Page 110 of Heart & Hope

“Tanner,” I growl.

He holds his hands up, as inokay don’t shoot,and I am sipping on Merlot a minute later, grappling for anything to change the subject, because Ruby Jane Robbins doesn’t settle down, and she sure as hell doesn’t abandon her ten-year plan because of a love hiccup.

But this isReed.

I don’t know what life will be like without him now.

But I can’t give up on everything I have worked for, every dream I still want. I grew up believing that nothing good comes from choices made on emotion. Let alone love...

Logic over all else.

Achievement over life balance.

I can’t bring Reed down with that way of living. He’s not built like that. It wouldn’t end well for us, for him.

And now, I have an impossible choice to make.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

REED

The low growl of thunder echoes through the air. The wind and snow flutter against the windows. The guests have all left, bar the three couples that are safe and warm and squared away in their cabins. Ruby pulled off the most incredible event I have ever attended. And I intend on showing her just how grateful I am for her. She took my breath away with those big brown eyes, that white dress, and those boots. She looked like she belonged.

The boots I bought her have scuffs and snow slush under them from wearing them all night and sit on the porch outside as I walk through the front door. The fireplace blazes, with Ruby curled up on the sofa, basking in its warmth. A blanket over her shoulders as she stares into the fire vacantly. What is going through that beautiful mind of hers?

I toe my boots off and toss them onto the patio and shut the door, keeping the frigid blizzard-like storm out. Sliding on my socks, I come to a halt by her feet. When she doesn’t look up, my gut plummets. I sink beside her, tilting her head toward me with a hand under her chin. “Baby?”

She forces a smile.

Fuck.

“You tired? Or did something happen?”

She sucks in an abrupt breath and turns back to the fire. “I’m fine.”

Sweet Jesus.

“You wanna take a shower?” I ask.

“I had one already,” she says, opening the blanket to show her faded red captain’s t-shirt and PJ shorts.

“Okay, sure. I’m goin’ to have a quick one, and we can catch some sleep.”

She nods, not looking at me. Hesitating for a heartbeat, I push off the sofa and pad up the stairs to the en suite in my room. I strip away my good clothes and dump them in the hamper before turning on the shower.

Ten minutes later, I’m head down, water running over me, and still at a loss as to what’s happened. She looked like she was enjoying herself and the event was a huge hit, and we have five bookings for the start of next year and two Christmas parties booked in already. I make a mental note to secure booking deposits Monday.

Damn, listen to me, all business and shit.

Getting distracted by the other long list of items on my to-dos for the following week, most of them Harry’s jobs, I jerk with a start when the water turns cold.

I turn the taps off and grab a towel, wrapping it around my waist and walking into my bedroom. The central heating is pumping, and the room is warm, despite the constant rumbles and howling winds outside. I pull on my t-shirt and boxers and run a hand through my damp hair. A soft voice clears in my doorway, and I spin back to find Ruby in nothing but her panties and those red heels that have caused me more wet dreams than I can count.

“Rubes?”

“I’m not tired,” she whispers, running her hands up the sides of the doorjamb.

My cock swells to rock-hard inside a heartbeat, sending the air from my lungs as my feet track toward her. But something is up.

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