by A. S. Teague
Embarrassment washes over me when I think about the sparsely furnished room, but it vanishes when she moans loudly into my mouth. When I kick the door, it slams shut, causing the particle-board dresser to shake.
Almost frantically, I pull the hem of her shirt up and reluctantly tear my lips away from hers long enough to lift the shirt over her head.
“Ryker, wait,” she pants. “What about Gram?”
“She’ll be okay,” I assure her before unclasping her bra.
“But she’ll hear us,” she argues, pulling her arms free of her bra straps.
“She’s old. She can’t hear shit anymore.”
It’s not true. I know she’s heard everything that’s happened. But I don’t give a shit. My mind is on one thing, and that’s getting Rebecca naked and under me as fast as humanly possible. I’ll apologize to Gram later.
When her legs hit the edge of my bed, she sinks down, pulling me on top of her. I kiss her neck while unbuttoning her shorts and yanking them down to her knees. While making my way down her body, I stop to pull one nipple into my mouth and use my thumb and forefinger to roll the other.
She moans loudly and arches her back.
After a moment, I let the suction of her breast go with a pop and switch to her other breast. I run my free hand up the inside of her thigh, rubbing my thumb over the panties covering her core. After pulling the thin fabric aside, I run a finger through her slick folds, and she cries out.
With one final swipe of my tongue, I release her nipple and look up at her. “Shhhhh…”
She moans again, only slightly quieter this time.
After sinking to my knees, I position my body between her thighs and lean my head forward, running my nose along her pussy. Pressing light kisses over her panties, I rub up and down her legs. Then I command, “Tell me what you want, doll.”
“Your mouth,” she pants.
That is what I want, so with one quick swipe, I strip her of her underwear.
“Mm, this tongue?” I run my tongue alone the juncture where her thigh meets her core, and she gasps.
“Yes!”
Moving to the other side, I repeat the action. She rewards me with another moan.
I continue to nibble and lick her everywhere but the one place she wants it most.
Finally, she moans loudly. “Now, Ryker. I need your tongue now.”
Flattening my tongue, I place it at her opening and, with one long, slow stroke up, make my way to her clit.
She rolls her hips and commands, “Again.”
Tortuously slowly, I do as I was told. The sounds of her pleasure cause my cock to become painfully hard.
When her legs begin to shake, she pushes my head away from her and breathes, “I need you inside me.”
I stand, and she sits up, quickly unbuttoning my jeans and shoving them down to my knees. My cock bobs up and down, and Rebecca fists the base of it in one hand while taking the head into her mouth.
When I feel it hit the back of her throat, my knees nearly buckle, and I groan, “Fuck, that’s good.”
She continues to suck and lick her way up and down my shaft for another moment and then abruptly stops, releasing me from her grasp.
“Condom. Now,” she commands.
I pull one out of my bedside table. Then I quickly tear the foil packet and roll it on. Rebecca turns over and climbs onto the bed on all fours. My shaft grows impossibly harder at the sight of her perfectly round ass in the air, waiting for me to take her from behind.
She looks over her shoulder and seductively orders. “Fuck me. Now.”
Wasting no time, I grab her hips and punch deep inside of her. We cry out in unison, and I begin a relentless rhythm, my hips slamming against her over and over.
She thrusts her ass higher in the air, changing the angle, and it doesn’t take longer before I feel the climax rising in my balls.
“Fuck, I’m close,” I tell her through gritted teeth.
Propped on one forearm, she reaches her other hand between her legs and moans, “Harder.”
I slam into her twice more before I feel her muscles begin to pulse around me. With her body shuddering, I let go, my orgasm barreling through me.
Panting, I collapse, doing my best to keep my weight off her with shaky arms, my body still weightless from my release,
I groan. “Jesus, we should fight more often.”
She giggles, wiggling her ass against me.
God. What did I do to earn this woman?
I hadn’t planned on telling him that I’d fallen in love with him. But, when he wouldn’t stop spewing horseshit, I couldn’t stop myself. I’d decided to wait until he said the words first—or at least until I’d had so much to drink that it just came out. I thought I’d be nervous telling him, but I wasn’t. Even now, after we’ve had the most incredible make-up sex of my life, I am not worried about how he feels. He may not have told me that he loves me with words, but he definitely showed me that the feeling is mutual.
When he rolls off my back, I turn on my side, facing him. “I am a pretty good fuck.”
He chuckles and nods. “You’re a fan-fucking-tastic fuck,” he murmurs, reaching up to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. “And let’s not forget modest.”
