Chapter Nine
Ella
My heart twists when Maisie throws her arms around Tanner’s neck. “I love you Prince Hero Tanner.”
I swear I catch a flash of pain before Tanner’s eyes fall closed and he hugs her back, but when his eyes open again, they’re filled with love and tenderness. “Maisie-girl, you are so very special. Don’t you ever forget it,” he says, voice gruff.
I’m completely mortified as I follow Maisie to her bedroom to tuck her into bed. Of course she would spill my secrets without having any idea of what she was doing. And really, what she said didn’t reveal anything too embarrassing, but knowing the truth had me lighting up like a Christmas tree.
Between Tanner’s earlier declaration about standards and setting a high bar for Maisie, the unexpected call from her dad dumping unwelcome news, and Maisie’s insistence that Tanner stay to help with my so-called bad dreams, I’m overwhelmed to say the least.
Not to mention that my daughter is in love with a man whom we hardly know though it certainly doesn’t feel like it. Even if that’s the reality of the situation.
I trudge back out to the living room where I find Tanner still on the couch, elbows resting on his knees, head bent with one hand running through his thick dark hair. He looks up as I approach.
“Sorry about that. It’s really not necessary for you to stay.”
His eyebrow arches. “Are you sure about that? Maisie seems to think so, and that’s enough for me. Even if it wasn’t, that phone call obviously upset you, and what’s going on with the nightmares?”
My lips purse and I cross my arms over my chest. “It’s fine.
Nothing I’m not used to dealing with. Maisie needs to learn she can’t just demand something, and it automatically happens.
You’re a virtual stranger and she’s already in love with you.
Now I’ve gotta worry about dealing with her broken heart on top of everything else. ”
His eyes narrow. “I guess I didn’t make myself clear enough earlier.
I wasn’t being glib. That little girl stole a piece of my heart the moment I found her and she started talking my ear off.
It’s true we haven’t known each other long, but you can’t deny there’s something between us.
I’m already in this. You don’t have to worry about me breaking her heart, because I’d cut my own out before I’d let that happen.
No matter what happens between the two of us.
Now it won’t hurt anything if I stay right here.
I won’t sleep at all if I leave anyway because I’ll just worry about you. ”
He once again leaves me with chills from words alone. I shake my head. “How are you even real? No one is this open and honest this soon.”
The hint of pain flashes through his eyes again. “I lost my chance for a happily ever after once before. It seems I might have a chance at another one right now. I’m not going to blow it by playing games. I will always be honest and forthright with you Ella.”
I study his face for any hint of deception.
For any indication he’s blowing smoke up my ass, but I see nothing but sincerity.
My heart is telling me this could be a second chance for me and Maisie as well.
It’s not like we’re not already in too deep.
Somehow we fell right into the deep end without even realizing it was happening.
Finally I sigh. “Alright, you can stay to make Maisie happy and appease whatever overprotective need you have, but really, it’s not at all necessary.”
His eyes narrow. “Well, you woke Maisie up, so something wasn’t right.”
I glance away, my cheeks heating once again. God, he’s not going to let this go. I blurt, “It was your fault, anyway.”
“How was it my fault?” His eyebrows furrow with his obvious confusion as he shoots to his feet, fists on his trim hips.
I slam my hands over my face, unable to believe what I just did. What is wrong with me? Why’d I tell him that?
“Ella?” Tanner’s deep voice rumbles much closer to me than I expect. His hands cover mine and he gently tugs them away. One hand returns to my face, cupping my cheek like he did the day Maisie got lost. Just like that day, I can’t help but lean into his heat and the comfort he’s offering.
“Look at me, sweetheart. How was it my fault and how can I fix it?”
I finally open my eyes to see him standing so close my breasts would brush his hard pecs if I inhaled deeply enough. His thumb hooks under my chin, raising it so I have to look him in the eye.
My entire body is humming from being so near him and how gentle he’s being with me. Just like he is with Maisie. I take a deep breath and my nipples harden to points as they do in fact come in contact with his chest.
I might as well get it out there. The situation is already fucked up. How much worse could it get?
“Well, look at you. You’re gorgeous and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you. And well, I got a little carried away relieving the tension.”
He blinks slowly at me as he processes the words that came out without me taking a breath. After a moment his lips twitch before a grin splits his face. “Are you telling me you got yourself off thinking about me? That I got you so excited you woke your daughter up?”
“Maybe,” I huff as I glance away, unable to look him in the eye.
“Fuck,” he groans.
I gasp at his unmistakable hard length now between us. My eyes jerk back to his.
His eyebrow arches, and he smirks with a shrug of his shoulder. “That’s what that idea does to me. Now I’m not getting any sleep tonight, no matter where I am.”
Knowing how turned on he is just from imagining me like that emboldens me.
My entire body is aflame with desire. Blood rushes in my ears as heat pools in my belly.
My pussy is screaming that it will never forgive me for turning away this man.
It’s the only possible reason for what comes out of my mouth next.
“I’m sure you would if we take care of that first.”