Incompatibly Yours: Charity Anthology Supporting Fertility Research (25 page)

Oh, my. I think I probably love his beast mode more than he loves mine. Bossy looks good on Tanner.

I spend the next twenty minutes dealing with my client's crisis—she needs a dress for a charity gala tonight—and then I ask Tanner if he wants some lunch.

"I'd love to have lunch with you." He moves off the couch and follows me into the kitchen. Less than a minute later, his arms are around me from behind while I search in the fridge for salad ingredients.

"You know, I think I'm really beginning to love the feel of your beard on my skin."

"You mean you didn't always love it?" His tone is playful and I laugh.

Turning in his embrace, I slide my hands up and around his neck. He bends to trail kisses along my collarbone. "No, I've never been a beard lover."

He continues to bless me with his lips, making his way up my neck to my jawline. "If you've ever been with another guy with a beard, now is most definitely not the time to mention it, sweetheart. In fact, never would be a good time to mention it." His voice has changed from playful to growly and desire pools in my belly.

"Wait, is this jealous Tanner I'm meeting?"

His blue eyes meet mine and he nods. "You bet your arse this is jealous Tanner you're meeting."

"Wow, you're so laid-back I didn't think you would have it in you to be jealous."

"I don't usually, so this is surprising the hell out of me, too." And there's his trademark honesty I'm falling for. He jerks his chin towards the fridge behind me that's still open. "What's for lunch?"

I grin because I think he's actually trying to change the subject, and so far we haven't stumbled across a topic he won't discuss. But I give him this because I don't want to make him jealous by discussing it further. "Salad."

He pulls a face. "Salad?"

"You don't like salad?"

Letting me go, he takes a step back. "Do you honestly know any man who likes salad?"

"Trust me, you're going to love mine."

He crosses his arms over his chest. "Okay, let's see what you've got."

I grab out all the ingredients I need and assemble a curried-chicken salad I hope he's going to love. Cooking is something my mother taught me from a young age. Because we were poor and often didn't have a lot of ingredients to work with, she had to learn how to be resourceful and create her own recipes.

Tanner receives a call while I'm getting it ready and leaves me to take it. When he returns, concern is etched across his face.

"What?" I ask.

"That was Ana. She needs me to go and pick her up and take her to her house." He answers my question, but he seems miles away, like he's processing something in his mind.

I move to where he stands and place my hand on his chest. "Tanner, what? What is wrong with her?"

He blows out a long breath and rakes his fingers through his hair. "Ana has this on-off affair with the drummer from the band Diesel, and he's in town at the moment. They just had a huge fight at his hotel and she's holed up in his room because the paparazzi are waiting outside."

My business brain kicks in. "Where's Kadence?"

"Fuck, I told Ana not to even call her, but turns out she's nowhere to be found anyway."

"You don't like her?"

"Hell no. I've been telling Ana to get rid of her for at least a year now. If the bitch isn't causing trouble for Ana, she's snorting coke or sleeping with every asshole they meet instead of doing her job."

I reach for my phone. "Yeah, I can't figure out why she keeps her around." I search for Anastasia's number, and at Tanner's enquiring look, I say, "I'm just giving her a quick call. Give me a moment before you go."

"Juliette?" She answers my call and I know instantly that she's a mess.

"Tell me what happened."

Her sob tears through my phone and I am furious with the man who has done this to her even though I don't know him. "I had a fight with Joe…. He punched me and then left, and now I'm stuck in his room with a bruise on my face and a torn dress. I didn't want to call Tanner because he may lose his shit when he sees me, but he's all I have. And I really can't afford any more bad press. If the paps see my bruise…." She begins crying again as I clench my fist by my side.

"I'm coming with Tanner. We'll fix this. You just wait there, okay?" I walk towards my bedroom as I speak; I need my tools.

In between sobs, she agrees with what I've said and we end the call. I shove my phone in my pocket as I enter my bathroom, and begin dragging what I'll need from my drawers.

"What are you doing?" Tanner asks from the doorway to my bathroom.

I don't look at him as I sort through my make-up and pack what I need. "I'm just gathering what she needs and I'll come with you."

