Chapter Eleven

What in the world was I thinking? Oakley sidestepped, shifting cautiously around the mat in her classroom at the Y. Tanner pursued, watching her intently. Last time they’d sparred, she’d ended up flat on her back with his mouth sealed over hers. Not that being kissed by a human replica of Adonis made for a bad afternoon. In fact, the action had flipped her tummy, filled her dreams, and infected her with a craving for more. The downside remained that Tanner appeared interested in nothing more than a roll in the hay. Wham, bam, goodbye ma’am. On the other hand, she saw something deeper and longer-lasting in the potential relationship—something she dared not set her hopes on, lest they end up smashed like an after-Halloween pumpkin.

He moved with the ease of a jungle cat, prowling and stalking, until he found an opportunity to jab, grab, or kick. It took all her skill and concentration just to stay barely out of his reach. The entire time, she understood one fact of utmost importance—Tanner could take her down at any moment with little difficulty. His strength, size, speed, and advanced training made her realize that he toyed with her like a cat with a mouse.

She spun, tossing out a roundhouse kick that Tanner not only blocked but managed to take advantage of. Throwing his weight against her front side, he sent her tumbling to the mat.

Oakley rolled over onto her back, looking up at him. The letch grinned at her as he offered his hand. Taking it, she allowed him to pull her upright.

“Nice move, but your timing was off.”

“You’re just too fast. I’ve never practiced with anyone near your caliber.” She caught her breath.

Tanner shrugged. “Never let it be said the Marines do anything half-assed.”

She grinned. “Well, let’s hope that I don’t have to fend off a Marine attacker then.”

“I’ll show you a few tricks, if you’d like.” He stepped close enough to tug on her braid.

“That would be great.”

He positioned himself directly in front of her. “Okay. Let’s start with this.”

Thirty minutes later, Oakley panted as sweat rolled down her back and face. Her bangs clung to her damp forehead, but with effort and persistence, along with a slave driver for an instructor, she had mastered the handful of defensive moves Tanner had shown her.

“Are you going to take Sam up on his offer?” she asked, using a dry towel from her bag to rub the moisture from her face.

Tanner stood relaxed, his breathing normal, and only the mildest sheen of perspiration marring his brow. “My job isn’t nine to five or on a set schedule. I don’t know how I could instruct a class when I may or may not be here for weeks on end.” He took a deep swallow of water from a plastic bottle.

Oakley followed suit, draining half of her drink in a few gulps. “You would make an excellent instructor. Heck, you taught me easily enough.”

His eyes twinkled. “You motivated me.”

“Uh-huh. Just how did I do that?” She eyed him with skepticism.

“I got to put my hands on you in order to show you those movements.” His left dimple showed. “Not bad at all. Although, I believe we should try it without clothing.”

She gasped. “Sparring naked?” Her face heated at his words.

Pearly white teeth sparkled. “Oh, yeah, I could—”

Oakley immediately shushed him with her hand over his mouth until he licked her palm with that talented tongue. “You’re sooo bad.” Slowly, she removed her hand.

“Want to find out how bad I can be?” His wicked smile spoke loudly of his thoughts.

She pondered the offer for a couple of heartbeats before reason kicked in. Sure, he probably excelled at sex. His body made her drool. His kiss took her breath away, and more than likely, he would play her like a violin string. As tempting as that sounded, she refused to fall for his easy pick-up line. “Nah, I think I’ll stick with ignorance. Much safer that way.” She flashed him a grin with a flutter of her eyelashes.

“Baby, you don’t know what you’re missing.” He stepped close, pulling her into his embrace.

She snuggled flush against him, feeling the hard muscles meshing against her soft flesh. A prominent lump caught her attention. Surprised, her gaze flew to his face.

He grinned wickedly down at her. Watching her for a long moment, he leaned down.

Oakley closed her eyes, reveling in the sensation when their lips met. Soft and easy, Tanner led the foray, first a chaste re-acquaintance before probing deeper, exploring and igniting her desire for more. She gave back as she could, meeting his tongue in an age-old game of tag.

