CHAPTER THREE
The next morning Mavis knocked on her door to tell her breakfast was ready. Tammy bolted upright and looked the clock. It was nine in the morning. Gosh, she hadn’t slept that late in years.
“Thanks Mavis, ten minutes!” she hollered so she’d hear her.
“I’ll let Mr. Hartley know,” came the muffled response.
“He’s up?”
“For three hours ma’am.”
Of course he was. Tammy rubbed her forehead as she got out of bed.
It was his fault she slept in. That bed was probably the most comfortable thing she’d slept on in years.
Also, she’d had about three glasses of wine at dinner the night before.
It had been a long time since she’d drank but the wine was really good.
Further, the evening exhausted the life out of her. It took a lot to deceive people.
She was in and out of the shower in five minutes and dressed in less than that. She pulled on a pair of black yoga pants and a light green tank top. She would need to get dressed for the wedding in a few hours so it seemed useless to get half ready now.
She remembered where the kitchen was from the tour the day before.
She paused when she saw Lance sitting at the breakfast counter drinking a cup of coffee and reading a paper.
He was wearing grey sweats and a plain white t-shirt that had a hint of perspiration on his chest. Oh, he’d been working out. God, he looked delicious.
“Hi.” He set his paper down when he saw her and patted the stool beside him. His eyes went down her form and back up again just to lock gazes with her. “You slept in,” he said with a lazy smile.
She refused to be uncomfortable from his discovery the night before. Hopefully he’d forgotten about everything. Yeah, right. “I did.” She took the seat beside him and Mavis gave her a plate of eggs, bacon and toast. She was never one to turn away a good home cooked meal. “The mattress is heavenly.”
“Mine’s better.”
She near choked on a forkful of scrambled eggs. After last night, she knew there was a hidden innuendo in there especially after seeing the glint in his eyes.
“Some coffee Mavis, black, no sugar.” He called while smirking at Tammy.
He was observant. That was exactly how she took her coffee.
Mavis placed a mug in front of her and gave her a sympathetic look while she still coughed.
“Here.” He handed her the mug. “Careful, it’s hot.”
She took a drink anyway. It was perfect. Then she shot him a look. “You need to stop doing that.”
“What? Mine is better.” He grinned and took a sip from his own mug watching her over the rim.
She shook her head. “It’s the hidden inferences.” Gosh she just couldn’t have this conversation. She still couldn’t shake his confession from the night before. Her cheeks flamed. His eyes went there seeing her embarrassment.
“Well, we could certainly solve your curiosity.”
Her eyes popped wide. Choking on coffee this time.
He stood up and patted her back. “Water, Mavis.”
“Already getting it,” she called back from around the corner.
A few seconds later Mavis placed a large glass of water in front of her and gave her a half smile and a half look of sympathy before making herself scarce.
Tammy took a long drink before she turned her angry eyes on Lance. “That’s what I mean.”
He took his seat again, his knee brushing her thigh as he did it. She wondered if that was purposeful.
“You are curious.”
“I’m not.”
He gave a short laugh. “You are. If you weren’t, your cheeks wouldn’t flame.” He leaned toward her. “And they flame a lot.”
There was no use trying to lie to him. He was too good in seeing through people. “Okay fine. Yes, I’m curious.”
“Ah, the truth. Nice. So is this curiosity to do with all men or just me?”
She knew he could see the truth in her expression so she didn’t directly answer it. “That doesn’t mean you can embarrass me over being chaste Lance. I should have never told you.”
“You didn’t tell me. I figured it out when you kept blushing whenever I brought up intimate questions.”
She took a deep breath and released it quickly, in frustration. “Okay, you’re right. I still don’t think—”
“—what did the stuffed shirt do to you to make you shy away from it?”
She blinked her eyes wide. God, he shifted subjects and moods so quickly, her head spun. It was probably his way of getting an honest answer from people. Surprise did wonders to peoples’ verbal, emotional and physical responses.
“Don’t try and lie to me Tam, I can tell.”
She already knew that.
“He somehow ruined you for other men—intimately. I’m thinking that’s the only reason you are still chaste.”
“I told you why.”
He shook his head. “Waiting for love. Yes, I know, but your body betrays you. You are curious. Twenty six year old virgins that are as desirable as you don’t exist. That can only happen if you’ve been shamed, or worse.” His eyes narrowed.
Desirable? Did he just say that? She stuttered out her response trying not to let him know that affected her.
“H—he didn’t get that far.” She paused seeing the anger rise in his eyes.
The Hartley men were very respectful of women.
Their father raised them right. She’d seen the damage Colton did when someone disrespected Elaina. All of them had the same views
“He got far enough to do some psychological damage. I’d like to know.”
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
“I would like you to.”
Of course he would. “It’s not that easy. Tit for tat, why’d you quit New York?” That got a reaction. It was rare and subtle, but it was there. He actually sat back away from her a little and his expression masked. “That’s a little one sided Lance.”
“It’s public knowledge.”
“Not to me.”
“Look it up. Yours isn’t.”
“How do you know?”
“I already checked into it.”
Of course he did. Now her cheeks flamed for a different reason. “There’s no need to cross examine me, councilor!”
“Get angry all you want Tammy. How can I play the devoted fiancé if I don’t know everything?”
“I see. So you like to be informed, but not let me in on your secrets. You don’t need to know this!
” she stood abruptly to leave, but he grabbed her arm.
When he turned her back she had tears in her eyes.
Instantly, his hard expression crumbled.
Before she knew it, she was embraced in strong arms bring her face into his chest. She could smell his scent; strong, masculine and completely spellbinding.
“Shh. I’m sorry.”
His deep voice vibrated through his chest and arms enveloping her.
The tone was definitely remorseful. She nodded still refusing to let the tears fall.
Being in his arms definitely could have aided to it, but she was able to pull them back.
She just couldn’t be so damn vulnerable around this man. She didn’t want his pity.
“I pushed too much. I won’t bring it up again until you’re ready. I promise.”
She nodded again knowing that she never would be.
He placed his hands on either side of her head and tilted her face up to meet his eyes. “Are you okay?”
“I am. Honesty Lance, I don’t want to relive that okay?”