16. Victoria
16
VICTORIA
I thought for sure I would stumble down my stairs to find him gone. He just saw me outside in my robe, then barely wrapped up in a towel. I couldn’t scare him away more if I tried. But while I am completely mortified, the way his eyes not only looked at me hungrily, but the fact that he was also gentlemanly enough to pass me my robe quickly, turn around until I was decent, and then help me to my room afterward, had me swooning so hard that I was almost lightheaded.
Truth be told, I haven’t felt attractive since I found Josh with Natalie. I mean, if I can’t keep my new fiancé interested in me, then clearly I have some work to do. But the way Tanner was just looking at me instilled a boost of confidence. When I managed to pull my embarrassed self together and get dressed, I looked in the mirror, wet hair, fresh skin, but happier than I have been in a long time. My eyes are actually sparkling. I think it is the fresh country air or something.
It has been a while since someone has cooked for me, and even though it is a simple meal of pasta, it tastes heavenly. After the day I have had, I half thought about locking myself in my room until he left.
He is a total contradiction. One minute, demanding I sell him my property, and the other, falling over himself to look after me. A man like Tanner must have women lining up. Probably has a different girl each week. I swallow down the bitter taste of jealousy that prickles my tongue and relax.
“I packed up outside for you,” he says as he takes another bite. I look out the window and see everything is tidy. “I also called Kevin’s mother, Annabelle. She said she will send Kevin up early. He can let out the goat, check the eggs, and milk the cow and so you don’t have to worry about it. She just asked if they could have some eggs.”
As much as his thoughtfulness makes me want to swoon, I wonder if he is genuine or just trying to sweeten me up so he can pull the wool over my eyes and grab my land.
“Of course. I will tell Kevin to help himself,” I say, nodding. “What is their situation?”
“Kevin’s dad passed away a little over a year ago. It has been a bit tough on them. She has a two-year-old as well but has just started back at work as a teacher at the local elementary school. The town supports them, but they have struggled at times.”
My heart breaks at hearing that, and I swallow as I take in the information. Then I remember what he told me when we were fighting, and I want to know more about it .
“So you have a son?” I ask, then shovel in more pasta. I am starving, having not eaten for most of the day.
“I do.” He only nods.
“What’s his name?” I ask, and he looks at me surprised. “What?”
“You know nothing about me at all, do you?” he asks inquisitively, head tilting as he looks at me.
“No. Should I?” I snort. Is he being arrogant or serious?
“No. Just most people around here know everything about everybody, and, well, Connor and I are well known for the distillery and such.”
“I don’t really drink whiskey. I have heard of the Whiteman brand and did a little research on the town when I moved, but I can’t say that I dug too deep into the distillery to know much,” I tell him honestly with a shrug. He obviously does well for himself. Hell, he just flew to his property in a helicopter; his truck looks like it costs more than this house, and his collection of watches is impressive. I’d assume the whiskey business is soaring. But money has never been a huge motivating factor for me.
“Connor is thirty-five,” he says, and my fork stops midway between my mouth and the bowl in shock.
“Thirty-five?” I clarify. That is older than me. “And your wife?” I ask tentatively, because he doesn’t wear a wedding ring. There isn’t even a tan line. He also acts like he is single, but you never know these days, and before I get too close to him, I should actually find out that small fact.
“I got Connor’s mom pregnant in high school when we were both teens. We decided to keep the baby. A few weeks after he was born, she skipped town, and I haven’t seen her since.”
While he shares his history, I can see his body tighten. He isn’t overly comfortable or happy about the topic. My heart hurts for him because I can’t imagine what that would have been like.
“Her loss,” I toss out to him as I continue to eat, and the question about his age pulses in my brain. I’ve never dated an older man. Never really spent any time with someone who was decades older than me. I am not sure how many men my age would actually assist me as much as Tanner has today. It could be the small-town way, or it could be the Tanner Whiteman way. Who knows. All I know is that it feels nice being around him. Not forced, not fake, not mindless small talk. As I take another bite of pasta, I can feel him looking at me.
“What about you?” he asks tentatively, and I look up, meeting his deep-brown eyes.
