Alone With You

by Aliyah Burke

  “No thanks. I have a drink.” She pointed to her water.

  “Water?”

  “Sometimes I do drink that, you know.”

  He grunted.

  “It’s not bad. In fact, it’s good for a person to drink it.”

  “Beer has water in it.”

  She shook her head and didn’t bother to respond. Picking up the pencil she’d dropped when he’d kissed her, she put the tip to the paper and continued writing things she thought they should make.

  “Sit down and help me here. There isn’t that much time before Thanksgiving.”

  He plunked down the bottle and pivoted the chair to straddle it. “Show me what you’ve got.”

  Oh, the things I could say to that. Or do. You’d see what I had if I were to strip naked for starters…

  * * * *

  Tuck crossed his arms, watching as the backhoe and bulldozer broke the ground for his house. He was excited and had bitten off his own yell of glee. It was finally happening. This was going to be a dual purpose build. To show people what he could design and then of course build.

  Most of the men he’d worked with at Richard’s company had made the jump to his new one. The part that still shocked him a bit was that it had been done with Richard’s complete support. He knew the man wanted him to succeed and it was a heady feeling to know your old boss had such faith and hope for you.

  Richard’s more than a boss, though, and I know this.

  A lot had been going on since the money had been put into his account. He and Ariel didn’t have as much time together anymore. That was the downside. The upside—he had his company and it was doing well right now. A few smaller jobs were coming in as well.

  It was a lot different learning how to manage his time when he was the boss. The next thing on his list was to get a good secretary. One he could trust and one who had worked in the business before.

  “Congratulations, Pierce.”

  Richard stepped up beside him. He glanced at the man and took in the impeccable three-piece suit and his cane, which was now an everyday part of his attire.

  “Thank you.”

  “Do you have an idea how long until the house is finished?”

  “A few months. We’ve got some other jobs to do as well, so the house is something which can be put on the backburner if necessary. I understand it will be my showpiece but I also don’t want to be turning away jobs because of the house.”

  “Sounds like you have it all figured out.”

  “Getting there, sir.”

  “What are you doing over the holiday?”

  “Having a get-together with my girl and some friends. You?” He shifted his stance and took a large breath of fresh air. This would be a beautiful place once it was all finished.

  “Probably be at home, alone. The staff will make a meal that won’t get much eaten from.”

  “Not spending it with family?”

  “You know my children, Pierce. Better things to do than be with an old man who refused to let them bleed him dry.”

  “Why don’t you come spend it with us?” The offer slipped out before he realised it.

  “I wouldn’t want to impose.”

  “Nonsense. You wouldn’t be doing anything of the sort. We’ll have more than enough. I insist. Come at noon, we’ll be eating about one or so. Give your people the day off.”

  The old man smiled. Tuck ignored the happiness he saw in the eyes of his friend and mentor. “If you’re sure.”

  “I am. We’d be honoured if you’d spend the time with us.”

  “Thank you, Pierce.”

  Conversation turned to work for a while then Richard left. Tuck pulled out his cell and dialled Ariel.

  “Hey, stranger,” she said.

  “Hey yourself, babe. How’s work going?” He walked away from the noise to his truck, which he jumped in to have an easier time hearing her.

  “Busy. Sounds like it is the same for you. What’s up?”

  “I invited someone else to Thanksgiving.” He peered through one eye as if waiting for a smack to reach out and get him.

  “Okay. Does this person have any allergies that I should be aware of?”

  He shook his head. “Not that I know. Are you sure you’re okay with this?”

  “Why not? It’s Thanksgiving. Who is it?”

  “Richard.”

  “The man you used to work for, Richard?”

  “That’s the one. His family and him don’t get along at all so he would have just been in his house barely picking on a meal his staff had made for him.”

  “That’s not how anyone should spend this holiday. Make sure he comes. You know we planned for more food. Leftovers may be a bit less but who cares.”

  “Thanks, babe.”

