Almost Midnight (17 page)

“Let me help you, darlin’.” Alex’s hard wet body pressed against hers, and she flinched as he helped her to her feet.

“Thank you, Alex.” She was a little unsteady and accidentally stumbled into his broad chest. He felt cool to the touch.

“Sorry,” she mumbled, her heart beating with embarrassment.

“Anytime, darlin’. You don’t look so well. You want me to carry you into the house?”

Hannah awkwardly cleared her throat and felt her knees go weak. “I hate to ask, but if you could just hold my arm, I think I can manage—”

“I’ll help her,” Tanner’s voice snapped behind them, the outburst setting Alex’s hand deeper about her waist.

Hannah flinched. What was
he
doing home?

“I thought you went to work, Dad,” Jeremy said, surprised.

Tanner glared at Alex. “Thought I’d work at home for a while.”

Biting her lip, Hannah felt the tension grow to dangerous proportions as Alex flashed a challenging white smile in Tanner’s direction. Hannah bit back a groan when she felt Alex’s hold on her almost lift her off her feet.

“No need for the muscle department to chime in here, Clearbrook. I’ve got everything in control, as you can see. You can go back to work. Don’t worry about us.” A clap of air gushed from Hannah’s chest as Alex swept her into his wet arms.

“I suggest you put her down, Richards. Now.” There was a steely edge to Tanner’s voice that gave Hannah the feeling the millionaire wasn’t going to take no for an answer.

Alex turned around so quickly, Hannah started to feel the world spinning. She put her hand to her head and groaned.

“She’s getting sick! Can’t you see that?” Tanner brushed up against Hannah’s shoulder. “Give her to me.” Tanner’s hard tone made Alex grip her tighter.

Hannah took one look at Tanner’s smoking eyes and swallowed hard. At that moment she wished she could throw both men in the pool to cool off.

“I have her, Clearbrook.” Alex dropped his gaze to Hannah and caressed her leg. “Just tell me where to go, darlin’.” 

Hannah barely glanced at Tanner, but she didn’t need to, she could feel his intense gaze drilling into her. Was he jealous? The thought hit her like a blast of cold air. It was ludicrous, but after the scene in the library, anything was possible. Could it be that Tanner did not just like her, but really wanted her, Hannah Elliot, the little widow without a penny to her name?

Taking a chance, she smiled back at Alex. “I appreciate your help, Alex, but I think you better put me down. Tanner can help me inside.”

Alex shrugged and set her sandals to rest on the grass. As soon as her shoes hit the ground, she was abruptly swept weightless into Tanner’s arms, and without a word, he headed toward the house.

“Hey, Alex, now you and I can play some more.” 

Jeremy’s voice drifted to Hannah’s ears. But Tanner didn’t stop. He plunged past the patio doors into the mansion and started down the hall, his heels clapping at a pace fast enough to make her dizzy again.

She noted the determined hardness of his jaw, and though she wanted nothing else than to be held in his arms, she decided enough was enough. She didn’t know what this man wanted anymore. She was totally shocked at his behavior. He was cold one moment and hot the next.

“I think I can walk on my own now.”

His silvery gaze clung to her face. A vein pulsed on the side on his neck. “Don’t think so.” His footsteps thudded up the stairs. “You look as weak as the coffee Mable made this morning. So for the next week, no visitors.”

“No visitors?” Two delicate brows slammed together in rage. “What do you mean no visitors? And where does this extra week come in? I appreciate your hospitality, but I believe can leave anytime I like, and if you think for one minute—”

She wasn’t able to finish before his lips came swooping down to meet hers. The kiss was hard and demanding, leaving her weaker than before. Breathless, she stared back as he lifted his head and kicked open her bedroom door. He placed her on her bed, bent down, and began taking off her sandals. Her breathing seemed to echo off the walls.

“Your mother wouldn’t like it if I sent you home when she wasn’t there. Fritz told me she’d be home in another week. If you want, you may go home then, but not until. Understand?”

He rose and stood over her with such a commanding presence she found herself speechless. No wonder he owned almost half of Clearbrook Valley. Well!

Still reeling from his kiss, she watched in silence as he turned to leave. She eventually found her voice. “My mother has nothing to do with this!”

Before he grabbed hold of the doorknob, he glanced over his shoulder, his determined gaze sending the blood rushing to her head. “And another thing, if I ever see Richards touching you again, I’ll knock his brains out.” He caressed her with that Clearbrook smile, making her insides turn to mush, and then he was gone.

