Now and Forever Page 2

  “Well?” Diesel prompted, folding his arms over his broad chest.

  “I’m sure you’ll find another ‘hottie’ to light your fire.”

  “Most definitely,” Diesel agreed. He picked up the basketball and tossed it to Tanner. “How about one more game, old man?”

  Tanner stood and threw his towel aside. He stared Diesel down. “I’m always up for a challenge. This time, I intend to win.” He wasn’t just referring to the game of basketball. He also meant to win in the game of love.

  *

  “Lean back,” Ava commanded.

  Grace obliged, reclining in the soft leather chair. She closed her eyes and relaxed. She put herself in Ava’s capable hands, allowing her best friend to work magic with her hair.

  “Thanks for opening the shop to me on your day off,” Grace said.

  Ava waved an impatient hand. “No problem. That’s what friends are for.”

  Grace was elated. Moments like this left her feeling extraordinary. She suspected women who were fortunate enough to have the money, connections and unquenchable desire received the royal treatment on a daily basis. Although Grace enjoyed being pampered and fussed over once in a while, she tended not to roll that way. She was found of the simple pleasures life had to offer.

  “All done,” Ava announced, swiveling Grace’s chair around until she faced the mirror. “Omigod!” Grace was amazed. She inspected her hair from every angle. She ran her fingers through it several times, giggling when it fell back into place. Ava had given her a sassy little bob with reddish highlights. “I love it!”

  Ava smiled. “I thought something new was in order,” she said, walking to the back of the shop. She returned with two glasses and a bottle of wine.

  “Voila.”

  Grace accepted a glass. “OK, what’s the occasion?”

  “Nothing much,” Ava said, popping the cork. “I just wanted to propose a toast to the owner of the hottest lounge and grill in Nashville.”

  “I’ll drink to that,” Grace said, raising her glass.

  “So will I.” Ava added. She spoke a few words and raised her glass towards Grace.

  “I couldn’t have done it without you.”

  “Sure, you could have. All I did was give you a little push in the right direction. The rest you did on your own.”

  Grace sipped her wine. “Well, I’m glad you were there to share that special moment with me. I hope you thoroughly enjoyed yourself.”

  “Let’s just say the night would have been perfect if only I could have danced with this delicious-looking man all the single women had their eyes on,” Ava said, pouting slightly.

  “Why didn’t you?”

  “Oh, he only had eyes for one woman.”

  “Really? Who?”

  “You.”

  Grace almost spilled her drink. She had no idea who Ava was referring to. Furthermore, she didn’t like strange men ogling her. “Is that so?”

  Ava saw the uncomfortable look plastered across Grace’s face. “Don’t worry. He didn’t strike me as being a nut job. In fact, he was very polite when he turned the other ladies, and me, down. He was so very sexy, very mysterious, and very content just to sit and stare at you all night room from the back of the room.”

  Grace’s stomach tightened. “Well…uh…how did this mystery man look?”

  “Absolutely yummy. His body reminded me of a bronzed god. His eyes looked like arctic pools. They made me hot. But it took the strength of ten men to keep me from running my fingers through his curly hair.” Ava sighed with pleasure at the memory.

  Grace downed the rest of her wine in one gulp. She slapped her glass on the counter. Her pulse raced. There was no way to control it. Just the thought of Tanner caused her senses to go into overdrive. Surely he must have cast a spell on her with his kiss.

  “Are you alright?” Ava asked.

  Grace nodded. Then, she spoke and everything came out. She revealed how she had met Tanner while working as a private investigator. She talked about Sheila and the wedding that never happened. The night outside of The Pigeonhole even entered the conversation.

  Information about the earth-shattering kiss almost knocked Ava out of her chair.

  “Wow!” Ava exclaimed. “If a fine man like him had kissed me, I’d probably be freaking out too.”

  “I’m not freaking out.” Grace sighed and sank into her chair. It was just a kiss, she thought. She suddenly felt foolish for getting all worked up over a man she’d probably never see—or kiss—again.

  Ava saw the tension in her friend’s face. “Lighten up,” she said. “You act like you haven’t been kissed in years.”

