Jenna

I was shocked to see Tanner still at the apartment this morning. I figured he would be gone when I got up, just like every other morning since the incident. He's been avoiding me; I know it. He insinuated that I was sleeping with Liam, which is so off base, but that's not the part of our exchange that stuck with me most.

When I turned to face him that day, the look in his eyes was intense. He looked like a man possessed. It was like someone just stole something precious from him, and he'd do anything to get it back.

I probably should have been angrier at him about his assumption, but I wasn't. For some reason, the fact that he seemed jealous of Liam had me feeling weak in the knees.

He wanted me, and he didn't want anyone else to have me. The thought alone made me hot and bothered. He finally apologized to me today and reminded me of the upcoming free weekend. The weekend where he didn't have practice or games tying him up. The weekend where we would be the only ones in the apartment.

Three whole days, just the two of us. I wonder what will happen.

~

The team played great and wiped out their competition 4-2. Tanner especially did well. Not that he doesn't every other game, but this one, he scored three out of the team's four goals. He was on fire! And man, did he look good doing it.

After the game, I met up with everyone and said bye to Lins, Chase, and Liam, who were heading upstate now to see the fam. Chase leaned in when I told him goodbye told me to play nice with Tanner while they're gone. And Liam said something along the lines of 'try not to kill each other while we're gone.' I laughed them off and told them I could make no promises. They still have no idea that Tanner and I are on better terms after he apologized to me this morning.

After they took off, some of the guys said they were heading to the bar to celebrate and told Tanner that he had to partake since he was the night's MVP. He looked at me before he answered and said he was only coming if I was too.

Rob then took matters into his own hands. "If that's what it takes to get you to come out..."

He stalked toward me, picked me up like a caveman, and threw me over his shoulder. He then proceeded to ignore my protests as he and the rest of the gang headed for the exit.

~

Tanner followed close behind, wearing a strange expression. It was a mixture of amusement and something else. Irritation, maybe.

Rob carried me all the way to the bar, positioned like a sack of potatoes over his shoulder. The boys thought it was hilarious. We got so many awed and appalled looks as we made our way down the sidewalk.

After the second or third block, I started waving at the people who stared. I gave up trying to wriggle free early on. There was no point. Rob had an iron grip on me, and without his cooperation, it would have been a dangerous feat trying to escape from my position on his 6'5" frame.

We finally reach the bar and find it packed with fans. The second we go inside, girls start swarming the team and asking for pictures and autographs. One girl nearly toppled Tanner when she jumped on him to hug him. Then, she proceeded to try and kiss him. He looked mortified, and it took Damien a solid thirty seconds to free him from her grasp.

Luckily the owners of the bar have a security detail. They finally calmed the crowd down, and things settled after that initial rush. Val and Jenna D. walked in after a bit and made a beeline to the table we were at.

Val strutted up to Rob and started talking him up. Guess she's moved on from Chase after her run-in with Lindsey 'the badass' Barnett. I laugh to myself, remembering the night Lindsey finally put Val in her place for good.

Jenna D. starts heading toward Tanner. When he notices her coming, he quickly pulls me over to a chair next to him and places me right in her path. I laugh at his antics and send him a knowing look. He doesn't look the least bit ashamed. Jenna D., on the other hand, seems miffed.

She tries to make her way around the table to Tanner's other side but Drew blocks it. Tanner and Drew exchange a look and a nod. Looks like I'm not the only one who's not a fan of Jenna Davis.

She doesn't take the hint and starts talking over the top of Drew. "T.J., you played great today. And you looked sooo hot out there in the rink." She flutters her eyes at him, trying to look sexy. It only makes her look desperate.

Tanner tips his head back and mumbles, "Thanks."

Jenna D. then starts glaring at me. "Taylor, don't you think you should let the rest of us congratulate the MVP?"

Before I can answer, Tanner steps in. "She's staying right where she is." His voice is stern as he moves my chair closer to his and drapes his arm across the back of it.

Finally taking the hint, Jenna D. huffs and walks away. Once she's gone, I turn to Tanner. "So, I'm your human shield, now?"

He smirks at me. "You're half of my human shield. Drew is the other half."

Hearing this, Drew turns around in his seat and bows dramatically. Everyone around us starts laughing, and I begin to relax and enjoy the night.

