Tanner

We're both panting, hearts racing as we lay skin to skin. I open my eyes and smile at the goddess lying beneath me. "That was mind-blowing."

She smiles back. "I don't think I've ever orgasmed so hard in my life."

I know I haven't. And I've never been so happy, so satisfied- not with anyone. I've always imagined what sex with Jenna would be like, but I never imagined what I just went through in my wildest dreams. And that's saying something- I've had some crazy dreams featuring her.

She blew all of my past experiences out of the water. Sex with Jenna is life-changing. I don't know how I ever thought I could just fuck her and walk away. That's impossible. Now, I don't want anyone else ever to touch her again. Now, I don't want to touch anyone else ever again.

No, from now on, it would only be Jenna and me. "I know I've never experienced anything close to that before. You blew me away, Jenna."

I gently touch her face and brush my thumb across her lower lip. "You fit me so well. Perfectly. It's almost like we were made for each other."

The words taste like honey on my lips. They're sweet and pure, but they're also terrifying. Her breath hitches, and she kisses me softly at first, then more greedily. Our lips part, and we deepen the kiss. Two mouths become one as we pour all of our emotions into one another.

When we finally break for air, she gasps as I pull myself out of her and remove the condom. She points me in the direction of the trash can. I rid myself of the condom and feel a pair of soft hands curl around my middle, pulling me against a warm body, my back against her chest.

She kisses my back sweetly. "I like your tattoos."

I turn in her arms and pull her closer. "I like yours too."

I stroke the tattoo on her ribcage, making goosebumps appear over her skin. "What's the story behind them?"

Jenna cuddles against my chest as I continue brushing her tattoo with my fingertips. "The wolf paw on my shoulder is for my brother. His college mascot was the wolf, and he was always the leader of the pack. Inside are his initials, jersey number, and birth and death dates. The dog tags on my ribs are for my dad. It has his initials and birth and death dates like my brother's. I just wanted something to remember them by."

I feel a twinge of sadness as I remember the stories she told me at dinner about them. Suddenly, I feel an overwhelming need to protect her, show her happiness, and make sure she never feels that kind of heartbreak again.

These new emotions aren't unwelcome, but they are scary. I've never felt like this with anyone. I never thought I wanted to. That's why I always kept everyone at arm's length. But with Jenna, I want her as close as possible. I want her to see every part of me. I want her to have it all. If I'm being honest, I've wanted that for a while now, long before tonight.

She looks up at me and smiles softly. It makes me feel like nothing in the world can ever steal my happiness. When she looks at me like that, I have the whole world right in front of me. I lean down and kiss her slowly, pouring all I have into that one kiss, needing her to know this means more to me than anything ever has.

The truth is, I'm falling for her, fast and hard. Whether I knew it or not, I think I started falling the day I met her.

Jenna presses her lips against my chest. I don't know if she meant to, but that kiss lands right over my heart. "Want to join me for a shower?"

I kiss the top of her head. "I'd love to."

As we head for the bathroom that joins her room to Liam's, I try to push away the envy I feel. The thought of him sharing this space with her makes my green demon of envy come crawling to the surface.

They're just friends. That's all.

I must have been staring at the door leading to his room a little too long. Jenna's hand on my bicep brings my attention back to her, where it should have been this whole time.

As if she can read my mind, she tries to soothe me. "Hey, Liam is just a friend. We're roommates and friends who happen to share this bathroom. Don't let that get to you, please."

How is it that she can read me so easily? Is she as in tuned to me as I am to her?

I feel bad for being a jealous asshole. I put on a smile and try to mask it. "Can you blame me? I don't like the thought of any other man being with you, now that you've finally given me a chance."

She shakes her head with a light chuckle. "Are you saying you plan to keep me after tonight?"

Abso-fucking-lutely. "Oh Jenna, I fully intend to keep you for as long as I possibly can."

My mouth doesn't stop. The following words come spilling out before I realize it. "I'll keep you forever if you'll let me."

Her eyes widen at my confession. "One step at a time, Tanner."

She kisses me again as my smile stretches wide. "Mmmm, I love when you say my name."

"I know. That's why I keep saying it. Tanner."

My name on her lips is one of my new favorite sounds. She repeats my name, lower and more seductively, curling her finger, beckoning me toward her. It's like she's cast a spell over me. Her words and actions go straight to my dick. And he's ready for round two as Jenna's eyes hood over, and she licks her tender lips. She steps into the shower, pulling me in behind her.

If this is all just a dream, I never want to wake up.

A/N:

Sorry for the shorter chapter today. After the mammoth yesterday, it's only natural that this one would be shorter. Another chapter coming tomorrow. Sit tight. 

I hope you're enjoying the book so far! Thank you for reading this far and a special thanks to all who have voted, commented, and followed. You all rock!! ❤️❤️❤️