Page 115 of The Very First Night

“I know, but I’d prefer not to spend the rest of my life with the man I love in prison. Kills the vibe, ya know?” My lips quirk upward, mirrored by a smile finally creeping over his face.

“The rest of your life, huh?” Tanner responds.

I shrink under his intense gaze, my mind instantly racing with regret and self-doubt, wondering if I have ruined everything with my honesty.

Tanner’s eyes soften as he notices my inner turmoil, but his smile doesn’t fade. “I want that, you know. You, forever.”

“Not like, soon. But eventually.” I laugh awkwardly. I love him with every fiber of my being, but the nagging fear remains—what if one day he sees through my facade and realizes I’m not the perfect girl he thinks I am?

Tanner laughs. “Kat, I can see your cogs turning. I’m not going to propose any time soon. We’re young, but just know…I will, one day.”

My heart flutters at his words—at never having heard someone speak about me with such conviction before, never having had someone be so sure about me.

“I love you,” I whisper against his lips.

“I love you too,” he murmurs. Then, his voice drops to a low, husky growl as he adds, “Now, take your dress off.” He smirks and takes a step back, waiting for me to make the next move.

I’ve never been the type to enjoy being told what to do, but there is something about Tanner doing it—this man who has spent so much time and effort ensuring I have complete autonomy—that makes me melt under his gaze.

Following his precise directions, I slide my arms out of the delicate straps. The soft blue material clings to my body as I slowly pull it down, savoring the feeling of the fabric against my skin. It pools around my feet, revealing my black strapless bra and matching lacy thong.

“Come to me.” His low voice sends shivers down my spine as his gaze travels from the curve of my hips to my exposed collarbone.

I bite my lip and take a few hesitant steps toward him, clad only in lacy undergarments and stiletto heels. The tension between us is palpable as we both feel the heat rising in the room.

I stand in front of him, but he keeps his hands by his sides, leaving me unsure of what to do with my own. In an attempt to break the tension, I tentatively reach out and grab onto his belt buckle, pulling him closer to me. The cold metal presses against my palm as his breath quickens.

“What now?” I whisper, trying and failing to wield control.

“On the bed.”

Following his instruction, I slide onto the bed, his eyes locked on me as I crawl over the plush comforter. Every sway of my hips catches his attention, and I can feel his gaze burning into me. My heels clank against the bedframe as I take my time climbing onto the soft mattress, savoring the anticipation building in my core.

Finally, he approaches, and our eyes meet, causing my heart to race with excitement.

I lay on the bed, propping myself up on my elbows to admire his form. His crisp white shirt is neatly tucked into his tailored pants, but the top two buttons are undone. My eyes follow the line of his body down to the undeniable bulge in his gray slacks. He stands at the foot of the bed, trying to conceal a slight tremble in his hands, biting down on his bottom lip so hard I can see it turn pink. A shiver runs through me, my cheeks flushing with heat under his intense scrutiny.

As he rubs the heel of his hand over his straining erection, I can’t help but watch, my gaze lingering on every movement. My mouth waters at the sight of him, my heart swelling with love as he gives me an adoring look.

No one has ever looked at me quite the way Tanner does, and I feel immensely grateful for that in this moment. It’s as if this connection—the love we share—is for us and no one else in this world.

“Scoot down,” Tanner demands.

I obey and scoot down the soft linen comforter until my legs dangle over the edge of the bed.

However, he seems unsatisfied, and with a sharp yelp of surprise from me, he pulls me even further until my butt is perched on the very edge of the mattress. “Much better,” he mumbles.

His lips brush against my ankle, sending shivers up my spine. He moves slowly, trailing kisses up toward my knee as I try to steady my breathing. As he releases my leg, I exhale sharply in annoyance, but his deep laughter rumbles against my skin. He looks at me with a mischievous glint in his eye before taking my other leg and repeating the routine, kissing from my ankle to my knee. This time, he continues his advance past my knee, up my thigh, and I clench in anticipation as the corner of his lips graze the soft lace of my panties before he retreats once more.

I glare at him as he pulls away, my hands balled into fists. All I receive in return is a mischievous grin. He knows exactly what he’s doing to me and is thoroughly enjoying it. My heart races and my body quivers, longing for him to really touch me. Every fiber of my being yearns for the pleasure I know he is capable of providing. But right now, he’s just playing a game, and I can’t fully enjoy it because all I want is for him to move a little higher.

Tanner continues his pattern of teasing me, except this time he inches down to kneel at the edge of the bed and pauses at the seam of my lingerie once more. His fingers dance along the edge of the fabric, teasing and tempting me. His warm breath tickles my skin as he leans closer, his nose grazing the damp fabric before pressing a gentle kiss against the lace. With each passing second, I find my anticipation overwhelming me.

With a gentle tug, Tanner pulls the lace of my panties tight against my sensitive skin. His head dips down and his warm tongue glides slowly over the delicate lace that separates him from my throbbing core. The soft friction sends shivers down my spine and I can’t help but gasp as he pushes the fabric between my pussy lips. My body tingles with pleasure as he skillfully uses his tongue to trace circles around my clit.

“Tanner, please,” I beg him as the ache between my legs grows unbearable, trembling as I look up at him with pleading eyes.

He hungrily grabs hold of the panel of lace and slides it aside, revealing my wet and aching core. Without hesitation, he dives in with his tongue, lapping at my damp flesh before nipping at my bundle of nerves. My back arches and I moan his name, overwhelming sensations coursing through my body.

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