The Surgeon's Cinderella

by Susan Carlisle

  In a raspy voice Tanner said, “When you stare at a man in the morning, you should be prepared for what happens.”

  He grabbed her hand and jerked her down to him. Whitney’s hands came to rest on the warm skin of his chest. Tanner kissed her. A now familiar heat built low in her. Without thinking, she leaned in for more. Before she could register what was happening he’d pushed her away. She quickly moved to sit on the end of the sofa where his feet were. A foot brushed her back as he came to a seated position as well.

  Whitney blurted, “I was only trying to wake you. It’s almost time for us to be downstairs.”

  He didn’t look at her as he snarled, “Then go get dressed. I’ll do the same.”

  “Are you always this grumpy in the morning?” she asked.

  “No, just mad at myself. Now, go.”

  Was he mad because he’d kissed her? Even though she shouldn’t, she’d like more. She’d promised herself when she’d gone to bed that their kissing was done. All he’d had to do was pull her against him and she’d forgotten that promise. What had happened to her self-respect?

  She felt his gaze on her as she crossed the floor to the bathroom. A few minutes later when she opened the door, Tanner stood there wearing only a pair of well-worn jeans. He pushed past her, brushing her shoulder with his bare chest. “I need to shave then we can go.”

  “I like the stubbly look on you.”

  Tanner stopped and turned to her as if she had said something of world importance. “Then I’ll leave it.” He went to a chair and snatched up a sky blue polo shirt, pulling it over his head. She hated to see all that gorgeous physique disappear.

  “Ready?”

  “Yes.” He held the door as she entered the hall. Thankfully his mood had improved since he’d woken.

  Minutes later they were joining the others as they climbed into the limousines waiting in front of the hotel. Whitney sat beside Tanner, close enough that she could feel the tension in his body. She wasn’t vain enough to think it had anything to do with her, so what was wrong? True, she had led him on when she’d returned his kiss then ran, and again this morning, but he’d seemed to have forgiven her before they left their room. Yet now he was uptight again.

  As she climbed out of the car, Tanner offered his hand and she accepted it. He didn’t release it as they walked toward the six hot-air balloons waiting in a field.

  “They’re beautiful. I love the colors against the morning sky.” Whitney couldn’t contain her amazement and the excitement bubbling within her. When Tanner said nothing she glanced at him. His gaze was fixed on the balloons. “Don’t you think so?”

  “Uh, yeah.”

  A man greeted their group and gave each couple instructions on which balloon basket to climb into. Thankfully there was a stool she could use for help getting in the basket but she didn’t need it. Strong, sure hands came around her waist. She glanced back to see Tanner standing behind her. He seemed to lift her with no real effort. He waited until she had swung her legs in and was standing before he climbed in himself.

  Minutes later the pilot released the tether and the balloon lifted. She watched in fascination as the ground moved away from them as they floated into the blue morning sky. The other balloons slowly joined them. It was a sight to see. Two rainbow-colored balloons, two shaped like a sunflower, another like a bunch of grapes and theirs in a harlequin pattern all floated above the green valley lined with vineyards with mountains to one side. Picture-perfect. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath of the fresh air. This was turning into an amazing weekend.

  She turned slightly, wanting to get Tanner’s attention to point out something on the ground. One of his hands had a white-knuckled grip on a support while the other grasped the edge of the basket. His body was rigid and his face was pale. Compassion filled her. She diagnosed the problem right away. Tanner was afraid of heights. Knowing how proud he was and not wanting to embarrass him in front of the pilot, she shifted toward him and whispered, “You okay?”

  “I’m fine.”

  That was a lie. “You don’t like heights?”

  He glared at her as if she had discovered a shameful secret. “No.”

  The word sounded forced. She placed her hand over his on the basket edge. “Do you mind if I stand close to you?”

  Tanner barely nodded agreement.

