by Ali Vali
“Oh,” Tucker said, sounding disappointed. “My spoon skills are fine.”
“I bought you a bib that matches Grady’s, which should keep you and him from another pruning in the bath.” She winked and got Grady. “Then, you’re getting your first lesson in the kitchen because I’m not making every meal.”
“Cooking lessons?” Tucker strapped Grady in and walked them out. “I promise you won’t have to cook every meal. I’ll prove it to you.”
“You mean you know how to cook and you’re holding out on me?”
“I’m not holding out on anything, and I’ll get you a great meal at eight if you’re interested.”
“Ah, then it’s me who has a hot date.” Willow slapped Tucker on the ass, and she smiled at the sharp intake of breath it caused. “What are you making?”
“It’s a surprise, but it requires you to change.”
“Are we leaving Grady alone?”
“Just change and have some faith, Ms. Vernon.”
Later, Willow closed the door to her bedroom and left Tucker in the kitchen feeding Grady. She was putting on lipstick when Stella walked in with Grady, who was splattered with some kind of orange goo.
“Does she not have any kind of talent when it comes to getting a spoon into a small mouth?” Grady was being held a foot from Stella’s body and laughing like he was loving it.
“She didn’t just inherit her great ass from her father—a lack of baby skills was another trait she inherited, but you don’t have time for that.”
That was true, and she trusted Stella to take care of cleaning Grady up, so she kissed both of them and went out to wait for Tucker. Tucker was sitting with her father and they both smiled when they saw her.
“Are you ready?” Willow asked.
Tucker jumped to her feet and nodded. “Let’s do it.”
She held Tucker’s hand to the car and didn’t let go as Tucker drove them out of the Garden District and down Canal Street. The silence was okay, and whatever she was thinking and feeling, it wasn’t something she had to temper since Tucker seemed to be right there with her.
“Where are you taking me for your turn at cooking tonight?” They kept driving, and she figured they were headed to the other large park in town that had a few good restaurants around it. “And if it’s good enough, I don’t care if you ever learn how to cook.”
“If you insist I learn, my first lesson should be how to turn on the stove.”
Willow laughed at being proved right, and because Tucker finally stopped at Toups’ Meatery. “You know, someone could define this as romantic.”
“I don’t give a damn about anyone, but I do care about your opinion.”
“It’s a winner.”
They recreated their first night together and that same relaxed but electric give-and-take they’d started with. For those couple of hours they forgot about the tragedy they’d survived, and simply found hope in the future. The only difference was Tucker didn’t kiss her as they waited for their car. The car ride home was quiet, their hands entwined, and the anticipation was making Willow tremble inside. They saw Tucker’s parents, and then they were alone and fumbling for what to say.
“Tucker—”
Tucker put her fingers against Willow’s lips and stopped what she was going to say. “This time we’re going to take it slow and make sure it’s what we want.”
Willow took Tucker’s fingers from her lips and pressed them to her cheek. Slow was the last thing she wanted. “If I hadn’t been such an idiot, things could’ve been so different.”
Tucker held her and kissed the top of her head. “My mother told me I was the idiot, and that she’ll take a switch to my perfect ass if I screwed this up. I’m not sure what the hell that means, but I’m not going anywhere. I’m right where I want to be.”
“That’s good and thank you for tonight. I’m also thankful that you keep forgiving all my blunders.”
“Go to bed and stop worrying. I doubt today is the last time you’re going to screw up, and I’m going to let it go no matter what.”
She shoved Tucker away from her and laughed. “At least you’re not boring.”
“It’d be insulting if you thought that.”
“Want to ride together tomorrow?”
“I promise I won’t leave you behind.” Tucker sounded sincere and Willow was counting on that meaning more than a ride to work.
* * *
The sofa was never comfortable but tonight it was torturous, and Willow wasn’t helping Tucker settle down by walking to the kitchen twice. Not that a glass of water and then a cookie weren’t legitimate reasons to walk slowly by with extra sway in her hips, but the short black nightgown was making Tucker’s palms sweat.
She lifted her head when Willow’s door opened again, but this time Willow didn’t come out. “Tuck, would you like to talk for a while? I’m having a hard time getting to sleep.”
No kidding. And talking couldn’t hurt anything. Right? “Sure.”
“Come in here in case we drift off.”
Not a good idea. Definitely not a good idea. Her clit told her brain to shut the fuck up. Maybe there was a chance Willow had changed into a nightgown her grandmother would’ve been fond of. Something up to her neck in plaid flannel that would cool her jets.
The moonlight was enough to make her notice how beautiful Willow looked, with only those two thin straps peeking above the blanket, so it was a no-go on the change. It would’ve helped if she remembered any of those novenas the nuns had taught her, but it turned out they were right about lust and impure thoughts. They turned your brain to mush, but her clit wasn’t having that problem.
Willow held the blanket up and the bed seemed to shrink to the size of a postage stamp, but she wasn’t leaving. “What do you want to talk about?”
“The job you’re giving me might be a good start.” Willow was triumphant at Tucker’s somewhat ragged breathing.
