Alone with You Read online

  “She can sleep wherever she wants.” Not that he’d admit it, but he wasn’t fond of the idea. The couch sucked. She’d be uncomfortable. “I can’t make her do anything.”

  “I bet you can talk her into coming inside.” Rachel tapped a finger on the table. “You said her name is Worthington. Any relation to The Worthington Group?”

  “Yep, that’s her family.”

  “Wow.” Rachel slumped back. “I thought she looked familiar. I might’ve seen her picture in the Dallas newspaper when I was in college. The family is seriously rich...as in billions.”

  That rich? He thought Rachel might be wrong. “Then what’s she doing here bothering me?”

  “Good question.” Rachel got up, grabbed her cell phone off the counter and brought it back to the table. Her fingers started moving and a minute later she said, “Alexis is immediate family, the only daughter of Marshall Worthington, but she doesn’t seem to have an executive position with the company. Her brother is senior vice president.”

  “Yeah, I’m sure it has nothing to do with her winning personality,” Tanner muttered like he didn’t give a crap, but the snub bothered him. If that’s what it was. Maybe she didn’t want the responsibility. Either way, none of his concern.

  “She sure seems down to earth. Look, if you won’t go get her, then I will.” Rachel waited for him to respond, and when he didn’t she pushed away from the table.

  “I’ll go.” Tanner slowly got to his feet, wincing at the pain slicing through his left thigh. “She’s cranky enough without sleeping on an uncomfortable couch.”

  He didn’t miss the sly smile Rachel gave Matt. If they thought he was hot for her and would let her talk him into the calendar, they were as nuts as Lexy.

  6

  TANNER OPENED THE door to the trailer, the old girl creaking loud enough to wake the dead. Though the noise hadn’t disturbed Lexy. She lay curled up on the couch, her chin tucked to her chest, wearing the same clothes, minus the blazer, which hung over the back of a chair.

  Man, she’d fallen asleep fast. It hadn’t been more than ten minutes since she’d left them in the kitchen. The porch light shined in from the open window and he watched her face as he closed the door behind him. The racket should’ve been enough to make her open one eye. She didn’t even move.

  Her hair was loose, and longer and wavier than he’d pictured, draping her shoulder and hiding part of her face. He liked the wild, untamed look, though it made her look younger. Probably why she went with the ugly bun.

  For a second he thought about leaving her alone. She was obviously exhausted. If she’d wanted to sleep in the guest room, she would’ve accepted Rachel’s hospitality. Lexy didn’t strike him as the demure type. But the woman didn’t act like she came from billions, either.

  He smiled at her small bare feet. Her toenails were painted blue. The same shade as her eyes. He cringed at the weird thought. Now, why would he remember the color of her eyes? They weren’t green. He liked green-eyed women. Always had.

  “Hey, Lexy.”

  Not so much as a twitch.

  He flipped on the kitchen light and moved so it hit her directly in the face. “Alexis Worthington.”

  Her lashes fluttered and she turned her head, burrowing deeper, using her hair for cover.

  Tanner touched her shoulder. “Rachel wants you inside.”

  She half whimpered, half growled, and he thought he might’ve heard a no somewhere in there. Then she shifted so that she faced the back of the couch. He wondered if she realized this new position made her butt stick out. Not that he was complaining. He leaned back for a better look. Nice view. Maybe he’d leave her right where she was.

  Nah, he’d feel bad tomorrow. The couch was no place for her to sleep. She’d end up stiff as a board.

  “Dammit, Lexy.”

  “Go away,” she murmured, sounding groggy.

  “Can’t do that. I have orders.” He waited for her to get up or say something. She did neither. “My shoulder is in bad enough shape,” he said, sighing. “Don’t make me carry you.”

  She flopped back to face him, struggling to shove the hair away from her eyes. “Oh, for God’s sake. I’m sleeping. Can’t you just—”

  He caught her hand, and she let out a whoosh of minty breath as he pulled her to her feet. “Rachel has a room for you.”

