God, it was incredible. No nerves. No undue concern about her body or her performance. She succumbed to straight, unadulterated pleasure. Urging him closer, she ran a hand down the front of his body to his hard length. His groan echoed off the walls when she traced it with her grip.
He balanced her on the counter’s edge, spreading her legs wide. She covered him with the condom he handed her. His breath hissed out as she took her time, smirking. He put an end to her teasing when he traced her opening with his fingers, easing one of them inside. Her hips bucked. His thumb rubbed hard against the spot that made her squirm, unrelenting. She climaxed in one hard jolt, the heat shooting through her like a Roman candle through a dark night.
He took her mouth with a greed that ignited her desire again instantly, and she struggled to hold on.
“Again,” he called, his breath hot on her lips.
She twined her legs around him. “Inside me! Now.”
He thrust into her core in one deep movement, muscles locked against her.
“Oh, God,” she moaned. “Don’t stop. Don’t ever stop.”
He pulled out and thrust again, fitting their hips more tightly together. She steadied herself on the counter and pushed back, meeting him stroke for stroke. When he grabbed her and pushed her to the adjoining wall, she clenched her legs around him. He picked up the pace, thrusting hard and fast. White heat swept up her body again and exploded in one fiery pulse. Her head fell to his shoulder as he came too, groaning into her neck.
The sex was getting better and better between them. Hell, she was feeling better and better, like she was discovering new aspects of herself with him. She kissed his sweaty, clean-shaven neck, gratitude welling—for him, for them, for this.
He pinned her into the wall, and she loved the weight and warmth of his hard body against her. She could see them in the mirror. God, he had a great backside. And her legs were wrapped around his waist. Her face was flushed, her hair mussed. The gleam in her eyes couldn’t be mistaken for anything but boneless satisfaction. She wasn’t embarrassed. She liked what she saw.
“Am I crushing you?”
She looked away from her reflection when he raised his head from her shoulder. “No.”
“I love making love to you.”
Her heart tripped as if over broken sidewalk. “I was…just thinking the same thing.”
He kissed her lightly. “Were you?”
“Yes.” She trailed a hand down his shoulder.
“I didn’t expect you, Meredith Hale.” He traced her cheek, his expression tender, making her heart pound harder.
“I didn’t expect you either.”
And wasn’t that the truth? She’d come home hoping to find a Nora Roberts hero, but she hadn’t really believed she would. Hell, she hadn’t really been ready to take the plunge if she was being honest with herself. Why else had she dated so many no-goes? She hadn’t emailed Karen an update about Tanner because she wasn’t quite sure what to say. Did she want to put it in black ink that he was The One? She didn’t think this was rebound, but she’d been wrong before. She’d married Rick-the-Dick, hadn’t she?
Better to wait until they’d uncovered the conspiracy and sent the bad guys to jail. Then, she’d see what she wanted, what he wanted. She fidgeted, her thoughts swirling. Her life in New York felt very far away, but she would be returning in a little over a week. Tanner knew she was leaving, but hadn’t mentioned it. Did that mean anything?
“I’ve fallen for you, you know,” he said, tracing her cheek.
There was something off about his voice. Boneless muscles switched to rock-hard tension.
“You’re pretty special to me too,” she managed to say—scared to say more.
He let out a breath and lowered her to the floor. “That’s enough honesty for now. I’m not sure we can take any more.” He kissed her again. “But the time is coming. Let’s shower.”
When he turned the water on and reached for her hand, she joined him, her heart pounding from anything but desire. The hot steam swirled around her, cloaking her from him. She angled against the corner, needing space.
What had he meant by that? She was suddenly afraid to find out.
Chapter 38
Tanner waved to Meredith as she reached the entrance to The Western Independent the next morning. Her smile made him feel like slime. Memories of their early lovemaking, swim, and coffee faded. He reached for his phone and searched for the photo he’d taken of them last night.
She looked beautiful and…confused. He looked just about as uncomfortable. Hopefully, Sommerville would be satisfied. Giving state secrets might have been easier.