Page 125 of Let Me Be the One
That was almost reward enough for the pain her independence caused her. Neither of them was used to losing an argument. It was a wonder they got along so well.
The first time she’d insisted on feeding the hens herself, Kam, being the goof he was, had rolled his eyes at her and said, “Go on then. Make a point. I just hope you know what it is.”
Of course she did. The point was, come hell or high water, shecoulddo this. She didn’t need them to do it for her, but she loved that they were around, concerned and caring.
Honest to God, she was starting to love them all. Addie was in her element when she could fuss like a mother—a mother very unlike Callie’s own. Addie worried first about others, not herself.
Kam teased like a younger brother. At one point, when Callie was heading out to corral the goats, Kam had jogged past her, saying, “Race you,” when he knew she was barely walking. His lighthearted joke had taken away the sting of his help.
Best of all was Tanner. Callie closed her eyes, thinking of how he spooned her each night. The warm, damp kisses he put on her shoulder and the back of her neck. How he came alert anytime she moved.
It had to be frustrating for him, but he didn’t complain, and instead swore that he was right where he wanted to be.
She really loved having Blu around, too. And twice Percy the cat had come over with Addie to visit. It was like they were one big family—but living in two houses.
That was the problem. She needed to show Tanner that while she could hold her own, she’d rather live her life with him.
His plans mattered to her. They’d matter even more to the young people looking for a purpose, needing to feel valued and appreciated.
She badly wanted to discuss her house with him, but she also wanted a commitment from him. Proximity couldn’t be the only reason they were together now. If she wasn’t right here, next door, would he be willing to put out the effort to be with her?
On the fourth day, she awoke recovered enough to really tackle business—namely, her life, which included Tanner and his amazing family. As usual, she found him in the kitchen with coffee ready. She heard the goats and chickens and knew he’d already tended to them, too. He even had cookies on the table.
“You’re a very domestic man,” she said as she strolled in. She wore only the shirt and panties she’d slept in, and she hadn’t done a thing to pretty up for him.
Didn’t matter. Despite her messy hair and wrinkled shirt, he came to her for a warm kiss. “How do you feel today?”
“Ready to take on the world—or one large, sexy man.” She bobbed her eyebrows.
“Is that so?” He guided her to a chair. “You’re walking better.”
“The pain is nearly gone.” She flexed her arm and easily took her seat without a single grimace. “I’m a little stiff, but that’s all.”
“Seeing you like this”—he slid the back of one finger over her breast—“I’m getting a little stiff, myself.”
That set her heart to racing. “Wait.” She grabbed up her coffee mug and chugged back half, then got to her feet again and started out of the room. “Give me five minutes to freshen up.”
Laughing, the diabolical man caught her waist and tugged her back against him. “Easy there.” He nuzzled her ear, his breath hot, his morning whiskers raising gooseflesh on the sensitive skin of her neck. “If you’re really feeling up to it, maybe we could shower together.”
“Yes,” she breathed, turning to cuddle against him, saying a little desperately, “I need you, Tanner.” In so many ways. Now more than ever.
Both of his big, hot hands cuddled her backside, sliding over the slinky material of her panties. “It’s been the best kind of torture, being with you but not having you, not loving you.”
Her heart rapped harder. Forget the shower. Forget everything else. She looked up at him and whispered, “Love me now.”
Thankfully, he needed no more encouragement than that. The kiss he gave her was far better than caffeine could ever be. With one hand he stroked her breast, his palm rasping over her nipple, and with the other he cupped her backside, urging her into delicious contact with his erection.
“You need to lose those jeans.”
He smiled against her mouth. “Yes, ma’am.” He opened the snap and pulled down the zipper, then hooked his thumbs in the waistband—and a split second later, a frantic knock sounded on her door.
Callie let out a groan of massive frustration. “I’m cursed.”
“No, you’re not.” With yet another firm kiss of promise, he said, “I’ll get it, okay?”
Another faster, harder knock rapped on the door, the sound insistent.
“What the hell?” He snapped his jeans as he strode out of the room.
