by Aliyah Burke
He cupped her upper arms and pulled her nearer. “Soon, Ariel, we’ll be back in bed together.”
She smoothed a hand over his chest. “I’m sure we will, but not tonight.”
He nodded. “Because it’s a date date.”
“Our first one.”
He smiled softly. “Does that mean you are willing to have more?”
“That’s exactly what it means, Pierce Carter.”
He kissed her softly on the lips. “Tuck. I’ll always be Tuck to you. Sleep well, Ariel. Have lots of explicit dreams of me so we can act them out together, later on.” He brushed his erection against her and she whimpered. His determination not to push wavered so he backed off. “Goodnight, beautiful.”
He walked across the hall, opened his apartment then went inside with a final look at her over his shoulder. More of that damn insistence he run back to her and fuck her long and hard against the wall hit him.
Two hours later, after the clock had passed midnight, he heard thumping out in the hall. He opened the door and found Ariel pacing back and forth before her open apartment.
“Ariel? What are you doing?”
Lord, she still wore the dress she’d had on for their date.
She looked up and stalked to stand before him. “New day, new rules.” She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him. Her tongue surged through his mouth and he met it with a low rumble.
Lifting her with one hand, he used his other to shut the door of his place and took her back to hers.
The moment they were inside her apartment, he whirled her so her back was against a wall, drew the door shut then shoved his workout pants down, freeing his thick erection.
“Ariel,” he rasped. “Are you sure?” He didn’t know how he’d be able to stop what he was doing but if she said no, he’d find some way to walk away.
She curved her hand around his head and drew him close. “Fuck me, Tuck. Just fuck me.” Then she kissed him again.
He could taste the alcohol but it wasn’t enough to stop him. Her words were coherent and he did as she’d said.
With a single stroke, he buried his cock deep within her pussy. She arched her back and cried out to the room. Bracing one hand against the wall, he thrust in and out of her tight pussy.
Chapter Seven
Ariel screamed again, her voice hitting a note she didn’t even know she could reach. Dear Lord, this man just got better and better. This wasn’t tender or soft. It was hard, fast and totally what she needed.
“Bed,” he rumbled.
She brushed back some of her sweaty hair from her forehead and leant back in for another kiss. “Your call. Ain’t that big of a place. I’m fine with here, couch, floor. Hell, even the kitchen.”
“We’ll get there,” he vowed, cupping her ass and walking towards her bedroom, kicking free of his pants on the way. Each step jarred his cock, which remained buried inside her.
She wound her arms around his neck and held on. Her dress had been shoved up over her ass and as they relocated, he took one hand and began playing with her clit.
“Aw, fuck!” More waves of pleasure crashed over her.
“I totally intend to.”
He strummed her like an instrument. His calloused fingertips only increased the sensations. At her bed, he turned and sat so she straddled him. She couldn’t hold still and rocked on his length, seeing his eyes darken as he pinched her clit.
“I really want you naked,” he said. “But having you in that sexy-as-fuck dress with these shoes is one hell of a turn-on.”
Reaching behind her with one hand, she undid the clasp that held up the halter top. It fell forward, exposing her bare breasts. “Better?” she questioned, rotating her hips as she searched for that one spot she needed him to hit.
His lips covered part of one breast instantly. “Oh yeah,” he mumbled around the flesh in his mouth.
She quivered as his fingers mimicked what his tongue was doing to her nipple. Flicks, swirls, it didn’t matter. They worked in tandem with one another and set her catapulting towards another fevered peak.
Pushing him back so he lay on the bed, she bent down and kissed him. Hungrily. How a man managed to taste so good she hadn’t any clue but he pulled it off. He held her shoulders before sliding his hands down to the edge of the dress over her ass, where it was bunched.
Leaving his lips, she moved down, pressing kisses along her way. Over his pecs and scraping her teeth along his nipples as well, loving the shudder he gave as she did so. She sat back up and smoothed her hands along his torso.
“You’re in incredible shape, Tuck.”
Inside her pussy, his cock jumped and she rocked on him. He stared at her, his eyes dark with passion and need.
“Don’t make me take back over, Ariel.”
“In a rush?” she asked.
“Yes. I want to come deep inside you and watch your eyes roll back into your head as I do.”
She tightened around him and began moving slowly on his shaft. “My turn to pick the speed.”
The man growled but stayed put, allowing her to do all the work. Utilising her hips to the best of her ability, Ariel found a rhythm she preferred. He hit all the right spots, yet she could control how fast she made it to another orgasm.
Watching him through slitted eyes, she noticed the strain on his face. He wanted to wrest control from her but was refraining. She raked her nails down his chest and ground down onto him before picking up her speed. Up and down she moved, readjusting so her shoes were flat on the bed as he lifted her up and down.
He took her hands and she used them to help her balance as she rode him. Tendons stood out on his neck and she knew he was close. He began countering her actions with his hips and soon, together, they both came in a fierce rush.
She collapsed on him with a grin on her face and sighed heavily. The man was still hard inside her and when he rolled them over, she held his gaze as he began to stroke into her again.