  Her blouse hung open. Half her buttons were undone, exposing the lacy pink bra and smooth satiny skin. He hadn’t meant to stare but she’d surprised him. She glanced down and pulled her blouse together.

  “Sorry,” he murmured, stuffing his hands into his pockets and switching his gaze to his boots.

  “I must’ve fallen asleep before I finished changing....”

  “I can step outside.”

  “No, that’s okay.” She got busy refastening the buttons. One of them ended up in the wrong hole but he doubted she’d appreciate him pointing that out. “What is it you wanted?” She raised her head, her eyes still unfocused with sleep. Without her shoes on she barely came up to his chin.

  “I like your hair better down,” he said, baffled that he’d spoken the words out loud.

  “You woke me up to tell me that?”

  “It makes no sense you sleeping out here. Come inside.”

  “I’m perfectly content on the couch.” She lifted her nose in the air, and yeah, he could see a hint of that billionaire pedigree. “Or at least I was.”

  “So you don’t care about not having a bathroom?”

  “What are you talking about? There’s one right there.”

  Tanner smiled. “Yep, and it works real well when the trailer’s hooked up.”

  “What do you mean?” she asked, her gaze narrowing with suspicion. “You took a shower earlier.”

  “Where do you think the water and power comes from? You got a magic wand stuck someplace I don’t know about?”

  “Can’t you plug this thing in somewhere?”

  “Yeah, sure, princess, I’ll get right on that.” He grabbed her small bag, then glanced around. “Is this it?”

  She nodded, noticed her shoes hiding under the couch and sat back down to reach them. “I wish you’d said something earlier.”

  “About?”

  “The trailer being disabled.”

  From where he stood at the door, and with her leaning forward to slip on her shoes, he could see clear past her gaping neckline all the way to her belly. “You have to fix your blouse,” he said and stared up at the ceiling.

  “What? Oh. Hey, you wouldn’t happen to have an extra T-shirt I could use. I’ll replace it as soon as we get to Oklahoma City.”

  “My shirts are too big— Oklahoma City?” He watched her gracefully get to her feet. “I thought we were headed to Houston?”

  “Well, OK City is on the way.”

  “No, it isn’t.”

  “Neither is the Lone Wolf, yet here we are.”

  He waited while she searched the couch for something or another, then when she patted the back of her head, he figured it might be her hairpins. Wouldn’t hurt his feelings none if she couldn’t find them. She looked like a different person with her hair down. Kind of sexy, even with the conservative clothes and the faint black smudges under her eyes.

  Her face had been too pale earlier but now there was a slight flush in her cheeks. And her lips sure were nice and plump. The kind that a man didn’t want to stop kissing. He’d bet his gold buckle they were soft.

  She stopped a couple feet away and frowned. “What’s that expression for?”

  “What?” He felt his own face get warm. “Nothing,” he said gruffly and pushed past her to get to his dresser. “You want the shirt to sleep in?”

  “That was the idea.” She sighed. “Is it too weird to ask to borrow your clothes? I thin
k so.” She’d followed him and was standing so close he felt her breath on his arm. “Never mind. Forget it,” she said, backing up. “I wasn’t thinking.”

  “Now hold on.” He caught her hand. “You weren’t expecting a road trip. You’re bound to run out of clothes.”

  She stared at their joined hands, and then met his eyes. “Tanner, I’m—” She drew in a quick breath. “You’re very attractive and the next few days won’t be easy...” She lowered her lashes and stared at his chest. “For me, anyway. But I won’t let you use sex to wiggle out of your contract.”

  Tanner smiled. “Funny, I was thinking the same thing.”

  “I knew you’d try it.” She looked disappointed.

  “I’m not talking about me. I meant you.” He let go when she yanked her hand away, blinking at him, confusion swirling in her eyes. “I figured you’d try to distract me and I’d end up in Houston before I knew what hit me.”

  “I would never use sex that way.”

  “Oh, hell, you know damn well you could get me going just by breathing.”

