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CHAPTER TWELVE
TANNER
It’s all I can think about. The countdown.
The anticipation. Two weeks of seeing her every damn day, sometimes just for an hour between meetings or in the sweaty haze of her yoga studio, but it’s never enough.
I always want more. More of her laugh, her sass, her body up against mine.
I want her everywhere, all the time, like I’m a fucking junkie.
Late Friday afternoon, my hands are actually shaking as I drive over to her place. Bruno barks the second he hears my boots on the walk. Star answers the door in a sundress that should be illegal and her hair down around her shoulders. She’s so fucking gorgeous, it’s physically painful.
I back her up against the wall and kiss her so hard it knocks the air out of both of us.
Her mouth is sweet and hungry, lips parted, tongue sliding against mine like she’s starved for me.
My hands move to her hips, hauling her up until she’s standing on her tiptoes, and I don’t stop until she’s breathless and giggling and clinging to my shirt like she might float away.
Bruno barks, like I’m violating some kind of Chihuahua code of conduct, but I don’t give a shit. He’ll just have to get used to me kissing Star every chance I get.
“Missed you,” she murmurs, her voice all soft and wrecked.
I grip her tighter, fighting the urge to carry her straight to the bedroom and spend the next twelve hours reminding her exactly who she belongs to.
But I manage to keep my head on straight.
Barely. “God, I fucking missed you, too.” I lay my forehead against hers.
“Hope you’re ready for a weekend on lockdown,” I growl, breathing her in like I need it to survive.
“Just you, me, and one small, suspicious dog.”
She tips her chin up, all sass and trouble. “We’re ready.” She jerks a thumb at the overnight bag already parked by the door, and next to it, a neon green backpack barely big enough for a shoe with “Bruno” embroidered across the front of it.
God, she’s fucking adorable.
I scoop up both bags in one hand easily and give her my cockiest grin. “Well, let’s get going.”
She scoops up Bruno, the little psycho wriggling with suspicion and excitement.
I take Star’s hand in mine and lead her to the truck.
She slides into the passenger seat with a smile so wide I feel it right down to my bones.
Then I open the back door and set Bruno on his custom embroidered doggie car seat.
Silas gave me hell when I installed the fucker in my SUV, but I told my asshole brother that I’m not risking a five-pound missile flying around at a sudden stop.
Bruno sniffs it, circles like he’s deliberating a major life decision, and finally settles in as I clip him in.
My brother told me I’ve turned into the world’s biggest pussy-whipped sap, and I don’t even care. Not if it means keeping Star for the rest of my life.
We’re barely out on the main road before Bruno’s huffing in his car seat like he’s plotting my demise. Star rolls her window down to let the wind tangle her hair and smiles at me sideways. It’s the kind of smile that should come with an FDA warning. My heart does something embarrassing in my chest.
I take her soft hand in mine and bring it to my lips for a kiss. “How was your day, baby?”
“It was great.” She sits back against the seat and sighs. “I had lunch with Maggie and Saoirse.”
I already heard about that. My asshole brothers want to know what’s happening, so they keep sending my little sister out on reconnaissance missions. Fuckers.
“How did that go?” I lay our entwined hands on my thigh as we head out of town.
She leans her head back against the headrest and grins at me. “Honestly? It was a blast. We’re going to start having weekly lunches.”
“That’s great,” I manage to mutter as I fight the urge to drag her gorgeous ass across the center console.
Honestly, it’s a miracle I keep the wheels on the damn road.
I’m that far gone. Her hair is blowing everywhere, and every time she laughs, my heart does a full somersault and lands flat on its back.
We pull up at my place, wheels crunching over the gravel, the porch lights warm and honey-colored against the gathering dark. For a second, Star just stares through the windshield, like she’s not sure if I’m about to lead her into a murder mystery or a Restoration Hardware photo shoot.
She lets out a little breath that’s half-laugh, half-gasp. “Holy wow. Tanner. Your home is gorgeous.”
I kill the engine, grab her hand. “I’m glad you like it, baby.”
I help her out of the SUV and open the back door to free the little gremlin.
Bruno bolts across the lawn, already convinced he owns the place.
“Bruno! Come here, you little psycho!” Star half-laughs, half-yells. The dog ignores her, finding the perfect spot. He sniffs around, then circles it three times before peeing on it.
The little maniac then bolts straight for the front door like he’s about to launch a full-scale home invasion. Star laughs, her eyes bright with mischief, and for half a second, I forget how to breathe.
I’m done. Ruined. She’s so fucking beautiful it hurts.
I grab our bags and lead her up the porch steps, fingers tangled in hers. I have to keep touching her or I’ll lose my goddamn mind.
She steps inside, and her lips part in awe. Her eyes go wide as she takes in the open floor plan, the wall of windows looking out over the backyard, and the massive stone fireplace.
