At some point the sneaky bastard had colluded with Matt to have one of the guys take the car she’d left here last night back to her place, effectively cutting off any argument she might make for going home alone.
Not that she’d particularly wanted to tonight. But it pissed her off that he’d taken the choice away. Not to mention that he’d simply exchanged one argument for another. Though he didn’t seem to care. He’d stood, arms crossed over his chest, with an indulgent smile curling those damn lush lips as she’d cursed him.
His lack of engagement had been irritating and less than cathartic. She needed an outlet for the restless energy buzzing beneath her skin, and he wasn’t giving it to her.
Duchess bounded up into the Jeep, curling up on the backseat behind her.
She was so calm and quiet. Surprisingly enough, no one had complained about the dog because most patrons seemed oblivious she was even there.
Although, throughout the night Tucker had watched several times as people—mostly women, which she refused to let bother her—approached Finn before crouching down to pet Duchess.
Twisting in her seat, Tucker reached out and scratched Duchess’s head. The dog’s ears perked up and she nuzzled into Tucker’s palm. She was actually getting used to the dog being their silent shadow.
Tucker was so distracted with her thoughts that it took her at least fifteen minutes before she realized they weren’t headed in the direction of her place.
“Where are we going? I’m really not up for breakfast again tonight, Finn. I’m tired. It’s been a long week. I just want to go to bed.”
Her brain said alone, but her body thought having Finn next to her was the better option. Since they couldn’t seem to agree, she decided to keep her mouth shut and not voice either.
Reaching over, Finn placed his hand on her thigh and squeezed. “Right there with you.”
She waited but he didn’t elaborate. “So...where are we going?”
“My place.”
His place. “Maybe I don’t want to go to your place.”
Stopping at a red light, he twisted his head to look at her. “I’d love for you to stay at my place tonight, Tucker. But if you’d rather go to your place I’ll just grab a few things and we can head that way next. It’s up to you.” Sweeping his thumb across her cheekbone, he threaded his fingers through the hair at her nape and dipped closer.
Out of the corner of her eye, Tucker saw the light change, but Finn didn’t move. He didn’t care. The conversation they were having was more important.
The way he was looking at her right now made her feel special. Something akin to hope bloomed deep in her chest, right alongside a spreading ribbon of doubt.
He was too good to be true. This couldn’t last. Nothing ever did. But the more time she spent with him the more difficult it became to protect herself from the inevitable pain she knew would eventually come.
“You’ve had a rough couple days. I thought maybe you wouldn’t want to stay at your place. And I know, even if the thought crossed your mind, you probably wouldn’t voice it. Or let yourself act on it. Even though you have every right to want some distance for a night or two.”
The rhythmic sweep of his thumb across her jaw was hypnotic. A sense of calm she hadn’t even realized she desperately needed seeped through her body.
“You tell me what you want and that’s what we’ll do.”
Damn, he was good.
Clearing her throat, Tucker pulled away. “I suppose it might be nice to stay somewhere else tonight. The house still feels a little...” Her voice trailed off to nothing.
She didn’t actually want to say the words. Somehow, saying them felt like giving them power.
“Violated,” he murmured in a soft, gruff voice that had a shiver rolling down her spine.
“Yeah,” she sighed. That was it exactly. She didn’t feel safe there, and that really bothered her. She’d spent a lot of time and money creating the kind of home she’d always wanted growing up. Thinking that getting what she’d spent hours daydreaming about as a kid would solve all of her problems. Would fill the void that seemed to live in the center of her chest.
But with a single, simple act someone had taken that sense of safety and comfort away from her. It hurt, realizing that no matter how hard she’d worked, no home could be perfect or perfectly protected.
And that the void was still there, just waiting for the facade to crumble. She’d done everything right and now look at where she was.
Finn slipped his hand down her neck, across her shoulder and then twined their fingers together. Moving their linked hands to his thigh, he put his attention back on the empty road.
She could feel the solid weight of his muscle flexing as he gave the Jeep more gas. Flutters rioted through her belly. After last night, there was no pretending that they’d be sleeping in separate beds.
And, yes, that kiss out back had pretty much promised that outcome already. And her body was definitely on board. But the reality was hitting her and she was excited and...nervous.
For the rest of the ride, Tucker tried to fight the sensation off. To will it away. But it wasn’t going anywhere. Instead, it eased off to a gentle effervescence that felt remarkably like happiness.
To say Finn’s place wasn’t quite what she’d expected was an understatement. Though, that implied she’d actually spent time contemplating where Finn lived, which, until very recently, she really hadn’t.
His house was...modern. With sharp angles and lots of glass. It was open and airy, words she never would have used to describe the man who owned the place.
Thinking about it now, she wouldn’t have been surprised by a log cabin or even a loft apartment. Something decidedly bachelor and a little rough around the edges.
While the place clearly had a masculine vibe to it, it was gorgeous in its own stark way.