  They both froze, staring at each other with equal measures of distrust and awareness. He hadn’t meant for that to slip out and he was pretty sure she knew it. Unfortunately, he was trapped between her and the bed. If anyone was going to make a move to leave and ease the tension, it would have to be Lexy.

  She didn’t seem to be in any hurry. Which could work out just fine, he thought, picturing the pretty pink lace bra she was wearing under the plain blouse. Bet he’d find a matching thong under her slacks. The hair was already down, and once the clothes came off, it wouldn’t shock him to find a wild woman waiting to bust loose.

  “No,” she said, slowly shaking her head and taking a step back. “Uh-uh.”

  “I didn’t say a word.”

  The farther she moved back, the better the view. Curvy hips, small waist, high, firm breasts. Those lips. “The librarian fantasy, right?”

  He snorted, tried to keep his face a total blank. No way she’d guessed what he’d been thinking. “You want a shirt or not?”

  “Not.”

  “Fine.” He ducked into the bathroom and grabbed his shaving kit.

  Lexy waited at the door, her small hand wrapped around the knob and the damnedest, most inappropriate image popped into his head. “Tanner?”

  He sighed, almost afraid to meet her eyes. “What?”

  “You won’t leave without me tomorrow, will you?”

  “Course not.” He checked his pocket to make sure he had his phone in case Doug called. “I wouldn’t do that to Matt and Rachel.”

  A wry smile lifted the corners of Lexy’s mouth. “Look me in the eyes and tell me you won’t leave me and I’ll believe you.”

  He stopped right in front of her, lifted her hand off the doorknob and turned it over. “Here,” he said, and dropped his truck keys on her palm. “Hold on to them if it makes you feel better.”

  She stared at the set of keys, then looked up at him. “I said I’d believe you.”

  “Hey, I’m just trying to let you rest easy. Give them back if you want.”

  With a small smile, she closed her fist around them and stuffed the keys in her pocket. “This is really nice of you.”

  “Nice has nothing to do with it. I don’t want you tired and cranky the whole drive tomorrow.”

  “Of course.”

  “You gonna open the door? Or stand there with that silly grin on your face?”

  She stretched up on tiptoes and lightly kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”

  Shit. A kiss on the cheek like he was her grandfather? Why not just put him out to pasture already.

  He touched her hair, rubbed the silky strands between his thumb and forefinger. “Wait,” he said, mesmerized by her lips. He had to feel them for himself, find out if they were as soft as they looked. Show her he wasn’t over the hill yet.

  Man, he was just looking for trouble. He knew it sure as she was standing there. So why wasn’t he backing off? It wasn’t too late.

  She watched with darkened eyes as he lowered his head. He ran a hand down her arm and had barely brushed his mouth across hers when she drew back. “Tanner...”

  “Just a kiss, that’s it,” he murmured, pulling her closer, but ready to release her at the first sign of resistance.

  Placing a hand on his chest, she leaned into him. “Just a kiss, nothing more, right?” she whispered, the sweet caress of her warm breath on his chin enough to make him promise her anything.

  If that wasn’t warning enough, her clean feminine scent confirmed he was asking for trouble. “Nothing more,” he agreed, moving his hand to her lower back. “Unless you ask for it.”

  Her quiet throaty laugh made his body tighten. “I do like a confident man,” she said, tipping her head back and offering up her lips.

  He settled his mouth on hers, gently applying pressure, then teased her lips apart. She slid her palm up his chest and looped her arm around his neck. Her breasts felt full and soft pressed against him, like honest-to-goodness real breasts. Nothing fake about them.

  She tasted sweet and willing, satisfaction warming him when she cupped the back of his neck and pulled his mouth closer. Her lips were every bit as soft as they looked, and eager, too. But it was the low, sexy moan that almost made him scoop her up in his arms and carry her to his bed.

  With a breathy gasp, she moved her head back. “We agreed on one kiss.”

  “I know. We haven’t finished.” Tanner saw the fire burning in her eyes. He almost smiled. Purity Club. Like hell. “Don’t penalize me for liking ’em long, slow and deep.”

