"Do you have a minute?" Tanner requested. "I promise it won't take long."
"You can take as long as you like," she replied with a smile. "The kids are in school and I'm heading off to grocery shop. Never shop on an empty stomach."
She held up the Danish.
Giving the angry crowd a sideways glance, he motioned for Sherry to follow him to a quieter corner.
"I was thinking of taking Maddie on a little vacation. Just the two of us. So I was hoping you could watch Amanda and I was also hoping that you could give me some ideas as to where she might like to go."
Sherry's eyes lit up and she awkwardly tried to clap her hands together without dropping her coffee and Danish. "That's the best idea of heard of in...well...since this morning. It's a wonderful idea, Tanner, and Maddie would love it. Of course, we'll watch Amanda. We'd be happy to do it."
Relief rushed through him. If Sherry hadn't been on board, this plan simply wasn't going to happen.
"Do you have any ideas as to where she might like to go? I have a few but I want this to be really special for her. Sort of a birthday trip."
"You know, before I was a stay at home mom, I was an event planner. If you let me, I can help you pull this all together," Sherry offered. "I want her birthday to be something she'll remember forever."
"I wouldn't turn down the help."
"Then we're a team," Sherry laughed. "How about we find a table and I'll eat my snack here while I tell you all the ideas that I have? Maddie's going to love this. I'm thinking warm and tropical. What about you?"
It sounded perfect. It was all coming together.
7
Tanner had been acting strangely all evening. In a happy and jovial mood, he hadn't ripped anything else apart which was a positive sign. He'd painted the entire living room and tomorrow he was going to put the new baseboards on. That would be a whole project start to finish and she almost found herself cheering out loud.
But there had been something in the way he'd acted, something...different...almost secretive. He'd even left the room to take a call at one point while cooking dinner. He didn't usually do that so she was immediately suspicious. What secrets was her husband keeping from her? Should she ask him what was going on or ignore it? These days she wasn't sure.
"She's asleep finally," Tanner announced, striding into their bedroom and immediately stripping off his shirt. He was still the sexiest man she'd ever seen. "She negotiated for three stories instead of two."
"She's becoming quite the used car salesman. I think we might be spoiling her."
"Naw, it can't hurt to read to her more. If she was asking for cars or jewelry, then we're spoiling her."
"Cars and jewelry?" Maddie giggled. "She's five."
Tanner threw his clothes into the hamper in the closet and climbed into bed wearing his boxers and a t-shirt. Before they'd had Amanda, they'd liked to sleep nude.
"Never too early to ask for her first Porsche."
"Her first Porsche? She's going to have multiple Porsches?"
"Not if I have anything to say about it. Now how about you come a little closer?"
Bedroom eyes. She'd heard the phrase in her youth but had never truly known what it meant until she'd met this man. Her heart fluttered in her chest and it suddenly seemed hard to catch her breath. Tanner Marks ought to be illegal in all fifty states.
"How close?"
She'd learned a thing or two since being married to him. He liked to play a little before he got down to business.
"Close. Very close."
Maddie scooted about an inch, but no more.
"This close?"
A slow smile spread across his handsome face. "Aw baby, closer."
This time she set her book on the side table and moved another inch.
"This close?"
He leaned closer and his aroma tickled her nostrils. He smelled amazing, but then he always did. Citrus from his body wash, and she should know. She'd picked it out. But then there was something extra, something more than a simple bottle of soap. It was a warmth she'd never been able to put her finger on but it never ceased to make her think of love, happiness, and home.
"Closer," he invited. "I'll make it worth your while."
Experience told her he was telling the truth.
Maddie scooted even closer until the side of her body was flush with his. The heat from his skin penetrated her own flesh, sending a wash of warmth through her veins all the way to her fingertips.
"I believe you said something about making it worth my while."
She heard the urgency in her own voice but it had always been like this. The want. The aching need that only this one man had ever satisfied. She was sure they would be chasing each other around the house when Amanda was grown and on her own.
Just more slowly.
His fingers slipped under the hem of her t-shirt, brushing her skin and making her tingle all over. "You wear too many clothes to bed."
"I agree but that's what parents do," she reminded him. "Maybe when she's older we can go back to sleeping naked."
His brows arched up and then he swiftly stood, marching over to the bedroom door and flipping the lock.
"Just in case. She was sleeping when I left her room but you never know."
Maddie didn't want to scar her child for life by seeing her parents have sex. She was sure Tanner didn't, either.
Sliding between the sheets, he picked up where he'd left off. Getting her naked.
"I could use a little cooperation here," he whispered, pressing kisses to her neck and partially exposed shoulder. Her pulse skipped a beat and the blood began to roar in her ears. "Lift up a little, babe?"
She complied and her t-shirt slipped over her head and he tossed it over his shoulder so it landed in a puddle on the floor. Her pajama pants quickly followed suit but they still weren't skin to skin.
"Now your clothes are in the way."
He sat up in bed and held out his arms. "Then take them off of me."
"Since when do you let me be in charge?"
"Since now. Unless you don't want to–"
"I do," Maddie replied quickly, before he changed his mind. This was going to be fun. "I'm in charge."