And that did remind her of Finn. Or the Finn she was coming to know. He was no-nonsense and few frills. Function and form over showy and useless details.
Holding the front door open, he let Duchess inside first. She disappeared into the back of the house, no doubt to find her own bed for the night. She might have been quiet and curled up in a corner most of the evening, but even Tucker recognized the dog had been attentive and watchful the entire time.
Finn led her through to the kitchen, full of black granite and glossy cabinets. The space should have been oppressively dark, but somehow wasn’t. Maybe it was the metallic accents, high ceilings and bright moonlight streaming through all the glass.
The space had a sleek and sophisticated edge to it.
“Did you use a decorator?”
The words just blurted out of her mouth. Although she couldn’t imagine him discussing paint colors and knickknacks with a perfectly styled consultant, that was easier to swallow than him caring about those things.
“No.”
Opening a wine fridge built into the center island, Finn pulled out a bottle, grabbed a glass and poured. She thought about refusing when he held it out to her, but a glass actually sounded perfect right now. Maybe it would help her mellow.
“Thanks.” Gripping the stem, she took a swallow of the cool, crisp white, letting the flavor of it roll across her tongue. She might run a bar that was better known for its craft beer selection and top-shelf liquor than wine, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t appreciate a good one when she tasted it.
“Mmm,” she said, lifting her glass in appreciation. “Good.”
“I know.”
“Cocky ass.”
His grin widened, crinkling the corners of his eyes in a way that was way too appealing. “Know that, too.”
Letting out a sigh, Tucker turned away and started wandering. The entire downstairs was open. On one end was a huge black leather sofa. It looked really comfortab
le. The kind perfect for burrowing beneath a fluffy blanket and curling up with a good book.
A monstrous TV was mounted on the wall and she also noticed speakers strategically suspended from the ceiling.
But what really caught her attention were the photographs scattered around the room. They were gorgeous.
Grouped together in clusters, for the most part they seemed to be nature shots. Some in black and gray, others in vivid color. A handful of some stark, rocky mountains that seemed so desolate, and yet so hopeful they made her chest ache. A series of clouds that, put together, told the story of a storm rolling across an open field, ending with a brilliant flash of lightning striking the ground.
“These are gorgeous,” she said, twisting around to find Finn standing quietly behind her, hands stuffed in the pockets of his jeans, just watching.
“Thank you.”
“Where’d you get them? That storm series would look amazing in the bar.”
“If you want copies I’ll print them off for you.”
“No. Isn’t that illegal or something? I’m sure the artist would want to get paid for the work.”
“I don’t sell my photographs.”
His words sank in and slowly Tucker turned. This time, she really took him in when she looked. And recognized the tiny signs of tension she’d missed before because she was so captivated by his art.
“You took these photographs?”
Finn shrugged, looking a little sheepish. The expression was completely unexpected, and therefore all the more endearing.
“It’s been a hobby since I was a little kid. My mom was often taking pictures of my sister and I when we were younger. You know, as moms do.”
No, she wouldn’t know, but now wasn’t the time to remind him of that.
“One day she had it out, taking pictures of Bethany while she was doing something or other. I don’t remember what. But she put it down and I just picked it up. I like the way the world looks through the tiny window on a camera. Small, but somehow still with infinite possibilities.”
She watched his gaze track to the photographs hanging on the wall behind her. The quiet curl of pride on his lips.
“Those photographs remind me of places I’ve been,” he continued. “Things I’ve experienced. People who matter.”
“I don’t see any portraits.”
“No. I keep those somewhere else. Maybe one day I’ll show them to you.”
Something told Tucker that, if that ever happened, it would mean something more profound than simply opening a scrapbook. He’d be introducing her to something—someone—important.
“I’d like that.”
* * *
IT FELT STRANGE and perfect having her at his place. Watching her reaction to his photographs made his chest tighten in a way that left him itching to relieve the pressure.
He’d had plenty of people over before. Hell, he’d had plenty of women over to his place before. But their reaction had never really mattered to him. Definitely not the way Tucker’s apparently did.
The urge to sweep her into his arms and devour her mouth was overwhelming and too much for him to ignore.
The kiss was gentle, but his hold on her wasn’t. She was so soft and feminine. Fragile, or at least she felt that way in his arms. Moments like these, he was afraid he might hurt her.
Even though he knew Tucker was tougher than that, he couldn’t shake the sensation. It made him want to protect her. Treasure her.
And he couldn’t find it in him to think that was wrong. Because in his mind, it wasn’t. He was very quickly coming to care about this woman, and in his world that meant something very specific. Responsibility.
He was so afraid she was going to slip through his fingers. They butted heads. He craved her like the worst addiction. And there was the very real possibility that she was playing him.
Although he couldn’t think about that right now. The possibility certainly didn’t stop how much he wanted her.
Her entire body melted, opening, giving.
