It Had to Be Love (An It Had to Be Novel)

by Tamra Baumann

  Worked for them forever? Perfect. Then Jonathan knew everything there was to know about the McDaniels. It could be just the break Ryan had been looking for.

  Later that evening, Jonathan showed Ryan to the living room. “The guests should be here momentarily. Do you need anything before I go?”

  “I’m fine, thanks.”

  Jonathan nodded and then quietly slipped away. Unfortunately, Jonathan was just like those English butlers in the movies. Discreet. It was like banging up against a cement wall to get him to talk when they’d taken the grand tour earlier.

  Ryan glanced around at the room with furniture too fragile and fancy to sit on, and decided he’d just stand.

  His phone dinged with a text.

  It was Mike again. He’d already texted three times. So, your dad said I have to either arrest Walt for digging on your grandmother’s land or let her shoot him. I’m thinking I shouldn’t let her shoot him, right?”

  Seriously? No shooting. Tell my father I’ll deal with everything on Monday.

  10-4. Hope you get lucky!

  Ryan shook his head as he stuffed his phone back into his pocket. He really needed to find someone capable to replace him before he moved away.

  The thump of a walker sounded behind him. He turned to find Mildred approaching, still dressed in her fancy bathrobe. She pulled up short when she spotted him. “Who are you, again?”

  “I’m Ryan. Tara’s friend?”

  “Tara?” She blinked for a moment before she moved toward the couch and flopped down. “Right. She had to change her name because of her crazy ex. Is there any gin around here?”

  Here was just the opportunity he needed. But Joe had mentioned earlier that Eva’s mother was a little mixed up. “Sorry, don’t see any gin.”

  “One of them will just take it away from me anyway. Then tell me it’s not good for my memory. Sure, sometimes I forget where I put my glasses.” She tapped a finger to her forehead. “But I’m still ninety percent upstairs. They don’t think I’m onto them, but everyone’s in a tizzy around here because of Spencer.”

  “Spencer?”

  “Jamie’s ex-husband.” Mildred frowned and closed her eyes. “Hateful, crazy son of the devil. Deserves to die a slow, hard death for what he did to her. She was going to name her baby after my late husband, Sean. Instead of jail they threw him in the loony bin. It’s just not right.”

  Tara had been pregnant when her ex hurt her? So she’d wanted to be a mother, but he’d hurt her so badly she could never have another child?

  Anger made his fists clench. What kind of monster was he that he’d hurt a woman, especially one carrying his own child? He’d like to go a few rounds with the guy with his bare hands.

  Just as he was about to ask for more details, a maid rushed into the room. “There you are, Mrs. Wellington. Come now, we have to get you changed for Laura’s dinner.”

  Mildred looked down at her bathrobe. “What’s wrong with what I have on?”

  The maid smiled as she slipped a hand around Mildred’s arm and helped her up. “Laura wants you to wear the pretty blue dress she picked out for you. Let’s hurry, so we won’t be late to her party.”

  Mildred blinked. “What party?”

  Crap. Tara’s grandmother wasn’t even close to ninety percent. But hopefully she had enough left to get Tara’s ex’s first name right. Now he had Tara’s maiden name too. That ought to be all he needed.

  He reached for his cell, eager to figure out who the bastard was. But he stopped. The rest of the family would be there any minute for dinner. He’d check once he got to his room later. Instead, he needed to shake off the image in his head of Tara’s ex hurting her—while she was pregnant. She must’ve wanted kids before whatever happened. Maybe that meant one day she’d want them again.

  As he waited for the others to arrive, Ryan wandered through a set of open French doors to a large stone balcony overlooking the massive grounds below. Tidy terraced lawns with crushed stone paths leading to the stables and riding area on one side, the tennis courts and greenhouses on the other. The sounds of matching tinkling fountains emptying into long shallow ponds filled the air. Sculpted hedges and beds with vivid flowers were surrounded by large trees that had to have been there for hundreds of years.

  He drew a deep, calming breath and tried to think like a cop—not a man set on revenge for the woman he cared for.

