Twice as Sexy

by Carly Phillips

  A little while later, they were in an Uber on the way to her apartment.

  Scarlett lay her head on Tanner’s shoulder, overwhelmed in the very best way. Even if she’d celebrated her birthday every year as a child, she couldn’t imagine anything better than what he’d given her today.

  She sighed.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked, threading his hand through hers.

  “I’m just tired.” She wasn’t lying but she couldn’t share what she’d really been thinking. That would come soon enough.

  Because though she’d never had such sexual chemistry with a man, let alone synced on a personal level, Tanner was the one man who could distract her from her goals. And she’d promised her brother, while standing at the cemetery, nobody else would go free and not pay for their crimes if she could help it.

  She wasn’t looking forward to ending things with him. They’d barely begun and what they had experienced was real, genuine, and fun. But timing was everything, and if she looked at her life and the goals she’d laid out for herself, she had no choice.

  Chapter Four

  As Scarlett’s head rested on Tanner’s shoulder, nothing had ever felt so right, but he couldn’t stop the concerning thoughts circling through his mind.

  A district attorney. At her words, everything inside him had frozen. His past, his secrets, the things he was ashamed of were all tied to his acting out and ending up on the wrong side of the law thanks to the temper he worked to keep in check, though it was only directed at people who hurt those he loved. And he knew damn well why he had such an anger issue too. As a kid, he’d felt impotent against the father who used words as a weapon, and he’d been powerless to do anything to stop him from belittling him and his sister. The anger would build and build, but he couldn’t direct it at his parent, so he acted out against others who hurt those he cared for.

  As she’d spoken, he’d had to do his best to school his features and hide his emotions, not wanting Scarlett to know her career had thrown him for a loop. Although it sure as hell had reinforced the fact that she was too good for him.

  The Uber pulled up to the curb outside her apartment and they exited the vehicle. In silence, he led her to her apartment, his hand on her back.

  Once at her door, she turned to face him. “Tanner–”

  “Scarlett–” he said at the same time. He shook his head. “You first.”

  She visibly swallowed hard. “I had such a good time today. I mean, you have no idea what the birthday celebration meant to me and I’ll never forget it. But I meant what I said when I told you my job is all consuming. I don’t know how to carve out time for a relationship.”

  Although he hadn’t let himself think about where they were going from here, she’d made her position clear this morning. He had pushed for more, had hoped their day together would change her mind. But now that he knew her career, well, he understood they couldn’t be more different.

  Had he planned to end things? No. Hell, he wasn’t even sure what he’d been about to say, but she was giving him an out.

  An out he didn’t want to take. He brushed her hair off her cheek, stroking her skin with his hand as he did. “I’m going to give you what you want for now. I’ll back off.”

  Meanwhile, he’d take the time to think and regroup. But not before he gave her something to remember him by. Leaning in, he sealed his mouth over hers.

  Without hesitating, she parted and let him in, her tongue tangling with his as if they’d been doing this dance forever. And as he took his time, sliding his lips over hers, teeth clashing, mouths devouring, one thought went through his mind. He could see himself doing just that.

  * * *

  Shaken by the depth of his feelings and today’s revelation, Tanner headed to the club. He didn’t want a drink. Since Levi’s death, he usually avoided alcohol for himself, which made the fact that he owned the club somewhat ironic. But when they’d decided to open a business and Jason’s cousin Gabe had expressed interest in helping them start up what he knew best, the nightclub idea had been born.

  Right now he needed to be with the men who understood him best. He passed through the busy club, taking a moment to appreciate what they’d created together before joining his partners in the office on the second floor. He found the guys sitting at their desks, feet propped up, chilling, screens around them showing various sections of the club downstairs.

  “Well, look who made it,” Jason said, a smug grin on his face. “Where’s your girl?”

  “Who’s my girl is more like it,” Tanner muttered, running a hand through his hair.

