Chapter 10 Tanner
CHAPTER TEN
TANNER
My whole world narrows to the woman in front of me. Her breath is coming in little puffs, green eyes wide and locked on mine like I'm the only thing keeping her tethered to earth. My heart's beating so hard I swear the fucker might explode from my chest.
The hum of the television fills the cottage, some cartoon Star put on to distract Bruno. The little bastard's already forgotten us, crunching away at his treats on his bed. Good. The last thing I need right now is a five-pound ankle-biter trying to defend his human's honor.
"I don’t believe this is real," I murmur, my voice coming out rougher than I intended.
Star smiles, a little shaky but genuine. She leans over to pinch me, and when I grunt, she laughs. "Do you believe it now?"
Every rational thought in my head evaporates.
Fuck. She’s going to keep me on my toes.
One minute, I'm standing there like an idiot, the next, I'm moving.
I close the distance between us in two strides and scoop her into my arms like she weighs nothing.
Her surprised gasp gets swallowed by my mouth as I claim her lips.
Fuck, she tastes incredible. Like wine and dessert and everything I've been craving my whole goddamn life.
Star wraps her arms around my neck, clinging to me like I'm her lifeline. Her fingers tangle in my hair, sending shivers straight down my spine. I deepen the kiss, my tongue sweeping into her mouth, and she meets me stroke for stroke, her little moans driving me fucking insane.
I can't get enough of her. The feel of her in my arms, the way her body fits perfectly against mine, the heat pouring off her skin. My brain short-circuits, every cell in my body screaming for more.
I start walking, carrying her through her tiny cottage, trying to figure out where her bedroom is. Every step sends a fresh jolt of desire straight to my cock. I'm so turned on it's painful, but I'd walk through fire right now if it meant I got to keep holding her like this.
She breaks the kiss, her lips swollen and glistening. "Tanner," she breathes, her voice husky and wrecked. “The door on the right. Hurry up.”
"I've got you," I murmur against her mouth.
Her bedroom door is cracked open. I nudge it with my foot, and it swings inward, revealing a space that's so uniquely Star it makes my chest ache.
Earth tones everywhere, natural textures, soft lighting from a couple of lamps with what look like crocheted shades.
It's cozy and peaceful and exactly the kind of place I'd expect her to retreat to.
I kick the door shut behind us with more force than necessary, and the slam echoes through the small room. The sudden silence feels heavy, intimate. It's just us now, no distractions, no Bruno, no world outside these four walls.
For a second, I just stand there, holding her, breathing her in. She's watching me with those incredible green eyes, her chest rising and falling with each breath. I can feel her heart hammering against mine, a frantic rhythm that matches my own.
"Are you going to put me down?" she whispers, but there's a smile playing at the corners of her mouth.
"Not yet," I growl, and claim her lips again.
This kiss is different—slower, deeper, more deliberate. I'm memorizing the feel of her, the way she sighs into my mouth, the little sounds she makes when I nibble on her bottom lip. My hands are full of her ass, holding her tight against me, and I can feel the heat of her even through our clothes.
When I finally break the kiss, we're both breathing hard. I carry her the last few steps to the bed and gently set her on her feet. My hands linger on her hips, steadying her, reluctant to let go even for a second.
Her bedroom is smaller than mine, but it feels like a sanctuary. The bed takes up most of the space, covered in what looks like a handmade quilt in shades of green and blue. There's a bookshelf crammed with romance and mystery books. The air smells like her—sage and something sweet, maybe vanilla.
But all of that fades into the background when I look at Star.
She's watching me with an expression I can't quite decipher. It’s part nervous, part excited, all totally stunning.
Her hair is coming loose from whatever she'd done to it, wavy strands framing her face.
Her cheeks are flushed, her lips still parted from our kisses.
My eyes never leave hers as I bring my hands to the hem of her shirt.
The fabric is soft under my fingers, and I can feel the warmth of her skin radiating through it.
My hands are trembling slightly, which is fucking ridiculous.
I've negotiated million-dollar deals without breaking a sweat, but undressing this woman has me shaking like a teenager.
I pause for a second, my thumbs stroking the bare skin just above her waistband. Her breath hitches, and her eyes flutter closed for a moment before she forces them open again, keeping that connection between us.
