Page 63 of Trusting Tanner
“You don’t want the chair?” Tanner asked, somewhat surprised. “What if we have friends over?”
We? He said we.Her heart raced, thundering in her ears, making it impossible to hear what else he’d said. And then she smiled, unable to stop herself. “A majority of the time it’s just you and me. How often do you think we’re going to have people over?” The words sounded surreal to her.
“I’ll take the tag and hang onto it until you’re ready to cash out,” Brandon said. “And if I can answer any questions, let me know.”
“Thanks,” Juliana said. When he walked away, she turned to Tanner. “Let’s go find a table, huh?”
They spent half an hour trying to decide on a table. He wanted her to get one with a solid glass top, but she’d refused. It was a gorgeous table, but it was way bigger than what she needed, and the glass would’ve been a nightmare to keep clean. They finally compromised on a simple oak one with four chairs. After leaving the tags with Brandon, they headed toward the bedroom furniture.
Jules stopped in the doorway and surveyed the room. Tanner came up behind her. He wrapped his arms around her stomach and rested his chin on her shoulder. “I’ve been waiting all day for when we could start testing out the beds.”
She glanced back at him. “Behave yourself.”
He gave her a sexy, innocent smile. “I do have one favor to ask, though. Promise me you’ll buy something you love?”
She gave him a weird look. “As opposed to what? Buying something I hate?”
“If I have my way, we’re going to be spending alotof time in the bedroom. It’d be a shame if you had to live with furniture you don’t like.” He kissed her cheek then sauntered into the showroom, hands tucked casually in his pockets, like what they were doing was perfectly normal. “Coming?” he asked over his shoulder.
With a deep breath, she followed him. They walked past half a dozen bedroom sets that were either too big, too expensive, or ugly.
“What about this one?” he asked.
It was a simple set that included a dresser, two nightstands, a bedframe with shelves in each corner, and a hope chest. She nodded, impressed with Tanner’s eye for design. He had good taste.
Having decided on the set, they moved over to the mattresses, bouncing on one, then another. And another. Finding one that felt right, she climbed on and lay on her back. The mattress was soft, yet firm enough to give her the amount of support she wanted.
Tanner stood off to the side, watching her intently. She knew he was waiting for her to invite him to join her, and she wanted to. She wanted to know what it would feel like to have him in her bed, but she was worried about getting too lost in the moment and giving the entire store a show they didn’t want or need to see.
She took a moment to let the gravity of this moment settle in her mind. This was going to be the bed they’d be in the first time they had sex. The bed they’d sleep in, cuddle in, the place they’d share all their secrets and make plans for their future. With a slight incline of her head, she motioned for him to get on. He lay down on his back, hands tucked behind his head.
“Well? What do you think?” she asked after several moments of silence.
“I don’t know.” He adjusted so he was leaning over her. His fingers brushed across her forehead and down the side of her face, tracing the line of her jaw. She stared up into his dark eyes and held her breath, waiting. He lowered his head, and then his lips were on hers in a sweet kiss. “I think you’ve found your new bed.”
His choice of words hit her hard.Hernew bed? “You know damn well I won’t be the only one sleeping in this bed.” Her tone was harsher than she intended.
“I know.” He ran his thumb over her bottom lip. “But I’d sleep on the floor if it meant being with you. This bed’s for you, sweetheart. If you want it, then I want it.” He rolled over and off the bed, getting to his feet.
Juliana blew out a breath then stood. She snaked her hands around Tanner and rested her head on his chest, taking comfort in his embrace. After spending almost two hours paying and scheduling delivery, she and Tanner were in his car and headed back toward her apartment.
“Thanks for doing this with me today,” she said as he pulled into the bakery parking lot.
He nodded. “Can I ask you something?” He killed the engine but left the keys in the ignition.
“Of course.” There was a slight tremor in her voice, and she hoped he didn’t notice. Wasn’t he going to come inside?
“How were you able to afford all of that furniture today? That was a hefty bill for anyone to pay, let alone a med student.” He turned toward her, his expression guarded but compassionate.
Oh God. She tensed and stared out the windshield. Should she delve into the whole, painful story? Eventually, she’d have to tell him. But not now. She wasn’t ready to relive that part of her life. “I had some money saved.” She smiled, hoping he didn’t prod. “Do you want to come up?” She was tempted to invite him to spend the night—something they hadn’t done yet—but she was sleeping on the couch, and it wasn’t big enough for the both of them. Soon, though.
“I was hoping you’d ask.” He took the keys from the ignition and got out of the car.
Relief washed through her.
Chapter Twenty-One
Today was the last day of classes before fall break, and Tanner was set to leave for Miami tomorrow morning.
