11. Tanner

ELEVEN

TANNER

Never in my life have my balls actually shriveled up and retreated into my body, but when Libby's voice echoed outside Grace's room just as I was about to thrust into her for the first time, that's exactly what happened. I've never been so scared in my entire twenty-one years, and that's saying a lot, since Riggs and I were chased by a mama bear while we were camping one time. Thankfully, we made it to the car before she reached us, peeling out of the site as fast as we could and never returning for our tent. But even that wasn't as terrifying as almost getting caught naked and on top of Grace.

But do I still want to finish what we started?

Fuck. Yes.

Which is exactly why I've spent the entire day planning the perfect little hideaway for us. I was initially thinking we'd just go to my house since it's still empty, but then I started to worry that maybe my parents would cut their trip short since the Valentines weren't there anymore. There's no way I'll be able to focus on giving Grace the first-time experience she deserves if I'm worried about being caught the whole time. Plus, even if my parents don't come home, knowing hers are fifty yards away is kind of a boner killer in and of itself.

After considering our limited options, I came up with a plan that will hopefully make tonight one that she'll never forget. A night that, when the next guy comes along, she'll compare to before she decides to give herself to him.

Why does that thought piss me the fuck off?

TANNER:

Meet me at the cul-de-sac in fifteen minutes. Tell your parents you're staying at a friend's tonight.

GRACE:

You want me to lie to my parents, Mr. Lake? *gasp* What a terrible influence you are on my young, innocent mind.

TANNER:

If you want to tell them you'll be spending the evening riding my fingers, face, and cock…by all means, Bunny. Go ahead.

GRACE:

*wide eyed emoji* *sweating emoji*

I'll see you in a few.

Twenty-five minutes later, Grace comes running down the sidewalk toward my car with a white hoodie draped over her arm and an overnight bag on her shoulder. She's wearing a short, pink sundress with a pair of silver glitter Chucks. Her blonde hair falls in waves over her shoulders, and I realize then just how fucking breathtaking she is .

All my life, I put her in this box. I couldn't think of her in any way that wasn't completely platonic, so my brain never even registered how beautiful she got as the years went by. It wasn't until a couple of days ago when I accidentally barged into her room that I saw her as anything more than my best friend's little sister. But now that I'm seeing her in this new light, my head is all over the place.

I'm still on board with helping her explore her sexuality this summer, but I'd be lying if I said that the last two days haven't muddied the way I'm feeling about things. I thought I could separate the physical part of this from the emotional part. I honestly had my head on straight about what this was…until I was getting ready to push myself into her. For just a split second, she looked up at me and it was like we were connected. She was handing me the keys to her mind and body, trusting me fully to take care of her.

I need to remember why we're here. That I proposed this whole arrangement to keep her safe. There's no room for me to fuck around and mess things up by thinking what happens between us could ever be more than it is.

"Sorry," she says breathlessly as she throws herself into my passenger seat. "My mom had to ask me fifty questions about what I was doing tonight before she'd let me leave. I thought the inquisition would stop when I turned into a legal adult, but I was wrong." I chuckle as she closes the door and fastens her seatbelt before I pull around and head toward Main Street.

"Where are we going?" she asks, looking out the window.

"Somewhere we won't have to worry about being interrupted," I reply. "I want you all to myself tonight."

She smiles before exhaling contentedly, relaxing into the seat. We spend the ten-minute drive listening to Bella Simon, who Grace is ridiculously obsessed with. Last summer, she spent two hours waiting in a virtual queue to get concert tickets to see Bella on tour, but they ended up selling out before she even got a chance to get onto the actual website. I tried buying them from a resale site but couldn't find them for less than five grand apiece. Instead, we parked as close as we could to Blizzard stadium, or as the fans call it, The Igloo , on the night the tour came to Boston and listened from the front seat of my car with the windows down. Riggs and I were not into it at all since it's not really our type of music, but we'd have done anything to make Grace happy that night.

I turn down the gravel road toward our destination and look over at her, gauging her reaction.

"What are we doing at the lighthouse?" she asks, brows pinched together in confusion.

"Well," I begin, pulling into the driveway and putting the car in park. "My parents bought it about a year ago as an investment property, but it needed to be updated, so they've been renovating it. It's pretty much done, but they're waiting until the market is better before they put it up for sale. The actual lighthouse doesn't work anymore, but the house is really nice, and the view is amazing."

