36. Tanner
TANNER
I’m still laughing as we stumble back inside the house, my heart lighter than it had been after talking with my father. And Briggs—I could not love that boy more if I tried.
He orchestrated the best surprise for the sweetest reason. I didn’t realize just how much meeting Deacon, officially, meant to him, and honestly, the relief feels good.
All of it feels good.
In a matter of minutes, a truly difficult day became one to remember and one I’ll look back on with a smile instead of the tears that had threatened in the moments before the first shot.
With promises of dinner and a team effort gathering and distributing darts back to their respective weapons, Otto and Briggs took off for home, leaving Deacon and me alone.
Again.
“You have a great kid,” he says, his hip resting against the island, an amused expression on his face, “and I think I’m flattered to have been ambushed.”
“You should be,” I confirm as I close the distance between us. “And thank you. Also, I guess I’m sorry for not introducing you sooner.”
Wrapping my arms around his waist, I exhale, resting my cheek on his chest as he returns the embrace. I could stay like this forever, the smell of his cologne enveloping me while my fingers dip under the hem of his shirt to splay against his back.
“I think this is what we all needed. He planned the perfect introduction—there was no time to be awkward or stress over saying the right thing.”
“But that’s where I thrive,” I tease, tilting my head back to look at him, his dark eyes full of warmth.
Contentment.
And that hint of desire that’s always simmering below the surface.
“You thrive in a lot of places.” The words come out husky as my gaze dips to his mouth, and I don’t think. I just lean up and capture his lips in a searing kiss.
A strong hand grips the back of my neck, the other trailing down to cup my ass as he grinds his cock against mine. Groaning, I try to pull him tighter against me as I take a step back.
And then another.
“Tanner.”
“Upstairs.”
“What?” He blinks, his gaze unfocused and his lips swollen and wet from kissing me. I want his lips everywhere and I don’t want him to stop.
Not tonight.
“Take me upstairs.”
Instead of asking if I’m sure, I watch as the sexiest smile takes over his face before turning predatory as he moves us toward the stairs.
Every step feels like a promise, his body flush against mine as we make our way up, and I’m thankful that I’ve climbed them a thousand times—my ability to process anything but him nonexistent.
“What are you thinking so hard about?” he murmurs, dipping his head to suck at the sensitive skin below my ear as we cross the threshold of my bedroom.
“You, finally inside me,” I breathe, gasping when he pulls back enough to yank my shirt over my head.
“You’re gonna feel so good.” The words are growled as he pushes me back onto the mattress before discarding his shirt and jeans in a pile on the floor.
His body is something I’ll never get over seeing, the hard lines of muscle that make up his broad chest and arms. He’s gorgeous, and I can’t wait to run my tongue along every dip and valley.
Palming my cock through my jeans with one hand, he undoes my belt with the other, the movements unhurried as he teases me. I nearly cry out when he finally removes the denim and climbs over me, our boxers the only thing separating us as his mouth crashes over mine.
Deacon’s hands are everywhere, his erection rutting against mine as I wrench my head back and gasp, the sensation of being so thoroughly devoured making my head spin.
Reaching for the bedside drawer, I manage to locate a condom and a bottle of lube, suddenly thankful that Deacon and I did the safe sex talk before this moment.
I’m thankful for a lot before this moment, including the way he’s been preparing me for his cock, to take all of him, stretching and thrusting, and I’m suddenly hot all over.
The anticipation is making me flush as he steps beside the bed, hooking his thumbs in the elastic of his underwear to pull them down until he’s naked before me.
And fucking hell.
I want to take him in my mouth and worship him, trace the veins with my tongue as he caresses my face and neck while growling the filthiest praise.
“You look hungry, Sweetheart.”
Eyes snapping to his, I wrestle my boxers off and reach for him. “I am.”
“Later.” The mattress dips under his weight as he pushes my legs back and settles between them. “Right now it’s my turn.”
Clicking the lube cap open, he coats two fingers, and I tip my knees wider, the vulnerability of exposing myself only heightening my need for him.
His breath is hot on the head of my cock, the sensation making me jerk my hips as he circles my hole with one finger before taking me in his mouth and pushing his finger inside.
I cry out, my back arching as the burn is replaced with an aching pleasure I can’t get enough of. Deacon works me slowly, my body already barreling toward release as he inserts another finger, the sting temporary as I moan and writhe.
“Deacon, please.”
“I don’t want to hurt you.”
“You won’t.”
He holds my gaze for a moment before sliding his fingers from my body and waiting as I roll over onto my hands and knees.
“You’re so fucking sexy, Tanner.” Roughened palms grip my ass cheeks, kneading them and spreading me wide as I squeeze my eyelids shut and try to breathe. It feels so good.
He feels so good.
Like he knows exactly how to touch me—like he was made to touch me.
Tease me.
Pleasure me.
“Please, I need you.”
“You have me.”
“Then take me.”