by Francis Ray
“Let’s see,” he said, proceeding to cover every inch of her body with lather. When she was weak with longing, he put her arms around his neck, wrapped her legs around his waist, and drove into her moist heat.
Ayanna closed around him, then melted, quivered. Tanner stroked her until she was clinging to him again, taking and giving pleasure. The next time they finished together.
Breakfast was champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries, and whipped cream, French toast, bacon, and grits. Tanner had never tasted anything better. “Thanks for helping.”
In jeans and a knit top, Ayanna smiled at Tanner sitting next to her at the kitchen table. “You don’t know the first thing about cooking.”
“But I would have tried,” he said, holding out a strawberry dipped in whipped cream.
Too touched to speak, Ayanna bit into the lush fruit. She was thoroughly enjoying getting acquainted with the tender, caring side of Tanner, which was even more captivating than the renegade. It would be impossible not to love him. But could he love her back?
He frowned. “What’s the matter?”
She shook her head. She wasn’t going to let doubts ruin their time together. “I’m just glad you’re home.”
Scooting his armless side chair around, he picked her up by the waist, settled her in his lap, then tucked her head beneath his chin. “I started to call the first night, but I knew if I heard your voice it would make the loneliness worse.”
She nodded. “I guessed that was why you didn’t call. I’m glad you got what you went after.”
“My lawyers are down there now working on the papers. I have to go back to sign, but it will be a day trip,” he said.
Sitting up, she gazed at him. “I’m selfish to want you here all the time.”
“No you’re not, because I feel the same way.” His hand tangled in her hair. “When the hotel opens in four weeks there will be a month-long celebration with various events that I’ll have to attend. I want you with me.”
She couldn’t hide her amazement. “Are you sure?”
His eyes fierce, he brought her face closer to his. “The more I’m with you, the more I want to be. Buried deep inside you or being near you is a pleasure I’ve never experienced before. Does that answer your question?”
Her breath fluttered out over her lips. “Eloquently, and I’d love to go.”
He kissed her, then lifted his head, his eyes dark and narrowed. “Grab the bottle of champagne, the strawberries, and the whipped cream. There were a couple of other fantasies I haven’t gotten around to yet.”
Her body vibrating with excitement, Ayanna grabbed the things from the table. Clutching them to her chest, she smiled and wondered how many more fantasies Tanner had. She was looking forward to fulfilling each one.
“The cab is waiting.”
Tanner stared down at Ayanna and wished he could send the cab away. It was almost midnight. They had been together almost nineteen hours, never farther than a few feet apart, and yet, he didn’t want to leave. Another first. He’d been with numerous women, but always made it a point to go home. A woman tended to become possessive and start thinking long term when she woke up with a man in her bed or in his.
“Come with me?” The request just slipped out, but he had no wish to withdraw the offer.
She blushed. They’d made love countless ways and she could still blush. “My mother sometimes calls in the mornings.”
“Have the calls transferred,” he suggested.
Her gaze drifted away from his. “I don’t think I could talk to her with you there.”
His body stirred. The cabbie honked, and Tanner gritted his teeth. He wasn’t winning this time and was disappointed, but another part of him was glad Ayanna woke up in her own bed in the mornings … not that he didn’t plan to change that. “Pointe is preparing us dinner at my place tomorrow night. I’ll pick you up at six.”
Since she’d turned down his earlier invitation and had held firm, she let him get away with telling her about dinner instead of asking her. “Isn’t that early?”
“That’s about as long as I can stand being away from you.” He kissed her, then was out the door.
A bemused expression on her face, Ayanna watched from the window as Tanner got into the taxi. She was already counting the hours until she saw him again. By then she might have enough nerve to enact one of her own fantasies. With a grin on her face, she went to bed.
Dinner at Tanner’s condo exceeded her expectations. The sea bass baked with pistachio was scrumptious, the vintage wine delicious, the setting with soft lighting romantic, and the air scented with the fragrance of jasmine intoxicating, but it was Tanner who made her burn with desire and her heart sing with joy.