“Wow,” Star says, eyebrows up. “This is beautiful.”
“Thank you.” I can’t hide the pride in my voice. “You want the grand tour?”
She grins. “I’d love one.”
We get exactly two steps before Bruno finds the water bowl I put down for him. He slurps so loud it echoes, then, with a look of pure malice, tips it over with one paw. Water sluices across the kitchen tile and straight into a floor vent.
Star covers her mouth, trying not to laugh. “He does that on purpose, you know.”
“I got that impression,” I say, grabbing a towel from the oven handle. Star looks around, taking in the new bone-shaped treat jar on the counter and the basket of dog toys in the corner.
Star stares at me for a second, eyes shining. “You’re such a softie.”
Bruno grabs a squeaky toy and immediately starts shaking it to death.
“While the little gremlin is occupied,” I gesture toward the stairs, “do you want to see the rest?”
Her mouth curves, and damn, I could stare at it forever. “Lead the way.”
I grab her hand, tugging her close, because I can’t go a single minute without touching her. Halfway up the stairs, I pause and drag her in for a kiss. She melts against me, all warm curves and sunshine, and my brain short-circuits.
Yeah. I’m fucking addicted.
We hit the top landing, and I lead her to my bedroom, Bruno’s little paws tap-dancing after us.
I open the door and watch her face as she takes it all in—the king bed, the wall of windows, the fireplace.
Her eyes go wide, and then she notices the brand new, ridiculously plush dog bed with “brUNO” stitched in green right next to my side of the bed.
She bursts out laughing. “I can’t believe you did all this for us.”
Fuck yes, I did. And I plan on convincing her to stay here with me. Permanently. “Believe it, baby.” I wrap my arms around her and hug her close while the dog sniffs every corner of my bedroom.
I’m standing on the back patio, putting steaks on the grill next to the foil-wrapped potatoes while Bruno sprints across the yard, paws flying, and the sound of Star’s laughter mixes with his high-pitched barking.
“Those steaks smell delicious.” Star walks up and wraps her arms around me.
God, I could get used to this. Warm arms around my waist, soft hair brushing my neck, her body pressed flush against my back, and her happy little sigh soaking straight into my bones.
I turn in her arms and pull her close to my body. Leaning over, I cover her lips with mine. Her mouth is soft, lush, and instantly addictive. I kiss her hard, tongue sweeping in deep, teeth grazing her bottom lip until she moans. God, I love those sounds.
My hands grip her waist, and her sundress shifts under my fingers, flimsy as tissue, and I can feel the heat of her skin right through the fabric. Fuck. I’m half a second from tearing the thing right off, but I force myself to slow down, to savor.
I pull back and lay my forehead against hers. Her breath comes in these soft, hitching little gasps. I can feel her heart thudding against my chest. Jesus, I want her so bad I’m about to self-combust. I brush my thumb along her jaw, just to feel the shiver run through her.
“God. I’m tempted to say fuck the steaks and eat you for dinner instead,” I growl.
She laughs, a little breathless. “As much as I love the sound of that, it would be a shame to waste those yummy steaks.”
“Then I guess I’ll just have to leave room to have you for dessert.” I dip down and kiss her again, slow and deep, sliding my hands lower until I’ve got a solid grip on her ass.
Behind us, Bruno yips, but I tune him out. I am on a mission. Until the steaks catch fire on the grill. “You save our dinner while I go and chase down the gremlin.” Star laughs.
I flip the meat over and turn down the flame. Then I lean against the railing and watch Star chasing the little demon around my backyard.
I can’t get enough of her. Like, genuinely, I could watch Star chase Bruno around my backyard for the rest of my life and never get bored. She’s barefoot and laughing, sundress fluttering around her thighs while the little gremlin dodges and jukes like a pro.
I’m so distracted I nearly burn the steaks. Once everything is done, I plate the steaks and potatoes and carry them to the patio table, where Star’s already waiting, cheeks flushed and eyes bright. Bruno circles our feet like a furry shark, hoping someone drops a bite.
We eat out there while the sky melts from gold to dusky pink. Star moans over the food like it’s the best thing she’s ever tasted. My chest goes all stupid-hot. I want to bottle this moment forever.
Bruno darts between our chairs, occasionally launching himself onto the grass to bark at shadows.
The sun slips away, and the outdoor lights kick on, illuminating the entire backyard.
Bruno finally runs out of energy and curls up at Star’s feet, snoring like a busted muffler.
“Ready for dessert?” I ask, stacking our plates.
She arches an eyebrow. “Depends. Is this a real dessert, or a euphemism?”
“Both.”
She grins, a wicked spark lighting up her whole face. “I’m too full for actual dessert, but I’m always ready for bedroom dessert.”
I stand, offer her my hand, and she takes it. The skin-to-skin shock is instant, electric.