Page 49 of Trusting Tanner
Tanner stood as well, and, faster than she could react, he had her pressed against his chest, his mouth covering hers. His kisses always left her breathless and dizzy, but this one made her want to weep it was so tender. Longing and sweet. She let her bag slide off her shoulder, and she wrapped her arms around his neck. He groaned in a way that made her body throb for him.
He broke the kiss and rested his forehead to hers, his hands framing her face. “I need you to believe me,” he whispered.
She closed her eyes and rested her head on his chest. It was on the tip of her tongue to say she did, but she wasn’t sure of that yet. “I need to get to class. We’ll talk later. Promise.”
He bent down, picked up her bag, and eased the strap over her shoulder. “I’ll meet you here as soon as class is over.”
She nodded. He walked in the opposite direction toward his class, and she blew out a pent-up breath. Even after how she just treated him, he was still being a gentleman. Maybe it wasn’t him she needed to worry about, because right now, she was questioning whether she deserved someone like him.
Instead of going to class, she texted Devon.Hey. Need to talk. U around?
Devon:What’s wrong? Where are you?
A hint of a smile curved her lips. She could always count on him.In the quad.She sat back down and scrolled through Instagram, waiting for Devon’s reply, which never came.
He showed up a few minutes later and sat beside her. “What’s going on?” His voice was full of concern. “I swear to God, if Tanner—”
“He didn’t do anything. At least, I don’t think he did.” She scrunched up her face in confusion. For someone who wasn’t sure she could trust him, she was quick to defend him.
“Okay,” he said, drawing out the word. “You’re going to have to give me a little more to go on.”
“So, I found out yesterday my roommate knows Tanner. They met at a party. She wanted more, he didn’t. He swears nothing ever happened, but Rebecca says—”
“Wait.” He held up his hand. “Rebecca who?”
Goose bumps scattered across her arms. “Rebecca Morris.”
“Okay, enough said.”
She tilted her head. “What?” Clearly she was missing something important here.
“I can promise you anything she’s said is either a boldfaced lie or an extreme exaggeration of the truth.”
“She claims she’s Tanner’s go-to booty call.” Juliana crossed her arms, not at all thrilled with how flippant Devon was being about the whole thing.
Devon laughed. “Right, and I’ve got brass balls.” He shook his head and turned to face her. “Please tell me you talked to Tanner about this.”
“I did, and he got pissed.” Just thinking about how angry he’d been had her blood racing.
“I don’t doubt it. Rebecca has a reputation among the fraternities.”
“That’s exactly what Tanner said, too.” She frowned. Although she didn’t know why. In a roundabout way, Devon was confirming everything Tanner had said. Shouldn’t that make her happy?
“Because it’s the truth. And she’s not just the girl who gets around. She thrives on drama, and this isn’t the first time I’ve heard she’s tried to start rumors or cause trouble between a brother and his girlfriend.”
Girlfriend.Her breath caught. Was she Tanner’s girlfriend? They’d only been on two dates, if she counted yesterday as a date. She placed her hand over her chest, hoping the touch would help calm her pounding heart.
“But what if this situation with Rebecca and Tanner is history repeating itself?” Panic seized her, and her voice went up an octave. “What if I’m not seeing what’s right in front of me? What if—?”
“What if he’s telling you the truth?”
She snapped her mouth closed, at a loss for words. She’d been so focused on seeing the bad, planning for whatcouldgo wrong, she never once stopped to consider she might be making a big deal out of nothing.
“I know this is probably going to piss you off, but I’m with Tanner on this one. If it were any other girl saying this shit, I’d tell you to run, but I’d bet both of my brass balls he’s innocent in this whole thing.”
Juliana smacked his arm. He grinned.
God, she really hated him sometimes. He was always so blunt. And right. She sighed. “I like him. A lot.” That in and of itself was terrifying.
