Chapter 11

Nora

I couldn’t get him out of mind. It wasn’t unusual for me to think about Tanner, but to have him in at the forefront of my thoughts, to see him in a different way, with actual memories of his naked body and all the things he’d done to me, made it much more intense.

He seemed surprised about the way it ended, but I couldn’t let myself get in too deep, not with someone like him, someone that I should’ve known better than to fall for. I’d went into it prepared to fall, prepared to let him sweep me off my feet and make love to me, but then it was all so much more than I’d expected. He’d been so caring about my needs and it really played on my heart and for a brief moment, I let the possibility of heartbreak consume me.

I couldn’t let him in.

He had seemed content to keep seeing me for sex and that was enough to let me know I’d chosen to do the right thing. I wanted to have fun exploring with him, and I loved the attention, but as long as I could tell my heart that’s all it was, I would be okay. Wouldn’t I?

It had been two days since our night together and now that we were approaching the weekend I was getting an itch. I never knew losing my virginity would be such a sexual awakening for me, one that would give me such strong urges.

Tanner had left me tender and every time I sat down for that first day after, I thought of him easing the sweet ache between my legs.

I had to talk to him and see if maybe he was interested in having dinner. I knew that could lead to more and it wasn’t that I only wanted sex. I knew somewhere deep down I wanted him too. I couldn’t get over my crush so suddenly, but pulling back had to work. I needed the space to protect my heart.

I walked into the front office where Amy was still pouring over our billing. “Did you gather up a total for Tanner Daniels yet?” I’d asked her to get me an amount by the end of the day. I wanted a reason to see him without looking desperate and figured delivering the large bill he’d promised to pay would be perfect.

“Yes, ma’am. Here it is. Are you sure you don’t want me to stick it in the mail? I’ve got the others going out soon.”

“No thanks. I’ll take it to him. We’re neighbors, you know?” I grabbed my coat and keys and headed out leaving the staff to close down the office for the weekend.

I hoped Tanner would be home and was relieved when I pulled up in my driveway and saw him out front. He was polishing his golf clubs and he didn’t even look up.

I hurried into my house to freshen up and decided to call him. As the phone rang I looked out the window. He took his time answering the phone and leaned back in his chair. “Hello, Nora.” I gave a sigh of relief that he hadn’t avoided the call.

“Hi, I was wondering if you’re busy tonight. I’ve got your bill for the extra patients you wanted to treat and I thought we could maybe get some dinner.” It was a longshot, after all we weren’t a couple and there was always the possibility that he was seeing others. The thought of that pinched deep in my chest.

He looked up toward my house and I stepped away from the window. “I guess we could do that.”

“Yeah? Great, so I’ll come over—

“No, I’ll come to you. I need to get out of this house.”

The fact that he was coming over to my house would put the ball in my court. If I wanted him to stay, I’d have to extend the invitation and considering how things ended, it just might be the advantage I needed. I wasn’t sure if I should breathe a sigh of relief or not. I had never had a man over to my house for sex and I’d certainly never had to be so bold to suggest it.

He didn’t rush over and I spent the next twenty minutes watching him polish his clubs. Then he put them all back in their carrier and put their little socks on. I huffed out a sigh when he finally got up and headed into the house and when he was almost through the door, he glanced my way and smiled, giving a little wave. He’d known I’d been watching the whole time. Ass.

I decided to make a pot of coffee but before I could pour a cup he came to my back door.

“Hi, I was just about to have a cup of coffee, would you care for one?” I stepped out of his way and he entered.

“No thanks. Coffee will spoil my appetite.” His eyes lingered on mine and my cheeks flared as an aching desire built in my core.

“What did you have in mind for dinner?”

He stepped closer and backed me against the table. “How about we skip dinner, and just get down to the sex?”

My eyes flashed. “Aren’t you hungry?” My stomach was rumbling, but he didn’t seem to be suggesting as much as he was demanding.

“For you, yes.” He brought his hand around my waist and pulled me close. He captured my mouth and suddenly his hands were all over me, pawing at me like some sex-starved beast.

I pulled away, turning my head from his mouth so I could speak. “Couldn’t we order something in first?”

His shoulder lifted and he stepped away. “Sure. If that’s what you want. Order anything you like. I’m not picky.” He suddenly seemed bored and pulled out a chair. “So where’s this bill you promised?”

I went to my bag and found the envelope and carried it back to the kitchen. “You were so generous to do this for everyone. I’m sure they all appreciate it.”

“It’s not a problem. I’m happy to know my money can do some good for people and make things easier in a difficult time. It’s more than I’ll ever need.” I took out my phone and went through restaurant listings. There had to be something in town that would deliver.

I glanced up and crinkled my nose. “How about pizza?”

“Sounds good. What kinds of pizza do you like or more importantly what does your pizza say about you?” His brows went up and he turned his head giving me the first hint of a smile.

I was beginning to think he’d be in a bad mood forever.

“I love pepperoni with olives and onions, but I’ll eat anything.” I wanted him to know I was open to trying more and I hoped he got the hint.

He took my phone and thumbed through the options. “Then one deluxe supreme is coming up. So, tell me, do you like your crust hand-tossed or thick?” The way he said the words had me tingling.

“I like it thick.”

“Good choice.” After another moment of thumbing across my screen, he placed the phone back down in front of me. “It will be here in thirty minutes. What do we do until then?”

“I was hoping we’d talk about what happened between us and maybe discuss the possibilities.” I looked up at him with hopeful eyes.

“Oh, you mean our sexual relationship, the one where we’re friends with benefits?” He gave me a dead stare and he was back to being in a sour mood.

“Well, it’s what you’ve wanted and all I can really offer. Besides, I’m new to it all. I’d like to explore a little.” I lifted my shoulder and leaned closer, placing my hand on his knee. I could tell he was tense and I wanted to put him at ease.

“What is it you’d like to explore, Nora? I mean, the sky’s the limit, right? But how deep are you willing to go?” I thought about his box of toys and was glad we’d decided to come to my house. I didn’t have any type of sexual accessories and no plans to get any.

“I don’t know. Maybe you could show me things?” I felt the heat in my cheeks as he leaned in closer.

“I think you should show me what you know first and we’ll go from there.”

“Right now?” I felt the coil in my tummy tighten as he nodded.

“Yes.” His cold stare had me a bit rattled.

I didn’t know what to do and decided to start with a kiss. I stood and then turned to sit in his lap and he opened his arms to welcome me. I leaned in and kissed him nice and deep, imagining myself straddling his cock right here at my kitchen table.

His hand slipped down the front of my pants, finding their way into my panties and against my mound and he dragged a lazy finger through my folds, and against my clit bud. My breath hitched as he cupped my breasts beneath my shirt.

“Hop up on the table.” His voice was commanding and before I could do as told he’d hitched me up. He tugged down my clothes and then his mouth was against my sex, nipping and licking and I cried out as he inserted two fingers nice and deep and without much warning.

I moaned and bucked against him, wanting him to take me right there, to feel his cock working me deep and to come around him, the ache was building up so much I knew it was about to crash through me.

I felt my walls tighten and release and he rose up and our eyes met as he fingered me through my release. My tummy growled as I stilled.

“You are hungry, aren’t you?” His eyes burned on mine and he reached down and undid his buttons. “Show me how hungry you are.”

The burning ache between my legs had me so worked up, and I knew I’d have to work fast with the delivery arriving within the hour. I slid down to the floor landing on my knees, facing toward him. He’d already pulled his cock out and was stroking it with one hand and my hair with the other.

I looked up into his eyes and they bore down on mine, hungry and feral. I wasn’t sure what position I’d just put myself in.