  The only thing he’d learned from his tour of the property earlier with Jonathan was that Tara’s family’s wealth seemed endless. Probably a good motive for someone who wanted to get their hands on some of it through a daughter. Especially a sweet, unaffected-by-all-the-money daughter. Like Tara, a hardworking dentist who’d cared enough to help his grandmother on a Sunday afternoon. Who’d mentioned earlier that she had a large trust fund. He’d guess Tara wouldn’t have to work a day in her life, if she didn’t want to. He admired her even more for it. And for moving past what her ex had done to her and making a new life for herself.

  A glass of whiskey suddenly appeared in front of him on the wide stone railing. “You must be Ryan. I’m the groom.” The man stuck out a hand. “Brad.”

  Brad reminded him of his brother, Ben. Dark haired, tall, and thin. Not a hair out of place and dressed like a mannequin in a fancy department store.

  Ryan returned the shake. “Congratulations.”

  “Thanks.” Brad sipped his drink. Then, using the hand that held his glass, he swept a large arc toward the gardens. “Makes my parents’ wealth look like Monopoly money. But if you ask me? There’s something called too much.”

  Ryan liked the guy already. “So you passed the background check too, huh?”

  “Didn’t need one. My dad is partners with Joe in a few ventures. Laura and I have known each other since we were kids. I could never get her to think about me any other way than as a friend until recently.” He lifted his glass in a mock toast. “Persistence pays.”

  Ryan had the same problem with Tara. Locked in the friend zone too. “So what changed her mind?”

  “She needed a last-minute date for New Year’s Eve. So of course she asked her old buddy. Lucky for me, there was plenty of liquor mixed with a hot midnight kiss, and the rest is history. Best New Year’s Eve of my life.”

  Ryan nodded as he sampled the smooth whiskey in his glass. Brad probably wasn’t after Laura’s money. He seemed like a decent guy.

  Laughter suddenly filled the room as Tara and Laura came in. Tara seemed relaxed and happy again. When she saw him, she beamed a bright, sexy smile that sent a shot of heat straight to his gut.

  Tara looked beautiful in her red dress. It was short, showed off her long, hot legs, and was low cut and tight in all the right places.

  He needed to bust out of that friend box too, and convince Tara he was the right man for her.

  And not just for the short term.

  Tara watched Ryan over her aunt’s shoulder as he talked with the guys. Just as she’d suspected, he was the most handsome man in the room.

  He and Brad seemed to be hitting it off. For some reason that made her ridiculously happy.

  It was getting late; dinner had ended hours earlier. Ryan was doing more listening than talking, so maybe she’d go save him. See if he wanted to go downstairs to have a dip in the hot tub with her to relax. Spending time in the hot tub with Ryan sounded a whole lot more fun than hearing about her aunt’s denture woes for the tenth time.

  Excusing herself from the conversation, Tara made her way over to the cluster of men. When her eyes locked with Ryan’s, she said, “Hi. Want to sneak away with me?”

  “Yep.” He laid his drink down on the bar so fast it made her smile. “See you, guys.”

  Laura appeared at her side. “Hey. Where do you two think you’re going? It’s early yet.”

  “I’m going to introduce Ryan to the hot tub.”

&nbs
p; “Ah.” She turned to Ryan and smirked. “It’s like the best orgas—”

  “Laura!” Tara swatted her sister’s arm.

  Her sister shrugged. “Well, it is. We’re still having a sleepover later, though, right? It’s my last night as a single woman, and I want to spend it with my sister.”

  “Yeah. Come on up when you’re done partying. Night, everyone.” She tucked her arm through Ryan’s and led him outside the living room and down a long flight of stone steps.

  “Thanks for the save, Tara.”

  “I figured you were at your limit.”

  “Yep. But I didn’t bring a suit.”

  “Neither did I.”

  His head swiveled toward hers as a slow smile bloomed. “Does that mean—”

  “Nope.” She laughed. “We have suits in every size. Take the one you wear home, otherwise it’ll just get thrown away. My mother has never heard the one about waste not, want not.”

