by Haley Travis
Tara sat up straighter, turning to face me. She took my hands, holding them between us. “Jared, how did you get hurt? What happened?”
“Pfft,” I shrugged. “I was sixty stories in the sky all last week, without a scratch. No problem. This afternoon, I was walking through the construction area, and some pieces of rebar fell from two stories above me.”
“Oh my God,” Tara squeaked, cupping my face in her hands. “Jared, what if it had hit you in the head?”
“Hard hat,” I grinned, tapping my noggin. “And steel toe boots. And high visibility gear. We just don’t go around wearing shin pads.”
“Is it bad?” she asked, examining the bandages on my arm, then my leg. “Will you be able to walk?”
My mouth darted forward to catch her lips against mine for a long, delicious kiss. My hands caressed her everywhere I could reach to bring us together until she pulled away a bit.
“Twenty-one stitches in my leg and a fresh tetanus shot,” I said. “The arm is just scraped up a bit. I wouldn’t have even taken the painkillers, but Jessie and the nurse sort of talked me into it.”
“So, you’re going to be okay?” she asked again hopefully.
“Of course. I’m just supposed to stay off it for a couple of days so that I don’t stretch the skin too much while it’s healing.” My thumb drifted along her cheek. “Is that why you were crying, baby? Because you heard I got hurt?”
She shook her head. “It doesn’t matter now. I’m fine. Let’s talk about what I can make you for dinner.”
Taking a few slow breaths, I tried to figure out what her strained tone meant. She hadn’t been planning to have dinner with me here. Then I remembered.
“I was supposed to pick you up,” I said, taking her hands again. “Tara, I’m so sorry.”
“That’s okay, it wasn’t your fault.”
“Dammit,” I muttered. “And it was really important, too.”
“Where would we have been going?” she asked, looking up as she fluttered her eyelashes at me.
“I was going to take you to a building opening. And it’s one of the buildings I made.” My words weren’t quite coming out smoothly, but she looked interested.
“What do you mean, you made the building?” she asked carefully. “Did your company make it?”
“Yes. Vincent Frostwell Construction. I’m a crane operator. I get to operate some of the coolest equipment ever. I can’t wait to show you.”
Something looped in the back of my mind, as if trying to remind me of something specific, something important.
Tara cocked her head, staring into my eyes, then released a long, low sigh. “All right. Some things are starting to shift into place.”
“I’ve got it,” I said, snapping my fingers but missing. “There was something I needed to tell you very carefully.”
Her soft fingers slipped up the back of my neck to swirl along the stubble at the back of my hairline. “What did you need to tell me? I bet it’s something that I really want to hear.”
“Are you going to get mad at me when you find out I’m not rich?” I asked. “Wait, that’s not right.”
I stared out the window at the darkening sky for a second, trying like hell to concentrate. “That’s it. It’s all about the order I tell you.”
“That’s a good idea,” she said, smiling sweetly. “Go ahead and tell me everything in the right order.”
“Right. Okay, so Jessie wanted me to look like a billionaire for her show, and dressed me up and made me play the part. She even rented shoes and a watch for me so I’d look right. And then you came along, the most beautiful, sweet, thoughtful girl I’ve ever met. And you let me kiss you for the photos, but I knew it wasn’t just for that.”
Tara’s smile was so warm. “The cameras were a good excuse. Go on.”
“Then I’m not sure what happened,” I said slowly. “I never meant to lie to you, but I think some things came out wrong. I think you assumed I was rich. It was just...misrepresentation.”
That didn’t sound like the right word either but I felt like I should keep trying.
“And then I realized I couldn’t let myself have sex with you until you knew the truth, because that would be wrong. So I was going to take you to the building opening tonight, and let you meet the team, and show you what I really do for a living.”
It felt like my words were coming out too fast and too slow at the same time, but Tara nodded. “It’s okay. I’m figuring it out now.”
“That crazy car that picked me up was my boss, not my driver. We just call him that because it’s ridiculously funny.”
Somehow she had shifted me so that I was lying down on the pillows, with my head on her stomach as she stroked my hair.
“Why don’t you take a little nap,” she said gently. “I know you’re a big tough guy, but going to the hospital and getting stitches is exhausting.”
“I’m fine,” I said automatically. “I could go down and make us some coffee, then we could go out to dinner, if you–”
Her hand clamped across my lips. “I’m really tired,” she said, lying down beside me and pulling the blanket over us. “Will you please take a nap with me? I’d like that.”
“Of course, baby,” I murmured, snuggling against her.
I couldn’t let her see me being so needy, but exhaustion was draining me, making what little focus I had slip away. Everything was heavy and sluggish. If she needed to nap, I could help her do that. The unbelievable relief that she wasn’t angry with me helped me drift off the second my eyes closed.
