Page 11 of Her Protector on Route 14 (Love Along Route 14 #6)

I’ve never been this turned on in my life, and my patience is hanging by a thread.

Tanner’s mouth trails hot, open-mouthed kisses down my body, his tongue teasing, slow, deliberate. His rough hands slide my panties down my thighs with a kind of reverence that makes my whole body ache.

I don’t need to check—I know how wet I am.

He’s taking his time, constantly checking in with little glances, soft touches, like he’s trying to memorize every reaction. But I’m already right there, burning for him.

When he gently parts my thighs, his eyes lift to meet mine. Deep, stunning blue. And just like that, I’m falling into them, breath caught in my throat.

“Please,” I whisper, desperate. “I want you. I want you.”

I don’t even know if I’m saying the right thing, if there’s something more he needs to hear. I just know I need him .

Now.

Tanner glances down at my pussy as he spreads my thigh wider, kissing along the inside of my leg. His breath races against my skin, then he licks to my pussy lips and pauses. “If you want me to stop just say it.”

“I promise,” I moan. “I want to touch you, I want to use my mouth on you, I want to please you and ... and I want you to do the same.”

“You’re first,” he says, then licks across my clit. I gasp and push myself up to watch him. His eyes meet mine and he nods as his lips part, and he sucks my clit. “Keep talking to me, darling. That’s in the rules.”

I tell him over and over how good he feels, I beg him for his fingers since I feel so empty. I know I can take him. I’ve masturbated plenty, I’ve used toys, I want him to have this first. I want him to want me just as much as I crave him.

He works one finger into me and curls it so perfectly that my eyes threaten to roll back. I try to hide my moan, but feel him pulling away and shake my head. “More, please, please.”

“Good girl,” he praises.

The low rumble of his voice is almost as hot as him adding a second finger just like I want.

I lose myself in him, the pleasure he gifts me with his mouth and his fingers over and over.

I chant his name, reach out for him until he laces his fingers with mine.

My hips buck against his mouth and when he adds a third finger it pushes me over the edge.

I’m sure it’s too fast, but I can’t make myself care. Tanner kisses my belly and lays next to me, turning my chin for a kiss. “Still want more?”

I nod and feel the need to prove it. I roll and kiss across his chest. He makes a low sound and helps me get off his jeans and boxers so his cock springs up. I blink a few times. He’s so much bigger than the toys I’ve used before.

Tanner slowly guides my hand to his shaft and wraps my hand around him. I slowly stroke all the way to the head of his cock and back down. “Are you still sure?”

I kiss his chest again. “Yes, Tanner. I just ...” I need help which sounds pitiful to admit. I swallow and move down his body, trailing soft kisses, but once I’m kneeling by his hip, I just stare. I’ve seen porn, I know what to do, but I don’t know what he likes. “Will you ..”

“See what you like first, then I’ll guide you,” he encourages.

I lick over the shaft, circle my tongue around the head and use his moans to guide me.

I don’t know where to look, but Tanner fixes that, telling me to keep my eyes on him.

I spread my lips around the head of his cock and sink down as deep as I can.

It’s awkward and I feel like I’m doing something wrong, but his belly tenses and he grips the bed.

“Fuck, just like that. Do it again, Holly, nice and slow. Use your tongue too,” he encourages.

I take my time, just like he said and keep my eyes on him, even when I try to get him down my throat to fit every inch and gag. He strokes my cheek and nods. “You don’t have to go that deep, you can use your hand. As long as you’re touching me I’m enjoying it. You’re doing so well.”

The mix of praise and guidance, not to mention his moans, has me eager to keep going. I pick up the pace until he suddenly grips my hair and rolls me over to kiss me hungrily. “If you keep that up, you’re going to make me come.”

“That’s ... that’s what I’m supposed to do,” I argue.

“Not before I please you again,” he argues, groping the bed for something until he reveals a condom. He rolls it on and pulls me down the bed towards him. He grinds against me, making me tremble, then strokes my thigh. “Still a yes?”

“Yes,” I answer immediately. “Yes.”

“Tell me what you like, tell me what you want, all of it,” he says as he gently eases into me.

I whimper and he pauses, then grabs a pillow and slides it under me.

He rubs my clit, licks and kisses my breasts, devotes himself fully to my pleasure.

“Fucking hell, Holly. You are so tight… you’re making me lose my mind. ”

It doesn’t hurt as much as I thought. I don’t know if it’s the angle, the way he’s touching me, but I feel full, pleasantly, perfectly. He draws back and thrusts again, deeper. Over and over until I can’t help but moan his name and beg him for more.

“Yes, Tanner. Yes!” I pant.

He kisses me hungrily and finally gives me every inch.

I hold onto him, pant in his ear, rock my hips against his.

I want to please him, but I’m so lost in the ecstasy he’s pounding into me that I can’t think straight.

Tanner pants in my ear. “You’re better than just right, Holly.

You’re perfect. Keep being loud for me.”

His mix of praise and long, lingering touches push me over the edge. I come for him and after a few more thrusts he does the same. Tanner nuzzles my neck and presses a soft kiss there before sucking my bottom lip.

I’m languid, limp, sated, and utterly exhausted. I still offer him a smile when he draws back. He strokes my cheek and kisses me again. “How do you feel?”

“Greedy for more,” I answer with a soft laugh. He chuckles and kisses me again.

“How about we clean up first?” he offers.

“And cuddle?” I ask.

He pauses a moment, looks at me, and drinks me in. “If that’s what you want, yes.”

I nod and welcome him to take care of me, to keep me tightly against him until my eyes are too heavy to think about a potential round two. I wiggle against Tanner until he calms my hips and kisses the back of my head. I’ve never been so comfortable being the little spoon.

***

In the morning, I stretch and reach out for Tanner. “Morning.”

My hand brushes cold sheets. I blink, roll over, and find the other side of the bed empty. No note, no warmth, no sound from the bathroom either.

It’s not that late. So where is he?

I check my phone. No text. No call. Nothing.

A dull ache settles in my chest.

Was I not good enough? Did I do something wrong? He came, didn’t he?

I try not to spiral. Tanner’s not exactly the cuddly, linger-after kind of guy. He’s quiet, guarded. I knew that. But still, waking up alone like this—it stings more than I want to admit.

I get dressed slowly, tugging on jeans and a t-shirt, pulling my hair into a messy bun. I tell myself breakfast will help. Something warm. Something grounding.

But when I reach the dining room, I freeze in the doorway. Tanner’s already there. Sitting at a small table with a half-empty plate in front of him. He’s not looking for me. He’s not waiting. He’s laughing. At something the waitress says.

She’s curvy, confident, and the way he smiles at her—relaxed, easy—it knocks the air right out of me. I’ve never seen him act like that with anyone else.

Maybe last night was just sex to him. Maybe I was just a detour. A reminder he could still open up, then walk away just as easily.

I bite down on my bottom lip, my stomach twisting.

Sex doesn’t have to mean something, I tell myself. Even if it did for me.

I turn before he sees me. My feet carry me back to the elevator, up the hall, and into my room. I’ll process alone. No fake smiles. No pretending. Just space.

Because right now, that’s the only thing that doesn’t hurt.