Mistaken Identity (8 page)

A gleam of pleasure flashes in his eyes. “Can you make a deal with me?”

“Um, sure.” I murmur confused. I just told him he’s not for me and he looks pleased?

He squeezes my hands. “See me again tomorrow.”

“You want to see me again?” I was definitely unprepared for that after labelling him out of my league.

“I do. I’ve never had anyone say that to me. I want to show you something tomorrow.” His destructive dimples emerge.

“Tanner, I don’t think I can handle another surprise.”

“I’ll pick you up tomorrow at noon. Wear jeans.” He pulls my hand to his lips placing a soft kiss to my knuckles then strolls off to his car without giving me a chance to protest. I really wouldn’t have, but even so, he could have been nice just in case I wanted to.

Jess is waiting impatiently when I walk in the door and about knocks me over rushing to me to find out the dirty details. Unfortunately, I don’t have explicit details for her. I explain how I told him he was out of my league and we both fold over laughing at my idiotic mouth. As we are wiping the tears out of our eyes from a thirty minute laugh, my phone chirps.

Logan: A fucking horse ride. Nice touch douchebag.

My eyes widen and Jess snatches the phone out of my hands, authorizing her own search warrant for my texts. “Tell him to jump off a cliff.”

“I have.”

“Tell him again. Shit, just let me do it.” She starts typing away on
my
phone. After a second of quick thumb work she hands it back, her green eyes pleased at her response. “There. That will do it.”

Samantha: If you text me again, I’ll call the cops. Consider it a promise.

Chapter 12

Tanner’s unfamiliar attire has me panting for him, yet again. Just like in the club, his hair is tousled, he’s dressed in jeans, and sexier than ever. He’s wearing a blue and black plaid shirt that is pressed tightly against his chest. I can guarantee that this man is a God dressed in plain clothing. Don’t get me wrong, I like the suit and tie, but this…this is like a secret side of him he’s revealing to me. Our little secret, my little fantasy.

To add to all his little secrets, he’s picked me up in a truck. I thought all he owned was a BMW, but I’m guessing that goes with suits better than a truck. Continuing to add to secrets, his tight lips won’t tell me where we’re going, no matter how many times I’ve tried to pout, sticking my lip out at him.

We make a turn onto a curvy dirt road only large enough for one vehicle. It appears nature is trying to reclaim it. There is no evidence of traffic, no tire marks scarring its surface. It is just a trail hoping that someone will travel it again. A beautiful two story brick house with a white porch stretching along the length is tucked away in a clearing from the trees.

“Where are we exactly?” I ask.

“You said last night you don’t do fancy. Truth be told, Samantha, I don’t like to do fancy all the time either. This is my home.”

I stare back at the house in astonishment, unable to place him into a country setting with the lavish ways he displays. Who would have thought—Tanner in the woods? I imagined him living in a house with a beautiful view of the lake and his Cabin Cruiser attached to his long pier that stretches far out into the water.

“I have another surprise,” he says excitedly, pulling me toward the back of the house.

Suit and tie has a barn? A large white and green barn standing in the middle of a large pasture confined in split rail fencing as far as the eye can see, to be exact. Come to find out Tanner has two beautiful horses, and one of them was our chauffeur for our date last night. The other one, Belle, seems to hold something close to his heart. It’s heartwarming to see him interact with them. Seems like he’s full of secrets.

“Hey, man,” a voice calls in the distance behind me. I turn toward it to see the man who was driving the carriage walking our way. What the hell? I give Tanner a nasty look, and in return, he gives me a boyish grin.

“Hey, Mack,” he says, then whispers, “he’s a friend of mine who helps with the horses when he has time.” Damn his grin.

Mack dips his cowboy hat at me, “Nice to see you again.” Full blown country boy comes to mind when I see him. A black t-shirt is straining against his build along with tight worn jeans. Cowboy steamy! “Everything’s done, man. I’ll be back tomorrow,” he says to Tanner.

“Alright, man. Thanks.” They give each other a one-armed bro-hug and before walking off Mack tips his hat again at me.

