Whatever We Are: A Highland Springs Romance (Whatever Series Book 3) Read online

  “You had gone back to St. Louis, so there was no way you could’ve known. I swore Brody to secrecy. I didn’t want anyone to know.”

  “What caused the scar?”

  “My leg was ripped open from a piece of metal, but my head injury was a bigger issue, so it was close to a week before they could operate. I had two surgeries. With the first one, I had a reaction to the sutures, so they had to open it back up. Then an infection set in, so part of my leg had to be left open and heal from the inside out. That’s what the crater is from. Plus, my leg was in traction so I have these ugly dimples on either side of my knee. It’s a mess.”

  “So that’s why you never want to come swim at my mom’s house. I just thought you didn’t want to see me in a bathing suit.”

  “I didn’t want you to see me in a bathing suit.”

  They shared a laugh and then he smoothed her hair from her face, keeping his gaze locked on her lips as he leaned in. His kiss was sweet, loving and reassuring. Though it would always be an embarrassment, she was no longer self-conscious about her leg around him. He accepted her for who she was, including her oddly colored hair, lackluster career, and damaged leg. One out of the three would soon change—her dream of an art gallery was about to become reality. Maybe it was time to do something about her hair. That would have to wait. Right now, all she wanted was to be with Tucker and show him how much he meant to her.

  After a few minutes of breathless kisses, she pulled back and climbed out of his embrace. She straddled her legs over his lap and raked her fingers down his chest and nuzzled his neck. While her nails drew circles at the base of his neck, she thought of the best way to tell him what she had in mind. After his tender acceptance of her ugly scar, there was nothing stopping them from being together.

  She nibbled and pecked the length of his neck as her hands grazed down his muscular arms and slipped under his T-shirt.

  “What are you doing?” His question came out ragged, from deep inside his throat. She grabbed the hem of his shirt and tugged it up and over his head, tossing it behind her.

  Her lips brushed across the baby-fine hair on his chest. “I want you to do something for me.”

  EIGHTEEN

  “Name it.”

  Right now, he’d walk across hot coals if she asked him. He felt like a wet noodle, totally helpless in her arms. The only part of him that wasn’t limp with happiness, floating on a warm cloud of sexual pleasure, was the part that was straining the zipper of his jeans. Her hand glided across his pecs, raising his body temperature, and making the hairs on his chest stand on end. He slid his hand beneath her robe, inside her lacy panties, and with her soft cheeks fitted perfectly in his hands, he drew her tight against him. A moan escaped from deep inside his throat when she tickled his nipple with the tip of her tongue.

  “I want you to make love to me.”

  She said it so quietly between kisses across his chest, he wasn’t sure he’d heard her. He laid his hands on either side of her face and pulled her back so he could look at her. Her eyes were dazed with desire and her cheeks were flushed.

  “What did you say?”

  “I said.” She crawled up his body and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Tonight is the night. You. Me. Tonight,” she said between kisses placed on his nose, forehead, and cheeks. “It happens tonight.”

  “It does?”

  She finished with a loud, final kiss to his breastbone and perched her elbows on his chest. “We’re going upstairs to my bedroom and…” She brushed her finger along his clenched jaw. “Take care of business. Unless you don’t want to.”

  “Hell yeah, I want to. But are you sure?”

  “I’ve waited long enough and you’re the only one I can imagine doing it with.”

  Standing her on her feet, Tucker jumped up then slipped his hands behind her back and knees. “As long as you’re sure.”

  Cradling her in his arms, he surveyed the emotion playing on her face. Her heavy lids and tender smile, her hand fingering the fine hairs at the base of his throat spoke all he needed to know.

  “Very sure.”

  ***

  Liza felt weightless in Tucker’s strong arms as he effortlessly carried her up the stairs. His foot tapped her bedroom door closed and then he deposited her on the bed. She’d thought of this night for so long, never dreaming it would actually happen—and with Tucker of all people. The guy who had been her buddy, her pal, was now the guy she was falling in love with. They had jumped over the hurdle of her scarred leg, and she was determined to make the rest of the night memorable.

