Ink Exposed

by Carrie Ann Ryan

  She wanted to stomp her foot like a two-year-old but figured that wouldn’t help her cause. “Stop calling me stupid and an idiot. I’m not either of those. I came prepared.”

  Like you were prepared that night in your office?

  He didn’t say it, but she knew he was thinking it.

  “Let me take you home.” He paused. “Please.”

  It was the please that did it, and she figured he’d known it would. She let him lead her out of the alley and toward his car. Though he had his hand on her elbow, she knew she wouldn’t leave him right then. It hadn’t been the smartest idea to come out in this weather, but she’d spent too many days inside because of the attack, and she’d been afraid she’d miss them. Contrary to what Alexander thought, she wasn’t an idiot. She carried pepper spray and didn’t usually walk down dark alleys.

  Usually.

  When they got to his car, he held her door open for her and slammed it after she’d gotten in. Apparently, his temper wasn’t quite through.

  “Did you need to say goodbye to your family?” she asked as he got into his seat.

  He shot her a look before turning on the car. “What’s your address?”

  She blinked and rattled it off as he plugged it into the car’s navigation system. She could have just told him where she lived and given him directions, but she wasn’t sure he was in the mood for that right then. It also occurred to her that he’d never been to her home. Wes and Storm had in the past to drop things off or even pick them up, but Alexander had never had a reason to come to her place.

  Until now.

  Of course, now she was wondering if she’d left her laundry basket in the living room or if she’d washed her dishes from earlier. She might be in love with organizing, but mid-cleaning never looked wonderful.

  But what did it matter?

  He’d probably just drop her off in front of her house and speed away, annoyed that he’d had to stop whatever he was doing to save the poor damsel in distress.

  She wasn’t a fucking damsel.

  “You’re going to break a molar if you keep your jaw that tight,” Alex bit out as he drove.

  She shot him a look. “You’re one to talk.”

  His mouth quirked up in a smile before he frowned again. She loved it when he smiled, but she wished he did it more often. Of course with the way he was acting right now, she really wanted nothing to do with him. Maybe his actions tonight would get the annoying crush out of her system once and for all.

  Only she had a feeling it was only going to make it worse. They didn’t speak after that, but the tension in the car increased with each passing mile. She didn’t know if his came from his anger or what, but hers was a mix of everything. She didn’t like Alexander too much right then, but damn if she didn’t want him. She licked her lips; her breath quickening, and she did her best to ignore how good he looked in profile.

  He shot her a look, his eyes darkening under the passing streetlights, and he abruptly turned back to stare at the road. His hands tightened on the steering wheel, and she wondered what on earth he could be thinking right then.

  When he pulled into her driveway, she expected him to let her out and leave. Instead, he got out of the car with her and stalked toward her front door by her side. She didn’t say a word as she opened the door and took a step inside. She turned on her heel to say goodbye and thank him for walking her to her door; only he pushed past her and slammed the door closed.

  “Excuse me,” she clipped. “I did not invite you into my home. If you’re going to be an asshole and judge me for my actions, you can get out right now. I don’t have to take it.”

  “I like seeing the spark in your eyes, babe. That means you’re not stupid. But fuck, Tabitha, I still don’t know why you were out there.”

  “And you don’t need to know.” No one did. “And don’t call me ‘babe.’”

  His eyes darkened even more, and he took a step toward her. She leaned back and ended up pressed against the door, her chest heaving as she fought to catch her breath. He reached out and traced her cheek with his finger, his gaze on hers.

  “What am I going to do with you, Tabitha?”

  She swallowed hard, unsure what to say. That was probably why she said what she did next. “What do you want to do with me?”

  His eyes widened marginally as if she’d surprised him. “Are you sure you want to know?” He lowered his head, and she tilted her chin up ever so slightly.

  “Tell me.”

  Instead of answering, he pressed his forehead to hers. “You scared the shit out of me. Don’t do that again.”

  She closed her eyes. “I can’t promise that.”

  He cursed under his breath. “Then take me with you next time. But don’t go out again alone.” He paused. “Please.”

  Once again, it was the please that did it. “Alexander—”

  She didn’t have time to finish her statement—not that she knew what she was going to say anyway. Alexander crushed his mouth to hers, cupping her chin and forcing her to her tiptoes. She froze for a moment, wondering how the hell they’d ended up here. Then he cupped her breast, and she pushed all thoughts other than having his hands and lips on her out of her mind.

  She moaned against him, rocking her body hard along his as he molded her breasts with his hands. As he roamed her body, she reached around to dig her fingers into his back, his ass. Anything she could hold on to.

  And this man was all lean muscles so there was a lot of hard to hold on to.

  He kissed down her neck and tugged on the collar of her jacket. She helped him by quickly stripping it off, the pool of soft fabric landing on the floor by her feet turning her on even more. He quickly did the same to his jacket, and they were back on each other, their hands touching what they could, their lips meeting in heat and breathlessness.

  He growled before kissing down her chest and sucking her nipple through her long sweater and bra. She rocked her head back against the door, gripping him to keep herself steady since she knew her knees were about to give out.

