Love Surfaced Page 15

  By the time dessert is offered and everyone declines, my phone goes berserk.

  Bea: Get your ass over here. I thought you said Dylan was coming.

  Bea: Hot ass is here. Where are you?

  Bea: This chick is like a damn puppy on Tanner’s heels.

  Bea: Shit, they’re making out in the corner.

  “Excuse me,” I say before standing with my phone in hand.

  Curtis and his dad stand up, being the polite gentleman.

  “Thank you.” I bow like a damn geisha. I weave through the tables, heading to the restroom, in a panic with visions of Tanner’s lips on the slut who is probably spread open with each foot in a pocket of a pool table.

  Me: What?

  Bea: LOL.

  Me: Bea?

  Bea: Ha-ha! I knew that would get your hooker-ass to answer me.

  Me: I’m at dinner with Curtis’s parents.

  Bea: *yawn* Boring.

  Me: LOL. Yeah, you got that right.

  Bea: This Dylan keeps playing hard to get. Is he into dudes?

  I chuckle to myself.

  Me: No. Dylan is straight, as far as I know.

  Bea: I’ve given him every signal I have to take me in the storage room, and NOTHING!

  Me: Why don’t you try to get to know him?

  Bea: Why would I do that?

  Me: Because you like him.

  Bea: I’ll like him for about ten minutes while he bangs me on boxes of nacho cheese.

  Me: Gross.

  Bea: Oh, sorry. We all don’t expect caviar and sweet touches.

  I shake my head.

  Me: Gotta go. See you in a bit.

  Bea: Hurry. Shit, he’s teaching her how to play pool. What a slut move.

  I refrain from asking any more questions because she’d probably lie to me, so I’ll rush to get there. That’s not to say my feet aren’t walking a little faster back to the table to hurry this work dinner up. I hide my phone in my hand when I reach the table. and Curtis stands up when he sees me coming and moves behind me to pull out my chair.

  “Thank you,” I say once I’m seated.

  He goes back to his own chair. Perusing the table, I observe the coffee, the cappuccino, and the hot tea in front of everyone. Feeling the steam rising up to my face, I look down to find a cup of cappuccino. Since I hate coffee, I’m curious as to why it’s placed right in front of me.

  Seeing my puzzled face, Curtis smiles. “I got a French vanilla one. Figured the sweetness would compensate for the coffee taste.”

  Showing appreciation, I smile back. Taking a sip of my drink, I’m cautious to the hotness. The minute the sweet hits my taste buds, I want to chase it down with water. Instead, I swallow it and try not to cringe. I sit in my seat with my hands tucked on top of my lap while Curtis explains about Tanner to his parents.

  Seriously? Tanner? Why on earth would Curtis bring him up?

  “We’ve been trying to land him. Now’s your time, Curtis.” His dad sits a little straighter in his chair, more attentive. Ding, ding. Curtis’s dad’s firm is entertainment law. How stupid of me not to realize this before. With the upcoming Olympics and Tanner pegged to be the guy to beat, of course they’d want to snatch him up now.

  “Piper’s known him all her life. Their families are next-door neighbors, and they went to college together.” Curtis piles on my accolades in the who-knows-whom category.

  “Really?” Hugh’s places his elbows on the table, and his finger clasp together.

  This is what it takes to get this guy’s attention.

  “Yes. He’s my brother’s best friend,” I add, only making his conniving and untrusting smile grow wider.

  “And how about you?”

  My heart stops beating.

  “Are you friends with Tanner McCain?”

  It’s such a simple question with an array of answers to choose from.

  “Yes, I suppose,” I speak only the truth.

  “Could you get us a meeting? Just a casual meet-and-greet while he’s in town?”

  It’s not shocking to see how Hugh got to where he is. He treats me like scum one minute. When he figures out that I can help him, he turns on the charm.

  “He’s busy with my brother’s wedding, but I can ask.” Not that I want my ex-boyfriend to be in business with my new boyfriend’s family. That would be a nightmare situation made for the movies.

