Torn by Love (Scarred by Love #4) (11 page)

Chapter Twenty-Four

Tanner

I wasn’t joking when I said five minutes. I was just about to crawl out of bed and break down the bathroom door when it creeped open.

I may have stopped breathing. In fact, I’m sure I did. I was fearful of speaking because I knew if I made the attempt, it would only come out in a moan.

Never in my life had I seen something sexier than Lily. Her blonde hair hung down her back freely, and the royal-blue lace covering her slim body left very little to the imagination. The nightie was see-through, enhancing her breasts, and the built-in support held them snuggly beneath the fabric. She also wore stockings and a tiny sliver of material that I assumed was supposed to be panties. My mouth watered as she stepped farther into the room and did a little turn, allowing me to see the backside of the sexy number.

“Do you like it?” she asked. She was nervous and it showed.

“Love,” I replied. “Fucking sexy, baby. I’m seriously speechless. You’ve left me without words.”

She smiled and came closer to the bed. I let my eyes roam lower and found the heels she wore on her feet. When I looked back up at her, she offered a shrug. “Bree told me I needed heels too.”

“Those are going to look hot wrapped around my waist.” The words fell from my lips before I could stop them.

She laughed. “Well, it looks like you found your voice.”

I wrapped my arms around her waist and spun her around before pinning her to the bed. “I am so turned-on right now. You may want to brace yourself for what’s to come.”

“I can handle what you dish out. Let’s get started. I’m all out of patience.” She threw my words back at me.

I appraised her body with my hands and mouth, leaving no spot neglected. The moment I burrowed my head between her thighs, she was begging for me to take her. I prolonged the torture by tasting her slowly.

“Please, Tanner,” she panted. “I want you inside of me.”

Sliding up her body, I then pressed my cock against her wetness and glided back and forth over her clit.

She was just about to start begging again when I slipped inside. Her back arched, her mouth opened, and she moaned in pleasure. “Mm, yes.” She locked her legs behind me, and I muffled her screams by covering her mouth with mine. My girl was on fire.

Another orgasm shook through her, and I followed her over the edge.

We both stared at each other panting, trying to catch our breath. My vixen had once again struck me stupid. She was my sweet girl with a little bit of hidden dirty.

Damn, I had hit a gold mine.

***

Lily lay sprawled across my chest, barely conscious. We’d just spent the last thirty minutes wrapping up round two. At this point I could no longer feel my legs, and I think we may have broken my dick.

I tensed, and the fucker jumped against her thigh. Nope, still worked. Lily softly giggled, and I smiled at the sound. “What’s so funny?”

“I was just thinking I never showed you what else was in the bag.”

I pressed my head back against the pillow and looked down at her. I could only see one small section of her mouth at this angle, but I could tell she was still grinning.

“What is it?” Now she had me curious.

“Under my pillow. I slipped it under there earlier.” She sighed. By the sound of it, I was sure she was dozing off.

I inched my hand below her pillow and felt what it was almost immediately. “No,” I said, shaking my head. “Fuck no, that shit is not welcome in our bedroom. I can get you off. No fucking vibrating piece of plastic is doing the job. I don’t need help.”

A fucking vibrator, seriously. Hell no.

Lily shook against me, and I realized she was laughing.

This shit had Max written all over it. “That asshole told you, didn’t he?”

Her laughter only grew louder.

I was going to kick his ass. I had this thing about sex toys—well, vibrators. I didn’t like them. They took the place of what my dick was supposed to be doing. If my girl wanted something inside of her, it would be a part of me. No, I didn’t vibrate, but I could fuck shit up. I was good, damn it, and I didn’t need help making my girl come.

“Wait.” I rolled over, taking her with me. “You don’t use that, do you?” I was always sure she was satisfied after we had sex. I would know if she was faking, right?

“Oh my God, Tanner, I don’t need it. It was a joke. I couldn’t help myself after Bree told me about the conversation she overheard you and Max having.” Lily shook with laughter.

So Bree was the culprit.

“Let me just remind you that if you need to get off, I am your man. I’m more than happy to serve you.”

Her eyes rolled back as I slipped inside her once more. Thank God for contraceptive shots. We didn’t have to use condoms that took away the full effect of Lily’s warmth.

***

“You sure you’re ready for Grandma Edna and her meddling?” I asked as I led Lily up my parents’ driveway. Everyone was here with the exception of Zander and Riley, who was still ordered to stay off her feet. She was chomping at the bit to get out, but Zander wasn’t budging. She was even willing to come see Grandma, which should tell everyone just how bored she truly was. No one willingly came to our Sunday brunches, not when Edna was involved.

“I’m fine, Tanner. She can’t be that bad.”

I could only shake my head and wrap my arm around her shoulders just a little tighter. Poor girl had no idea what she was about to walk into.

I heard her nagging the moment I entered the house.

“The way you boys mistreat your bodies, I just can’t get over it. Mason at least only has one tattoo.” Grandma always found a way to tell us we were doing everything wrong.

