Rushed (Adventures in Love #1)(37)

“I’m not running away,” I say to defend myself, disappointed that she thinks I would; then again, maybe I haven’t given her much of a reason to think differently.

“Honey, you spent the last few months since Galvin ended things locked in your shop. I get it—we all get it—but you can’t live like that, pretending things aren’t happening when they are. You didn’t do anything wrong. You have nothing to be embarrass—”

“Maisie, please stop,” I interrupt while dropping my eyes to the top of the island. “Please listen to me. Really listen to me.”

“Okay, Cybil, honey. I’m listening.”

“I met someone I, like . . . really like, and I’m spending a week with him. I know that, given what happened with Galvin and Chris, it’s easy to assume the two things are related, but they are not. I’m spending a week with Tanner because I’m not ready to leave him yet, and he’s not ready for me to go.”

“Cybil—”

“Maisie, I’m asking you to trust me.”

“Okay,” she says, giving in quietly, and I let out a relieved breath.

“Are . . . are you sure about this guy, honey?” she asks, and I meet Tanner’s gaze, and as I look into his eyes, I know that no matter what happens, I want to see where things might go between us.

“Yeah, I’m sure.”

“Okay,” she whispers. “I love you.”

“I love you too. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“Tell him to take care of you.”

“I will.” My shoulders sag as I end the call.

“That bad?” Tanner asks as I drop my forehead to the top of the counter.

“Not bad. It would just be easier for people to accept that I’m here with you because it feels right if Galvin hadn’t just gotten married. Right now, everyone is assuming that I’m staying because I don’t want to go home and deal with that situation.” I lift my head, and he takes a seat next to me and wraps his hand around the back of my neck, smoothing his thumb up and down.

“It’s mostly my own fault,” I whisper. “When Galvin ended things, I was embarrassed and hurt, so I lost myself in work and stayed out of town. I didn’t want to deal with the questions I knew people would ask, especially when I didn’t have any answers.” I shake my head, then drop my elbows to the counter and pull my hair back from my face.

“Hey.” He takes hold of my chin, forcing me to look at him. “You had a reason to be upset. You didn’t do anything wrong.” His eyes scan over my face; then his eyes lock on mine. “Your family is worried. I’d be concerned if they weren’t.” He pulls me forward until his forehead is touching mine. “They will come around, but in the meantime, I’m happy you’re here. I want you here with me.”

“I want to be here.” I lift my good hand and rest it against his jaw.

“Then let’s just be, and we’ll figure the rest out when it’s time.”

“Okay.” I nod, closing my eyes as his lips press to mine; then his tongue skims my bottom lip, and I open for him. As one of his hands slides into my hair and the other curves around my waist just under my breast, I latch onto his shirt, ignoring the pain in my hand as I make a fist.

“Tanner,” I breathe when he drags his mouth from mine so he can skate his lips down my throat. My knees between his press together and heat pools in my lower belly, making me dizzy with desire.

“Shit.” He pulls back suddenly, and my eyes flutter open as he removes my hand from his tee so he can inspect it. “Damn, sorry, sunshine. Let me get some gauze.” He gets up, and I notice my hand is bleeding, not a lot, but I definitely opened part of the wound. When he comes back over, he takes my hand and wipes it down before wrapping it with clean gauze. “How does it feel?”

“It’s okay, honestly. I didn’t even notice,” I say, and he gives me a look that causes the space between my legs to tingle.

Bringing my hand to his mouth, he kisses it. “I’m going to have to be careful with you.”

“I’m not that breakable.”

“I know.” He pulls me up to stand. “Do you want a pill?”

“No.” I shake my head, not wanting to fall asleep again.

“All right, how about we watch a movie?”

“Sure.” I force myself not to pout. Gah, I really want to, because all I want is for him not to be careful and take me to bed.

“Come on.” He leads me to a door just off the kitchen, and when he opens it, we step out onto a covered porch that’s fully screened in. Fairy lights line the perimeter, with a U-shaped couch in the middle. When he lets my hand go, I watch him pull a screen down from the ceiling, then open a box and pull out a remote. “What are you in the mood for?”

“Anything, I’m not picky.” I watch him press some buttons on the remote, and warm air starts to blow down on us; then the large screen lights up.

“Romance, comedy, or action?”

“Do you want my real answer?” I ask while I take a seat.

“Romance it is.” He smiles, and a list of romance movies fills the screen.

“You don’t have to suffer because of me. I’ll be happy with anything.” I curl into his side when he sits next to me.