  When they got to the indoor pool area with the oversized, in-ground hot tub housed in its own glass enclosure for privacy, she pointed the way. “Men’s cabana over there. Meet you at the tub. Be prepared to be amazed.”

  Tara poked at the ladies’ room door and walked to the dressing area. She flipped through the bathing suits on the rack, bypassing the cute little bikinis until she found a modest one-piece to hide her scars. At least it was red.

  She stripped out of her dress and then wiggled into the suit. Then she found a hairband in the vanity drawer and swept her hair up. Grabbing a handful of fluffy white towels on her way out, she headed for “Tub Orgasmic,” as Laura had dubbed it.

  Ryan was already there—looking even more tempting than their death by chocolate cake dessert earlier—studying the remote control. When he noticed her, his eyes did a slow up and down over her whole body, warming her skin in his gaze’s wake.

  “I haven’t found a bad setting yet. Pick whichever you like.” She walked down the steps and into the heavenly hot water.

  Ryan pressed a few buttons, and the tub came to life. He messed with the mood lighting and then found the aromatherapy button that sent out a soothing, lavender-scented mist into the air.

  “You can bring that in with you. It’s waterproof.”

  He quickly stepped into the deep tub and sat beside her.

  After he hit a few more buttons, the jets pumped in a rhythm that instantly stole all the tension from her tight shoulders and back. He laid the remote down on the edge, then he scooted closer so their legs and hips touched. When his hand landed on her thigh, she’d have sworn the water temperature rose a good ten degrees.

  “This is awesome, Tara.”

  “Mmmm hmmm.” She laid her head back on the cushioned edge and closed her eyes. He probably didn’t want to talk anymore, so she wouldn’t push him.

  “I don’t get it. How are you and Laura not a couple of spoiled Kardashians?”

  “Kardashians?” She opened her eyes. “How do you even—oh yeah. Anderson Butte, favorite hangout for the top celebrities. You’ve probably met them.” She closed her eyes again. “My mother is from old-school money, but my dad is self-made. He had Laura and me working for him as soon as we could walk and talk. The opulence you see is my mother’s doing. My dad would rather live in a nice house like yours on the lake. He said so when they visited last weekend.”

  “So why become a dentist instead of working for your father?”

  “In high school, we had this incredibly dynamic woman come talk to us about Doctors Without Borders. She mentioned there was an even greater need for dentists in developing countries. It inspired me to do something noble with my life. After I graduated from dental school I gained some experience in another dentist’s office for a year, then I signed up to go overseas, but . . . my life’s direction took a detour.”

  “You met your ex and got married?”

  She didn’t want to discuss Spencer so she just nodded.

  Ryan was quiet for a minute, then asked, “So you went to regular schools and had to actually earn the money for things? Like your first car?”

  “Now you’re just being silly. Eva would never allow her daughters to be seen in anything less than a Benz or a Beemer. We went to the best private schools in town and had tutors to prep us for college, private music lessons, art lessons, Latin lessons, but sadly, no cooking lessons. I’m sure it wasn’t anything close to the normal I imagine you guys had.”

  He gave her leg another gentle squeeze. “I’m amazed you turned out so great despite all that.”

  That was probably the nicest compliment anyone had ever given her. “Thank you, Ryan.” She rested her head against his broad shoulder. “I think the same of you. I hate that you grew up without a mother. And your dad scares the hell out of me.”

  “Yeah. He’s a piece of work.” He was quiet for a bit again and then asked, “So, just how does your father make all this money? What does he do?”

  “Banking, real estate, movie producer, you name it, he’s done it.” She chuckled. “I thought you were talked out.”

  “Party talk, yeah. But I just can’t seem to get enough of you, Tara.” He wrapped an arm around her waist and scooped her up and on top of him.

  Desire swirled in her belly as she stared into his intense blue eyes.

  He whispered, “On second thought. Talking is overrated.” He slipped a hand behind her head and drew her lips to his.