“Nope, got four. Three are just in places I only allow Kelly to enjoy,” Mason clarified.

“Don’t forget about his piercings. He has a couple of those.” Max had found a way to keep the attention off himself.

“What piercings?” my mother and Granny E said in unison.

“Another place only Kelly is allowed to enjoy.” Mason seemed so refined and straitlaced. No one would expect him to have his junk pierced. Now the secret was out.

“Max, I would expect it from you or even Tanner, but Mason?” my mother announced. We had just rounded the corner, and Lily snickered at her comment.

“What the hell?” I asked. “I’m not even here sixty seconds and somehow I’m already being talked about.”

My mom smiled as she stood from the couch and pulled me in for a hug. “What took you so long?” she asked.

I tilted my head to the side, motioning to Lily. “Lil couldn’t decide what to wear. I told her she looked beautiful in anything, but she didn’t believe me.” Lily had finally decided on a pale blue dress, which brought out the color of her eyes. It was conservative and covered entirely too much in my opinion, but I knew she was worried about her first impression on Granny.

My mother’s gaze shifted to Lily. “Well hello, sweetheart, I’m glad you’re here,” she said as she hugged her. I loved how accepting and welcoming my mother was. She was an amazing woman.

I looked up just in time to see my grandma analyzing Lily from across the room. Her eyes softened from their usual judgmental haze. She took a few steps in our direction, and I held my breath, praying, hoping she’d keep her judgments to herself. I was more than positive I would not be able to hold my tongue if she said something out of line.

“Who is this beautiful young woman?”

Well suck me dry. I think I heard someone quietly whisper, “What the fuck?” I was sure it came from one of my brothers.

“I’m Edna, honey, and what’s your name?’ she asked Lily.

I think Lil was just as shocked as everyone else. I had prepped her for the cranky version of Granny. Nowhere in that conversation had I mentioned the woman that now stood before us.

The room was full of open-mouthed, mesmerized, yet confused people.

“Lily.” Her shaky voice came out barely above a whisper.

“Well, Lily, it is nice to meet you. Come with me. Let’s go get us some tea.” She hooked her arm through Lily’s and led her toward the kitchen.

Silence set in as we all watched the two of them walk away. Lily never looked back. In fact, you could hear her soft laughter as they stepped out of sight.

“You remind me a lot of myself when I was younger,” Edna said, her voice fading down the hall.

Ah, hell no, Lily was nothing like Granny. She was sweet and kind.
So
far from Edna and her bat-shit crazy ways.

“Dude,” Max grunted. “Your girl has tamed the crazy ol’ lady. That thought should scare the shit out of you.”

Everyone including my father was shocked. Shit like that never happened. Granny E never found anyone she didn’t have some sort of complaint about.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Lily

Classes had ended, and I had one more semester after summer break. If I hadn’t fallen behind after the attack, I’d have graduated by now. But I still had to complete the three courses I’d had to drop out of.

I was looking forward to some time off. Logan and Sam were now settled in Texas, and I was excited to work on the house with Tanner. It was finally starting to feel like home, like the place I now belonged.

Zander had drawn up some plans based on our suggestions. It was exciting to be a part of remodeling, and I was excited Tanner asked for my input. Sometimes he would just sit back and smile as I went on and on about different ideas, letting my mind race with the possibilities.

Tanner was ready to start creating a home for us. That thought alone thrilled me.

He was able to hire another crew, and business had almost doubled. He’d really developed a great reputation, and people trusted his word. Now with more guys working for him, he had more time to give to our place. He had one small job to finish up before Monday, then he and I would have the next month to make this home what we both envisioned.

“Hey, Lil, do you know where my tool belt is?” Tanner yelled from the bedroom. “I was supposed to be at the Andersons’ house over twenty minutes ago.”

“Yes,” I called, “it’s in here.” I was in the spare bedroom. I’d been organizing the closet, but when I found his tool belt draped over the chair in the corner, other things came to mind.

He walked into the room quickly, not really paying attention as he scrambled to buckle his jeans. I stood quietly, waiting for him to look up at me.

Once he did, his hands froze on the buckle of his jeans, and he stared at me with a surprised and somewhat heated look in his eyes. He honestly appeared as if he had swallowed his tongue as he kept trying to form words that would not come out clearly.

Clearing his throat and shaking his head, he attempted once again. “Um, babe, you, uh, you look…” He placed his hands on his hips and squeezed so hard his knuckles whitened from the pressure.

I stood less than five feet from him, wearing his tool belt around my waist. Wearing only his tool belt, as in stark-ass naked.

“What?” I purred and batted my eyelashes, staring innocently back at him. “Cat got your tongue, Tanner?”

“You look damn good wearing my belt, baby,” he groaned.

I bit down on my lower lip as I looked over my body. I hooked my thumbs in the sides of his tool belt and shimmied my hips, letting a small moan escape my lips.

