hope that it was the night we’d finally talk is the same feeling I have now. Being with Tanner is exhilarating.
“You forgot the most important part of the story.”
“You looked hot,” I assure him.
“Of course I did, but the most important question was what were you wearing?”
“Oh, I didn’t forget. I wasn’t wearing any clothes, I was naked.”
His eyes darken and his jaw ticks before I start laughing.
“You’re so gullible.”
Big, warm hands find my waist under the covers and tickle my ribs and sides. I jump and squirm to get away, but he holds me tight and continues his onslaught. “Stop, oh man, stop. I’m so ticklish and I will so get you back for this.” I’m not sure how much of my words can be understood as I squeak and laugh. I manage to elbow him in the chest and he finally quits but doesn’t stop touching me.
“Turn around.”
“You think I’m going to turn my back to you? No way, I’m keeping my eyes where I can see your hands.”
“I won’t tickle you anymore. Come on, turn around, I want to cuddle.”
I comply, half-convinced he’s joking, but he pulls me tight against his chest and sighs.
“I didn’t picture you as a cuddler.”
“I am the best cuddler.”
“Says who?” My eyes flutter closed, and I revel in the feel of him wrapped around me. “You do this often?”
“Says me and no, now shh.”
“You’re very bossy.”
His grip squeezes around my middle. We breathe together and my body goes limp, happy and content and finally tired.
“’Night, Tanner.”
“’Night, babe.”
5
Tanner
“Sydney’s coming over again?” Datson has a smug smile on his face. “You two are like a thing now, huh?”
“Not exactly.”
“Why not? She’s pretty hot.”
“Pretty hot? You need your eyes checked.” I hit the bill of his hat as I hurry to answer the door.
I pull it wide and Sydney stands there, phone to her ear, in a bright blue dress, blonde hair pulled up in a ponytail. Jesus, every time I see this girl, she legit takes my breath away.
Her eyes meet mine and she mouths hello while walking inside.
“Okay, Mom, I’ve got to go now. I just walked into a friend’s house.” She tilts her head side to side impatiently while I imagine her mom keeps talking. She smiles at me, but I’m stuck on the word friend.
It’s been two weeks since she stayed over the first time and we’ve hung out or talked almost every day. Things are easy between us and fun. So much fun. She said she wanted to take things slow and I’m good with that, but how long do I wait to make a move?
I scold myself, not for the first time. I can be patient. Very, very patient. The bits of information I’ve pulled from her about her past relationships have made her untrusting. I want to restore that trust, not just because I want to sleep with her but because she deserves that.
“Sorry,” she says after ending the call. “My mom babbles on the phone. I can barely get a word in.”
“Like mother like daughter.”
“Punk.” She takes a seat in the living room. “What are we doing tonight?”
“Oh, uh.” I glance down at my shorts and bare feet. Sydney’s dressed to kill, per the usual. “Did you want to go out?”
“Well, we could stay in and I could kick your ass at Tecmo Bowl again, your choice.” She kicks off her sandals and pulls her feet under her.
Let’s see, keep her to myself and only a fifteen second jog to my bed in case tonight is the night or go out where I’ll have to share her with a bunch of other people? Easy call.
“Don’t get ahead of yourself, babe. I’ve been practicing.” I hand her a remote and settle back, ready to redeem myself.
As they always do, the hours go by too quickly. Nathan comes home, stopping in the living room. “Hey, what’s up?”
“Losing.” I groan as Sydney wins again. “How am I so bad at this game?”
Nathan chuckles. “You really are terrible.”
I really am. “What are you doing back so early?” I ask him.
“Early? It’s after midnight.”
Sydney and I share a shocked look and then both laugh. I sit up and my body protests. “Shit, I guess we haven’t moved in a while.”
“I should get home.” She stands and slips on her shoes. “I have to give a speech tomorrow morning.”
Nathan heads off. “’Night, guys.”
“Let me grab a shirt and shoes and I’ll walk you.”
Sydney and I make our way to campus slowly. It isn’t