Page 41 of Trusting Tanner
“As often as I can.” He trailed his fingers over her wrist and up her arm. “I usually go to them, though, because it gets too crowded at my place if they come here.” He lifted her hand and placed a kiss to her palm and then her wrist, sending tingles through her body. “Your hands feeling better?”
“Yeah.” She hummed softly, a mixture of content and frustration. Why hadn’t he kissed her earlier when she’d been lying on top of him? She knew he’d wanted to. She’d felt how badly he wanted to.
“What about you? Do you have any siblings?”
“No. I’m an only child.” She needed to change the subject fast because her lack of family was not something she wanted to explain. It was a topic she rarely discussed, even with Devon. “Will you be seeing your brothers again soon?”
“I’m considering heading to Miami for the upcoming four-day weekend.”
“That’s nice.” And she meant it. But the idea of him being gone for four full days wasn’t so nice.
“Do you have plans for fall break?” Tanner took both of her hands and held them tight.
“Not really. I’ll probably stay around campus. Do some studying. Hang out with Devon.” She shrugged. It was the same thing she’d done every year during fall break. Even when she’d been with Zach, he’d go home and never invite her.
Tanner’s grip tightened, and his shoulders stiffened. Why was he acting so strange every time she mentioned Devon? He’d been doing it all week. He couldn’t be jealous, could he? She’d been very clear about her relationship with Devon.
“You could always go to Miami with me.” His gaze was intense and entrancing.
Juliana stared back at him. Was he for real? They were literally on their first date and he was asking her to go away with him? She laughed. “Yeah, right.”
“I know it seems crazy, but I’m serious.”
“You are?”
He tugged her hands, forcing her to lean farther across the table. He did the same so his face was inches from hers. Then he gave herthatsmile, the one that made her lady parts rejoice. “I am,” he said. His gaze radiated truth.
“I’ll think about it.”
He nodded and released her hands. “So, are things getting any better with your roommate?”
Juliana groaned and scrunched up her face. “We worked out a room schedule and set some ground rules. It lasted for about two days. Now she’s back to doing whatever the hell she wants.”
“You should go to housing and request a room transfer. It’s early enough in the semester; they might be able to help.”
Devon had told her the same thing. But what if she got stuck with a new roommate who was even worse? Rebecca was difficult, but she wasn’t completely impossible, and she did have some redeeming qualities. “Actually, I’ve been thinking about getting an apartment off-campus.”
“You know.” Tanner straightened. “If you go to Miami with me, that will be four fewer days you’ll have to spend with the roommate from hell.” He grinned. “Besides, I’d like you to meet my brothers. I think they’d really like you.”
She smirked. “Whoa, slow down there, Casanova. This is our first date, and you’re already talking about meeting the family. What’s next? A weekend trip to meet your parents?”
“If you’re up for it…”
“Uh, yeah, how about we see how the rest of the night goes.” She was cautiously optimistic about the prospect of meeting his family, even if it was so soon in their relationship.
“Does that mean you’re not planning to go out on a second date with me?”
“Like I said, we’ll see how this date goes first.” She took a drink of her water and glanced around. She’d worked up a hell of an appetite going through the obstacle course. She’d eaten her salad, but it had done nothing to appease her appetite.
The waiter arrived with their food, and Juliana’s stomach growled. The savory scent of noodles slathered in alfredo sauce and steak tips made her mouth water. They ate in silence for a while, but then they filled the rest of the evening with talk about their classes and upcoming social events.
Two hours later, Tanner pulled into the parking lot adjacent to McKenzie Hall. “Can I walk you to your door?” He killed the engine.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea. God only knows what my roommate’s doing up there right now.”
He chuckled. “All right.” He opened his door and got out.
Juliana watched him walk around the front of the car, every step purposeful and confident. He opened the door and offered her his hand. Her heart jumped into her throat and lodged there. She got out, meeting and holding his gaze. They both knew what was coming next. She’d been waiting all night for him to kiss her, but now that the moment was finally here, she wasn’t sure she was ready. Every nasty thing Zach had ever said to her chose to reappear right then.Kissing you is like trying to French kiss a Saint Bernard. It’s a good thing you’re pretty.God, that last one was the worst.
