Page 19

Veronica

Dessert

“H ey guys, does anyone want ice cream? I’ve been craving it,” Lizzy asks from the kitchen after inspecting the status of the freezer and lack of sweets. I swear that girl has a bottomless stomach, always room for dessert.

“You read my mind, girl.” Collin chimes in from the dining table, sitting across from me. “We could walk to the bodega in the village and grab a couple pints. You game?”

“You didn’t have to ask! Let’s skedaddle. Anyone else want to join?” Lizzy replies.

Finally, here’s my chance. I lie as best as I can.

“I’m stuffed and can barely get off this chair. I think I’m going to hang back and work on cleaning up here. Grab a flavor with peanut butter though, if they have it!”

“Sure thing, V. How ‘bout you Chap?” Lizzy asks as she looks over at him. He’s been comfortably lounging on the oversized brown leather couch opposite the fireplace since dinner, still sipping on a beer. He looks so natural, so relaxed like that. Why can’t I ever be like him? Can he really be this calm after today, the gondola and lunch?

“I’m good, Lizzy. I’m gonna stay back and help Ronni clean,” he says.

Is he thinking the same thing as me? He can’t be.

“Alright, losers,” Collin teases. “We’ll see you guys in a bit.” He and Lizzy make their way up the few steps to the mudroom and toss on their jackets.

Just like that, they’re gone.

Ok. No time to waste. Not everyone has the confidence of Tanner Chapman.

I set my wine glass down on the dining room table. I think I have the upper hand this time. I’ve wanted to touch him, to feel him ever since the gondola, before lunch. The thought of his strong hands and the way his mouth brought so much unexpected pleasure to me has been running through my mind all day. Tanner is still nursing a beer on the couch, watching the fire roar. I head towards him, standing right in front of him, practically straddling him.

Is this a power pose? I hope so.

He looks up, a smirk on his face, beer in hand.

“Well you look like you’re in a better mood, Ronni. What’s new?”

Are you fucking kidding me? He knows the answer. That fucking tongue of yours working magic on me is what’s new. There’s that grin. That confidence. But now it’s combined with those lustful green eyes from the gondola just hours ago. Has he been waiting for this moment too?

“I never got the chance to thank you for that treat on the gondola, Tanner .” I’m trying to match his confidence, but can anyone really do that? He squirms and shifts a bit in his seat. Can I really catch him off guard? I lean forward, putting my knee on the couch between his legs and a hand on either side of his shoulders on the back of the couch.

I’m shocked at just how much I want him. The tension in the room is only faintly cut by the crackling of the fire behind me.

I kiss him. A quick gentle touch of the lips, biting his lower lip before slowly pulling away. Staring into his eyes, I get the same electric feeling as this morning.

“What are you thinking?” he asks, mouth wide open in anticipation.

I lower myself down to my knees on the carpet between the couch and coffee table, with the fireplace behind me. He can’t be expecting this, can he? I mean I’m barely expecting this myself. He shifts restlessly again, just the slightest bit of stiffness appearing in his body. Question answered, I think.

I slide my hands over his jeans slowly up to his hips. You cannot be serious. His thighs are so damn muscular. There isn’t a spot on this man’s body that isn’t chiseled and rock hard. I stop my hands just at his belt line, leaving my fingertips just inside of his jeans. Maybe he remembers that feeling from our kiss in the mudroom.

My fingers linger there for what feels like an eternity before my right hand is on the move again, inching closer and closer to the fly of his jeans, dangling a finger just inside the buttons, excited at the prospect of what is waiting for me beneath.

“Is this ok ?” I look up at him, my eyes begging for a yes.

His eyes look at me longingly, with the slightest hint of desperation as he nods in approval. Oh the feeling of being desired, something I haven’t felt in ages. I cup him over his jeans for a tease, for both of us. Even through his jeans, he’s so fucking hard, pressing against the fly. Well I guess I might have caught his mind off guard, but definitely not his body.

“Are you sure it’s ok?” I ask again, smiling and raising my eyebrows as I lock eyes with him, taunting him. Maybe I can match some of his confidence after all.

He nods yes again in earnest, more desperation in those beautiful green eyes, biting his lip. I start unbuttoning his jeans, eager to get to him. A spark of excitement coursing through me, the fireplace behind me, thinking about the gift I’m about to open for myself.

Before I can even get to the last button, I press one hand against his lower abs. I feel my body shudder when I touch those muscles. I slide it further down under his boxer briefs and grab his dick. Jesus, it’s throbbing. Its girth fills my hand. I can practically feel his heartbeat through it.

I realize I’m wet, craving to have what’s in my hand buried inside me. God, where have I been hiding this part of me? His fingers this morning were such a satisfying tease, but now I’m this close to the real thing and it’s all I want.