“So can I show you around?” Tanner tugs my hand again, leading me to follow him before giving me a chance to ask any questions.

I’ve never seen inside of a barn except on TV, and I’m impressed with how well kept it is. There are several stalls on each side, blue and grey totes sitting outside each stable door, and little rectangle packages of hay everywhere.

After the quick tour of the barn, he escorts me into his house entering the living room first. I’m fascinated by how the rustic country mixed with modern décor flows. I’m impressed at his living standards, but not shocked since I know he likes the finer things. The house has an open floor plan, and the kitchen is in sight of the living room. It resembles one that I’ve seen from a magazine with dark cabinets and stainless steel appliances. Simply fascinating. He seats me on the couch in front of a large grey stone fireplace joining right beside me.

“So, this is me. All the fanciness as you call it is me too, but it’s only the business side. I don’t share this side of myself with many.”

“And…why are you sharing all of it with me?”

“You said something last night that really impressed me,” his voice is sincere, “I’ve never had a woman to tell me they weren’t interested in fancy. Never had one tell me I’m out of their league,” he shakes his head smiling at the memory.

I’m embarrassed that I said that now. I feel like I judged a book by its cover. We lock eyes, a glimmer of desire washes over his and he leans in, pulling me closer by my waist. He lowers his gaze to my lips, and my breath hitches. I watch in slow motion as his lips close in on mine. My heart’s beating right out of my chest when his soft lips reach mine. Fireworks explode around us. Red, green, white, flash behind my eyelids. I part my lips allowing him to explore, our tongues twirl around, finding their ways. I place my hand on his smooth face as he brings his hand to my neck leaning me back to the couch. He lays me down, never unlocking his lips from mine, moving in between my legs that ever so easily open up for him. His kiss becomes harder and more intense. He gently pulls my hair forcing me to give him my neck releasing an assault of teething and biting. My blood sizzles and I moan out. He groans as I drag my fingernails across his back pulling him down into me. Even through the fabric of his shirt I can feel his muscles are defined gracefully, moving against each movement he makes. He pushes the hardness of his arousal against my clothed sex and a wave of ecstasy spreads to my most sensitive areas. My nipples beg to be touched, my sex begging to have him in me. The world has become fuzzy around me, but suddenly I feel easy and inches from a slut. I don’t sleep with someone this soon…never. Don’t judge me.

“Wait.” I plea against his lips, “Wait, please.”

He ceases his sexy as hell assault and pulls back puzzled. “I can’t do this. Not this soon.” I say too embarrassed to look at him.

He straightens himself up taking in a slow painful breath. I sit up keeping my eyes on the floor, happy that I didn’t give in, pissed that I stopped it. Placing a finger under my chin, he forces me to look at him. The appreciation in his smile has made its way to his gentle eyes. “A strong woman who respects herself. I like that too.”

It’s my turn to seem confused. Most men act out, pissed that their dicks are swollen with no release from the intended actions, but not Tanner. He tugs my arm yanking me off the couch and places a kiss against my hair. I melt. Done. A gooey mess in the floor. “Come on, let me show you the rest of the house.”

After I abruptly stopped us earlier, Tanner seems more at ease, more relaxed. It’s gratifying that he hasn’t changed and bombarded me with a pent-up frustrated attitude. He even was understanding when he asked me to dinner tonight and I had to turn it down since Jess and I already had a girl’s night planned.

“Where did you get all of it? The house, the cars. I mean seriously how can you afford all of it?” It’s a personal question, I know, but I’m intrigued. A bachelor with his head on his shoulders is hard to find.

“Land was given to me,” he says matter-of-fact. “I began working hard when I was young, saving my pennies until I finally had enough to build a house the way I wanted it. I manage my money well.” It seems from the vibrant ways of living he doesn’t. He must make a killing at Weston. “You’re fond of Jess?”

I’m assuming since I declined his invitation for dinner tonight, it struck wonder in him about her. “She’s my sister from another mother,” I laugh. “We’ve been friends since high school and inseparable ever since.” He glances at me with a sweet understanding smile and my heart tugs at me again. This man is destructive euphoria and I’m in major trouble.

