Page 151 of Wildest Dreams

“It’s up to you, baby,” he rumbles. “D’you want him to take your scent?”

And in this moment, I realise how many fears Tanner has helped me conquer this summer – being the strong hand to guide me through it when no-one else has ever noticed, let alone tried.

That’s probably why I reach up on my tip-toes and give him a gentle grateful kiss. He immediately compresses me against hischest with his forearms, grunting quietly as he licks his tongue against mine.

A small yipping breaks through the moment and we both turn to face the white porch steps. A tiny three-legged pom-pom hurtles towards us, yapping happily before yelping and tumbling over itself. When it gets back to its feet it starts running laps around our legs.

Tanner presses his forearm against his eyes, laughing quietly and looking embarrassed.

“Okay,” he chuckles, flashing me an apologetic smile as he tucks the sunflowers he bought for his parents under his biceps. Then he tucks two digits under Cobie’s collar and gently tugs him into a sitting position.

Tanner gives my hand another squeeze.

“Okay, baby. If you’re ready we can hold our hands out for him now.”

I look down at our joined hands and Tanner presses a reassuring kiss against my temple. Cookie runs a figure of eight between Tanner’s strong legs, squeaking in delight when he glances down at her with a smile.

Me and you both, Cookie.

“Okay,” I whisper, tentatively holding our joined hands in front of Cobie’s nose.

The Alsatian glances quickly at Tanner before cautiously getting to its feet, tail wagging furiously as it finally looks up into my eyes.

It shoves its nose against my hand, stumbles backwards, and instantly pees.

“Cobe!” Tanner exclaims. “What the fuck, man?!”

I can’t help but laugh as he tugs the dog’s collar, immediately ceasing its excited trickle.

“Calm that shit, man,” Tanner orders, before jerking his chin at the front door again. “For real, go in there and think aboutwhat you just did,” he says, laughing with me as I giggle into his shoulder.

Tanner presses another kiss to my cheek and murmurs, “You smell so good that my dog pissed himself.”

My chest shakes with laughter, smiling uncontrollably as Tanner squishes me closer.

Because that’s what being with Tanner is like.

It’s like all of my fears are forgotten, and I immediately feel at home.

Cobie shoots me a longing glance before dipping his head and racing back inside. Cookie immediately attempts to follow him but she’s stuck bouncing at the bottom step.

Tanner holds my hand tighter, looking a little embarrassed as he picks Cookie up by the belly.

“She’s, uh… she’s good for running down the steps, but she kinda struggles to get back up,” Tanner says, carrying her with us like a little football.

When she starts wriggling in his grip, he places her gently on the top of the porch, allowing her to bolt through the front door and chase after the easygoing Alsatian.

As soon as we’re about four steps away from the front door a gorgeous blonde woman steps out onto the porch, her skin tan and rosy, her hair a soft blown-out pouf.

The second that she sees Tanner she squeals and raises her arms.

“There’s my boy!” she exclaims, her voice a gentle husky American, barely accented by her original European roots.

She spots the explosion of sunflowers andoohs excitedly.

“Mace, they’re gorgeous!” she giggles. “Are those for us?”

I pause on an inhale, suddenly too stunned to breathe.

---