Upon grabbing her hips, he pulled her firmly against his groin.

This time she didn’t protest. Instead, a soft moan escaped her throat. Fire licked at her belly, spreading throughout her body.

He cupped her bottom, giving a gentle squeeze, all the time distracting her with kisses, providing a constant dose of lustful pleasure.

“I need you. Let’s go to my place. I’ll strip you down.” His tongue flicked over her sensitive earlobe. “Do you know how much I want to taste you, to kiss you all over?”

Oakley balked. Kissing she could deal with. Blatant, naked, body fluid swapping sex flashed whispers of uncertainty through her mind.

“I’m not sure.” She worried her bottom lip while staring directly at his chest. She wanted him. But someone like her didn’t sleep with a guy she’d only known for a few days. For the first time, temptation lured her to throw caution to the wind and simply enjoy life’s offerings in the form of Tanner Owens. She liked him as a person, found the idea of sleeping with him more erotic and exciting than scary, and she somehow trusted him, despite knowing basically nothing about the man. What did that say about her level of sanity? Or was it simple lust talking?

Tanner reached down and placed a finger under her chin, lifting it until she met his eyes. “I wouldn’t hurt you, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

Oakley shook her head. “It’s not that. I really do trust you.”

“Then what is it?”

“I’m not good…”

“At sex?” He smiled wide, showing lines of straight teeth. “I somehow doubt that. Any woman with your flexibility and energy has to set the sheets on fire.”

Did that line actually work with the women in bars? She shook her head. Of course it did. Women visited those places to fish for men. One glance at Tanner and they would be planning how to bait the hook. Once they heard such mumbo-jumbo, they would sink their hooks deep and bring home their prize. Which led to the question of who would end up stuffed? Heat blasted across her face with such a naughty thought.

He nuzzled her cheek before nibbling on her earlobe. “We can go to my place. My bed is big enough for two.”

How many other women had shared his bed? Instead of encouraging her, it stiffened her resolve. “Tanner, I can’t.”

Leaning back, he watched her while still holding her with both arms loosely wrapped around her waist. “Why not?”

She sighed. Time to put up or shut up. “I don’t have casual sex. One-night stands aren’t my thing. If I’m going to have sex with someone, it has to be in a relationship, one of commitment, where both parties want to be with only that other person.”

His brown eyes flickered as he stood quiet for a long moment.

Oakley held her breath, afraid that her truthful words would drive a wedge between them. She certainly didn’t want to lose him, but she couldn’t be another notch on his bedpost either.

“Fair enough.” Instead of pushing her away, he pulled her closer and placed a tender kiss on her crown.

“You aren’t upset with me?”

He allowed enough space for her to see his expression. “Be upset with a beautiful woman saving her virtue for me? How could that be bad?” A wide smile appeared on his face.

She released a pent-up breath. Her shoulders relaxed at his words. “So, you want to give this a try?”

“Yeah.”

“Good.” With a grin, she latched her arms around his neck, kissing him deeply to seal the deal. Before he had time to get carried away, she pulled back. “One step at a time.”

Frustration crossed his face before a glimmer sparked in his eyes. “Just remember, baby, while I do possess patience, I excel at persuasion.”

“Why doesn’t that surprise me?” Oakley teased, running her hands across his chest and down his belly and earning a low growl for her exploration.

“Keep that up and you’ll be flat on your back on the mat with both legs up in the air.”

His blunt wording blasted warmth back to her cheeks. Accepting the warning, she removed her hands reluctantly, already missing the feel of strong muscles just under his shirt, bulges and valleys she ached to explore further—but not in the middle of a busy gym on a Monday where anyone in the world could walk in on them.

“Okay. So, what do you want to do now?”

He arched an eyebrow in challenge.

“Not that!” If possible, her face flushed all the more.

His deep laughter echoed through the room. “Chicken.”

“Bok, bok.”

Together they gathered up their belongings before leaving.