15
_____
Tara
I waited until Jared was completely asleep, then slid carefully out of his arms.
There were a few more painkillers in the bottle on his bedside table, so I searched online to find out all of the details. Apparently the drowsy effects didn’t last long, and it looked like some food would be the best thing for him.
My feet were silent on the elegant wooden staircase as I went down to his kitchen. It was a beautiful room, but very normal. Well, upscale normal. No gigantic chandeliers or a fifty thousand dollar oven.
Jared didn’t seem to have a lot of food in his fridge, so I whipped up a fruit smoothie, adding some protein powder to give it a bit more substance.
The second I opened his bedroom door with the drink in my hand, Jared snapped awake, and started to sit up.
“No! Don’t move,” I commanded, surprising myself.
Jared froze, then lay back. “I thought you left.”
I sat beside him on the bed, handing him the glass. “Of course not. I looked up those painkillers, and it said you should have food. Drink up. Then I’ll order in dinner.”
He took a few sips, then smiled, his eyes blazing. “You even found my protein powder.”
“Yes. I don’t know if you’ve eaten today, so you might have been extra loopy because you were hungry.”
Jared chugged most of the smoothie, then set the glass on the bedside table so he could slip his left arm around me.
“I can’t believe you came over to take care of me,” he said. Then the corners of his eyes clenched. “The pills have totally worn off. Please tell me I didn’t say anything completely stupid.”
I shook my head, then rested it against his shoulder. “I was the one who was completely stupid.”
He gripped my face gently but firmly in his huge hand, staring into my eyes. “Don’t you dare say that about my girlfriend.”
I started to laugh, but he didn’t. He released my face, then began stroking my lower back. “Tara, I don’t think you understand how much you mean to me. I’m afraid to tell you just how much.” He paused for a second, as his jaw tightened. “I didn’t tell you…anything I shouldn’t have yet, did I?”
“I don’t think so. You told me that you were a crane operator, and you help make giant office towers.”
“I never meant to mislead you,” he said quickly. “Tara, the last thing I would ever want to do is hurt you.”
“I know. I was a complete fool for assuming you were…whatever. Can we please not talk about it? I kinda feel really dumb.” That was putting it mildly. Truth be told, I wanted to hide under the covers.
“I just need to know if you’re disappointed. Are you?” He was staring at me so intently I was afraid to breathe for a second.
“No. Not at all. To be honest, I guess I’m a bit relieved.”
“Really?” He seemed surprised.
“Yes. I mean, I always worry that I don’t know what to say and do in social situations. If I had to go to a lot of fancy cocktail parties, or deal with super rich people, I wouldn’t know how to behave. Plus, as it is, I don’t know how long I’m going to be able to hold your attention–”
I gasped, wishing I could choke those words back.
He shifted so that we were facing each other, then he kissed the backs of my hands. “Tara, I’m already in love with you. I know I’m not supposed to say that for a while, but we’ve already had too many crazy misunderstandings. You don’t have to–”
“I love you, too.”
His eyes closed as he exhaled slowly. “I was worried I’d scare you away.”
“I’m here for as long as you want me,” I smiled. Even though it was a bit awkward, it felt so wonderful to actually say the words out loud.
He leaned in to whisper in my ear, “I already know that I want you forever, but let’s leave the big, scary topics for another day, all right?”
“Sure.” I looked across the blankets at his leg where it was propped up on the pillows. “How bad is it? And what happened?”
He shrugged those massive shoulders as if it was no big deal. “Somehow a bundle of steel reinforcing bars got loose and started falling down through the open part of the roof. I shoved the guys out of the way, but I was nicked. Honestly, it was nothing.”
“You saved your coworkers?”
He shrugged again. “Yeah, they all owe me a beer. But don’t worry about it. There’s always a small accident once a year or so. We like to think it prevents larger accidents. It was just my turn, that’s all. ”
I decided it would be best to ask him in more detail in a few weeks.
“I’m so sorry I couldn't come and pick you up,” he said. “I called Jessie to come get me, then I was about to phone you but they called me in for the stitches. Then things are a little fuzzy.”
Reaching out, I slipped my hand up the back of his neck to stroke the shaved portion of the back of his head. Every time I caressed Jared I felt closer to him.
“I love the way you touch me, gorgeous,” he murmured.
He began unzipping my dress, and I wasn’t sure whether I should stop him or not. Jared seemed to sense my tension. “I’m so sorry, baby. Should I stop? I just want to touch you. Be close to you.”
“No, I’m worried you’re going to move your leg, or hurt your arm.”
