Rushed (Adventures in Love #1)(65)

“There’s a lot to love,” I agree, but really I would move into a one-room shack, as long as I had Tanner with me.

“Sunshine.” Hearing Tanner’s voice, I spin around and rush to the front door, launching myself into his arms. As he lifts me off the ground, I wrap my legs around his hips. “Fuck, I missed you.” He cups the back of my neck with one hand and pulls my mouth down to his so he can thrust his tongue between my lips. I don’t hesitate to open for him, and I swear my soul sighs as his familiar taste, scent, and touch sink into my senses.

When he slows the kiss and pulls back, I grasp his face and whisper against his lips, “I missed you too.”

“Tanner’s home!” I hear Jade yell to Maisie and Bernard, and Tanner’s hand at the back of my neck squeezes. “I think I’m going to need to call the fire department to get the Jaws of Life to separate the two of them.”

“I told you she’s annoying,” I whisper, and he grins as he places me on my feet.

“Hey, Jade,” he greets, and I turn to catch her roll her eyes at him before coming over to give him a hug. I stand back and watch them embrace, feeling hopeful that one day they might truly be friends, especially since the two of them mean the world to me. “How was the drive?”

“Beautiful,” Maisie says, giving him a hug and a pat on the cheek. “You have a beautiful home.”

“Thank you,” Tanner says softly as she lets him go.

“I thought Oregon was God’s country. Seems I was wrong.” Bernard gives him a handshake with one of those manly guy-hugs that includes a pat on the back. “Maisie and I might just have to talk to a real estate agent while we’re here.”

“Wait, you and Mom would actually consider moving here?” Jade cuts in, sounding horrified, and Maisie grabs her hand.

“Don’t worry; we’re not moving.” She shrugs. “Or at least not until Daddy retires in a couple of years.”

“But you love Oregon,” Jade says, looking between her parents.

“Who’s hungry?” Tanner asks, and I want to kiss him for his interruption. Jade has been having a hard enough time with me moving away. I don’t think she would be able to handle her parents even considering moving too.

“I’m starving,”

“You’re not feeling sick anymore?” Jade asks, and I feel all eyes come to me.

“You were feeling sick?” Tanner and Maisie ask at the same time.

“I’m fine—I just got carsick a couple of times on the drive.” I shrug off their concern. “I’m fine now.”

“Are you sure?” Bernard asks, his eyes scanning me in one quick glance.

“I’m sure.” I look up at Tanner when his hand grabs hold of mine, seeing worry in his gaze. “I promise I’m fine.”

With a nod, he pulls his eyes off me and looks to everyone. “I was thinking we could go to the Edge for dinner. They have good food and a covered patio, so we can eat outside.”

“That works,” Bernard says. “I just want to get all the bags unpacked before we head out so we won’t have to do it later.”

“I’ll help you.” Tanner lets my hand go with a squeeze before he follows Bernard out of the house. With the guys outside unpacking our suitcases, I show Jade and Maisie the two spare rooms with a Jack-and-Jill bathroom between them. When the guys come back in, we all agree to shower or freshen up before we head out to dinner.

Halfway through my shower, Tanner joins me, which means I get a welcome home that involves an orgasm, and we end up taking a little longer to join everyone, but thankfully, no one says anything. Not that I would have cared if they had.





Chapter 24


CYBIL

“Morning, sunshine.” Tanner’s warm lips press against my bare shoulder as his hand curves around my hip, and I turn toward him and burrow my face against his chest, trying to fight back the nausea that’s haunted me every morning since I got here.

“Morning.” I blink my eyes open and find that he’s dressed, in a T-shirt and a pair of cutoff sweats. “Did you already work out?”

“No, not yet, but I have something to show you before everyone else wakes up,” he says quietly against my ear, and a shiver runs down my spine as I tip my head back to meet his gaze.

“What is it?”

“You’ll see.” He smiles, kissing me softly. “Get dressed, and I’ll meet you in the kitchen.”

“Okay,” I agree, watching him get out of bed; then his eyes roam over me, and he shakes his head.

“Have I told you how happy I am to have you home?”

Home . . . yes, I’m home, and that’s what it feels like being with him.

“You mentioned it.” I can’t help my smile, and he places his fists in the bed on either side of my hips.

“Well, I’m really fucking happy.” He kisses me swiftly once more, then orders “Get up, babe” before he leaves the room, giving me one last look.

I don’t get up immediately. It takes me a few minutes to summon enough energy to sit up, then a few more minutes to actually put my feet on the floor. By the time I do meet him in the kitchen, he’s got two tumblers filled with coffee and a smile on his face. “Where are we going?” I ask when he grabs a zip-up hoodie and then helps me into it.