Now and Forever (16 page)

Highly unlikely.

“Speak of the devil.”

She followed the direction of his gaze. Air whooshed out of her lungs. Her heart skipped one…two…three beats. An ache formed in the pit of her stomach and anchored between her legs when she saw Tanner. Their eyes connected. A firestorm of heat raced through her body. Her knees buckled. Exuding pure testosterone, he moved across the floor like a sleek panther. Dressed in black pants and a black shirt opened at the neck, he looked super sexy. Dexter may have been a model, but Tanner was the most sizzling, tempting and appetizing man in the room.
Hands down.
No man had a right to look that delicious. She wanted to sop him up with a biscuit. A dollop a day of his good-loving would appease her sexual appetite.

She struggled to catch her breath before she passed out. A dizzying whirlwind of desire whipped through her. She was being swept away without a safety net. Effortlessly, his magic made her come undone for the millionth time. How quickly longing had replaced anger. Of course, there was no way she intended to let him off easy for showing up late. However, there was no way she could resist the pull of gravity, which forced her closer to him. Nor could she ignore the raw and intense gaze in his eyes. It penetrated her to the core of her being.

If anyone had told her a man like him would want a woman like her a year ago, she would have laughed in their face. Tanner was the kind of man every woman dreamed of snagging, taking his last name and making babies with. Authenticity and strength were qualities he possessed. Plus, he was intelligent, educated and financially stable. More importantly, he wasn’t destined to remain a bachelor forever.

“Let’s make Tanner jealous,” Dexter said, bending forward and placing a smack on her cheek. He pulled her closer and slow danced.

“I wouldn’t do that,” she warned belatedly. “Anyhow, he doesn’t strike me as the jealous type.”

“Think again,” Dexter said. “Even at this distance, I can see his jaws clench. Steam is coming out of his ears. If looks could kill…”

She chuckled, “You brought this on yourself.”

“Hopefully, he won’t punch me in the face. That’s my money maker.”

“I won’t let him hurt you.
Too badly.”

“Hey, where’d the compassionate, humble woman go?”

Before she could answer, Tanner growled, “Beat it, Dexter.” However, his gaze was glued on her.

Hot liquid fire set her ablaze. She stifled a moan. From a distance was one thing, but to see him up close was another. His clean shaven face looked smooth. His lips were just begging to be kissed.
So irresistible.
The scent of his cologne, light with a hint of sandalwood, made her head spin. She inhaled deeply.
Holy
Moly
.
She was slowly dying where she stood. Had Kevin stirred up her passion the same way Tanner did, instead of shattering her emotions they still may have been together. On second thought, the way Tanner affected her mentally and physically, no man could duplicate. His kind of magic was the exception, not the rule.

Dexter cleared his throat. “Can’t you see I’m busy dancing with this lovely lady?”

“I said back off,” Tanner snapped. His voice was low and lethal. A brilliant blaze developed in his eyes. His glare settled on Dexter. Even a blind man could see he meant serious business.

Clearly, Dexter got the message.
“Alright, alright.
Geez, somebody needs to get laid and it isn’t me.” He winked at Grace slyly before disappearing into the crowd.

*

There she is
.

As he made his way across the floor, his thoughts and his eyes zeroed in on Grace. She looked just as luscious as ever. Her body was banging in a royal blue silk dress that dipped low in the back and flowed over her curves smoothly. A cascade of dark curls framed her face, which she tossed back whenever she laughed at something Dexter said. Seeing the two of them together did nothing for the sexual fantasy that was taking place in his mind, while staring at Grace. He would definitely give his cousin a piece of his mind at a later date for cozying up to his woman.

Instead of fighting, loving was on his mind.

Actually, he couldn’t fault any man for seeing a beautiful woman standing alone and wanting to get next to her.
If only for a minute.
Grace was the kind of woman a man shouldn’t leave unattended too long because vultures were always waiting to swoop down and carry her away to…wherever vultures lived. That’s right, Tanner knew the deal. He intended to protect her from the clutches of those feral beasts.

Speaking of feral, a raw and primitive need gnawed at his senses. Strong desire shot through him like a cannonball. He almost lost his self-control when her gaze fastened on his.

With super-restraint, he resisted the temptation to throw everyone out of the lounge so he could make love to her in the middle of the floor.
Wild, uninhibited and tribal in nature.
Just the way he’d envisioned it. Her moans of pleasure would be music to his ears. A tune he’d replay over and over in his head.

She wanted him, too.

He read it in her eyes, the way she licked her lips and swayed her hips. These were signs she wanted him to pick up on. He swallowed hard. Silently, she begged him to have his way with her. Ripe and ready, she dared him to taste her. Careful, he warned with his own silent gaze. She was coming dangerously close to having her pretty, expensive dress ripped to shreds and piled at her cute feet. She had no idea how she affected him. For months, he hungered for her love. Starvation had driven him raving mad. He wanted her body, needed to swim inside of her.

But he’d settle for a dance.

Getting rid of Dexter hadn’t been difficult. His entire family knew how he felt about Grace. Thanks to
Lorilee
. So, Tanner didn’t have to paint the grim picture of what would’ve happened if his cousin had defied his command to back off of his woman--consequences and repercussions. Enough said.

After taking his rightful place as her dance partner, she narrowed her eyes and crossed her hands over her mouth-watering breasts. He could tell she wasn’t going to let him off the hook for being late. “Where have you been?”

“Long story,” he sighed.

“Give me the short version,” she pressed.