  On another soft gasp her lips parted again.

  Lowering his head, he brushed her mouth with his, and she wasn’t saying no. He slid his hand down her back, his calloused thumb snagging on her fine silk blouse.

  He stopped.

  She hadn’t seemed to notice but it sure bothered him.

  He released her, and moved away from her tempting mouth. “Let’s go,” he said, ignoring her startled expression. “Rachel wants to show you to your room.”

  * * *

  IT TOOK LEXY a minute after she’d awoken to remember she was in Matt and Rachel’s guest room. Another ten seconds to admit to herself that Will Tanner scared her. He was a damn good kisser and that was arguably her biggest weakness. Right behind hazelnut gelato.

  She kicked free of the gray sheets and rolled to the edge of the queen bed. Hoping the nightstand clock was wrong, she grabbed her watch. No, it really was after nine. So much for hitting the road by eight.

  Sighing, she put on yesterday’s blouse, picked up her overnight bag, then peeked outside her door. The hall was empty. Muffled voices carried up from the first floor. So did the tempting aroma of coffee and bacon. The door to the bathroom she was sharing with Tanner was open, so she made a dash.

  The water heated quickly and the shower spray was perfect. She’d be in total heaven if only her stubborn thoughts would move beyond last night’s kiss. She hoped it hadn’t been a mistake. Shame on her if she let the momentary lapse interfere with her getting him to Houston on time. Normally men didn’t intimidate her, sexually or otherwise. But something about that damn cowboy made her edgy.

  Maybe it was the simple fact that he was so different from the guys she knew. Even the dark, brooding ones who’d thrilled her as a teenager. But she’d grown tired of them, just as she had the corporate crowd with their foreign sports cars and expensive hobbies.

  Or maybe it wasn’t nerves at all. Just hunger. How could she still smell bacon in the shower? Rachel would offer breakfast and this time Lexy would eat. Screw her pride. She’d send them flowers and a wine basket once she got to Oklahoma City.

  She shampooed her hair knowing she’d have to let it air dry, which was never a pretty sight. It did
n’t matter. She’d pull it back later. Deciding on what to wear wasn’t a problem. She’d brought one pair of slacks, jeans and two blouses, never dreaming she’d be gone more than a couple days.

  After applying some mascara, she stuffed everything back into her bag, tidied up behind her and hurried downstairs. From the clang of pots, she knew someone was in the kitchen but she crossed the foyer to leave her bag near the front door. When she heard Tanner’s voice, she stopped and looked around. The sound of Matt’s laughter drew her attention to the den.

  “I’m serious.” It was Tanner again. “You’d look mighty good on a calendar.”

  Matt succinctly told him what he could do to himself.

  Tanner chuckled. “Remember that bar in Jacksonville with the mechanical bull in the back room? That tall blonde pulled her top right off in full view of everyone so you could sign her breasts.”

  “I was pretty drunk, but yeah, I remember. I shouldn’t have ridden that day. My ribs weren’t healed yet. They felt like they were on fire.”

  “Yep, I did the same thing in Louisiana three months later. You were there, too. Duke and Cardona bitched like little girls when you showed up. Duke had been eyeing this pretty brunette but they knew all they’d get were your leftovers.”

  Matt groaned. “Rachel hears you and I’ll kick your ass.”

  Lexy glanced over her shoulder toward the kitchen. She’d prefer Rachel didn’t catch her eavesdropping, either.

  “Come on...she’s gotta know how it is on the tour,” Tanner said. “Anyway, you weren’t with her back then.”

  “I’m not worried she’d be jealous. That woman would tease me until my dying day.”

  Tanner laughed. “Better prepare her. If you retire, there’ll be a million women wailing in the streets.”

  “No if about it. Three more events and I’m done.” After a long pause that had Lexy considering whether it was time for her to move on, Matt said, “You’re not here about the calendar or to discuss old times. What’s up with you?”

  Tanner’s sigh was heartfelt. “I think I blew it. I should’ve left the tour when I had the chance.”