After the Hurt Page 12

  Pepper tackled the carrots with gusto, quickly peeling them. When had she become so domestic? Tank couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen her prep food. Toast was about her limit. In a pinch, maybe slicing a tomato for a sandwich. So watching her now was like watching a brand-new Pepper.

  Just what happened to her when she was away?

  Tank wanted to know. The more time he spent with her or near her, the more he sensed a huge change. He was curious about the events that had made such a profound difference in her. All he had to do was ask her. Go into the kitchen and ask, demand some answers. Instead he backed away, letting her have her moment with the staff.

  Just as he turned away she looked up and saw him. Her cheeks flushed, eyes bright and her smile wide. Tank automatically smiled back. She looked happy. Even with her hair pulled back and wrapped in a net. The white apron, which looked so ordinary on everyone else, made her look fantastic. It hugged her body, accentuating the curves beneath. Reminding him of all those treasures he knew lay in wait for him. It’d only been a couple days since she’d exploded back into his life, and it was starting to seem like she’d never been gone. But they still had a lot to talk about. It was he who kept that conversation at bay. Maybe because if they talked, one of two things would happen. He’d forgive her and they could try again. Or she’d move on.

  He felt like he needed to have a reason to be in the kitchen besides being there to gape at her. So he made it look like he’d planned to speak with Chef Michael. He walked over to him.

  “How are things looking for the gala?” Tank inquired.

  “Everything’s good. I have a new helper.” He smiled and nodded his head toward Pepper. He turned his back and lowered his voice so only Tank could hear him and asked, “Are you okay with her being in here?”

  Tank glanced at Pepper. She didn’t appear to be listening, all focus was on her carrots now. Tank nodded. “It’s okay. Not really sure what to make of all this yet. If she wants to help out in the kitchen, I have no problem with that as long as you don’t. The kitchen’s yours, you know that.”

  Chef answered, “It’s fine. An extra set of hands prepping never hurt anyone.”

  Tank nodded. “Fine, then. I want to find Val; have you seen her? I haven’t heard anything about that shipment of wine yet.”

  “She called. Snow squalls are making her drive in slow.”

  Tank shook his head. “It’s been a shitty winter for weather. Times like these I wish I was down south. I sure hope it eases up tomorrow for the gala.”

  “I hear you,” Chef answered. A clatter behind them caught his attention. “What the hell!”

  “Okay, then.” Tank smiled when Chef stomped off to see who had dropped what in his precious kitchen.

  Tank walked past Pepper. “I see you’re making yourself right at home.” His tone wasn’t as light as he’d planned it to be. It wasn’t intentional and the hurt reflected in her eyes made him feel bad. He hadn’t meant to be sarcastic, but it had come out that way.

  Pepper glanced down at her carrots and attacked them with more ferocity.

  “Just trying to fit in and help out.”

  Even though he knew her feelings were hurt, her voice was hard and cold. She was trying to keep her temper in check. Another difference about her. He was pushing her away to protect himself. After last night’s drama with the break-in and the subsequent coziness in her bed made him realize how vulnerable he was, he felt he needed to keep that wall up, for a little while, anyway.

  —

  Pepper stood in the shower, the hot water raining down from the ceiling. She looked up. It was quite a contraption built into the roof. She hadn’t even begun to figure out which knob turned on what showerhead. And when she tried, an ice-cold stream of water belted her right in the middle of her back. She screeched and scrabbled with the different knobs until the hot stream warmed her frozen skin. It was like a body car wash.

  Right now, though, she just wanted the hot water to sluice away her worry of the past couple of days. She hated that she and Tank were still at odds with each other, and just when she had a glimmer of hope the night of the break-in, that silver lining darkened again. She had to show—no, prove—to him she was a different woman. An idea formed in her mind and she stood straighter. A smile curved her lips and she quickly finished her shower. She knew exactly what she was going to do now. Tonight.

