Chapter Eight
CARTER
I was on fire.My skin threatened to burn off in the best possible way. How on earth was that even a good thing? All I knew was when Tanner took on Scott, my heart had threatened to burst out of my chest with emotion for the man. He was strong and brave, and so goddamn sexy, and I wanted nothing more than to climb him like a freakin’ tree and dry hump him.
Admittedly, I wanted to do that with him naked and him be inside me, but still, the intensity of my need threatened to have me clawing out of my skin. He was everything I wanted and never thought I’d have the chance to have.
His hand gripped mine as he tugged me out of the building, not stopping until we reached the car. He unlocked it, pulled open the door, and ushered me in before getting himself settled and driving.
The silence was not the same as on the drive out. Tension pulsed between us. I was rock-hard, and I didn’t want to shift or move for fear of breaking whatever spell had taken over us. I wanted him something fierce. After weeks of spending hours together, working side by side, eating and relaxing together, my desire for him was already heightened, but after the display in the bar, he’d gone and catapulted that desire to a supernova level of need.
I felt surprisingly sober after the anxiety that had swirled inside me when Scott had first entered. I’d been having such an amazing time with Tanner, finally unwinding after a nightmare of a day, caused by Scott Analson. His appearance over the past few weeks had caused lead to settle in my gut. It had seemed there was no escaping him or his cruel taunts, and having to deal with it outside of work was something I didn’t think I could cope with—until Tanner had stepped in with his alpha deliciousness. Scott retreating in on himself was a sight to behold. Not only did it set free a rush of justice, but it made me want Tanner even more. He’d said in not so many words that he wasn’t interested in me. I’d respected that, hated it, but recognized it all the same. When his hand had taken mine into his strong, rough palm, though, that was when the fire had started, quickly turning into a raging inferno while in the car.
I had no idea what his plan was, or even if he had one. Damn, did I? I could step up and take charge when I needed or wanted to, but everything about Tanner cried control, and I wasn’t necessarily thinking kinky stuff either. Though that did give me pause for thought. Tanner had, however, previously put his boundaries in place. It was up to him to change, move, or goodness, destroy the things completely. A guy could dream.
When we pulled up to my house, I turned my gaze to him. He gripped the steering wheel, his focus directly in front of him. After a few breaths, where I willed him to look at me, he stepped out of the car and walked around it.
The anticipation was killing me.
Realizing he was coming to the passenger door, I unbuckled my belt and made to open the door. I didn’t have a chance. It was flung open, and Tanner filled the space.
The next moment I was in his arms and being ushered to the house. He pulled out his key, opened the door, and tugged me inside. Every second that slipped by left need pooling in my stomach and the desperate desire to have his mouth on mine. I hoped to God that was what he intended. I didn’t think my heart or my constant hard-on could handle an alternative.
When the door closed behind us, Tanner finally turned and faced me. He backed me against the closed door, caging me in, his body a few inches from mine. With his hands flattened on either side of my head, his exhale brushed against my skin. My breath hitched at the nearness and intimacy.
I lifted my gaze to meet his; our eyes connected. I was sure mine widened when I took in the lust swirling there. My focus moved to his mouth, and I watched in delicious agony as his lips parted and he groaned. Flicking my eyes back to his, I bit back my own needy moan.
“Fuck, Carter.” He closed his eyes when my name passed his lips. “I need to know you’re okay.”
Every muscle in my body tightened, and his eyelids sprung open. “What do you mean?” My voice was breathy, barely recognizable.
One of his arms shifted, his hand coming to my face, his fingers stroking my cheek. Relaxing into his touch, my lids dipped.
“I mean, are you okay from the bar?”
I was sure my heart stuttered at the concern in his voice. This man had the ability to snatch my heart, my soul away from me. I could only hope that he would take good care of it, as I was powerless to stop him even if I wanted to. Which I didn’t.
I nodded. “Yes. I am now.”
His fingers traveled to my mouth, and he ran the pads over my bottom lip. Tanner’s gaze dropped there before rising back to mine.
“This changes everything.”
I nodded again, desperate for his words to become my reality.
“And you’re okay with that too?”
Heck, all I could do was keep nodding. I wanted the talking to stop, and I needed him to take me and make me his.
“Right answer.” His large hand cupped my cheek, and he lowered his mouth to mine.
As his lips brushed against mine, I sighed in relief. The kiss was gentle, soft, not at all like the simmering passion sparking between us. But it was exactly as our first kiss should be.
Tanner’s kisses drifted to my cheek, to my neck, and I angled for him, finally getting enough brain function to move my hands to touch him. Stroking his neck and trailing my fingers across his shoulders, I angled my head to give him better access, loving the shivers shooting through me. My cock throbbed when his mouth went to my ear, and he lightly bit my lobe while his scruffy facial hair rubbed across my shaven skin. My hands found his hair and I brushed my fingers through the strands and held on to his head, tugging him nearer.
A rumble escaped his lips at my attention, and his mouth quickly found mine. Soft and gentle was gone, replaced with possession and need. Our lips pressed against each other’s, Tanner’s tongue delving into my mouth, finding my tongue and stroking it lightly. I thrust my groin against his at the action. He responded immediately, pressing his jean-clad erection against mine and deepening our kiss.
I needed more.
