Page 31

Veronica

Without a Clock

I forgot how much fun it was having a dog around the house. They’re always happy to see you, always just living in the moment. I’ve considered getting one, but I never thought it would be fair to a dog with the long hours I work.

I play with Rex for a few minutes while Tanner heads towards the kitchen to get Rex’s dinner.

“Come on, boy. Time to eat. You’ll have plenty of time to play with Ronni later,” he says, as if Rex is a person understanding every word.

It’s funny listening to the way he talks to Rex. He looks right at him and they even make eye contact. These two clearly have full conversations when it’s just them around. I laugh at the thought.

“What’s so funny?” Tanner asks, eyeing me suspiciously while he leans against the kitchen island. “Never seen a guy talk to his dog before?”

“Nope, not like that at least,” I say, sitting on the barstool next to him. “I get the feeling you guys have lots of conversations.”

I watch as his eyes drift to the ground, wringing his hands awkwardly.

“Yeah,” his tone more serious now. “I know I’m talking to myself, but I do vent to him. It sounds crazy but it helps me work through things.”

“It’s not crazy, Tanner. I get it,” I say, taking his hand in mine. “It’s not easy opening up.”

I look up at him, one side of his mouth trying to pull up to smile. I feel like I’m getting a glimpse into a part of him he’s been concealing for years, something I’m not supposed to see. It’s endearing, but heart wrenching to think that he’s been hiding so many feelings for so long.

I let go of his hands and reach up to hold his face, wanting to put him at ease. With his beard trimmed down now, I can feel the lines of his face. My fingers run over his jaw and cheekbones. He’s still the goofy, silly cute Tanner I’ve always known, but like this I can’t help but appreciate all the little details I’ve taken for granted and the way he’s aged.

His eyes close at my touch, his mouth opening and I can feel his warm breath on my wrist, the sensation hitting me all the way down to my needy pleasure points. My finger lingers on his dimple, my thumb on his lips, running across the edges of his now neatly trimmed mustache.

“Ronni,” he says, his voice low and husky, “it’s getting late. Want to get to bed?”

“Mmm. I was hoping you’d say that,” leaning forward to whisper playfully in his ear. “I want what’s mine.”

“Oh yeah, what’s that?” His husky voice in my ear, I can feel his breath now on the nape of my neck, making the hairs on it stand up as I inhale sharply.

“You said your body is mine , remember?” My hand is on his chest now and I can feel his pulse quicken at my words.

“Finally, I get you without a clock. I hope you’re fucking ready for me,” he says, practically growling at me.

“Why don’t you see how ready I already am for you?” Our eyes meet before mine look down to my fingers, now twisting the hem of my dress, inching it up my legs, baiting him to touch me.

He groans at my words and at the sight of the dress inching up my thighs. He leans into me on the barstool and I can feel his need for me as he presses his body into mine, feeling him through his jeans. Knowing how much this gorgeous, selfless man worships me sends chills through my body.

He starts kissing my neck, just below my ear, his lips making my shoulders roll back and my back arch. I run my hands under his shirt and pop the pearl snap buttons open, desperate to take it off and feel his burning skin. His shirt now unbuttoned, he pulls it off, letting it fall to the ground.

Fuck me, I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of seeing his bare chest and shoulders or those perfect abs. I can feel my own growing need between my legs. Without prompting, I feel Tanner pull away from my neck and I watch as he slowly drops to his knees. He looks up at me longingly, pure fire in his eyes. He runs his hands up my legs and under my dress, the worn calluses of his strong rugged hands teasing my skin, making it tingle across my body. His hands stop when his fingers reach the band of my lacy black panties.

He slides them down my legs before cupping my ass in his hands, pulling me to the edge of the bar stool. His hands move up to my hips and his thumbs linger on my hip bones. I’m squirming, my body begging for more of his touch. He’s torturing me, kissing the inside of my thighs, but not going further. Looking down and seeing his shaggy golden brown hair between my legs knowing what he can do to me is pure torment, my body tense in anticipation.

“Tanner.” My voice is a breathy plea.

Sensing my want, he rests his head on my thigh, his stubble teasing my skin, and he looks up at me. His beautiful green eyes make my heart skip a beat, as I run my hand through his tousled hair.

“I’ve wanted to taste you every fucking minute since the gondola,” he says, a wry grin on his face. His words cause me to squirm more, my calves wrapping around his body now, my swollen clit and wet pussy desperate for him. “And knowing this perfect pussy gets this wet for me makes it so much better.”

“Then taste me. Please,” I whimper. “Do it.”

He groans in approval at my permission. His eyes move down between my legs and he licks his lips before his mouth is back on me. He’s not the only one that’s been craving this moment. I’ve wanted this since the gondola too, wanting to feel his tongue on me, inside of me.

“Oh. Oh my god.” The words barely escape my mouth as I moan, running my fingers through his hair pulling his head towards me.

His tongue lingers on my clit, taunting me, making me want so much more. He sucks my clit with his tongue caressing it before finally running his tongue down to my wet opening, pressing it into me, tasting me.

He opens his mouth wider, groaning against me as he presses his tongue further and further inside me. I grab his hair tighter at the sensation as I close my eyes, my legs still pulling him to me.

“Please, Tanner. Fuck me,” I say, desperate to feel more of him inside me again, the teasing from his mouth too much. “I want to feel your cock in me again.”

I can feel him groan against my clit, teasing me even more before he stands up.

“I was hoping you’d say that. I want to make your tight little pussy mine ,” he growls at me, making my entire body clench in anticipation.

I feel his arms wrap around me, grabbing my ass, lifting me off the bar stool and bringing me to him. I wrap my legs around him, feeling his hardness through his jeans, my bare skin right against him.

He carries me to the bedroom, lying me down on the edge of the bed. I rest on my elbows, looking at him standing at the foot of the bed, his bare chest heaving with each lustful breath. The desire in his eyes is completely exposed.

“Make me yours ,” I say, curling my finger at him. “Take off those jeans and fuck me.”

Without hesitation, he takes them off and is standing there now in nothing but his black boxer briefs, his erection straining against the fabric.

He steps toward me, leaning over me just enough that I can feel it against my wet, aching center. “I like seeing you bossy. It’s so god damn sexy.”

He grins and starts to pull off my dress, leaving me in just the black bralette, my hard nipples shamelessly showing through.

He leans back over me, kissing my neck, his hands running down the backs of my thighs. He presses himself against me though his boxers, the urge to feel him inside of me is driving me mad. The devilish grin on his face says he knows exactly what he’s doing.

“Take them off, Tanner. Now,” I demand, my voice in tatters. “I want to feel you. All of you.”

“Anything for you, bossy girl,” he says. With one hand, he slides them off, never taking his eyes off mine. He leans back over me, now sliding his cock through my slickness, teasing me again.

Fuck. The need to feel him is overwhelming.

Sensing my urgency, he notches the tip of his cock at my opening before grabbing my ankles and resting them on his broad shoulders.

I look up at him, his rugged body coiled and ready to ravage me. The fire burning behind his emerald green eyes tells me I’m in for a long night of passion.

And I’m ready for it. I can feel my entire body tingle with anticipation at the thought of spending a whole night with him. No sneaking around. No rushing to finish.

Just us.