  Just who was the beautiful woman with the amazing laugh who could play video games like a champ, inhale pizza and cake pops, and make him hard at just the thought of her? He still hadn’t plumbed the depths of her and he wanted to know more. But could he take the risk of being hurt when she discovered his past?

  Jason narrowed his gaze, but before he could question Tanner, Landon spoke. “Am I the only one out of the loop?” Landon asked.

  Jason grinned. “Tanner met a woman last night. Took her upstairs. Spent the day with her today. Apparently something happened since to throw you off your game?”

  Both men looked to him.

  Tanner rolled his shoulders, the movement not easing the tension a damn bit. “She’s a fucking assistant district attorney. Not just a lawyer but a prosecutor.”

  He let the words settle, and each man took the time to put the pieces of Tanner’s obvious feelings together.

  “So? You’re a club owner. Big fucking deal.” It didn’t shock Tanner that Jason, the happily settled one of the bunch, could see past the issues inherent in Scarlett’s career.

  “Your past is your past, Tanner. Let it go,” Landon said.

  Tanner frowned. He didn’t need them both ganging up on him, even if what they said jived with what was in his heart and what he really wanted. Since childhood, he’d been told he wasn’t good enough. He’d never make something of himself. He’d nearly proven his father right. It was thanks to these men that he’d pulled himself up from the depths of his despair after Levi’s death and the anger that had consumed him. Could he listen to them now?

  “What if she won’t—or can’t—live with who I am?” Because in his experience, good girls didn’t go for bad guys, and with his record, expunged or not, she deserved better than a guy like him.

  “Who you were. And for understandable reasons.” Landon, who’d lost his twin, strode over and put hand on Tanner’s shoulder. “You’re not that guy anymore.”

  “And you’ll only know what she can handle if you’re honest.” Jason eyed him with understanding. “It’s not easy to lay it all out there. I know. But it’s worth it if she comes around.”

  “And if she doesn’t, she isn’t worth it,” Landon said.

  Jason nodded in agreement.

  “I’ll think about it.”

  “Don’t think, do,” Jason said.

  “In other words, don’t be a pussy.” Landon chuckled and Tanner shot him an annoyed glare.

  But the guys had a point. A look at the monitors downstairs showed him what they’d accomplished. How far he’d come. If Scarlett couldn’t see him for the man he was… Well, he wouldn’t go there. He also had to overcome her resistance to making time for him in her life.

  He was up to the challenge. Because he didn’t think he could let her go without trying his damndest to see what could be between them. But she’d asked for time and he felt they both needed it.

  “Now on to other subjects, any news from the security company or is it time to hire someone else?” Tanner asked.

  At the question, Landon strode back to his desk, picked up a sheet of paper, and returned, placing it in front of Tanner. “Bastard was wearing a hoodie and kept his face turned away from the cameras.”

  “Fuck.” Tanner slammed a hand on the desk.

  “We’re careful. We’ll get him,” Jason said. “Gabe’s pulling his PI in on things. Jack Renault is th
e best.”

  “Good,” Tanner said with a definitive nod. If Gabriel Dare recommended him, Tanner trusted the man’s judgment.

  Back when Tanner had gotten himself thrown in jail for assault, Gabe, Jason’s cousin, had pulled in favors with some very important people and gotten him an executive pardon and Tanner’s convictions went away. It’d been legal, if one counted pulling strings legal. But that was the way of the world. It was all in who one knew.

  Tanner had promised everyone they’d never have an issue with him again. And they wouldn’t. He’d always hold his temper in check. Therapy and learning about himself assured him of that. Not that he didn’t get angry at times, but the fury over Vic, who’d caused Levi’s death, was under control because the man was behind bars. And Tanner no longer had a record that would have kept them from opening the club together because he wouldn’t have been able to legally get a liquor license. He’d always owe Gabe for what he’d done for him back in the day.

  He glanced up at the guys. “We remain vigilant. And meanwhile, we go about business as usual.”