  Grace poured herself another glass of wine and downed it quickly. Then, she stared into the empty glass.

  “Oh.” Ava said. “How about…you know?”

  Grace shook her head. She reached for the bottle again. However, Ava intercepted it. “That’s the last thing you need, girlfriend.”

  “Well, what I really need, I can’t get,” Grace said sourly.

  “Don’t give me that. You can have any man you want, but you haven’t allowed one to get too close to you because Kevin betrayed you.”

  Grace sighed. Ava was right. There have been a number of men who’ve asked her out on dates, but she always turned them down. She didn’t want to play love games. Besides, what if she fell in love? Then again, who said she had to? She could be like a man—keep it strictly physical. But that wasn’t her style. Damn.

  Ava interrupted her thoughts. “I’m certain you’ve let some good men slip away. You’d better snap up the next good one that comes along.”

  Grace gave her a mock salute. “Aye aye, Captain.”

  “Sarcasm will get you nowhere,” Ava playfully assured her.

  “With my fabulous new hair style, I’ll take my chances.”

  They laughed.

  Grace decided it was time for her to go. She hugged her friend goodbye and tipped her generously before leaving. Since she was in town, she decided to run some errands. Unexpectedly, she received some nice comments about her hair. Carl at the dry cleaners thought she looked like a Vogue cover model. At the corner market, Jessica liked her new hairdo so much that she promptly set up an appointment with Ava. Grace even had to endure whistles and catcalls from a group of construction workers. However, she didn’t sweat it. She was having a good hair day.

  Grace’s arms were full. Luckily, she had parked her car behind the library, which wasn’t far. Just as she stepped off the sidewalk to cross the street, she lost her balance. The heel of her shoe got stuck in the sewer grate. Her bags went sailing into the air as she tumbled forward. Out of nowhere, a pair of strong arms saved her from hitting the pavement.

  “Thanks,” she said, regaining her composure.

  “No problem. Are you okay?” the man asked, concerned.

  She examined her ankle. Besides the rapid pounding of her heart, everything appeared in order. “Yes.”

  Grace looked into the face of the gallant man who had saved her.

  Her eyes widened. “Tanner.”

  “Grace.” A smile crossed his lips. “I almost didn’t recognize you. Your hair is different. It looks great.”

  Grace blushed and touched her hair self-consciously. “Thanks.”

  They gathered her belongings.

  “I appreciate your help,” Grace said, turning to leave.

  Tanner wasn’t having any of that. The woman he’d savored at night in his dreams was standing before him. He couldn’t just let her walk away. She was so close he could smell the sweet scent of her floral perfume. She was so close. Not close enough. He would have to change that. He grabbed the bags Grace carried. “I’ll help you with these to your car.”

  “That’s not necessary,” Grace protested.

  Tanner looked down at her. “Since I consider myself a gentleman, it’s very necessary.”

  They walked in silence the short distance to her car. However, a sexual beast roared between them. It was hungr
y and pulsating and determined. They weren’t aware of its power, pulling them together. No matter how they struggled against the intensity of their emotions, this was a battle they were destined to lose.

  Tanner placed the bags into the trunk of her car. When she reached for her car’s door, Tanner blurted, “I can’t get you off of my mind. Have dinner with me.”

  Totally caught off guard, Grace sucked in a ragged breath and muttered, “I…us…together...”

  Real smooth, Dr. Love, Tanner chided himself. The poor woman looked flustered at his sudden and unexpected admission.

  Grace regained her composure slowly, but surely. She allowed Tanner’s words to sink

  in. Then she weighed her options: dinner with a hunk of a man, or spend another night alone with a microwave cuisine and a cup of herbal tea? The dilemma. Anyhow, what was the fuss? It’s not like he’d asked for her hand in marriage. But his confession did ring clearly in her ear, ‘I can’t get you off of my mind.’ If she were stronger, she’d tell him the same. But the wound in her heart was still too fresh. When would it heal?

  She swallowed the lump in her throat. “I’d love to have dinner with you.”

