Free Tahoe Blues by Aubree Lane

She let the nerves slip away and boldly rose up onto her tippy toes and tugged gently on his lower lip with her teeth. “Good, because I have an insatiable sweet tooth.”
    The sexy half-smile which ensued and the look in his sultry indigo eyes sent a need pulsating throughout Cara’s body. He gripped her waist tightly and groaned, “I’ll do my best.”
    Cara hadn’t been in Tanner’s place before and was instantly drawn to the mantelpiece. It was made of gray ash and it was obviously very old. It was knotted and twisted, but the top had been made flat to hold a few photos and candles. She liked the personality of its shape and the contrast between it and the river rock hearth. “I love this.” she said, running her hand across the top.
    Tanner grinned mischievously. “I bought it down in Capitola. It was made by the same guy who made your front door.”
    Cara cocked her head. Brett had nailed it. Capitola was just sou th of Santa Cruz. The same woodworker must have made the doors at the hotel he had been talking about.
    Cara grimaced at her faulty conclusion. Brett said the hotel was built in the nineteen-twenties. There was no way a modern day woodworker could have made her door and the doors at the hotel. That would have made him over a hundred years old, unless her door was actually a valuable antique. “Is the artist famous?”
    Tanner took her coat and led her to the couch. “To a very small circle of people who happen to have unusual taste.”
    “So the door has some value to it.”
    Tanner smirked. “I haven’t had it appraised recently , but when I acquired Granite Gates Estates it was estimated to be worth about twenty thousand dollars. That door alone almost put me over my budget. Luckily, the previous owner was motivated to sell, and I had the best offer on the table. Now get comfy, and take off those wet shoes. I’m going to go make our dessert.”
    He placed a sweet kiss on her forehead.
    N ot wanting him to leave, Cara pushed her head into his lips. “I hope you have chocolate, Tanner,” she whispered breathlessly, “or there will be a price to pay.”
    Tanner squeezed her hand and turned towards the kitchen. “I’ll just be a minute, Cara Lee.”
    Cara Lee? There it was again. Cara was delighted she remembered to call him Tanner instead of TJ, but the more the delicious Tanner Reed called her Cara Lee, the more she kind of liked it.
    Listening intently as he messed around in the kitchen, Cara heard the freezer door open and the silverware rattle. A moment later she heard the whirl of the microwave and finally the sound of some slicing and dicing.
    “Do you need some help in there?” Cara called out.
    Tanner did not reply.
    Just as she opened her mouth to shout another offer, Tanner turned the corner with a giant bowl. Inside was a mound of ice cream. The banana slices that decorated the top were drowned in a vat of hot fudge.
    He carried one bowl and two spoons.
    Cara held out her hands and Tanner gave her the bowl. “Thanks,” Cara grinned mischievously. “Where’s yours?”
    Tanner laughed and bonked her nose with one of the spoons. “If you can eat all that , it’s yours.” He wagged a spoon under her nose. “Better yet, I’m going to fill that smart mouth of yours so full you won’t be able to talk back.”
    Cara loved the challenge of their playful banter and giggled.
    He scooched her over and settled down beside her on the couch. “Make room. This could get messy.”
    Cara folded one leg up under her a nd grinned. “Seriously, Tanner. Where’s yours?”
    Tanner shut her up by snatching the bowl away and s cooping a gigantic spoonful of ice cream into her mouth. “Cara Lee,” he scolded lightly. “I won the bet. This is my house and my dessert. Now be nice, or that’s the only bite you’ll get tonight.”
    Cara tasted the cold ice cream and warm fudge. When it began to melt , she let it slide down her throat. Her eyes sparkled. She had his number and this was one