Risk Everything. Janie Crouch

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СКАЧАТЬ think Mr. Noah will come back this Saturday?” Sam asked softly, staring down and rubbing at some invisible stain in the carpet with his foot. “He and I were supposed to finish hanging the shower rod in the new bathroom.”

      “I’m sure he will,” Tanner said, knowing that even if his brother had to break plans, he would be here if it meant Sam wouldn’t be disappointed. Kid had already been let down too many times in his life.

      Tanner’s words seemed to be all the encouragement the children needed. They made a beeline back to the table with their work. Marilyn mouthed the words thank you to him. He just smiled.

      Tanner waited as Bree finished her discussions with the other women, listening and commenting when they asked for his opinion. He loved how confident Bree had become since starting her position here. He could still remember the first night Cassandra had mentioned the possibility and how Bree had scoffed at the thought of being able to teach others. But now she was much more easily able to speak her mind and share her opinions, at least with small groups. She’d battled through her fears and had come out on the other side stronger for it.

      He couldn’t wait to make this woman his wife.

      Holding her hand after dinner at the Sunrise Diner, Tanner walked her to her apartment on the outskirts of town. Most of her stuff was already at his ranch house—soon to be their house—on the land he shared with Noah. But neither of them trusted themselves to keep the no-sex agreement if they were both sleeping under the same roof. So Bree had been staying back at her apartment for the last two months.

      He was definitely an idiot to have suggested the no-sex plan.

      Bree sighed softly as they walked into her apartment. Tanner pulled her up against him.

      “Please tell me that sigh means you’re going to call me a moron for suggesting we not have sex until the wedding.” He reached down and began nibbling at her lips. “Because I feel like that was the most stupid thing I’ve ever said in my entire life.”

      He rubbed up against her like a damned teenager. Bree smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck.

      “No, this particular sigh was concerning Marilyn.”

      Tanner took a breath and forced himself to step back.

      “About her position at New Journeys? I thought she was doing a good job.”

      She shook her head. “No, she’s doing a wonderful job. Cassandra and I both know that neither of us could do as good a job as Marilyn is doing. She just mentioned that her husband might get out on bail. She’s concerned for her and the kids.”

      Tanner couldn’t blame the woman for that. “Because of the restraining order and the violence against her, she should be notified right away if her husband makes bail.” He reached over and slid both his hands under Bree’s hair on either side of her neck. “I’ve seen the police report for what happened to Marilyn. No judge is going to let him out on bail knowing what he tried to do.”

      “I just don’t want anything to happen to her or the kids.”

      He pulled her closer and kissed her forehead. He loved her protectiveness of her friend. “Have I mentioned how excited I am to be marrying you in just a couple more weeks? Cass said you had some wedding stuff to deal with today. Did it go okay?”

      “Yeah. Wedding dress fitting.” She didn’t sound too thrilled.

      “I can’t wait to see you in it.” Bree’s taste in clothing leaned toward casual. And as much as he loved it when she stole one of his shirts to tie at her waist and wear with her jeans—or even better, wore only his shirt and nothing else—he was truly looking forward to that first glance at her walking down the aisle.

      She sighed. “Are you sure I can’t talk you into dragging me in front of the nearest judge like you once threatened?”

      “I’m pretty sure the women of this town, led by my sister, would string up you and me both by our toes if we eloped.”

      Bree laughed. The sound was soft and simple and genuinely happy. He was looking forward to hearing that sound for the next fifty years or so.

      She chewed on her lip for just a moment, then stepped a little closer, trailing one finger up his chest. “Are you sure I can’t talk you into going before a judge tomorrow morning? You can outrun a bunch of women. You’re Captain Hot Lips.”

      Her own little hot lips pressed against his, her tongue running against the seam of his mouth, before biting down gently with her teeth. “If we knew we were getting married in front of the judge tomorrow,” she continued, “there would be no reason for us not to make love right here, right now, against this wall. Doesn’t that sound like the best plan ever?”

      He could feel her smiling against his mouth as he reached under her thighs and picked her up, trapping her body between the wall and his torso. They both let out a groan as her legs came around his hips and brought them flush up against one another.

      “There’s nothing I want more than to peel you out of those clothes and spend the rest of the night making love to you on every available surface in this apartment,” he growled into her mouth.

      She let out a gasp as his lips found the side of her neck. It may have been two months since he’d last seen her naked, but he definitely remembered every single spot on her body that could drive her crazy.

      “Then do it,” she said. “I won’t let the meanie town ladies hurt you. I just want to be married to you tomorrow.”

      Using every ounce of self-control he had, Tanner forced himself to ease Bree back down onto her feet and step away from her.

      Two more weeks. He wanted to do this right. Wanted the next time they made love to be as husband and wife.

      “We will get married. But in the church in front of all our family and friends, the way it should be. The way you deserve. I want everyone in this county—hell, the entire state—to know that you are who I very proudly choose as my wife. I don’t want there to be any mistake about that, no rumored whispers that might accompany a quick trip to the judge.”

      She genuinely looked disappointed. “Fine.”

      He chuckled. “The wedding won’t be as bad as you think.”

      “For you, maybe. You don’t have to wear the scratchy white netting stuff.”

      “Tulle?”

      “Damn it, how does everyone know the name of that material except me?”

      He reached over and kissed her again. “You wear tulle for me for just a few hours and then you never have to wear it again.”

      “Promise?” she whispered.

      “Absolutely. As a matter of fact, after we’re married, I’m going to do my best to make sure you spend as much time as possible wearing nothing at all.”

       Chapter Three

      Damn Tanner and his smooth talking. Five hours after he left, Bree still СКАЧАТЬ