Page 49

Tanner

Along for the Ride

H er hazel eyes are gorgeous, even with tears in them. I could stare into them and never get tired of the way they make me feel. Like she really can see me.

Looking into them now though, I’ve never been more surprised or impressed.

“Really? You quit?” I say, holding her cheek in my palm and I can feel my jaw slowly drop before I start to smile. I’m stunned, but I’ve also never been prouder of her. Even past the tears, I can see her confidence in herself growing.

“Yep. I went full send. Channeled my inner Tanner Chapman.” Her tears are slowing to a trickle, a smile now trying to take root on her face. Fuck me, that smile. I missed it. I needed it. I drove twenty-four hours straight just hoping to see it again.

“Damn. I mean that’s awesome. You’re a badass. I guess I must have rubbed off on you more than I thought,” I say, winking at her before kissing her. I exhale deeply. I can’t believe how much I already missed her touch.

“You know, I was ready to live outside in your driveway, in the van, just to be close to you,” I say, my voice low, holding my forehead to hers.

She pulls away, looking back up at me.

“Oh yeah? Not sure my neighbors would like that arrangement,” she teases before wiping the last remaining tears out of her eyes.

I look back at the van. “Fair enough. But you’re right, driving back to Wyoming with you sounds way better.” The thought of being next to her, driving across the country for twenty-four hours sounds perfect right now. We have so much to talk about and I’ll have to keep my hands on the wheel, off of her, which will be hard to do. But it will be worth it.

“So we’re really doing this? Going back to Wyoming, together?”

I look into her hazel eyes, the little gold flecks sparkling back at me. I already know the answer but still can’t believe this is really happening.

“Yes, please. I’m never leaving your side again. I’m along for the ride, wherever it takes us, as long as it’s with you,” she says, resting her head back on my chest. “So when can we leave?” She looks down at Rex then back to me. “I just want to go home, with you. So the sooner, the better.”

Those words brand themselves on my heart.

Home, with you .

Home hasn’t always felt like home for me in the past. But now, I don’t know what’s next. I just know for once in my life, whatever comes our way, I’ll be happy having her by my side.

“Hey, wait,” I say, a thought popping in my head. “Weren’t you just on the phone?”

“Oh fuck! Collin!” We look back towards her car together, the driver door open only a few steps away from where we’re standing.

“Collin, you’re on speaker, if you’re still there,” Ronni says.

“Oh yeah, we’re both still here. Didn’t miss a word of that ,” Lizzy cackles. “So, are you guys going to hit the road? If you get your butts moving I’ll get my flight changed and we can have a couple more days in Jackson together.”

“Yes, that sounds perfect. See you soon. Love you guys. I’m hanging up now,” Ronni says, grabbing her phone and making sure to finally hang up this time.

We go inside so she can finish packing, this time a little less hurried. It’s the first time I’ve ever actually been to Ohio, much less her house. I’m guessing we’ll come back again some other time to grab her car and other stuff, but for now she just wants to grab what she can fit in the van to take back to Wyoming. Who knows, maybe we can convince Collin and Lizzy to drive her car out with the rest of her stuff sometime and fly them back.

I can’t stop laughing at her and shaking my head though. She just quit her job, in the middle of ski season and is going to have the foreseeable future off to enjoy the mountains in Wyoming. I’m almost jealous, actually.

I notice she’s standing at her nightstand, looking down at some black silk bags in the drawer.

“What are those?” I wrap my arm around her, planting a kiss on her neck.

“Just my boyfriends before you.” She turns to me, biting her finger tip. She runs her other hand across the front of my jeans. “I don’t think I’ll be needing them any more.”

I crane my neck, bringing my mouth to hers, feeling it open as her tongue finds mine. I pull back, already feeling myself breathing heavy.

“Hey. Let’s not be too crazy now. I’m not ashamed to say we could have some fun with those. And I think we have room to bring them along,” I say with a wink.

She smirks back at me, raising one eyebrow.

“Ok. If you say so.” Her voice is low and sultry and her fingers are still lingering on the front of my jeans. “Do we have time for a quickie? I’ve missed you and it would be a shame for you to finally make it to Ohio and not be able to say you got to fuck your girlfriend here.”

Yep. I’m definitely hard now. I can already feel my cock straining against my my fly. Definitely wasn’t part of today’s plan but there’s zero chance I’m saying no to her, ever .

“Take your pants off,” I growl, already unzipping my fly and pulling my jeans off. “Now.”

She eagerly obliges, pulling her pants down and kicking them to the side. She stands back on her toes, planting a kiss on my neck before looking into my eyes, a taunting smirk on her face. She reaches up to spin my black flat bill hat around. “Keep the hat on. I like it.”

