Page 66 of All Night with the Cowboy
They both laughed, and Lauren went to sit beside her sister, legs shaking as nerves set in. It was like she was in a dream, watching what was going on without actually being a part of it. She felt like she was back in high school.
“Sir, the reason I’m here,” Tanner said, looking more serious, his face more somber now, “is to ask for permission to date your daughter, with the intention of making an honest woman of her one day. I’ve gone about this all wrong in the past, but this is me trying to do the right thing so you know my intentions right from the outset.”
“Holy shit,” Lauren murmured, her hand quivering as she reached for her glass of champagne. She slowly,quietly polished off the rest of it, not setting her glass back down until every last drop had been consumed.
Hannah suddenly had a hold of her other hand but Lauren couldn’t look at her. Her skin was on fire, her body was still shaking, her tongue wouldn’t move. She couldn’t have gotten a word out even if she wanted to. Why was this conversation going on as if she wasn’t even in the room?
“Tanner, maybe we were wrong to break you up, but we only did what we thought was right at the time.” Her father turned, and Lauren watched as he exchanged glances with her mom. “I’m done telling my daughter what to do though. If you want permission, then you’ll have to ask Lauren. It’s hers to give, not mine.”
Her father, Tanner, her mom, her sister, and Fred all turned to look at her. Lauren balled her fists and dug her nails into her palms.
“Lauren?” Tanner asked, and suddenly as his gaze warmed her, it was like they were the only two people in the room. She stared back at him, wishing she knew what to say, wishing she wasn’t so terrified of what she didn’t know, of having her heart broken.
“I…” she murmured, so genuinely lost for words.
Tanner came closer and dropped to one knee in front of her, taking one of her hands and holding it in his. “I’m sorry for the way I behaved, but if there’s one thing I’ve realized, it’s that I can’t let you slip through my fingers again. I’m so, so sorry I hurt you.”
“I honestly don’t know,” she whispered. “I’m sorry, I…”
“Tanner, why don’t you join us for the evening?” her mother said, taking the attention from her. Lauren would be eternally grateful and hoped she remembered tothank her later. “There’s plenty of food and we have another bottle of champagne waiting to be opened.”
Tanner smiled in response, but it washeranswer he seemed to be waiting for.
“Lauren?” he murmured. “I’ll walk straight back out that door and leave you to your evening if you want me to, you just say the word.”
“Stay,” she croaked, before summoning all her courage and reaching out, hesitantly, to touch his cheek. “Please stay.” She couldn’t answer his questions or figure out how she felt or what she wanted, all she knew was that she didn’t want him walking out that door and away from her right now.Maybe ever.
Tanner leaned a little closer and Lauren’s heart skipped a beat, waiting for him to kiss her, expecting it. But instead he pulled back and took her other hand, pulling her to her feet. He was definitely on his best behavior, trying to impress her parents.
***
Tanner sat at the table, beside Lauren and across from her father. It was a strange feeling. All these years of blaming Lauren for ending things, and suddenly he could see so clearly why she’d done it, and he could see why her parents hadn’t wanted him near their daughter. Hell, he’d have probably sent his daughter to a university on the other side of the world if he had any say in the matter, so the fact her father had sternly told her to call things off probably wasn’t a bad call.
But he was here now, and he wasn’t about to let Lauren just disappear from his life again, not now when he could prove why he deserved her.
He noticed Lauren’s glass was empty and reached for the bottle of champagne, refilling her glass. Her handcame to rest on his thigh, so lightly he might not have even felt it if he hadn’t seen the movement.
“It’s nice to have you here,” she whispered as her head dropped to his shoulder.
Tanner’s body stiffened, but he let it go, forcing his shoulders to relax as he took in a big breath. His natural reaction was to rebuff this kind of thing in public, he was so used to not having a girlfriend or being close to anyone, but this was the intimacy he’d craved for so long. With the woman he’d been craving.
“I can’t believe I was allowed in the house,” he murmured to her, kissing her head affectionately and stroking a hand through her long hair. “I’m thinking I’m not as hated as I thought.”
“So Tanner, tell us about your comeback,” her father said. “You’ve had one hell of a career to date.”
He kept an arm around Lauren, thumb brushing her shoulder as he smiled over at her dad. This was nice. This was a close-knit family who’d invited him into their embrace, and it struck him why Lauren had been so adamant that she wouldn’t be in a relationship that they didn’t approve of. Her family were kind, decent human beings, and they clearly all loved one another very much; he wouldn’t give up family gatherings and relationships like this for anyone either. Her mom was so kind and full of smiles, despite the past, and he smiled straight back at her when she made eye contact, clearly happy enough to have him seated at her table.
“My first ride back was on the bull who tried to end me, but I’ve been thinking a lot about second chances lately, and I think that helped to get me in the right head space.”
“And my gorgeous sister managed to get your body back in tip-top shape, I’m guessing?” Hannah asked.
Tanner laughed and squeezed Lauren’s shoulder. “She sure did. I’m betting she’s one of the most valuable assets on the Rangers,” he said. “Am I wrong?”
They all had a laugh, and Tanner pushed his knife and fork together on the plate after taking his last mouthful of dinner.
“You are a wonderful cook, Mrs. Ford.”
She swatted the air at him. “Honey, it’s about time you called me Julie. You’re not that naughty boy any longer, so no more need for formalities.”
