Now and Forever Read online

  Tanner.

  Didn’t he realize how he needed her help with choosing the right woman? Not that Lorilee considered her brother weak by any means. It’s just that he was, well, a man. Furthermore, she wouldn’t tolerate him getting duped by the perfect beauty…again. Judging by the romantic dinner he was preparing, he could be headed down the path to Heartbreak Inn once more. Yep, she’d come back to Nashville just in the nick of time.

  “Listen, sis,” Tanner said. His voice was calm and low. “It’s nothing serious.”

  Lorilee rolled her eyes. Sure, she wanted say. That’s why the kitchen was consumed with sensual aromas, which were definitely designed to entice, and spice up any evening. Chef Tanner was definitely cooking up something, and he intended to wet more than his woman’s appetite. “What you do and who you do it with is your business,” Lorilee said, casually.

  “Since when?” Tanner grunted, walking around Lorilee. He pulled a wooden salad bowl out a cabinet.

  “Since Sheila.”

  “Get real.” Inwardly, Tanner smiled. They were only a year apart in age, Lorilee being older. His sister had frequently felt the need to make his business her business. This included his love life. She couldn’t fathom how any woman wouldn’t feel lucky to have her ‘handsome, intelligent, and compassionate’ brother. The woman was overprotective to the bone. He certainly didn’t need her to be. He managed to handle his affairs quite nicely without her.

  Strong women. He loved them, but sometimes they could work a nerve.

  Not Grace. She only affected his other body parts.

  Lorilee was a different story. She had no problem speaking her mind, or losing her cool. He was glad Sheila was nowhere to be found. Lorilee was still heated about the fact that she had used and deceived him. Lorilee would have annihilated the conniving witch with just a look. Tanner stifled a laugh. The only reason his dear sister hadn’t stuck her nose in his personal life lately was because he hadn’t had one since Sheila. And he wasn’t about to allow Lorilee to punish Grace because of something Sheila had done.

  Lorilee’s eyes were fixed firmly on him. Tanner sensed her hawk-like gaze. She tried to read his mind, which was engaged with thoughts of Grace. His struggle to remain focused on his sister, their conversation, or food preparation failed. He proved helpless against the power the super sexy temptress held over him. He was completely spellbound.

  With sweet surrender, Tanner remembered how Grace had put him into a trance the other night outside of The Pigeonhole. She had just locked up for the night, and was headed home. Her short, black silk dress had been molded to her curves perfectly. However, it was her tantalizing sashay that kept his eyes glued to her sumptuous backside. Each step she took excited him. The motion of her hips had made his mouth water. They had swayed from side to side with rhythm and grace. Like a pendulum, she’d kept Tanner’s eyes following the steady movement of her hips until he was in a daze.

  Luckily, he was able to get up close and personal with her before the night ended. The kiss they had shared sent his pulse skyrocketing to the moon. Grace possessed the sexiest lips he’d ever seen, and the sweetest he’d ever tasted. Her bottom lip was slightly fuller than the top. When her lips had parted, he groaned sensually as she feasted on his mouth with her tongue.

  But the pleasure had not been his alone.

  Grace had quivered and purred when he caressed the length of her body with his fingertips.

  Grace had quivered and purred when he caressed the length of her body with his fingertips. Her soft and velvety skin rivaled rose petals. Her toned body dipped and curved in all the right places. Her perky breasts begged to be cupped and fondled. However, he had not responded to their beckoning. Instead, he had willed himself to wait for a better time and place. The self-control he had exhibited that night deserved to be put into the history books.

  Grace could arouse a dead man, Tanner thought.

  He welcomed the sweet temptation she provided. After his breakup with Sheila, something inside of him had died. He thought he’d forever lost his ability to trust, desire, and love another woman. For over a year, he’d kept his emotions—and hormones—leashed. Therefore, when Grace had puckered her lips and allowed him into her world, more than a kiss transpired between them. Barriers had been broken. Hearts had been opened. A dead man had risen. Since Tanner had returned to the land of the living, he couldn’t tame the fierce lion that roared inside him. It was fixated upon Grace, and wouldn’t be gratified until it savored her sweet nectar.