“You said that I should eat,” he said, waggling his eyebrows suggestively. “I’m starving. And you know how delicious I think you are.”
16
_____
Jared
Just a few hours ago, when I looked up at the open roof to see rebar flying at my head, I had honestly wondered in that split second if it might be my time.
Now as I looked up at Tara, it was a much different sort of heaven. She was naked, with her thighs on either side of my head as she slowly lowered her perfect pussy down to my mouth.
“I can’t believe I’m letting you do this,” she laughed. “You’re supposed to be resting.”
I grabbed her ass with my rough hands, pulling her lower until she gasped as my tongue made contact with her soft folds. Gliding over her skin, Tara’s faint moans made me uncomfortably hard. It was worth it to show my sweet girl how much I cared. How much I needed her.
I could feel the heat between us begin to take over as I swiped my tongue and found her already soaked. “I love how ready you always are for me, gorgeous,” I murmured.
Tara definitely enjoyed it when I was a bit demanding. She moaned my name loudly as I gripped her, pulling her hot little button into my mouth.
Her entire body jerked, then began to grind against me. I could feel her going crazy, as her control slipped away.
It didn’t take long for her to begin to pant, her fingers gripping the headboard as she quivered. It felt like she was fighting, trying to hang on a bit longer.
“Relax and come for me, baby,” I murmured, giving her butt a tiny smack.
Working my tongue against her faster, harder, Tara began to shake as her hips tightened and legs flexed. Then I felt her release against my mouth as she squealed.
Her thighs gripped my ears, blocking out her noises, as I rode out her climax to the very end. As she caught her breath, I lapped up her juices, then kissed along every inch of her sweet skin.
“I love this position,” I said in between kisses. “I’ve never tried it before. But I love having you over me, baby. I love that you’re the one in control.”
Tara climbed off me carefully, then lay against my left side. “What can I do for you that won’t hurt your leg?” she asked, as her hand began to slip down my chest.
“Not tonight,” I said gently, kissing along the side of her neck. I needed her to understand that my caring for her was not about getting something in return.
“You mentioned ordering in food, though,” I said. “If you could please hand me my phone, I know a great burrito place.”
We spent the rest of the evening in my bed, eating dinner, watching videos on my laptop, and constantly touching. I was able to let my walls down so easily with her. There was no reason to be anything but completely open, even if it made me seem like less of a tough guy.
It felt like Tara was genuinely fine with my lack of extreme wealth. Now we could get down to the serious business of blending our lives together.
17
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Tara
Being slightly anxious was frequently my default state, but cuddling while pressed snugly against Jared made me wonder if I’d ever be stressed again. He was wearing nothing but his shorts, and I’d borrowed one of his old tank tops to sleep in. Nothing felt as good as his skin pressed against mine.
As I moved, I remembered not to jostle his bad leg. Other than a slow, careful trip to the washroom an hour ago, he’d been a good little patient and kept off it completely.
It was a bit early for sleep, but I felt like he needed more rest. Yet it seemed we were enjoying the snuggling too much to sleep.
“Hey, gorgeous.”
“Hey, handsome.”
I propped myself up on an elbow and was rewarded with a kiss. Then he seemed to be analyzing my face. “How old are you?”
I laughed for a second. “I think I’m supposed to make a fuss and tell you not to ask a lady such things, but who cares. I’m twenty-one.”
“Does it bother you that I’m thirty-six?”
“Nope.”
We got cozy, and I couldn’t help wondering what it would be like to sleep with him every single night.
“Hey, you were going to look into advancement at work,” he said, sitting up again as it was obvious we’d rather talk than sleep. “How’s that going so far?”
I told him excitedly all about the website and new marketing angle I was figuring out, and how receptive Lynne had been to my ideas.
“I even wrote a few sample email newsletters targeted to a busy mother, pointing out what problems can be avoided by using our predictive online services. For new moms, it can suggest what they might need as their child grows. But I’ve designed it to be more helpful than promotional. Do you know what I mean?”
“I love that you’re so smart,” he smiled, rubbing my back in that way that made every part of my body soften. “I was going to try to wait a few weeks for the heavy stuff, but I don’t think it can wait. Tara, I want to sleep next to you every single night.”
My mouth fell slightly open in surprise, so he kissed me. His ha
nds moved slowly up my back, as the pull between us grew overpowering.
“Tell me you’ll move in with me soon,” he whispered against my lips. “I don’t even care if it’s your place or mine.”
I sputtered with laughter at the thought of the two of us trying to coexist in my minuscule apartment. “You don’t even know me well enough to know if you might get sick of me,” I giggled as he slipped the tank top up and over my head.