by Wendi Zwaduk
"Better.” The single word came out in a growl. “Gorgeous."
Megan shied away from his hand. Forget it. Her courage wasn't enough to get her through being naked with Tucker. Half-naked? Fine. Him naked? Perfect. Both of them bare...no way.
"Don't hide from me.” He unfastened her jeans then shoved the denim and her panties down her hips. She squirmed and turned away from him. Slapping her ass, he brought her attention back to him.
"I will lash you to my bed.” He strode around her, like an animal sizing up its opponent...or its prey. “Relax. We'll play that way later."
Not a chance.
Actually, being bound before him sounded damn sexy. They'd played the game before. Hell, she came the hardest when he dominated her. But time had made her cautious. One hour of play could lead to a lifetime of tears and regret. She refused to be his regret—again.
Without warning, Tucker scooped her into his arms and carried her into the bedroom. “I've waited a long time to do this."
"What?” she murmured as he placed her on the bed.
"To make love to you on a proper bed—not in secret at my folks, not in the bed of the truck, but here. In my own place."
Okay, she could work with this. Had to.
"You're sexy lying there, but I want more. Arms up. Over your head."
Megan grabbed the rungs of the headboard and bit down on her bottom lip. Tucker nodded. Flutters started in her belly. Did she measure up?
"I've never seen a sexier woman in my life.” Tucker yanked his belt from his jeans then snapped the leather. The crack ricocheted across the room. After flicking the button on his pants, he shifted his hips. Without a sound, the denim pooled out of her line of sight. His cock jutted out from the gap in his green plaid boxer shorts.
She dragged her gaze from his dick to his eyes. The cool jade and amber sparkled. “I remembered a box of condoms this time."
Megan bit back a smile. Even when they fooled around before, he forgot protection and left the job to her. He held up the box like a trophy. “Think we can make do with twelve tonight or should I get more?"
He didn't give her time to answer. Instead he ripped the cotton T-shirt up over his head and tossed it onto the floor. Tucker settled between her legs and ran his fingers along her calf. “Open."
Megan parted her thighs. Her heart lodged in her throat. It seemed like every time she thought she'd built strong walls around her heart, he breached the fortifications. Every time she convinced herself she wasn't going to give him an inch, he took a mile and a half.
"God, you're beautiful in nothing but my necklace."
Self-conscious, Megan released the rungs. She needed air and she needed space. Too much, too soon.
Tucker stopped his sensual caress. “Arms up."
Megan froze. She hated the visual wrestling match happening between them. “But—"
"Arms up."
She grasped the rungs and stared at the ceiling. Being with him and having sex shouldn't come with repercussions. It didn't have to be so complicated.
Tucker blotted out the overhead light and straddled her waist. “Why do you cower from me?"
"What?” She blinked back tears. “This isn't exactly time for Q and A."
"It's the perfect time."
"Just fuck me."
"No.” His single word held so much finality.
"What?"
"You said that already.” He shook his head. “Don't lie to me and don't hide. What did that asshole do to my Megs?"
He wanted to know? Fine. She'd tell him everything. No more secrets, no more smoke screens. “You made me grow up. You made me realise that my dreams and wishes weren't going to come true simply because I wanted them to. I had faith in you—in us.” Sobs cracked her voice. “Rick was a mistake, but I—” She stopped and turned her head, unable to look him in the eye.
"But what, Megs? Tell me."
"I thought I deserved it,” she whispered.
Tucker sat back on his haunches. Megan had volleyed yet another shock to his system. She thought she deserved Rick's abuse? Hell fucking no. He traced the line of the silvery scar on her abdomen. “You deserve to be treated like a goddess."
"Do I?” the whisper turned to a scream. “The moment he found out I liked things a little harder, he freaked out. ‘No wife of mine will get into torture.'” Her chin quivered. “He cut me the deepest."
Realisation smacked him harder than hitting the wall at one hundred and ninety miles an hour. “He... You can't..."
"No. I can't have babies. Ever."
Tucker crawled off Megan to sit next to her on the bed. He slid his hands over her arms and laced her hands behind his head, drawing her into his embrace. His hands shook. Fury boiled in his veins, combined with devastation. No wonder she looked so tired. No wonder she acted so jumpy. He had to earn her trust, not demand it.
