They stayed in the water a few more minutes until they were both freezing and ready to get out. As soon as they were back on dry land, April was shivering so hard her teeth were chattering. Tanner immediately unfolded the blanket he’d brought with them to sit on, and wrapped it around her. “Better?”
“Much” she said, her teeth still chattering.
Tanner rubbed her shoulders and arms, spreading the heat throughout her body as quickly as he could. “It might not smell all that great, but it’ll keep you warm until we get you out of your wet garments.”
“Thanks. That was the most fun I’ve had in a while,” she said, wringing out her curls. “I can’t believe I did that,” she laughed. “Why didn’t you warn me how cold the water was?”
“I tried,” Tanner said, pulling on his jeans and t-shirt. Not that they’d provide much warmth against his wet skin, but it was something. Then he pulled her into his arms, blanket and all. “Something tells me when you set your mind to something, there’s no stopping you.”
“Something like that.” April shrugged and nibbled her bottom lip. She was so cute, but when she bit that bottom lip, all Tanner could think about was getting a taste of it himself. He used his thumb to free it and she gave him a beautiful smile. “Let’s get you home -” He started to say, but the sound of a snapping twig behind him caught their attention. Tanner spun on his heels, putting April behind him. Zeus wasn’t far away, and Tanner had brought his gun with them just in case. He was kicking himself for leaving it with the horse. It would take mere seconds for him to get to the satchel he’d put it in, but if whoever was approaching was a real threat, every second counted, and they were far too exposed for his liking.
“What is it?” April asked in a half whisper, her fingers brushing against his shoulder blade. Even through the material of his shirt, it sent warm tingles down his spine. He craved more of her touch, and was probably overreacting to the sound. Just when he thought maybe he was hearing things, another twig snapped. Whatever was out there was a hell of a lot bigger than a squirrel. He grabbed April’s clothes off the ground, took her hand, and made a beeline to Zeus who was grazing about thirty feet away from them. “It’s probably a wild critter, but just in case, I want you to stay with Zeus,” he ordered, shoving her clothes at her and pulling out his weapon.
“I thought you said we’d be safe here. If Ned’s found us already, I need to get back to the main house and get to Violet.”
Tanner’s muscles tightened as he thought about his family and Violet asleep at his house. His dad said the private security company had started their around the clock shifts last night, but he wasn’t sure of their exact locations. As far as he was concerned, they were out here on their own.
“Mr. Rhodes? Is that you?” A male voice called out.
Tanner didn’t recognize the voice. He held his weapon at the ready, and took a step forward just as a figure came out from behind some trees. Tanner was ready to defend April to the death if it came to that, but then a familiar face emerged from the shadows, and Tanner lowered his weapon. “Mason,” Tanner growled, recognizing him from the last time his dad had hired this security company. They were a large firm with multiple branches throughout the Southwest. “It’d be nice if you identified yourself before sneaking up on us and nearly giving me a heart attack.”
“Sorry about that, but if I went around calling out to everything that went bump in the night, I’d scare away all the perps.” He closed the distance between them and glanced at April who was still wrapped in a blanket. “Oh man, I’m sorry, Ididn’t mean to interrupt anything. I was told to patrol the entire west side of the property.”
“No worries,” Tanner said, relaxing a bit. “Appreciate you being out here. We were actually just leaving. Have a good night and stay safe out here.”
“You as well,” Mason said.
Tanner held April’s hand as they walked back to the barn, leading Zeus by the reins rather than riding him. It was a warm night and there was a thick scent of jasmine in the soft, cool breeze. “Tonight was so much fun,” April said.
“We’ll do it again. Every night for the rest of our lives if you want.” He was laying it on thick, but Tanner knew he’d found the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, and he wanted - no - needed her to know that.
She stopped and turned to him, searching his eyes, for what he didn’t know. “Tanner, are you sure that’s what you want? With me, I mean?”
Tanner could’ve kicked himself in the ass at that very moment. Even in the dark, with only the moonlight and stars lighting her beautiful face, Tanner finally saw the insecurities plainly written all over her concerned expression. It was becoming abundantly clear that she’d likely avoided the “L” word earlier, not because she didn’t feel the same way, but because she was afraid that he was signing himself up for something he wouldn’t be able to handle. Like he’d ever bail on her or his daughter. He’d sooner die than leave either one of them to fend for themselves ever again. And if everything he’d said tonight hadn’t convinced her of that yet, then he’d just have to do a better job of it.
Tanner pulled her closer, keeping her between himself and Zeus, both to shield her from the cool breeze and from any possible threats. “Am I sure that I want to go jumping into freezing cold water with you again? Yes. Am I sure that I’malready looking forward to our next midnight ride? Hell yes. Am I sure that I’m madly in love with you and can’t imagine not seeing you every single day? Definitely.”
“I love you, too,” she said without hesitation, without missing a beat. Without needing even a moment to think about it. “I didn’t mean to fall in love with you but once I did-”
“There was no going back?” He supplied. “I know the feeling.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead, then lowered his head to catch her mouth with his. Despite being cold from their swim, her lips were surprisingly warm, and just as soft and sweet as ever. There would never be another woman or another mouth that he’d want more. This was it for him.
After another mind-blowing kiss, Tanner said, “let’s get Zeus back to the stables.” He hated pulling back from her, but the last thing he wanted was for them to encounter an actual intruder out here. “And we need to get you into some dry clothes.”
“And you,” she pointed out. “I don’t even want to think about you getting sick.”
He smiled, because of course her first thought would be about protecting him from a cold, and not herself from an intruder. Though he could admit to liking the feeling of her worrying about him. “And me.”
***
The walk back to the stables wasn’t long. April hummed quietly to herself while Tanner settled Zeus in for the night. He had a feeling it had been a long time since she could relax and let herself be happy. He watched out of the corner of his eye as she walked around the barn, taking in her surroundings. She slowly walked by the dozen stalls lining each side of the barn, and quickly peeked into the tack room in the back. That was where Boo usually slept, but tonight he was sitting out on a baleof hay, watching his late-night visitors. Tanner had a feeling the cat secretly hoped Violet would join them, but he’d have to wait until morning for that.
Boo was well into his teen years, and Tanner couldn’t remember a time when this old cat had ever sought out anyone’s attention. But he’d taken an uncanny liking to Violet. Tanner couldn’t blame Boo though. His daughter was incredible. Even the animals seemed to sense it.
April stopped and stared up at the large dormer window over the barn door that beautifully framed the night sky with the moon and endless stars. “I think this is one of my new favorite places,” she said, letting the blanket slip off one of her shoulders.
Tanner came out of Zeus’ stall, and his breath caught in his throat at the sight of her milky skin. He moved to stand behind her, wrapping his arms around her as he placed a soft kiss on her shoulder. He inhaled the scent of lake water and the leftovers of her sugar cookie lotion, and let his lips linger on her soft, creamy skin. He wanted to take her right then and there. His cock pressing painfully against the zipper of his jeans wasn’t helping matters.
She turned her head, giving him better access. He greedily accepted the invitation, trailing kisses up the column of her neck as his hands gently explored her body over the thick material of the blanket. Tanner was more turned on than he’d ever been, and they were both still fully covered.