When I was trying to make my plan earlier, I considered a few options. First, I thought I'd just book a hotel room in Boston for the night. Then, I thought we could go find somewhere to park by the water and set out some blankets. But neither of those ideas felt right for Grace's first time. When I looked out of the corner of my eye and spotted the lighthouse key sitting on the shelf in our kitchen, I knew it would be the perfect place to bring her. My parents wouldn't even notice it was gone and we can be sure nobody will come in and ruin the night. Plus, I won't have to risk breaking both legs sneaking out a window in the morning.

"I've always wanted to see the inside of this place," she says, opening the door and hopping out. I laugh at her eagerness, watching as she skips to the door and waits for me to catch up. I pull the key from my pocket, putting it into the lock and turning the knob. I don't even get a chance to open the door before Grace pushes through, flipping the light switch and looking around the main living area.

When my parents bought the place, it was outdated and unkept. The original lighthouse keeper lived here until he was physically unable to care for the house or himself, and when he passed away, his kids didn't want to go through the hassle of preparing it to be sold. Since my parents knew them personally, they offered them a fair price and took it off their hands. It's weird because, as real estate agents, they normally only buy and sell commercial properties. But they said after they got this place fixed up, they could make some good money off of it.

"What do you think?" I say, watching Grace as her eyes ping-pong around the room like she's not sure what to look at first.

"It's way prettier than I expected," she says, sitting in the plush armchair and immediately standing and skipping across the room before flopping onto the couch like she couldn't wait to test everything out. "Your parents did such a good job."

I chuckle, putting my hands into the pockets of my sweatpants. "I think my mom secretly loves interior design. She doesn't get to do a lot, so when my dad gives her free rein to bring a vision to life, she goes all out." The whole place is bright and airy, with hints of tan and blue. The old, unfinished maple flooring was ripped out and replaced with European white oak. All of the outdated furniture and lighting fixtures were upgraded, and brand-new stainless-steel appliances were installed. It's modern, but still has a beachy vibe, which is perfect for where we are in New England.

"Well, she's really good at it," she says, kicking off her shoes and putting her feet up on the coffee table. "I've been here five minutes, and it already feels like home." She looks at me, eyes twinkling, and my heart squeezes in my chest. She's so fucking beautiful, and making her happy has always been one of my favorite things to do. The feeling of being rewarded by her sweet smile is reason enough to want to give her the world. I just hope whoever gets to own her heart forever knows what he has and never takes it for granted.

I'm pulled back to reality when the doorbell rings, making Grace's eyes widen in panic.

"It's just a food delivery," I tell her, easing her worries that we're about to be busted again. "I didn't have time to pick up dinner and snacks earlier, so I made an order." She relaxes as I make my way to the door, grabbing the food and giving the driver an extra tip for going to three different places for everything. I wanted to be able to stay here as long as we could, so I got dinner for tonight, snacks for later, and ingredients to make breakfast in the morning.

She stands, following me to the kitchen as I unpack the bags, putting the contents into the cupboards and refrigerator. "What smells good?" she asks, looking at the black bag I set aside on the island as she hoists herself up onto one of the barstools.

I smirk. "I thought you'd like to try something besides Sour Patch Kids tonight. So, I ordered from that new Italian place in Boston. I got you the Shrimp Carbonara and a cannoli." I played it safe, ordering things I've seen her eat before, but I've heard Donatello's blows every other restaurant out of the water. "And if that doesn't hit the spot," I say, reaching into the bag from the grocery store and tossing the small pack of Sour Patch Kids into her lap, "I brought backup."

She tilts her head, biting the inside of her cheek to hide her smile. "Why are you so good to me?"

The sincerity in her eyes prompts me to round the counter, cupping her face in my palm before pressing a gentle kiss to her lips. I know I'm blurring the lines with this whole thing, but when she looks at me like I hung the moon just for her, I can't fucking help it. I have the opportunity to have Grace Valentine for the summer, and I'm going to enjoy it until our time comes to an end and we both head off to school.

It starts innocent. I had every intention of keeping it quick so we could eat dinner, but now that I can taste her on my lips, I quickly turn feral, taking her hair in my fist and holding her to me. As soon as she opens, I deepen the kiss. I lick along the inside of her sweet mouth, swallowing every moan and gasp that comes out of her as I flex my fingers in her golden waves.

She's fucking perfection and I'm gone. Completely gone for her.

"Tanner," she breathes against my lips, "I want you. Right now. I don't want to wait anymore."

As much as I should stop this so we can have our food while it's still warm, I can't even think straight. Fuck dinner. I just need to be inside her. I grab her hips, lifting her off the stool and into my arms. Her legs wrap around my waist and I move my hands to her ass, squeezing firmly as I walk us to the bedroom. My cock is as hard as steel, pressed between us. We never break the kiss. I follow her, our mouths fused together as I lower her onto the bed, dropping my weight on top of her and grinding myself between her parted legs. The friction has me seeing fucking stars, and we're both still fully clothed.