  “Look at that winery over there.” Whitney pointed to one in the distance, hoping that would take his mind off how far up in the air they were. She continued to point out landmarks and Tanner slowly relaxed. He even made a comment or two about different views.

  “Why didn’t you say something? We didn’t have to do this,” she whispered, looking at him for an answer.

  “I thought I could handle it.”

  She chuckled. “Stupid male ego.” For the first time on the flight Tanner’s eyes held no terror. He gave her a sickly grin but at least it was a step away from the grimace he’d been wearing.

  “I guess you’re right. Thanks for helping my ego remain intact, at least where the others are concerned. I may never recover my knighthood in your eyes, though.”

  “I wouldn’t worry about that. Your knighthood is in good shape where I’m concerned.” She’d seen the care he gave his patients. She’d also been protected and complimented by him. His armor was still shiny.

  He whispered, “Even after last night?”

  “Yes.” What he didn’t know was that, given a chance, she would have liked that kiss to happen all over again.

  “I’m glad.” He sounded truly relieved.

  Too soon for Whitney they were back on the ground again. Tanner wasted no time in climbing out of the basket. He offered her his help. She didn’t hesitated to place her hands on his shoulders and let him lift her. Swinging her legs out, she slid down Tanner’s body.

  He kissed her forehead. “Thank you.”

  Heat washed over her that had nothing to do with the sun. Tanner Locke had needed her. Not as a pretend girlfriend but as someone who understood and cared about him. Hadn’t he had that before? Why wouldn’t he want it all the time in his life? As they walked back to the limo her hand remained securely in his. She was going to enjoy the feel of him while she could.

  On the ride back Tanner continued to hold her hand and the old confident Tanner had returned. He talked and laughed as they joined the others in the car. He continued to touch her as if she had become his lifeline on the balloon ride and he didn’t want to let her go. The one time he did release her hand, his arm came up to rest on the seat behind her. For once she felt that the actions were genuine instead of for show.

  Her feelings for him were getting the better of her. She wanted to shout, No, no, no, you are headed for disaster, but her body said, Yes, yes, yes, I want more. Her body was winning.

  When their party once again stood in front of the château Marie announced, “There is a brunch set up in the library if you would like something to eat. The rest of the day is yours. Sleep, swim, golf, go into town. Do as you wish. Dinner is at eight.”

  Whitney said to Tanner as they trailed the others inside, “I’m not really hungry. I’m going up to check in with a few clients. Don’t worry about me.”

  “If you don’t mind, I’d like to come with you. I didn’t get much sleep last night. I promise to be quiet while you work. We can eat later.”

  Guilt filled her. He probably hadn’t got much rest because he’d been trying to fit his large frame on the small sofa. “I don’t mind. It’s your room too.”

  With a wry smile he said, “Thanks.”

  Had he not liked her statement? Did he want her to refer to it as their room?

  They climbed the stairs and walked down the hall to their room with not a word between them. She hadn’t meant to make him unhappy. The less restrained Tanner was fun. Cautiously she said, “Tan
ner?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Did I say something wrong?”

  He stopped and faced her. “It’s just that you’re always putting walls up between us.”

  “Walls? What walls? The only one I know of is that you are my client.”

  Tanner looked around and then walked to the door to their room and opened it. She followed him in. He shut the door with quiet control. “What if I don’t want to be your client anymore?” He focused on her as if her answer meant whether or not the world would come to an end for him.

  “Then I’ll be sorry to see your business go.” And her contact with him.

  His look was one of disbelief. “Just my business?”

  “Tanner, I’m not very good with word games.”

  He stepped toward her. “I’m not playing a game. I want you. Badly. Haven’t my kisses told you that?”

  He wanted her? His kisses had made her know she wanted him. Didn’t a man like Tanner just play with someone like her? “I guess so.”

  Tanner came toward her. One of his arms wrapped her waist, bringing her close but not so near she couldn’t see his face. “How little experience have you had that you don’t recognize when a man desires you? Can’t survive an hour without touching you?”

