Chapter 15

15

“ Y es,” Reagan whispered, a mix of anticipation and fear moving through her.

She only hoped the fear didn’t win out.

Arch had been the only man in her life. The only man she had ever made love with. She had always been laser-focused on academics and then her career, not allowing any time for friendships or romance. Arch had been different from everyone else, though. He had broken down the walls she’d built around her, allowing her to relax in his company. Arch had always been gentle with her, from his kisses to his lovemaking.

Tucker Young frightened her a little bit. Maybe more than a little bit— because the feelings that stirred within her whenever she was around him were so different from those she’d had for Arch.

Reagan thought that was a good thing. She wouldn’t compare the two men. She only hoped her lack of experience wouldn’t ruin this moment.

Gazing into Tucker’s eyes, she saw desire flicker there. Desire for her. He had kissed her once. Gently. Now, though, she expected this kiss would be different. She had no way to prepare herself for what it would be like, though, because his mouth covered hers, and Reagan gave herself over to the sensations rippling through her.

The kiss was passionate from the beginning, nothing gentle about it. His mouth moved on hers, possessing her. Tucker’s arms wrapped around her, pinning her to him. She could feel his heart beating rapidly and knew her own thundered just as wildly.

Suddenly, he broke the kiss, confusing her, making her think she did something wrong. He grabbed her hand and pulled her through the kitchen without explanation. Then she realized where he was going as he rushed her into Emerson’s tiny office and closed the door behind them.

They were in utter darkness now, but she sensed the heat of his body. He captured her in his arms again, and his mouth came down on hers, hard and demanding. Tucker didn’t let up. The kiss was wild, freeing her from any preconceived notions of what a kiss should be. He bit softly into her lower lip, causing Reagan to gasp, as much in surprise as in need. He took the opportunity to sweep his tongue inside her mouth, gliding his tongue along hers.

All kinds of incredible, wonderful sensations began rolling through her at the touch, and their tongues began waging a war between them. Reagan relished the idea that they both would be victors in this battle, though.

She didn’t know how long they kissed in the dark. All she knew was the warmth of his body pressed against hers. The beating of their hearts, seemingly synchronizing. The taste of this man, filled with mysteries to be unlocked.

Gradually, she began aware of voices. Tucker must have also heard them because he gentled the kiss and then ended it.

His forehead rested against hers as he said, “I think we need to carry this somewhere else.”

“Harper!” she exclaimed. “I’m supposed to be shadowing her now.”

He stroked her cheek tenderly. “Then I’ll wait for you outside. As long as it takes.”

“I’m not sure how long I’ll be tied up,” she responded, reluctant to leave him but knowing she had other obligations.

“Go take care of business,” he said huskily, brushing his lips softly against hers a final time.

Releasing her, Tucker opened the door. Reagan listened and heard the voices closer now, and they quickly stepped from the office. Thank goodness it was down a small hallway, and they couldn’t be seen from the kitchen.

He captured her hand and raised it to his lips, tenderly kissing her knuckles. “I’ll see you outside.”

She waited, letting him leave the kitchen, hoping she could compose herself before she saw anyone else. Reagan took three deep breaths, expelling each slowly, feeling her heartbeat returning to normal. She entered the kitchen, seeing Dayna moving across it, along with another of the workers bringing dishes in.

“There you are,” Dayna said. “Harper was looking for you.”

“I’ll go check in with her and then be back to help you,” she promised, putting on a bright smile.

Reagan moved from the kitchen, her eyes sweeping across the large room. She spied Harper, Braden by her side, and made her way toward the couple. As she approached them, Braden winked at her, and she felt a blush spilling across her cheeks.

“Things will wrap up soon,” Harper told her. “The only thing left to do is wash and dry all the dishes. We will come in the next day and strike the tables and linens. Move things back to storage and launder all the tablecloths and napkins before redressing the tables and resetting them again later in the week for the next wedding.”

Harper paused, studying her a moment. “I really appreciate you coming tonight, Reagan. Do you still think this might be something you will want to do while I’m on maternity leave?”

“Absolutely,” she assured Harper.

“You don’t have to worry about cleaning up. Dax has given me the signal. They’ll play a final, slow number. The bride and groom will then depart, and the guests will follow shortly afterward. Why don’t you call it a night?”

She started to protest, but Braden said, “Follow the boss’ orders, Reagan. It’s just easier to do it that way. In fact, I’m taking Harper home now and getting her off her feet. Paula and Dayna can handle the wrap-up.”

A thrill shot through her, knowing Tucker was waiting for her.