  “Wait a minute.” She popped off the bed and reached into her nightstand drawer for a votive candle, a book of matches, and a condom. “Just in case you’re not prepared.” She tossed the thin foil pouch to him and lit the candle, placing it on the nightstand. Every detail had to be considered for this momentous occasion. She had the hot guy, freshly washed sheets, and her legs had been waxed this morning. With the candlelight’s glow and some soft music, she transformed her bedroom into a cozy love nest.

  Tucker sat on the side of the bed, still shirtless and with a wry grin, looking so adorable and ready. She tapped a quick kiss on his lips. “I’ll be right back.” He’d have to hold on until she completed the last of preparations.

  She scurried across the room to the bathroom, locking the door behind her, and dropped her back against it with a loud sigh. Tonight was the night. She was going to make love to Tucker—her first time—and surprisingly she wasn’t afraid. She dropped her robe to the floor and stood in front of the mirror in only her cami and panties, turning left and right to survey her body one last time. If it weren’t for her injured thigh, her body wouldn’t be so bad. She had been blessed with her father’s slim build and her mother’s ample bust. For the first time in her life, she was ready to make love without pressure and on her terms.

  She shimmied out of her panties and cami, and then pulled them back on again. Should she leave the robe on or off? Definitely on. She slipped her arms back into the sleeves and drew the sash into a bow. With a fluff of her hair, she was ready. As she reached for the doorknob, she decided it made no sense to wear anything under the robe. Maybe she should just strut to the bed naked. Her head thumped against the bathroom door and she drew air deep into her lungs.

  “Are you okay in there?” It sounded like he was just on the other side of the door. If she didn’t want him to come in after her, she’d better make a decision.

  Undies off. Robe on.

  With one final fortifying breath, she squared her shoulders and opened the bathroom door. He was again perched on the edge of the bed, just the way she had left him. He was so damned handsome. Why hadn’t she noticed it years before? Her whole life he was just Tucker, her brother’s best friend. The kid who seemed to always be at their house playing basketball with Brody or shooting cans with a BB gun in the backyard. He was Brody’s college roommate, best man, and business partner—and, in the last couple of years, her closest friend. Who better than her best friend, the man she was falling in love with, to give herself to?

  “Wow.” His mouth curled into a seductive grin as he met her halfway to the bed. “It took you a little while. Are you okay?” His hands glided tenderly over the satin down her sides, over her hips, and rested on her bottom.

  “I’m fine.”

  “You’re beautiful. You know that?” His fingers gathered the silky fabric, bunching it at her back, and returned his hands to her bare bottom where he stroked her soft skin.

  “So are you.” She rose onto her toes and tugged his head down for a long kiss. It was strange; she wasn’t nervous, not scared of the pain she might endure, just so ready to be with him.

  He slid his arms around her waist and lifted her off the floor. Her hair draped around his face like a veil as they were locked in a kiss. He laid her down gently and leaned over her, bracing his hands on either side of her shoulders.

  “Last chance. You’re sure you want to do this?”

&
nbsp; “Definitely.”

  “We can wait. There’s no rush.”

  “I’ve waited long enough.” She drew circles on his chest and then raked her fingers over his flat abs. He’d worked so hard to get fit in the last few months and all she could think about was him beside her in this bed. She wanted to make a special memory with Tucker.

  “I just want you to be sure.”

  “Tucker James Callum.” She sandwiched his face between her hands and tugged him down until their noses were touching. “If you don’t get undressed and in this bed with me in the next ten seconds, you’ll be sorry.”

  He dropped a quick kiss on her lips and burst out a chuckle. “Yes, ma’am.”

  Heeding her warning, he stripped down in less than ten seconds, his belt and jeans hitting the floor. She leaned up on her elbow and drew in a sharp breath as her eyes grazed over his delicious body. Appearing sheepish, he tilted his head and looked at her with hooded eyes.

