Page 50 of Endurance
“Well, I hate to rush off but I need sleep. Match day tomorrow and all.” He turns to Tanner. “All the guestrooms are ready so take whichever you’d like. I’ll be heading in early, so I probably won’t see you until after the match. We can grab a quick drink, but then I have an event I need to attend.”
“No problem. I think Cam was hoping to catch up with us.”
He half smiles. “Yes, Camden.” A look of amazement casts over his features and he shakes his head. “I still can’t get over the fact that I’ll be defending him tomorrow. It’s been years since we’ve played on the same pitch.”
“I didn’t realise you ever played for Bethnal Green,” I state.
“Yeah, for two years and then I got a Man U offer I couldn’t refuse.”
“Wouldn’t refuse is more like it,” Tanner adds. “You were desperate to get away from Dad.”
“I wouldn’t say desperate.” Gareth shifts on his feet.
“I would. And not very wise considering you signed with his old team.”
A dark look crosses Gareth’s face. “I had my reasons.”
Tanner holds his hands back in surrender. “I’m not saying you didn’t. It’s just got to be weird living in his shadow at Man U. Seems like every time you’re interviewed after a match, they bring up his glory days.”
Gareth scoffs, “The media are looking for a story. Something to sensationalise and make viral. Hopefully tomorrow you two are the focus instead of me.”
I roll my eyes. “Looking forward to it!”
Gareth smiles. “Well, you’re a trooper for doing this. Tanner is going to owe you a major favour when this is all over.”
“Oh yes,” I reply with a smirk. “Tanner will pay me back for many things.”
Tanner’s tone is warning when he says, “Belle, your crazy is showing.”
“That’s because I want it to,” I whisper and wink.
Gareth chuckles. “I’ve never seen Tanner squirm like this. You’re bloody perfect for him.”
His comment knocks me down a peg. “That’s what we’re trying to make everyone believe.”
When Gareth leaves, Tanner takes me upstairs to the guestroom farthest from Gareth’s room. He’s about as subtle as a flying brick. It’s a huge, lush room with a gorgeous bed and en-suite bath. It immediately makes me glad we came down tonight instead of tomorrow. The bed looks like heaven and it’s been ages since I’ve had a good night’s sleep.
“Did you pack your bathing suit?” Tanner asks, setting my suitcase on the dresser and opening it up.
“Yes.” I stride over and attempt to shoo him away from my personal effects. “Get out of my stuff.”
“Never,” he replies, grabbing a pair of my knickers and tucking them into his pocket.
“God, you’re mental.”
“Put your suit on.” Tanner winks and disappears into the loo.
By the time he comes out, I’m already covered up with a cotton sundress. Tanner holds my hand as he walks us down the stairs and to the other wing of the house. After passing through an impressive media room and a fully kitted professional gym, it’s then that I see the gorgeous indoor poolroom glowing blue in the darkness. It’s completely flanked in glass, the pool lights reflecting off the surfaces like a shimmering oasis. Outside there are loads of overgrown trees giving the sense of seclusion and privacy.
Tanner smirks at me and wastes no time pulling his T-shirt over his head. I have to pause and admire the beauty before me. He looks like a beach bum as he tucks his long blonde locks behind his ears. His tan skin is smooth and bumpy in all the right places. His trimmed beard and ink add a masculine edge to him that is utterly mouth-watering.
He tweaks his eyebrows, sucking me back to reality. His eyes dip. “I showed you mine, now show me yours.”
His cheek makes me feel a bit brazen. I glance at the door. “Is there any chance your brother will come down here?”
He frowns. “Tired of me already, Ryan?”
I laugh and shake my head. “Not even close, Harris.” I frown as I realise just how truly I meant that.
