I nodded. “Yep.”
He bobbed his head. “Listen—”
I raised my hand, palm out, indicating for him to stop. “Tomorrow morning come for breakfast at nine, okay.”
Scott’s eyes widened in surprise.
Not giving him time to refuse the invitation, I plowed on. “Nine o’clock. Come, and we’ll chat, or not.” I didn’t want to force the guy into spilling his life story. “Either way, you’re more than welcome. Tanner will make his famous pancakes, and my folks will have left by eight, back on the road home.” I laughed, and some of Scott’s tension seemed to ease. “I wouldn’t subject you to my parents. I’m not that cruel.” I winked, and pink lit Scott’s cheeks. This guy, I thought, I was sure had a story to tell. I just hoped that whatever had happened to him, he was able to find the way to a life that made him happy.
I raised my brows, waiting for him to answer. After a beat, he nodded. “Okay. Thanks.”
With a smile, I reached out and gripped his forearm, giving him a final encouraging squeeze. “Why don’t you head home? I’ll see you first thing.”
He nodded again, before turning and heading back to the side door. I watched him go. When he paused, I tilted my head in question. Glancing back, Scott threw me a tentative smile before pulling on the door handle and making his way inside.
Once more I looked at the sky, head tilted back and exhaling deeply. What a day! A huff of laughter escaped me, one of disbelief. Before I had the chance to turn and make my way to Tanner, his arms wrapped around me.
“You.” He kissed the side of my neck. “Are so fucking amazing.” He whispered the last against my ear. I shivered in response, and goose bumps broke out. He spun me around to face him. His eyes searched my own, and he shook his head slowly, as if contemplating or debating.
“What?” I asked.
“You’re the most incredible man I’ve ever known.”
I stilled, willing the tears that had sprung in my eyes to disappear. Today’s events had made me an emotional wreck. Controlling my breathing, I beamed, and my shoulders relaxed. “I love you.”
He pulled me tightly into his arms, my head fitting perfectly in the crook of his neck so I was able to inhale his perfect scent and could press my lips against his warm skin.
“I love you, too. Now let’s go home.”
Home.The more I heard it, the more I wanted it to be official.
Chapter Nineteen
TANNER
When I’d first spottedCarter with Scott in the alley, the need to charge in and get Carter away from potential harm had been fierce. It had waged a battle in me, and it had taken everything in me for rational thought to take control and remind me that Carter was a grown-ass man who could take care of himself. That brief hesitation had allowed me to read the situation better.
Seeing Scott sitting with his head between his legs, Carter before him speaking just loud enough for me to hear fragments, was enough for me to take stock and rein my hothead in. Just.
I gripped Carter’s hand and settled it on my thigh as we drove to my place. We wouldn’t stay there the night as Carter’s parents were at his, plus there was my dog to take care of, who’d taken permanent residence at Carter’s. But I could read Carter well enough to know he needed to talk through whatever had gone down today. That, and I needed to know what had happened.
When we pulled up outside my place, Carter smiled at me, gratitude evident. I pressed a kiss to his hand and released him, got out and headed to the front door. He quickly caught up with me and leaned against my back, cheek resting on the back of my neck as I unlocked and opened the door.
“Beer or water?” I asked once inside. “Sorry, I have nothing else.” I shook my head—even my refrigerator was bare, apart from out-of-date condiments. Over the past few weeks, I’d virtually lived at Carter’s. Neither of us had questioned the steady move of my clothes into his closet, but I knew at some point we’d have to chat about it. It wasn’t the time though.
“Beer’s good. Thanks.”
I headed into the kitchen while Carter made his way to the sofa in the sitting room. A moment later, I sat beside him, my knee touching his thigh as I turned to face him better. “You ready to tell me the that was all about?”
He shook his head in wide-eyed wonder. “I have no idea where to start.” He snorted. “I thought he was going to try to kick my ass.”
I clenched my teeth, my jaw clicking and grinding.
A wide grin split Carter’s mouth, and he rested his hand on my leg, giving it a squeeze. “You know I’m a lover not a fighter, but Scott and I are about the same size. I think I could have handled myself. I love that you’re doing that growly thing again though.” He leaned into me and pressed his warm lips to the corner of my mouth.
I harrumphed. “Right,” I said and shook my head. “You ever even been in a fight?”
That sexy-ass blush painted his cheeks. “Well, not exactly.” He stopped speaking.Oh hell no.