“This is wonderful,” she said, sipping her wine on the balcony, feeling content and happy. Music drifted out to them from inside. “Thank you for inviting me.”
“My pleasure,” he said, taking the glass from her hand and pulling her into his arms.
She sank against him, enjoying the hardness of his muscled body, the way they fit. He danced as he did everything, with supreme confidence and ability.
He chuckled, kissing her on top of the head. “You wouldn’t go to sleep on a guy, would you?”
She smiled without lifting her head. “If I did, what would you do?”
“I’d have to wake you up.” Still moving to the slow beat of the music, he tilted her face and proceeded to nibble at her mouth, the curve of her jaw, her ear.
By the time he reached her mouth again, sleep was the furthest thing from her mind. “I like your method much better than an alarm clock.”
“Let’s see what else about me you like.” Picking her up, he headed for the bedroom.
“I already know,” she said, unbuttoning his shirt.
“Such as?” he said, amusement in his voice.
“Why don’t I show you?” She laughed softly when he quickened his pace.
NINE
Tanner was rushing out of his bedroom when the phone rang. He had a full day planned at the hotel, and in the evening he and Ayanna were finally getting around to that movie. They had gone out almost every night since his return from the business trip two weeks ago. His interest in her showed no signs of abating. If anything, he was becoming more fascinated.
He grinned on recalling a particular evening at her place when she’d given him a full body massage. By the time she’d finished he barely knew his name. Maybe he could talk her into staying the night and letting him give her a massage.
Planning to ignore the caller, he grabbed his car keys on the credenza table by the front door just as he heard Raine’s excited voice on the answering machine. He picked up the receiver, as they had been playing phone tag for the past week.
“Hello, big brother. I wanted you to be the first in the family to know I’m ready to make my move against Leo’s.”
Tanner couldn’t get to the phone fast enough. “What? What did you say?”
She laughed, a bright happy sound. “You didn’t think I’d be able to pull it off this fast, did you?”
Stunned, Tanner plopped down on the arm of the chair. “Raine, please start over.”
She laughed again. “Leo’s is going to be the next supper club I add to my growing list. Don’t act so surprised. You’ve known from the first that’s what I planned to do. You said so.”
He felt like a man who’d been sucker punched. They all had complete autonomy and the considerable resources of Rafferty Enterprises to get what they wanted. He shut his eyes. This could not be happening. “I thought you wanted to know about Leo’s to check out the competition.”
“Well, now you know.”
“You can’t do this.” His hand tightened on the receiver.
“Things are already in motion and your information about the one-way street helped cinch the deal.” Her voice took on a hard edge. “They can either sell to me at a profit or watch their business dwindle to nothing when I tie up traffic every evening and night
on very slow renovation of a building two blocks up from Leo’s.”
He had given Raine the means to hurt Ayanna. His stomach churned. “I didn’t tell you that for you to use against Ayanna. We’ve been dating for over three weeks. We’re going out tonight.”
“Ayanna? Tanner, usually by now you’ve already become bored and moved on. I’ve run out of fingers and toes to count the number of women you’ve dated in the past year.”
“This is different,” he said, getting up to pace. “I care about Ayanna.”
“Sure you do,” his sister said lightly. “That’s what makes you such a fabulous guy. You’re genuinely fond of the women you date. Just answer me one thing, if our situations were reversed, given both our track records, would you back out of a potentially lucrative deal because I was dating one of the owners?”
Since neither their brother in St. Thomas nor his sister were known for long-term relationships, he felt trapped by the damning truth. “Not usually, but it’s different this time. You have to back off, Ra.”
“No can do, Tanner. I’m flying into D.C. in a few days to push the deal through personally.”
Raine was as stubborn as he was. “They won’t sell. It’s more than a restaurant to them, especially Ayanna.”