  * * *

  Being a lawyer wasn’t all courtroom dramatics like it was on television. It was more about paperwork, research, and more paperwork, interviewing witnesses, and very little sleep. And yet, with as busy as Scarlett had been, she couldn’t stop thinking about Tanner. One week had passed since she’d seen him, and though he’d said he’d back off, his qualifier had stayed with her.

  For now. He’d back off for now. But maybe he’d taken her words at face value, let time pass, and realized she wasn’t worth the chase. And really, she’d meant it when she said she didn’t have time for a relationship, so why was she so disappointed he’d been MIA?

  “Knock knock.” Leigh strode into Scarlett’s office, carrying a cardboard tray with Starbucks cups in the holders. “Coffee break time,” she said and took a seat across from Scarlett’s desk.

  “That one’s yours.” Leigh pointed to the cup holding Scarlett’s drink.

  “A venti,” she said with a grateful sigh. “Oh my God, I love you for this.” She picked up the cup, pulled out the green stopper, and look a long sip, not caring that it burned her tongue a little. The caffeine more than made up for it as did the steaming taste of caramel.

  “If you love me, then talk to me. You’ve been avoiding the subject of your time with the club hottie all week.” Leigh pouted but her hurt was real.

  Scarlett sighed. “He was amazing. Like everything I could want in a man … if I were looking.” Leigh opened her mouth to argue but Scarlett finished first. “Which I’m not.”

  She went on to tell her friend about her birthday weekend and how much Tanner had gone out of his way to make the day special.

  “For a smart woman, you’re an idiot,” Leigh said bluntly. “If a guy treated me so well, I wouldn’t be pushing him away.”

  “You should listen to her.” A familiar voice had Scarlett looking away from Leigh and up to the doorway, where Tanner stood, arms folded across his chest, a sexy grin on his face.

  “How did you get past Michelle out front?” Scarlett asked, noting that Leigh had jumped to her feet and began fixing her dress and smoothing out the wrinkles.

  She held back a grin. Tanner had that effect on women. They wanted to look their best. She, on the other hand, refused to think about the fact that it was three p.m., her makeup had long since faded, her hair was up in a bun, and since it wasn’t court day, she was in an unmemorable pair of pinstriped pants and a pink shirt.

  “There was no one at the desk out front so I walked in, asked someone where your office was, and here I am.” He leaned against the doorframe, a hot guy in black slacks and a long-sleeve plum-colored dress shirt.

  “Hi, I’m Leigh Michaels,” she said, extending her hand, and Tanner took it.

  “Tanner Grayson. And I appreciate you pushing Scarlett in my direction.”

  “Have any friends just like you?” Leigh asked.

  Tanner chuckled and Scarlett rolled her eyes. “Leigh brought me Starbucks and she was just leaving.”

  “Nice to meet you, Leigh.”

  “Bye.” She smiled at him, turned to Scarlett and winked, and walked out of the office, leaving her alone with Tanner.

  “She’s…”

  “Something,” Scarlett filled in the word Tanner hadn’t yet said. “But she’s a good friend.” She met his gaze. “What are you doing here?”

  “I tried to do what you wanted. To stay away.” He hesitated before speaking. “I missed you,” he said, shutting the door behind him.

  She swallowed hard. “I missed you too. But nothing in my life has changed.” She gestured to the mountains of files surrounding her desk and cardboard boxes filled with the same piled on the floor. Discovery. All the evidence in her current case there for her to scour through.

  “I’m not asking to take over your life. Just for you to carve out a small part. Unless what we shared was normal to you? Could you find our kind of chemistry and fun with just anyone else?” The smug smirk on his face told her he already knew the answer.

  “Dinners fit in between work. An occasional couple of hours on the weekends. You’re willing to put up with that? Because in my experience…” She paused because he stalked toward her, coming around the desk and bracing his hands on the arms of her chair.

  “Yes? Tell me about your experience before me.” A hint of mint on his breath combined with his musky cologne, making for a potent combination.

  Her breath hitched and her body responded, swaying toward him. “My last… The last guy who said no problem gave up on me.”

  Tanner’s gaze narrowed. “He wasn’t me. And he sounds like an idiot.”