  “Fantastic. What a great girl you’ve got here, Curtis.” Hugh relaxes in his chair, bringing his own cappuccino to his lips, happy.

  Curtis looks my way. “Yes, I do.”

  We share a smile, and the hardness in Curtis’s jaw, confirms that he assumes something went on with Tanner and me in the past.

  fourteen

  CURTIS’S SMILE IS WIDE AND almost cocky on the drive over to Breakers. His hand rests on the gear shift between us as he quietly sings along with the song on the radio. For someone who complains about his father all the time, he is now gleaming after his dad’s praise about me knowing Tanner McCain.

  My fingers curl and loosen in my lap, pushing back the tension my body won’t dissolve. If Tanner’s presence tonight isn’t enough, mix in Bayli’s friend and Curtis’s dad’s expectation, I think I need a long day at the spa and a gifted masseuse at this point.

  I’ve been sitting here quietly for the past twenty minutes, glancing over at a relaxed Curtis. For every minute, anger brews a little hotter under my skin.

  “I’m not sure I want to ask Tanner,” I quickly throw out breaking the silence

  “What?” Curtis’s head whips in my direction, and his finger turns the radio volume down.

  If I’d known my declaration would warrant this response, I would have spoken up earlier.

  I shrug my shoulders. “It feels wrong. If your company already reached out to him and he declined, there isn’t much more to do.” I watch his face manifest from shock to anger to, lastly, understanding.

  “Baby”—his hand moves off the shifter, grabbing a hold of mine—“you heard my dad. This could do so much for me, making me a spot in the firm.”

  He’s guilt-tripping me into this, and to be truthful, it’s working.

  “I get it, Curtis, but Tanner and I aren’t exactly close.” At least, not anymore.

  “I don’t believe you. It seems like you’re closer than you let on.” His voice changes tones to an accusatory one now.

  “Why would you think that? You see how I try to stay clear of him.”

  He rolls to a stop, the silence filling the car. I sit there, pretending to be cool and calm when I’m positive he’s figured it out. He turns to me, and my stomach sinks from inquisitive glare.

  “Come on, Piper, tell me.”

  I pull back my hand from his grip. “Tell you what?”

  He concentrates on the center console, and mine veer out the window as I pray the traffic light changes soon.

  “I told you already. There’s nothing between us,” I lie again.

  If only I could believe it . . .

  The light turns, and I yell, “It’s green!”

  My back straightens against the leather seat, and I focus on the road ahead. The sprinkle of rain has made the pavement slick and glossy from the streetlights.

  “Piper, I get it.” Curtis doesn’t let the conversation go as I’d hoped he would. “It’s like a taboo thing. It’s the classic storyline of wanting what you can’t have.”

  “Taboo? He’s not my cousin, Curtis!” I face him, exasperated by our conversation.

  “No, but I’m positive Brad wouldn’t like it.”

  “Brad doesn’t run my life.”

  “No, but I know you, Piper.” He flicks a look my way before pulling into the parking lot of Breakers. “You’d never cross your brother.”

  “Cross my brother? I make my own decisions, and if I wanted to fuck Tanner McCain, I would!” I yell.

  Curtis stops the car, still calm. In the time it takes him to turn the key out of the ignition, I realize what I just said.
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  I fear he’s silently fuming, so I position my hand on the metal door handle.

  “Piper, slow down.” He laughs, gripping my other hand.

  My head flies back, and I find soothing eyes, not angry ones. “I guess I got defensive there.” I’m not about to apologize for what I said though.

  “No, I shouldn’t push you to talk to him. You know what? I’ll approach the subject with him tonight,” Where is this Curtis coming from?

  I open the door and put one foot out. “That’s a better idea. Thank you.”

  “Of course.” A small smile crosses his lips, and he nods.

  The click of my heels on the wet sidewalk echo in the night air. Curtis’s hand rests on the small of my back as we follow a group of giggling girls toward the door.

