Chapter 9
Tanner
I took one last look in the mirror, something I had done three times already. I had no idea why I was putting so much effort into my looks. I already knew she was into me. The woman had seen me whine when I scraped my knees and saw my heartache when my high school girlfriend dumped me. Maybe that’s what was so great about Lindsey. She had seen me at my worst and was still interested. We knew everything about each other. There was none of that weird mystery that you always had to worry about when you were dating someone new.
We were cheating today by going out for dinner and skipping practice. We both knew it, but in my mind, we could make up for it. Maybe do a two-a-day or train on Sunday. Tonight was important. I wanted to show her I thought more of her than a quick fuck in the pool. Even if we could never have a real relationship, there was no way I wanted her to think that’s what I thought of her. I would kick any guy’s ass for treating her the way I had. I had to make up for it.
I pulled up to her apartment, took a deep breath and headed up the stairs to the second floor. I knocked, fighting back the little bundle of nerves currently in residence in the pit of my stomach. I hadn’t felt like this since I’d been in high school. It was weird, and I didn’t think I liked it.
“Hi,” she said, pulling open the door.
I lost my breath, literally lost my breath, when I saw her. She was fucking hot. How in the hell had I not fucked her before last week? I stepped back to take in the sight of her wearing a red mini skirt paired with a black halter. She had her hair loose and hanging down her back. I could tell she was wearing a little more makeup than usual, but I didn’t mind.
“Wow,” I muttered, not sure what else to say, unable to find the words that would do her justice. “You’re beautiful, Lindsey. Truly gorgeous.”
She smiled, revealing a set of perfectly white, straight teeth. “Thanks. Ready?”
“Yes.” I nodded, but maybe saying that was optimistic. No man would have been ready in their fantasies for the way she looked tonight.
She grabbed a tiny black purse and shut the door. I waited for her, motioning for her to go in front of me. I placed my splayed hand at the small of her back and guided her down the stairs. Once we reached my truck, I opened the door and helped her get in. The skirt had ridden up her thigh, and it had been a darn short skirt to begin with.
I jogged around the front of the truck and jumped in.
“Where we going?” she asked.
“A little place I think you’ll love.”
“That sounds mysterious,” she said, her voice light and airy.
I drove to a little pub that overlooked the beach. It was off the beaten path. Tourists didn’t know about it, which meant it remained one of our best-kept secrets in the area. I loved to go there. It was relatively quiet, and the view of the ocean was spectacular.
We pulled into the dirt parking lot. “Oh, this is nice,” she said in a tone that was very obviously fake.
I laughed. “Trust me. You’ll like it. Fish and chips, clams, or even steak. These guys are master chefs.”
She nodded. “Sure, sounds good.”
I helped her out of the truck and once again placed my hand on her back in a protective gesture. We found a private booth toward the back of the relatively small pub.
“Hi, Tanner,” one of the waitresses said.
“Hey, Marge,” I greeted the middle-aged woman who had clearly smoked too much and drank one too many whiskeys.
“The regular?”
“Yep. Times two, please,” I told her.
Lindsey looked at me, more than likely not used to someone ordering for her.
“You’ll like it. Trust me.”
It was probably a little overbearing, but it was me. I wanted Lindsey to know the real me. I was alpha, aggressive, and maybe a little too domineering. That was me, and she needed to know all of me.
Marge brought back two cold Bud Lights in bottles and a platter of oysters, “Here ya go, hon. The rest will be out shortly.”
Lindsey looked at the beer and then at me. I thought she would scoff and demand a real restaurant. Instead, she surprised me by picking up the beer and taking a long swig.
“This reminds me of parties from high school days,” she said.
I laughed. “You didn’t do keg stands or use the beer bong?”
“I did, but then I graduated high school and realized I could drink beer from a bottle. Much more convenient,” she joked.
Our conversation glossed over my years in college, but Brian’s name was never mentioned.
“You kicked some ass at that meet on Saturday. I think you have a real shot at medaling,” I said, wanting her to know I was truly proud of her.
She smiled. “Thanks. It’s weird, huh? I mean, remember swimming at my house? We were all half-fish, but you and I, we seemed to have fins. At least that’s what my parents always said.”
“We’ve come a long way. I think your parents thought you were a little crazy. I don’t think even they could have imagined you would have really committed to swimming.”
“And you,” she started. “Your mom has got to be so proud. Tanner, you have really done well for yourself.”
I fought the urge to puff up and flex my muscles. “I’m buying her a new Beamer,” I said, eager to share the news with someone.
“No way! She is going to love it. You are such a good son. I would love to see the look on her face when she gets it,” Lindsey exclaimed. I watched as her lips wrapped around the beer bottle, her throat moving up and down as she swallowed. All thoughts of my mother disappeared. All I could think about was Lindsey’s mouth on me.
I was suddenly very uncomfortable. I shifted in my seat, trying to give the bulge in my pants a little room to breathe.
“You okay?” she asked.
“Fine. I’m fine.”
Marge showed up at the perfect time, delivering two big platters of classic fish and chips.
“Damn, this looks good,” she said, eyeing the crunchy golden strips of fish. “Don’t tell my trainer,” she whispered and winked at me.
I chuckled. “If I know your trainer, you have a grueling session ahead of you.”
She moaned. “Be nice. This looks too good to pass up. Bringing me here and not letting me eat is just cruel.”
I watched as she dipped a piece of fried fish in the homemade tartar sauce before putting it to her lips and taking a bite.
“Good?” I asked, watching as she took another bite. I was obsessed with her mouth, and I wanted it on mine.
“It is so good. I think this may be my new favorite place to eat.”
We both dug in, devouring the food on our platters. She only drank the one beer and switched to water. I followed her lead.
We chatted about the old times, growing up and some of the silly shenanigans we got into. Once our meals were finished, we sat and talked for another thirty minutes. I enjoyed her company. It was weird. I rarely allowed myself to open up to a woman. I liked to keep it all superficial, sex and maybe minor chitchat.
“Ready?” I asked, fighting the urge to kiss her.
“Yep.”
We stood, and I took her hand, leading her out of the restaurant.
The drive home was filled with tension, and we barely said a word. When I pulled into the parking lot, I put the truck in park and shut it off. We sat there for several long seconds.
“Do you want to come up?” she asked.
I hesitated a brief second and found I couldn’t deny her. “Sure.”
We climbed the stairs, neither of us talking. Once again, the sexual tension between us sizzled. I could practically feel the sparks flying.
She fished the keys out of her purse. I stood behind her, less than an inch from her body. I watched as her hands shook with nervous energy as she slid the key into the lock. In one smooth move, she turned the handle and pushed the door open.
I followed her in, gently shoving her inside, giving me enough room to shut the door behind me. I reached out to grab her at the same time my foot kicked the door closed.
“I want you,” I breathed.
I didn’t give her a chance to answer. My mouth slammed down over hers in a hot, intense kiss that was filled with all the pent-up passion that had been mounting for the last several days. I plunged my tongue between her lips, gently biting her bottom lip as my tongue swept inside her mouth.
I was out of my fucking mind with lust.