"I need to go.” She shifted in his arms. “I'm late for something."
"No, Megs.” He cupped her jaw in one hand. “Stay. I—I can never make up for the past, but if I can give you a better future, I will. I'm yours.” He released her and stood. “I have to show you something."
He sat down with his back to her. Her gasp filled the spacious room. Her fingers tickled his skin as she traced the letters. “You have my name on your back. I'll bet that turns women off."
He drew in a long breath then let it out slowly. His girl had come back. Through all the shit in her life, all the shit she'd finally told him about... She still had her teasing edge. She was still his Megs. “Some aren't impressed by it."
"Why?"
"Why do they not like it or why the tat?” He turned to look into her eyes. “You own me. From the moment I met you, I wanted to know more about this unbelievable girl. As we got older, I fell in love with the sexy woman you became. Then I fucked everything up. Fame got the best of me. It sucked. But then I saw you again and the sucking sucked less. My chance to make things right finally came."
"That's a lot of sucking."
"You're the scholar. I just drive fast and turn left.” He scooted closer to her. “You are in my soul. No one else matters."
"Make love to me?” Her four words became his undoing.
"Lay down. Arms over your head."
Her lips parted as she once again acquiesced to his command. This time, a light glittered in her eyes along with something new—daring? He wasn't sure, but he planned to find out. He tapped her inner thigh. Her lidded gaze softened as she parted her legs.
"Good girl.” He grasped her right foot and massaged the insole. A tiny moan slipped past her lips. Nice. Tucker drew a deep breath into his lungs then blew a soft stream of air over her leg.
Megan wriggled her hips, inviting him.
"Not yet.” Starting at her ankle, he nipped kisses along the delicate flesh. The aroma of her arousal, flowery with a hint of spice, flooded the air.
"Mine,” he growled as he skipped past the pink shell of her pussy.
Her breaths grew ragged. He chuckled to himself. He loved having her on edge. If she'd only remember the good times they shared, he'd have a chance to create a future with her. She squirmed against his mouth.
"Do I need to get the scarves? I still have them.” He brushed his fingers over her labia as he spoke. Her liquid heat drenched his hand. “Babe."
When she didn't answer, he slapped the swollen flesh. Megan yelped. Cream slickened her inner thighs. He added another spank before licking her juices clean. The taste of her exploded on his tongue. God, if he could bottle her essence... Hell, he'd rather have her permanently in his life.
Her legs quaked. “Tucker.” Megan bucked her hips. “Please?"
Good thing he'd kept the scarves in his nightstand. Just in case. Tucker crawled over her body and perched on his knees. His cock grazed her folds. Enough to tease while he retrieved the restraints, but not enough for her to finish. He rummaged through the nightstand until he found the prize.
Megan released the rungs of the headboard. So she wanted to pla
y bad girl, eh? Silk scarf in hand, he scooted down the bed to take one of her nipples in his teeth. She groaned.
"Tell me, babe."
"More.” The word came out strained. She forked her fingers into his hair. “I need more."
"Yes,” he whispered around the beaded tip. How much farther would she go? She bit down hard on her bottom lip and shuddered—still on the edge, but letting him lead. He couldn't love her more.
When she held him close, he sat up. “Hands.” A shell-shocked look flashed in her eyes for a second before she offered both hands. He wrapped the silk around her wrists. “Sit up."
Megan did as she was told. She stared up at him, pleading with the raw desire swirling in the azure depths of her eyes. He hooked his fingers under her chin. “All those times at work, you have to be in control.” He plucked at her nipple. “But now here with me, you don't. You need to be dominated. To release control."
"Yes, Sir."
God, he loved her sincerity. His cock hardened to the point of pain. Damn it. Hadn't he just come outside? Fuck it. “I want to see that pretty little ass of yours."
"It's not little,” she said as she got into position. She waved her bottom at him. “It's never been little."
He palmed the creamy skin. If she only knew how truly beautiful she was. If she only understood the true power she held over him. He swirled his thumb over the tight rosette of her asshole. She whimpered and inched into him.