  The clock on the microwave eased some of Tanner’s tension. It informed him that the hours had drifted away. Soon, he would be near his heart’s desire. He counted down every minute, every second. Anticipation caused him to pace the floors. He intended claim sweet revenge on Grace for making him lose his cool. He was too old to act like some teenager on his first date. He was a grown man. And Grace was every bit a woman. She would definitely reap what she had sown. He would give her a tongue-lashing she’d never forget.

  He breathed deeply. Grace should be taking a shower now, he surmised. An image of her lathering her naked body from head to toe with lavender and jasmine shower gel—scents he’d smelled on her skin before—crept into his mind. He imagined her hair piled high on top of her head and her neck tilted to the side as water rained down upon her skin in rivulets. He envied the tiny bubbles that might have trailed a path from the nape of her neck to the space between her breasts. After traveling through that heavenly channel, he imagined them sliding over the smooth surface of her flat stomach and plunging in and out of her navel’s groove, until it reached the luscious valley between her legs—a place Tanner vowed to become acquainted with.

  “Maybe you should concentrate on cooking, instead of daydreaming. I wouldn’t want you to ruin your sweetheart’s special meal,” Lorilee said, sarcastically. Her voice interrupted his private fantasy, gaining his attention.

  He understood the reason for his sister’s sarcasm. She was dying to get the goods on Grace. She wanted to pump her for information in order to determine whether or not she was a perfect match for him. After all, Lorilee had hit the nail on the head when she guessed Sheila was no-good. Secretly, Tanner admired her. She was an excellent judge of character, and she knew it. While he rummaged through the fridge, looking for honey mustard, Lorilee snatched a spear of asparagus from the salad he was making. When she tried to sneak a slice of avocado from another platter, she received a shocking tap on the back of her hand.

  “Ouch!”

  “Gotcha!”

  They laughed out loud. Lorilee doubled over and grasped the kitchen counter for support.

  “We need to laugh more often,” Tanner said, helping her onto a wooden stool. He poured her a glass of water when she was settled and turned to a container on the counter. He measured rice into a cup, which he emptied into a pot on the stove. Next, he picked up an index card and read the ingredients it contained.

  “I remember how we used to howl in laughter all the time when we were kids,” Lorilee said as she rolled the glass between the palms of her hands.

  Tanner stirred the rice. He looked over his shoulder and smiled at his sister. “Mama and Dad spent most of their time asking ‘What’s so funny?’”

  “I think they thought we were crazy.”

  “No, they knew we were happy.”

  “Just like them.” Lorilee propped both elbows on the counter. She looked out the window over the sink. The sun was slowly setting. Her parents would be snuggled close together on the sofa, watching the evening news at this hour. Undoubtedly, her father would rage against any injustice or misfortune the broadcaster reported until her mother calmed him down with a gentle pat on his arm. Then they would look into each other’s eyes, kiss, and forget the news completely.

  Growing up, she and Tanner had cringed at their parents’ frequent displays of affection. However, their attitudes changed as they matured. “Can you believe Mama and Dad have been married forty years?”

  “And cou
nting,” Tanner added, proudly. He dragged a stool next to Lorilee’s and sat down.

  “No one believed they’d make it this far, especially our grandparents.”

  “Yeah, that’s because our old man was a bit on the wild side before he fell in love with Mama.”

  “She tamed him all right. I guess true love can change your world.” Lorilee eyed Tanner. “You know, you’re not fooling anyone with all of this,” she said, waving her hand over the delicately prepared meal.

  Tanner sighed and shrugged. “What? Am I supposed to be ashamed?”

  “You tell me.” She ignored Tanner’s frown. “I know you’ve never been willy-nilly with women. You’re no playboy. So, when you decide to spend time with a woman, it’s serious business.” Lorilee crossed her arms.