“You’ll find out tomorrow, but don’t worry, there’ll be no cleaning in your future.” Tucker felt stiff and sounded strange.
Willow smiled, hoping it was frustration that was causing the problem. “I hope not, since I’m planning on staying busy.”
“You don’t know what you’ll be doing so how can you be sure?”
“I’ll do whatever you like, but that’s not what I’m talking about.” She rolled to her side and gazed at Tucker when she turned only her head toward her. It was as if the chains Tucker had placed on her control were visible and only she had the keys to the locks. It made her feel powerful, wanton.
“The baby, you mean?”
“There is that.” She gathered her courage and moved to straddle Tucker before her rational brain took over. She laughed at Tucker’s expression of surprise, but just as quickly Tucker closed her eyes and flared her nostrils when she put her hands on her hips. “I meant that you’d be keeping me busy.”
“What are you doing?” Tucker speech was slow, as if she was drunk.
“I happen to have experience with you in this area, so I’m sure you know what I’m doing.” She leaned down and stopped right before she reached Tucker’s lips with hers. “Tell me I’m wrong and I’ll stop.”
“Don’t you want to date first?” Tucker’s hands went farther under her nightgown and once they caressed her ass there was no way they were stopping.
“We’ve been on enough dates for me to know this isn’t a bad idea.” She gave in to the urge to kiss Tucker, and even though she had a need for Tucker to touch her, Tucker made it achingly slow and tender. “Please tell me this is something you want.”
“I not only want it, but I’ve always thought this is a good idea.” Tucker was smiling and her eyes held so much more than Willow could’ve hoped for. “Only we can’t screw this up this time, so is this something you want?”
Tucker lost her smile when Willow sat up quickly, but it was back when she stripped naked. “Don’t worry. I know your full name, and who your family is.” She took Tucker’s hands a
nd placed them on her breasts. “I’m sorry for running out on you before, but I promise I’m not going anywhere this time.”
She couldn’t help but let her tears drop when Tucker sat up and kissed her like she was the center of her world. “Don’t apologize again. We simply had to find our way to what works for us. You and me, Willow, that’s all that matters now.”
She kissed Tucker again and fumbled with Tucker’s shirt. The boxers had little red crawfish all over them and were cute as hell, but they had to go. “Stop laughing and get all this off.” Quickly she found herself under Tucker, whose eyes were dark with desire, and she could guess every X-rated thought going through her head. She approved of every single one.
Tucker rolled her over and held herself off as if wanting to see where she was touching as she made her way down her body. Her slow, sure movements were firm and felt good, but were way too slow.
“Should I be worried that you’re this patient?” Willow asked. Tucker stopped kissing her neck and lifted her head. “It’s disappointing that you’re—” She had to stop to keep from embarrassing herself when Tucker squeezed her clit so hard she had to fight not to come. “Okay…Jesus.” Tucker squeezed harder and tugged her fingers up and down.
“If you come before I tell you to”—Tucker went back to her neck and eased the pressure before removing her hand altogether—“you’ll be sorry.”
“Don’t be cruel.” She was already squirming, trying to find a spot on Tucker she could rub against to find some relief. “I’m so ready for you to fill me up.”
“Patience, baby.” Tucker circled her nipple with her wet finger and Willow held her breast up in invitation for Tucker to put her mouth on her.
“Suck me.” It was a good thing Tucker proved she could follow orders because there’d be plenty in her future if this was going to work. “Oh my God…fuck me.” Tucker not only sucked but bit down gently. “Please.”
“Open your eyes,” Tucker said when she moved up and kissed her. “I want to see you.” It was hard but Willow did, and her emotions were about to swamp her, but this time it wasn’t about any kind of pain.
“Please, honey,” she said as she reached up and touch Tucker’s face. “I need you.” Tucker put her hand back between her legs and paused, her fingers at her opening, but it was no time for sweet and considerate. “I need you to fuck me.”
Her body arched higher than she thought possible and her moan was deep enough to raise goose bumps on her entire body when Tucker slammed her fingers in. “So good—so fucking good.” Tucker pulled almost completely out and repeated the hard, fast entry, and it was something Willow hadn’t realized she craved. She’d followed with her hips but she wanted more, she needed to come or pass out. They were the only viable options to ease the need.
“You’re so goddamn beautiful,” Tucker said as she started a more steady movement.
It was better but still way too slow. “Give me what…oh, oh…uh, oh fuck.” Her belly tightened as Tucker bent her head and sucked in a nipple and sped up her hand. The orgasm was right there—the beginning of that all-encompassing feeling at the edge of her want and desire to be with Tucker like this. “Yes, like that, baby, just like that.”
Her hips moved to meet Tucker’s thrust, and it was all she could concentrate on. It was so incredibly good and it was all because it was Tucker.
“Come for me, baby.”
She couldn’t form articulate words and she wrapped her legs around Tucker’s ass and pulled her hair as the peak came sooner than she wanted. “Oh fuck, I’m coming. Don’t stop, I’m coming.”
“I’ve got you,” Tucker said before she kissed her again.
