Chapter Seven

Huh. I came out wearing the skimpiest thing I have, and not a peep from him, much less any action, Mia noticed, and just stopped herself from sighing out loud. So much for that.

She straightened up and finished brushing out her hair, then went back to the bedroom to put her brush away.

“That’s as good as it’s going to get,” she muttered as she looked at herself in the mirror. Her hair still wasn’t fully dry, but at least she’d gotten most of the moisture – and all of the tangles - out of it.

She walked back into the other room and stood next to his dinette table.

“Anything I can help with?” she asked.

“Wanna handle toast?”

Mia grinned. “I think I can manage that.”

“Pantry is there, and the toaster’s over here on the counter,” Tanner told her, and she moved in the direction he pointed.

Within a few minutes they were seated at the table.

“Did you want some coffee?”

“Absolutely. No, you eat, I got it,” she said when he started to stand up. “You want some too?”

“Yes, please.”

“How do you take yours?”

“Two sugars and a splash of milk.”

She poured it out into two mugs, added sugar and milk to each, then rejoined him at the table.

“Here you go,” she said, and almost gasped when his hand brushing hers caused a surge of heat to flow through her entire system.

She sat, hoping her cheeks weren’t as flushed as they felt, and began to eat. As she took a bite, her mind raced, trying to think of something safe to talk about.

“So,” she began, “you said you went into the Marines. What was that like?”

“Intense, but rewarding,” Tanner answered. “I thought about making it a career, and then Dad got sick right around the time I was supposed to reup. I opted to leave and come home to help take care of him instead.”

“I remember hearing something about that,” she murmured. “How’s he doing?”

“It was a tough battle for a while there. But he’s been in remission for a little over a year now,” Tanner replied. “He and Mom actually sold their house and bought a motorhome, and they travel a lot now. They chose Florida for Christmas this year.”

“So, what will you do?” she asked. “Got any plans with anybody?”

“Nope,” he confirmed. “Matter of fact, your mom invited me over when I called to tell her where you were.”

“Did she? Well, I know they’d love to see you. Blake would too.”

“Yeah. I haven’t seen him in a long time. Not since graduation night, actually. And I haven’t seen your parents in a couple of years, either.”

He took a sip of coffee.

“So, Mia. What about you? What’s going on in your life?”

“Well, I just finished my finals. I took the maximum course load allowed each semester, so, I only have one more to go and I’ll be done with my Criminal Justice degree.”

“Nice! What do you plan to do after you graduate?”

“I’m thinking law enforcement, actually.”

Tanner’s eyebrows raised.

“What?”

“Sounds dangerous, Mia.”

She shrugged. “I can handle it.”

“Does your boyfriend like the idea?”

She gazed at him for a long moment.

“I don’t have one.”

“Oh,” Tanner replied, and suddenly seemed very interested in his plate of food.

“What about you? Seeing anyone?” she countered.

He lifted his eyes and pinned her with a look that took her breath away.

“No, not for a long time now.”

“Oh,” Mia said, secretly pleased.

Not that I have any clue why I should be happy about that, since he’s obviously not into me, at all.

“What are you thinking right now?” he asked suddenly, and she swallowed hard.

She got up abruptly and took her plate to the sink, starting to tremble when she felt and heard him walk up behind her.

“Mia,” Tanner said softly, and she set the plate and fork down and turned to face him.

“I… um…. nothing… why do you ask?” Mia stammered, her cheeks turning a dusky pink as she self-consciously chewed on her bottom lip.

And she noticed his gray eyes darkened as they traveled down to her mouth and lingered there for a moment before slowly returning to hold her gaze again.

“What?” she whispered as he leaned in closer.

Tanner placed his hands on the counter on either side of her, ducked his head, and planted a kiss on her that curled her toes.

Oh….my God… he kisses just like I always imagined he would…

She sighed, contented, and moved forward into his frame, pressing her petite body against his and wrapping her arms around his neck to pull him closer.

Tanner responded by circling one muscled arm around her waist and fisting a hand in her hair as he plundered her mouth with his.

The next thing Mia knew, he’d lifted her off her feet. Her legs parted and wrapped themselves around his waist, and he uttered a low, primal growl against her mouth as he pivoted and carried her through the doorway to his bedroom.

When he reached his bed, Tanner laid her down gently, then pulled away, and Mia whimpered, immediately missing the heat his body had radiated against hers. Without breaking eye contact, he slowly removed his shirt, and the sight of his bare chest and arms, all chiseled muscle, made her mouth water.

He crept forward, a sultry smile playing on his lips, his gray eyes dark with lust, and loosened the side knot she’d tied in her tank top. Mia grabbed the edges and whisked it over her head, throwing it to one side.

“Mia,” he said again, his voice strained as he took in the sight of her sprawled on his bed, her black lace bra and yoga pants enticing him to explore her from head to toe.

“Lose the jeans and come here,” she purred, and he obliged, then stretched his long frame out beside her, and reached for her again.