Tacker
Page 23
This despite protests from Raul that he didn’t need me hovering.
Tacker was more understanding, and he supports my decision to hover.
He steps into the room, rounds the end of Raul’s bed, and presses a kiss to my mouth. “Just wanted to come by for a very quick visit. I can’t stay but a few minutes.”
He drove over thirty minutes, on a playoff game day, just to visit for a few minutes?
Yes, I do love this man. My love only gets stronger by the minute, or so it seems.
“You didn’t need to bring me flowers,” Raul deadpans.
“Not for you, old man,” Tacker replies with a grin as he hands them to me. “For this beautiful lady for having to put up with you the last few days.”
I accept the flowers, put my nose in them, and inhale. Raising my eyes, I smile. “Thank you.”
“Anything for you,” he murmurs, dipping his head for another kiss. Raul makes a gagging sound, which means he’s feeling better.
Chuckling, Tacker pulls back from me and holds up a white bag with grease stains. “And I brought you breakfast. Chorizo and egg sandwiches.”
Raul’s eyes light up as if he had just been handed a lottery ticket. I immediately squash his dreams by grabbing the bag from Tacker and telling Raul, “Sorry… not on the approved diet.”
“You’re killing me, Nora,” Raul grumbles.
“I’m saving you,” I say.
We engage in a staring contest. Eventually, Raul scoops up some oatmeal and puts it in his mouth, grimacing the entire time he chews.
“Hey,” Tacker says, taking my upper arm. “Mind if I talk to you out in the hall?”
“Sure,” I reply, setting the flowers on my vacated chair. I keep the food bag in hand, not trusting Raul.
Tacker walks up to Raul’s bed, bends, and touches his shoulder. “You doing good?”
“I’m good,” Raul replies. “Don’t you worry about me, and I’ll be watching you tonight on the TV. Both Nora and I will.”
“Thanks,” Tacker replies, giving him an affectionate squeeze. Then, he drops his voice. “And I’ll sneak you some better food next time when she’s not watching.”
“I heard that,” I say in a singsong voice.
When the men smile at each other, it warms my heart to see the affection Raul truly has for Tacker and vice versa.
When Tacker and I reach the hall and I pull the door shut behind me, I’m shocked to find him laying a hard kiss on me. While I can understand him wanting some privacy from Raul to kiss me, he doesn’t seem to mind that the nurses’ station is right behind us.
“Mmm, you taste good,” he murmurs when his lips leave mine.
My whole body wants to melt into his. We haven’t been together in an intimate way since Raul collapsed, and exchanging sentiments of love and devotion only makes me want this man more.
“But that’s not really what I wanted to do out here,” he continues.
“What did you want to do?” I ask curiously.
“I wanted to give you this,” he replies, then pulls something out of his back pocket.
I take it from him, unfold it, and realize it’s a certified check.
Made out to Shërim Ranch for twenty thousand dollars.
My eyes snap to his. “What’s this for?”
“It’s to help you and Raul out for the short term. All the guys on the team chipped in money. If you need to hire someone to help out for a bit, or Raul needs anything… it’s basically to help however necessary. Bishop organized it.”
As I stare at the paper, my heart fills to near bursting over not just the generosity of Tacker’s teammates, but also over the fact they even thought to do something for us.
“And whatever else you need past that,” Tacker continues, moving in a little closer to me. He tucks a stray piece of hair behind my ear. “You come to me for it. I’ve got you covered until Raul and the ranch can get back on its feet, so to speak.”
“You don’t have—”
“I’ve got you covered, Nora.” His expression is fierce, determined. He’s not to be argued with. “Whatever you need. Financial help. Emotional support. Dozens of orgasms to help you relax… you come to me.”
“Got it,” I reply, a dopey smile on my face.
“Especially the part about orgasms,” he says with a mock glare.
“Only you for that,” I agree with a sharp nod.
“For any of it,” he says, pulling me into his arms. “I love you. I’ve got your back. You don’t have to face anything alone.”
“I love you, too,” I say, going to my tiptoes to kiss him again. “And I’m so thankful you’re in my life.”
“Here to stay,” he says before bringing his lips to my forehead for a sweet kiss of affirmation. “Except now… I have to go.”
Tacker takes a step back, lets his eyes roam over my face, and decides to come back in for one more kiss. It’s a good one, too.
Then he’s backing away, this time for good. Pivoting on his heel, he saunters down the hallway like he doesn’t have a care in the world, despite having a particularly important game tonight. He walks like a man so fucking happy with his life, and that is all I ever want for him.
“Girl,” someone drawls, and I glance over at the nurses’ station to see three hanging on the counter. Two stare after Tacker and one is looking right at me. “You are one lucky woman!”
I glance at my man, completely oblivious to being ogled, and then grin at the nurses. “Don’t I know it.”
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About the Author
Since the release of her debut contemporary romance novel, Off Sides, in January 2013, Sawyer Bennett has released multiple books, many of which have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists.
A reformed trial lawyer from North Carolina, Sawyer uses real life experience to create relatable, sexy stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From new adult to erotic contemporary romance, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone.
Sawyer likes her Bloody Marys strong, her martinis dirty, and her heroes a combination of the two. When not bringing fictional romance to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to a very active daughter, as well as full-time servant to her adorably naughty dogs. She believes in the good of others, and that a bad day can be cured with a great work-out, cake, or even better, both.
Sawyer also writes general and women’s fiction under the pen name S. Bennett and sweet romance under the name Juliette Poe.