Tanner brought himself under control. He’d be damned if Claude would steal everything from him—even a joyful reunion in the loft.
“You didn’t. He’s not between us, and he never will be.” With that staunch denial he lay down beside Amanda and gathered her into his arms. “Now, where were we?” He kissed her throat. “Here?” His lips moved down to her breasts. “Or was it here?”
Her hands tangled in his hair. “Oh, yes, Tanner. There.”
He feasted on her, rediscovering every fine inch of her body, taking his time, stretching out the hot pleasure until he wondered why the hay hadn’t caught fire. He possessed her as only a man in love could.
And she became his. He could see it, sense it, feel it. She was by turns yielding and demanding under him, her cries of pleasure echoing among the rafters of the old barn.
They gloried in their oneness, reveled in remembered touches, and delighted in newly discovered ones. They held nothing back, loving recklessly.
When the final explosion came, they sank together in the hay, hearts entangled as surely as arms and legs, fulfilled and sated at last.
He laced her fingers through his and brought her hand up to his mouth. “I, Tanner, take thee, Amanda . . .”
“To love until Christmas is over.” There was a desperate gaiety in her voice. She sat up and smoothed the dark hair off his forehead. “It will be a lovely affair, Tanner, something to cherish and to remember.”
“Call it an affair. Call it an obsession. Call it whatever you like, Amanda, but it will end at the altar.”
As much as she wanted it to be so, she knew he was dreaming. In an attempt to keep the mood light, she ruffled his hair. “You’re as stubborn as old Josephine.”
“That’s one of my more lovable qualities.” He sat up and reached for their clothes. “If we hurry, we might make it to bed before sunup.”
“Yours or mine?”
He chuckled. “Insatiable little thing, aren’t you?”
“Yes. If I live to be a hundred, I don’t think I could ever get enough of you.”
“Amanda, it’s going to be my pleasure to try to fulfill that wanton desire.”
“Wanton, am I?” She swatted his bare behind. “Just for that remark I’m thinking about making you sleep downstairs on the sofa.”
“That’s probably the only way I’ll get any sleep. And we’re going to need at least a few hours. I’ve promised that we’d baby sit tomorrow. Paul and Martie want the twins out of the house while their Christmas ponies are being delivered.”
“We? How did you know I’d be available’?”
“Maxine.”
“The little snitch.” Amanda laughed.
“She told me you’ll have extra help during the rest of the holidays, and I knew you wouldn’t be able to resist the dynamic Donovan duo.”
“Pretty sure of me, weren’t you?”
“Not so sure about you, but certain about myself. I don’t intend to let you out of my sight until I get you to the altar.”
Since it was three o’clock in the morning, she decided not to argue. Tomorrow would be soon enough to set out the guidelines for this affair.
She and Tanner climbed into his snazzy red car, and she cuddled close as he drove her home. Going up the stairs together seemed natural, and getting into her four-poster bed felt like old times.
Before “Good night” was out of her mouth, she was asleep in Tanner’s arms.
o0o
“Mandy.” She felt something tickle her arm. “Mandy, love.” That brought her fully awake. She opened her eyes to see Tanner leaning over her. For the first time in years she was glad to welcome the morning.
She sat up in bed and squeezed her arms around his wonderful chest. “Tanner, I’m so glad to see you, I could die. Is it morning already?”
“It is now that you’re awake.” He kissed her. It was simple and sweet and very precious. “I’m going to pick up the twins. If you’re up to it, I’ll bring them back here. If not, I’ll take them to the park.”
“Absolutely not!” She jumped out of bed and raced around the room, gathering her toiletries. “Gracious. I have to shower and wash the hay from my hair and make breakfast. What do they eat for breakfast? How old are they? Goodness, I don’t even know their names.”
Tanner lounged against the bedpost, enjoying her flushed excitement. High on her pretty cheekbones, the spots of color were almost as vibrant as her hair. Her eyes were wide and bright, and there was a lovely lilt to her voice. He thought she’d never looked more beautiful. It was the anticipation of the children coming to play that did that to her, he thought. Right then and there he silently vowed that she’d have a child of her own before next Christmas.