"Bad girl.” He spread his fingers over her ass and slapped. Hard. Megan whimpered again. He spanked her three times in quick, sharp blows. The skin blossomed with reddened marks. He slid his middle finger down between her nether lips, smearing her cream over his hand.
"Tucker."
"I need to take you.” He slapped her asshole with his cock. “Here."
She stared at him over her shoulder. The excitement brightened her eyes.
"I need to feel you around me first.” In one sure thrust, he entered her pussy and buried himself to the hilt.
The breath wrenched from her body.
He groaned. Damn. Still as tight as the first night they made love. He grasped her hips, spanking her bottom with each surge into her vagina. As the orgasm built in his balls, he withdrew. If he didn't stop, he'd empty his load in her pussy. Not a bad idea, but not what he wanted to do. Tucker strode around the bed to the nightstand and snatched the lube.
"Why'd—why'd you stop?” she asked breathlessly. Her hair slid over her eyes and her cheeks blushed a deep crimson.
"Because we aren't done.” He squirted a generous dollop of lube onto his hand and rubbed it down his length. Tucker used the remaining lube and her cream to finger-fuck the rosy bundle of nerves.
Megan gasped and jerked, making him pause. “How long?” The larger part of him needed her to say he was the only man to claim her ass. He didn't like the idea of sharing her—even in the past.
"The day we split."
Relief bubbled in his heart. “Mine.” He worked his finger, knuckle deep, in and out of her bottom. “Bear down on me. Take me in, Megs."
Adding a second finger, he scissored and curled to stretch her. Megan matched his actions, thrust for thrust, rocking on his hand. He nipped a kiss onto her ass cheek. Damn, things were going faster than he'd expected, not that he'd complain. He loved her raw and uninhibited side. Hell, he loved her no matter what.
Tucker moaned. “Mine.” With his other hand, he pumped his length. “Need to be inside you."
"You are,” she whimpered.
"Yes.” Tucker positioned his cock and withdrew his fingers. He held his breath and pushed. Megan jumped as he breached the tight ring of muscle at the entrance. “Holy fuck.” He forced himself to breathe and take her with care. Too fast and he'd hurt her. Too slow and... He didn't want to think about too slow.
"Fuck me, Tucker."
He snorted. Always give the lady what she wants. He seated himself deep in her ass then paused before beginning to thrust. She clenched around him as if to draw the seed from his body. He shivered and pistoned his hips.
She threw her head back, her hair splaying over her shoulders. He wound his fingers through the chestnut strands and tugged.
"Oh God yes. Harder.” Her ragged voice, coupled with the twinkle in her eye as she watched him over her shoulder, pushed him places he'd forgotten they could go—the razor-thin line between pain and pleasure.
Tucker released her hair and held on to her shoulder, pulling her tight against the flat plane of his hips. With his other hand, he spanked her bottom in time with their lovemaking. Megan squealed. Her body shuddered under his.
"Come for me, Megs,” he bit out. When she cried out, he spilled his seed deep in her ass. Their combined release reverberated in the room. Tucker braced himself on his hands as he slumped forwards. Megan collapsed on the bed beneath him.
"I'm dead.” He lowered to his forearms and snuggled against her back. “What a way to go."
"You are not,” she replied. “You're heavy."
"Fine.” Tucker shifted his weight to his knees and kissed her goosepimpled shoulder blade. “I'm through being dead weight."
"Gross.” Her face twisted in a grimace.
"My legs are numb,” he murmured, “on account of damn good sex with my girl."
"Old man."
"I have something I can put in that smart mouth of yours.” When she rolled her eyes, he snorted. “I love you when you're a smart ass, you know that?” He pulled out of her warmth then stood. “I love you when you're not, too. Hands."
Megan stretched her arms out over her head, allowing him to remove the silk bindings. Tucker kissed the inside of each wrist, laving his tongue over the reddened skin. “Stay and hunker down in the blankets or come shower with me."
