Almost Midnight by Teresa McCarthy

“I have a few calls to make.” Then he was gone.
    Hannah started for the kitchen with Jeremy in tow. “We’ll be a few minutes, if you don’t mind,” she called to Tanner over her shoulder. “You just get ready and do whatever.” 
    She needed time to think. A full day with Tanner and that smile? He was becoming as adorable as his son and that was too dangerous by far. He seemed to be softening toward her.
    In fact, she was glad they had one of those fancy kitchens with a swinging door and a half wall that had a set of shutters that could close the entire kitchen from the other parts of the house. Sometimes the housekeeper kept the kitchen totally closed when she was cooking, or the kitchen was closed off for parties too.
    Hannah pushed open the swinging door. Luckily for her, the kitchen was still closed off from some business party Tanner had that week. At least in the kitchen, she could block out Tanner completely.
    Every time she saw him, her heart had thumped at his nearness. A full day by his side would surely kill her. Her heart couldn’t afford another crack if she wanted to survive the summer.   
    “I’d like to get a taste of your famous gingerbread, too, if you don’t mind.” 
    The silky voice held a certain challenge that startled Hannah. She glanced over her shoulder only to find Tanner following on her heels. Twinkling gray eyes disarmed her, and she stumbled over Jeremy’s foot.
    “You don’t even like gingerbread,” Jeremy complained.
    Hannah jumped on that fact. “He’s right. If I remember correctly, you don’t even like gingerbread, Mr. Clearbrook.” 
    When his lips thinned, she managed a small smile. Two could play at this game.
    “Hannah, Hannah, Hannah.” His expression quickly changed as he took hold of her arm and leaned forward, sniffing the gingerbread.
    His touch sent her emotions swirling. She swallowed past the lump in her throat, taking in the tantalizing smell of soap that lingered from his morning shower.
    He looked up beneath hooded eyes, casting her another one of those irresistible smile. “Hmmm. Do believe I’ve changed my mind, honeybunch . Smells delicious. Think I’m beginning to like gingerbread after all.”
    The double meaning of his words was clear. His kiss that evening outside the library had planted a small seed in her mind, and now, to her utter confusion, that seed began to sprout. The realization she could truly fall in love with this man shattered her entire sense of well-being.
    She had already fallen for his son. But that was different. Jeremy wouldn’t hurt her like her husband Nick had, however, Tanner Clearbrook very well could.
    The admission left her confused and scared.
    Get out, Hannah. Get out now while you still can.  
    “Everybody likes Hannah’s gingerbread,” Jeremy said.
    Hannah was relieved to have the boy standing beside her. As they stood in the kitchen, she became increasingly uneasy under Tanner’s scrutinizing gaze. A sensual power radiated from the man. There was no doubt in her mind why women thought John Tanner Clearbrook appealing. For the most part, it had nothing to do with his money.
    She hurried across the room and placed the gingerbread on the counter.
    Jeremy turned his back on the adults and took two plates from the cupboard. “I want lots and lots of lemon sauce, okay?”  
    “I want lots of lemon sauce, too.” Hannah jumped when she felt Tanner’s breath slither down her neck. “Lots of lemon sauce, honeybunch. Lots.” 
    Her control was slipping like a sled on ice. The protective shield she had built around her heart had begun to crack and there wasn’t a darn thing she could do about it. “Okay, boys. You asked for it. Lots of lemon sauce.” 
    She smiled calmly, revealing none of her misgivings as she lopped handfuls of lemon sauce onto the gingerbread and inwardly sighed as Tanner took a step back.
    A quick tremor shot through her when she took the knife to the pan.
    Tanner Clearbrook,