“I don’t plan to give them a choice,” she said, the edge back in her voice.
“Ra, we don’t do business this way,” he told her, anger creeping into his voice. “We come at people from the front, not behind.”
“I’ve sent three men down to make inquiries and Noah Hardcastle refuses to even discuss the matter.”
“Then give up, find another restaurant. Have Slaughter scout another location out for you.”
“I don’t need Slaughter to do anything for me,” she said tightly. “He was the last man I sent. He doesn’t think I can pull this off, but I’ll show him.”
Tanner shoved his hand through his hair. Things were going from bad to worse. Raine and Slaughter had been at odds since the day they met. Having him as her bodyguard while she was dating in high school and college didn’t help. Having Slaughter telling her what could and couldn’t be done was like waving a red flag in front of a bull. “You’ve never cared for being in the same city with me or near the water. Why now?”
“Demographics counted in my decision as well. There wasn’t the large percentage of African Americans I wanted in your other locations. We’re both in Charleston.”
Raine always did her homework. Too well it seemed. “Don’t do this, Ra, please.”
There was a slight pause. “If I thought you were serious about her, I’d drop my plans in a heartbeat, but none of us have been lucky like our parents. The deal is going through. Good-bye, Tanner.”
Tanner closed his eyes. What was he going to do?
“Stop whatever you’re doing and get Raine on the phone. Now,” Tanner instructed his secretary the instant he came through the door. He’d already called her place and talked to her answering machine. “Buzz me as soon as you locate her.”
“Yes, sir.” Ms. Cater took one look at his grim face and immediately hit “save” on the computer and reached for the phone.
Tanner continued into his office. He plopped his briefcase on the desk and prowled. Somehow he’d make her understand. He had to.
The phone rang and he pounced on it. “Raine.”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Rafferty. Her secretary doesn’t know where she is.”
Tanner cursed softly under his breath. Didn’t know or wasn’t telling. “Find Slaughter.”
“I missed him by a few minutes. His plane just took off from San Francisco, heading back to Charleston. He plane is due to arrive at 12:15 our time,” she said, already anticipating the next question.
“As soon as he lands I want him on the phone,” Tanner told her.
“Yes sir,” she said. “Your first appointment with the head of banquet services is in ten minutes.”
Her words were a statement and a question. He rubbed the back of his neck. The food for the opening had to be perfect in every detail. “We’ll keep on schedule, but interrupt me when you have Slaughter on the phone.” Hanging up, Tanner sat behind his desk, his brow creased. “Ra, where the devil are you?”
“Ayanna, please come to my office,” Noah requested over the telephone intercom.
Sitting in her office at her desk, she frowned on hearing the tightness in her cousin’s voice. “Is everything all right?”
“You’ll find out when you get here.”
Her frown deepened as she listened to the dial tone. She quickly went down the hall to Noah’s office and opened the door. Her gaze narrowed on seeing an elegantly beautiful woman in a tailored black pantsuit with a white blouse sitting in front of his desk.
“Since this concerns you on a personal level, I thought you’d like to be here,” Noah said, his arms propped on his desk.
Ayanna’s gaze went to Tyrone and Tyrell. Their jaws were tight and they were staring daggers at the woman who sat relaxed in the leather wing chair. “Noah, I don’t understand.”
“It’s very simple, Ayanna,” the woman said. “I want Leo’s and I intend to have it. Mr. Hardcastle has turned me down three times, but this time, if you refuse my very generous offer, you’ll see your business dry up to a trickle when I tie up traffic with renovations.”
“Who the hell are you?” Ayanna said, her anger growing toward the poised woman who calmly threatened their dream.
“She’s Tanner’s sister,” Noah said, biting out each word.
Ayanna pulled up short, her eyes wide. All too clearly she recalled telling Tanner about the one-way street. Pain lanced through her. She clenched her fists. “He used me.”
