Still The One - Carrie Elks Page 0,32

though she could read the thoughts rushing through his brain. He didn’t blink, unafraid of his thoughts. He wanted her to know them.

And to reflect them right back at him.

“Tanner…”

“Yeah?” he asked, shifting so he was facing her. His knees grazed hers. Even through his cotton pants, he could feel the heat of her skin. Could smell her, too. Sweet and floral.

Damn it, he couldn’t ignore the need to touch her anymore. He slid his fingers between hers, curling his palm around her hand, swallowing hard at the softness of her skin. Her chest was rising and falling rapidly, her eyes fixed on his. If they weren’t surrounded by people right now…

“I win!” Maddie shouted, standing and doing a twirl. “Did you see that, Tanner?”

Van immediately pulled her hand from his, her cheeks flushing as though afraid somebody might have seem them touching. Tanner smiled at Maddie, then glanced back at the beautiful woman next to him.

“You okay?” he asked.

This time she didn’t quite meet his gaze. “I’m fine. I should see how Zoe is doing.” She glanced at her watch. “It’s late and we both need some sleep.” She exhaled softly as she stood, putting down her empty glass of wine. “Maybe I shouldn’t have been drinking either. I feel a little light headed. Good thing we walked over.”

“I’ll walk you back.”

“There’s no need.” A calmness seemed to descend on her, like she’d flipped a switch and turned everything off. “Zoe?” she called out. “Are you ready to go?”

Chapter Twelve

As she walked across the soft lawn, Van could feel her cheeks blazing. Even though her back was to him, she could still picture Tanner perfectly. His dark hair falling over his brow, his strong jaw covered with the perfect amount of scruff. And his mouth. All night her gaze had been drawn to it. Remembering how sweet his lips had felt against hers all those years ago. How he’d known just the right way to touch her, until her skin was on fire and her heart was clammering against her chest.

It had been a struggle to keep her cool in front of him.

“Aunt Gina? We’re going. Thank you for a lovely evening.” Van hugged her tight.

“Don’t be a stranger, sweetie,” Gina told her. “You and Zoe are always welcome here. No need for an invitation.”

“Van, can we make s’mores at home some time?” Zoe asked, skipping over from where she’d been sitting with Becca by the fire. “They’re so good.”

“Sure.” Van ruffled her hair, then wrinkled her nose. “You smell like smoke. You’re gonna need a shower when we get home.”

“Oops, sorry. My fault.” Becca shot her a smile.

“Ah, she needed one anyway.”

One by one, Van and Zoe said their goodbyes to the Hartson family, all smiles and hugs as they promised to come back soon. And then she was standing in front of Tanner, his warm eyes gazing at hers.

“Can I call you tomorrow?” he asked. “We need to talk about the drive-in.”

“I thought you’d forgotten.”

He slowly shook his head. “Just didn’t want to rush you. Or talk about business at a social occasion.”

She took a deep breath in. “Yeah, you can call me.”

“I’ll need your number.” He handed her his phone.

Taking it, she quickly entered her number in the contacts and passed it back. Their finger tips brushed, and she felt a jolt of electricity rush through her. She smiled shyly at him, and he winked back, as though he knew exactly the reason for her shiver.

“Okay then. We need to go. I’ll speak to you soon.” She glanced at him again. Should she hug him? It would look weird if she didn’t when she’d hugged every other member of his family. Yet she still hesitated. Not because she didn’t want to, but because it meant too much. She was already on edge. It could tip her over.

“Come here,” his voice was velvety soft. He reached for her, his arms circling around her shoulders and his palms flat against her back as he pulled her against him. The sudden movement took her by surprise. She wasn’t ready for it. She didn’t have her defences up. Her heart started to hammer in her ribcage so hard she swore he must be able to feel it. She was so aware of the way his fingers felt against the fabric of her dress.

Slowly, she lifted her head, looking up until her gaze met his. For a moment his eyes burned into hers. He swallowed, the prominent lump in his throat