do it, Mitch. It’s Marines like you putting their lives on the line every day that we should all be thankful for. All we ask in return is that you come home safe and sound.”
“Absolutely,” Tiffany agreed with her husband. “I don’t think Sarah could take it if she lost her big brother.”
His gaze found Sarah again, talking to Tanner. “I’ll try my damnedest.”
Mitch leaned against one of two bar areas, hoping to catch sight of the girl who’d served him a drink the last time he’d been in this place. He leaned over the bar to get the bartender’s attention. “Hey, is Meagan coming in?”
“Nah, she’s not working tonight. I’m subbing for her.” The guy looked around the room and shook his head. “It’s too bad, too. With the crowd we got here tonight the tips are gonna be good. I know she could use the cash right now.”
Mitch sat back, sipping his beer quietly, curious about her co-worker’s comment. He swiveled in the stool to observe the crowd, and immediately caught sight of Detective Melanie Finley. She entered the club with a group of people, some of whom he recognized from the party. Gone were her capris and sandals, replaced by curve hugging jeans and cowboy boots. Her sparkly halter-top shimmered with refracted light from the party ball.
The entire group approached, and like steel to a magnet, Mitchell’s gaze moved immediately to her significant cleavage. Her copper-colored curls, loosely gathered and in some type of clasp, left the delectable creamy expanse of her neck exposed to every wandering male eye in the building.
He approached, touching her shoulder to get her attention. He suppressed a gasp of pleasure as she spun towards him, the motion causing her bronze- colored earrings to swing enticingly from her delicate lobes.
“Damn, but you clean up nicely, Detective Finley!”
She stood back to look him over and nodded. “I gotta say, Master Sergeant Hebert, so do you.”
Already pleasantly buzzed from his third beer of the evening, he could barely pull his gaze away from her eyes, made up to accentuate their already natural beauty. He extended his hand. “Do me the honor?”
She smiled as she took his hand and let him swing her onto the dance floor to a country waltz.
Tanner caught sight of the couple on the dance floor and his heart skipped. Not over the sight of Mel, whom, at any other time in his life he’d be drooling over. This time it was in anticipation of seeing the one woman who would have accompanied her.
He scanned the group, nearly groaning aloud as his eyes found their target. Sarah, in tight jeans that belied the fact that she’d given birth to twins less than a year ago. Strappy heels, by far sexier than the sandals she’d worn earlier that day, gave her a little more height than usual. The real killer was the barely there, clingy, sleeveless top overlaid with some kind of stretchy black lace. Her hair, in all its glory of golden brown waves, was loose and flowing over her shoulders. He found himself nodding in approval at the entire package.
The thing that kicked his heart into overdrive was her instantaneous reaction to seeing him. The lift of brow, coupled with the slight opening of her mouth was a huge turn on. The sight of her, rubbing the palms of her hands on her jeaned thighs, told him her level of anticipation matched his own. He swallowed, approaching her slowly.
“Hey there.” She smiled, and he swore he could feel the beat of her heart, thumping rhythmically to his own.
“Hey yourself,” he said before allowing his gaze to encompass the whole of her. “Damn . . .”
“What?” She tugged self-consciously at the hem of her shirt.
“Damn, but you look good. I didn’t know whether to expect you here tonight. You said you weren’t sure.”
“I didn’t want to ask Leah and Daniel to watch the twins for me after everything they did for the party today. But the girls were down for the night when I left the house and Leah practically shoved me out of there.” She smiled, her eyes softening at the mention of her benefactors. “I don’t know what I’d have done without those two. The entire clan has taken us in—treated us like family. I owe them so much.”
He’d heard her say this often enough, but knew she totally meant it. “They are a very generous family. If I was a father and someone had treated my daughter as badly as I treated Tiffany, I don’t know if I’d be as forgiving.” Her gaze turned curious, and he decided he didn’t have a damn thing to lose by coming clean. “Hell, Red broke my nose for coming on to his younger sister, Annie, while I was engaged to Tiffany. Of course, I had no idea he was in love with her at the time, or I may have put up a fight. The point is the entire family forgave me for being such an ass.”
Her hand flew up to cover her mouth and he thought he’d finally managed to shock her into seeing him for the asshole he really was. “I’m sorry, I guess I should have told you all this before, huh?” He shoved his hands into his pockets. “I’m afraid I’d be hard-pressed to find favorable character references from anyone who really knows me.”
She lowered her hand, revealing the smile she’d been attempting to hide. “Did you really think I wasn’t aware of your less than perfect past?”
“I didn’t know, but I figured I’d just as soon be the one to tell—”
“Tanner!”
He stopped and looked down at her upturned face. “What?”
“Will you ever stop trying to scare me off?”
“I’m n—”
“Yes. You are.” She huffed, her flush revealing her exasperation. “For some reason, you continue to act as though you don’t deserve to have anyone care about you.”
“I’m just trying to be honest.”
She sighed, struggling to find the right words to break through his impenetrable wall of self-loathing and unworthiness. “You know, Tanner. If you’d only choose to forgive yourself, maybe one of these days you could be happy.”
