“A date?” The blush was back even though the smile was still teasing at his lips. Then he swallowed again and shifted. “I wasn’t sure if you were seeing the woman who was stopping by last month.”
He paused, looking uncomfortable, but I was glad he’d asked if it was on his mind. “My cousin. She works down the street and her car was in and out of the shop for a few weeks. There is no one who’ll be upset if we go out on a date.”
Tanner sighed, his smile returning. “Then yes, I’d like that.”
I had a date.
Standing, I walked around his desk. I stepped close, clearly invading his personal space, and held out my hand. “Are you ready?”
Tanner’s eyes dragged up my body and I could see him start to breathe deeper, taking in my scent. Under other circumstances and with anyone else it would have been the height of improper behavior on my part, but I didn’t want to be proper with Tanner anymore.
I wanted the desperate, needy omega I could see hiding just below the surface.
His gaze was far away like he wasn’t in the moment anymore, so I reached out and cupped his cheek. “Are you ready, Tanner?”
His skin was warm beneath my touch. The simple gesture was intimate and it felt like I’d crossed a line that we couldn’t go back from. Tanner tipped his head up to stare into my eyes. Lust and something tender warred in his gaze as he nodded.
“Yes, I’m ready.”
I trailed one finger down his cheek before I reached for his hand. Tanner made a low, needy sound but placed his hand in mine. “You won’t regret this.”
Wide eyes looked at me as he stood. I should have stepped back, but I pressed against him, still invading his personal space.
“Promise?”
His vulnerability touched something deep inside me and I squeezed his hand. “I promise. You can trust me, Tanner.”
“I do.” He finally broke the stare and his gaze dropped down to my chest. “It’s just…a lot to take in.”
I used my free hand to reach for his chin. Tilting his face, I let him see how seriously I was taking it. “You have nothing to fear. This is very new to me—I won’t lie about that. But I won’t do anything to hurt you.”
His cheeks pinked and he started studying my lips. When he spoke, it was so low I almost missed the words. “What if I want you to hurt me?”
God, he had no idea what he was doing to me.
I stroked my thumb over his jaw and forced his head back more so he had to look me in the eyes. I was gentle, but the clear control I was taking of his body sent shivers racing through him. “I won’t hurt your heart, but I won’t guarantee anything about the rest of your body.”
Then I leaned down and pressed my lips to his.
With his hand in mine and my fingers cupping his face, it felt like his body belonged to me as I kissed him for the first time. Even knowing the control was something Tanner had clearly longed for, I wasn’t prepared for the way his body reacted.
Melting into me, Tanner pressed his body against mine and moaned as my tongue stroked his. Taking that as permission to keep going, I released his fingers and wrapped my arm around him. Pressing my hand against his back, I pinned him to me and deepened the kiss.
When we finally came up for air, we were both breathless and I could feel Tanner’s erection pressing against my thigh. I traced over his wet lips, loving the little shivers I could feel running through his body. “I think it’s time to feed you.”
He moaned and his tongue flicked out to lick my fingers. Chuckling, I shook my head. “Not yet. We have a lot to talk about.”
Tanner sighed, but he didn’t press for more. “I understand.”
“If you’re very good, though, and answer my questions, maybe I’ll find a way to reward you later.” I was just testing the waters and trying to use what I’d seen online, but instead of thinking I sounded ridiculous, Tanner’s whole body jerked and his head fell against my chest.
“Don’t say something like that if you expect me to be able to talk and function in public.” He couldn't seem to decide if he was frustrated with me or with having to behave.
I’d never had anyone react that way to just a teasing remark.
Even if the rest of it didn’t appeal to me, I thought just seeing his reaction and knowing how I was affecting him would have made me take a second look at it. “Naughty omegas don’t get rewarded, so you’re going to do your best to behave for me, aren’t you?”
I wasn’t sure if it was the teasing or if it was the way I let my hand go down and squeeze his ass, but the effect was electric. Tanner shivered again and his hips rocked forward to rub his cock against me. The embarrassed sound that escaped said it hadn’t been something he’d deliberately done. But that just made it hotter.