TANNER

I’m at the property by eleven-thirty, chomping at the bit to see Emma and gauge whether or not that date she had last night went further than just kissing. It’s crazy but I want to smell her like a primate, as if that will tell me. I’m sure she’s showered since last night, if he had his hands all over her—and other things, goddamn him to hell—but my emotions aren’t as logical as my mind.

When my phone buzzes I impatiently dig it out, expecting Dan to give me a run down of today’s fires he put out in my stead. But it’s Emma’s number.

“Are you running early?” I demand, my way of being optimistic.

“Tanner…”

“What’s wrong? You sound upset.” I soften immediately, “Are you hurt? Where are you? Have you been in an accident? I’ll come get you.”

Sniffling, she clears her throat and attempts to sound strong. “No, I’m not hurt. Not like that. I’m sorry but I have to cancel our appointment.”

Staring into nothing I press the phone closer to my ear and reassure her, “Don’t worry about it. Take care of what you have to and I’ll see you later this evening. After work again?” I’ve already figured out that’s why our appointment last night was after-hours. If she had to sneak on her lunch break today, it made sense that any other time the showings would have to be at night.

“No, I can’t…”

“Tomorrow then,” I offer.

“I can’t be your realtor anymore.”

I freeze and rake my hair back, staring at the cement. “What? Why not? Is it your father? You’re just showing me houses! We’re not eloping!”

Even as I say it, I know my intentions to Emma are not platonic. I want more. And not just sex, I want to get to know her better, because she’s all I can think about and it’s driving me insane. I think I could spend days, maybe years listening to her, laughing with her, looking into those eyes and drowning out the world.

Emma’s voice is shaky, though she’s trying to mask it. “It’s not my dad. I lost my job today. I don’t want to go into the details.”

“She found out you like me, didn’t she? Cora found out and now she’s jealous, is that it?”

The line is dead for a beat. “First, I don’t like you.”

“Yes you fucking do. But go on.”

“Second, she didn’t find out. There was something building for a while that I didn’t know about. But it also brought to light that I should never have shown those houses behind her back. So, I’m sorry but I can’t be your realtor.”

“Do you still have your license?”

She pauses. “Yes, but that’s not the point.”

“Get over here and show me this house, Emma Cocker, or I will break a window and see it myself. I’ve stayed in town accommodating your inflexible schedule for four, maybe five days longer than I intended. Now be professional and get your ass over here!” I hang up and wait.

When her convertible drives up Emma stares at me, red-eyed from behind the windshield. She climbs out, looking miserable. I know I’m starting to care about the girl because every instinct is yelling for me to hold her.

But she needs a backbone.

Not coddling.

One thing I learned in business is this.

Get a thick skin.

Or they will eat you alive.

Eyeing me, she walks up as I jog my chin to the property. “Let’s get on with it. Stop dragging your feet.”

Frowning, anger flashes across her, but she walks faster and by the time we enter the nine bedroom home Emma’s shoulders have squared and she’s pulled her hair into a bun. Only trouble is, she’s blinking around like she’s forgotten everything she knows.

Prodding her I firmly ask, “When was this built.”

“1967.”

“Is it up to code?”

“Of course.”

“How are the windows?”

“They…aren’t double paned,” she frowns, remembering. “But we could talk them down in price to cover that upgrade.”

Thatta girl, Emma.

Keep it up.

You can do this.

“The appliances?”

She inhales, eyes clearing. “Those are new. They have three refrigerators. Sorry, two. One is a dedicated freezer. This doesn’t have the luxury of the last property but it has the charm the other lacks. Let me show you.” Her steps become more confident and I let her lead me through the house. At each detail she points out, a little more confidence shines through the hurt and fear. She does make a pit-stop for a tissue in one of the bathrooms, but quickly returns, streaked mascara cleaned off, lips firm with determination.

When the tour is complete, a slow smile appears, directed at me.

I don’t return it. “Next one?”

“There is only one more.”

“What are you waiting for?”

Her lips tighten and she nods once, like a soldier. We walk toward our cars with the intention of driving both, but that would mean less time with her. And she might start crying again. I change course and head for her Lexus. She pauses, takes in my decision and without a word walks to the passenger side and waits for me to open the door. As she glides in, our eyes lock. She looks confused, unsure of what we are to each other. I want the cocky woman I found so compelling, back.