He stared at her, speechless, until the unanswered ringing of his cell phone drove her to nudge him.
“Are you gonna answer that?”
Her words finally seemed to jolt him into action. He fished the phone from his pocket and answered it. “Hello?” he said, putting one finger in his ear to block out the background noise of the bar.
His expression grew panicked as she shamelessly eavesdropped on his phone conversation. Obviously, it was his mother on the phone, and from the sound of it, she was hysterical and terrified by something that had happened with his father. By the time he hung up, she knew Tanner’s next stop was Houston.
“It’s your father isn’t it? What happened?” She didn’t bother with small talk.
“His nurse is afraid he’s had a small stroke, a TIA, we call them. It’s a Transient Ische…”
“I know what a TIA is, and you need to go.” She grabbed his hand, pulling him along behind her toward the exit. She pushed through the door and turned to him. “I’ll tell everyone what’s going on, but you be careful. Don’t you dare do anything stupid on your way up there like run a light and get in a wreck or something. Call me when you get there! Do you have my number?”
“I have Red’s but not yours. I can call the LeBlanc’s.”
“My number is 337-555-9104. Don’t just stand there. Put it in your phone.”
“God, you’re a pushy little thing, aren’t you?”
“Only when I need to be, now go. And don’t forget to call me to let me know what’s going on.”
“Yes ma’am.” Tanner ducked his head and spun around toward his car. He took off at a brisk walk, tucking his phone into his pocket again telling himself not to look back. If he did, he knew he’d find her standing there, watching him leave. She’d see him and that would have made him seem all the more desperate.
Halfway to his car, he heard the quick clip of footsteps coming from behind. Sarah called out his name, and he turned a second before she threw herself at him. He wrapped her in his arms, lifting her easily off the ground. She blew his mind then, planted a kiss on him that exploded with pent up passion and emotion. He kissed her back, so thankful for the contact, unaware until that moment of how badly he’d wanted it—needed it from her, and only her. He eased back, intending to release her, but instead tightened his grip around her waist. Finally he let go, allowing her to slide down until her feet touched the asphalt parking lot.
He kissed her again and released her with a guttural groan.
“I know, right?” she gasped. “I have butterflies so bad, I feel like throwing up.”
“That can’t be good.” He grinned, despite his nagging conscience.
She waved off his comment. “You know what I mean, that nervous, queasy fluttering in my stomach.”
He touched his forehead to hers and smiled. “Yeah, I do know the feeling. But Sarah . . .” She kissed him again and he breathed in the deliciousness of her, allowing it to fill his mind, his soul, hoping it would carry him throughout the trip to Houston. Houston . . . and the hospital. The wheels of his mind started to turn. Texas, his parents . . . they turned faster, spinning out of control . . . his upbringing . . . his womanizing past. Suddenly, he was back where he’d started, a full awareness of how unworthy he was. He gave her one last hug, before pushing her gently away. “I’ll call you to let you know how he’s doing.”
“Don’t forget?”
He turned away, willing her not to say anything else, yet wanting her to. “I won’t forget, Sarah.”
“Collins, is that you, Stud?”
Tanner cringed at the familiar voice, knowing damned well that Sarah’s opinion of him was about to take a drastic nose-dive. He turned, hoping to shut the man up before he spoke.
Bill Parker walked towards him with two gorgeous, statuesque blondes, one on each arm. “You’re just the son of a bitch I was looking for! It seems we’ve got a smorgasbord on our hands tonight, buddy. This is Norin and Marin, identical twin babes, here for one week only from the Netherlands.” He paused to give Sarah a quick glance, and then rushed ahead. “Dude, please tell me you can get a couple of days off!”
Tanner put out his hands and dropped them in frustration. “Parker, what the hell, man?”
“Come on buddy, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I mean, look at this! Isn’t this the one cliché that’s every man’s fantasy?”
Tanner spoke through a clenched jaw. “Hey, man, don’t you see I’m talking to a lady here?” By the time Tanner turned to apologize to Sarah, she’d already made it back to the club. He winced as she yanked the door open, and disappeared inside.
Tanner’s Lexus climbed the Lake Coburn Bridge at a steady pace, turning the decorative iron pistol detailing on the bridge rail into a blur. His mind reeled at the catastrophe of Parker and his lousy timing. He slapped his steering wheel angrily. He’d be shocked if Sarah ever spoke to him again. How in hell had he gone from the best kiss of his life to this colossal screw-up in less than a minute? Easy. Scandinavian twins and an asshole of an ex-buddy.
He caught his reflection in the rearview mirror, and it suddenly hit him. This was the best thing that could have happened for Sarah’s sake. He was fooling himself if he thought he could do anything but break her heart.
By the time Tanner arrived in Houston, he was determined to stay away from her. Even if nobody gave a damn about him, there was definitely some divine intervention going on to protect Sarah.
And no way in hell could he blame anyone or anything in this world for trying to keep her from being hurt.