Fortune's Promise: A Fortune Story Read online

  “Maybe he doesn’t want to see me again. I’m nothing like the women he dates. I’m certainly not some Hollywood hottie. I’m just your basic, boring chick.”

  “You are not basic,” Lauren said.

  “And you’re definitely not boring. Oh, forget that guy then.” Brittney waved her hand in front of her as if dismissing him. “I think he was just what you needed to boost your confidence. You needed to get back out there and start dating again anyway.”

  Boost her confidence. The idea of that made her want to laugh. “I figured this is a story I can tell all the little old ladies when I’m ninety and living in a retirement home. Everyone has a secret story. This will be mine.”

  “It’s a pretty great story. You’ll have to give us more details when you’re ready.” Lauren reached across the table and squeezed her hand.

  Brittney whipped a giant photo album out of her Gucci purse and let it plop on the middle of the table. “Who’s ready for pictures?”

  “Jesus, Britt, how many did you take?” Lauren rolled her eyes. “We’re going to be here for hours.”

  Exactly what Maddie needed to take her mind off Tanner.

  “Is it Friday yet?”

  Maddie smiled and stopped at her secretary Lori’s desk. Handing her a file, Maddie shook her head. “I wish.”

  Lori smiled back. “Same here. By the way, you have a call on line two. He wouldn’t leave his name.”

  Brows wrinkled in confusion she strode towards her office and picked up her phone. “This is Maddie Carpenter, may I help you?”

  “Hey.”

  Her heart dropped to her stomach, her breath froze in her throat. She closed her eyes briefly, hope rising inside of her and she leaned against her desk. No way could it be…

  “Maddie, it’s Tanner. How are you?”

  Like she wouldn’t know that voice. Smooth and deep, it washed over her like warm honey, making her body heat. “I’m…I’m good. How are you?”

  “I’ve been really busy actually. I would’ve called you earlier, but I’ve been swamped with recording sessions, trying to wrap everything up. Thank God this album is nearly finished. I finally have some free time.”

  She wondered at his excuses, the rush of words that seemed to tumble out of him. She could be mistaken, but he sounded downright nervous.

  “Wow, that’s great.” She breathed deep, walked around her desk to plop into her chair. God that sounded inane, but she had no idea what to say. I miss you? I want to see you again? Hey maybe we could get naked together one more time? No way could she say anything close to that.

  “Did you get the flowers I sent you?”

  “I did, thank you, they were beautiful.” She glanced out her open office door, caught Lori watching her curiously, but Lori looked away when their gazes met.

  “I miss you, Maddie. You’re all I think about. I don’t want to, but I can’t help it.”

  She drew in a shuddering breath, his words shocking her. Maybe his last remark should offend her but it didn’t. She couldn’t stop thinking about him and didn’t want to either. What he just said, it was the last thing she expected to hear him say though.

  Certainly didn’t think he reciprocated her feelings.

  “I want to see you again.”

  “I-I don’t know what to say, Tanner.”

  “Well, I hope you would say you want to see me too.”

  “I do.” She swallowed hard, surprised she just admitted it, but it was the truth.

  “I want you to come see me tomorrow. Spend the weekend with me.” His voice lowered an octave. “We could go out or stay in, whichever you prefer, Maddie.”

  Staying in made her think of all kinds of delicious possibilities. “This is awfully last minute though. And it’s going to take hours for me to drive there.”

  “You don’t have to drive. I can send the company jet. I already looked into it, a few producers are headed to San Francisco for the weekend and on the way back it can swing by and pick you up.”

  A private jet—it sounded decadent and completely frivolous.

  Of course, she could afford her own damn jet. She just chose not to live that type of lifestyle. It might be fun to experience something glamorous for a couple of days.

  Something completely out of her realm. Her stomach jumped with nerves thinking about it.

  “Say yes, Maddie.” His voice grew urgent. She could practically feel his nerves palpitating over the phone lines.

  “All right, I’ll come.” Excitement made her chest swell, and she couldn’t contain the smile that spread across her face.