  She couldn’t stop the smile that hit her lips.

  “And that’s the last I want to hear of any exes when I’m with you.” He straightened and looked at her, his expression serious. “But there are things you need to know about me before we move forward.”

  Her cell phone rang and her father’s name came up on the screen. She shot Tanner a regret-filled look. “I have to take this.”

  He stepped back and she felt the loss of his warmth.

  “Dad?”

  Her father rambled nearly incoherent. “Is Colleen there?” she asked.

  All Scarlett could hear was something about an emergency and the nurse leaving. She picked up other bits and pieces that had her utterly petrified. “Where are you?”

  “The hospital with your mother,” he finally said clearly.

  Her heart nearly stopped. “What hospital?”

  Tanner froze, his concerned gaze on hers.

  “Okay, yes. Yes. I’m coming.” She disconnected the call, her hands shaking. “I need to tell my boss I have to go.” She picked up the landline and dialed. “Kyle? I have a family emergency. I need to leave for the day and I’m not sure about tomorrow.” She stood up, already throwing her cell into her purse. “I know what I have to do but my mother’s in the hospital. I’m leaving.” She disconnected the call and looked at Tanner, who stood waiting patiently.

  “What hospital?” he asked gently.

  “North Shore. In Manhasset.” Realizing she’d put her phone in her bag and she needed it to call for an Uber, she started to search her large bag. Somehow between the time she’d tossed it in and now, it had gotten lost in her mess.

  “Scarlett, calm down. I’ve got it,” he said, his phone in his hand, the Uber app pulled up on his screen. “Come on.”

  She let him walk her to the elevator and hit the lobby button, her father’s words starting to make sense. Colleen had gotten an emergency call from her daughter, who was in early labor, and she had to leave. Her father said it was fine and he’d be home soon. He arrived home to find her mother in the extra car in the garage with the motor running, the garage door closed.

  A car pulled up to the front of Scarlett’s work building, and Tanner leaned down to the passenger window. “Tanner Grayson?” the driver asked.

  Nodding, Tanne
r opened the back door so Scarlett could slide in. To her shock, he climbed in after her, slamming the door shut behind them. “North Shore Hospital,” he confirmed with the driver.

  “Wait, what are you doing?”

  “Going with you,” he said, pulling her tight against him as the car sped off. “Now what happened?”

  Too stunned and frightened to argue, she told him what she’d put together. “My mother tried to kill herself,” she whispered. “Carbon monoxide poisoning.” She swallowed hard. “I told you already she has severe depressive disorder, but she’s never tried anything like this before.”

  He cupped her face in his hands. “I’m sorry, honey. Are you okay?”

  She swallowed hard. “I’m trying. Dad was incoherent and I don’t know anything, which makes it harder. I don’t know if she was unconscious or if he found her in time…” She began to tremble and he pulled her into his arms, letting her cry.

  She needed the release before she arrived at the hospital. Someone had to be strong and coherent to understand what the doctors said. To make decisions. And her father hadn’t sounded like he’d be in any shape to handle things.

  She slipped her hand into Tanner’s, grateful for his presence. They hadn’t known each other long, but it felt natural to rely on him for support. She didn’t have time to sort out her feelings for him now, but they were growing. Quickly.

  * * *

  Tanner had gone to talk to Scarlett to confess his past sins and see if they stood a chance. Instead he had a crying woman in his arms and was on his way to the hospital with no idea what they’d find out when they arrived.

  “Do you have tissues in your purse?” he asked.

  She lifted her head, sniffed, and nodded. She pulled one out. He took it and softly wiped under her eyes, catching tears and makeup.

  She looked at him curiously. “Deal with a lot of crying women?”

  “I have a sister,” he explained.

  She nodded. “Tell me about her.”

  He knew the underlying sentiment. Take her mind off the unknown. He didn’t mind talking about his sibling. “So Alyssa is older than me by four years. She planned to go to school to become a nurse but life had other plans. She got pregnant after her college graduation.”