I expect this to be fast, maybe a little rough, but in true Tanner fashion, he surprises me and slows it down.
With his elbows planted in the bed on either side of my shoulders, he brushes my hair off of my cheeks and kisses the tip of my nose, then my lips so tenderly it brings tears to my eyes.
“You’re incredible,” he whispers.
“I love you,” I whisper back, and feel him pause as he stares down at me in surprise. “I know I haven’t said it back to you, but I don’t want you to ever doubt that Ifeelit. It’s just…scary to me.”
“Not here.” He shakes his head and pulls his hips back, then pushes in again in a long stroke that has my legs shaking. “Our love isn’t scary, Sarah.”
I cup his face as he kisses me, long and slow, and picks up the rhythm, pushing us both toward that beautiful edge, and then we fall over into oblivion together.
Later, when we’ve caught our breath, Tanner kisses my cheek gently.
“I’m hungry,” I remind him, and I know that he’s smiling into the darkness of the room. “I could eat my own cat at this point.”
“I just ate your cat, and it was delicious.”
The laugh erupts through me, and I push against him, rolling away. “You’re so classy.”
“No, I’m a man who gets to have sex on the regular with the hottest woman around. Also, youaredelicious.”
I just shake my head and pull on some clean pajamas, then stride out into the kitchen.
I planned to make dinner for him tonight. No, I’m not a fabulous cook, but there are a couple of staples that I can prepare.
“I hope you like mac ‘n’ cheese,” I inform Tanner as he walks into the room. “We’re having that and hotdogs.”
He doesn’t say anything at all, so I turn to look at him. “What?”
“Are we nine?”
“It’s what I can cook,” I reply and pull the blue box from the pantry. “You shouldn’t have to cook every single day. I can do this. It’s food.”
“I’m not sure that’s true,” he replies as he pulls the box out of my hand before I can open it. “We’re not eating that tonight.”
I narrow my eyes at him and prop my hands on my hips. “Are you telling me that you’re toogoodfor this simple, inexpensive meal?”
“Yeah. I am.”
“No, you’re not.” I take the box back. “I made this all the time for Scott and me, and I’m going to make it tonight, too.”
“Is he coming over for dinner?”
“No, but that’s a great idea.” I pick up my phone to text my brother when Tanner just laughs and picks up Petunia off the floor.
Me: Hey! If you’re hungry, come on over for dinner. I’m making our usual.
I set the phone down and grin at Tanner. “There. Sent it.”
“Okay.”
I eye him suspiciously. “You don’t mind?”
“If you have dinner with your brother? Of course not. Do I mind that you’re making pasta out of a box with plastic cheese? Absolutely.”
“Don’t be a baby.”
My phone pings, and I check it.