“We should get dressed. Be sociable.” I mumble the words against his lips, not making any move to get out of bed. My hands love the feel of his body. I didn’t realize how much I missed him until I woke up to find him behind me.
Tucker’s answer is to growl behind my ear.
Fantasies aren’t necessary, knowing Tucker James loves me. His love frees me, oddly enough. As though it’s confirmation that I’ve done something right in my life. At that thought I’m reminded of the song in The Sound of Music that the Captain and Marie sing when they finally get together. The melody tickles my memory… I love old movies. Musicals. I hum a little as Tucker inhales behind my ear.
“You smell amazing.”
“I look a mess.” I’d lain down earlier with wet hair.
“My mess.”
God, I love this man. “You should have seen me at the airport.” A giggle escapes. I can somehow laugh at all of it now. “I wore my favorite Manolo Blahniks for you! They looked so good Tucker. And I bought the cutest skirt ever… and my silk blouse. You owe me, buddy.”
He looks so sad for a minute that I hurry to kiss him again. “I’m kidding, babe. I’m just so happy to see you finally.”
“I know.” His eyes darken to an evergreen shade. “Everything went all to shit today. I saw the shoes.” His mouth twists into an apologetic grimace.
I trace the little creases at the corners of his eyes. “You’re worth it.” And then I squirm. I hate to think of his sons waiting around to eat while we… “At least I’m cleaned up now.” I pluck some dried mud out of Tucker’s hair. “Or I was.”
He sits up and runs a hand through those silky sable strands, completely unaware of how hot he looks. “Where’s your luggage?”
I’m tugging my T-shirt over my head. Shit. I was gonna need to put on a bra. “As far as I know, it’s still in the back of the truck.”
Tucker’s face takes on a stormy expression. A ticking in his jaw gives away his displeasure at my words.
“They’re kind of big.” I shrug. “I didn’t expect your sister to drag them inside for me.”
But he’s shaking his head. “Why in the hell didn’t she just pull the damn truck up to the door?”
Ah, something I’d wondered about myself. But I’m not sure where the lines of this battle have been drawn. I’ll wait and see. Hopefully, opinions and perspectives will change after a few days.
I’ve been told I’m quite lovable by all my friends. Not being liked is not something I’m familiar with. But Tucker looks worried and he has nothing to worry about.
I walk on my knees across the bed so that I can run my hand along his jawline. Forcing him to meet my gaze, I pick my words carefully. “They don’t know me, Tuck. Give everyone a little time.”
But he’s still pissed. “That’s no excuse for bad manners.” Tucker kisses me, almost absentmindedly before opening a drawer and pulling on a clean shirt. “I’ll be right back.”
“You aren’t going to give her a hard time?” I don’t know why I’m trying to protect that woman, but I have a feeling him defending me can only make it worse.
“I’m gonna go get your luggage, sweetheart.”
I smile. I don’t want him worrying over this. “My hero!” And with a wicked glint in my eyes I add, “Now I won’t have to go down to dinner commando.”
He pauses doing up the buttons of his shirt for a moment, and he can’t contain his grin. “I reckon I could rethink the luggage thing.”
I throw a pillow at him. “Luggage. Now.” I don’t want him to leave. I want him to strip off his clothes and climb back into bed with me. It’s just that there are a few people downstairs we probably ought to be concerned about.
Most notably, Little Tuck and Leeland.
I’m going to be a freaking stepmother!
Tuck tosses the pillow back at me. “I want to buy you some boots.” All I think about with his words is how I can pair them with my new silk teddy. I’ve never been this wanton, this… horny. Only for Tucker. Only for this man.
He’s still not thrilled with his family. He pulls on a pair of faded jeans and stuffs his shirt tails into them before buttoning up. My eyes devour him.
I’ve done my fair share of dating. Suits, mostly. A lawyer, a financier, even a movie producer once.
None of them have even come close to stirring the levels of emotion in me that Tucker does. Maybe it has something to do with his relationship with the land– the physical nature of his work. Or maybe we’re just meant to be. Fate. Destiny and all that.