“Wait.” Her body went rigid and she pushed up against Tucker, wanting to hold the moment. “So good.” It was all she could manage as she came, her sex squeezing Tucker’s fingers before she completely relaxed. Tucker kissed her eyelids and started to pull out but she shook her head. “No, stay. Please, just for a minute.”
“You just reminded me of something. I’ve been thinking—”
She opened one eye and fixed it on Tucker’s smiling face. “If you bring up that I told you to drop dead, or any other woman, I’m in a position to break your fingers, and considering how much I want to use them every chance I get, I’d rather not.”
Tucker laughed and curled her finger slightly upward. “I’d rather you didn’t either, and that’s not what I’m talking about.” She was too spent to protest Tucker kissing her before moving down the bed.
“I don’t know if I can go again.”
“Have a little faith in me, darlin’.” Tucker lowered her head and used only the tip of her tongue on Willow’s surprisingly still pulsing clit.
Jesus loved her a whole, whole lot, she thought as her nipples got rock hard after about a second of that. “What were you thinking?” She didn’t want to be selfish, but she was quickly losing interest in this conversation. “Harder, baby, suck harder.” Fuck, between that mouth and those fingers she was about to lose her mind.
It wasn’t as shattering as the first, but it was still better than anyone else who’d ever touched her. Tucker moved up, rolled over so she was on top, and held her until the sound of her blood rushing receded from her ears. “You’re wonderful, and you didn’t answer my question.”
“I was thinking—I’ve been hard for you since you left me hanging that day at lunch.” Tucker slid her hands down her back and left them on her ass.
“It’s not broken, is it?”
“Could be.” Tucker squeezed hard but stopped right before it became painful.
“Could be it needs mouth-to-mouth to revive it.” She teased Tucker with her words and with the tip of her tongue along her lips before moving so Tucker was under her.
“What a great idea.” She moved down and took a second to see how wet Tucker was and how hard her clit was.
“Oh, honey, that looks painful.”
“You could say that.” Tucker’s voice changed to a funny pitch when she lowered her head and sucked her in with no intention of stopping. “Fuck.” It was a turn-on when Tucker fisted a handful of hair as if to keep her in place, but she wasn’t moving unless the house caught fire. It took no time at all for Tucker to moan and release.
“We’re going to have to work on that hair trigger, big guy,” she said and kissed the inside of Tucker’ thigh.
“I’ve been waiting for months, so I think I did pretty good.” Tucker held her when she moved up and draped herself over her and kissed her cheek.
“Was this okay?”
“Considering I think I pulled a muscle in my ass, it was great.”
“Not that. I mean you and me.” The fear it was only a one-shot deal was probably unfounded but real nonetheless.
“Sweetheart, you’re smart enough to know that the fishing and breakfast invitations were more than fishing and breakfast. I want to be with you, beautiful.” Tucker rolled over and cupped her cheek. “Our first time wasn’t going to be it, and I mean that. I think I know what you’re worried about so forget about our siblings and Grady for a minute.”
“Why?”
“Because what we have—we found that. You and me, and we’re the only ones responsible.” Tucker kissed her gently and winked. “And I’m using the next six years to convince you into a longer, exclusive contract.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, so go to sleep and dream about your terms. I’m a ruthless negotiator.”
“And you have the perfect ass.” She kissed Tucker’s chest and sighed. “And you’re the perfect person to share a family with. I can’t wait for what comes next.”
Chapter Twenty
Tucker opened her eyes while it was still dark outside and took a moment to appreciate how good Willow felt against her. After the start of their day yesterday, she wasn’t sure if they could be cordial while they were in the same room, much less end up making love. Now she had an overwhelming urge to propose, and it wasn’t freaking her the hell out. Willow
wasn’t like any woman she’d been with, and there was a permanence to her that gripped her heart.
“You’re not planning your escape,” Willow said. “Are you?”
“I’m stuck on you and to you, so no.” Willow pressed her butt tighter against her and it turned her on. “Did you do that on purpose when we were at the camp?” She really was an idiot for not seeing all the signs earlier.
“Honey, that house is in no way a camp since it’s, like, three times bigger than this one, and I had to see if you were paying attention.” Willow rolled over and kissed her. “Good morning.”
“I was paying attention all right, and good morning to you.”
“Are you sure? I thought your tongue got about six inches longer while you were salivating in the yard over Syd and her butt shorts.” Willow pinched her as she straddled her hips.
“No way.” The sight of Willow naked made her want to stop talking. “I was looking at you and our beautiful baby.”
“Liar, and if she kisses you again, you’re going to be in big trouble.”
The threat made her smile up at Willow and she moved her hand between her legs. That hot wet silkiness had a way of making her want to claim Willow and do anything to prove herself. She was starting to channel some kind of knight ready to battle for her fair maiden, but she doubted Willow needed anyone to fight for her. “I can tell you’re not sick of me already.”
“Hardly, and stop talking before I change my mind and send you for a cold shower.”
In the early morning light, she went slower, reaching up to touch Willow’s breasts. It might have been slower and gentler, but Willow moved with her and never closed her eyes as she opened up to her until she stilled altogether as she came.
“You make me feel so good,” Willow said as she lay back down on her and pressed her lips to the side of her neck.