"I have to taste you," I say, wasting no time kissing down her neck, stopping to lick at the cleavage that's peeking out of the top of her sundress. I can't even be bothered to take it off of her before I'm poised between her legs, inhaling the scent of her arousal that's literally filling the entire room.

I pull her panties to the side and lick along her cunt, gathering the wetness and savoring the taste. She moans as I explore, flicking my tongue along her sensitive skin, teasing every part of her. And when I can't take the way I'm torturing us both any longer, I suck her swollen clit between my teeth. She gasps as her hips begin bucking, pushing down hard into my face. We're both losing control and it feels so fucking good to finally let go with her. I can't imagine ever wanting anything more than I want this girl right now.

Yanking her panties down her legs and tossing them somewhere behind me, I return to her dripping pussy, licking and sucking like a man on a mission. "Mmmm," I hum. "You taste so fucking good, baby. You gonna come on my tongue so I can fuck you?"

For a minute, she's so lost in what I'm doing to her that she doesn't answer. But when I push one thick finger inside her, she lets out the sexiest little gasp. "F-fuck me," she stutters. "Tanner, I'm so c-close. I need to—" She doesn't even finish her sentence before I feel her grip me, her muscles fluttering against me as I continue to thrust in and out.

"Good girl, Bunny," I praise. "Make that tight little pussy nice and wet for me. Keep coming." I don't stop. I don't slow down. I just continue fucking her with my finger and my mouth as she shakes and writhes against the mattress.

Eventually, she begins to whimper from the overstimulation, so I pull my finger from her and press one last, soft kiss to her clit. I crawl back up, dragging my tongue over every part of exposed skin that I pass, tasting the saltiness of the sweat that's glistening on her body. I'm so goddamn addicted to her already; I don't know how I'll ever get enough. That should raise every possible red flag, but I can't find a single fuck to give while she's lying sated underneath me.

When we're face to face, she slowly opens her eyes, and when they connect with mine, the emotion is almost too much to take. I definitely don't want to sort through everything I'm feeling right now, because I'm starting to think it's possible that this won't be as simple as I initially thought it would be. Right now, though? I need to focus on Grace and making this a special moment for her.

I reach to the bottom of her dress, pulling it up her body and over her head before tossing it to the floor. Using one hand behind my neck, I pull my shirt off just in time to watch her arch her back, making my mouth water as she unclasps her bra and slides it down her arms.

Fuck. I've never wanted anything more in my whole life.

Barely able to see straight through the lust I'm feeling, I quickly remove my sweats and boxers, that are both soaked in the front with a mixture of us both from when we were grinding against one another. I'm still dripping precum as I lower back down, pressing our bodies tightly together.

Leaning down, I kiss her gently. "Are you still sure?" I ask. "We can wait. If you're hungry, we can?—"

"I told you," she says softly, cutting me off before I have a chance to let myself spiral. "I want this. With you. Right now."

"Okay," I say on a shaky exhale. "It's going to hurt at first, so we have to go slow. Promise you'll tell me if it's too much and I'll stop."

She gently grabs hold of my biceps and swallows roughly. "I promise I'll tell you, but I need you to keep going unless I say so."

I line myself up at her entrance, pressing my forehead to hers. I hate that I have to hurt her like this, but hopefully I can be gentle enough to make it bearable. As conflicted as I am about everything that's swirling in my head, I'm still completely sure I'm the only one who will take care of her the way she deserves right now.

We're both trembling as I press my lips to hers and gently thrust inside. She whines in pain, and I pause, waiting for her to tell me whether or not to continue. When she doesn't say anything, I push forward a little bit more, feeling myself break through her barrier. She sucks in a gasp, and I push my tongue into her mouth to swallow her scream. I hold off for just a few seconds before I take another inch. I have to grit my teeth together because she's so warm and wet, I feel like I could come right here. But this isn't about me. It's about her .

"I'm so sorry, baby," I whisper. "You're doing such a good job. I'm almost all the way in."

"Tanner," she whimpers as a tear slips from the corner of her eye. I bring my thumb up to brush it away, wishing I could take away all the pain she's going through right now.

"Do you want the rest of me? Or do you want me to stop?" I ask, on the fence about what I want her to say. Of course I don't want to hurt her, but I also don't want to leave her warmth either.

"More," she whispers, her voice shaking. "I need all of you."

