Chapter Twenty-One
Deb woke up to find TJ wrapped around her. Wedged between his arms, her back tucked against his chest, she felt dizzy with joy.
They’d spent the night doing all kinds of things. Naughty things that made her hot just thinking about them.
I want to come home to you, he’d said.
Though it wasn’t a declaration of love, it was as close as one came. At least for Deb. She was willing to bet he’d eventually say those three magical words. But under no circumstances would she say them first. Not ever again.
“What time is it?” TJ asked in a groggy voice.
She rolled over so she could face him and stared into a pair of arresting blue eyes. “Almost nine.”
“I’m officially late and don’t give a damn.” His mouth tugged at the corners.
“I do. I need to get in and call Jillian.” She started to move toward the edge of the bed, but he held her down and tickled her, making her giggle uncontrollably. “Seriously, TJ. I’ve got a company to save.”
“The company’s fine.” His mouth covered hers and he kissed her. “But I’ll let you save the retail division.”
“And I’ll let you take a shower with me.” She broke free and raced to the bathroom, shouting, “You better hurry before I use all the hot water.”
She should’ve known better than to challenge a Garner that way. He hopped off the bed and practically beat her to the bathroom. Of course, he had an unfair advantage—nakedness. His broad shoulders and washboard abs, bronzed from working in the sun, even in winter, were a hell of a distraction.
She turned on the shower faucet, waiting for the old pipes to finish belching and the water to turn hot before getting in. It was a standard-size tub, but with TJ it suddenly felt small. He grabbed the soap off the ledge and washed her, slipping his hands everywhere while she whimpered with pleasure.
Deb tilted her head back to look up at him. His eyes lighted with tenderness, and something moved in her chest. He kissed her, the pull of his mouth warm and sweet and tantalizing. She clutched his shoulders, pushing her body against his, reveling in his solidness.
“I don’t have a condom.” He started to get out of the tub and she pulled him back.
“By the time you get back, it’ll be ice cold . . . crappy water heater. Stay and hold me.”
He took her in his arms and covered her lips with his. Like before, the kiss was slow and hot. But this time it was more intimate. Full of unspoken meaning . . . and promise. Different than anything she’d ever felt before. They stood there, locked together, until the hot water turned freezing.
TJ got out first, found a towel, and wrapped her in it.
“I’m gonna run home for some clean clothes,” he said, and returned to Deb’s bedroom to put on the ones he’d worn the day before.
Deb searched through her closet for something presentable to wear in case Jillian had time to meet with her today. Considering what a good client Garner Adventure was, Jillian should make them a priority. Don’t I sound like a corporate type?
“This one or that one?” Deb held up a sweater dress in one hand and herringbone slacks and a blazer in the other.
TJ nudged his head at the sweater dress. “That one for sure.”
She smiled to herself because the little scenario felt domestic and she liked it. But something had been nagging at her. “TJ?” she asked, feeling a bit reluctant to broach the subject because this thing between them felt perfect right now and she didn’t want to screw it up. “Er . . . how are we supposed to handle us at work?” Or in public, for that matter?
He didn’t respond at first, which she saw as a red flag. Then he finally said, “Uh, I need to talk to Win, so I’d appreciate it if we could keep you and me on the down low for a while.”
The idea of being a secret couple rubbed her wrong, but she understood how it could be awkward, given her past with Win.
He lifted her hair and kissed the back of her neck, and any trepidations she had melted away. Someone’s cell rang, and it took Deb a second to determine that it was TJ’s. He reached for it on the nightstand, checked the caller ID, and put his finger to his lips before answering. From the sound of the conversation, it was one of his brothers. She finished getting dressed, and by the time she was done, TJ had signed off on his call.
“Josh.” He rolled his eyes. “I’m an hour late and everyone freaks out.” He grabbed his wallet and car keys. “I’ll see you in the office.”
She zipped up her boots. “If I get an appointment with Jillian, I’m going to Reno.”
“Okay.” He kissed her good-bye. “Drive carefully.”
It had snowed overnight. She chose a wool coat instead of her ski jacket, gave TJ a head start to his truck, and headed out. At GA, Darcy had brewed a fresh pot of coffee and Deb helped herself to a cup.
“Hey.” Win reached around her waist and pulled her in for a peck on the cheek. “What up?”