_________________________

After a reluctant and delicate kiss from Tanner, I walk into my apartment just in time to hear Jess finalizing our pizza order. Of course she hounds me for all information, and without hesitation I deliver her what she wants. She listens intently and clutches her chest at the surprises of his life. I’m not one to kiss and tell, but with Jess I share every detail of our make-out session on the couch and by the time I get to the end, she’s panting.

My phone chirps. I pause, dreading to look at it. I haven’t heard from Logan, and it seems routine that when I’m with Tanner, he texts me. Jess notices my hesitation and jerks it out of my hand before I can see what it says.

“You must have done something right, Belle.” She’s coy handing me the phone.

Tanner: Had a wonderful time with you today. Thank you.

Chapter
13

I make it to my desk and begin my normal morning routine with no signs of Tanner. After the amazing weekend I had with him, I’m extremely anxious to be around him, not knowing how to act. Damn, I know better than getting involved with someone at work. It never ends well.

Adam has sent me an email letting me know about a meeting at nine with a new employee that HR wants me to train. It sounds fairly easy, and my confidence level just hiked up since they trust me enough after only several months. My hard work has paid off.

New employee Jeff has managed to creep me out throughout the meeting. I’ve never seen a psycho outside of what the movies portray one as, but he gets an award for it. His skin is pale, his hair is dark, and his eyes are even darker. I begin to go over information with him, and every time I look up he’s staring at me with an “I-want-to-eat-you” look. It’s making me very uncomfortable. If I had to describe a zombie, Jeff would be the perfect description. Psycho Zombie Jeff.

My day has been dedicated to showing him around the office and helping him learn the ropes. I give him some documents to begin to type into reports and seize the moment to replenish myself with coffee. Walking down the hallway, Tanner suddenly appears sexier than ever in a black suit and blue tie. My heartbeat is in my ears, and I feel like my skin is on fire the closer we become. Somehow he’s sporting his cool and collected persona, like I have no effect on him.

He gives me a boyish, sexy smile stopping right in front of me. “Hi.”

“Hey.” My nerves make it to my voice.

“I’ve thought about you all day.” He kisses my cheek. Instincts have me looking down the halls for some unexpected watcher, and he chuckles at me. “Can I take you to dinner this week?”

“I would love to.”

“Wednesday okay with you?”

He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear grazing his fingertips across the delicate skin. My breath catches in my throat and I force my eyes to stay forward and not roll back from the heat it just stirred in my stomach. “Yes.” I whisper.

“I’ll pick you up at six.” He kisses my forehead and walks away, his long legs confidently striding away, his powerful arms sway with each step. I couldn’t say how long I stood there before my feet found the floor, but I eventually made my way back to my office.

Jeff is still typing away and shuffling through papers when I return. The walk helped me calm the tightening in my core that Tanner gave me from just a kiss. Jeff glances up at me with a bleak face and dark eyes. He studies me for a minute, probably deciding whether he wants to take a bite of my neck or not, but finally he lowers his eyes back to his work. Creep.

The rest of the day was very uneventful. Adam stopped in for a brief moment to check on the progress of psycho zombie and retreated away to his office. Even though he’s a total creep, Jeff is doing well. He’s caught on fast. He told me that he worked for corporate America before and it ended abruptly. It took everything I had not to look it up to see if the owners had been eaten alive, but I’m trying desperately to believe that he just moved.

_________________________

Wednesday

Dammit! Adam has me so crazy busy today that I’m not going to make it home in time to get ready for our date. My turquoise blouse, black pencil skirt, and black pumps don’t look like dinner date material, but at this rate, he’s going to have to take it. I’ve picked my phone up twice to cancel on him, but my desire to see him pushes back harder. I’m just going to put my head down and work furiously and get through the day quickly, except I’m scared to put my head down. Jeff has been staring at me…again. He’s such a puny looking guy in tight brown slacks and a white shirt. He’s skinny, too skinny, and I know if he comes at me, I can take him down…I hope. Even if I can take him, I have to stay away from his bite or I become one right?