Page 46 of Wanting You

Leaning in, she kissed him again, and when she pulled back, she cupped his jaw. “That was possibly the most perfect thing you ever could have said. I’d love to join you for lunch tomorrow.”

Relief washed over him. Kissing her palm, he reluctantly let her go.

And yawned.

And then laughed.

After he picked up his phone, binder, and keys, he faced her. “I hope there are no regrets this time,” he said carefully. “Because I would hate it if you still felt that way.”

“Tanner, I can’t apologize enough for that whole situation and giving you the cold shoulder that day. I just…I got scared. You make me feel things that…well…weren’t great at first. And I was afraid that you weren’t as into me as I was into you, and…” She sighed. “I’m not the kind of woman that ever attracts a guy like you.”

Were the men in this town stupid? Did they not see what an amazing woman Chloe was?

Their loss…

“I’m not sure what to say to that except that I am most definitely as into you as you are into me.” He grinned and kissed her softly on the lips. “And you can set the pace with how things go from here. I’m just happy that you’re willing to give me a second chance to make a first impression.”

Then they kissed again before he wished her a goodnight and left, already looking forward to tomorrow.

Chapter Eight

The weekend was amazing.

On Saturday, she and Tanner had taken their lunch to the park and had a picnic. Then, they’d simply walked some of the many paths and thought of activities to do with their classes with all the different colored leaves. It was so nice to have something like this in common! It made her realize just how much of a struggle it had been dating someone like Evan, who she had nothing in common with.

Lunch had turned into dinner and a movie—which they missed most of because they were more interested in kissing on his sofa. Then on Sunday, they worked on their weekly lesson plan together at her place before ordering a pizza and letting it get cold because they were more interested in kissing some more.

Chloe could honestly say she’d never been happier. And for all her worrying about what it would be like at work if they got involved, it was awesome! They shared their lunch break together and ate in either his classroom or hers, and they’d talk about how their days were going. He was really settling in to teaching and she was very proud of him. They’d worked on several joint projects this week with their classes, and it was the most fun she’d had teaching since she started. Every day was just so enjoyable and gave her so much more to look forward to!

She particularly loved the secret little flirty smiles they shared whenever they saw each other, and just how much fun it was to sit and talk with him about lesson planning—which was possibly the least sexy thing in the world, and yet with Tanner, it stimulated her in a way that sex never had.

Ugh…what is wrong with me?

Nothing, she reminded herself. There was something very satisfying about connecting with someone on a physical level, but she was finding that having the intellectual connection was just so much more.

Maybe some people would think it was weird that she found the intellectual connection…well…sexy, but she didn’t care. Tanner Westyn was turning out to be the total package, and she never even saw it coming.

But for all the fun she was having, it made her feel a little guilty. Every day after school, she went to spend time with her mother. They had moved her to the rehab facility on Wednesday, and it just broke her heart to see her there. Her bruises were healing, but for a woman who took great pride in her appearance, Chloe could tell how self-conscious her mother was about how she looked. Their conversations had been a bit stilted, and she didn’t want to mention her relationship with Tanner because she felt like it would sound like she was bragging. Still, she was thankful for the progress her mom was making and couldn’t wait until she could come home. Every night when she left, she would cry all the way home. Most of the time she’d call Ashlynn, who would calm her down, but it was like being on an emotional rollercoaster.

Now it was Friday, and her last student had just been picked up. The plan was to go home and relax for a bit, and then she and Tanner were going up to Summit Ridge for dinner. She knew he was excited to show her a bit about his life outside of teaching and she was looking forward to learning about it.

“Hey, beautiful,” he said as he strolled into her room. Pausing, he looked around. “Everyone picked up?”

She nodded. “Madison and her mom just left.” As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Tanner had her in his arms and was kissing her. When they broke apart, she smiled up at him. “I really like ending the school day like that.”

He grinned. “Me too.” Taking a step back, he looked a little uncertain.

“Is everything okay?”

He hesitated for a moment. “I wanted to throw something out there, and if I’m being too presumptuous, please let me know.”

“O-kay…”

“We have dinner reservations tonight at seven up at Summit Ridge, but…I was wondering if you might…I mean…I just thought…”

“Tanner?”

“Hmm?”

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