Page 48 of Grip Me Tight
“This isn’t my fault, you know. You’re the one who got involved with Natasha, and I was only in your room because of the security issue after the show. I never should have stayed.”
“I know it’s not your fault. I’m just angry at myself for being in this situation. This break was supposed to be exactly what I needed after a crazy year. I need to work, and now I’ll be writing under a microscope while you interview me about what I have for breakfast. Instead of holing up in the cabin, I’ll have to pretend I’m on vacation with my fake girlfriend.”
“Well, sorry. I get that it’s a total hardship to be around me. You remind me often enough.”
He’s looking at me again.
“Keep your eyes on the road!”
Tanner switches his attention back to driving, slowing as we head into a deep curve. “What do you mean, I remind you enough?” he asks.
I stare out the window, amazed at the way the trees give way to the cutest town, laid out against the backdrop of sparkling water. I gaze at the church spire I can see, glinting in the sunlight, with brightly colored homes around it. It’s like something out of a movie. I blink and turn back to my surly vacation-mate. “First, I haven’t seen you in years, because although you love my family, that doesn’t include me. Then mom guilt-trips you into finally coming back for the Fourth of July and you spend half of it growling at me and the other half kissing me senseless. Finally, in Chicago you go all sexy rock star on me, with your whole, ‘I want you, but it won’t work’ routine. It’s pretty obvious I mess with your mojo or something.”
He chuckles, surprising me. “You definitely mess with something.”
The navigation system cuts in with instructions to our destination and the jeep rumbles down a gravel road where cute cottages give way to the occasional lake house, and it’s like a game of peek-a-boo through the trees. We turn down another narrow road and I roll my window down, breathing in the scent of fresh pine and cedar that carries in on the warm breeze. Up ahead is a gorgeous house with navy-blue siding and an exposed wood frame. It’s like something out of a movie, all wood and stone paths and as we get closer, I see the incredible view of the lake next to it.
“This is Laird’s ‘cabin’?” I lean out the window to get a better look. It looks like a resort.
“Yes, but we’re staying in the lake bunkie,” Tanner says, turning down another dirt path.
I pull my arm in quickly as branches brush the side of the jeep. The trees are thick and block out most of the sun as we bounce down the path. “Are you sure we’re not staying back there?” The jeep sways and jostles and my tummy dips as we hit a root.
“I’m positive. I know you’re used to more luxury accommodations, but the main house is being renovated and I need peace and quiet to write.”
We emerge from the trees into a clearing, the sun sparkling off the windows of a charming little house. Tanner pulls up to the side and cuts the engine. I fling open the door and step down, spinning around in a slow circle.
“This place is so cute.” The house looks like a mini-cottage that wouldn’t be out of place somewhere in Norway or Sweden. Like the main house, there’s lots of glass and wood and I realize when Tanner said he was coming here to be alone, he wasn’t kidding. This place isn’t big.
“Laird calls it a micro-cabin.” Tanner comes up next to me, our bags slung over his shoulder.”
“It looks like a she-shed or one of those tiny homes.”
“Itisa tiny home.”
“I mean from the television show? Small footprint, minimalist homes like this became very popular in the last few years.”
“If you say so.” Tanner steps onto the front deck and I notice the containers are filled with fresh herbs.
“Do you think Laird will let me include this place as part of the content?”
He turns to me. “You mean for your posts?”
I nod, stepping up next to him while he opens the door. He gestures for me to walk in ahead of him and my jaw drops. While tiny, the bunkie is immaculate, with white-washed barnboard that gives a clean, open feel to the interior. There’s a kitchenette and a comfy looking seafoam green couch tucked into a nook that looks perfect for cuddling up with a book. A basket of blankets lies next to it and nearby is a small woodstove we won’t need to use in the summer heat, but I imagine is the coziest thing in winter while a storm blows over the lake. At the other end of the bunkie is a ladder leading up to the loft area and behind the ladder, past the kitchenette, I can see a door. I check it out and see it’s a small but perfectly luxurious bathroom, complete with a natural-stone shower enclosure. I whistle and walk back out to where Tanner is standing, a bemused smile on his face. The back wall is floor-to-ceiling windows and the lake is on full display. There’s a deck, with a built-in grill and navy-blue Adirondack chairs surrounding a firepit. Beyond that is an incline that looks like it ends at a sandy beach. A rack with two kayaks is set up to the right of the deck, and there’s a hot tub as well.
“This is Laird’s family’s property?” I ask. “Does he own the entire lake?”
“No, but it seems like it sometimes. He has lots of family out this way.” He tilts his head. “Still feel like it’s a hardship not staying up at the main house?”
“This is perfect.” I eye the ladder. “Are there two beds up there?” I don’t know if I’m hoping for yes or no. Maybe Tanner expects me to take the couch. I trail my eyes over his broad shoulders, his white t-shirt emphasizing his tanned skin and dark hair. Tanner might be worried about forever, but I’m not looking that far ahead. I just want to experience the same indescribable pleasure he gave me before.
Tanner catches my eye. “Last time I was here, there was just one. It’s big enough for two though.” He clears his throat. “You know I’m not into Vera’s idea, but I wasn’t lying back at the hotel. I want you even though I shouldn’t.”
He opens the fridge and pulls out a jug of water, pouring himself a glass. He walks past me and sprawls on the couch, his big body erasing any thoughts I might have had about the couch being perfect for curling up with a book. That couch looks perfect for cushioning my knees when I straddle his lap. Heat fills my belly.
“Has anything changed?” I arch a brow, desperately hoping everything has changed. I look around, making a big show of checking the windows. “It doesn’t look like there’s anyone we need to convince right now.”
Tanner smirks, before crooking a finger in a ‘come here’ motion. I stand my ground, trying not to notice the way his dark hair falls across his forehead or the bulge in his jeans he’s adjusting. “Maybe we can pretend?”
