Tanner threw a powerful punch, aiming for my ribs. I sidestepped, grabbing his arm and using his momentum—and the slope of the land—to flip him over my shoulder. He hit the ground with a thud, and for a moment, I thought I had won. But then he grabbed my ankle, pulling me down with him.

We grappled on the ground, each trying to gain the upper hand. I pinned him down, straddling his chest and holding his arms above his head. Our faces were inches apart, our breaths mingling. The tension between us was electric, the atmosphere shifted, and his eyes were drowning deep.

I had to be careful. I could fall into those eyes and fall forever.

“Give up?” My voice was shaky.

“Never,” he replied, but there was a hint of a smile in his eyes.

I tightened my grip, leaning in closer. “You’re holding back.”

He sighed, his eyes locking onto mine. “Rae, this isn’t—”

“You’re letting me win.”

Tanner suddenly rolled over so that I was at the bottom and he was on top of me, pinning me down. I had no way to fight him off, but I flashed to my dream, his naked body on top of mine.

Heat washed over me.

“I always let you win,” he said in a thick voice.

“Why?” I gasped.

Tanner didn’t answer me. Instead, he kissed me.

His lips pressed hard against mine. His weight pressed me into the dirt; his body was hot. My mouth opened under his, and his tongue found mine. He tasted like the sweetest ambrosia.

It was only a moment before Tanner broke the kiss, pushing himself away.

We both gasped for air. My blood rushed in my ears. My skin burned.

He stared at me, his eyes dark and wide.

My heart thundered.

There was a long, pregnant pause, where the only sound was our heavy breathing.

The moment broke when Tanner stood.

My mouth felt numb. My stomach was still flipping over.

What did I just do?

Tanner grabbed my hand and pulled me up. This was where he walked away, I told myself. This was where—

He pushed me against a tree, his body pinning me again, and his lips found mine. His tongue slid into my mouth, and I moaned. He gyrated his hips against mine, his cock rock hard.

He was all heat, and strength, and desire. He kissed me with abandon, his hands gripping my waist. My own hands moved to his shoulders, feeling his muscles moving under his skin.

I wanted him. I needed him.

Our tongues danced, our bodies moved, and his heat seared me. His hands found the hem of my shirt and slipped under, caressing my waist and moving up. I was on fire.

I pulled his shirt up, desperate to touch his skin, to feel his body against mine. He helped me pull his shirt off, and his hands returned to me.

Tanner moved his lips to my neck, and I gasped, tilting my head back. He kissed and licked the tender flesh of my throat, sending goose bumps down my spine. I moaned softly, and his hands slid to my breasts.

His thumbs brushed against my nipples, sending lightning down to my core. I gasped and writhed against him. He wasdriving me mad, his hands kneading my breasts, his tongue on my neck, his cock rubbing against me.