Tanner

I walk out of the bathroom and head for the kitchen to make coffee. There's a slight throbbing in my head- my reward for last night, but it could be worse. I think Jenna is to thank for that. She got me home, fed me, and made sure I drank water before I passed out.

She's the real MVP of last night. I'll have to thank her when I see her and apologize for making an ass out of myself. Did I seriously invite her to shower with me and then try to kiss her?

Great job, Tanner! She probably thinks you're a colossal perve after all that.

At that very moment, she walks out of her room and makes her way toward me. She's in another pair of short shorts and a sexy cami again. Fuck, she looks good.

She smiles as she takes in my state. "How are you feeling this morning?"

I answer honestly. "Good, thanks to you!"

Jenna nods as she starts warming up water for her tea. "I'm happy to hear it."

I gently rub the back of my neck as I try to find the right words to say next. "Hey, sorry if I was an ass last night or if anything I said made you uncomfortable."

Jenna looks up from her task; her eyes look soft as she traces them over my face. "Don't worry about it. We're good, Tanner."

I let out the breath I was holding and shoot her a shy smile. "That's a relief."

She bites her lip as her brows furrow. She looks like she has something on her mind. "Hey, do you feel drunk at all now?"

My expression mirrors her own as I try to figure out what she's thinking. "No, why?"

Jenna shrugs and moves closer to me. "Just curious."

Her proximity is making me weak. I watch closely as she erases the space between us, tilting her head up to look into my eyes. She leans forward and slides one arm around my neck and the other up my chest. I'm frozen in place, unable to tell if this is real or my evil imagination. She stands on her tiptoes and presses her lips to mine.

Holy shit, is this really happening!?

I pull her closer, wrapping my arm around her waist, tangling her hair with my other hand, deepening the kiss. She tastes so good, sweeter than any dessert I've ever had. I feel my shorts grow tighter as she lets out a sexy moan. I grab her ass and lift her onto the counter, pressing myself between her legs. I'm in heaven as I start kissing down her neck slowly. I've waited so long for this.

She moans again, digging her nails into my bare back. I kiss lower, down her chest to the top of her breasts. Fuck, this is incredible!

I go to move my hand. That's when a sharp pain shoots through my fingertips. I open my eyes and see the stark white ceiling. What the-

I look around; I'm still on the couch, and there is no one in the kitchen. It was just a dream! Dammit!

My hand must have hit the coffee table when I rolled over in my sleep. Fuck, that felt so real. My dick is rock hard right now. I guess it's a good thing I need to shower; I'll take care of that while I'm in there.

I force myself off the couch so I can go shower and brush my teeth. When I'm done, I decide to look for Jenna. The apartment is dead quiet, and she doesn't answer her door when I knock.

I wonder if she left for the day. Damn, I was really hoping to talk to her about last night. I guess I'll catch her later. In the meantime, I'll have to find something to occupy my time. I don't have anything planned for today except a doctor's appointment a little later.

Chase gave me the access code to the apartment gym, so I don't have to trek to the hockey complex to work out. After a short debate, I grab some water and my running shoes and head down to the gym.

~

It's a pretty nice setup- all newer equipment, one area set up for cardio, one for weight training, and another for circuit training. There aren't a ton of people in here either. There are a couple of guys over by the deadlift rack, a couple of women doing circuit training, and another woman doing squats.

I do a double-take. Is that Jenna?

I move closer to the woman doing squats. Holy fuck, that is her! She looks incredible- hair pulled back into a ponytail, marble print leggings paired with a matching sports bra.

Fuck, she looks good.

As I watch her, I notice she has a tattoo of dog tags on her ribs with something inside I can't quite make out. I see another tattoo on her shoulder- a wolf paw with 'J.L.T. #54' and a couple of dates inside the pad.

I wonder who that's for. Is 'J.L.T.' an ex? And '#54'? Was he an athlete? Is that why she doesn't date the hockey players?

A sweet voice breaks me out of my musing. "I see you're up and at 'em. How are you feeling this morning?"

I glance up to see Jenna looking at me. "I'm feeling alright. I think that's in large part to you, though." I'm having a strong sense of déjà vu thanks to that dream this morning.

She chuckles lightly. "Well, I couldn't just let you suffer, could I?"

"You could have, but I'm grateful you didn't. Thank you!" I smile back at her, happy that we can have a normal conversation after last night. Clearly, she doesn't hold my actions against me. I'm lucky she's so generous. I probably don't deserve it.

Jenna replies, "It's no big deal, really."

She has no idea. "It is to me. I'll have to make it up to you somehow."

Just then, an idea hits me. "You free for lunch?"

She thinks for a moment before answering. "I have a client meeting at eleven, but that shouldn't take more than an hour. I'm free after that."

This is perfect! I try not to sound too excited. "Great! I know a fantastic burger place we can go to."

"Sounds good! Text me the address, and I'll let you know when I'm out of my meeting."

My smile is wide at this point. "I will!"

I'm still smiling like a kid on Christmas when I finish my warm-up. I can't wait for lunch.

~

Jenna texted me when she was done with her meeting, and we met up at the restaurant. After placing our order, I ask how her meeting went. She tells me it went well- she just had to go over some last-minute stuff for a client's photoshoot next week.

She then asks me about my doctor's appointment. I hear a hint of concern in her voice. Is she worried about me? I want to put her mind at ease. It was just a routine visit. "It's all good. It was just my monthly check-up with the doc. Ya know, the one Rusty makes us do since he thinks we are all man whores."

Her eyes grow wide as saucers. "Ohhh, thaaat monthly check-up."

I chuckle at her reaction. "Yep, but I have nothing to worry about."

Jenna looks unconvinced. "No?"

Her reaction stings a little- not gonna lie. She probably thinks I still sleep around all the time. I want to set her straight. "Nope, I haven't had sex since my last check-up."

I observe her as my reply sinks in. Her eyes narrow. "Really? One whole month with no sex? I find that hard to believe."

I chuckle. I guess I deserve that, with my history and all. "It's been a bit longer than that, but yeah. Why? Is that so hard to believe?"

She's studying me across the table as I wait for her response. "Well, I mean, you're kind of known as this big playboy. What did they call you? The stud of Chicago?"

I grimace. I never thought I'd live to regret that nickname. "They did call me that. I used to be that guy, but even back then, the media exaggerated things."

She's still watching me, pensively. I want her to know the truth- that I'm changing. "I'm not like that anymore. Not since I moved here."

She smirks. "Really? New York girls not your style or something?"

I laugh. "I just find myself wanting something... different these days. It's not that I don't like New York girls. I just want something pretty specific these days."

I bite my lip and chance looking into Jenna's eyes. I find her staring back at me with a guarded expression. "Like what?"

You.

I shake the word from my head and very quietly answer her question. "Like what Chase and Lindsey have- something more serious. Something special."

Our eyes connect again, and Jenna tilts her head to the side, her lips curling slightly. "That's actually very sweet, Tanner."

"Well, I'm a sweet guy Jenna." I smile at her.

Something flashes in her eyes, and just like that, I feel our connection growing stronger.   

A/N:

So sorry for the psych out at the beginning, you guys. I promise, last time... probably. LOL. 

Your patience will be rewarded. Good things coming soon ;)