  “You look beautiful tonight,” he whispers in my ear.

  I wish his voice quickened my pulse as much as the guy who I’m terrified is on the other side of this door.

  When we walk in, I swear, the music stops, and everyone turn our way. It’s as though my entrance has shifted what the universe planned tonight. Thankfully, only two people’s sights are pinned to us—Bea and Tanner. I reposition my purse on my shoulder as Tanner slides away from the girl I only suppose is the friend of Bayli’s. Even from this distance, his eyes on my body heats a low hum in me that only he can calm.

  “There they are.” Curtis’s cheek rubs against mine as he points to the tables in the back.

  Pretending I didn’t spot them first, I break from the contact and smile. “Great.”

  I fixate on Tanner until I glance to Bea, noticing her eyes bouncing between Tanner and me as Curtis and I approach the group.

  Turn away, and look somewhere else, I think in my head.

  But I can’t.

  Tanner has consumed my mind lately, and the fact that he peeked up at the door when I walked in, gives me more pleasure than it should.

  “About time, girl.” Bea hops off her stool, and her arms wrap around me.

  “He’s been waiting,” she whispers. “Ouch!” she shrieks. She backs up, holding the side of her stomach. “You pinched me.” Her eyebrows scrunch together.

  I can’t stop the giggle from her reaction, but it has to end. “Stop it,” I whisper, turning around to find Curtis shaking hands and introducing himself to everyone.

  “What?” She inches closer.

  I grab her hand, leading her to the restroom.

  Unfortunately, after only two steps, Tanner steps in our path. God, he’s gorgeous. Even with his ratty old hat flipped backward, those emerald gems he calls eyes spark visions of them smoldering at my naked body.

  “Rushing off already?” His arms cross over his broad chest, and his legs widen in a cocky stance.

  “We’re going to the restroom.” I tilt my head with attitude.

  His tongue sneaks out, licking his lips. He looks down at my body in a tormenting slow pace, picking up my heartbeat. When he finishes, his eyes bore into mine, and I swallow the last amount of saliva in my mouth.

  “Love the dress.”

  He sidesteps to allow us through, but my body numbly stands there. I’m like a geek in front of the starting high school quarterback.

  “Piper.” Bea’s shoulder bumps mine, and she grabs my wrist.

  I shake my head, and Tanner chuckles, knowing the effect he has over me. I hate my body for betraying me.

  “See you when you get back.” He winks—fucking winks—taunting me.

  He’s fully aware what that move does to me.

  Bea yanks me, and my body stumbles forward. Once again, I’ve embarrassed myself. Bea and I escape into the restroom, and she positions me in front of her, her hands holding my arms.

  “What the hell is wrong with you?”

  “Stop texting me about Tanner and another girl. Don’t tell me that he’s been waiting for me. Your words spur unresolved—I mean, I’m with Curtis.” My thoughts are jumbled, and my words randomly come out, making no sense.

  “Okay, I can do that.” She reaches for my hands, pulling me into her.

  I finally relax and welcome her comfort.

  “From this point forward, Tanner doesn’t exist. Do you want me to body block him all night?”

  I laugh into her shoulder. Bea truly is a great friend and there’s no way I could get through this wedding without her.

  “I’m serious. You want me to be your bodyguard? I’ll keep the mofo out of your space,” she jokes.

  Laughter erupts out of me.

  “But, Piper”—her tone goes serious, and she pulls back, her hands gripping my arms again—“you have to do your job. You can’t look at him like you want to take him out back and hump him like a bitch in heat.”

  “Bea!”

  She giggles. “Come on. If you want me to protect you from his flirtatious ways, you have to help me out. Stick to Curtis’s side, for starters.”

  “Okay, but it doesn’t seem to deter Tanner.” I turn to look at myself in the mirror. The torment screams in my brown eyes. How does Curtis not see this?

  Bea follows my lead and weaves her fingers through her hair.