"Juliette, what's going on? Why does she need make-up?"

I pack the last of my supplies and zip the bag shut before finally giving him my attention. Shit, I'm going to have to tell him what's really happened. He's going to find out anyway, I guess, and at least this way he'll be prepared. "He tore her dress and punched her. She needs something to walk out of there in and make-up to cover the bruise he gave her."

He processes what I said and the vein in his neck pulses while he balls his fists. "Fuck!"

I walk past him towards my closet and search for the dress I've chosen in my mind. When I find it, I pull it out and then turn to face him. "Okay, let's go."

He's already out the bedroom door and halfway down the hallway before I catch up to him. His body language is pretty clear—he's a man on a mission. I just hope the guy who messed with Ana is long gone. Pissed-off Tanner isn't a man you want to mess with by the looks of it.

Chapter Ten

TANNER

Fuming in the corner of the hotel room, I silently watch as Juliette covers the nasty bruise on Ana's face with make-up. The only thing that makes me feel better is the fact Joe was in the hotel lobby when we walked in. While Juliette came straight up to the room, I dragged him aside to let him know exactly what I thought of him. I also threatened that if he ever came near Ana again, I'd go public with what a lowlife he is. That is, of course, unless she presses charges, but I doubt she will because I know she wants to keep out of the news.

Ana's eyes meet mine and I hate the sadness I see there. "I'm sorry, Tanner."

"Shit, you have nothing to apologise for." I move to where she's sitting and crouch down in front of her. "But promise me you won't ever see him again."

I've asked her this before and she's always denied my request. This time she doesn't hesitate. "I don't ever want to see him again."

"Has he done this before?"

"No, and I'm not giving him the chance to do it again."

I stand. "Thank God." My sister can be stubborn sometimes, so I'd half expected her to argue with me. He's frightened her this time, though. The minute I walked through the hotel room door, she broke down in tears. It's not often Ana cries; she's a tough woman, so I know how shaken she is.

"Okay, I think we're done," Juliette announces and passes Ana a mirror. "Thoughts?"

Ana assesses herself in the mirror and nods. "That's amazing. You can't even tell I've got a bruise, apart from the small amount of swelling, but they won't really be able to see that."

Juliette begins packing up. "And if they do notice the swelling and mention it, you were stung by a bee. It's as simple as that." She's all business and I'm impressed as hell watching the way she's managing Ana.

Ana stands and gives her a hug. It's fascinating to watch the way Juliette hesitates to accept it. She's clearly not comfortable with displays of affection, but Ana doesn't let go and eventually Juliette returns the hug. "Thank you so much for coming and helping me," Ana says when she lets her go.

Juliette waves her away. "I could hardly let you go through that alone."

Ana places her hand on Juliette's arm and stills her. "You could have, and most people I know would have. I might be famous and appear to have lots of friends, but when it comes down to it, I have Tanner to rely on in times like this, and that's it. The fact you came means a lot to me."

Juliette stares at her in surprise for a moment before blinking. "You're welcome." Her voice is soft, hesitant almost.
Vulnerable.
And then she switches back to beast mode. "I'm sorry to have to say this, but you really need to reconsider your decision to hire Kadence as your manager. She does an atrocious job."

Ana laughs, and it's a relief to hear because she's been so subdued while we've been here. "Oh, honey, I fired her after talking to you and Tanner on the phone, but it was priceless to hear you say that. No one besides Tanner has been game to speak the truth to me about her. I love your honesty."

"Good." Juliette's gaze turns to me. "I'm all packed up. Let's do this."

We leave the room and ride the elevator down to the foyer. I called Ana's security guard and my workmate, Zac, and they are waiting for us when the elevator arrives on the ground level. The three of us surround Ana and guide her towards the front door while Juliette leads the way.

We're almost through the paparazzi when one of them comes close and shoves his camera in Ana's face. Juliette must have seen him coming because she turns around and halts his progress. "Back it up, asshole!" She motions to me for us to keep going while she deals with him, and while I don't want to leave her by herself, she jerks her chin at me to indicate she's got this.

As we move past them and exit the hotel, I can hear her giving the guy a piece of her mind.