  God, the man could kiss. The urges she’d been suppressing since their last kiss came rushing back all at once, sending a fist of hard lust straight to her gut. She matched the intensity in his kiss with her own as she snuggled closer to his perfect body. Her hands explored the hard peaks and valleys of his chest muscles as she settled on his lap.

  When they came up for air, he leaned back and whispered, “You’re so beautiful, Tara.”

  Ryan might change his mind when he saw the scars on her torso. Should she warn him? Before she could figure out what to say, his lips distracted her by trailing soft kisses down her neck. She tilted her head back and nearly moaned. She loved when he did that.

  She closed her eyes, relishing in the soft touch of his hands and lips wandering over her aching, needy body. He slowly and gently explored her curves as the beautiful scent of lavender hung heavy in the air around them.

  Intoxicating. And dangerous, because she should put a stop to it all, but didn’t want to.

  What she wanted was to kiss him again, so she framed his face with both of her hands and drew his mouth back to hers. While she ran her hands through his thick hair, he slipped one of her straps off her shoulder.

  Then he changed the pace and slowed their urgent kiss down, taking his time about it. It drove her nuts, making her ache for more. She could kiss Ryan all night.

  When her other strap slipped lower, it set off a warning alarm. Things were moving a little too fast. But she hadn’t been with a man in so long, she ignored the annoying buzz in her head and kissed him deeper.

  “See? Tub Orgasmic. I rest my case.” The annoying buzz turned into her sister Laura’s voice.

  As Tara opened her eyes, Ryan quickly slid her straps up. Her sister and Brad stood on the edge with two drinks each and smirks on their faces.

  Laura held out a martini glass. “We figured you might need this to get in the mood. But you guys seem to be doing just fine.”

  “Thanks.” She accepted the glass. “Seems nothing’s changed since you turned fourteen and started spying on me and my dates, Laura.”

  “Yeah. I learned the subtle nuances of making out from the best!”

  Brad handed Ryan a beer. “Sorry, bud.”

  “Would you guys like to join us?” Ryan asked as he grabbed the bottle from Brad.

  “Sure!” A slightly drunk Laura kissed Brad before she headed for the changing room.

  Brad shook his head. “I’m going to bed. Lau
ra made this stupid rule about no sex for two weeks before the honeymoon. I don’t need the frustration. Goodnight.” He turned and walked out.

  Ryan met Tara’s gaze. “I completely understand his frustration.”

  “Sorry.” His frustration was quite evident beneath her. She gave Ryan a quick kiss before she slowly moved from his lap to the bench beside him, carefully balancing her drink. Not sure what to say, she took a long sip of her cool martini as Ryan drank his beer in silence too. She needed to decide what to do before that happened again. She still sat firmly on the fence. Well, her mind did anyway. Her body obviously voted for sleeping with him.

  She asked, “So do you really think we can pull this me-and-you thing off with no one getting hurt? Because I’m pretty sure if it goes wrong, your grandmother would shoot me.”

  Ryan laid his bottle on the edge of the spa and then pulled himself out. The water droplets slowly meandering around all the hard planes of his chest and abs distracted her so much she barely heard him say, “I’d take the bullet for you. I vote we risk it, Tara.”

  He picked up his beer and a towel and headed to the changing room, reappearing a moment later with his clothes in his hands. “Night.”

  “Goodnight, Ryan.” Take a bullet for her? He’d probably actually do it.

  Spencer used to say nice things like that, and she’d bought them hook, line, and sinker. She’d been so completely fooled by Spencer’s false charm that as badly as she wanted to believe Ryan, she probably shouldn’t.

  She took another drink as she wrangled with her confusion. The martini wasn’t helping. Her defenses lowered with each sip. By the time she hit the bottom of the glass, she’d surely follow right behind him and up to his room if it weren’t for her slumber party.

  Laura reappeared in a tiny red bikini and scooped up her drink before she slipped into Ryan’s vacated spot. “Where’d the boys go?”

  “Neither had any prospect of getting any so they went to bed.”