  Tanner exhaled. He didn’t miss the faint smile that crossed Grace’s lips. She looked so delectable with the afternoon sun beaming down upon her. Oh, how he was tempted to repeat the passionate kiss they shared the other night. But he was certain there was some law against public displays of affection. At least the kind he had in mind. He pulled his wallet from his back pocket. He handed Grace a card with his work and home phone number. His email address was also listed. “Why don’t you contact me and let me know what time to pick you up. Just in case you don’t like the sound of my voice, feel free to email me,” he said with a devilish grin. “I check it several times a day.”

  And he was gone.

  Grace slipped Tanner’s card into her purse. Despite trembling hands and a racing pulse, she managed to open her car’s door. She slid into the leather seat and rested her head against the steering wheel. The nerve of the man, she thought. How dare he tease her? If she didn’t like the sound of his voice indeed. Humph! She loved the sound of his voice. She only wished she could hear it whispering softly in her ear, telling her each and every way he wanted to make love to her. And how long. She didn’t know what she was getting herself into by agreeing to have dinner with Tanner, but the mystery of it all thrilled her. She smiled at the thought of what Ava would say when she told her about their plans. Don’t let the next good one get away…

  Chapter 3

  “Whoa!” Lorilee chortled as her feet left the ground. The beautiful woman struggled to catch her breath as she laughed uncontrollably, while her summer-blond hair flew in every direction. Tanner easily twirled her in his arms. He made her feel as light as a feather.

  “Put me down,” she commanded, playfully.

  “Not a chance, sis,” Tanner said. “I haven’t seen you in over two years. You’re not getting off that easily.”

  “I can explain.”

  “Save it.”

  “I’ll call Mama,” Lorilee threatened.

  Bullseye.

  Tanner gently placed her on the floor. Lorilee’s words carried weight. Of course, Tanner loved his mother dearly, but he wasn’t in the mood for her inquiries about his personal life. No, I’m not dating anyone…Yes, Sheila’s still history… Sure, I want children one day...Same old same old. Furthermore, he really wasn’t interested in having dinner with some ‘nice girl’ she’d met at church, at the mall, at the dentist’s office, etc. He knew she meant well.

  He was also privy to the fact that she really, really wanted grandbabies to spoil. Since Lorilee was as immersed in her career as he was—and lacking a special kind of love they both deemed necessary to begin a family—it looked like his mother would have to continue to wait.

  Tanner hugged Lorilee and kissed her on the cheek. “It’s good to see you, baby girl.”

  “Thanks,” Lorilee said. “I missed you, too. I would have come sooner, but you know how it is.” She emphasized with a shrug of her shoulders.

  “Yeah, I know. Since you’ve become a hotshot fashion designer, traveling the world with beautiful people, it seems you don’t have time for us common folk.”

  “Common, my foot,” Lorilee said, taking in the stylish décor of Tanner’s home. The warm gold, brown, and orange tones of his furnishings provided his place with an earthy, comfortable atmosphere. She marveled at the array of African masks and statues on display. He even had tasteful paintings on the wall—the kind you buy at an art gallery, not a department store. “It appears you are living well.”

  Tanner smiled. “I can’t complain.”

  Grace eased herself onto Tanner’s sofa, slipped off her shoes, and tucked her legs beneath her. It was good to see her brother doing well. He was a good man and deserved the best life had to offer.

  “So, to what do I owe this pleasure?” Tanner asked.

  Lorilee gasped dramatically. Her hand flew to her heart as she feigned hurt. “Can’t a sister visit her brother without having an ulterior motive?”

  “A sister could, but I suspect this visit has more to do with business than pleasure. Spit it out,” Tanner ordered.

  Lorilee fell silent and bit her lower lip.

  Tanner rolled his eyes. His sister’s hesitance annoyed him. “I hope you’re not planning to set me up with one of your model friends or some makeup artist you know.”

  Lorilee’s eyes widened. “Give me a break. You know I don’t go around playing matchmaker. Heck, I hate it when people meddle in my love life.”

  Tanner relaxed. “Well, whatever else is on your mind can’t be bad. Talk to me.”

  Lorilee tucked a wayward braid behind her ear. “Here’s the thing: I’m embarking on a new phase in my career.”