* * * *
She woke to a cry in the room and it took her a moment to realise it had poured from her throat. Tuck lay between her legs eating her pussy with a skill some men just never learned. His tongue flicked her clit as he worked three fingers deep inside her.
“Come again on my tongue,” he commanded.
There was no way she could argue with him. She came instantly. He replaced his fingers with his tongue and took it all in. Her inner walls were sore and she trembled with each rasp he delivered.
Tuck kissed his way up her now naked body—when the dress and shoes had left her, she was a bit hazy on the details—until he shared her taste with her. He cupped the back of her head and put them nose to nose. Tuck kept most of his weight off her and she knew it was because he was still concerned about her fractured rib. Honestly, she didn’t give a damn. For a night like this, she was willing to risk it.
“You’re not running this time, Ariel.”
With a slow blink, she shook her head. “I don’t have the energy to run anywhere.”
He rolled to the side and gathered her close. “Good. Can we sleep in?”
“Not too long. I have to get my run in before it’s too hot.”
“Okay, how about this. Three more hours then we run. Get all hot and sweaty then come back here and shower.”
Fighting off her yawn, she relaxed against him. “Sounds like a plan.” She didn’t struggle anymore against the lure of Morpheus.
* * * *
When they woke for the run, she rolled from bed after a long, lingering kiss and watched with contentment as Tuck strolled naked to pick up his workout pants. She got her outfit on and turned to find him observing her with more hunger in his expression.
“No, Tuck. I have to run.”
“What about your rib?”
“What about it? It’s fractured, I can still do things.”
His grin was pure sin. “And very well too. But won’t running aggravate it?”
“As opposed to all the stuff we did last night?” S
he scratched her head. “No, I’ll be fine.” She gestured at him. “I’ll wait for you to change into something else.”
“Be right back.” He slipped out and she waited until she heard the door to her apartment shut before she ventured forth.
Going to her computer, she linked up her iPod and uploaded her recently updated running songs. She was still seated there when Tuck came back.
“Whatcha doing?” he asked, closing the door behind him and moving to her side.
“Uploading my music.”
“What does the great Ariel run to?” He sat beside her, gave her another kiss then stared at the screen.
“I like upbeat music but when I’m tired as I am today, I generally go back to running with cadences like we did in the Corps.”
“Seriously? Like what?”
“Like this one that says, ‘Listen to the rhythm of the tiny, tiny feet. Sounds like the Army in a full retreat.’”
Tuck burst out laughing. “Sounds like a good one.”
“It is for us. I’m sure the Army’s not a fan but we don’t much care.”
She stared at his shorts and tank top. I’m so ready to forgo this and just get him back into bed. Her lips twitched. Or the kitchen, couch and floor. As he promised, we got there.
“What are you smiling at?”
She pushed up from the desk and unhooked her iPod. “Nothing. Let’s go.” Ariel stopped. “Is my running with music going to be a problem for you?”
“Not at all. Mine is in my pocket.”
“Awesome.” Attaching hers to the armband holder, she watched him do the same. Then she secured her key and they went downstairs and stretched before setting off on their run.
Tired when she got back from the six mile trek, she enjoyed their shared shower. He had her come three times before he allowed himself to find release. Tuck had grabbed some clothes from his place before the shower and he put them on. Steve didn’t join them for breakfast so it was just the two of them.
“This thing on the weekend,” he began.
She looked up at him. “What about it?”
“Can I invite some of the men who aren’t working?”
“If you want, definitely. More the merrier.”
His eyes twinkled. “Is that for everything?”
“So long as it doesn’t involve sex for me, mostly I’d say yes. I’m not into anything like that.”
“Damn, so that threesome is out.”
“Only if I’m one of those three. You can do what you want.”
“We both know what I want is you, Ariel. Don’t try to start pushing me away now.”
The man knew her so well. She cleared her throat then said, “Just making a comment.”
His grunt was one of doubt. “I’ll see what I can do with the guys. Some have this weekend off and they may want to come help.”
She finished her juice. “It would be wonderful.”
He took his plate to the sink. “Do you need any help with clean-up?”
“I got it. Go.”
Tuck stood behind her and tipped her head back so they could see one another. He kissed her until she was ready to melt into the chair. Into? Hell, try through.
“Thank you so much for the date, Ariel. And I’ll see you tomorrow bright and early. Breakfast is on me.”
“I feel I should be thanking you,” she admitted. “See you then.”
One more kiss then he went to the door where he paused and turned. He shook his head and muttered, “So damn beautiful.” Then he was gone.
It didn’t take much time to clean up before she was on the way to work herself. Connie was there. She took one look at Ariel, slipped from her chair and followed her down the hall to her office.
“Oh my God, you had your nasty way with him again. I can see it all over your face. What happened to it just being a date where this didn’t happen?”
Ariel faced her friend and shrugged. “I failed that miserably.”
Connie burst out laughing before managing to calm herself. “How miserably?”
“All night long and this morning kind of miserably.”
“Was it worth it?”
“Hell yes!”
