Page 16 of Snowed In with Four Firemen
Tanner chuckles softly, the sound low and rumbling in the quiet kitchen. “Cookies and milk, huh? Classic. You know, I could help you with that. Might even have something better in mind.” He steps closer, and I can feel the heat radiating off his body, his presence filling up the small space between us.
I look up at him, my heart racing.
“What did you have in mind?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.
Tanner’s smile softens a little, his gaze meeting mine. “How about we raid the fridge and see what we can whip up together? I’ve been told I make a mean grilled cheese. Could be fun.”
I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding in. What did I even expect him to tell me?
My imagination drifts…
His lips crash against mine in a rough, passionate kiss. His hands are firm on my hips, pulling me closer as he presses his body against mine. I can feel the heat of him, the hard lines of his chest against me, the way he growls low in his throat as he deepens the kiss. He doesn’t ask for permission—he just takes. One hand slides up my back, tangling in my hair, tilting my head back to expose my neck.
His other hand moves lower, gripping my thigh and hitching my leg around his waist, as he pulls me to him and walks over to the counter. He sits me down there, kissing me while his hands slowly travel up to…
“Earth to Emily?” he says. “You with me?”
“Grilled cheese sounds…great.”
He gives me a strange look. “Actually,” he says. “I was wondering if we could have dinner tomorrow night.”
“Dinner?” I repeat, almost as if I’m not sure I heard him right. My heart flutters unexpectedly in my chest.
“Yeah, dinner,” Tanner says. “I figured it would be a better way of impressing you than a cheese sandwich when we’re almost out of cheese.” He holds up the cheese which would barely be enough for one person.
“You don’t have to impress me,” I say, laughing.
“I want to.”
My heart leaps.
“Okay. Yes,” I say, almost bashful. “Let’s have dinner tomorrow.
CHAPTER 6
TANNER
I wakeup with the biggest grin on my face, feeling like I’m on top of the world. I can’t remember the last time I slept this well. Maybe it’s the mountain air, or maybe it’s because of that dinner with Emily. Yeah, it’s definitely because of Emily. I’m excited—like a kid waiting for Christmas morning.
Axel’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts. “Tanner, what’s got you grinning like an idiot this morning?”
I glance over at him. He’s already dressed, looking like he’s been up for a while. Jace and Ben are still asleep, sprawled out on their beds. Since the hotel was totally booked out for the wedding, and we weren’t initially supposed to stay the night, we just decided to crash with Jace. “Just excited about today, that’s all,” I say, trying to play it cool, but I can’t hide the smile creeping back onto my face.
“What’s all of this loud noise so early in the morning?” Jace says as he yawns and starts to sit up.
“Tanner over here is hiding something,” Axel says, folding his arms over his chest.
“Come on man,” I groan, pressing a pillow to my chest. “It’s not that deep.”
Axel raises an eyebrow. “Yeah? I’ve known you long enough to know there’s more to it than that. Spill it, man.”
By this time, Ben has also started to wake up. He groans. “I don’t miss rooming with you guys during training anymore.”
“Don’t you looove us anymore, Benniehaha,” I say, stretching out the syllable.
Ben scowls at me. I know he hates that nickname.
“You know what, even I see it now,” Jace says. “You’re definitely stalling.”
