Page 7 of Out of Bounds
He oozes sixteen-year-old-playing-it-cool vibes and it tickles me. It’s so far removed from the life of adulting I’ve been catapulted into of late. Tanner Pace does what he loves for a living, is insanely rich, and has zero personal obligations besides making as many hot women orgasm as possible, so far as I can see. He probablyisas free as an adolescent.
I wouldn’t trade Nelson for the world but I envy Tanner’s freedom.
At the house, as I climb out of the mountain of the Lexus to stand, Mama’s old collie, Bear, barks – a warning bark that’s not too dissimilar to my brother’s reaction to me being anywhere near men.
“Thanks for the ride, Tanner Pace.”
“You’re welcome, Annie Quinn. Any time.”
“D’you wanna come in for something to eat or drink? I’m told Nelson’s been eating Betty’s homemade peach cobbler. I’m sure there’ll be spare.”
He pats his ripped torso – I imagine eight, probably ten, hunky man bumps. “My chef would have a cardiac arrest if I did that five days before season starts.”
I roll my eyes. “I know a man who devoured my pecan pie on this very ranch in springtime. But alright, stud, have a good rest of your day now.”
I’m braced for the roar of that engine as I walk around the picket fence and up to the porch, but it doesn’t come. Instead, words… “You know, my sister didn’t get her driving license until her fourth try.”
Doing a one-eighty, backpack held on my shoulder, I see he’s out of the car, casually leaning on it. If I was a photographer, I’d snap him for a front cover of a magazine right here.
I have had zero sexual desire since having Nelson – I’m too tired and scarred – but I can appreciate that the man who was the first between my thighs for eighteen months today is hot stuff.
“For real?”
He nods. “Guess who started taking her out for lessons before that final test?”
I shrug. “I never can.”
“Why not let me take you out and see if we can’t get you through your test? It’d make your life a whole lot easier.”
I step back down from the porch. “You’d do that?Why?”
“I’d only otherwise be embarrassing the rookies on the golf course on my off days. They could do with some time to improve their handicaps without me putting them to shame.”
I move closer to the car and the man leaning against it. I’m braced, waiting for the punchline, staring at him, trying to read him. “Why’re you being so nice to me, Tanner Pace?”
He raises his arms from his sides. “I believe I’m what the ladies call a cinnamon roll.”
That makes me laugh. “You know I don’t just put out, despite the assumptions of every busybody in town.”
I expect him to smile in response but he doesn’t. The opposite. He frowns. “I don’t think that, Annie. In any event, your brother would kill me for even looking at you wrong.”The way you looked at me all wide-eyed and dazed for a split second when you fell today, until you realized I’m Annie Quinn, exhausted hussy mama.“Plus, I’m too old for you. A hook-up would put my hip out and I know it.”
I bite down on my lip to suppress a laugh at his expense. In real terms, Tanner’s twelve years older than me. In athletic terms, that’s multiple operations and arthritic joints.
Part of me feels bad for questioning his generosity but… “It might not surprise you to know I’m not exactly trusting of people recently, especially the male species.”
He nods in a way that feels empathetic, even though there’s a very real chance I’m being rude, offensive, or both.
“Look,” he says, “Quinn’s my guy, which means you’re my girl.”
He’s so sincere, I could believe him. The way the team helped us out here in spring backs up his words now. And it’s…nice. Welcome. So maybe I allow someone else to give me help, for the good of Nelson and the sake of my brother’s personal space.
“I also really do love your pecan pie. I’d like to buy in now with an I-owe-you and collect in the off-season.”
“In which case, thank you, again.”
“My pleasure, Annie Bannie.”
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