Wise or not, Tamara liked Nan’s idea better than seeking out Con. She was done running after that man, finished with hoping for something he would never be agreeable to. “Thanks, but Connor’s fought putting his hands on me since I returned. He won’t mind. And I don’t want to argue with him on the way out.”
Nan pointed to a stone path that wound alongside of the barn. “Dry off, get dressed and follow that around front to the parking lot. I’ll meet you at my car with our jackets.” She looked at Avery with a challenge. “If asked, I plan to tell Master Connor Tamara is still out here with you.”
Avery winced but nodded. “Okay, I’ll stay until you two have left. What are friends for, right?”
“Thanks, both of you.” Tamara waited until Nan dressed and slipped inside before forcing herself to leave the comfort of the heated, bubbly water. Goosebumps popped out all over her body as she snatched a large towel off the bench and hurried to get dry. Her skimpy dress wouldn’t be enough cover against the much cooler night air, which was even more of an incentive to move fast in getting out of here.
“I hope you don’t get into trouble with the sheriff,” she said, stepping to the side of the barn so no one could see her from inside as she struggled back into the stretchy, leather dress.
“If I do, it won’t be the first time. Besides, it’s for a good cause. I hope you and Master Connor work things
out,” Avery replied with soft concern.
“Oh, we’ll manage to stay friends, and with any luck, someday I’ll get over this ridiculous, one-sided infatuation and we can stay close.” The way she was feeling now, with her heart aching as much as her well-used body, Tamara doubted her own words. But hope springs eternal and all that, she thought as she slipped on her shoes. “Thanks again, Avery.” With a wave, she dashed around the side of the building, shivering from the cold, her lips still aching for Connor’s aggressive assault, her body longing for the rough possession of his cock.
“Here.” Nan thrust her long sweater at her as soon as she came out the front doors, just seconds after Tamara reached her car. “Connor did ask about you but believed me when I said you were still out back. Let’s go.”
Sliding into the passenger seat, Tamara turned toward her friend as Nan drove down the narrow, tree-lined road leading back to the highway. “I’m sorry. You didn’t have to leave early on my account.”
Waving a hand between them, Nan hurried to reassure her. “I’m fine, Tamara. I already enjoyed Master Greg’s attention, so it’s not like I’m missing out. Besides, I talked you into exploring the club. I’m not about to ditch you when a pig-headed Dom walks away from you.”
Tamara felt the need to defend Con. “He made sure I was steady… you know, afterwards.”
“Well, duh. I never said he wasn’t a good Dom, just a pig-headed one.” Pulling in front of the Barton ranch house fifteen minutes later, she put the car in park and swiveled toward Tamara with an earnest suggestion. “Don’t give up on him, Tamara. Of all the guys I’ve known, Connor and Dan have always been the most foot-loose and fancy-free, always insisting monogamy and commitment weren’t for them. But look how fast Caden and Grayson fell.”
Tamara frowned. “Connor has been in a few long-term relationships, from what I’ve heard.”
“Sure, and I think Dan has also, but they didn’t last because they weren’t the right person. You are, for Connor, he’s just too stubborn to see it. Besides, you two have a bond I, and everyone else envies. That’s a hell of a lot more to go on than most relationships start with.”
“That’s just it, Nan. He doesn’t want to jeopardize our special connection, and I’m tired of going where I’m not welcome.” Reaching for the door handle, she swung it open and got out before Nan talked her into hoping for something she knew wouldn’t happen.
Nan looked toward the porch, her eyes turning sharp as she asked, “Who’s that?”
Tamara whirled so fast her long sweater swung open, revealing her risqué attire to Jeremy’s astonished gaze as he stood at the top of the steps, waiting for her.
Surprised disbelief turned to irritation as Tamara jerked her cover closed. “Jeremy? What the heck are you doing here?”
“What the heck are you wearing, and where have you been dressed like that?” he returned in an angry tone she’d never heard him use before as he stomped down the steps.
“Should I stay, Tamara?” Concern laced Nan’s voice.
“What?” Looking back at her friend, she dipped her head inside the car, whispering, “He’s my ex and no threat, I promise, other than to annoy me right out of feeling guilty for breaking up with him. Go on, I’ll be fine.”
“If you’re sure. Call me later.”
“I will, I promise.” Tamara waited until Nan drove away before facing Jeremy again, not caring for his belligerent stance of arms folded across his chest, his brown eyes glaring at her with accusation. “You have no business showing up here, unexpected and uninvited,” she snapped, weary of his refusal to accept the end of their engagement. “I’m sorry you came all this way for nothing, but I’m not inviting you in, Jeremy, and have nothing further to discuss with you.”
He stepped toward her, his sneer changing to a look of contriteness she recognized. “I’m sorry, baby. Seeing you looking so sexy threw me for a loop. I didn’t even know you owned a dress like that.”
“I didn’t until this past week, and that doesn’t matter.” She stepped around him as he made to reach for her. “Jeremy, please.” She sighed, wishing he didn’t keep forcing her to hurt him. “I do not love you and am not getting back with you or returning to Boise. I don’t know how to make it any clearer. Please go.” Looking around, she spotted the back end of what she assumed was a rental sticking out on the side of the house, relieved he had transportation and wouldn’t have to wait around for a ride.
“We’ll talk tomorrow,” he insisted, his mouth tightening. “I saw a motel as I came through that small town on my way here. I’ll get a room there and call you in the morning. You can show me around this place, as a friend, nothing more. I swear.”
She didn’t believe him and besides, she already had a male friend who had her tied up in knots, she didn’t need another. “No,” she returned sharply. Trotting up the stairs, she fished out her keys wishing Amy were still up to open the door. “Don’t call, don’t return here. Goodbye, for the last time, Jeremy.” She didn’t look back again as she let herself inside the lighted foyer, closing and locking the door behind her. Leaning against it, she waited until she heard his car start up and the tires crunching on the gravel drive before she pushed away with a sigh of relief.
Padding into the kitchen, she spotted Amy’s note propped up on the table. With Jason. I’ll see you in the morning. “Well, at least one of us is happy tonight,” Tamara muttered, pivoting toward the freezer. Grabbing a carton of ice cream, she settled at the table with spoon in hand and a heavy heart until she heard the approach of another vehicle. “Welcome to Grand Central Station,” she grumbled, swearing if that was Jeremy returning, she would threaten him with a restraining order, guilt or no guilt.
The Barn, thirty minutes earlier