“Anything you want, Ronni.” I grin before I turn her around and pull her into me, her ass now against my boxer briefs, teasing myself so bad. I get her on the bed and on her knees, facing the headboard. She pants as I kiss the back of her neck, running my hands up her thighs before I run my fingers along the fabric of her thong.

“I missed you, Tanner. I won’t leave like that again, not letting you know where things stand. I love you.” Her words shoot right to my heart, almost erasing the pain of the last two days.

“I love you too.” I slide her thong down, leaving it at her knees. I press myself into her, my cock desperate to be out of my briefs as I grind it between her ass cheeks. I pull down my briefs and take them off.

I look to the side of the bedroom, to the mirror on the wall. We make eye contact in the mirror, each admiring the way our bodies fit together so perfectly, like they were made for each other. But the way she looks at me, the way she sees me, is something I’ll never get tired of.

I run the back of my hand over her cheek before gently tucking the loose strands of her hair behind her ear. The way she closes her eyes and gently whimpers at my touch is pure music to my ears.

“Now, grab the headboard.” I tell her, but don’t even give her the chance before I grab her wrists and pin them on the headboard for her. The sight of her wrists and hands engulfed by my inked fingers makes my breath hitch.

Seeing the words FULL SEND spelled out in this moment, I can’t think of another time in my life where just letting go and saying fuck it has given me so much. I was always so afraid of this one thing, letting my feelings for her be seen, out in the open, exposing myself.

I finally let go and here I am, with the love of my life and all she wants is me.

I look back into the mirror, addicted to the way she arches her back, pressing her ass against me, her body begging me to be inside her.

“I’m going to fucking remind your pussy that it’s all mine. I’m going to make you come for me.”

I run my cock up and down her slit and she’s so wet and ready for me. The way her body wants me is intoxicating and unleashes something wild in me.

I rest the tip just inside her opening, teasing both of us. I lean forward kissing her neck as my hands reach for her hips. I run my fingers over her hip bones, pulling her tight against me.

“Please, Tanner. Fuck me. I want to feel you in me,” she whimpers.

I crane my neck and whisper into her ear. “I will be, soon.”

I leave one hand on her hip as the other runs down the front of her body to her clit. I spread her lips just enough to run a finger down to her opening and feeling the head of my cock in her, seeing just how wet she is. I bring the finger back to her clit and start running it over her swollen pleasure point in slow circles.

She moans and her body clenches, pressing herself further into me, driving my cock into her, past the tip now.

I ease in with slow thrusts, deeper and deeper each time, pulling her into me with my fingers still hooked on her hip bone. My other hand still teases her clit and she’s rocking her ass back into me in rhythm with my thrusts.

“Fuck, Ronni. You feel so goddamn good. I’m not going to last very long like this.” My voice is already fraying and I know it won’t be long. I start running my finger over her clit faster and faster and can feel her walls start to tighten along my shaft.

“Good, because if you keep doing that I’m going to come so hard.” Her words push me closer and closer and I start rocking my hips into her harder and harder.

I watch her nails dig into the fabric of her headboard as she moans and shudders. I feel her walls clench and flutter on my cock as she comes, muttering an inaudible swear into the headboard. The way she sighs and exhales in relief, her body still rocking with mine, feeling her ass against my hips with each thrust, pushes me over the edge. I feel myself let go, her walls tighten on my cock with each pulse of my release.

I grab her chin, turning her face to mine. I kiss her, our mouths open as we both gasp for air.

“I’m never going to stop fighting for us, Ronni. Never. I love you too fucking much.” I press my forehead to hers, kissing her one more time.

After grabbing a shower and packing a few more things, we make one more pass through her house. I watch how she goes through the house, stopping to look at things here and there. Even though she might be back eventually to get what she needs if Collin or Lizzy can’t help, I don’t get the feeling that it’s a hard or sad goodbye for her. She looks happy and excited, like she’s welcoming the journey ahead and actually ok with not knowing exactly what’s next.

After we finish loading up the van, we hit the road and spend the next twenty-four hours taking turns driving across the country with Rex, back to Jackson. Until the last day and a half, I’ve barely been more than five hours outside of Jackson, just occasionally visiting my family in Salt Lake. Now, I’m seeing new place after new place, listening to the radio, laughing, and talking about a future with Ronni.

Ronni, my forever dream woman.

As the drive wears on, it’s my turn to drive across Eastern Wyoming on the final stretch before we get back. She sleeps in the passenger seat, head resting on a pillow against the window, Rex curled up at her feet. Even when she’s sleeping, I can barely look away from her, stealing every glance I can while still watching the road.

I can’t describe the feeling of hope, of optimism it brings me to be with her. She can make my day better just by smiling at me, grounding me in the present. She can read when I’m down and ask me what’s wrong and be there to help. She fills a hole in my heart I was worried would be left open forever.

I fucking love this woman and I know I’ll do anything for her.

Always.

Forever.