"She's amazing, Tanner," Ana says, smiling at me as we hurry towards my car.

"I've never met anyone like her, sis."

"Even though it pains me to suggest this, are you actually going to think about pursuing a relationship?"

"There's no thinking required."

She frowns. "What does that mean?"

"It means that when you find someone like Juliette, all you have to do is feel it. There's no need to think because it comes from the heart, not the head."

Slowing down, she stares at me with her mouth open. "Oh, my goodness, you're falling for her, aren't you? Who knew you could be so deep?"

I take hold of her elbow and encourage her to keep moving, conscious of the paps that may still be lingering. "Damn straight I'm falling for her. Like you said, she's fucking amazing."

We reach the car and as I bundle Ana in the back, her face softens and she smiles at me. "I'm so happy for you, big brother. You've spent your life looking out for me and making sure I'm okay. It's time for
you
to be okay."

At that moment, Juliette comes running towards the car. "We need to hurry because they're following!" She's a little breathless and her face is flushed, and she is as beautiful as ever.

Hell, who am I kidding? I'd still think she was beautiful even if she limped my way, dirty as hell and scowling at me.

Yeah, I'd say I've well and truly fallen

Chapter Eleven

JULIETTE

How could I have been so wrong about him? As I think about the way Tanner looked after his sister this afternoon, and reflect on everything I've learnt about him since we met, I know for sure that I judged him incorrectly.

After he dropped Anastasia at her home and made sure she was okay, he dropped his friend at his house and then drove me home. He stayed with me for a little while, but was so distracted that I suggested he go and deal with whatever it was. After he admitted his thoughts were still with Anastasia, we agreed he should go and spend some more time with her.

That was a few hours ago and I've spent the time since catching up on work. And thinking about Tanner. I can't get him out of my mind.

"Shit," I mutter and close my laptop. I pad into my kitchen and pour myself a glass of water. After I drain the glass, I start cleaning my kitchen. Cleaning is one of the only things that helps take my mind off everything. Either that, or it helps me work through my problems.

Just as I'm wiping the last of the counters, there's a knock on my front door. When I answer it, Tanner's standing in front of me with his hands resting on the door frame above his head.

His eyes find mine and hold them. Intensity swirls in the air around us, and I hold my breath for a moment. "We need to talk," he states, and without waiting for my response, he drops his arms and enters my house.

Closing the door, I follow him into my lounge room, where he's standing watching me. "Are you okay?" I ask, feeling apprehensive. He seems agitated or something I can't quite put my finger on.

Closing the distance between us, he growls, "I want you."

That growl goes straight to my core and I feel a little unsteady on my feet. "As in, you want sex?"

"As in, I want you in my life. I know we were just seeing where this was heading, but I want to do that knowing you're mine, and mine only. I'm all in on this, Juliette, and I don't even want to entertain the thought that you might be seeing another man while you're seeing me." His eyes are flashing his need, the same need I'm feeling.

"Tanner, I think you've got the wrong idea about me. I'm not seeing anyone else and I don't ever do that."

"Tell me you want me as much as I want you," he demands, and I wonder where this is all coming from.

"I do want you. I want to explore what a relationship with you would be like, and I can assure you I won't be doing that while dating someone else."

His eyes search mine for a few moments before he finally exhales. "Thank fuck."

I curl my hand around his waist and pull myself closer to him. "Where is this coming from?" I ask softly.

He takes a moment before he replies, and when he speaks, his voice is full of determination, like he's put a lot of thought into this. "When I met you, I wasn't looking for anyone. For the first time in my life, I was bored with dating and thinking about taking some time for myself. Then I met you, and from that first day, you intrigued me. I didn't know what to make of you, but I sure as hell knew I wanted to see you again. Since then, I've seen the real you, and I like what I see." He places his hand over my heart. "I like what's in here—the parts of you that I don't think you show many people. One minute you're fierce and kicking my ass, and then the next you're trying like fuck to hide your embarrassment over your sister telling me how much you like me, and then the next you're putting on your protective gear and going to battle for others. I want to know
everything
that's in your heart; I want to prove to you that I'm the man you can let your walls down for."