Page 68 of Trusting Tanner
“Can we slow down for a minute? Please.” She climbed off his lap.
Tanner’s head fell back against the couch, and he sighed with frustration. He rubbed his hands over his face and lifted his head. Juliana had moved out to the balcony and was holding the railing, head down. “Shit,” he muttered. This wasn’t exactly how he pictured things going. Standing, he adjusted himself and went out on the balcony.
He stood behind her, but he didn’t touch her, even though he wanted to. “What’s wrong?” He hesitantly put his hands on her hips, and when she didn’t flinch away, he turned her to face him. “Have you changed your mind about being with me, Jules?” He cupped her cheek. “It’s okay if you have, but I need to know.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Juliana drew a deep breath and mustered her courage. The sight of him stole her breath. He was like a real-life Greek god standing before her. Tall. Tanned. Sculpted. She put her hand on his chest and trailed her fingers down his torso, feeling and memorizing every hard plane of muscle, every hill and valley of his abs. She continued lower, her gaze following the path of her fingers to the trail of light-colored hair disappearing into his unbuttoned jeans.
What is wrong with me?She licked her lips. “No, I haven’t changed my mind.”
“Then why do you keep pulling away when I touch you?” He put his hands on the railing, trapping her between him and it.
“I’m scared.” She forced herself to meet his gaze.
“Of me?”
“No.” She shook her head. “What if I’m not good enough?” Her cheeks felt like they were on fire.I can’t believe I said that.
“That’s why you wanted to wait? Because you’re afraid you won’t be good enough?” His tone was soft and compassionate.
“I wasn’t good enough for Zach.” She lowered her head.I need to shut up right now.“And he wasn’t afraid to tell me that. Repeatedly. He said it was the reason he cheated, because I wasn’t giving him what he needed.”
“Zach’s a fucking moron who doesn’t deserve the dick he was born with.” He put his hand under her chin and lifted her face to his. “Let me tell you something. Everything you’ve given me has been enough. It’s been more than enough.Youare enough.”
His gaze was intense, truthful. He was right. He wasn’t Zach, and she needed to stop comparing them. She snaked her hands around to his back. God, even that was perfect.
“I’ll wait for you, Jules, for as long as it takes. I’ll wait.”
He searched her face seconds before capturing her lips with his. She closed her eyes and leaned in to him, not allowing herself to do anything but feel. When she started to think, she ruined things, and this wasn’t a moment she wanted to ruin. Tanner’s arms enveloped her, bringing her flush against his body, and she moaned into his mouth. His touch had always been incredible, but it was different tonight, more loving and intense.
He grabbed hold of her ass and lifted her off her feet. She gasped with surprise and hooked her legs around his back, her hands clutching his neck for added support. She waited for him to move, to sit on one of the lounge chairs, carry her inside, something, but he stood there, holding her, kissing her.
It was delicious torture, more than enough and not enough at the same time. She wanted to stay like this forever, held in his arms, suspended in a state of soft bliss. But when he still made no move to take things further, she groaned. “Tanner.”
“Tell me what you want, baby.”
“I want you.”
He tugged her bottom lip between his teeth. “God, I’ve been waiting so long to hear you say that.” He carried her inside and sat on the couch, keeping her on his lap. She took his face into her hands and kissed him as he slid his hands up the back of her shirt, and this time she didn’t pull away or make him stop.
She leaned forward and pressed her lips to his skin, her tongue tracing his nipple, which hardened from her touch. He sucked in a breath, and she smiled. When she nipped it with her teeth, he moaned.
“My turn.” Tanner had a wicked gleam in his eyes as he removed her shirt and brought his mouth to her breast. “Mmm.”
The air in the room was cool, and his mouth was oh-so-hot. She threaded her fingers through his hair, holding him to her. “God,” she moaned softly. Her entire body was on fire, and his tongue flicking over her nipple only made her burn hotter.
He slowly moved from her breasts to her neck, licking and kissing along the way. She closed her eyes and leaned back, giving him full access. Goose bumps spread over her skin, and she trembled in his arms. Even though they’d been seeing each other for almost two months now, it was still impossible for her to wrap her mind around the fact she was with someone as wonderful as Tanner Collins. Every caress, every stroke of his hands on her bare skin, every kiss, every hot puff of his breath dragged her deeper and deeper into the moment.
“God, Jules.” He groaned and lifted her off his lap, laying her on the couch and bringing his body over hers. Then he gave her a hard, desperate kiss that stole her breath the second their lips touched.
“Tanner.” She fought to draw a deep breath and placed her hands against his chest. A low groan rumbled from deep within her throat. Man, his chest. It was sinful.
“What?” he asked, his breath ragged, his voice deep and raspy.
“Take me to bed, please.” She didn’t care if she sounded like she was begging. She was.
“C’mon.” He held out his hand.