  Pepper had to demonstrate to him one way or another, that he could trust her again. With new resolve and purpose, Pepper quickly got ready.

  She was determined it was going to be a good night.

  An hour later she was downstairs in the restaurant. Her heart hammered and she was nervous. It was time to show Tank she could be counted on as an asset to Octagon.

  Pepper positioned herself at the desk by the front door. The door where she’d kissed him the other night. The kiss that he didn’t return, she reminded herself. A completely different kiss than the much more passionate one they’d shared upstairs in the hall. Since the break-in the other night, they’d not been alone long enough to talk. She was beginning to think he was doing it on purpose.

  Now wasn’t the time to dwell on it, though. She had to get her shit together and be ready to greet the patrons. Pepper had no idea if there was someone doing the job already. She just assigned herself that duty and would roll with it.

  Glancing around the restaurant looking for Tank, she was disappointed not to see him. She’d hoped to talk to him. Nothing confrontational, just conversational. With no sign of him, she went about her newly self-assigned role and was the hostess with the mostest, greeting everyone and assuring their evening at Octagon went flawlessly.

  Every now and then she’d look around for him. She thought she saw his shadow behind the wine cooler, where she’d seen him the first night she arrived. If it was him, why was he staying away?

  Her feet were killing her in the knee-high leather boots by the end of the night. It was hard getting used to being on her feet all night. Flips-flops or going barefoot wouldn’t cut it here. When the last of the diners had left, and it was just the piano bar going strong, Pepper slipped away and flopped into one of the overstuffed chairs in the employee lounge. She watched a taped fight on the TV and guzzled back a glass of water.

  “Holy hell, my feet hurt,” she complained to the empty room. Pepper knew if she took her boots off the chances of getting them back on were slim to none. She leaned back in the chair, scooted down, and rested her feet on the table, letting out a big sigh.

  The lights were off and she hadn’t bothered turning them on. Darkness and quiet slipped around her in a comforting embrace. The distant sound of the pianos and crowd singing was a nice backdrop. She was sleepy, still not caught up from jet lag.

  Pepper dozed.

  A cellphone ringing reached down into her layers of sleep and pulled her out. She blinked and looked around, wondering where she was, then she remembered. Stretching, she paused mid-yawn when she heard Tank talking. About to make herself known, she froze and held her breath.

  “Yes, she’s still here,” Tank answered, his voice holding a touch of agitation. The other person must have been talking because he was quiet and then his reply made her heart sink. “No, I’m not going to let her stay that long. Hopefully just another day or so. And no, I haven’t.” He was silent, obviously listening to the other person again. “I know, I know. I’ll do it.”

  Silence again as he listened and Pepper thought her lungs might burst from holding her breath. She was well aware he was talking about her but to whom she had no idea. It annoyed her she was the topic of conversation for the second time between Tank and somebody else. It felt like an intrusion into her world that their private affairs were public information. Pepper knew she should let him know she was here. But she didn’t want to. Hoping to find out more, she continued to listen even though anger was beginning to rear its ugly head. She had to keep a lid on it. Getting angry at Tank wouldn’t accomplish anything.

  “
Yeah, I’ll see you tomorrow night. Love you too.”

  Pepper’s heart chilled. Her anger was replaced by hurt. So he does have somebody else. Somebody he loves. Olivia. Tears pricked at her eyes, and she dashed them away, refusing to let them fall. If she did, that would be utmost failure. It really sucked overhearing conversations sometimes.

  She heard him leave the room and sagged back into the chair. This was all for nothing. He was already committed elsewhere and there was no way in hell she would be the other woman. Pepper let herself wallow in self-pity for a moment. In a way, she was glad she’d overheard the conversation. It let her know where she stood and which direction she needed to take. Which, evidently, wouldn’t include Tank. She sat up and thought for a few minutes. She knew exactly what she had to do now.