* * * *
Tuck stretched his back and looked around where he was working on the church. Three of the men on his crew had stopped by as well. He found Ariel—she was standing with a few children as they worked on scrubbing off the graffiti on the outside wall.
She looked entirely delectable. Her cargo pants rode low on her hips—hips he’d held as he fucked her not that long ago. The white tank top she had on allowed him to see the muscles in her arms as she worked. She’d pulled her hair into pigtail braids and he realised he wanted to hold them as she screamed his name.
“Stop thinking about sex.”
He found Jasper beside him. “What are you talking about?”
“Dude, you’re at a church and the way you keep looking at Ms Greene, there, is going to get the minister after you as he straps you to a seat with a one-way ticket to hell. I don’t think the children need to have a visual of what it is you’d like to do with her.”
He shook his head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Right. You’re probably sporting wood right now. All these women and children around—you need to get yourself under control.”
“Don’t you have something else to be doing?” he snapped, annoyed that the man had caught him daydreaming about Ariel.
“Doin’ it, man, I’m doin’ it. So do you and it’s not staring at your new girlfriend.”
His new girlfriend. That he liked. “Go be productive, Jasper.”
The man laughed and walked away. Tuck willed his body back under some semblance of control. Once he’d managed that, he left the saw and strolled outside for a break. It didn’t take him but a few steps to realise he was walking towards Ariel.
“How’s it going?” he asked coming up behind her.
Ariel turned to face him, her grin wide. “We’re doing great. You?”
“Not bad.” He winked at her. “Taking a break.”
“I see. Slacking.”
The children took up her chant and he shook his head at her. He grinned, unable to hide his amusement—he loved watching her interactions with kids. She turned back to them and clapped her hands.
“Why don’t you three go grab some drinks and take a break yourself?”
“Yay!” They scampered off and she watched them leave.
“Thanks again for helping out. Not to mention recruiting the others to come as well.”
He crossed his arms. “No need to thank me. They were happy to help.” His gaze moved over Jasper, Todd and finally Milton who’d brought along his entire family. The only one who wasn’t helping was the eleven-month-old, who was currently sleeping in a playpen set up in the shade where his mom and dad both could keep an eye on him.
“Still, it was an extremely thoughtful gesture, one you didn’t have to do.” She dipped her brush back in the soapy water and attacked the last bit of tagging that defaced the building.
“Jasper says it’s because of my girlfriend.” He watched her close, wanting to see her reaction to his statement.
“You have one?” She never turned around.
“Yes. Don’t you?”
“Women haven’t ever done it for me, so that would be a definite no.”
He was tempted to smack her on that firm ass. “Not what I meant.”
“Not sure how I am supposed to take it. You asked me a question, which referred back to your comment of having a girlfriend. I said no. Very basic question and answer.”
“Tuck!”
He turned to see Jasper waving at him, beckoning him over. Ariel snorted and said, “Break’s over.”
“You’re enjoying this,” he retorted.
She peered at him. “Yeah. I kinda am. Catch ya later.”
He reached out and tugged on one braided pigtail. “Leave these in for later. I have plans. You’re giving me on
e hell of a fantasy here.”
She winked at him. “Awesome. Can’t wait. You may want to clear it with your girlfriend first.”
Her braid slid free as she moved back to the wall and attacked it again. With great reluctance, he left her there and returned to Jasper’s side. “What?”
“Man, we’re here to work, not pick up women.”
“Speak for yourself.” He slid his safety glasses on and, with Jasper’s help, set up the four sheets he was slicing through at one time.
The roar of the motor and the smell of sawdust made him feel at home. This was what he loved doing. Even with wanting to get to more of the design side of this business, he knew he would always want to be hands-on, getting dirty.
They worked well together and it didn’t take them long to put up the boards and go back for more. As he passed a window, he spied Ariel again. She was beside the man who’d introduced himself as Slater. On her other side was Connie. She made him chuckle—in her blue shirt and white bib overalls with the pant legs rolled up, she appeared more like one of the children running around than a woman who, according to Ariel, could kick his ass.
Ariel and Slater were laughing at something. Tuck paused, smiling at her expression. So obvious for all to know her emotions, she didn’t hide behind a wall of seriousness. Ariel loved life and it showed.
“And we’ve lost him again,” Jasper drawled from behind him.
“Shut up, man. You’ve not lost me. I stopped for like a second.”
“Yeah, but like he pointed out, your eyes get all goo-goo when you look at her.” Todd punched him in the shoulder. “Although, that little one beside her is pretty cute. Is she available?”
“I don’t know. Go ask her.”
Todd puffed out his chest. “I may do just that. But we still have work to do.”
Snorting, Tuck returned to the stack of plywood they were putting up. He readjusted his tool belt then grabbed some more and got back to it. They were working on a shed behind the church. It had been set on fire so there was more work to be done on it than some of the other places. After they got the plywood up, they’d put on the siding.
It was afternoon when two kids ran over and called them to lunch. Ready for some sustenance, Tuck and his crew followed the duo to where a large grill was being manned by the minister of the church. A long table full of sides and condiments, as well as dessert, met his gaze and all three of them groaned happily.