“Then I guess I’ll see you Monday morning in the office.”

Excusing herself, Reagan went through the kitchen, where Paula said, “We’ve got this under control. I hope you’ve decided to work temporarily at Weddings with Hart.”

“I definitely want to do so. I’ll see you at the meeting Monday morning.”

When she went out the back door and headed toward her car, her heart sped up. She saw Tucker leaning against it, looking sexy. All she could think of was his hot mouth on hers.

“Hey,” she said, approaching him.

“Are you already done?” he asked.

“Everything’s almost over. A last dance and then the send-off for the couple. Harper sent me home. She said the others could handle the cleanup.”

He stepped toward her, causing her heart to race as he slipped his arms around her. “Then I hope we can continue what we started earlier.”

She nodded, suddenly feeling incredibly shy.

His fingers lifted her chin so they were looking at one another. “Are you sure that’s what you want, Reagan?” he asked huskily.

“Yes,” she said softly.

He gave her a lopsided grin. “Good. Because I’m not done with you yet.”

His words caused hot desire to shoot through her. Fishing her keys from her pocket, she said, “Meet you at the inn?”

“No. I think we should go somewhere else. Follow me.”

Tucker opened the driver’s door for her, and Reagan slid behind the wheel. He got into his truck, and she followed him from the winery. Instead of going back to town, he veered off before they reached Lost Creek, and she wondered where they were going.

A few minutes later, he turned down a road, and she read the sign they passed.

Lost Creek Lake.

She had never been to the lake before. Neither of her parents enjoyed the water although they had built a pool in their back yard. Her mother had called it a status symbol, and she had never dipped a toe into it.

Reagan, on the other hand, found she enjoyed being in the water and taught herself to swim. She had spent many hours in that pool, passing the time with her imaginary friends. She hadn’t been swimming, though, in many years and wondered if Tucker had skinny dipping in mind on this cool evening.

He turned into an empty parking lot, and she did the same, easing her car into a spot next to him. They both got out of their vehicles.

Threading his fingers through hers, he said, “I thought we might take a romantic stroll along the water.”

“Let me get my jacket,” she said, returning to her car and slipping into it before rejoining him.

He took her hand again, and they walked down a gravel road until they reached the lake. No one was on it this time of night. It was as if they had the entire lake to themselves.

They moved leisurely along the shore, no words necessary. It was enough simply to be with this man. Holding his hand. Knowing they were on the brink of a new phase in their relationship.

When they reached a set of picnic tables, Tucker led them to one, sitting and then pulling her into his lap.

“I’ve always thought you were beautiful, Reagan, but never more so than now, by moonlight.”

He kissed her softly, and her arms went around his neck instinctively. The kiss started easy, a level of comfort between them now. It soon heated up, though, and it surprised her when she moved to take the lead. Obviously, that didn’t bother Tucker. She liked that about him.

Who was she kidding?

She liked everything about him.

They kissed for a long time. Sometimes, the passion erupted in waves, and she felt they were consumed by them. At other times, it gentled, and she responded to the changes.

Finally, he ended the kiss, and Reagan rested her temple against his, content merely being close to him.

She couldn’t have guessed how long they sat that way, but eventually he said, “We should get back to the inn.”

Reagan started to climb from his lap, but his arms tightened about her and he stood, bringing her with him. He gave her a long, slow, delicious kiss before setting her on her feet again. Slipping an arm about her, they strolled along the shoreline again and returned to their vehicles.

When they arrived at The Inn on Lost Creek, they both parked and moved up the porch steps together. He gave her a lazy smile.

“I think I’m going to get a song out of this. What happened between us tonight.”

“I hope you do,” she said encouragingly. “I’d love to hear your take on what occurred tonight.” She grinned. “Especially if it is set to music.”

His hands framed her face, and he gazed down at her. “Something did happen between us tonight. Something that let me know I have a chance to live again. To feel alive.”

“I agree,” she said quietly. “I don’t know if this will last between us, Tucker, but I’m ready to explore whatever comes our way.”

“I was hoping you’d say that, Caramel. Because I wanted to ask if you would be my girl.”

Frowning, she asked, “What does that even mean?”

He smiled. “Let me explain it to the New Yorker since you’ve obviously been away from Texas too long. Being my girl means we’re exclusive. We don’t see anyone else. We take it day-by-day and see where it goes. And we decide together if it goes farther physically and emotionally than it did tonight.”

She leaned up and kissed him softly. “Then my answer is yes, Tucker Young. I’ll be happy to be your girl.”