  “Good for you,” Tanner said, enthusiastically.

  “I’m glad you think so. I have started a new line called Liberation. It’s affordable clothing for ‘real’ women.”

  Tanner nodded. “How do I fit into this?”

  “Actually, you won’t be able to ‘fit’ into anything,” Lorilee said, laughing.

  “So, you have jokes.” Tanner chuckled.

  Lorilee was so grateful for the strong bond she shared with Tanner. The only time she felt she could let her hair down and be at ease was when they were together. She didn’t have to live up to the image of being Lorilee McGregor, the world-renowned fashion designer. She could tell weak jokes and not feel totally silly. Of course, she wouldn’t change a second of her jet set lifestyle, but she understood the value of being with someone who truly loved her—flaws and all.

  “As you were saying,” Tanner prompted, getting back on track.

  Lorilee sat up straight and struck a business-like pose. “This line means a lot to me because a portion of the proceeds, and clothes, will go to Starting Over. It’s a foundation that helps women who have found themselves in unfortunate situations get a second chance in life.”

  Tanner smiled proudly. Ever since she was young, Lorilee had taken the opportunity to give back to the community by volunteering her time. They had grown up in such a stable, loving environment that she felt it was only right for her to help others who had not been blessed with the same. She had such a big heart. And it ran in the family. “I’m willing to help you anyway I can.”

  “Good. For the unveiling of Liberation, I intend to have a fashion show. Several women from Starting Over haven’t only agreed to be there, but also model. That’s why I need to hold the show in a place where the women will feel comfortable. It’s one reason I chose our hometown, Nashville. However, I haven’t lived here in years. So much has changed. I was hoping you knew a good location.” Lorilee waited for his response.

  Tanner rubbed his chin thoughtfully. The first and only place to come to mind was The Pigeonhole. He had no problem approaching Grace about holding the fashion show at her establishment, but he wasn’t certain they were on that level. How
ever, she struck him as a woman who would be up for a good cause.

  Lorilee sniffed the air. “Something smells good.”

  Tanner jumped out of his chair and bolted towards the kitchen. Grace followed. She watched as Tanner stood over the stove, lifting the lids of various pots. Delicious scents wafted through the air. Tanner took a deep breath and smiled. “Mmm.”

  Lorilee eyed her brother suspiciously. She didn’t have a name or a face, but some woman most definitely had him smitten.

  “Stop staring. It’s rude,” Tanner said, giving Lorilee a cutting glance.

  “I’ll stop staring when you start talking.”

  Tanner folded his arms over his chest. What was there to talk about? He was enamored with a phenomenal woman he met a year ago. She has a power over him he can’t explain. Earlier, she made his day by agreeing to have dinner with him—via email. He had no clue if dinner would be the start of a romance, a friendship, or nothing at all. But he did know he had an insatiable need to be in Grace’s presence. Feel her heat. He hungered to touch her and to be touched by her. However, he didn’t feel comfortable discussing his sexual urges for Grace with Lorilee. He wasn’t ready to admit to anyone—but himself—how hard and quickly he’d fallen for Grace. After all, he was still recovering from the sucker punch Sheila had dealt him. He wasn’t ready for another blow to his heart. A man could only take so much.

  Lorilee watched as Tanner’s brows furrowed. His eyes grew warm and dark like freshly brewed coffee. He was obviously in turmoil. A wave of emotion washed over his face. He stared off into the distance. Lorilee wondered if he saw a vision of the woman he craved? If not, what caused his jaw to clench and unclench repeatedly? Lorilee didn’t appreciate the fact that she always seemed had to resort to playing the guessing game whenever Tanner began a new relationship. She hated how he tried to shut her out of his personal life. So what if she was a little tough with the women he dated? And what of it if she’d ran one, two, five at the most, away with a few honest questions? That was in the past. Besides, Tanner now dealt with tough-as-steel women like Sheila. They played for keeps. It took more than an interrogation for them to take their long legs and hit the road. So, she was surprised the woman left as quietly as she had when Tanner told her the wedding was off. It didn’t add up.