  “Well?”

  “Three, two, one.” She sat up and tugged him onto the bed. Then she rolled him onto his back, wiggled out of her robe, and stretched out along the length of his body with his face in her hands. “Are you ready?”

  “The question is are you ready?” He gave her a tender smile and brushed his finger across the side of her face.

  “Very ready.”

  “Well, okay then.” In a flash, she was under him and his mouth covered hers. He kissed her slow, his tongue performing a sensuous dance, taking his time, and making her squirm with need. While one hand cradled the back of her head, the other slowly caressed her damaged thigh, trailing higher and higher, and instead of panic she floated. His fingers, long and slightly calloused, stroked a sensuous massage, sliding gradually to the soft flesh of her inner thighs. He was moving so excruciatingly slow, she thought she’d explode. He nuzzled the base of her neck, tickling her with kisses while his hand did amazing things below.

  “Last chance to back out,” he muttered against her shoulder.

  “Nope. We’re doing this.”

  And they did.

  ***

  If Liza had known what all the fuss was about, maybe she would have insisted they have sex years ago. Drawing in a deep breath, she snuggled her face against Tucker’s damp chest, drinking in his distinctive male scent, and sighed. It was the most satisfied, contented sigh she’d ever exhaled. Things had turned out exactly the way they were meant. There was a reason she’d never had sex before and it had nothing to do with her injury. She was meant to have it with Tucker and only Tucker, a man she trusted and who accepted her, quirks and all. Her arms tightened around him and she snuggled in closer, like a rabbit burrowing in for the winter. Her heart was so full she thought it would burst through her rib cage.

  “You okay?” His warm breath stirred her hair. “Did I hurt you?”

  Suddenly, her throat closed and she was unable to answer. Unexpected tears streamed from the corners of her eyes as she shook her head no.

  “Hey.” Rolling her onto her back, he rose onto his elbow and brushed his fingers through her hair. “I did, didn’t I? I’m sorry.”

  Again, she shook her head, swallowing to ease the pressure in her throat. He’d been so gentle and now so sweet. She managed to answer with a faint whisper. “You didn’t hurt me at all.” She cupped his face in her hands and drew him down for a kiss. “You were very gentle.”

  “So, these are good tears?”

  “The best.” She nodded her head and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him into a tight embrace. “I’m so happy.”

  With a chuckle, he nestled his face into the base of her neck. “Damn, girl, you scared me.” He pulled back and drilled her with a serious gaze. “I tried not to hurt you. I never want to hurt you.”

  She gave him a reassuring smile. “You didn’t and you won’t.”

  “That’s a relief.” Flopping onto his back, he stared up at the ceiling fan slowly stirring the air. He laid his hand on her thigh and turned his head to face her. “I wanted to go easy as possible for your first time, but I’m not sure I did. I’m sorry about that. It’s hard to control myself with you.”

  “It was fine. You were great.” She rolled over and planted herself flat on top of him. Her forehead rested against his as she dragged her fingers softly over his shoulders, down his arms, and across his chest. “But I was thinking, now that we got the dirty deed out of the way, we should do it again.”

  “We better wait until tomorrow.”

  Her forehead rocked back and forth over his as her hands slipped lower on his body. “Nope. I’ve waited twenty-six years for this and we’re going to do it again and again. Unless you don’t have the stamina, old man.”

  “Ha. Old man. I’ll show you who’s not an old man.” As quick as an Olympic wrestler, he flipped her on her back, pinned her against the mattress, and gave in to her demands.

  NINETEEN

  The ceiling fan blew cool relief across Liza’s bare skin with each tick-tick-tick of its rotation. The bed had grown warm and the sheets slightly damp. She wiggled her butt into Tucker’s belly, snuggled into his arms, and muffled her giggles into the pillow when she found him once again aroused. They had made love twice more, each time surpassing the incredible fire of the time before.