  He chuckled. “You’re going to be doing that, no doubt all weekend. I’ll have someone contact you at this number with flight information for tomorrow, is that all right? The plane will pick you up sometime in the mid-afternoon.”

  His double entendre made her cheeks flush. “Um, that’s perfect. I’ll take a half day off at work, that won’t be a problem.”

  “Good. Someone will call you later this afternoon with the time and info then.” He paused. “I can’t wait to see you.”

  “I can’t wait to see you either, Tanner.” She smiled, glanced around, made sure no one heard her say his name.

  “Bring your swimsuit. We’ll be staying at my house in Malibu.” I’ll see you tomorrow?”

  “Yes, tomorrow.” Panic clawed within her. A swimsuit? She didn’t want to flaunt her flabby self in front of Tanner in a swimsuit. It was one thing to get naked with him in the middle of the night, or even in the early morning with the curtains drawn.

  But a swimsuit in the middle of the day? Um…no.

  “Good bye, Maddie.” He hung up and she sat there, let the sound of the dial tone fill her ears, her head until she finally dropped the phone back into its receiver.

  Maddie wanted to squeal in delight. She wanted to tell someone, anyone where she was going tomorrow. Who she was going to see. But she couldn’t.

  So she pressed her hand against her mouth and screamed into it instead.

  Chapter Eight

  “We’re ready to disembark, Miss Carpenter. Do you need anything else?”

  Maddie glanced at the attentive flight attendant and smiled. “No thank you, I’m fine.”

  She placed the luxurious blanket she’d wrapped herself in during the flight on the seat next to her and stood, stretched her arms above her head. By far this was the most relaxing, comfortable flight she’d ever taken in her life. Enough of this and she’d never want to fly coach again, let alone first class.

  “Once you vacate the plane, someone will escort you to a private area inside the airport where you’ll be picked up and taken to your final destination. I hope you enjoyed your flight, Miss Carpenter.” He shot her a warm smile and she smiled back, startled when he pressed a slim box in her hand. “I almost forgot. This is for you.”

  He walked away, went to open the door before she got a chance to ask him what the box was. Studying it, she turned it over in her hands. It looked like it came from a jewelry store.

  With shaking fingers she pulled the top off, noticing the small envelope resting on top of dark blue tissue paper. She tore open the card, saw it was signed by Tanner and she drew in a deep breath. Now he was giving her jewelry? How serious was all of this to him?

  She didn’t even want to think about it.

  Prying the tissue paper open, she found a silver bracelet scattered with pale pink stones. It was lovely, the stones a particularly beautiful shade of pale pink but unfortunately it was made of silver.

  She was allergic to silver. It always made her break out in a terrible rash.

  Disappointment filled her and she snapped the lid back onto the box and shoved it into her purse. Great, how was she supposed to tell him that?

  Gee, thanks for the bracelet, Tanner, but it gives me a rash. You can take it back to the store where you bought it though and return it. Get a refund.

  Yes, that would go over great.

  It made her uncomfortable he was giving
her jewelry anyway. She didn’t need to be dazzled with luxurious gifts, she could afford her own. If this was his mode of operation, the way he flattered his various “girlfriends”, she didn’t need it. Didn’t want it.

  Apprehension filled her and she hoped she wouldn’t regret this weekend trip with him. The afternoon after he had called her, she’d finally been unable to stand it any longer and called Brittney for advice. Brittney of course had told her to forget any and all feelings of remorse and have a fantastic time getting her brains fucked out—direct quote.

  “Don’t take any of this seriously,” Brittney had said. “Treat this as a weekend of fun with a sexy man and that’s exactly what you’ll get. You won’t be disappointed unless you allow yourself to be.”

  Maddie knew Brittney was right, but it was hard not to let those doubts fall into place and ruin her goodtime-only attitude. Never before had she been the type to have a goodtime-only attitude when it came to life. She’d been cautious for far too long, it was as if she didn’t know how to let go and let loose.