My mind starts doing the mental math of how long we have alone. It’s only a 15 minute walk each way to the bodega and back.

Fuck me. No time for that.

“Come closer.” I curl my finger at him, wrapping my arms around his waist, bringing him to the edge of the couch. It feels so good to hold him. I slide my hands up his back under his shirt, finally getting to touch all of the muscles I saw last night.

I slide his jeans and boxer briefs down to his ankles, getting a full look at what’s in store for me. His thick, lengthy cock is so hard, standing ready for me. It’s practically twitching with each of his heartbeats as the blood pulses through his veins, a single eager drip already running down the tip of it.

The Tanner I’ve known for years is certainly all man .

I look back at him after admiring his cock.

With him on the edge of the couch, my wanting mouth is now only inches from his dick. God, his fucking big cock would feel so good inside of me and all I want to do is climb in his lap and ride him. But having him in my mouth will have to do for now.

“Have you been this hard since our little ride earlier?” I ask, raising my eyebrows again in my best attempt at a sultry taunt. I mean it’s been awhile, my game is off.

The thought of him being on edge all day because of me makes me so horny, if it’s even possible to get hornier at this point.

Still holding on to his waist I lean forward and give the head a little kiss. I slowly lick the tip with a flick of my tongue all while keeping my eyes locked onto his. I can feel his body shudder, only heightening my own excitement.

“I’ve been this hard since I kissed you last night and you were grinding up on me,” he stammers with that deep raspy voice, barely able to get the words out.

Fuck. That’s even hotter. He’s been trying to hide this all day today?

My heart is pounding. Tanner’s dick is in my face and my arms are still wrapped around him. It’s a race against time, again.

I can hear the crackle of the fire behind me. It’s getting steamy in here with the fireplace to my back, but it’s not just that. The fire there is overshadowed by something new, the flames of desire for him roaring inside of me. As I lock eyes with him again, his cock inches from my face, I can see the flicker of the fireplace reflecting in his eyes.

I move my hands and take off my tank top, revealing the sports bra from skiing earlier. My nipples are peaked and showing through, my braided ski pigtails hanging in front of them. Clearly it’s enough for him though as I watch him practically salivate looking at my chest.

I lean forward again, this time putting one hand around the base of him tightly, a thumb rubbing his balls. He’s nicely manicured down there, which is a pleasant surprise given his otherwise scruffy and tousled look. He moans as I squeeze him, feeling even more blood rush to his cock.

“Fuck, Ronni. I-” He cuts himself off and hisses sharply as I put the tip of his cock in my mouth, gently holding it there and teasing him with the tip of my tongue.

God, I’m starting to drool again. It seems like every time I look at him I can’t help myself. I let some of my spit run down his shaft. With the tip of him in my mouth, I start stroking his length in my hand. The sound of my spit working his dick in my hand is making me so fucking wet.

If only we had more time.

I start working my mouth up and down him slowly, my tongue feeling every inch of the veins of his cock.

I can feel him flexing his ass, pushing his hips and his dick in and out of my mouth in rhythm with the motion of me sucking him. His right hand rests on his knee, squeezing tightly, flinching, as I move my mouth further and further down his cock with each motion. When I finally reach the base, my tongue reaches further giving his tight balls a quick tease. I think I surprised both of us by taking all of his length in my spit filled throat and mouth. Tanner writhes and lets out a raspy moan of approval.

He lets out a low groan. “Ronni. Don’t stop.” He grins as he puts his other hand on my shoulder, grabbing one of my pigtails and gently, but firmly, cupping the back of my head just above my nape.

Hearing him like this, so raw, his guard completely down, only hastens my resolve to make this man let go. I keep taking his length in my mouth, but at a faster pace, my tongue still teasing his shaft with each stroke. I cup his balls in one hand, my thumb massaging the base of his throbbing cock. My other hand grabs his hand on his thigh and he squeezes mine tighter and tighter. His grip is so strong that the jagged lines tattooed on his wrist are distorted by the pulsing veins in his forearm.

“Please. I want to come in your mouth so fucking bad. Ple-” I keep my pace but now focus solely on the tip of his cock, swirling my tongue over it, and the upper part of his shaft.

“Fuck. I’m gonna come.” He grunts and moans completely untethered, gripping my braided hair even tighter.

He convulses, his whole body flexing and shaking. I take in the view of his lower abs and quads harder and sexier than ever as he lets go in my mouth. I realize sucking him off has turned me on almost as much as the release he gave me earlier. With him still in my mouth, I swallow and slowly, tauntingly work my mouth off of him. I give his throbbing tip another quick kiss as I sit up facing him now. Looking back up at him grinning, I admire the stunning, now spent, man on the couch in front of me with a sense of accomplishment coming over me.