  “You awake?” His warm breath tickled her ear.

  “Just barely.” Gathering his arm against her chest, she exhaled a long, contented sigh.

  “I’ve been thinking.”

  “Mm-hm.” She closed her eyes, luxuriating in his large, strong arms.

  “Now that we’ve made love…”

  “Three times.” She held up three fingers and pulled his large, strong hand to her mouth, Pressing tiny kisses on each finger, she marveled at how tender his manly hands could be.

  “Proud of yourself, aren’t you?”

  “Very.” She pivoted to face him and tucked her cheek against the downy hair of his chest. If only they could stay tangled up like this forever. “So, what were you thinking about?”

  “Maybe I should move my stuff up here. Sleep with you every night.”

  “Definitely.” Her lids were heavy, his spicy scent and deep voice lulling her to sleep.

  “I knew it’d be perfect with us.”

  “Shh. Don’t say that word.”

  “What? Perfect? It was.”

  Liza’s eyes flew open, suddenly wide awake, and fear stabbed her heart as if jabbed with a cattle prod.

  “You can’t say that. We’re already skating on thin ice as it is.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  Wrapping the sheet around her naked breasts, she tucked her hair behind her ears and released a nervous breath. “Last night was great, beyond great. But you can’t label this.” She stirred her hands in the air. “Whatever this is, whatever we are, you can’t use the P word. Just thinking the word could awaken the curse.”

  “Ah.” He rolled onto his back and draped his arms over his eyes. “There is no curse.”

  “Whether there is or there isn’t, we can’t use that word. Say things are marvelous, incredible, fantabulous, anything but that word.”

  “You know you’re crazy, don’t you?”

  “Every time my life was going great around this time of year, something bad happened. We are so good right now and I don’t want to ruin it. Okay? Just keep your thoughts to yourself.”

  “Just to be clear, you remembered the wreck and Diana’s role in it. Arguing with her and getting punched led to the crash. Plus, the roads were icy. It doesn’t sound like a curse to me.”

  “Let’s just avoid any reference to my life or our relationship as being per—exceptionally superb, just to be on the safe side. We might jinx it.”

  Tucker continued to lie with his eyes covered, shaking his head. Of course, she sounded a bit crazy, but the Christmas curse was real. Not all her bad Christmas memories were just small disappointments. The wreck had been a painful, life-changing event, and she didn’t think she could handle t
he pain of losing Tucker if she really was cursed.

  “Okay? You won’t talk about feelings or our future or anything like that until around January fifteen. Agreed?”

  “Fine,” he grumbled as he turned to face her. “We won’t talk about us as long as you agree there is officially an us.”

  “Yes, there is most definitely an us.” She gathered his stubbled cheeks in her hands. “Now stop talking about it before a tornado hits the house.”

  “Okay, Dorothy.”

  “Okay.” With a quick kiss, their pact was set and she burrowed into his arms once again.

  ***

  This couldn’t be happening, couldn’t be real, but it was. Liza’s face lay against his chest, her arm draped across his stomach, and Tucker thought his heart would explode with happiness. He wanted to tell her he loved her, but had just promised to keep his feelings to himself for fear it would jinx what was developing between them. At least she admitted they were officially an “us”—he could live with that for now.

  “Hey, you never told me what you and Arthur talked about. Any news on the castle?” Her soft breath tickled his skin.

  “He didn’t give up much. Just said the committee would make their announcement at the Mistletoe Ball.”

  “But you were talking to him for so long. He didn’t give you any hints?”

  “Just that he felt the castle would be saved. Not good news for Bridges Enterprises.”

  But good news for him. Arthur all but confirmed the project was his. If the castle was to be saved it would be because he was awarded the bid. There was one other bid that proposed to save the castle, but the way Arthur had talked, he felt sure he’d soon unveil plans for his new pub. A smile spread across his face as he tucked Liza in closer. Everything was working out perfectly, so maybe it was time to let her in on his little secret.