Chapter 13

CHAPTERTHIRTEEN

Wakingup to find Tanner Gillette standing at the foot of the bed after she’d just enjoyed the most explicitly erotic dream about him had to be at the top of the list of Paige’s most embarrassing moments. Which was saying something because that list was a long one. She gave herself a gold star for not stripping off her clothes and jumping him as soon as she opened her eyes.

She was finding it difficult to moderate her breathing recalling the way Sexy Dream Tanner had coaxed multiple orgasms from her using only his tongue. Watching him staring at her—as if he was undressing her and cataloging all her features—had her taut nerve endings vibrating so painfully, she had to clench her thighs together. She could barely meet his eyes. Making matters worse, Tanner looked downright yummy with his bedhead and a shadow of beard.

And wearing an expression like he knew exactly what she had been dreaming about.

“I should check on Whitney.”

She vaulted off the bed and tried to edge past him. But he had the reflexes of a professional athlete. She didn’t stand a chance. He wrapped an arm around her waist halting her progress.

“She’s fine, Paige. I just checked on her. Come to the kitchen and finish your coffee.” He chuckled softly. “Or my coffee.”

The seductive rasp of his breath against her cheek nearly had her knees buckling. He maneuvered her back against his chest and her limbs suddenly went as limp as a ragdoll’s.

“I might even know where Almeda hides the cinnamon rolls,” he teased before lowering his lips to her neck.

Her laugh sounded perilously close to hysterical. “Don’t make me like you.”

She felt his smile against her skin. “Mmm. I think it might be too late for that.”

Paige was afraid of that, too. She felt something give within her, though. Liking him didn’t mean she had to hand over her heart for him to smash with his golf club. Maybe her No Men Ever Again plan could have a 2.0 version. One that permitted getting naked and sweaty with Tanner Gillette. After all, she was a modern woman. Sex didn’t have to be about commitment.

“It’s just lust,” she murmured to herself as much as him.

“I can work with that.” Tanner spun her around and cupped her face with his palms. “Tell me what you want, Paige. You have complete control over this.”

She flattened her hands against his chest, surprised to discover he wasn’t nearly as calm and collected as he appeared. His heart raced against her palm. His gaze was hungry. Feeling empowered, she slid her fingers slowly along the ridge of his pecs. He swore softly. Paige wiggled in closer to him.

“Damn it, Paige—”

Her lips found his before he could finish his thought. His surprise lasted less than a second before his hands left her face to thread through her hair, tilting her head to give him better access to her mouth. The kiss was raw and hot and like none she’d ever experienced.

And so much better in real life.

The sensuous slide of his tongue against hers was making her wild. She arced her hips into his, colliding with his very potent arousal. He nipped at her bottom lip in retaliation. She tugged at his T-shirt until her fingers burrowed under it to trace along his skin. He shivered beneath her touch.

Growling something unintelligible, he maneuvered them both back against the bed, tugging her down to straddle his hips when he sat. She threw her head back with a moan at the contact. Tanner immediately took advantage of their position, leaning forward to cover one of her nipples with his mouth. The scrape of the fabric and his teeth against the sensitive flesh had her squirming against him.

He wrenched his mouth away with an angry curse before capturing her lips in another searing kiss. His talented fingers found their way beneath her shorts and began kneading her glutes while his insistent tongue plundered her mouth. The tension ratcheted up to such a peak, her body began to tremble with overwhelming desire. She was ashamed of the small whimpering sounds of need coming from her as she ground against him.

“Let me help you, sweetheart,” he murmured against her lips.

He slipped a finger between them and with three quick strokes she shattered.

When she came back to earth, she was slumped over Tanner’s shoulder. Not that he seemed to mind. He was rubbing his palm in slow circles over her back.

“Still with me, sweetheart?”

Too embarrassed to face him, she answered by nodding against his shoulder. How had this happened? One minute his lips were on her neck and the next she’d jumped straight into ecstasy. Her cheeks burned. He must think she’s the most sex-starved woman on the planet.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered.

His hand stopped moving on her back. “For showing me you’re even more beautiful in the throes of passion?”

She smacked him on the back. “Stop saying that.”

His shoulders shook beneath her cheek. “Not until you realize it’s true.”