  “No problem. Will I see you tonight?”

  Lord, he wanted to. His cock was straining against his jeans now, just from hearing her sultry voice. Were he not worried about the men walking by, he’d pull himself out now and jack off as he talked to her.

  “I hope so but I’m not sure what time I’ll be done here.”

  “Okay.”

  Was it his imagination or didn’t she sound too torn up over his announcement? Keep it together, man. You’re beginning to whine and worry like a woman. Brushing aside his brain’s comment, he focused back on the conversation he was having.

  “It might be late.”

  “I’m heading out about seven and am not sure when I’ll be home. Thought maybe I’d have a chance to see you before that. Look, I know you’re busy and I’m a bit behind the eight ball myself, so I have to dash. I’ll catch you later.”

  She hung up on her end, leaving him with nothing more than a dial tone and a hard-on he could use to pound spikes with. Rubbing himself through his jeans, he made a promise to his dick. Soon, man. Soon we’ll be back inside her.

  He hopped out then went down to the work site, waving at the driver who was bringing in the mobile office. After directing him where to park, Tuck went to meet him and shook his hand after he’d jumped down. The large black man dwarfed him for size, not something that happened often.

  “Thanks, Drake, for bringing this over.”

  “No problem. Sorry I wasn’t here sooner. There’s an insane amount of traffic on the roads now and I ran into a few accidents. Let me get it unhooked and I have some paper for you to sign, bossman.”

  He chuckled and smacked him on the shoulder. “Get to it then.”

  Drake was quick and efficient. The men walked inside and Tuck glanced around. A few things had been dislodged during the haul-over but it wasn’t bad. He took the clipboard from his friend, signed off that the delivery had been completed then returned it.

  “How’s things with you, man?” Tuck asked.

  Drake ripped off the copy Tuck could keep and shrugged. “Not bad. Staying busy for sure. Thinking about asking Lisa to marry me.”

  He whistled low. “Really? You’ve been seeing each other for… How long now?”

  “Three years. I look at it this way. We’re practically married now, why not give her the ring and my name?”

  “Big step.”

  “Not really, man. I love her. It’s that simple.”

  Tuck grunted. “I suppose so. Just didn’t think I’d ever see the day when you were that candid about your feelings.”

  Drake laughed. “Man, I’m not a college kid anymore, or a high-schooler where it’s not cool to talk about your feelings. I’m a man, not a boy. And men keep the woman they want. I’m secure enough in myself to tell her and others how I feel. I pity anyone who can’t. Life’s short enough—why not spend it with the one who makes you feel like there isn’t anything in this world that you can’t accomplish? That’s what Lisa is to me.” A shrug. “And I don’t mind admitting it. I should have married her a long time ago but I was still of the other mind. Now, I’ve changed and I want a family. With her.”

  Tuck filed his words away for further dissection and smiled. “Congratulations, man.�
��

  A flash of white amid the dark of his skin as Drake smiled. “Thanks. Now if I can just get her to agree to a small wedding. Like at the Justice of the Peace or something like that.”

  “You’re totally on your own for that, man, but good luck. I hear women love that day and want to go all out.”

  “She’s so different from all her sisters, so maybe I’ll be safe.”

  Tuck laughed. “Good luck with that. What does she have, like, four sisters?”

  “Yes, four.” Drake shook his head. “Okay, let me get out of here. Call if you need more workers man—have a feeling I’m gonna be needing some extra dough.”

  “I’ll give you a call tonight and we’ll talk. I need more men.”

  “Excellent.” He opened the door and stepped out. “Thanks, man.”

  Tuck waved at him. “Don’t thank me, I know you’re a great worker. I’ll be in touch.”

  The door closed and he sighed as he looked around. It didn’t take him long to straighten up then he sat in the back at his desk. He supposed he could call a temp agency and get a secretary while he was looking for someone permanent. Who knew, whoever made it out could turn out to be just who he needed. Pulling up the number he needed, he used his cell to make the call.