Her jaw dropped open in shock. What had just happened? Was Tanner falling in love with her? Was she already in love with him? He wasn’t like Nick, was he? He may be arrogant and demanding, but he would never try to run her life, telling her what she should do and shouldn’t do, would he? But didn’t he just tell her she was staying at his house? Yet he was looking after her health, she told herself.

Still, it was hard to keep the facts straight when he kissed her like that.

Suddenly, her life seemed out of control, and it was all because of Tanner Clearbrook. The question was, what was she going to do about it?

Alex Richards glared at Tanner as they stood beside the sparkling blue water of the pool. Jeremy had hurried into the house to go to the bathroom, and the two men didn’t speak until the boy was out of sight.

“Are you interested in Hannah, Clearbrook? Or are you just using her?”

“I don’t care for you, Richards. If my boy weren’t here—”

Alex raised his hands in protest. “Hey, only asking. I want to know where you stand. I like Hannah. She’s pretty, intelligent, and lonely. Everything that makes her desirable to a man like me. Oh, and did I mention too sweet to be taken advantage of, if you get my meaning.”

Get his meaning? Tanner’s eyes narrowed as he inwardly counted to ten and sank into the chair beneath the umbrella. Richards didn’t seem like he was going to leave peacefully.

“Have a seat Richards. You look a bit tired.”

The big man laughed and leaned forward, palming the table with his beefy hands.

Tanner felt his blood rumble. Only minutes ago, those tanned hands had been wrapped around Hannah like a boa constrictor.

“Tell me something, Mr. Millionaire. You want her for your son’s nanny,” he looked Tanner up and down and snarled, “or you want her for yourself?”

Tanner fought to control his anger. He took hold of the lemonade pitcher and poured two glasses. “You think I’m going to talk to you about my life? You’re crazy. My business is not your business, Richards.”

He stuffed the glass into the gorilla’s face, nodding for the man to sit down. To his amazement, Richards took a seat across the table. The man’s lips twisted into a wry smile over the rim his glass.

“Just asking. Man’s got a right. Hannah’s needs a job, and I’m thinking of putting in a plug for her around Chicago. A woman with an engineering degree is in demand and you know it.”

Tanner saw the glittering interest in the man’s eyes and battled against the jealousy consuming him. “She’s got a job, right here. When she’s better, she’ll be taking care of my son.”

“Pffff. That’s not the kind of job I hear she’s looking for. The woman has a degree in engineering. She could work anywhere if it weren’t for her mother. But her mother loves it here, and it seems Hannah is willing to stay no matter what.” 

He leaned back in his chair, a glint of sarcasm flickering in his blue eyes. “Or is your idea that you hope she’ll be more of a nanny to you than your son?”

Tanner controlled the impulse to pummel the man’s face. Instead, he shifted his gaze to the condensation that blanketed the outside of his glass. “You think she could do better in Chicago? Or is it that you think she could do better with you?” 

The accusation hung in the air. They glared at each other, as if they were standing in a boxing ring waiting for the bell to chime and start round one.

It seemed like an eternity before Alex spoke. “Whatever works for me,” he finally said, then downed half his lemonade in one long swallow.

It was all Tanner could do not to slam a fist up the gorilla’s nose.

“I got money too, Clearbrook,” Alex said, smacking his lips. “But you got one up on me. Hannah likes that little boy of yours and I can’t blame her. Jeremy’s pretty cool.” 

Tanner gritted his teeth, wondering how long it was before his composure snapped.

“But the problem is,” Alex went on, “I like Hannah. However, I can see the lady likes you. But if you slip up anytime in the next millennium, I’m going to be by her side faster than you can drive that Jaguar up your driveway.” He smiled then, flashing an irritating set of white teeth Tanner’s way.

It was obvious the gorilla knew all along the exact reason Tanner had decided to work at home.

Under the most stressful business dealings, Tanner had never lost his temper, but Richards was pushing him beyond reason. “Listen, Gorilla Man, I don’t know who gave you the right to come barging into my home, but I’ll tell you something right now, you’re leaving.”

Alex smiled and stood. “Fine, no problem. You don’t mind if I change, do you? I wore my trunks beneath my jeans on the way here. But...”

Tanner’s lips tightened. “Bathroom’s right through there.” He shot his arm toward the back door where Jeremy had disappeared.