He shifted on the bed so that she had to face him. She childishly hid behind the curtain of her hair until Tanner brushed it off her face. The look of disappointment or disgust she expected to see on his face wasn’t there. Instead, his eyes reverently searched her face.

“Don’t hide from me, Paige,” he whispered. “You’re safe with me.”

Oh, how she wanted to believe him. Unfortunately, her scars ran too deep. She was safe to slake her lust with the man. But everything else was off the table.

She moved to untangle herself from him, freezing when Tanner hissed.

“Oh, God. We didn’t—You need to—Should we?”

Tanner grabbed her waist to hold her still. “Not with Whitney in the other room.” He touched his nose to hers. “Because when we do—and the decision is always yours to make—it won’t be quick. Or quiet.”

Oh. My.

He leaned them both back so they were laying on the bed. Tanner rolled onto his side so he was facing her. He propped his head on his hand. With his other hand, he traced a finger along her jaw. “Your secrets are yours to keep.” He pressed a soft, comforting kiss to her lips. “But when you don’t want to keep them to yourself any longer, I’m here.”

She felt like she had a golf ball stuck in her throat. Her gut was telling her he was sincere. It would be so easy to open her heart and spill everything out. But her gut had burned her before.

As thrilling and satisfying as the last several minutes were, she really wasn’t the type to use a man. She’d given it a go, but it turned out she wanted it to mean more. And no matter what he told her, it never meant more to guys like Tanner.

“Hey.” He pressed another kiss to her forehead. “Where did you go?”

She shook her head. “Nowhere. It’s just that—”

“Okay,” he interrupted her. “If you’re not ready to spill, how about I do?”

“What?”

He dragged his lips along her jaw. “The only way to get you to trust me is to tell you something in strict confidence.”

Something fluttered in her chest. Why was her trust so important to him?

“It’s about my brother, Tristan.”

Well, that piqued her interest.

He opened his mouth to say more when a woman’s voice echoed throughout the quiet house.

“Tanner? Are you home?”

Tanner froze beside her, his face contorted with shock.

“Tell me that’s not your housekeeper,” Paige whispered harshly.

“It is not my housekeeper.” Tanner slammed his eyes shut and swore violently. “It’s my mother.”

* * *

“Isn’tit so typically male to think sex is the perfect remedy for the yips,” his mother mumbled into her coffee mug fifteen minutes after walking in on Tanner and Paige together on the bed.

Thank goodness they were both fully clothed.

Like Paige, she was already on her second cup of coffee. Tanner was trying to figure out how to make it to his study undetected so he could add some whiskey to his.

“Mum, what are you doing here?”

His mother arched an eyebrow at him as if it were obvious why she’d interrupted her cruise and traveled thousands of miles around the globe to pop in on her son at eight-fifteen in the damn morning.

“It’s all over social media,” she replied.

As if that cleared things up. “You posted on social media you were coming to Chances Inlet?”

She slapped her mug down with such force, it was a wonder the quartz countertop didn’t chip.

“The. Yips.” She practically spit out the word. “It’s all over social media that the number one golfer in the world—” she pointed a well-manicured finger at him “—has the yips.”

For fuck’s sake.His mother couldn’t be bothered to come home to play nursemaid when he broke his leg in fifth grade, but a case of the yips and she drops everything to give him some unsolicited advice face-to-face.

“It’s nothing,” he lied.

“I’m your mother. Don’t lie to me.”

Ah, the hell with it, he was a big boy. If he wanted whiskey in his coffee to help navigate this minefield, he was going to get it.

“I’m here to help you.”

His mother’s words stopped him in his tracks. “Help me how?”

She rolled her eyes. “You aren’t the first golf professional to be afflicted with the condition.”

He cocked his head to the side to study her more closely. “You had them?”

“I did, in fact. The year I won the Australian Open.”

“Huh.”

“The point is, you’re having a good run. We can’t let this situation get in the way.” Her expression softened. “I’ve been so proud watching how far you’ve come with your game.”

Tanner rocked back on his heels. She hadn’t told him that since he was sixteen. “Thank you.” He sighed. Unfortunately, he didn’t think there was much his mother could help him with in this case. Not unless she knew where Whitney’s mother was hiding. He sighed heavily. He really needed whiskey for the bombshell he was going to drop next. “Look, Mum, there is something I need to tell you.”