  She grabbed her overnight bag and memories of her time with Tanner suddenly filled her mind, making her achy with need, anxious to see him. All recent negative thoughts fled at the prospect of seeing him again, talking to him. Touching him, kissing him, slowly undressing him…

  Was he the one meeting her at the airport or was she going to be taken to his home? She wanted to see him, but it wouldn’t be too smart for Tanner to show up at LAX. She always saw unflattering photos of various celebrities traveling incognito at the airport. The paparazzi had to camp out there twenty-four/seven.

  How she wanted to see him though. She didn’t think she could wait much longer.

  Exiting the plane, she followed the man who met her at the bottom of the stairs across the tarmac and into the airport. He led her through an unmarked door, down a long corridor until they came to another nondescript door. He knocked on it once and then entered. She followed behind him, curious, and she saw Tanner sitting on a couch.

  He sprang to his feet, striding towards her with a faint smile on his face. Cupping her cheeks in his hands, he kissed her softly. “Finally,” he murmured.

  Her pulse pounded at the touch of his lips upon hers. She smiled in return, rubbing her cheek against his palm. “What’s with all the mystery?”

  Maddie looked over her shoulder when she heard the door click shut and realized the man who had brought her here had left rather discreetly. She turned her attention back to Tanner.

  “I wanted to be the one who met you at the airport, but I didn’t want anyone to know I was here.” He released his hold on her, took a step back with a shrug. “Photographers haunt this place. I didn’t want to expose you to that.”

  Maybe he didn’t want anyone to even know he was seeing her. She could take it either way. He was either protecting her or hiding her from the public.

  Though she wanted to believe he wasn’t ashamed of her.

  “How are we going to get out of here?”

  “They’re bringing a golf cart around to take us out to the parking lot and my car.” Grinning, he brushed her nose with the tip of his finger. “Sorry for the covert operation, but it has to be done.”

  “I understand. I’m surprised you didn’t have a limo or whatever.” She shrugged, uncomfortable. She realized all of the blatant wealth made her a little uneasy. Still unused to her own fortune, she never, ever flaunted it. She lived in the condo her mother had given her after she graduated college. Drove the same Honda she had bought three years ago. Hadn’t been on a vacation since who knew when.

  Technically this weekend was the first vacation she’d been on in years.

  “Nah, I felt like driving my car. The weather’s nice and it’s a convertible.” He dipped closer to her, his mouth hovering close to her ear. “You’ll like it.”

  Shivering from the close contact, she chose to ignore the suggestive tone of his voice. They’d have more time for that later. “So you really have a place in Malibu, hmmm? Isn’t that where a lot of the stars live?”

  He shrugged. Now it was his turn to look uncomfortable. “I bought it a couple of years ago and got it in the divorce, which surprised me since she was the one who originally wanted the place.”

  “Oh.” Never before had the ex come up in conversation and she didn’t really like it. Paula Robinson was gorgeous, an actress who’d appeared in a few movies and a constant figure in the media. The idea of spending time with Tanner in the home his ex-wife had chosen threw her.

  “Hey.” He slipped his arms around her and drew her close, the warmth of his big body seeping into hers. He watched her, his blue eyes intense, brows furrowed. “Don’t let all of that Paula shit bother you. I’m not with her anymore, we’re divorced and that’s the end of it. Hell, the minute we split up I hired someone to redo the entire house.”

  Maddie pressed her face against his shirtfront, breathed deep so his scent filled her head. It felt good to be with him again, to have him hold her, talk to her, look at her.

  It was also a little scary, how good all of it felt.

  “I want us to have fun this weekend, Maddie.” Tanner smoothed his hand over her hair, fingers tangling in the strands. “I want to get to know you better. No pressure, nothing intense, I just want to be with you.”

  In other words, he wanted to have outrageous sex with her all weekend long with no strings. She knew what she was getting herself into the second she had agreed to visit him. This wasn’t about a soul connection or Tanner’s sudden deep need to spend all of his waking hours with her.

  It was about sex and nothing else.