  “What are we doing?” she gasped, annoyed with herself for even asking the question.

  His gaze met hers as he slowly slid his hand up under her sweater dress and over the seam of her leggings. He cupped her boldly, and her mouth went dry once again.

  “What do you want to do?”

  “Everything,” she gasped.

  “Good.” He slid his hand up and over the top of her leggings and then behind her waistband. Before she could take another breath, he had his hand under her panties and his fingers sliding between her almost embarrassingly wet folds.

  She closed her eyes, reveling in the sensation.

  “Eyes, babe. Let me see your eyes.”

  She cracked open her lids, her mouth parted. When he inserted a finger, she moaned, her head going back but her eyes never leaving his.

  “You’re so fucking wet for me, Tabitha. So. Fucking. Wet. I could come right now with just my hand on your pussy. That’s how hot you make me.

  She rolled her hips on his hand, riding him, and they both groaned.

  “That’s it, babe. Ride me. Show me how much you want this.”

  She’d never been into dirty talk with her past lovers because she’d always thought it was silly, but Alexander blew all her previous thoughts out of the window. He rubbed his thumb over her clit, and she came just like that, her inner walls tightening on his finger and her body shaking in his hold.

  When she came down from her high, he rested his head on hers, his hand still down her pants. “I don’t have a fucking condom. Damn it. It’s been—” he cut himself off.

  It had been a while for him. That much she knew. He’d been so good over the past year or so because he’d been focused on healing. That was why he didn’t carry a condom with him.

  “In my bag,” she said softly. “I keep one on me.”

  She blushed as he grinned at her. “What? I want to be prepared and not have to rely on the guy to keep me safe. G
ot a problem with that?”

  He slid his hand out of her pants and licked his fingers. “No problem at all.”

  She almost came again.

  He bent over to retrieve her fallen purse, and she quickly pulled a condom out of the side pocket. She replaced it every few months since it had been a long time since she’d been with a man, but she never wanted to be unprepared.

  Of course, nothing could have prepared her for Alexander.

  He undid his pants and pulled out his length. She only caught a quick glimpse as he rolled the condom over his cock, but she liked what she saw. Before she could fully come back down from her previous high, he pulled down her leggings. Somehow they ended up tangled around one ankle over a boot with the other leg and foot free. He pulled her panties to the side and met her gaze before sliding in to the hilt with one stroke.

  She gasped, her body stretching to accommodate his girth as he froze, sweat covering his temples. They still wore most of their clothes, and she hadn’t even seen all of him—nor he of her—and yet she knew this had to be the single most erotic moment of her life.

  Tabby slid her hands over his shoulders and gripped. “Alexander…” she breathed.

  He kissed her lips softly, neither of them closing their eyes as he did. Her heart caught, and she fell for him once more; fell for this man she thought she knew and was only now finding the truth depths of.

  Then he moved.

  She rocked with him, their lovemaking hard and fast against the door. Each thrust banged the wood hard against its hinges, and she figured anyone outside would be able to hear what was going on, but she didn’t care.

  All she wanted was to come around Alexander’s cock and have him release inside her.

  She wanted to feel.

  She wanted to be.

  She wanted Alexander.

  When she came again, he lifted her up so she could wrap her legs around his waist, and he caught her mouth with his.

  “You’re so fucking beautiful when you come,” he growled, his hips still thrusting. “Now I want to see all of you.”

  He pulled out of her, and she already missed him. But before she could miss him too much, he had them both naked, their hands roaming each other. His on her breasts, over her clit, and gripping her ass. Hers on his ass, as well, down his chest, and gripping the base of his cock within the dark hair there.

  She squeezed, and he cursed.

  “Not until I’m in you,” he growled and spun her around to face the back of the couch. She gripped the fabric as he pistoned into her from behind. He had one hand on her hip, keeping her steady, while the other pinched her nipples and slid down her stomach.

  “Feel me, Tabitha. I’ve never felt anything as good as your cunt squeezing me as you come. Can you feel me inside you? Can you feel how hot I am for you?”

  She threw her head back. “Fuck me.”

  He laughed, but it wasn’t humor in the sound, it was need. “I am, babe. I am.”

  When he probed her ass with his fingers, she lost her rhythm. He didn’t stop, though; instead, he massaged her, gently probing the edge without actually penetrating her until she came.

  She’d already come three times that night. She wasn’t sure she would be able to do it again, and he hadn’t even come once. When he pulled away, she turned and reached between them.

  “No, you touch me, and I’ll come.” He gripped her wrist and tugged her arm behind her. Then he slid his arm under her ass and lifted her so she sat on the back of the couch.

  “That’s kind of the idea,” she teased, spreading for him.

  He licked his lips, swallowing hard. “You’re so fucking wet, babe. And as much as I want to come, I want to be inside you when I do. So no mouth or hands on my cock tonight. And, yeah, I want to eat you so bad, but not right now. Later.”

  Would there be a later?

  Before she could ask that question or blurt something equally stupid, he rubbed the head of his cock between her swollen folds, keeping his eyes on hers as he slowly, oh so slowly, slid deep inside her. She broke eye contact to look between them where they were joined, the sight so freaking hot she thought she’d break down right there.

