19. Deacon
DEACON
Acouple of emergency rush jobs kept me busy and unable to spend the time I wanted to with Tanner over the next week. I’m thankful for the work and the income, but not seeing him was a special kind of torture especially after everything it took to get us here.
I hadn’t been back to Vetted Paws yet, and even though Tanner stopped by the rental property I was working on with lunch on Wednesday, it wasn’t enough. He’d been timid, and instead of kissing him like I wanted, I kept my hands—and mouth—to myself.
As a result, my dick had been half hard the rest of the day.
Hell, if I’m being honest, I’ve been half hard all week just waiting to be able to see him again, and tonight couldn’t come soon enough.
The porch light is on as I pull up into the driveway and park.
It’s been a long time since I’ve been nervous for a date, and I give myself a minute to take in the tan-colored house with the white shutters and door.
The porch is large, and like most of the properties here has a couple of rocking chairs and flowers in pots lining the steps.
Gravel crunches under my feet as I walk the short distance to the porch, the door opening before I can even knock. Tanner smiles shyly, his shoulders sagging the littlest bit, like he’s relieved to see me.
It’s nice.
More than nice.
“Hey,” he manages, moving aside to let me pass. “How was your day?”
“Long. This whole week felt like that.” He nods and I smile. “You look great,” I tell him when all I want to do is push him back against the door and cage him there with my body as I kiss him until he’s gasping for air.
“So do you,” he murmurs, his eyes sliding over my body while his cheeks heat.
Tanner thought I’d lose interest having to “take it slow” but it’s honestly hotter than anything I could have dreamed of. Every touch and kiss and look is earned, and the reward is worth every teasing second.
“What are you thinking about?” The question sounds raspy as it leaves my mouth, and Tanner’s blush deepens as he meets my gaze. It’s adorable and I’m flattered, but fuck, I just want him to be the one to take the initiative.
If nothing else, I need the green light to close the distance between us and put my hands on him—to feel the way those lean muscles jump and flex under my touch.
“It’s different,” he says slowly.
“What is?”
His lips twitch. “Liking the way you look in those jeans.”
I would have been less surprised if he said we were about to get two feet of snow here in Tennessee.
Unable to hold back my amusement, I allow myself to take a step toward him.
His pulse flutters in his throat, and I have the filthiest image of me taking him from behind, my hand gripping the back of his neck and his pulse racing under my thumb.
“Tell me.” Cupping the side of his face, I wait for him to answer.
“I like how rough your hands are.” He swallows hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing as his lips part. “And the way I know you can overpower me.”
“Not without your consent,” I tell him, his hands fisting in my shirt as he fits his hips against mine.
“That shouldn’t be sexy but it is.” He groans before capturing my lips in a needy kiss.
Finally.
The moment his mouth covers mine, I feel the stress of the week melt away, and I’m struck once again by how good it feels. Tanner’s body fits perfectly against mine as his tongue explores my mouth and his fingers dig into the small of my back.
I let him lead.
Feel.
Taste.
His dick is hard, rubbing against mine as he tilts his face and nips at my bottom lip. I love this newfound intensity and send up a silent prayer that it continues because fuck, it’s good.
“I missed this,” he breathes, his eyes wild as he pulls back to meet my gaze.
“Kissing?”
“Kissing you.” He swallows hard, like maybe it was a knee-jerk response he hadn’t planned on voicing.
But I love it.
“I missed kissing you too,” I reassure him, my mouth covering his, taking control as Tanner whimpers in my arms.
I need to stop.
I need to slow down because I refuse to take him anywhere he’s not ready to go. And if he keeps rolling his hips against mine, I’m going to strip him out of his clothes and make him come.
“Fuck,” I grunt, pulling back and regretting the decision immediately. It’s been a long time since I’ve wanted someone so completely. A physical release is great, sure, but things with Tanner are so much more.
It’s the way he’s getting bolder in the way he reacts to me, the shift of his hips or the way his hands hold me where he wants me.
“We should go,” he says quietly, the words lacking conviction as his chest heaves.
“Are you sure?”
“Maybe?”
A laugh rumbles through my chest. “Tell me what you want, Sweetheart.” I don’t mean for the endearment to slip out like that, and I hold my breath as Tanner’s eyes widen.
The seconds that pass feel like a lifetime, and I hate that I can’t figure out what’s going on in his head. Does he like it? Does he wish I hadn’t said it?
Dammit.
“I think we should go.” He doesn’t move away when he says the words. Instead he searches my face as if he’s looking for confirmation that he’s making the right choice.
“Anything you want.”
“I want to go out with you.”
Music to my ears.