  “It’s no secret that I’m searching for someone unforgettable. I’m not interested in wham-bam—“

  “Spare me,” Lorilee said curtly. “Listen, we both desire the kind of love Mama and Dad share—sweet and unbreakable. Unfortunately, love like theirs is hard to find. But it’s not impossible.”

  “You bet, sister!” Tanner said, raising his hand in the air.

  “Now you’re making jokes,” Lorilee snapped. “Well, brother, don’t make light of I’m saying, especially when you know I’m right.”

  Tanner folded his arms and cocked his head to the side. “Since you have this love thing figured out, why are you still alone?”

  “Who says I am?” she replied, not meeting his eyes.

  “You mean to tell me you have the audacity to walk around here dishing out advice and prying into my personal life, while keeping yours a mystery?” He shook his head.

  “Something like that.”

  “You’re a riot, doll.” Tanner walked to the sink. He ran warm water on a dishtowel and began wiping down the counters and the stove.

  Lorilee watched him clean the kitchen. “It’s not like I’m in a committed relationship.”

  “Does your man know this?”

  “Of course, we’ve had a thorough discussion. He does his thing and I do mine.”

  “Whatever floats your boat.”

  The phone rang just as Lorilee was about to elaborate on her perfect arrangement. She stayed seated, while Tanner answered the phone in the living room. His voice was muffled so she couldn’t hear his conversation. She could’ve easily sneaked into the other room and eavesdropped, but her conscience pricked at her. Tanner’s comment about her double standards left her unsettled. He had put a bright light to her blemished side, and she was ashamed. So, she decided to give him privacy. For the moment.

  When Tanner returned, he had an almost goofy grin on his face. The glint in his eyes was undeniable. His lady must have called, Lorilee thought. She didn’t care what he said—only love could make a man look that silly. Good love could have him doing somersaults.

  “Everybody needs good love,” she aloud.

  “What?”

  “Nothing. I was just saying it’s time for me to go.” Lorilee stood, smoothing the front of her dress with her hands.

  “Good idea. I have a hot date tonight.” Tanner blushed.

  Lorilee lifted a brow. “Earlier you gave me the impression that you had a frigid date, or lukewarm at best.”

  “Temperatures change,” Tanner said, wiggling his eyebrows.

  “Obviously.” Boldly, Lorilee plucked another asparagus spear from the salad. She cradled it gingerly between her fingers. It only took her a few seconds to transfer the delicacy from her hand to her mouth. The taste was so exquisite she almost asked Tanner for a plate to go. However, she didn’t want to push it.

  “I take it you’re staying where you always stay whenever you visit?” Tanner said.

  “You got it.”

  He escorted her outside and to her car, where they hugged. He noticed the dark blanket that had finally settled over the sky. The stars illuminated the night like diamonds against black velvet. A light breeze stirred. He imagined it ruffling Grace’s skirt, revealing her creamy thighs…or something more tantalizing. He breathed deeply. The air was fresh. Noise from night creatures provided gentle music. The stage for a romantic evening had been set.

  When he was lost in thought, Lorilee had slipped behind the wheel of her car. “Don’t forget about finding a place for my fashion show.”

  “I won’t,” Tanner assured her.

  “By the way, don’t do anything tonight I wouldn’t do,” she said.

  Tanner didn’t miss the sly wink she gave him. “I’m way ahead you.”

  Chapter 4

  “You’re going to knock his socks off,” Ava declared, turning Grace towards the mirror.

  The two women stood in the middle of her bedroom, beaming over her appearance. For hours, they had fussed over her hair, makeup, and nails. They had even taken turns pulling one dress after another from Grace’s walk-in closet before settling on a little black number hidden in a corner. Choosing a pair of shoes had been easier. She decided to wear the expensive black sling backs she saved for special occasions. A sigh of relief escaped her lips as she examined herself in the mirror. “In this outfit, I should be able to knock off more than his socks.

  “Please, you’ll have his nose wide open before the night ends.” Ava walked to the dresser and began packing cosmetics into a black leather case. “Besides, Tanner strikes me as a man with good taste. He knows quality when he sees it.”