So I drive in silence, not wanting to sully the rebuilding of her strength and self-worth with aimless chit-chat. I feel her sneaking looks at me but I don’t meet her eyes. Instead my knuckles tighten on her leather steering wheel. It’s not long before she instructs me to slow down and points to a home I know is not going to work. It looks dreary and abandoned. The paint is fine, but the trees are too many in number.

Being a practical man I consider telling her this is a waste of time. But I’m not practical when I’m around this woman, and she needs this. I spring out of the car and call out, “Don’t you dare!” as she starts to open her door. She waits with a flash in her eyes.

Offering my hand I smirk, “It’s so confusing letting a man be a man.”

“It is,” she frankly admits, eyeing me. “But I don’t mind it.”

“You just got angry. I saw it.”

“Habits die hard, that’s all.” Smoothing down the lovely red dress she wore to work today she gazes at the house and frowns. “Mr. Hamilton, the photos did not look this bad. And this home I haven’t personally toured but I did study up on it so let me show you what’s good about it.”

“I can’t wait.”

Her gait is much stronger as we walk inside and she expertly rattles off intricate details with dates attached to each and every one. As the tour ends in the backyard she inhales and announces, “While I’ve gathered clues regarding your tastes and preferences, you’ve kept pretty quiet about exactly what you’re looking for so I’m not certain what that is. But as your realtor, I have to look out for your best interests. I do not believe this property is the right choice.”

Sliding my hands into my pockets I tilt my head. “Oh?”

“I’m afraid that’s my opinion. I think you can do better. But what do you think? Is this what you’re looking for?”

I know she means the house, but I’m thinking of her question in regards to her. Truth is, I don’t think I could do better than this sweet, quiet strength I see staring back from those whiskey eyes.

“You’re right, Ms. Cocker. We saw better houses for my purposes. I appreciate your honesty.” Flicking a glance to the sun I think for a moment and run my tongue along my teeth. “I wasn’t going to tell you this. Dan is the only person on Earth who knows. But I do want to share it with you.” I pause while she patiently waits for me to work it out. “Maybe it’s because I know you’ll respect my plan and I want to impress you. Or perhaps it’s because I feel as though we haven’t just recently met, like I’ve known you longer than this brief period of time. That I can trust you. That you’re…a friend. I’m not sure. Meeting you, I’ve been confronted with feelings that are unknown to me, so excuse me while I ramble.”

“You sound so cold when you talk about feelings, like a scientist observing an experiment.”

“Do I?” I frown. “I guess it’s not a subject I broach often. Hmmm.”

We stare at each other as birds chirp in the overgrown trees around us. Her smile is kind as she asks, “Are you going to tell me or…?”

Blinking to the ground I rake my hair back. “Oh, I haven’t, have I?”

“No.”

I inhale deeply on a frown. “I have anonymously hired a team in town to interview social workers. They’ve been doing it for weeks. Also interviewing volunteers because, while they will be paid, if someone is willing to work hard for nothing they’ll work harder for something. We’ve been looking into teachers who will work part time and split shifts. The bookkeeping will be handled by my company’s accountants until I find local businesses I can trust. Piece by piece I’m building an orphanage that will double as a school teaching grades pre-school through sixth. Even when the children get placed in a home they will continue their learning here so they keep their friendships and their special needs, battling feelings of abandonment and other challenges, will be accommodated by professionals who know how.” Emma’s lips part in surprise. My eyebrow cocks as I wait for her to say something. When she doesn’t, I smirk, “Did you think these enormous homes were intended just for me?”

Her eyes say yes, but she shakes her head. “No, I didn’t think that.”

“You’re a terrible liar.”

She blushes and instantly I want to kiss her. So I pull her to me, expecting her to object. But she melts into my arms and stares up at me like I’m a hero. “That’s why I wanted you to know. The way you’re looking at me now. What man wouldn’t want this feeling?”

Tracing my face with searching tenderness, Emma confesses “I heard that you were ruthless.”

“I was, once.”

“What changed?”

“Later. Right now I have to kiss you.” Crushing my lips to hers the lightning I felt before is multiplied by thousands. She gasps into the kiss, feeling the electricity too, and rises up on her tiptoes, arms softly encircling my neck as the kiss becomes more passionate and puzzling. I’ve been with so many women, but her I feel in my pores. She moans and I marvel at the sound, embracing her closer. I want to hear her purr.