7. Arabella
CHAPTER 7
Arabella
I ’m trembling as we enter the hotel room. He held my hand the entire way back here from the restaurant. I adore that he’s making me feel wanted and that he’s not afraid to show me that he wants me. I’m just terrified of what could happen if things go wrong. But after our talk, I’ve realized that life’s too short to hold back, he’s right, a relationship takes a lot of work and looking into his eyes, I knew that I was willing to put in the effort; I was just scared of losing everything I’d worked so damn hard for.
His hand moves to the lower part of my back, just above my ass. The heat from his touch is like a lightning bolt hitting me. He opens the door to our hotel suite, and I step into the room, turning, I see him closing the door all the while watching me.
“You really do look gorgeous, baby.”
I feel my cheeks flush at his compliment. My heart is racing as he steps closer, his eyes never leaving mine. There's an intensity in his gaze that makes me feel weak at my knees.
"Thank you," I manage to whisper, my voice barely audible. I’m still reeling from our conversation at the restaurant. I'm shocked that I opened up to him. That’s not something I’ve ever done before with anyone, but Tanner has a way of making me feel safe. I knew that I could trust him with the deepest part of my life, one that’s affected me until this day.
He reaches out, his fingers gently caressing my cheek. I lean into his touch, closing my eyes for a moment. When I open them again, he's even closer.
I swipe my tongue along my lip. God, I want him. I really need him. It’s been so damn long and once was never enough. It was never going to be enough. I’ve been pulling back and erecting a wall between us, one that he’s knocked down to the ground. He’s giving me no reason to not trust him.
“Tanner,” I breathe as I press closer to him.
I catch my breath, my heart racing as his fingers trace small circles on my back. He leans in close, his lips brushing my ear as he whispers, "Are you sure about this?"
I nod, unable to form words. The anticipation, the fear, the excitement - it's all swirling together inside me. His eyes are dark with desire, but there's tenderness there too. He cups my face gently with his free hand.
We can take this as slow as you need," he says softly. "I'm not going anywhere."
Those words unlock something in me. All the doubts and worries start to melt away. I rise up on my toes and press my lips to his, finally giving in to what we both want. He responds immediately, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me flush against him.
The kiss deepens, growing more urgent. My fingers tangle in his hair as his hands roam my body. We stumble backwards towards the bed, shedding clothes along the way. When the back of my knees hit the mattress, I pull away slightly, breathless.
"I want this," I whisper. "I want you,” I tell him, knowing that he’ll be worrying.He’s without a doubt one of the best men I know, despite being an asshole while we’re working.
His grin is cocky as hell but damn if it’s not sexy too. "I want you too. All of you."
He positions himself at my pussy, his gaze on me as his tongue swipes along my pussy lips. I gasp at the sensation, my fingers gripping the sheets. Tanner's eyes lock with mine as he slowly runs his tongue along my folds again, sending shivers through my body. I bite my lip, struggling to keep quiet as he explores me with his mouth.
His strong hands grip my thighs, spreading me wider as he focuses his attention on my clit. I arch my back; lost in the pleasure he's creating. It's been so long since anyone has touched me like this. So long since I've let anyone get this close.
"God, Tanner," I moan as he slips a finger inside me. He curls it just right, hitting that spot that makes me see stars.
He lifts his head, his lips glistening. "You taste amazing, baby. I could do this all night."
Before I can respond, he dives back in, licking and sucking, the noise of him tasting me fills the air. I'm trembling now, so close to the edge. My hips rock against his face as the pressure builds.
"Please," I whimper, not even sure what I'm begging for. This is too much yet nowhere near enough.
Tanner seems to know exactly what I need. He slides a second finger in, pumping in time with the movements of his tongue. It's too much. I come with a cry, my body shaking as waves of pleasure wash over me.
He works me through it gently, only pulling away when I collapse back onto the bed. I'm panting, my skin flushed, as I try to catch my breath. Tanner moves up my body, pressing soft kisses along my stomach, between my breasts, and finally capturing my lips. I can taste myself on him, and it ignites something primal within me.
My hands roam his muscular back as we kiss deeply. I can feel his hardness pressing against my thigh, and I ache to have him inside me. Breaking the kiss, I look into his eyes, seeing my own desire reflected back at me.
"I need you," I whisper, spreading my legs wider in invitation.
Tanner nods, positioning himself at my entrance. He enters me slowly, giving me time to adjust to his size. We both groan at the sensation of finally being joined. He stills for a moment, his forehead resting against mine.
"You feel incredible," he murmurs, his voice husky with desire. “Fuck baby, you feel so damn good. Your pussy was made for me.”
I wrap my legs around his waist, urging him deeper. "Move, please," I beg.
He starts to thrust, setting a steady rhythm that has me gasping with each stroke. My nails dig into his shoulders as the pleasure builds once again. Tanner's lips find my neck, kissing and nipping at the sensitive skin there.
"God, you're beautiful," he pants against my ear. "So perfect, and all mine."
His words send a shiver down my spine. I've never felt so desired, so cherished. It's overwhelming in the best possible way. I meet his thrusts, our bodies moving together in perfect sync. The room fills with the sounds of our moans, groans, and our bodies slapping together.
Tanner shifts slightly, changing the angle of his thrusts. Suddenly, he's hitting that spot deep inside me that makes my toes curl. I cry out, clutching him tighter as the pleasure intensifies.
"That's it, baby," he growls, his pace quickening. "Let go for me. I want to feel you come around my cock."
His words push me closer to the edge. I'm trembling, so close to falling apart. Tanner slides a hand between us, his thumb finding my clit. The added stimulation is all it takes. I shatter, calling out his name as waves of ecstasy crash over me.
My inner walls clench around him, and I feel Tanner stiffen above me. With a groan, he follows me over the edge, burying himself deep as he finds his release.
We stay connected for a long moment, both of us panting and covered in a light sheen of sweat. Tanner presses soft kisses to my face, my forehead, my cheeks, the tip of my nose - before capturing my lips in a tender kiss.
When he finally pulls out, I whimper at the loss. He gathers me in his arms, pulling me close against his chest. I snuggle into him, feeling safe and cherished in his embrace.
"You okay?" Tanner murmurs, his fingers tracing lazy patterns on my back.
I nod against his chest, still catching my breath. "More than okay," I whisper.
We lay in comfortable silence for a while, I’m trying to recover from the amazing orgasms he’s just given me. My mind wanders back to our conversation at dinner, how I'd opened up about my past. A part of me had expected Tanner to run, to decide I was too damaged. Instead, he'd held my hand across the table, his eyes full of understanding and compassion.
"Thank you," I say softly, tilting my head to look up at him.
His brow furrows slightly. "For what?"
"For..." I gesture vaguely at our naked bodies. "...This. For not letting me push you away."
Tanner's arms tighten around me. "You don't need to thank me for any of that, baby. I care about you. All of you."
His words make my heart swell. I press a soft kiss to his chest, right over his heart.
"I care about you too," I admit. It's terrifying to say out loud, but it feels right.
I have no idea what the future holds, but I do know it’s with Tanner and I’m okay with that. I’m actually really happy that it is. He’s given me the strength to do something I was too frightened to do. I’m taking this leap with both hands, knowing that he’ll catch me if I fall.