  Chapter 11

  Pepper hadn’t unpacked yet. Unless you called clothing strewn all over the bedroom unpacked. She dug in her suitcase for the little black dress she’d tucked away. It was the only dress she’d kept since it was so versatile. Which also drove home the fact she definitely needed to go shopping, but it was way down on her list of priorities now. After rewinding her hair in a towel, Pepper found the dress balled up in the corner of her suitcase.

  “Shit. This is no good.”

  She grabbed a hanger and shook out the dress. She rushed back into the bathroom and hung it in the shower, hoping the remaining steam would help smooth out the wrinkles. Dashing back to the bedroom, she poked around for a few more items she needed. The only fancy shoes she had were the red ones she’d arrived in.

  Red shoes. They held some pretty scorching memories for her. She smiled, remembering Tank’s complaints about being poked in the butt by the sharp heels. He hadn’t complained too long, though, and she’d lovingly rubbed salve on his ass to help the scratches heal, which had only succeeded in getting them turned on again. A delicious tremor fanned over her body. She thought back to that day, remembering how she’d taken charge. Pushed him onto his back and straddled his hips, taking his rigid cock deep inside her. She shivered with delight and longing and sadness. It just wasn’t possible that they could never be together again. Pepper refused to think Tank was only to be in her memories from now on. But tonight was not the night to be getting distracted by anything erotic. She had work to do. A plan to follow. Nothing was going to steer her from that path.

  She applied her makeup and teased her hair until it stood out like she’d been electrocuted. But her plan was to pull it back off her face in a puff, with artfully placed tendrils whispering around her neck and framing her face. She was good with her hair and created an intricate bundle of woven strands that looked hopelessly romantic from behind. At least that was her intention. Once done, Pepper stepped into a lacy black thong. No panty lines tonight. She inspected the dress. It would have to do. She slipped it on without a bra. The neckline of the dress swooped from one shoulder to the other in a deep bow, not allowing for bra straps, and draped across her breasts, showing a seductive amount of cleavage. It dipped low in the front and back then hung like a second skin to mid-thigh.

  She stood before the cheval mirror, turning to view herself from behind. Her tan seemed amplified by the black fabric and she decided there was no need for panty hose. It felt so good to get dressed up again. Somehow it gave her a little more confidence to face what lay ahead. She was excited. But also nervous. This was like her coming-out party.

  Checking the clock, she saw it was time to go. Pepper pushed her feet into the red shoes. With one last inspection in the mirror, she smoothed her palms over the fabric, doing the best she could to rid the dress of any remaining wrinkles. She didn’t know what to expect but was ready to take on the world. Even with her heart in her throat, knowing she’d be meeting Tank’s lover tonight, Pepper was excited about the evening ahead.

  She grabbed her key and tucked it between her breast and the tight fabric. With a big breath she stepped into the hallway and made her way down the stairs. She needed to calm the fuck down and put her best foot forward. This was her restaurant too, and she wanted to stand beside Tank, whether they were together or not. She wondered about his relationship status with Olivia, or perhaps there was someone else since there’d been no sign of Olivia since that first day. They needed to talk about it, plus she wanted to know. At least she thought she did. Maybe she was afraid to really know…she couldn’t ask Meg or any of his friends because that felt too uncomfortable.

  At the bottom of the stairs she peered through the beveled glass window in the door. She could see down the hall leading to the office and the kitchen, but not into the restaurant proper. Waitstaff were moving in an efficient line, taking the food to the buffet tables.

  Then she saw Tank leave the office and disappear into the dining room. Her heart jumped when she saw him all decked out in a tux. He. Looked. Gorgeous. Totally fuckable. She pulled in another deep breath and pushed the door open. She stepped confidently down the hall with a carriage that oozed confidence and masked just how nervous she was.

  Rounding the door to the dining room, she immediately looked for Tank. He was talking with two of the staff, pointing into the piano bar. She stared at him, willing him to feel her gaze. His back straightened and he turned his head. He made eye contact with her. Surprisingly, he looked very calm and relaxed. He smiled and Pepper’s legs nearly turned to jelly. Tank didn’t look away from her. He leaned his head and said something to the man next to him then made his way to her side.

