Tempted by a Carrington. Linda Hudson-Smith
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“Yes.” Grabbing a folder off the counter, she handed it to him. “Inside are copies of the floor plans for each town house, including square footage and pricing sheets. The end units cost more. Every unit has an attached two-car garage. Let me know if you have any questions.”
“Thanks.” Dallas exited out of French doors that led to the models.
The first town house Dallas entered had three bedrooms and three full baths. The flooring throughout the house was laid with both hardwood and ceramic tile. The roomy end unit had over 2,500 square feet of living space, including a fabulous sunroom with a great lake view. The master suite was located downstairs. Racing upstairs, he immediately liked the warm feel of the entire unit, and he was sure Lanier would give it a thumbs-up.
Imagining Lanier in these lavish surroundings was easy for Dallas. Three years of being together had given him insight into her likes and dislikes. She loved soft and silky things next to her body, and she loved European furnishings. Visions of her moving around in the town house made him smile. He still had more models to view, but his heart had embraced this one.
Moving toward the next townhome, Dallas opened the front door and walked in. The warmth he’d felt in the first residence was noticeably absent. The place was beautifully furnished and well-appointed, but something was missing. This townhome had two bedrooms and two full baths. Moving upstairs, he hurried through each room. It had been much easier for him to savor the splendor in the first home. Simply put, this house was by no means a perfect fit for Lanier. It was nice enough, but nowhere near up to her standard.
The next two models weren’t as well-appointed as the first town house, Dallas noted. If Lanier could fit the first one into her budget, he was willing to bet she’d go for it. All she’d have to do was put her stamp of approval on it and pen her signature. He’d also read that one of the subdivisions inside the complex had town houses for purchase. Purchasing may be a much better option for Lanier than leasing, but he wasn’t certain of her interest.
Dallas pulled his Mercedes into the driveway at Haven House. He’d fallen asleep after a hot shower and was glad he’d made it back on time for dinner.
Lanier reached Dallas before he made it out of the car. The bright smile on her face had his heart thumping wildly. “Hey, there, beautiful,” he said, taking her into his arms. Lanier had never come outside to meet him like this. Dallas took it to mean she was in a good mood and was happy to see him.
Dallas had already eaten two double-decker burgers and a large salad before he decided to mind his manners. Lanier had been closely watching him from the first bite he’d taken. Her spurts of giggles weren’t lost on him. She was still as fascinated as most people were by the amount of food he consumed.
“Who are the Hurricanes playing day after tomorrow?” Lanier asked.
“Toronto Mustangs. They’re a good team, but we’re better. Hopefully, we’ll get the win.” He smiled. “Did you get your ticket from Ashleigh?”
“Got it yesterday,” Lanier replied. She stood. “Okay, Dallas, its dish-duty time.”
Dallas jumped up from his seat. “Let’s get it done. Then we can cuddle on the couch and watch a movie or two.”
Lanier loved lazy nights in with him. Her eyes filled with pride every time she thought about how he’d hotly pursued her on the cruise ship. It had taken her a while to respond to his flirtations because she had tagged him a playboy on sight, but she was wrong. She winked at him. “You’re the best.”
The couple vacated the clean kitchen and went into the family room, where they curled up together on the sofa. Outside of hugs and light kisses, there’d never been any heavy intimacy between them inside Haven House. Lanier was a positive role model for the girls, and she wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize that.
After pulling Lanier’s legs across his lap, Dallas handed her a large brown envelope. “I checked out those town houses we talked about earlier. The information is inside.”
Lanier smiled. Before she would have balked at Dallas taking matters into his own hands, but the new Lanier was downright grateful. She was over being suspicious of the intent of others.
Up until Lanier had met Ashleigh, she had trusted no one. Her best friend and confidante had shown her time and time again how trustworthy she was. Their loyal friendship and respect for each other had allowed them to become and remain successful business partners.
Putting her arms around Dallas, Lanier clasped her hands together at his nape. “Have I told you lately how amazing you are?”
“You can tell me again. It’s music to my ears.” Giving in to his desire to kiss her breath away, he pressed his lips against hers, sweetly devouring them.
Lanier took a minute to glance over the information in the packet. “I’d still like you to look at the town houses with me. Is that okay?”
“Sure. I can take you on Sunday. I don’t have to report to the field house until late afternoon.”
“Hope I get an idea of what I want when I go take a look.”
“If I get here Sunday morning, at 9:45 or so, is that good for you?”
“It’s fine.” Looking into his eyes, she ran the back of her hand down the side of his face. “I want desperately to give back what you give me. This time around I’m going to make us work. I promise. I love you, Dallas.”
Wrapping her up in his arms, he seared her lips with another hot, moist kiss. “I can’t get enough of you. I love you, too. And I always root for us.”
Lanier smiled broadly. “As long as we’re honest and up front with each other, we can make it work.”
Dallas knew he could live up to whatever expectations Lanier had of him. The only question in his mind was if he she was ready to be open to the relationship. Her skittish behaviors of the past still concerned him. At one time, fear was all she’d known. He’d love it if she could accept him at face value and love him for the genuine, honest man he was.
Dallas got up from the sofa then reached a hand back to Lanier. As she arose and stood with him, he kissed her tenderly on the mouth. He’d been dying to ask how many kids she wanted to have one day, but the fear of scaring her had kept him mute on the subject. Lanier had never mentioned wanting kids, but he knew she’d make a good mother just by the way she interacted with the girls. Besides that, he didn’t know if she’d ever agree to marry him, or anyone else.
Dallas only planned to propose once more. If Lanier turned him down again, he had silently promised himself to end the romance. After nearly two years of exclusive dating, he had popped the question during a family vacation cruise to celebrate Angelica’s birthday. Lanier had been deeply moved by the sentiment, but she was clearly not ready to make a lifetime commitment to him. Her tearful reply had confirmed the bad news. Yet he was sure she loved him—and he loved her enough to wait.
Dallas turned his full attention on Lanier, who had bent over to insert a CD. Her perfectly rounded rear excited him. Everything about her was electrifying. Most of all, he loved her tenacity. Just when it looked as if she might give up on something, she’d dig her heels in hard. Her life hadn’t been the least bit easy, but she’d done far more than just survive.
If their love affair could endure Lanier’s insecurities, which were largely based on her issues of abandonment and her parents’ alcohol and drug use, their problems would be solved. The worry of being abandoned again kept her on edge. One minute she was fearful of being left behind and scared of becoming an alcoholic. Because of her anxieties, she was unwilling to commit. Scared stiff of being rejected and tossed aside, especially by the man she loved so deeply, she kept a protective shield around her fragile heart. Dallas knew they could live happily ever after, but Lanier had to believe it, too. He was still willing to bet high stakes on them.
Lanier came over to Dallas and extended her hand to him. “Want to get in a little bumping and grinding on the dance floor?” Her eyelashes