“Just working. How ’bout you?”
“I’m taking a few guys up for some freestyle skiing in the backcountry in about an hour.” Win glanced toward the hallway. “Have you seen TJ? He’s usually here by now, but it doesn’t look like his computer is even on.”
“Nope.” She felt yucky lying. “I’ve gotta get to work, make a few calls.”
“Sure, go do your thing.”
She went to her office and booted up her computer. There were only two orders from the online store. One for a sweatshirt, the other a hat. Oh boy, not exactly taking the world by storm. She looked up the number for Jillian’s company and reached her directly. Forty minutes later, she was on the road with a plan to turn sales around. And to prove—mostly to herself—that TJ had made the right decision hiring her.
* * *
By the time TJ got to the office, he was two hours late and he didn’t care. Let someone else worry about the day-to-day problems for a change.
Today, he wanted nothing more than to ride a wave of happiness. Because if they couldn’t save the store, it wouldn’t last for long.
“You have ten messages,” Darcy said as he passed through the lobby.
He stopped at her desk and scooped up the stack of call-back slips. “Anything important?”
She did a double take. “I thought you said everything’s important.”
He might’ve said it once upon a time.
“I got all the rescheduled tours on the calendar,” Darcy continued. “Everyone is onboard. Want me to give you a copy?”
“Nope,” he said. “I trust you.”
He started to walk away when she called, “Are you sick or something?”
“Never felt better.” He tried to sound casual when he asked, “Is Deb in yet?”
“She went to Reno to meet with our webmaster.”
That hadn’t taken long. He liked her initiative but was disappointed. He’d been looking forward to seeing her. After all, it had been a full hour since he’d seen her last.
In his office, he booted up his computer and sorted through the pink slips. Nothing that couldn’t wait. Most of them were vendors trying to sell GA something. He sneaked a look at their daily sales, and despite his good mood, his heart dropped.
“You’re here.” Colt came in without knocking. Typical.
“You off today?” He was in plain clothes instead of his uniform.
“Wedding stuff.” Colt pulled a face. “You sick or something?”
“No.” Why was everyone asking that?
“Win said you haven’t been here all morning.”
“All morning. It’s only ten thirty. I slept in. What’s the big deal?”
Colt sank into the couch. “You never sleep in and you’re always here at seven, like clockwork. Everything okay?”
TJ got up, shut the door, and sat back down. “I was with Deb last night.”
“Yeah?” Colt sat straight up and smiled. “How’s that going?”
“Good.” That was an understatement, but he wasn’t sharing the details with his brother. “I need to talk to Win about it.”
“Probably a good idea just to prevent any weirdness. I’m betting he’ll give you his blessing.”
TJ let out a breath. “You talk to him about Britney?”
Colt nodded. “He’s determined to marry her and we need to support him in his decision.”
Perhaps Win knew what he was doing. He typically steered clear of the hard stuff. Hell, he’d had the chance to be an Olympic star and quit just because the strict regimen wasn’t his jam.
And then there was the fact that if Win married Britney, he’d leave the road wide open for TJ and Deb. The self-serving thought sort of horrified him. But it was there nonetheless.
“Is Mom still having that dinner?”
“Saturday night. Didn’t you get the memo?” Colt grinned because their sweet little mother became a drill sergeant when she threw one of her supper parties. All Garner men were expected to drop their plans and show up.
“Guess I know where I’ll be.” He could bring Deb to his parents’ house, make them official there. “How do you think I should tell Win?” This wasn’t email material. Hey, I’m with the woman everyone thought you’d marry.
“Win’s got bigger fish to fry right now, so just be straight with him. Take him for a beer or something.” Colt glanced at his watch. “I’ve gotta roll. Delaney and I are meeting with Foster about flowers.” He made a gun with his finger and put it to his head.
TJ chuckled. “I still don’t know why you don’t go to Vegas and get it done before she changes her mind. You aren’t exactly a prize.”
Colt gave him the finger and took off, leaving TJ to wonder what to do with the rest of his day. He had a pile of work on his desk, calls to return, and a retail venture to revive. But there was fresh snow on the ground.
Screw it.
He went in search of his skis and on his way out called to Darcy, “You’re in charge while I’m gone. Don’t take crap from anyone.”