  Pepper forced her legs to work and met him halfway. Tank reached out and placed his hand on her shoulder. Her flesh vibrated under his touch and her eyelids fluttered briefly before she could focus to meet his azure gaze.

  “You look stunning.” Tank leaned down to her and brushed a kiss on her cheek.

  Her breath froze in her chest and she turned her face, hoping to catch his lips, but he stood back, still smiling at her. She was confused. His attention to her had been all over the map since she arrived. Overhearing his conversation last night made her think it was the nail in the coffin. Yet, here he was. Attentive and complimentary.

  “As do you.” She returned his smile and it widened when she noticed his bow tie. It was like a party store exploded all over it. Confetti, streamers, and balloons in bright colors contrasted with the black. “You do love your ties.” Which reminded her again of the one she’d bought when she was away and stashed in her suitcase months ago. Would she ever have the opportunity to give it to him?

  He glanced down and smiled at her. His dimple winked, making her belly flipflop. “They’re fun.”

  He held his arm out for her. “Shall we greet the guests?”

  She was stunned at the offer. It was the last thing she’d expected him to do. Slipping her hand into the crook of his elbow, Pepper rested her fingers on his strong forearm. Little thrills tingled through her body at the intimate feel of his muscles beneath the jacket. She glanced up at his face—his attention now on the front door—and let her gaze rove over his features. This was her Tank. The man she had loved, left, thought lost forever. Even after hearing his declaration of love last night, seeing him now, she decided at this very moment she was going to fight for him. Fight with every fiber of her being.

  —

  When Pepper entered the room he’d detected her presence instantly. Were they really so connected that he could sense her without seeing her? He glanced up. Even though her face was smiling, she had an underlying look of concern. It was all he could do not to stare at her like a love-struck, sex-starved addict. She looked spectacular. Even the room seemed to brighten now that she was in it.

  The black dress she had on only reminded him of her smoking-hot body. She had on the same shoes as the night she’d arrived. Suddenly he wanted those silver heels driving into his ass like they had in the past. Wanted her legs, arms, and body wrapped around him so he could feel her heat, her silky flesh, and lose himself in her embrace.

  It was the grand opening of their restaurant and time to schmooze. Not
time to let erotic thoughts of Pepper distract him. He finished with the staff member and walked toward her. Without even thinking, he leaned down to kiss her cheek. He wanted her mouth, not her cheek, under his lips, but this wasn’t the place. He would be hard pressed to stop once he started.

  She turned her head as he stood back and he regretted moving too quickly. Had he hesitated for the briefest moment, he could have claimed her lips. He’d made a decision yesterday that would mean severed ties for them. He felt it was the right decision. He still stood by it too. Tonight wasn’t the night to discuss business with Pepper, but he would have to very soon. Something was holding him back. Perhaps it was because they would have nothing left to tie them together. Looking at her now, he knew he wanted her in his life just a little bit longer. Before he presented her with a chance for her freedom. Because then, he had no idea which direction she would go in. Leave and start new would likely be her choice. And that made him feel empty.

  He wanted to crush her lips under his, take her away and make love, yes make love, to her. Tank looked into her violet eyes. They used to be the windows to her soul and he was able to tell exactly what she was thinking. Right now all he could see was desire and it made it even more difficult to not carry her off and give in to the need he saw reflected in her eyes.

  “Shall we greet the guests?”

  She slipped her arm through his and he satisfied himself with the contact. He glanced at the front door at the line of people making their way in. Let the party begin.

  —

  He’d kept her close to his side. Pepper was delighted with it and wasn’t about to complain. He looked over Pepper’s head, and a big smile curved his lips. The brilliance of it broke her heart. He used to smile at her like that. Pepper was afraid to turn around and see who was the recipient of such a smile. Maybe it was the woman he spoke to on the phone last night. The one he’d said “I love you” to. Was it that woman?