He really didn’t wish to rehash the details of his tedious evening. But if he could bury her anger with the truth, he’d go over it a thousand times. I had to bail Bud out of jail. Seems he and another gentleman had gotten into a fight at a bar.”

“Is he okay?” she asked, genuinely concerned.

“Yes, except for a shiner. And maybe an unforgettable hangover he’ll have in the morning. I’m certain he’ll manage.”

She stepped into his arms, pressing her body against his. Through the flimsy fabric, he was able to feel every curve of her voluptuous body. Heat warmed his midsection. He drank in the sight of her. His stomach did somersaults when she smiled up at him. Did she know what she was doing to him?
The torment?
The anguish?
Hadn’t anyone ever told her not to play with fire?

A sexy gaze in her eyes tempted him, teased him,
challenged
him. She placed his hands on the small of her back and wrapped her arms around his neck. Her skin felt soft to his touch, and he relished being able to have her in his arms again. She was taking control, leading him to the flames of desire, where his senses warmed and the ashes of the day’s events faded into the fire. Slowly, she brought her face closer to his, until their lips connected. Her mouth claimed his, scattering his thoughts. His heart pounded in his chest. He struggled to catch his breath, which Grace had seized with her kiss.

She kissed him long and hard, working his mouth expertly. Pure and sweet torture, he suffered when her tongue slipped between his parted lips. He choked back a groan. She blew his mind. His pulsing erection protruded into her midsection. Boldly, she inched closer, pressing her body firmly against his stiff manhood. His muscles clenched. He had no idea how long he could fight the urge to slice through her soft, velvety skin with his rigid shaft. Her breasts heaved, and grazed is chest with her taut nipples. Heady with excitement, his hands skimmed down her waist and over her hips, longing to slip underneath her dress and explore the fertile valley between her thighs. Grudgingly, he got a grip and came up for air. “Have mercy,” he sighed, huskily. “What brought that on?”

Her eyes lingered on his lips. He fought to ignore the tingle that skipped along his spine. Ribbons of fire flowed in his stomach. Fireworks of passion crackled in his mind. Finally, their eyes collided like two bright meteors, showering the atmosphere with bits and pieces of their turbo-charged sexual attraction. Passion threaded her voice. “Do I need a reason to kiss my man?”

Shock almost sent Tanner tumbling to the floor. He studied her face, searching for a trace of humor and found only sincerity. Since when had he become
her
man? Not that he minded. To hear her say the words with such conviction confounded him, and delighted him. The evening had definitely taken a turn for the better. Although, he always knew Grace and he would eventually end up together. He just figured it would require a little more wooing, coaxing and kissing on his part.
Lorilee
already had sketches of her wedding dress prepared. Grace McGregor. Yep, he really liked the sound of that. But he needed to dig for more information before he allowed his heart to believe his ears. “Grace?”

Her gaze softened. “Yes?”

“Are you sure it’s not just a strong physical attractive you feel for me?” Hope was diluted with doubt. The question hung in the air as she hesitated to give him an answer. He reached for her hands, deciding to provide her with comfort and support. Instead, a chemical reaction occurred when he touched her complete with sparks. A spontaneous combustion which couldn’t be
contained,
prevented or extinguished. There was no denying the magnitude of their sexual attraction.
 
But Tanner needed more. He wanted to move forward with their relationship, dating her exclusively. Monday through Sunday, he wanted his schedule filled meeting Grace’s wants, needs and expectations.

She squeezed his hands tightly. Fear flickered in her eyes. Her bottom lip slipped between her teeth. Then, just as quickly as those negative emotions appeared, they disappeared. An iron clad determination formed in her eyes. “Hear me loud and clear. Tanner McGregor, I’m madly, truly, and proudly in love with you.” She exhaled loudly. Relief washed over her face. It had taken a lot of courage to open up, and let her guard down emotionally.

Instantly, he pulled her into his arms and embraced her. He tilted her up her chin and brought his lips crashing down upon hers. Relentlessly, he smothered her mouth, face and neck with kisses. Fully aware he was displaying public affection that was better suited for a private room, he lavished her freely. For the rest of his life, her declaration of love would echo in his heart, the treasure chest which housed his most prized possessions and keepsakes. Months of constantly dreaming about her would be replaced by reality of him licking her body from head to toe, until she screamed his name.

“Babe, you’ve just given me the best gift,” he said, his lips hovered over hers, prepared to descend at any moment.

“We are the best gift to each other,” she said. “Before you entered my life, my confidence was low.
Almost nonexistent.
You helped me believe in myself, and love. Your strength and affection brought me out of a deep funk. It opened doors that I thought would be closed forever.”

His heart warmed, watching her eyes glitter with what could only be called happiness. He wanted to give her more.
The sun.
The stars.
The moon.
All that and then some.

She was a kindhearted, honest, desirable woman. Her soft side melted his heart. Her strong side kept him in check. Unlike previous women, Grace hadn’t asked him for a dime, or anything else. She stood on her own two feet. But Tanner intended to spoil her, whether she liked it or not. He kissed her gingerly on the mouth. His body instantly reacted to her velvety lips. His groin tightened.

A sharp ache sliced through him, shredding his will.
His focus.
His wits.
In other words he was ready to explode. Patience wasn’t a quality he lacked, but he was tired of waiting. He wanted Grace now. Nothing was capable of changing his mind. He leaned closer and whispered in her ear, “We need to celebrate.”

“Celebrate?” she asked. “Well, there’s plenty of champagne available on the center table.”

Tanner shook his head. “This calls for a proper celebration. The party I have in mind doesn’t include lights, clothes, guests or words. And it is invitation only,” he said in a deep and sexy timbre.