Cami sighed and felt the surge of self pity wash over her. “Oh, jeez. Not that I’ll ever admit it to him, but Tanner was right. I should have just said no.”
5
TANNER ARRIVED at the town house a few minutes early. He was tired, having stayed up too late with his father the night before. Still, early mornings were ingrained.
His dad looked good, and the fear of losing him, the fear that hadn’t once eased in the entire year since his stroke, had faded somewhat.
According to the man himself, he planned on living the next few decades doing nothing but enjoying life. And maybe driving his only son crazy.
That sounded good to Tanner, who wasn’t ready to lose the only family he had left.
He could have done without the overt probing into his sex life. His father had wanted to hear that he had a girlfriend who could possibly turn into a wife.
It didn’t take a genius to realize his father wanted grandchildren.
Tanner thought maybe he wanted kids, too.
That’s where he ran into trouble.
Truth was, he liked his women hot and bothered, fast and edgy, and he liked them that way because he could enjoy them and move on. No worries about one of them getting too involved, no stressing that she was busy writing their wedding vows or planning what color flowers they’d have in their garden.
He didn’t have time for that, and it wasn’t just his father’s illness that tripped him up on that score. It was his business, which required more than just the hours he put in during the day re building. There was the paperwork, the billing, the planning, the bidding. It went on and on, and he just didn’t see a woman working happily into the equation.
He’d tried, several times in fact, but whenever he was so stupid to date a woman long enough for it to be considered a relationship, the same thing happened.
He got dumped because he didn’t spend enough time with her.
He let himself into Cami’s town house in time to hear her say, “Not that I’ll ever admit it to him, but Tanner was right.”
He liked the sound of that.
“I should have just said
Grinning, Tanner pocketed the key she’d given him and entered the kitchen, wanting to hear details.
But the place was empty, except for Annabel, who pounced on his shoe.
“Meeoowww,” she cried pitifully.
He glanced at her empty bowl. “I know damn well you inhale your food, so go try some other sucker.”
She rubbed against his leg, purring, watching him from beneath lowered brow, purring some more. Then suddenly she bit his ankle.
“Ouch!”
“Mew.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Tanner was far more interested in hearing Cami say he was right again.
“I really hate it when I’m wrong,” he heard her grumble.
Walking through the kitchen toward her voice, he stopped short in the hallway, staring at the small table by the front door.
Her answering machine was talking.
“Fine,” she said. “So no one but Annabel is listening to me. Great. Figures. Story of my life.
I hope you’re getting a kick out of this, cat.”
Why was Cami, a woman who’d rather cut off her own limb than get out of bed before ten in the morning, calling herself at… He glanced at his watch. It wasn’t even six yet.
“For summer, it’s pretty darn cold out here in this ridiculous summer dress.”
And why was she still in her summer dress?
She hadn’t actually used that condom with the nerd, had she?
“Of course, what do I expect for being in the Sierra wilderness all night long. You know, I thought this was all my fault, but really, upon reflection, it’s not. It’s my parents. Dad’s had what?
Six wives? No, wait, I’m forgetting the unforgettable Brandy.”
Tanner lifted a brow.
“She made seven. Seven stepmothers, some of whom were younger and had bigger boobs than me. It’s no wonder I only date guys once.” Her sigh filled the room. “And then there’s Mom, the mistress of control. Really, when I think about it, it’s a miracle I’m normal at all.” A short silence.
“It’s sure quiet out here. Hope some ax murderer doesn’t find me, there’s no one to hear me scream. Although there
At that, Tanner dove for the phone, but just as he picked it up, she disconnected.
The digital readout on her machine starting blinking the numeral one.
He hit play, and once again Cami’s voice filled the room, from the beginning this time.
“Dimi, get your paws off my stuff and come rescue me from the date from hell,” she said, clearly annoyed.
But then Tanner got sidetracked by the rest of the message, and he listened in growing concern. Dammit, it wasn’t a joke, he decided, listening past Cami’s light voice to the panic just beneath the surface.
She really was stranded, alone, and had been all night.
Swearing, he left the town house and headed toward his truck, because good God, if anyone stopped for her, she’d annoy the hell out of them, maybe even goad them into killing her just to shut her up.
A BIG RIG lumbered right past Cami’s raised thumb, and feeling decidedly unladylike, she sent him a hand gesture she’d never had the opportunity to use before.
It felt so good she gave it to the next truck that passed her, as well.
“Oh, that’s the way to charm someone into a ride.”
Whirling around, Cami faced Tanner, who’d pulled up behind her. She’d been so busy swearing and kicking dirt, she hadn’t even noticed.
“Yep. Me.” He looked her over. “Are you all right?”
The nerve of him to look so good in the mornings, all big, sexy male. She didn’t want to think about how she looked-rumpled and pathetic. “Of course I’m all right.”
“Yeah? So what are you doing?”
“Nothing.”
“Nothing?” He came closer and tucked his hands in his pockets. “That’s funny, I could have sworn you were enticing truckers to pick you up by flipping them off. Which doesn’t work, by the way. You have to give them some sugar.” He lifted a suggestive brow. “And I’m not talking the granulated kind.”
Wasn’t this fun? Not only did she have to face his amusement over her misfortune, she had to face the fact that her entire body tingled in awareness of him simply because he’d played a small part in her dreams.
Okay, a big part. Even more reason to be grumpy. “Go away.”
“So happy to see me.” He put a hand to his broad chest. “I’m touched.”
“This isn’t happening,” she said to the sky.
“Yep. It is.” He tugged off his dark sunglasses and studied her carefully.
She studied him back. He wore Levi’s that had clearly seen better days. They were clean, for now, but worn white at all the stress points, of which he had many. She knew she was gawking, but she couldn’t help it. She was