  Grace’s expression darkened. She toyed with her gold bracelet. “I know he has good taste. He’s probably had his share of drop dead gorgeous women, oozing sophistication. While we’re having dinner at a snazzy restaurant, he’s going to compare my every move with theirs. I won’t measure up.”

  Although Ava comforted her friend with a hug, she couldn’t help but smile at her absurd statement. “I think you underestimate him,” she said, releasing Grace.

  Grace looked doubtful.

  Ava remembered how fixated Tanner had been upon her friend at The Pigeonhole. His gaze had been charged with longing and passion. No matter how many attractive and willing women had approached him that night, his attention never wavered from Grace. He had been riveted and couldn’t be shaken. Ava decided to let her friend discover the depth of his feelings on her own. It was a beautiful gift worth receiving. Custom made for her. If Grace would open her heart, she’d know there was love after Kevin. Possibly, good love. The time had come for her to bury the past and face the future. Ava had a strong feeling that Grace’s future was handsome as sin and hot like fire.

  Grace picked up a bottle of perfume. Doubt clouded her features. She put it down. “Maybe this is a mistake.”

  “Relax,” Ava said. “You’ve got jitters because you’ve been living like a nun for so long. Time to jump back in the saddle.”

  “I don’t remember how.”

  “It’s like riding bike. I promise.”

  Grace dabbed perfume behind each ear. “One date can’t hurt. It’ll be practice until I find my prince.”

  Ava lifted a brow. “That’s your problem. You’ve been searching for a prince, instead of a king.”

  Grace shrugged. “What I want doesn’t seem to matter. I’ve only gotten court jesters.”

  “You’re luck may have changed.”

  “I won’t hold my breath.”

  Ava shook her head. “Plenty of women would run you into the ground to be with Tanner.”

  Grace cringed at the thought of being trampled by a stampede of anxious women. Of course Ava’s point was valid. She acted like a date with Tanner was one step above having a root canal.

  “Trust me, don’t sleep on the good doctor, or you may miss out on something special,”

  Ava said.

  Grace was less concerned about sleeping on Tanner than sleeping with him. She didn’t trust herself around the man. He gave her goose bumps. More than once, she’d fantasized about ripping off his clothes, and having her way with him. In her dreams, she often attacked him like a lust-filled lunatic.

&
nbsp; Ava’s voice interrupted her thoughts just as she was about to get lost in another fantasy. “Don’t throw yourself at the man. Take things slow. Enjoy the process of getting to know him mentally, as well as physically. From what you’ve told me, his heart has been trampled on before. Like yours. Mend your broken hearts together. Kiss away each other’s pain until the time is right to reach another level. Build a relationship.”

  The word “relationship” nettled Grace. Her last relationship had left a bad taste in her mouth. A void in her heart. Relationships required emotions and a ton of trust—everything she’d given to Kevin. But he’d thrown it all away like an old newspaper. His love and loyalty had been flimsy. However, Grace had bought the lies he sold. By the time she’d discovered her mistake, it was too late to get a refund. Never again, she often told herself. Why wouldn’t it be right to take a roll in the hay with Tanner and leave it at that? She had no doubt she could enjoy being Tanner’s intimate friend. He was sweet temptation. He knew how to work his magic. If only magicians made broken hearts disappear, she’d have hope for something more meaningful.

  “These earrings look great with your outfit,” Ava said.

  Grace agreed. She put them on. “So, what’s on your agenda tonight?”

  Ava smiled. “I’m going to slip into something sexy and give these men a run for their money.” She rolled her hips seductively. She stood five inches taller than Grace and was voluptuous. Her skin glowed. Her dark brown hair fell past her shoulders. Her violet eyes radiated warmth and wisdom. However, her ample bosom kept some men from making eye contact with her.

  “Listen to you.”

  Ava put her hands on her hips and gave Grace a haughty look. “Don’t think you’re the only one who knows how to work a little black dress. I have to beat the men off with a big stick after they see what I’ve got to offer.” She proceeded to swat the air for emphasis.