  “Curtis’s dad wants me to get him a meeting with Tanner,” my confession rushes out.

  Her head whips my way. “Seriously? That’s awkward.”

  “Well, awkward for me, but they don’t know my past with him.” I swipe my fingers under my eyes to get rid of the smudged mascara.

  “Imagine if they did. I have to think that Curtis wouldn’t give a shit who Tanner McCain signed with if he knew the two of you used to rock it and roll it under the sheets. Although, I’m starting wonder if the boy is blind. How can he not see the sexual tension between Mr. Olympian and you?” She raises her eyebrows at me.

  “Curtis is all on board. I told him I don’t want to do it, but he guilted me by saying it would help him in the firm and with his dad.”

  Bea’s the only one who I trusted with the secret from two years ago.

  “So, they’ve never heard the rumors?”

  She’s referring to what happened our senior year of college, and I shake my head.

  “You know Coach kept the incident quiet. No one will ever dig it up.”

  “People like Curtis and his dad have ways, Piper. If they wanted it, they’d get it.” She washes her hands and keeps the paper towel.

  “They see him as a big paycheck. That’s all,” I assure her.

  She cocks her head. “Just keep those walls up with Curtis for a little while longer. There’s something weird going on.” She grips the handle and pulls the door open.

  “You trusted Tanner and look what he did,” I say as I sneak through the opening.

  “Tanner made a mistake. Curtis is like a cheetah in the grass, ready to sneak up on his prey.”

  I stop in my tracks and turn around to face her. “Whose side are you on?”

  “Yours. I’m always on your side. But if you really want to know which guy—”

  “I don’t.” It’s not hard to figure out whom Bea likes.

  In the past five months, she hasn’t shied away from her opinions on Curtis. She believes the money, expensive gifts, and charity functions are all a show. It seems she hasn’t trusted him since their first meeting at the corner coffee shop by her apartment. She’s my best friend, so she’s kept her criticism to a minimum for my benefit.

  When I turn the corner, not much has changed. Brad’s at the bar with a few friends, and Bayli’s gossiping with two of her friends in a booth. Dylan and Curtis are talking at the table I whisked Bea away from earlier. The only difference is that Tanner’s missing.

  I search the bar but come up empty. Bea walks by me, and I watch her sway her ass toward Dylan. Even when she approaches the table, Curtis’s vision never glances my way, wondering where I could be.

  “Looking for me?” Tanner’s chest pushes against my back.

  My voice constricts. “No,” squeaks out in a soft voice, holding no conviction.

  “Don’t lie.”


  My eyes flick to Curtis, who is still enthralled in some conversation with an unenthused Dylan. But I don’t move, even with my brain screaming at me to get the hell out of dodge.

  “Why? You’re pretty good at it.”

  He doesn’t back up from me, and I can smell the cologne he used to wear.

  “If you’d talk to me, I’ll explain.” His fingers graze down my back, goose bumps following his path.

  “You’re ready to finally talk?”

  “I’ve always been ready, but you’re the one who kept running. This isn’t the place though, not with Mr. Stick Ass two feet away. Here’s a truth though. I’ve waited all night for you to walk through the door. When you did, you didn’t disappoint, except for the scumbag next to you. You’ll always make my heart react when you walk into a room.” His hand molds against my hip, gripping it in his palm.

  I suck in a breath while my sight stay glued to Curtis, waiting for him to notice Tanner’s hands on me, the heat radiating between us.

  “Save your bullshit for someone else.” I begin to walk away, but his hand grips my wrist and pulls me back into the dark hallway.

  His body shelters mine in a tucked away corner by the exit door to the alley. I desperately wish he’d sneak me through the door and slam me against the alley wall. His arm rests above my head while he peers down at me.

  “I’ve never bullshitted you, Piper.”

  God, my lips tremble, wanting his on mine.

  “Stop acting like my presence alone doesn’t make you yearn for my touch. You’re transparent, I know you still want me.”