A primitive growl leaves the back of my throat as I wrap my arms around her and tug her entire body against mine. It’s fast and frantic, the way she fists my hair, the way I’m pulling hers, crushing her with my needy frame.
I’ve known I wanted this. I’ve nearly kissed her multiple times. But I didn’t realize how much I’ve wanted it until now.
Hand under her fine as hell ass cheek, I lift her until those thighs I’ve had astride me are wrapped around my hips and those cowboy boots that get my heart racing are crossed tightly at the small of my back. The sliver of midriff she’s had on show all night, driving me wild, is pressed to my torso, the heat searing my shirt as I walk us into her room, turning to press her back to the wall. Not for a second do our tongues stop licking, teeth stop biting, bodies stop craving more contact.
Every moan and grind she gives me urges me on. I know somewhere inside me that I have to stop thisnowbut…
“I can’t.” I know the words leave my mouth when Annie pulls her mouth away from mine but her hands are still holding my face, eyes pleading with me, I think, to keep going.
“Don’t you dare, Tanner. Don’t you dare recite to me all the reasons this is a bad idea because I know them, okay? I don’t want to risk ruining our friendship, or whatever it is we have going on, and I don’t want to get my heart broken again.”
The same fear that’s written in her expression now, I feel, too. This woman terrifies me. Or the way I’m falling for her does.
“I meant I can’t stop it,” I tell her. “But, Annie, you’re right. There are too many reasons not to do this. I’m supposed to voice them now. Remind you that I’m far too fucking old for you and that if I cross a line with you, I cross a line with Colton.”
I exhale and lower her legs to the ground but she doesn’t move and I’m still pressed to her, knowing she must feel my body’s stiff contradiction with the words leaving my mouth.
“What about Nelson and Auston and?—?”
“Tanner, kiss me. Kiss me again the way you just did. Make me feel the way you just did.”
“Annie—”
“Don’t make me beg,” she whispers. “I already feel ridic?—”
I crash my lips to hers again. She should never have to beg a man to want her, or to feel ridiculous, because this one does, despite all the reasons she’s off limits.
We pick up where we left off, only this time, I carry her to her bed and lay her down.
She deserves to feel as beautiful and sexy as she is – hair splayed out on the pillows, teeth digging into her lip as she fights them turning up.
I climb on the bed, sitting astride her hips, and fucking delight in the way her greedy pelvis rolls up for me, the way her back arches as I trail my fingers down to where her vest ties.
She hasn’t been wearing a bra all night. I undo her top, pushing it off one side, then the other, two perfect tits on display. It defies logic that my dick can get any harder but as I stare at her, it does.
Then… she reaches out and turns off the bedside light, leaving us in near darkness.
I lean over and flick it back on, seeing the flush of embarrassment in her cheeks.
“Annie, you’re fucking stunning and this body has driven me insane for weeks.”
She opens her mouth but doesn’t speak. The fire she had moments ago has gone out.
“I’m not going to have sex with you, Annie, but if you’ll let me, I want to taste you. I want to kiss every inch of this perfect body and finish right here.” I trail my hand down her stomach, pressing it to the crotch of her jeans. “But I want to watch you while I make you come. I want you to see how fucking crazy you make me.”
“Tanner, I’m not— Compared to the women you date— Auston always said?—”
His name on her lips cuts like a knife.
“Unless you’re telling me to stop because of him, Annie, I don’t give a shit about Auston. I’m here for you.”
She glances up to the lamp, then back to me. If I hadn’t already formed the gray view that sex is the line I can’t cross, her nervous expression now gives me justification.
This is about Annie. Showing her how mind-bendingly sexy she is.
Maybe that’s how I remedy the conflict in my mind.
Leaning down, I press my mouth gently to hers, then whisper against her lips, “If you want me to stop, say the word, Annie. Okay?”