  She looked at the rug beneath their feet. “Truthfully, not much.”

  Her few times had been short and sweet. Steve had left her bed saying, “There’s not enough room here for me to sleep well.”

  “May I show you how much I want you?” Tanner nibbled at her neck.

  She turned, giving in to the divine pleasure. The mere idea of Tanner wanting her pushed every thought of self-preservation out of her mind. Just being desired by him was more than she’d ever dreamed of. “I guess so.”

  “‘I guess so’?” he mumbled against her skin as he continued to leave little kisses across it. “I’ve had more encouraging invites.”

  “Then you might want to go and find them.” She made an effort to leave his hold but he held her in place. “Or Charlotte.”

  He pulled back. There was a look of disbelief on his face. “I don’t want them or Charlotte. I want you.”

  Tanner’s gave her a gentle and chaste kiss on the lips. Then another. Another. He was testing and teaching at the same time. His lips brushed across hers until she couldn’t help but rise on her toes, asking for more. When his mouth left hers she whimpered in disappointment. Eyes as dark as coffee studied her. There was a flare of light in them before both his arms circled her waist and jerked her against him. Tanner’s mouth crushed hers.

  Whitney’s hands found a life of their own and pushed up his arms to circle his neck.

  He didn’t ask for entrance, his tongue took it. At first he teased until she joined him in the excitement of tasting, tempting and tantalizing. Whitney’s heart thumped as her blood rushed to become a throbbing between her legs. She squirmed against him, unable to get close enough. Her fingers weaved through his silky hair, wanting to feel all of him. This was what she’d been wanting for days.

  She had become someone she didn’t recognize. Tanner made her feel special. Sensual. Confident. Wild.

  Tanner’s lips left hers and moved to the pulse point beneath her ear. His tongue flicked across it. She shuddered. He was jumbling her thoughts. They centered only on him. He held her mind and body in his control.

  His hands moved up her sides to cup her breasts, gently fondling them. His fingers found a button of her shirt and opened it. He kissed the curve of a breast. She clung to his shoulders as her legs almost failed to hold her.

  Tanner released another button, pushing her top away so that most of her bra was revealed. Fear drummed in her chest. She couldn’t let him see more. Know. Her hands stopped his when they moved to the next button. “Close the curtains.”

  His head jerked up. “Why?”

  “Tanner, I’m sorry. I don’t think this is going to work.” She didn’t miss the flash of anger that entered his eyes before concern covered it.

  He backed away and, taking her hand, he led her to the edge of the bed. Sitting, he pulled her down beside him. “Tell me.”

  Whitney looked down at his large feet and her smaller ones beside them. They were so different. She the blend-into-the-crowd person, and he the shining star. How could he comprehend the pain she’d known? “You wouldn’t understand.”

  His thumb rubbed the back of her hand. “Try me.”

  She’d seen him with Mr. Wilcox. His compassion, empathy. Could he?

  “Please tell me. I know you like me as much as I like you. We’re friends, right?”

  He was right. They had at least become that. “I was heavy. Fat.”

  Tanner waited, as if there was more.

  “That’s part of the reason you didn’t see me when we were in college. I wasn’t one of those thin pretty girls you hung out with. You might not be interested in me now if I hadn’t lost weight.”

  He shifted away. “You really don’t have a very high opinion of me or yourself, do you? Has it occurred to you that I might have grown up? Can see beyond a woman’s looks? Appreciate her intelligence? And you, can’t you see what you have accomplished, not only in losing weight but starting your own business? You have a heart for people. Mr. Wilcox saw that. Marie as well. Is there some reason you think me incapable of doing so too?”

  Whitney’s heart swelled. She couldn’t believe it. Tanner sounded hurt. “I didn’t mean—”

  “If I wanted anyone in my bed I could have Charlotte. You’re my choice.”