  Fine with her. What they’d shared in the hotel room had been mind-blowing, phenomenal. Like nothing she’d ever experienced before. She wouldn’t mind experiencing that again.

  And again and again and again.

  “I want to be with you, too, Tanner,” she said, her voice muffled against his chest. “I’m so glad you called. I’ve thought about you a lot since that night at the hotel.”

  Ooops, maybe she shouldn’t have admitted that. His hand stilled on her head, his entire body tensing with her statement. She could admit to thinking about him without looking like a love-crazed stalker, right? Heck, this was the first time she’d ever attempted something like this. A commitment-free entanglement with a gorgeous man looking for nothing but pleasure, what more could she ask for? There was no time for a relationship in her life, right? Of course not.

  Though she’d been dreaming of one only a few short weeks ago at Brittney and Charlie’s wedding.

  Her sensible side had been kicked to the curb. She was now leading her life according to decisions by hormones.

  “I’ve thought about you, too, Maddie.” His voice was hesitant and he took a deep breath, as if preparing to say something more, but they were interrupted. She heard the door open, and Tanner paused. Moving away from him, she turned to find the same man who had brought her to the room standing in the doorway.

  “We’re ready for you and your guest, Mr. Robinson.”

  Tanner smiled at her, and she wanted to melt on the spot. The man was beyond handsome and he could liquefy her panties with one glance. She needed to stop worrying about potential relationships and concentrate on the here and now. This weekend with Tanner.

  “Let’s go,” she said, grabbing hold of his hand.

  Tanner kept one eye on the road and the other on Maddie. The wind blew her long dark red hair in front of her face, and she kept smoothing it back with a graceful hand, her eyes wide as she drank in the view of the Pacific Ocean laid out before them. She caught him staring at her and he smiled, reached out to snake a tendril of hair behind her ear.

  Her soft cheek beneath his fingertip made his skin sizzle. The look in her dark brown eyes as she watched him made his heart constrict painfully. Her lush, curvy body curled so close in the passenger seat made him want to touch her, haul her onto his lap so he could slip himself deep inside her. Watch her face in amazement as he broug
ht her to orgasm over and over.

  Shit, he had it bad. Scary bad. He didn’t remember feeling this intense even with Paula, and he’d been a lovesick fool over that woman.

  None of it made sense. He barely knew Maddie, had only spent approximately twenty four hours with her so how he could even know what he felt about her? How could all of it be so damn intense?

  The way it felt to be held in her arms though. She listened to him, her sincerity shined through everything she did. She wasn’t fake and he appreciated that more than she could ever know.

  As usual, his feelings towards Maddie scared the shit out of him. He didn’t like it.

  At all.

  Yet he couldn’t help it. So he told himself for what felt like the twentieth time to relax and enjoy this time with Maddie. Learn a little more about her, figure out what made her tick.

  Make love to her all night long until they both collapsed, exhausted.

  Yeah, that sounded like the perfect plan.

  “Tanner!” She grabbed his thigh and he hit the brake, saving himself from nearly ramming into the back end of a slow moving Mercedes. He blared his horn and passed the car, tempted to flip the old male driver the bird.

  Damn it the woman distracted him so bad he couldn’t even concentrate on driving. And he loved taking his little convertible for a cruise along the curvy Pacific Coast Highway.

  Her hand relaxed on his thigh, but she didn’t remove it, much to his surprise.

  “You drive a little…fast.” Her voice sounded breathless, reminding him of what she sounded like in the throes of orgasm and just like that, he was hard.

  Not only did the woman distract him, but she also made him feel like a living, breathing, walking penis. Not good.

  “Sorry. This car handles so well on the curves that I forget myself sometimes.” He shot her an apologetic smile and she squeezed his thigh, smiling in return.

  He shifted in his seat, uncomfortable. If she didn’t quit touching him he might explode.

  “It’s gorgeous out here.”

  “Yeah I like it, though it’s a little far when I’m spending all of my time at the studio. The drive can be murderous in the morning. And the afternoon.”