After the first round of drinks, I do my usual and switch to water. Tanner tries to change to water after round three, but the guys keep bringing him shots and insisting he take them, stating that he's the MVP and he can't wimp out on celebrating the team's big W.

After a few hours, the guys were all pretty lit. Jenna D. has made her way back to our table and tries to sidle back up to Tanner. Luckily, Drew was still aware enough to fulfill his duty as half of Tanner's human shield and kept the bimbo away from our man.

Hmmm, our man. I kind of like the sound of that.

Tanner is starting to look glassy-eyed, so I suggest we head out. He nods in agreement, and we slowly make our way to the door.

We stumble our way to a cab with me under Tanner's arm, supporting half of his body weight. He's mumbling incoherently. How much did he drink? I make a mental note to order delivery once I get him situated in the car, so he isn't miserable tomorrow.

~

I manage to get him inside the cab and quickly place an order for delivery. It should arrive shortly after we do, and I can get some substance in his body. After I place the order, I look over at Tanner and see that he's moved to the middle seat.

He smiles at me, then leans over, resting his head against my neck. The action surprises me, but the thing he does next sends a jolt of electricity through my body. He starts nuzzling against me; his hot breath is breezing across my skin as his stubble scratches my neck. "Mmmm, this is nice."

His hand slides over my stomach and lands on my waist; his thumb slowly starts stroking me over my shirt. I'm jumping for joy internally. How many times have I fantasied about this?

It feels incredible, but the moment is tainted by the realization that he's drunk. If only he were sober.

~

The cab stops in front of our building, and I help him inside. Jerome, our security guard, offers to help get him to the apartment, but I tell him I can handle Tanner. I manage to get us both up to the apartment without issue. Thank God I work out. He's a solid mass of hard muscle.

Once inside, I try to place him on the couch gently. It doesn't work- he doesn't go gently. He loses his footing and falls back toward the sofa. As he's falling, his hands snap out and grab for something to hold on to. The only thing there is me.

We both go crashing to the couch. He lands with a grunt, and I land on top of him, straddling him. I swore I felt a bulge starting to grow. I try to pull myself together as arms wrap around me tightly and his head lands on my shoulder.

I look up from our tangled bodies to see Tanner smiling at me. "Jenna," he coos.

I swallow, hoping my voice doesn't crack when I go to speak. "Tanner."

His arms start tracing up and down my spine. "Mmmm, you're so warm."

He cuddles closer to me, and my heart starts going crazy. I begin to lose myself in the haze of whatever is happening when a knock sounds at the door. The food is here.

I have to pry myself out of Tanner's arms. He tries to argue with me, but he acquiesces when I tell him food will be his reward for setting me free. I hop up and collect our food as he flops back against the couch. I make sure he eats and gets some water in his system. I'd hate for him to have an excruciating hangover in the morning.

After eating, he seems a little more sober. He looks at me, eyes looking less glassy than they did at the bar. "You know what else helps when I'm drunk?"

Oh boy.

I brace myself for whatever is about to come out of his mouth. "What's that?"

Tanner grins mischievously. "A shower. You gonna help me with that now, Jenna?"

I blush bright red. The devil on my shoulder is screaming at me to say yes. I ignore her. "I think maybe you should just shower in the morning. I don't think I trust you to shower alone, and I am not going to help you bathe."

He bites his lip. "Mmm, maybe another time then."

I chuckle and look down at the floor. When I look back at him, he has a soft look in his eyes. He looks from my eyes to my lips, then back to my eyes. He licks his lips and leans forward.

Oh fuck, is he about to kiss me!? I've imagined this for a while now, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't thrilled at the thought. Kissing him would be incredible, but I don't want our first kiss to be like this. I'd wonder if it was all just a drunken mistake later.

No, I can't let it happen this way.

Just as our lips are about to connect, I turn my head. He kisses my cheek and pulls back. He looks hurt. "Why?" He whispers.

I grab his hand, trying to soothe him. "Not like this, okay?" I smile at him, hoping he understands the message I'm trying to convey.

The corner of his lip turns upward. "Okay."

I get off the couch and get him situated on his side, setting a trash can next to him in case he gets sick in the middle of the night. As I'm walking away, I hear him sit up. "Jenna?"

I turn around, and he continues, "Next time, I won't be drunk."

My breathing hitches. Next time?