  “Eyes. Give me your eyes, Tabitha.”

  She gave him her eyes.

  And when they both came together, she kept her eyes on his, knowing she was risking it all because they’d reveal too much. Yet in that instant, she saw something she couldn’t place in his gaze.

  What did it mean?

  What did he want?

  And what the hell had she just done?

  Chapter Six

  What the hell had he just done?

  Alex had his cock in the one woman he shouldn’t have, and he had a feeling he’d bared more than his body just then. No, he’d bared something far worse.

  Himself.

  He couldn’t risk that. He couldn’t risk Tabitha by exposing her to what lay beneath his skin.

  As carefully as he could, he slowly slid out of her, his cock already hardening again at the sight before him. She was flushed from her orgasms, her nipples that dark red he’d imagined them being. They were even better in person, and he hadn’t even had a chance to truly feast on them. He also hadn’t had the opportunity to eat the fantastic wet cunt in front of him as he’d also imagined doing because he’d been too busy trying to get inside her.

  He’d fucked everything up, and he had no idea how to fix it.

  “Alexander?”

  Her voice was hesitant as if she were afraid he’d run at too loud of a noise.

  Well, she probably had a right to be afraid of that.

  “I need to take care of the condom.”

  She blinked. “There’s a bathroom right down the hall.”

  He nodded before awkwardly patting her hip. He winced at the confused look on her face before quickly picking up his clothes and heading to the bathroom. He threw away the condom and splashed some cold water on his face before pulling his clothes back on.

  He hadn’t meant to make love to her.

  Hell, he hadn’t meant to kiss her.

  But they had kissed and much more, and now they’d have to deal with it.

  His hands shook as that seductive temptress that was his addiction clawed at him.

  He needed a drink.

  Instead, he shot a text off to his sponsor and let out a breath.

  He wasn’t good enough for Tabitha, and damn it, they both knew that. This was a mistake. It couldn’t be anything more.

  He made his way to the living room where she’d thrown on the blanket that had been on the back of the couch before he’d fucked her on top of it.

  “I need to go.”

  The hurt look that slid over her face kicked him in the gut, but he had to ignore it. He had to. He wasn’t sure he was strong enough to stay.

  She seemed to collect herself before nodding. “Okay.”

  He was an asshole. The worst kind of man. “I’ll see you soon.” They had to work together, and if she wanted to continue, train together.

  “I’m sure you will.”

  She didn’t sound hurt, and that’s how he knew he’d hurt her more than he’d thought possible. And yet… he still had to go.

  He stepped forward as if to kiss her goodbye and froze. She met his gaze and nodded, and he figured she might understand. That didn’t make it right. He turned and left through the front door, closing it softly behind him.

  When he got into his car, he gripped the steering wheel hard. He took a deep breath, centering himself as much as he was able. Sweat trickled down his back, and he forced himself to turn on the engine. He pulled out of Tabitha’s drive, aware she could be watching him through the window. He wouldn’t blame her, though, if she hadn’t given him a second thought as soon as he’d walked away. He deserved that. He didn’t want to think about the look in her eyes, only he knew he should.

  She deserved more than that.

  She deserved more than him.

  The phone through his Blu
etooth buzzed, and he let out a breath as soon as he saw the readout. He answered, his hands barely steady.

  “Steve.” His sponsor.

  “Alex. Tell me what you’re thinking.” Alex had sent a quick text to the other man, their code for needing help but not fully over the edge yet. They had a few codes.

  “I’m not going to drink,” he told his sponsor. And himself. “Not today. Not tomorrow.”

  Steve didn’t sigh with relief or tell him good job. He did the only thing Alex needed right then.

  “Do you want to meet?”

  Alex shook his head, although Steve couldn’t see him. “No.” He took a deep breath. “No,” he repeated, firmer this time. “I just needed a reminder.”

  “I’m here if and when you need me.” A pause. “Want to tell me what happened?”

  There were no secrets between him and Steve, at least not on Alex’s end. That’s the only way he stayed sane.

  “I slept with Tabitha.”

  Steve let out an audible breath, and Alex could only imagine the look on the other man’s face. “I knew you’d thought about it, but I hadn’t realized it had gotten that far.”

  Alex’s fingers once again tightened on the wheel. “It was…unexpected.” That was an understatement. He had been so fucking worried about her, so angry that she could have been in danger again, that he hadn’t been able to control his urges when it came to her. And that was what scared him. For the past year, he’d been able to contain his need for her, to hide the fact that he wanted her even if he was only just now getting to know more and more about her. But he’d lost control and had moved too fast.

  Or maybe not fast enough.

  And because he couldn’t think straight, that’s why he knew he had to talk to Steve.

  And then…and then talk to Tabitha.

  “Okay. I’m not going to tell you what to think, only that you need to breathe. You and I both discussed how we thought you were ready to date since you hit the one-year mark. If you aren’t ready, after all, we can talk about that, too.”

  Alex pulled over into an empty parking lot so he could think. “Let’s talk, then,” he said softly.

  “Let’s talk.”