After quickly regaining his composure, he looks down at his watch.

“At least fifteen minutes before they’re back. Shit you’re good.” He lets out an amused sigh. “That was… that was amazing.” He leans forward, his hand cupping the side of my face and kisses me on my lips. His tongue, oh that fucking tongue, sneaking just inside my open mouth.

“Damn. Here I was hoping to beat your time.” I smirk, reveling in my work at making this man lose himself completely.

Really, who am I right now? As I stand up to put my tank top back on, it dawns on me that he’s right. We have a decent bit of time before the others are back.

Are we going to talk about this? Whatever this is?

“So… Tanner.” I nervously stand beside the couch. My finger tips are digging into my lower lip.

“Are we uhh… we going to talk about whatever it is that we’re doing?” I gesture with my hand back and forth between us.

He slides his pants up, buttoning them, not moving from the couch. A quiet look of concern on his face, as if he was anticipating this question.

“Sure,” he starts, his voice low and cautious, “but I’m going to tell you something. The only thing I care about right now is seeing you happy. I’m glad we’re having fun together. But me getting to enjoy what’s happening is just an added bonus.” He smirks, before continuing. “I know you’re anxious, a lot. I know you get stressed. I know you worry. This is your vacation though. A time to unwind, and that’s all I want to help you do. I want you to be happy. To feel good. To let go.”

His words catch me by surprise, a quiet stunned look on my face. That’s certainly not what I expected. Tanner has always been about as straightforward as they come. He’s never one to beat around the bush.

Is this really all about me? No, not about me.

For me ?

“So what? No feelings, no emotions? We’re just having fun? Where is this all coming from?” I ask, trying to wrap my head around what he just said.

The look of concern is back on his face and he clearly takes his time to consider his next words carefully.

“Come here,” he says, seated back on the couch, patting the cushion beside him.

I sit back down, unsure of what to expect. There’s something comforting, intoxicating even, about being this close to him. Before I even realize it, I’m resting my head on his shoulder. His hand finds mine, that fiery skin sending shockwaves through me at every touch.

“You’re right, Ronni. This isn’t coming out of nowhere, at least for me. I always thought you were untouchable, my best friend’s sister. Someone I could look at from a distance but never have. Never deserve.” I lift my head and look up, only to catch his gaze locked on our hands. “So I’d be lying if I said there are no feelings and no emotions. But this isn’t about me. I just want you to be happy, to feel good, to laugh and smile for a change.”

I don’t know if it’s the altitude or the drinks with dinner, but my head is swirling. The thought of Tanner, the childhood friend turned into this specimen of a man, having hidden feelings for me. Not just having feelings for me though, but caring this much about my wellbeing.

“Tanner. This is,” I let out a long breath, “I don’t even know what to say.”

He tilts my head toward his face, planting a soft kiss on my lips, his eyes fixing on mine.

“You don’t have to say anything. We don’t have to label this, Ronni. There aren’t any expectations. Let’s just keep having fun.” His eyes don’t leave mine for a second, but they’re gentler now.

Maybe Lizzy and Collin were right. Maybe I do need this. And he isn’t some rando, he’s one of my oldest friends. Someone I can trust.

“So, friends with benefits?” I ask.

“More like… an old friend with benefits, if you insist on labeling it. But it’s whatever you want. I’m all yours, however you’ll have me. My body is yours, Ronni . Obviously it’s working based on how at ease you’ve been today. You haven’t stopped smiling since lunch.” He trails off as his familiar grin is back and his eyes keep peering right into me, pleading for me to want this with him.

A small breathy chuckle escapes my mouth as I turn red, blushing at the way this man made me feel on the gondola today. He’s right though. I’ve felt more alive for the last 24 hours in a way I don’t think I ever have before.

“Well, you’re right about that. Can’t argue with you there. So what are you saying? Just send it and and see where this takes us?”

He lets out an all too familiar boyish laugh before planting another kiss on my lips, holding my hand tighter.

“You’re starting to sound like me. I think you said it better than I could, because that’s exactly what I’m thinking. We’re just along for the ride. Let’s just enjoy this and see where it goes, ok?”

He takes his other hand, running it over my braids, sending shivers through me as he plants another comforting kiss on my forehead.

My head is spinning. The idea of a fling with Tanner with no preset expectations seems insane.

No, it is insane.

Completely unplanned, no agenda, no itinerary. Tanner said my body is yours and I kind of like the sound of that.

“Ok, Tanner. Screw it. I’m along for this ride with you.”