Page 66 of Trusting Tanner
It became a running joke between Tanner and his brothers. Anytime one of them brought home a girl the first question they’d ask: does she give a shit? So far, the answer had always been yes. Until now.
Jules didn’t give a shit.
And that made him want her even more. As if that were possible. “Seven point six million. I got three point six when I turned nineteen. The other four will be divided and become mine on my twenty-fifth and thirtieth birthdays.”
She snorted and then flipped down the sun visor to study her face in the small mirror. The lights on either side lit up her face enough for him to see the mischievous glint in her eyes.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
“I’m checking to see if I have ‘gullible’ written across my forehead.” She turned and stuck out her tongue.
He laughed. “Of course you don’t believe me. I should’ve known.”
“Oh c’mon. Not once have you given any indication you’re rich. Who does that?”
“I have my reasons.”
“I’m sure you do.” She closed the visor and leaned back in her seat, resting her head on the headrest. “Rebecca obviously knows you have money. What does she think you’re worth?”
“I have no idea, and I don’t care. The only people on campus who know are you and Jason. And I’d like to keep it that way.”
“Considering how tight I am with her lately, are you sure you can trust me to keep my mouth shut?”
“I’ll take my chances.” He reached over, lacing his fingers with hers, and kissed the back of her hand.
“Are you going to let me drive?”
“You know, you’re the only woman I’ve ever letridein this car. Not many people know I own it. And now you think I’m going to hand over the keys? Do you even know how to drive a stick shift?”
“Oh, I’m very good with a stick.” She squeezed his hand and grinned.
His body ignited with need, and he contemplated finding a dark, secluded spot to pull over. “Well, I hope I get the chance to find out.” God, how he wanted to find out. He wanted to know how her body felt, how she tasted, how she’d sound when he made love to her. He inhaled deeply and forced himself to calm down. Then he pushed harder on the accelerator.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Tanner slipped the key card into the hotel room door and opened it. He’d stayed in this suite many times before when he visited his brother. It was like a second home to him. And Jules was the first girl he’d ever brought here. He dropped their bags on the floor near the couch and watched as Juliana pushed through the double doors into the bedroom. He toed off his shoes and followed her. She was on the bed, legs dangling over the side, arms above her head, lying there as if waiting for him. His heart raced. This was it.
She propped herself up on her elbows. “Satin sheets.”
He raised a brow and grinned. “Oh yeah?” He stalked toward her, predatory, hungry. Should he tell her he specifically requested those sheets? He kneeled on the bed, his weight on his arms on either side of her so his body was suspended over hers. He found her lips, the force of his kiss pushing her flat on her back. Then he lowered his body down onto her.
This is really happening.He nipped at her bottom lip, and she arched into him. Shit, her body felt damn good. Lithe. Pliant. Hot. Tanner slid his hand up the hem of her shirt, his fingers scraping along her stomach, and she sucked in a sharp breath.
“So soft.” He needed to feel more of her, all of her. He slowly moved his hand up until his palm rested on her ribs, just below her breast.
“Tanner.” She pushed against his chest. “Stop.”
He pulled back. “Stop?”
“Yeah. I…it’s…after being in the car for hours, I feel…I want to shower.”
He grinned. “Together?”
She pushed him playfully. “No, not this time.”
Tanner climbed off, taking her hands and helping her up from the bed. “Okay. You shower.”
She put her arms around his neck. “Thank you for understanding.” Then she turned and headed into the adjoining bathroom.