"You're in charge," he repeated but there was mischief twinkling in his blue eyes. "Be gentle. It's my first time."
Snorting, she slid her hands underneath his t-shirt, her hands meeting warm, solid flesh.
"We're a heck of a long way from your first time at anything. Let's just say it's your first time today."
"Whatever you want. After all...you're in charge."
Now he was just being a shit.
She tugged at his t-shirt. "Arms up."
Obediently, he lifted his arms, allowing her to pull the t-shirt over his head. Unlike him, however, she didn't toss it on the floor, instead placing it on the nightstand next to the bed. He started to stretch his legs out so she could take off his boxers but she shook her head. She was planning to have a little fun first.
"I'm in charge," she reminded him. "I'll let you know when I'm ready to do that."
His brow quirked but he relaxed back against the pillows without a word. Swinging her leg over his body, she straddled Tanner, resting on the tops of his thighs while her palms glided up his ridged abdomen to his chest and then back down again. He groaned but remained passive under her ministrations, although his jaw tightened slightly.
"I want to play a little bit. And since I'm in charge..."
Leaning down, she began to press kisses along his collarbone, and then dragging her tongue across his salty skin. Tanner groaned and his fingers tightened on her hips but he still didn't say anything or move. Normally she'd be flat on her back by now.
Still taking her time, she languidly dropped kisses on his torso, her head moving in one direction. Down. The muscles on his belly jumped under her lips, and she gave the skin a tiny nibble as she lightly feathered her fingertips over his ribcage and then across the straining material of his boxers. He was
hard and ready and it was all she could do not to rip the thin cotton keeping him caged in. Feeling devilish, she rubbed her cheek against the fabric only to hear Tanner grunt and then suddenly found herself flipped over and...
Flat on her back.
Giggling, she held him at bay, her hands against his chest as he hovered over her. "Hey, I was supposed to be in charge."
His smile was playful but a tiny bit evil. "You were and now I am."
"Do I have to do what you say?"
"Of course."
Dipping his head, he lapped at an already hard nipple before pulling it into his mouth, his teeth scraping the sides. Arrows of arousal shot straight to her clit and she moved restlessly underneath him, her fists clenching the sheets. He moved to the other breast while his fingertips traveled down over her abdomen and between her legs.
Pressing two fingers inside of her, he moved them in just the right way to ramp up the pleasure. He knew her body, every single inch, and he'd long ago perfected the art of bringing her to orgasm. His thumb strummed her clit and his other digits stroked the sweet spot inside of her, making her body tremble and her legs shake as her climax took control. White lights sparkled behind her eyes and warmth flooded her veins. She whispered Tanner's name once or twice and then rode those waves as long as she could, stretching out the pleasure for as long as possible. Afterward, she was a puddle of goo in his arms, eyes closed and totally blissed out.
"That looked like fun," Tanner teased, his tongue drawing lazy circles on her shoulder. "Think I might be able to get in on it, too?"
Her lids fluttered open and she ran a fingernail slowly up his arm, his neck, and over his jaw, covered in dark stubble.
"I think that would be an excellent idea."
His hard cock pressed against her thigh and she reached down, taking him in her hand and guided him exactly where she needed him. She was so ready for him that he slid in easily, filling her so deliciously that she couldn't hold back her sigh of pure contentment. Nothing felt better than being this close to her husband. Since becoming parents, they didn't get to do this as often as they'd like but when they did...
Pure heaven.
There was no fumbling or hesitation. They knew each other's rhythms. What made the other moan in pleasure or groan in ecstasy. Sensitive spots like the curve of her neck or behind Tanner's ear. He liked the base of his spine stroked and she loved it when he pounded into her hard and fast, taking her breath away.
Tanner's first few strokes were slow and easy but they quickly built up a fast pace, his body pistoning in and out, every thrust running over that sensitive spot. A bar of arousal built in her belly and her toes curled as another orgasm built to its crescendo. She was teetering on the edge and a puff of wind would send her happily and enthusiastically over. His face was a mask of complete concentration and his jaw tight as he held back his own pleasure.
Reaching between them, Tanner deft fingers circled her clit and she went off like a rocket straight into the stars. Her nails dug into the taut muscles of his shoulders as she careened through the sky, bouncing off clouds. Tanner orgasmed right after, his entire body going stiff and his head thrown back, showing off the cords of his neck.
When it was over they were covered with sticky sweat, their breathing ragged and labored. Maddie's hair was a mess. What wasn't sticking straight up was in tangles around her damp neck. The sheets had half fallen off the bed and at some point, a pillow had gone flying and landed near the bedroom door. She had no memory of that happening but it clearly had.
Life with Tanner Marks was never boring.
Now how did she convince him that they needed a vacation? This might be a good time to do it. He'd be relaxed and in a great mood. She turned to speak to him, levering up so she was leaning on her elbow but the words died before she could say them.
Tanner was asleep, softly snoring, his features almost boyish and relaxed.
Tomorrow. She'd find a time tomorrow and talk to him.
The next evening Tanner could hardly wait for Maddie to arrive home. It was time to spring the big news. He'd had several texts from Sherry this afternoon and it was all set. One week of romance and relaxation, just the two of them.