  Tuck never got to see Ariel that night. After finishing up work, he called Drake and set up a time for him to stop by the following day. Then he went home and walked into his apartment at ten to nine.

  “How was it?” Steve asked, muting the television.

  “Exciting. How are you doing?”

  “Hanging in there,” he said with a shrug. “There’s some leftover baked ziti in the fridge if you’d like some of that.”

  “I will. Thanks.” He went to shower and came back out to find the place empty. Figuring Steve was in his room, Tuck dished himself up some food and heated it in the microwave.

  Tired though he was, he still had a few other things to do. He made it to bed by midnight and groaned as his head hit the pillow. “Long days, short nights. It’s what happens when life is good and you have your own business.” He grinned in the dark and rolled over.

  He hadn’t been wrong, the night was extremely short. Tuck ate some toast as he waited for his coffee mug to fill. Keys in hand, he skipped the elevator and jogged down to the first floor then out to his truck. A thrill rippled through him as he saw the magnet on the door that boasted his company name.

  At the work site before anyone else, he finished hooking up the electricity to a generator and taking care of the phones as well. Some of the crew began drifting in and he spoke to each of them as they came in and punched the clock.

  He was back in his office at seven when the front door opened. Double-checking his watch, he figured it would be the secretary the service had said would be there by this time. “I’ll be right there,” he called out.

  He walked out a minute later and froze in his tracks. Standing there by the door, dressed in more clothing than he’d ever seen her, was—his luck was shit—Daisy. She glanced at him with a smile on her face that faded slightly when she recognised him.

  He recovered before she did and walked towards her. “You’re the temp?”

  She lifted her chin and nodded. “Yes. Is that going to be a problem for you?”

  Probably. “Nope. Thank you for being prompt.” He sent up a whispered prayer, just in case anyone up there was listening, and got to work explaining what it was he wanted from her.

  Chapter Thirteen

  The vibration woke her. Ariel slowly cracked her eyes open to see the red digital readout of her clock. Barely after three. She didn’t want to move. Hell, she wasn’t sure if she could.

  “Is that your phone or mine?” Tuck’s sleep-laden rumble came near her ear and she found she did have the energy to smile.

  “I don’t know. Where’s yours?”

  He flexed his hips against her. “Right here.”

  “Smart ass. Not what I meant.” She pulled herself towards the side of the bed and fumbled for the light. “Damn,” she complained, squinting when she turned it on.

  Tuck had come over and they’d had a marathon run of sex, stopping only to head out to an all-night diner and eat before coming back for more. Now all she wanted was more than an hour of sleep.

  She reached for a phone and stared at it. His. Not vibrating. Double crap. That meant it was hers. Stretching out her fingers, she grabbed hers and dragged it to her ear.

  “Hello?”

  Tuck kissed his way down her back and despite her exhaustion, her body readily responded.

  “Ariel? Did I wake you?”

  “Yes, Slater. You did. It’s after three. Why wouldn’t you have woken me?”

  Tuck’s fingers tightened upon her hip as he nipped her ass cheek. She squirmed.

  “Better yet,” she continued. “Why aren’t you sleeping?”

  “I needed to get some files on a project you’re working on.”

  Tuck settled between her legs and lifted her hips a bit before placing his mouth right over her pussy.

  “Oh!” she said sharply.

  “Oh?” Static exploded along the lines. “What’s going on?”

  “Just ‘Oh’, Slater.” She tried to concentrate—an extremely difficult task. “Why didn’t you just access the mainframe and…and pull the files you needed?”

  Words just weren’t coming easily to her. There wasn’t any way they would. Not with Tuck doing what he was to her. And with such skill. The way he feasted upon her pussy was driving her wild. He flipped himself and drew her hips down until she sat upon his face.

  Shit! I can’t talk coherently with his head buried between my thighs like this. Talk? I can’t think.