"Okay," I choke out. "Open those big blue eyes and look at me when I make you mine." As soon as she does, we connect in every possible way and it's almost overwhelming. So much so, that I can't stop myself from pushing the rest of the way in. It doesn't seem to cause her any more pain than she's already been through, so I pause when I'm buried to the hilt, giving her a moment to catch her breath and get used to having me inside her.

"Such a good girl," I say, hoping the praise will distract her a little bit. She seemed to really like it when I did it before, so that's what I'll give her. "You're taking my cock so well. So tight." I'm not lying. Her pussy feels like heaven wrapped around me.

"Tanner," she gasps, "can you move a little bit?"

I give her a small smile. "Are you aching, beautiful?"

"Mhmm," she whimpers, so I pull out slowly and carefully push back in. Her gasps and whines turn to moans as I continue, and I can tell it's starting to feel better for her. I pick up my speed until I've set a pace that feels so good, white light starts to dance across the edge of my vision.

"Are you okay?" I ask, hoping the sting and pain have subsided.

"Yeah," she whispers. "It feels…like…maybe I could…"

Oh, thank fuck. Even though she's speaking in breathy, broken sentences, I know what she's trying to say. And it sets me on a mission to make it happen.

"Can you come for me, baby?" I ask, continuing to pump in and out of her. She squeezes her eyes shut, nodding. "Here, this'll help." I reach between us, using my thumb to stroke her clit from side to side. I can feel her hips push up into me as she whimpers, both of us doing everything we can to coax her release from her body. I want nothing more than for this to be an experience she'll look back on as a good one, and there's definitely a part of me that hopes she compares other guys to me in the future.

The thought of her doing this with anyone else pisses me off, and it's not the first time. Every time I think about what we are versus what she's going to have with boyfriends after she leaves for school, it has me wishing I could hide her away in this lighthouse forever. Keep her for myself, where she's safe, cared for, and respected. God only knows how those assholes will use her, mistreat her, and break her heart.

Fuck. That.

I pick up speed, fully fucking her at this point. She's panting and moaning in pleasure as her hips continue meeting mine with every thrust.

"Yes, Tan," she gasps. "I'm coming!"

I inwardly breathe a sigh of relief as her walls squeeze around me. I feel her getting even wetter as she comes, and I have to close my eyes because the sight of her face while she orgasms has me ready to bust before she's even finished.

"Good girl, baby," I praise as she shakes below me, still somehow in the midst of her orgasm. "You're gripping me so tight. You're gonna make me come."

"P-please," she stutters on a gasp. "Inside me. Just this once. Please."

Not only can I not deny her whatever she asks for, but even if I could, the sound of her begging for it does me in. It all happens so fast; I don't stand a chance of sticking to my rule of pulling out. All in a matter of seconds, my balls draw up painfully tight. White explodes behind my eyes as a euphoric electricity shoots up my spine and through my limbs. My body stiffens and I shoot ropes into her, over and over, filling her so much that I can feel my cum being pushed out and running all over our joined bodies.

I feel like it goes on forever. It's easily the most intense orgasm I've ever had, and if I didn't already know it before, I do now. Sex with Grace Valentine is life changing.

Finally, my muscles start to relax. We're both breathing heavy, trying to recover from… whatever the fuck that was as I drop my forehead to hers, inhaling her vanilla scent while I continue to come back down to earth.

"That was," she begins, " not what I expected."

My brows pull inward, concerned that maybe I was reading things wrong, and she didn't actually enjoy it. She came. I felt it . "What do you mean?"

She shrugs. "My friends all told me that when they lost their virginity, it hurt really bad, and then it just kind of sucked after that. They said it took until the third or fourth time before it started to feel good. But that…was amazing," she says, a shy smile tipping up the corners of her mouth. "Thank you, Tanner."

My heart squeezes again at her words. I lean down, kissing the tip of her nose, making her giggle. "No, thank you , Bunny. That was the best sex I've ever had."

Her cheeks turn the cutest shade of pink as her smile grows bigger and she wiggles her brows. "When can we do it again?"

This fucking girl.

"I'm still inside you, Grace," I say on a laugh. "Let's get you cleaned up, eat our dinner, and see if you're still singing the same tune once those endorphins wear off and you realize how sore you are."

She pouts as I pull out, watching as my cum leaks out of her. There's a small amount of pink mixed in from her blood, and as fucked up as it probably is, I feel an unexpected twinge of possessiveness at the sight. All I can think about is filling her up as many times as I can this summer.

I have a feeling this is the first of many rules I'll be breaking in the next few months.

Fuck.