“No kids,” I say, smiling, trying to lighten the mood, and his lips quirk.
“Married?” he asks, and I swear I see him holding his breath.
“Nearly. Caught my fiancé Josh sleeping with his colleague. Then I lost my job, and to top it all off, I received a letter that my long-lost auntie had died. It’s been a hell of a year so far,” I tell him honestly. We are both sharing our dirty laundry and getting it out in the open. It is refreshing. When I used to meet men in the city, I found that everyone would cover up their little red flags in order to meet someone nice. Dating in New York is a dog-eat-dog world at times.
“His loss,” he mumbles, throwing my own words back at me. We smile at each other just as my cell rings, and I grab it from nearby.
“Speak of the devil…” I reject his call, frowning as I notice another five from today alone.
“Is he harassing you?” Tanner asks, sitting up taller, clearly not happy about something. His chest is broad, his muscles defined, and I lick my lips. God, this man is good-looking.
“Just another man who doesn’t take the word no very well,” I say, clearly teasing him, and his brow only deepens, so I clarify. “It is fine. He will stop eventually.”
Tanner grabs my bowl and continues to surprise me as he cleans up the kitchen, washes the dishes, and wipes the counters. I start to assist, but my cut pulls a little and I wince, which earns me a growl and another scowl from him, making me stay put.
“Put my number in your cell, in case you need help again, and yours in mine.” He hands me his phone, and I look at it, then back at him, my eyes wide. One, I am pissed off that he thinks I can’t handle myself. But two, it is a move that surprises me. Josh never let me near his phone, always said it was an invasion of privacy. I guess now I know why. He probably had so many girls' phone numbers in it that he didn’t want me to see.
“I will be completely fine on my own, but in case you need my help, I will add it.” I take his phone and add my details, sending myself a text so I have his details too. He smirks, seemingly finding me humorous .
“Call me for anything. I will be here quicker than anyone else,” he reiterates, and I swallow past a lump in my throat. Where the hell did this man come from? So full of concern. I watch him in awe before a yawn breaks out just as he finishes cleaning up.
“You need to sleep,” he says, again telling me what to do, but I don’t have the energy to argue anymore.
“Yeah, it’s been a big day,” I agree, starting to feel my eyelids become heavy.
“I’ll help you upstairs and then lock up the house behind me. Kevin will be here before school, at around eight.”
“Okay. That would be great. Thank you.” I’m a little bamboozled by it all. He is doing so much. I have never had this level of support before. I mean, Fiona was great with wine nights, and I miss my mother dearly, but this is on an entirely new level.
We remain quiet as he picks me up and takes me up the stairs. His hands are warm, firm, and comforting. Sighing, I relax in his arms. I am not sure if it is my imagination, but I think I feel his thumb rub my upper back a little, and I look up at his face, seeing him already looking at me. We stare at each other for a moment, our eyes searching each other’s as he comes to a stop.
“We’re here,” he says quietly, but my breathing has all but stopped as I look at his lips, then flick my eyes back to his. He hasn’t lowered me, and I haven’t made a move either, my hands still wrapped around his shoulders. My tongue darts out to moisten my dry lips, and I see his jaw pop as his eyes follow the movement. But then he’s straightening and lowering my feet to the floor. Heart racing, I turn to say something to him, but he is already out the door. I stand, waiting as I hear him downstairs, and then his footsteps come back up and he walks back into my room with my cell phone and charger, a glass of water, painkillers, and my sketchbook.
“Need anything else?” he asks, and wide-eyed at his action, I shake my head.
“Thank you, Tanner. Really,” I tell him, feeling breathless. He nods once, his eyes on mine for another moment.
“Good night, Victoria,” he says, and I watch him swallow roughly.
“Good night,” I whisper to him, and he turns, walking out the door. I slowly lower myself to sit on the edge of the bed, listening to him closing and locking the door as he said before his truck starts up outside.
It is only then that I release the breath I didn’t know I was holding, and I fall back onto the bed. Closing my eyes, I instantly dream of a tall, dark-haired grumpy man.