His wife had always told him how organized her best friend was and how she could create the perfect event, but he hadn't realized how amazing Sherry was. She'd pulled this vacation together in about twenty-four hours and planning trips wasn't even her area of expertise. He could have done it himself but it would have taken much longer.
He and Maddie were going to take a beach vacation.
They'd had friends who had done it and seemed to love everything about it. He had a stack of books he wanted to read and he was excited about getting the time to do it.
"Daddy, why are you standing at the door staring outside?"
How long had he been standing here lost in thought?
"I'm watching for your mom to come home. I have a surprise for her."
Amanda's eyes lit up and her smile widened. "And for me?"
Chuckling, he lifted his daughter into his arms and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "And for you too, but not the same one. How would you like to stay with your Aunt Sherry and Uncle Dan for a few days while Mommy and Daddy go on a little trip?"
She was immediately suspicious. Smart girl. "Can I have ice cream when I'm there?"
"Not for breakfast."
"For 'zert?"
'Zert was Amanda's word for dessert. One of the few toddler-years speech affectations that she still used. Tanner would mourn the day when this last one was gone. Maddie was right - their daughter was growing up so fast.
"You can probably have some for dessert but not every single night. More like a treat."
"Aunt Sherry always gives me treats."
That was true. Sherry was a real pushover when it came to sweets while Maddie was stricter, but then she was a doctor.
"Don't expect it all the time," Tanner warned. "So are you happy that you get to stay with Aunt Sherry?"
Amanda nodded. "Where will you and Mommy go?"
"I'm going to take your mom on a vacation to the beach. In Florida."
"Will Mickey Mouse be there?"
Even at five, Amanda knew where Mickey lived.
"I'm positive that he won't be. Is that important?"
"It would be fun to be on vacation with Mickey."
"I can't argue with that. Now when Mommy gets home don't tell her about our surprise, okay? I'll tell her at dinner. Can you keep our secret until then?"
Five-year-olds weren't famous for being able to keep a secret but it would be less than an hour. Amanda could handle that.
"I can do that."
Maddie's car pulled into the driveway and Tanner's heart lurched in his chest. He hadn't had a surprise this big for his wife in a long time.
If you didn't count getting fired. He'd been surprised, too.
He held his finger over his lips. "Okay, Mommy is home so remember. We're going to stay quiet about the surprise, right? Now let's give Mommy a big hug when she comes in the door. She's had a long day."
He placed Amanda's feet on the floor and the little girl flew toward the door as Maddie walked through it, throwing her arms around her mother and giving her a big smack on the cheek.
"Mommy, we're going to the beach and have ice cream!"
Don't trust a five-year-old. He should have known. The cat was officially out of the bag.
Maddie was looking up at him, her eyes round with shock. Good shock or bad shock? At this point, he couldn't tell.
"Surprise. We're going on a second honeymoon."
Ice cream optional.
8
Maddie wasn't a huge fan of flying and she avoided it as much as practically possible. It wasn't that she was afraid. No, it was the hassle. Get there hours before the flight, wait in several long lines, and then sit around until it was time to leave. Not fun or efficient.
Driving to Florida, however, would have taken way too long so she'
d gritted her teeth and dealt with it, happy when the rental car pulled up in front of their lodgings.
"Pretty snazzy, husband," Maddie remarked, stepping out of the car. The warm sun felt absolutely amazing and she couldn't wait to shed the layers of clothing she'd been wearing since Montana. It was a hot day and already she could feel her skin beginning to sizzle. As a redhead, she had to be super careful.
SPF 100 coming right up.
"Sherry did help me," Tanner admitted for the second time. He'd mentioned it before when he'd told her the news and she hadn't been all that surprised. Sherry liked to organize. Cabinets, parties, papers, people; she really wasn't fussy. So of course, when Maddie had agreed that a vacation would be a good idea her friend had moved behind the scenes to make it happen. "She said that we might like having the convenience of a kitchen. We wouldn't have to eat out so much if we didn't want to."
If Maddie were here by herself, eating out would be her only option. That and cereal. She could fix a mean bowl of Cheerios with milk but that was the extent of her culinary skills.
At Sherry's urging, Tanner had rented a luxury condo in a large high-rise instead of a hotel room. Because it was a last-minute booking, it was a sweet deal at a bargain price. She had assured Maddie - more than once - that Tanner wasn't breaking the bank on this vacation. It might look like it but the price was actually quite reasonable, and the condo was more convenient than a hotel. This way they had a kitchen, laundry, and a small balcony overlooking the Gulf of Mexico.
Maddie couldn't wait to sit there and have her morning coffee while watching the waves go in and out. Sweet serenity.
"It's fantastic. You made a great choice. This must be how the other half lives. Wow, this is fancy."
This vacation idea had turned out to be just the thing that her husband had needed to get out of his funk. Once he'd announced it, he'd hurried around the house for the next week trying to finish up all the projects he'd started because he didn't want to come home to chaos. Neither did she and she'd been thrilled.
Bitter Justice (Cowboy Justice Association Book 12) Page 5
