Nora Roberts Land(59)
Chicken, Divorcée Woman snarled.
He rocked forward on the chair. “Then we’re at an impasse. You’re acting pig-headed. Just because I’m a journalist doesn’t mean I’m Richard Sommerville.”
She sucked in a breath. “Have you been investigating me?”
“Because I know who your ex is? Please. Besides, that’s what this is all about, isn’t it?”
“How do you know?”
“Because his reputation for being a fucking prick extends far and wide.” His hands clenched the chair frame. “Okay, let’s drop this.”
“So you still want me even though you said no to me on Halloween?”
“Are we really having this conversation? You’re making me crazy!”
She pointed to herself. “Me? How am I making you crazy?”
“I want you,” he said, his eyes darkening. “I can’t stop thinking about you. But I want us to be exclusive. You don’t. So until you change your mind, we’re only going to pretend to date. Got it?”
A headache spread around her temples. “No. Most guys would be content with being non-exclusive. Heck, they’d be thrilled. Why not you? You’re expecting me to do what…surrender?”
His pulse pounded in his neck. “I’m expecting you to give yourself to me without holding anything back. Can you do that?
Her breath hitched once, twice, three times. “Shit. God. No.”
His chair scraped when he thrust out of it. “Oh Christ, don’t have a panic attack again.”
“I won’t.” She held out her hands to keep him away. His words had turned her skin to brushfire.
He hovered nearby like some hot paramedic waiting to see if she’d need mouth to mouth.
Oh, my, Divorcée Woman drawled.
“Stand up.” Tanner said. “Meredith, look at me.” A frown-mark appeared between his brows. “I need you to trust me.”
“I…want to.”
He shook her. “Then do it.”
A burning warmth spread out from his hands down to her arms. She moved closer and inhaled the forest musky scent of his soap and shampoo. His gaze dropped to her mouth. She was sure of it.
Kiss him, you idiot.
As she was about to lean in, he pushed her away. He walked to the other side of the kitchen, reaching for her red coat. She tried not to look at his jeans when he turned back toward her and handed her coat to her. But she did. He was aroused, the cords of his neck looking more defined than usual. Suddenly, she could barely draw in a full breath.
“You’ll get the autopsy?” He reached for the door handle like a prisoner ready to make a break for freedom.
“Of course.”
“I’m going to wait outside.” The door slammed behind him.
What are you doing, Meredith Hale?
Good question. She scrubbed her face with her hands and set about putting things back where they belonged, using the time to let them both regain control.
She couldn’t let herself slip again. He was coming too close. Something had to give.
It couldn’t be her.
Chapter 23
Tanner thrust back from the desk in his home office the next morning and gave it a hearty kick. Fuck Sommerville. “Fuck!”
An hour ago, he was heading out the door for his morning swim when his brother gave him a frantic call. Sommerville hadn’t lied. He’d shown his intent to hold Tanner’s feet to the fire by running a nasty article on some discrepancies in David’s voting record. Now David’s opponent would have good fodder against him in the upcoming campaign, which would be a tight race. The article had stayed silent on his brother’s good work as a councilman, of course.
Shoddy, personalized journalism. Well, nothing could be done now. He would have to pretend he was cozy with Meredith. Hopefully their cover would buy him enough time to bury Sommerville without hurting Meredith. The thought of her drove spikes in his gut.
So why the hell had he told her he wanted her when they were in her grandfather’s kitchen?
Because he did.
Desperately.
It was more than being horny. He was old enough to know the difference.
He wanted her. And only her.
God help them both.
Even while he was telling her that she needed to trust him, part of him knew she shouldn’t. The man in him wanted her trust—wanted to earn it. It was impossible. He’d hurt her and come off looking like as big a sleaze as her ex if she ever found out why he was really in Dare.
He gripped the chair to stop from throwing it across the room. His situation was impossible and infuriating.
Glancing at the clock, he called Peggy.
“Did you see the article?”
“Yes. David already called. He’s going to crack, Tanner. He thinks it’s all going to come out and ruin everything. I’m afraid he’ll fall off the wagon again.”