Alex grabbed his bag and started across the lawn. “Nice house you have here.”

“Thanks, too bad you won’t be visiting again.”

Alex let out a wry chuckle. “I wouldn’t bet on that. Somehow, I have a feeling I’ll be back.”

“Hey,” Jeremy squealed as he ran out the door and straight into Alex. “Where you going?”

The large man patted Jeremy’s head and sent Tanner a wink that made Tanner bite back a curse.

“Have to go,” Alex said calmly.

“Aw, pooh,” Jeremy said with a frown. “I was hoping you could help me and Hannah play some games on Dad’s computer.”

Alex looked up at Tanner and smiled.

“The man has to go, Jeremy,” Tanner said coolly. “Hannah has to rest. I’ll play some games with you.”

“Whoopee!” Jeremy jumped up for joy and ran to his father, squeezing Tanner’s legs. “You’re the best, Dad.”

“Whoopee,” Alex said beneath his breath as he walked toward the house to change.

Tanner glared at the titanic shoulders disappearing into his house. Not that he wasn’t able to physically throw the man out, but with Jeremy here, it would be foolish.

Jeremy tugged on his father’s pants. “Dad?”

“Huh?” Tanner’s gaze hadn’t left the house.

“You don’t like Alex because he likes Hannah, right?” 

Jeremy’s question snapped Tanner’s gaze back to his son. Inwardly, he groaned. “No. I mean yes...I mean...” He wiped his forehead with a stiff hand. “It doesn’t matter right now. Let’s go play those games.”

Frowning, Jeremy dropped his gaze and rubbed his good hand over his cast. “I don’t want him to marry Hannah, Dad. Then she won’t take care of me. I want her here all the time.” Round gray eyes lifted to lock with Tanner’s worried ones. “Don’t you?”

Tanner breathed in a deep sigh. “Yep. I’d like her here all the time, too.”

But could he get Hannah to stay? Would she ever be able to love him? Or would he forever be competing against memories? His memories of Julie. And her memories of Nick.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

It was time to go home.

Hannah surveyed the Clearbrook kitchen with a dismal sigh. She had been recuperating at the mansion for over two weeks when Dr. Rafe had given her lungs the all clear yesterday. Though she and Jeremy had worked on his reading and writing a little bit every day, it was time for her to return to the daily routine of sleeping in her own apartment and living her own life.

Her mother was coming home tomorrow, and Hannah wanted to get things ready for her too. The lady had wanted to come home as soon as she’d heard about Hannah’s illness, but Fritz had assured Lorraine that Hannah was improving everyday, and there was no need for the lady to hurry home, though he did miss her.

Hannah had reassured her mother as well, but she had deliberately avoided any conversation about Tanner and his hold over her emotions.

Confused about the man’s hot and cold attitude the last few weeks, Hannah tried to shield her heart from any thoughts of love. But it didn’t seem to be working. The millionaire’s manners had been impeccable, and though he’d kept his distance from her ever since that kiss in the hall when he’d carried her from the pool, she would never forget the burning imprint he’d made upon her heart.

She loved him, and it scared her to death. It meant trusting a man, and she didn’t know if she could do that again.

“Hey, Hannah, you want some more gingerbread? Mable’s is pretty good, but not as good as yours. She made some yesterday before she left.”

Hannah looked at Jeremy and smiled. “No, I’ve had enough.”

“And you’ve had enough too, young man,” Tanner interrupted, walking into the kitchen.

Hannah glanced up at Tanner, her eyes freezing on his tall, lean form hovering near the kitchen door. He wore a pair of faded blue jeans and a white polo, looking much too comfortable. His nearness sent her thoughts scampering for cover.

He caught her staring at him, and she quickly shifted her gaze toward the table, her heart skipping a beat.

“Jeremy, doesn’t your Grandpa want you in the backyard?” Tanner tilted his head toward the door.

Jeremy stuffed another piece of gingerbread into his mouth. “Nope. Don’t think so.”

“Really? I think I hear him calling you right now.” 

Without warning, Tanner scooped his son up by his armpits and carried him into the next room, gingerbread and all.

Jeremy gazed upward and smiled, showing a mouthful of brown crumbs stuck between crooked teeth. “Oh, I get it. You want to talk to Hannah alone. Gosh, Dad. You should have told me that in the first place. You gonna ask her to marry us or what?”