Her muffled reply was lost in the comforter. He flipped the downy softness over her shivering body then strode into the bathroom. At the mirror, he paused. He still looked tired, but there was something new. Something different about him. He chuckled. For the first time in who knew how long, he smiled. Not a plastic, entice-the-media smile, but a genuine it's-good-to-be-alive smile.
Because of Megan.
He grabbed the washcloth and ran it under hot water. He grinned at his reflection. It was time to tell her exactly how he felt.
When he re-entered the bedroom, Tucker found Megan was huddled under the blankets with her head on the pillow. Perfect. Unless she'd fallen asleep. He sat down next to her and moved the bedding aside.
"It's cold."
"Then let me clean you."
She stared at him and cocked her head.
"I take care of my own.” He smoothed the damp cloth between her legs then replaced the bedclothes. “You're mine.” Taking a quick swipe over his cock, he cleaned himself up. He tossed the used washcloth in the general direction of the bathroom.
"You're still a slob."
"You wouldn't want me any other way.” He shrugged and climbed into bed beside her. “This sucks you know.” Tucker nuzzled Megan's hair and rubbed circles on her bare shoulder with the pads of his fingers.
"What? Your being a slob? A maid would solve that problem."
"I'm in love with you.” There. He'd said it. Again.
"I see.” She kissed his chest, leaving a love bite next to his nipple. “Loving me apparently sucks. Okay. Actually, it explains a lot."
"You are the epitome of pain-in-the-ass. I love making love to you.” Tucker rolled on to his side facing her and moved the errant strands of hair off her face. “Back when we were still in love and planning our future together, I had this dream that you'd run the team and I'd race for you. It's what I've always wanted, but it sucks ass. I can't run for you with him in the picture, and I can't fix the shit I did in the past to push you away.” He paused. Now or never. “I want more than...this."
"You always said I was difficult.” She shrugged. “But more than this—whatever you're calling this—can't happen. Not again."
The blood rushing through his body t
urned to ice. She couldn't be serious. “How can this—meaning us—not happen? Whenever I'm around you, I want to touch you. Hold you. Fuck you until you collapse in my arms."
"You're so dramatic.” She clasped their hands together and kissed his knuckles. “And beat up. I swear your knuckles look like battle zones. Don't you believe in lotion?"
"Not helping.” Irritation built low in his belly. “Why are you blocking me?"
"I'm not."
"You told me everything else,” he snapped. “I don't pour my heart out because it's fun. Now, don't toy with me."
Megan levelled her shoulders and brushed her hair away from her face. “This has to end."
Tucker stared at her for a pregnant moment. She'd used words, but damn him if they made sense. “What? Wait, what has to end?"
"This ridiculous dance we're doing.” She rolled her eyes. “Look, you told me years ago I was good at protecting people I cared about. You're right. I care about you."
"Megs.” Like one of her own? God damn it. He wanted more than her caring. His hands trembled. The direction of the conversation bothered him. He hated the chasm between them. “We belong together, fighting the good fight, side by side. Don't do this."
"Let me finish. When I care about someone, I go out of my way to make them happy."
"And?” Blood moved through his body at the speed of molasses.
"I did a little wrangling of my own. I have Janine working on a new contract for you. If it works for you, she'll be your publicist. That way, Rick will have to go through Janine to snooker you. You'll win."
Tucker's heart skipped three beats. Hope bubbled in his chest despite his best attempts to push it away. “Wait a second. This sounds way too easy and you said something about ending."
"Nothing is ever easy.” Megan shrugged again. “Janine works for Blitz, so getting you on board with us won't be an issue, but it's all up to you. I won't force you. She's smart, savvy and the one I'd want in my corner if I were you."
"What about my career?” Tucker rested his forehead against hers and stared into her eyes. “I'm going crazy sitting on my ass."
"Race for yourself."
"Come again?"
"Race on dirt. There's nothing in your current contract stating you can't.” She shifted her hips, nudging his erection with her inner thighs. “You've got the experience, the cars. I'm sure Eric or Bob would work with you.” Megan released his hand and slid her fingers over his side to rest on his hip. “It's not top tier, but I know you. You love racing dirt more than concrete and asphalt any day.” She pressed her taut nipples against his chest and parted her lips. “You'll have everything you've ever wanted."