Anger flashed in Raine’s black eyes “My brother doesn’t use anyone.”
The door behind her abruptly opened, revealing Tanner. He took one look at the angry faces of the men, the hurt, confused face of Ayanna, and knew he was too late. He went to her and took her arms. “I didn’t know about her plans until this morning.”
“But you told her what happens when traffic is tied up, didn’t you?”
He looked into her eyes and knew regret. “Yes.”
She swallowed convulsively and looked away. “Please turn me loose.”
“No.”
Tyrell and Tyrone moved from behind the desk toward him. So did Noah.
“Think about my very generous offer,” Raine said, drawing the men’s attention back to her. She drew her sunglasses from the top of her head to her eyes. “Tanner, walk me outside.”
His hands flexed, then he released Ayanna. He wasn’t afraid of her cousins, but having every bone in his body broken would bring the considerable wrath of the Rafferty clan down on the Hardcastles through no fault of their own. Taking Raine by the arm, he led her out the door.
“You shouldn’t have come. I know you can handle yourself, but not three against one. To spare you this, I called Jim and asked him to get the Gulf Stream ready after we got off the phone.” She wrinkled her nose in annoyance. “Since I know my secretary can keep a secret, Slaughter must have blabbed. The jet doesn’t move unless he knows the itinerary.” She glanced longingly at the fifty-foot Rosewood bar with brass railing. “I can’t wait to own this place.”
Tanner stopped and faced her. “Call it off.”
“We already had this discussion.” She ran her slim fingers over a small Tiffany-style lamp. “I think I’ll get rid of the colored oil candles.”
“Ra, listen to me,” he said through gritted teeth. “Do this and Ayanna will never forgive me.”
Raine finally gave him her full attention. “Tanner, why do you care?”
“Because I love her.”
Slowly Raine lifted the oversize designer sunshades, astonishment and disbelief in her large eyes.
“I love her,” Tanner repeated, his conviction growing each second. “I’ll do whatever it takes for Leo’s to stay in the Hardcastle family.”
“Does that include going against me an
d the family?”
“No!”
Tanner whirled to see Ayanna standing behind him, her face pale, her body trembling. He reached for her.
Holding up her hands, she stepped back. Tanner muttered and let his hands drop to his side.
“I won’t come between you and your family.” Ayanna lifted her chin and faced his sister. “I came to tell you to do your worst. Leo’s is not for sale at any price. We have loyal customers. We’ll survive.”
“I love her, Raine,” Tanner said, looking tenderly at Ayanna, willing her to believe. “I’ll fight through hell to keep her safe and happy.”
“You don’t love me!” Ayanna cried, fighting tears and so much misery and pain.
Tanner grabbed her arms and held her when she tried to pull away. “Ayanna, please listen. I didn’t know what she planned.”
“I believe you, but it doesn’t make any difference.”
Now he was the one surprised. “How can you say that? I love you.”
Tears sparkled in her brown eyes. Once she would have given anything to hear those words. “And I love my cousins. Betraying them was bad enough. I can’t compound it by continuing to see you.”
“You didn’t betray them,” Tanner said, desperate for her to believe and forgive him. “I keep telling you that I had no idea Raine was going to use that information against you.”
“The point is, she did, and she wouldn’t have known if I hadn’t told you. That makes me responsible.” When she pulled away this time, he let her go. “Good-bye, Tanner. If you care for me at all, you won’t try to contact me again.” She turned and walked away.
Fury pulsing though him, he went to find the person who had caused all this trouble. He caught up with Raine as she was about to get into the limo at the curb. “Wait.”
She turned. “I would have called later. I wanted to give you some privacy.” This time it was she who took his arm. “This is not a rash decision, Tanner. There was another reason I didn’t want to go where you and Adrian were. I didn’t want people to think I was trading off your names.” She let her hand fall. “I’ve proven to myself that I can make my restaurants a success. I don’t care what others think.”