  “You have no idea what it means to me to have you say that. But, you know, I have stretch marks. I still sag in places.”

  He gave her an incredulous look. Taking both her hands in his, he leaned toward her. “I don’t care about that stuff. I want you. Just the way you are. I’m not going to close the curtains. I’m not going to let you do it either. You trust me or you don’t.”

  “I don’t know...”

  He brushed her hair back from her face and cupped a cheek. His gaze never left her face. “Honey, I don’t care about who you were. All I care about is the desirable woman you are right now. You’re not running me off. I’m staying right here.” He stood and kicked off his shoes. Pulling his shirt over his head, he let it drop to the floor. On the bed again he lay back on the pillows and crossed his feet. He patted the space beside him. “When you decide you want me, I have a spot for you. I’d be glad to share my nap with you anytime you’re ready.”

  Could she trust him? Expose her vulnerability? What would she miss if she didn’t? Minutes later Whitney watched as the dark fans of his eyelashes rested against his cheeks. She was tired too. They’d had an early morning. Maybe if she just lay down for a minute next to him she could accept what he offered.

  If she did trust Tanner, act on her need, would she regret it?

  * * *

  Tanner woke to a warm body curled against him. Whitney lay spooned along him. At least that was a step forward. Except for the time she’d remarked about his facial hair and the moment in the balloon, had she shown him any real attention? Her kisses told him otherwise but she fenced him off when she wasn’t in his arms.

  It had been her choice to lie next to him. Progress. Good progress.

  He brought his free arm over her waist and shifted toward her. Even now his libido was stirring, just being this close to her.

  Whitney let out a small sigh as she wiggled her behind. He was in real trouble now. With a resolve he hadn’t known he had, Tanner closed his eyes and went back to sleep.

  The movement of the bed brought him awake again. Whitney had rolled to face him. She slowly opened her eyes.

  His gaze met her green, unsure one and saw the second she registered where she was. “Whitney, if you don’t want me to take you here and now in broad daylight, I w
ould get off this bed,” he said in a soft but firm voice.

  She blinked then her look returned to his clear and confident. Her hand came up to rest on his chest. “What if I do?”

  Her touch almost scorched his skin. “I want to see all of you. Appreciate everything about you.” She waited so long to respond he was afraid all his desires would be dashed.

  “Okay,” she said softly.

  Tanner reached to undo the button he’d undone earlier. His fingers moved to the next one then the next until he could push the shirt away from her shoulders. Sitting up, she let him remove it. He held her gaze as he reached around her and flipped the hook to her no-frills bra open.

  She slowly let the bra drop to the floor.

  “Now lie back so I can take in your beauty.”

  Tanner held her uncertain look as Whitney slowly lowered her head to the pillow. His gaze left hers to take in the view of her plump and perfect breasts. He touched the tip of one and heard the intake of her breath. His eyes lifted to her face. With her mouth forming an O and her eyes wide in wonder, he was sure Whitney was the most astonishing creature he’d ever known. “I don’t know what you were worried about. You’re beautiful.”

  “Don’t look too close.”

  “Aw, honey, too late for that.” His hand cupped a globe and lifted it so that he could take the nipple into his mouth. As he sucked and swirled his tongue, hissing sounds came from Whitney.

  He raised his head. Her eyes were closed and she bit part of her bottom lip.

  “Whitney.”

  Her eyes gradually opened. “Yes?”

  “Please don’t abuse that beautiful lip of yours. I wish to kiss it.” He claimed her mouth as he continued enjoying the feel of her breast. She returned his kisses. Her hands traveled over his back and shoulders as if she were hungry for him. He sure hoped so because he was starting to hurt for her. “I need to see all of you.”

  The worried look returned to her eyes and she started to turn away from him. Tanner kissed her, stopping the move.

  “You must think I’m some prima donna who is so uptight she can’t let go enough to let a man see her.”