“I think I’ve already guessed,” she replied, motioning to a showered and dressed Paige who was wandering back into the kitchen for more coffee. “But shacking up with a golf hussy isn’t going to cure the yips.”

“Mum,” Tanner groaned.

“The yips?” Paige looked between him and his mother. “What on earth are those?”

His mother made a tsking sound. “See? Does she even know anything about the game of golf? Besides the size of the purse at each tournament, that is?”

“That’s enough, Mother,” Tanner shouted.

“Hush,” Paige shushed them. “You’ll wake Whitney.”

“Whitney?” His mother looked at him aghast. “Do you have another woman hiding back there? Don’t tell me you’re having another one of those throuple relationships.”

Paige shot him a look of shock that quickly morphed into revulsion. Surely she didn’t believe that?

“Jesus, Mum! I told you not to believe everything you read. That. Never. Happened.” He aimed the words at Paige.

His mother swatted the counter with a dishtowel. “It’s not like your father and I are prudes, but really, Tanner. Where there’s smoke there’s fire.”

A movement at the end of the hallway caught his attention. Both he and Paige headed toward the little girl at the same time.

“Whit. How you feeling, sweetheart,” he asked as Paige gathered the girl up in her arms.

She kissed Whitney’s forehead. “No fever,” she mouthed.

At least something is going right this morning.

Whitney clutched her bunny while she eyed Tanner’s mother warily.

“Who is this?” His mother’s eyes narrowed as she tried to put together the pieces.

Time to rip off the band-aid.

“This is Whitney,” Paige announced, beating him to the punch. “Whitney, this is your grandmother.” She drew out the last word devilishly, probably to pay his mother back for all her snide remarks. Or maybe it was the throuple image. At this point, who the hell knew if either woman was sane.

The room started to spin around Tanner. He was too far away from the bar in his study, so he dropped down into one of the stools surrounding the kitchen island instead.

“I’m sorry? Did you just say I’m that child’s grandmother?” His mother’s voice cracked with emotion. Tanner felt it all the way to the soles of his feet.

“Mum.” Tanner winced as he rubbed his throbbing temples. “I was just about to get to that.”

“Just about to? Don’t you think that might be something you mentioned before I arrived? Or perhaps before she was born!” His mother had her game face firmly in place, but the hurt in her voice betrayed her. “How could you keep this from your own mother?”

“Because I only found out about her last week.” In for a penny, in for a pound.

His mother scoffed. “And that’s supposed to make me feel better? Is she the only one? Never mind. I suppose I’ll find out when they send me their Christmas list.”

There was no point in defending himself. His reputation was already cast in stone with his parents.

A tense silence fell over the room until Whitney began to cough uncontrollably. Paige gave her some water, and the spasm subsided.

“That child is sick,” his mother snapped.

“Yes, ma’am.” Paige shifted Whitney in her arms. “I’m taking her to the pediatrician shortly.”

“But you’re not the child’s mother?” The fact that Whitney was biracial apparently ruled out Paige in Blythe Gillette’s mind.

“Her nanny.”

His mother snatched up her keys off the counter. “I need to go back and speak with your father.”

And just like that, his fresh hell had another chamber.“Dad’s here?”

“Of course he is, Tanner. Melinda is coming with the boys this weekend. We thought it would be nice to all be together to support you.” Her gaze dashed over to Whitney. Suddenly, his unflappable mother looked unbelievably vulnerable. “I didn’t realize there would be so many of us.”

Tanner blamed Tristan for the damage to their mother’s once steely spine. His brother was their perfect son. And now he was gone. Leaving behind a huge hole in his parents’ hearts and three precious children.

Dammit.He should rat his idiot brother out. Tell his mother who really fathered Whitney. Make the little girl someone else’s responsibility. And salvage the shreds of his reputation with his parents.

He caught Whitney studying him, the beginnings of trust brimming in those gorgeous unique eyes. Speaking up wouldn’t solve anything, he decided. It was better for everyone if he stuck to his plan. As soon as he found Donella, he’d buy her silence. Then everyone could go on living their lives none the wiser.