He stepped toward me, not taking his eyes from mine as he lowered the zipper of his pants.

“I thought you had to get to work?” His hungry look made my voice shudder and my face flush. My eyes zoned in on his hands as they began to work his jeans lower. He shook his head, answering my question without words before taking another step toward me. My heart rate picked up.

“I’m thinking there are more pressing things at home that deserve my attention and my expertise,” he said with a smirk before licking his lower lip. His voice was deep and husky. He was definitely turned-on. My goal had been met; he was putty in my hands.

I started to respond, but in one swift motion he lifted me up over his shoulder and hauled me down the hall toward our bedroom.

“The Andersons’ bathroom can wait. You and I have some work of our own to perfect.”

Hell yes, and I was more than ready. Okay, so maybe
I
was putty in his hands, but either way, it was so on. I wondered if he would ever get tired of this life. I hoped he wouldn’t. I knew I would never get enough of his cocky, domineering, and oh so sexy ways. Tanner was it for me; he was the person I could see myself spending forever with, raising a family with, sharing everything with, the good and the bad.

He lit my body on fire, and he made me feel so alive. I was insanely in love with Tanner Parks, and there was no other man like him, I was sure of it.

“I love you,” I whispered between kisses as he backed me against the wall. As he lifted me up, I placed my legs around his waist.

“I love you,” he panted as he tilted his hips and slid inside of me. “You’re my world, Lil. I never thought I would feel this way about someone, but I adore you.”

My eyes burned, my chest ached, and my stomach fluttered. I had never been happier than I was in that moment. I had never felt more loved.

***

“Hey, Lily, can you grab the door?” Bree asked as she moved the raw chicken from the sink to the pan. She was marinating the meat so the guys could cook on the grill.

“Sure thing.” I walked into the living just as the doorbell rang a second time. It was followed by impatient knocking. “I’m coming,” I hollered. I opened the door, thinking maybe the guys were back from the store with their arms full of the items Bree and I had requested. Maybe they had forgotten the key.

The girl standing on the other side of the door was one I’d hoped I would never see again.

“Where’s Tanner?” she asked. “I know he’s here. I already saw his truck.”

She was glaring at me, and I honestly just wanted to laugh at her. “Um, Olivia, is it?” She nodded. “Tanner’s truck is here, but he isn’t, not right now.”

“Who are you?”

“Lily,” I replied. “Tanner’s girlfriend.” My inner bitch loved the fact that her face fell just a little at the word.

“Oh, you’re that homely little girl that used to follow him around,” she said. “I remember him telling me about you. You’re not his girlfriend, you’re his annoyance.”

I almost smacked her, but I stopped myself. She truly wasn’t worth my time. I had nothing to prove to this girl.

“I ran into him the other day, and he said he would call me, but I haven’t heard from him,” Olivia, the whore, stated.

“Well, maybe that’s a sign he was only trying to get rid of you,” I threw back at her.

She narrowed her eyes and smiled. “When he kissed me good-bye it sure didn’t feel like he was brushing me off.” She spun on her heel and waved over her shoulder. “I’ll stop back later, Libby.”

“It’s Lily,” I mumbled. I felt a little nauseous as I imagined Tanner kissing Olivia. I was sure she was full of shit, but the idea still made me sick, given that he’d once slept with her—okay, more than once.

By the time I shut the door and made it back to the kitchen, I had forced the images out of my head. Bree had the chicken and pork chops ready, and she was placing them into the refrigerator.

“Who was at the door?”

“Oh, it was some lady trying to sell something. I just told her we weren’t interested,” I said as I got back to cutting up the veggies for the pasta salad I was making.

Max and Tanner arrived about fifteen minutes later, carrying bags of groceries with Paisley trailing behind. She had a sucker in each hand, one blue, one pink. I caught Bree giving both guys a questioning look, and Tanner was the first to speak up.

“She couldn’t decide which one she wanted, so I bought her both. Crisis averted.” He shrugged it off, ignoring Bree’s glare.

I turned back around, hiding behind my hair. I could sense him approaching, and chills covered my skin. Tanner stepped up behind me and brushed my hair away from my face before leaning in and kissing the corner of my mouth. “Hey, pretty girl.”

I forced a smile. I didn’t want to be bothered by Olivia and her earlier comments, but they were still knocking at the back of my mind.

“Is something wrong?” he asked.

I turned my head to look at him. “No, I’m good.”

He stared back at me, clearly not buying it. He arched an eyebrow, waiting for me to say something more.

“Really, I’m fine. Did you remember the Italian dressing?” I had to move this conversation in another direction.

I really didn’t buy that Tanner had kissed Olivia recently, but she touched on insecurities I didn’t even know I had. I struggled every day with the thoughts of Tanner getting annoyed or bored with me, and I worried I wouldn’t be enough for him and he would realize he wanted more.

Right now was not the time to get into all of that, though. We had been invited to have dinner with Max and Bree, and I wouldn’t let Olivia ruin my night.