  She rocked against his thrusting tongue and bit back another moan.

  “I’m not at the office.”

  “Okay.” Her voice was breathless. “So what do you want from me?” Beneath her, Tuck’s answer vibrated her clit and she fought to keep the scream inside. He held her still, never relenting in his attack.

  “I need you to tell…how it…their family.”

  Tuck’s talented tongue brought her to an explosive orgasm. She trembled and tried to find her voice.

  “You’re breaking up, Slater. Repeat that. Where are you?”

  “…need it ASAP. Don’t have…time…”

  She lost the call. “Slater? Slater!” Nothing. She’d truly lost it.

  Ariel’s mind whirled with the possibilities of what was going on. Lifting herself from Tuck she moved his hand when he went to stop her. “Not now.”

  He got the tone and sat up. “What’s going on?”

  “I’m not sure.” She dialled a number, sleeplessness falling to the wayside. “Connie? Where are you?”

  “Home. It’s, like, three in the morning. What do you need?”

  “Slater called me needing some information. He said he wasn’t at the office and he needs it quick but I lost his signal and didn’t get all he said.”

  “Damn fool. I think I know where he went.” She heard Connie getting up. “Can you meet me at the office?”

  “On my way.” She ended the call. “Damn.”

  “Ariel?”

  “I don’t know, Tuck. Something’s up, though, and I have to go.” She stood and dressed in haste. Shoving her feet into her boots, she blew some wayward hair from her face. “Go back to sleep. One of us should get some rest.” She kissed him. “And, thanks.”

  “Want me to come with you?” he asked, grabbing her sleeve.

  “No. We got this.” She stepped clear from him and opened the small safe in her room, taking out her personal sidearm, her SIG. After shoving the holster in the back of her jeans, she added the pistol.

  “You’re taking a gun?”

  “Of course I am. Gotta go. Sleep well.” She blew him a kiss then dashed.

  She sped all the way, praying the cops didn’t pull her over. After flashing her badge at the guard, she raced up to the fifth floor of the parking garage and
parked. She ran to the door, engaging the lock over her shoulder.

  She’d just sat behind her desk when Connie came through the door. The woman still didn’t seem rattled, although for once her eyes were slightly wide. “Anything?”

  “He hasn’t called back.”

  “Pull up the Mason–Henderson file.” She sat in a chair only to pop up again. “I told him to call the cops.”

  Ariel frowned. “What are you talking about?” She brought up the file. “Cops? I’m lost.”

  “After you finished the initial assessment on them, Slater was called to do a bit more. It was when you were gone dealing with the congressman’s son. Anyway, he discovered a bunch of illegal activities they were doing and got pissed. You know Slater.”

  Yes, she did. Slater was a man with very strong beliefs and he acted on them, sometimes without any care for consequences. Like now. Ariel opened the file and refreshed her memory of the people. They’d seemed like a nice enough couple. Looks could be deceiving and in this case, apparently, they had been.

  “I do.”

  Connie paced. “Anyway. He found something out about them that set him off. He told me he wasn’t going to do anything. That he would leave it for the authorities. Damn him, he told me!”

  Now, this was a side of Connie she’d not seen before. Copying down the addresses Slater’d highlighted of a few of their buildings, she powered down her computer and stared at Connie.

  “We don’t know where he is yet, Connie.”

  Connie shot her a look that told Ariel she knew how they both disagreed with her statement. After trying Slater one more time and failing to make contact, she swore. “Let’s get going.”

  Connie headed to the door. “I have his GPS locked.” She swiped a bag Ariel hadn’t previously noticed from the floor. The women made their way in silence out to Ariel’s vehicle. Connie climbed in, bag at her feet, then held out the GPS and gave the address.

  “Give me directions, I’m operating on short sleep here.” She cranked the engine and burned rubber as she left the parking garage.

  Connie tried him as Ariel drove but it never got through. Her single word directions were offset by her readying the weapons she’d pulled from the bag.