"Okay?" I ask, my voice barely more than a whisper.
She nods, her throat working as she swallows. "More than okay."
I start to lift her shirt, moving with a slowness that's killing me.
Every inch of skin I reveal feels like a revelation.
First her stomach, toned and smooth, with a delicate silver ring in her navel that makes my mouth water.
Then her ribcage, the gentle curve of her waist, the soft swell of her breasts still hidden behind a lacy black bra.
The shirt catches on her arms for a second, and she helps me tug it over her head, sending her hair tumbling around her shoulders in a golden mess. I toss the shirt aside without looking where it lands, my eyes drinking in the sight of her.
The bra is simple but sexy as hell, black lace against her sun-kissed skin. Her nipples are hard peaks visible through the delicate fabric, and I have to clench my hands into fists to keep from touching her right then and there.
"Fuck, Star," I breathe, because there are no other words.
Her cheeks pinken even more, but she doesn't try to cover herself. Instead, she reaches for the button of my jeans, her fingers brushing against the hard length of me through the denim. I groan, my hips jerking forward involuntarily.
"Your turn," she says, her voice thick with desire.
I capture her hands in mine, bringing them to my mouth to press a kiss to each palm. "Not yet," I tell her. "I'm not done with you."
Her eyes widen, and I can see the pulse hammering in her throat. I release her hands and let my fingers trail down her arms, over her shoulders, then back up to the clasp of her bra. My fingers fumble with the tiny hook, my usual dexterity deserting me in the face of so much temptation.
Finally, it gives way, and the bra loosens. I slip the straps down her arms, letting the garment fall to the floor. And then she's standing there in just her pants, her tits bare and perfect in the soft lamplight.
I swear my heart stops for a full three seconds. She's fucking magnificent. Full and round, with dusky pink nipples that are tight and begging for my mouth.
I reach out, my hand hovering just above her skin. "Can I touch you?"
She nods, her eyes dark with desire. "Please."
My palm settles over her breast, and we both gasp at the contact. Her skin is so soft, so warm. I can feel her heart racing under my hand. I stroke my thumb across her nipple, and she arches into my touch with a broken moan.
"Tanner," she whispers, her hands coming up to grip my shoulders for support.
I lower my head and take her other tit into my mouth, sucking gently at first, then with more pressure when she cries out and tangles her fingers in my hair.
Her taste explodes on my tongue. Sweet. Salty.
Uniquely Star. I alternate between licking and sucking, using my teeth just enough to make her gasp, my free hand working her other breast.
She makes little sounds that drive me out of my fucking mind. Whimpers and moans and breathy sighs that have my cock straining against my zipper. I want to hear her scream my name, want to feel her come apart under my hands and mouth.
I trail kisses across her chest, over her collarbone, up the column of her throat.
When I reach her mouth again, the kiss is messy and desperate, all tongue and teeth and shared breath.
I can feel her hands fumbling with my shirt, tugging it up, and I break the kiss long enough to pull it over my head and toss it aside.
The second our bare chests press together, I swear I see stars. Her skin is like silk against mine, her nipples hard points that rub against my chest with every breath we take. I wrap my arms around her, holding her tight, and just breathe her in for a moment.
Her hands roam over my back, tracing the muscles, digging in slightly when I roll my hips against hers. I can feel the dampness of her pants where my cock is pressing against her, and the knowledge that she's as turned on as I am sends another surge of blood south straight to my erection.
I lower my hands to the button of her pants, popping it open. The zipper comes down with a soft hiss, and then I'm pushing the fabric down her hips, revealing a pair of black lace panties that match her bra.
Fuck me. The woman is going to be the death of me.
Her pants pool around her ankles, and she steps out of them, kicking them aside. Now she's standing there in just those tiny panties, and I've never seen anything more beautiful in my life. Her legs are long and toned, evidence of all those yoga classes.
I drop to my knees in front of her, my hands sliding up her calves to her thighs. Her skin is smooth under my palms, warm and alive. I press a kiss to the inside of her knee, then higher, tracing the lines of her compass tattoo with my tongue.
She gasps, her hands coming down to brace on my shoulders. "Tanner, what are you—"