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“Yeah, or at least he thinks he is. I’m not sure she’s interested in him … which makes me like the girl instantly.”
“Mal told me what happened to her family. She probably needs that apartment more than you do right now.”
“You sound like my mom.”
“What’s she like?”
“She’s perfect. She’s like Superwoman.”
“Most moms are.”
Tanner laced his fingers with mine. “Do you remember yours at all?”
“I have some memories of her. Only good ones. She gave the best hugs.”
“You don’t seem sad when you talk about her.”
“I’ve had a long time to grieve.”
“How did your dad handle it?”
I knew Tanner was asking because he was about to go through it himself. Normally, I didn’t like opening up about this, but right now I didn’t mind. I would stay in the car talking to him until sunrise if I knew it would help him feel even a little better.
“My dad was heartbroken. He still is.”
“And you?”
I shrugged. “I was so young, I don’t think I really processed it. I focused on cheering up my dad. We were so close.”
“Were?”
“We sort of had a falling-out since leaving Florida.”
“You didn’t want to come here, did you?”
“I didn’t really have a choice.”
“You’re eighteen. You could’ve stayed there.”
I shook my head. “I should get going. It’s late.”
Tanner leaned closer until the warmth of his breath reached my lips. “If I stop asking questions, will you stay a little longer?”
“Maybe.”
“Let me convince you, then.” He trailed kisses along my neck. His tongue swept across my skin, followed by a gentle bite that sent a charge through me.
I couldn’t move, completely paralyzed and breathless under his spell. Nobody had ever put their mouth on me like that. Then again, nobody I’d met had ever been quite like Tanner Brooks. He was intimidating and exhilarating at the same time, and I was powerless to the way he made me feel.
“Now will you stay?” he whispered as his tongue traced my ear.
“You said you wouldn’t ask any more questions.”
His laugh was low and husky as he took my earlobe between his teeth. “Smart-ass.”
Unable to take the teasing for one second longer, I grabbed the back of his head and pulled his lips onto mine. I opened my mouth, letting his tongue slide inside. Tanner let out a low growl. His kiss was so intense—so electrifying—I felt it in every nerve ending. I slipped my hands under his shirt to feel the ripples on his stomach. His skin was silk, each cube on his abdomen as if carved out of stone. I craved more of him but couldn’t get close enough with the center console between us.
“I really hate my brother right now.”
