Page 43 of All Night with the Cowboy
“For you maybe!” She poked him in the chest. “I always wanted more than that.”
They were both quiet for a while until Tanner ran his hands down her back. “Are you okay with this just being what it is?”
He saw her throat move as she swallowed. “Yeah, I am. You?”
Tanner nodded, looking into her eyes. “Me too. So what’s wrong with two grown adults coming to an agreement about having some fun? This isn’t something we should be beating ourselves up over.”
He knew why he was okay with it, because she was gorgeous and he’d never stopped being attracted to her, but also because he was never going to let her get too close. If she wanted a relationship right now, he’d be running a mile. He couldn’t trust her again, couldn’t let go of the past enough to ever let that happen, but now that they were together, he couldn’t see the point in being chaste.
“Come here,” he said gruffly, reaching for her and coaxing her closer again.
Lauren didn’t kiss him, she just tucked into his chest, cheek against him like she was listening to his heart. Maybe he’d regret getting up close and personal with her, but right now, it was his body begging him to give in, not his heart. His heart was still under lock and key, and as far as he was concerned, no one was ever going to find that key and hurt him. Not now, not ever.
“I’m sorry I hurt you, Tanner. I know it was a long time ago, but I don’t think I ever said I’m sorry.”
He stiffened, hating that he was a grown-ass man who could still feel the sting of betrayal from so long ago, so strongly.
“I’m sure you did already,” he murmured back, knowing that it wasn’t true. But it felt like the right thing to say. Besides, what else was he going to say: “It’s about fucking time?” or perhaps “Yeah, nice to know you’re finally admitting what a bitch you were back then.” Thepast was the past, he needed to move on, and it was different this time. He didn’t want a girlfriend or even a wife. He didn’t have time for one and he didn’t have any interest in settling down.
He forced his shoulders to drop, relaxing into the woman cocooned against him. He needed to enjoy this moment, because being with Lauren would make him forget all about the past. It had been the only negative thing holding him back in his life, and now it needed to be water under the bridge.
He looked down at her, felt a tightening in his chest knowing that in a couple of short weeks, their time together would be over and he’d never see her again.
Chapter 14
LAUREN was starting to get used to waking up with Tanner’s warm body against her. She looked down at him as she silently rose, slipping away from him and leaving him among the rumpled sheets.
Saying goodbye was going to be hard.
She ran her fingers through her hair and headed to her room. The last week had passed by in a lazy blur of morning swims, stretches, food, massages, more food, and slow walks. Going back to her normal routine would be tough, but then it was always hard returning to long working hours after a couple of months off.
It was raining today, but they’d been told there was some wet weather coming, and it wasn’t exactly the best time of year to be in the islands during their rainy season. She stood and stared out, before sighing and changing into her running clothes. Hopefully it would clear enough that she’d be able to get her run in regardless.
“Want to have breakfast then walk the mountain track?”
Tanner’s voice surprised her and she turned, hands on her hair as she scooped it up, finding him standing in the doorway to her room, propped against the frame.
“How long have you been standing there?” she asked.
He shrugged but she could see the hint of a smile and knew he’d probably watched her dress.
“You feel up to the walk?” she asked. They’d been on the island for ten days, and although he was doing great, she didn’t want to push him too hard yet.
“Yes, doc,” he replied. “I think you’ve been doing a damn fine job on me, although it might have been all that sex rejuvenating me.”
Now it was Lauren trying not to smile. Trust him to bring up the sex.
“Maybe we could grab breakfast first, then walk,” she suggested. “Last thing I need is you slipping in the rain and having to carry you back.”
They both laughed then, and Lauren could almost see herself trying to haul Tanner’s six-foot-something body down the track.
“You been online yet this morning?” he asked, running his fingers through his hair. She liked it long, the way it fell forward and brushed his face. He’d had shorter hair back in school, but the length suited him.
“No, why?”
“The storm they’ve been worried about is looking like more of a sure thing,” Tanner said, rubbing at his stubble now. Lauren’s fingers itched to trace his jaw, loving how his shadow of a beard felt in the mornings, but she didn’t move.
“You’re worried?” she asked, grabbing her phone so she could read about it herself.