Grasping her hips, Finn boosted her up until her legs wrapped around his waist. Blindly, he walked forward until her back collided with the wall.
“I need you. Now,” he rumbled.
“Yes.” Her voice was breathy as her greedy hands plucked at his clothes, trying to find bare skin.
He was too busy searching for more of her to help. They tore at each other’s shirts, jeans and underwear. Finn was pretty sure he heard a seam rip, but he had no idea if it was hers or his.
Who cared?
His mouth found the hot velvet of her naked skin, licking and sucking. She tasted like heaven, sweet and salty. This wasn’t enough. And she deserved more than to be shoved up against a wall and devoured.
Tucker Blackburn was the kind of woman you savored, every chance you got.
Tightening his hold on her, Finn stumbled down the hallway toward his bedroom. He didn’t bother flipping on any lights.
Dropping her to the bed, he loved the way she sprawled out in the middle of his big mattress. “Perfect.” She belonged right there.
Gripping her waist, he flipped her over onto her belly.
“Wait. What?” Tucker craned her neck around, trying to scramble onto her knees.
Placing his big hands in the center of her back, Finn gently kept her in place. “Relax.”
And then he started kneading her shoulders, digging his fingers into muscles she probably didn’t even realize were tight. Within minutes all the tension was leaking from her body. She was practically a puddle in the center of his bed, naked and spread eagled.
Her skin glowed, pale and luminous. So soft and beautiful.
Over and over again, he swept his fingers down the curve of her back. Over her ribs and hips. Along the line of her ass. His touch changed, from relaxing to caressing. From massaging to arousing. And the moan she let out was his reward.
Her hips shifted restlessly against his bed and her legs scissored open in invitation.
Leaning over her, he pressed his wide chest to the slope of her back, murmuring into her ear, “Do you have any idea how gorgeous you are right now? Your skin flushed with wanting me. Those restless little pants you can’t quite contain are driving me mad.”
Tipping her head back, she found the line of his throat and sucked. Her tongue laved at him, even as he let his weight settle over her, pressing her deeper into the bed.
With one hand, he spread her thighs open wider. The other ran up the soft inside of her leg, until he finally hit home.
God, she was so wet, and the second he touched her, her entire body shuddered. Nestled so close, he could feel every nuance of her reaction.
It was breathtaking and made him feel like the most powerful man on the earth. Because she was so strong and was giving him everything right now.
His erection throbbed with the need to be buried inside her, connected and surrounded by everything about her.
Grasping her hips, Finn pulled her up onto her knees. She knew exactly what he wanted, collapsing forward onto her elbows and giving him the best view of her swollen, drenched sex.
Fishing for a condom in the bedside drawer, he quickly sheathed himself before holding her steady and thrusting deep.
Her fingers twisted in the sheets and a hard gasp escaped her parted lips. Her hips rocked against him, asking for more. Together, they found a rhythm that had stars bursting across his vision.
“So good,” she panted out in time with the tempo of his thrusts. She wasn’t wrong, but this wasn’t enough. Pulling out, he urged Tucker onto her back and hooked his arms beneath her elbows, holding her as he sank deep.
Those beautiful blue eyes glittered up at him, vague and full of bliss. All the walls she kept in place were gone, down, and he could see everything she prob
ably didn’t want him to know.
Everything about this woman called to him. It wasn’t just her attitude, intelligence or lithe body. Any of those things could be intriguing, but the whole package is what held him captivated.
Even now, when a part of him realized it would be smart to hold a piece of himself back, he just couldn’t.
In that moment, joined with her in a way that was far more than physical, he couldn’t seem to stop the tumble.
There was a frenzy, not just in the need for a release he could only find with her, but for more. Her understanding, her support.
Her love.
Because in that moment, he had no doubt that she held every single piece of him in her tiny hands.
The realization was scary and exhilarating.
“Finn,” she breathed when he lingered on the edge just a little too long, staring down at her without moving. Her hips bucked up, trying to find the friction that would send her over.
Threading his fingers in her hair, Finn held her steady so he could look straight into her eyes as he began to move. He wasn’t about to let her hide. Although, in forcing her to acknowledge the connection between them, he was spilling himself at her feet, as well.
Giving her everything.
Her hands ran over his back and sides, arms and shoulders. Touching any inch of him she could reach. Her touch felt so good, lighting him up and sending energy dancing across his skin.
Leaning down, he found her mouth. His hips pistoned against hers, drowning in the sensation of her. Words fell from him, murmured against her lips and chin and throat. There was no telling what he confessed.
This need for her spiraled out of control, but not before he felt her entire body clamp tight around him. His name was a keening cry muffled by her mouth in the curve of his neck.
She trembled against him, racked by wave after wave of her orgasm. Her release triggered his own, euphoria erupting through every inch of his body, emptying straight into Tucker. And he’d never felt more powerful in his life, even as his arms wrapped tight around her, sheltering her through that storm.
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