“No need.” I grinned. “Your money’s no good here.” Instead of a smile, his mouth dipped, and he frowned. “What? What’s wrong?”
Tanner took a step toward me, stopping so we were virtually toe to toe. I had to angle my head slightly to look into his eyes. “I don’t need you to do that. I can pay.”
“Let me do this.” I reached out a tentative hand and brushed my thumb across his lips. It was unlike me to initiate contact, especially with the newness of our relationship, but heck, how could I be expected to be so close and not touch him?
Before I could pull away, he snagged my hand with his free one, the other holding Rex’s lead. With his gaze fixed on mine, once more he brushed his lips against my wrist; this time a flick of his tongue chased the action. “Thank you.” His voice was gruff and sounded like sex.
I bit my bottom lip, and I wasn’t quite sure if it was to hold back the groan from his kiss and gesture or to stop myself from giggling like a schoolboy and thinking his voice was sex.What does that even mean?
Tanner’s eyes widened; this time mirth played in them. He released my hand, placed his thumb on my lip, and tugged lightly to free it. “Something funny?”
Apparently my amusement hadn’t been hidden. With a wide grin, I shook my head, but not before capturing his thumb carefully in my mouth and wrapping my tongue around it. The grin that had begun to form on his face dropped. His eyes turned hooded. “You’ve got two minutes to get your hot-as-fuck ass outside and in my truck.”
Removing his finger, he threw me a heated look. “Come on, Rex.” He stepped around me, leaving me hard and needy.Hot damn, I best get my butt outside pronto.
With an extra bounce in my step, I rushed through the clinic like a whirlwind, gathering what I needed before finding myself in the parking lot and before Tanner, who stood leaning against his truck.
Chapter Thirteen
TANNER
Carter was doingall sorts of things to not only my body, but fuck, my heart as well. He yanked out emotions I’d never experienced before. I loved my family, Davis and Libby, something fierce, and had loved my parents, even my unaccepting prick of a dad. They’d died several years back, only two years apart. Their loss was something I’d dealt with a good while ago. It didn’t mean I didn’t miss them. Instead, I put all my energy into what I had. That was Davis, which had then extended to Libby, and now included Carter.
I could admit to myself that no other guy had made me feel anywhere close to what I did for Carter. And wasn’t that a mind and heart fuck.
It wasn’t like I was anti-relationships. It was just… unexpected. I hadn’t been looking to meet anyone, but then he’d happened. Fell on his ass at my feet and showed me his cock. I laughed to myself. Yeah, there was no coming back from that.
My gaze remained on the clinic’s entrance, waiting for Carter to exit for lunch. I wanted nothing more than to race home so I could bury myself in him. I craved the connection, the need to feel him wrapped around me. But the thirty minutes we had wouldn’t allow any of that to happen.
I pulled my shades on top of my head when he stepped out of the building. Our eyes connected and almost simultaneously we grinned at each other. I was sure he had no idea how goddamn sexy he was. But that was okay. I would happily make it my mission to remind him every day.
“Hey,” he called out in greeting as he stepped closer.
As soon as he was before me, I tugged him close and pressed a chaste kiss to his lips. Then I sidestepped and opened the passenger door for him.
“Wow, Mr. Grady, so chivalrous.” He chuckled lightly. I took great pleasure in swatting his ass and making him grunt as he made to get in the cab. “Ouch.” He rubbed his ass and tossed a look my way. I grinned in response and made my way to the driver side.
“Thirty minutes, right?” I thought it best to confirm just in case I’d got it wrong and we could make a quick escape, but no such luck when he answered.
“Yep. And considering, well, everything… it’s best that I’m not late.”
My shoulders tensed at the reminder. With the manic day I’d had with Rex, Carter’s loser boss had been pushed to the back of my mind. I tried to keep the grit out of my voice when I responded “Okay,” but I wasn’t sure how convincing I was since his hand appeared on my leg and he squeezed.
“It’s all good.” His calm voice had me glancing at him. “Seriously. I’ve actually had a great morning, topped off with your unexpected visit.”
I nodded with a lift of my lips, put the truck in gear, and clasped my hand on his before heading out of the parking lot. Knowing his morning had been good with no added bullshit released some of my tension, but one good morning didn’t mean the idiot would stop the bullying BS he’d been pulling on Carter. I was confident it would take more than a warning growl from me to do the trick, so I was still determined to find a way to support him. And if all else failed, kicking his ass was always an option.
Pulling over a few minutes later at the enclosed dog park, I scanned the area. Rex and I had a lot of bonding to do. Apparently he was good with other dogs, but who knew until I saw that for myself. Once parked, I pressed a kiss to Carter’s hand before telling him, “Come on. Let’s eat.” We climbed out, and I collected the bag from the back seat and Rex from the rear trailer, unlocking his safety cage. Then I nodded toward one of the picnic benches.
It was late May, and summer hadn’t properly kicked in yet, but it was just warm enough to sit outside comfortably and enjoy the sun and fresh air. We sat, Rex still on his lead and having a sniff around, and I pulled out the sandwiches I’d managed to throw together after collecting Rex. I also pulled out juice, apples, and some potato chips.
When I glanced up, I faltered. Carter’s head was tilted slightly to the side, his eyes locked on my face. His bottom lip was captured by his teeth. I rose a little and leaned over to him. Once close, I pressed my mouth to his. Fuck, I didn’t think I’d ever get enough of him.
I’d never been into PDA and while I had no plans to start a heavy make-out session with Carter, sharing sweet kisses with him whenever I wanted… yeah, I could happily get used to it.
After I pulled away and placed his food before him, he pressed two fingers against his lips. “What was that for?” I raised my brows in amusement. “Don’t get me wrong, I liked it and you can happily do it whenever you want—”
“And wherever I want?” I asked, my words laced with mischief.