The door leading in from the garage opened. “Hey, whose golf cart is parked out front—whoa. Hello there, Blythe.”

Sonny stopped at the threshold to the kitchen. To no one’s surprise, Blythe Gillette wasn’t a fan of her son’s caddy. Whenever she was around, Sonny made it a point to make himself scarce. Given what the poor man was walking into, Tanner almost felt sorry for him.

“Good. You’re here. I’ll be carrying my son’s bag for his practice round today,” she announced. “It’s time someone put an end to all this nonsense. We tee off at the Player’s Club at noon, Tanner. Don’t be late.”

With that, she was gone. Tanner rested his forehead on the cool granite. Sonny whistled through his teeth.

“Holy shit—ake mushroom,” the caddy said when he spied Whitney. “That was unexpected.”

“Tell me about it,” Tanner mumbled.

“Come on, Whitney. Let’s get you dressed so Emily’s daddy can check you out,” Paige said.

Sonny gave Whitney a kiss on the head. “Is our girl sick today?”

“Hold up, Paige,” Tanner said at the same time.

He signaled for Sonny to take Whitney.

“How about I slice you up a banana before you go,” Sonny was saying. “I’ll even let you put some cinnamon on it.”

Tanner gestured for Paige to join him in his study, but, as usual, she ignored him. Instead, she stormed into her room and began throwing clothes into her suitcase.

“Where exactly are you going?” he demanded.

“Myrtle Beach. Where I’m supposed to be right now.”

“You can’t go yet. What about Whitney?”

“Your mother is here. I’m sure she’d love to take care of her.”

The sound coming from Tanner’s mouth fell somewhere between a maniacal and panic-stricken laugh. “You’ve got to be kidding? Did you not just meet the woman?”

He was shocked to see tears glistening in her eyes. “Yes.” She tossed a pair of shorts into the bag. “And I was awful to her.” She covered her eyes with her hands. “I can’t believe I blurted out that she was Whitney’s grandmother. But she made me so angry.”

“Hey, hey.” He took her hands in his and sat down on the bed, tugging Paige to stand between his legs. “She has that effect on most women.” Sighing, he rested his head against her stomach. “My mum is intimidating. She had to be to compete in a sport that was dominated by males. And when the women had their own tour, well, it was just as catty.”

He felt her exhale.

“Believe it or not, she respects a woman who speaks her mind. Give her time. She’ll adore you.”

She made a huffing sound. “It will do Whitney good to get to know her.” She dragged her fingers back and forth through his hair. “And once she sees how good you are with Whitney, she’ll be too proud of you to be angry any longer.”

Her comment was a punch to his senses. Her steadfast belief in him was humbling. She may not fully trust him, but she was one of a handful of people who actually took him seriously. And that was good enough for him.

“My mother is a lot of things. A sensational golfer. A devoted wife. And a genuinely good person. But maternal, she’s not. She wouldn’t know the first thing to do with Whitney.” He tilted his head back so he could see her face. “You’re an amazing caregiver. Whitney has come so far these past few days. Please don’t leave us now.”

She drew in a deep breath while her fingers absently caressed his cheeks. “I don’t know,” she whispered. “Maybe it would be best if Whitney and I stayed at the inn.”

He brushed his lips along her stomach. “I promise I’ll behave.”

“What if it’s not you I’m worried about?”

Tanner was suddenly lightheaded as all the blood rushed from his brain to his crotch.

“Afraid you’ll jump my bones?” he teased.

Paige maneuvered her legs so she was straddling his thighs. She touched her forehead to his. “Something like that.”

He leaned in to tease the corner of her mouth with his lips. “I told you before, I’ll give you whatever you want. All you have to do is ask.”

She trembled slightly beneath his palms. His ego was relieved to know she wanted him as much as he did her. It was the trepidation lingering in her eyes that had his gut clenching, though.

A crash in the kitchen made them both jump.

“It’s okay, Whitney,” he heard Sonny say. “I’ll clean it up.”

Paige scrambled off Tanner’s lap. He wrapped his fingers around her wrist before she could fully escape.

“Paige—”

Before he could get the words out, she bent down to lay a sweet, intoxicating kiss on him.

“I’ll stay with Whitney,” she whispered against his lips. “But I’m steering clear of your mother.”