I prop myself up on an elbow and run my hand along his bicep, giggling when he flexes it. “Don’t ever lie to me again,” I whisper, my gaze meeting his. “Don’t keep secrets from me. If there are things you’re not ready to discuss with me, that’s fine. But don’t lie and make up excuses to keep something like this from me.”
His head moves almost imperceptibly, but he says, “You’re right, doll.”
Scooting over to his side, I wrap an arm around his waist and nuzzle my head against his chest. Soothing me, his heart beats strong and steady under my ear. We lie in silence for a while, our breathing evening out.
There’s a knock on his door, and I instantly scramble for something to cover up with. He grabs my hands, stilling them.
Then he calls out, “Yeah?”
From the other side, Gram asks, “Did you tell her that you love her, too, Barney? I think I missed that part.”
Roaring with laughter, he shouts back, “Mind your own business, old woman!”
“Barnabus Hawke! You better mind your manners!”
He chokes out a, “Sorry, Gram,” through a chuckle.
As we hear her feet shuffle away, I dissolve into a fit of laughter. “Shit, she totally heard us doing it!”
“Yeah. She’ll be all right though. She read Fifty Shades of Grey last year.”
I gasped. “She did not.”
“Oh, yes, she did. She even sent me to the bookstore to pick it up for her. Then told me about all about it. We were tame compared to that shit.”
“God. I can only imagine your face as Gram told you about the red room of pain,” I say, leaning forward to snag my clothes from the floor.
He groans. “No, you can’t. It was the most awkward ten seconds of my life.”
Pulling my shirt over my head, I say, “Hey. Let’s order pizza! I’m in the mood for Georgio’s.”
“Ahhh…” He hesitates.
I wave my hand at him. “My treat.”
Groaning, he shoves off the bed and grabs his jeans off the floor. “You’re not going to start trying to pay for everything, are you?”
Dropping my voice teasingly, I ask, “Why? You need a sugar mama?” I press against him and, with exaggerated movement, wiggle my hips. “I may know a person.”
He smacks my ass, and I jump.
“This room isn’t red, and I’m not into pain.” I toss him a wink over my shoulder and then seductively walk to his door.
I’m halfway through the doorway when he calls out.
“Rebecca.”
“Yeah, babe?” I call over my shoulder.
“I love you, too.”
I freeze, and my heart skips a beat.
Did I hear him correctly?
He continues. “I think I fe
ll in love with you when I walked into the gym for the first time and you wasted no time telling me where to go.”
Oh my God. It was hell. He fell in love when I told him to go to hell!
I step back and slowly shut the door. Not trusting that I’m actually hearing these words and my mind’s not playing tricks on me, I don’t turn around. My pulse quickens, and blood roars in my ears. I use the doorknob to steady myself as he continues.
“And, if you don’t believe in love at first sight, then it was probably when you told me about helping Max at the summer program and I saw how much those boys mean to you.”
Tears begin to well in my eyes, my vision swimming.
“If that’s still too soon for you, then it was definitely when you opened your door on a Friday night in July wearing reindeer pajamas. “
A burst of laughter escapes when I think about how ridiculous I must have looked.
He moves behind me and loops his arms around my waist, his lips at my ear. His warm breath tickles my skin. “I’ve been falling in love with you since the moment I laid my eyes on you. Every day, you do something else that makes me fall even harder. And, today, if there was any doubt in my mind about the way I feel about you, which there wasn’t, well, you shut that shit down.” He places a gentle kiss on my neck and finishes with, “I’m so Goddamn in love with you that it’s making me do crazy shit.”
He continues kissing along my shoulder, and I lean back into the strong arms holding me up. My knees are weak, and I fear that, if he moves, I’ll dissolve into a puddle of mush.
“I’m sorry I was a dick earlier.” Kiss. “I’m sorry for the shit I said.” Kiss. “I’m sorry I made you cry.” Kiss. “I’m sorry I’m not nearly what you deserve. But, I’ll be that guy one day soon. I fucking swear it.”
I press my free hand to my mouth, failing my attempt to keep the sob in.
He kisses me one last time, and I release the doorknob and spin into his arms. Jumping, I wrap my legs around his waist and my arms around his shoulder.
Kissing him hard, I exclaim, “Screw the fucking pizza! Hope Gram’s got earplugs.”
***
We spend the rest of the night cuddled in Ryker’s horribly uncomfortable twin bed. Waking up the next morning with a kink in my neck, I vow never to do that again. Ryker may have been embarrassed by his apartment, but the ratty furniture and questionable location isn’t nearly as bad as this mattress that feels like a bed of gravel. But I am with him. It is hard to complain.
I kiss him while he sleeps, careful not to wake him, and quietly slip out of his bedroom. I tiptoe down the hall, surprised to see Gram sitting at the kitchen table.
“Morning, Gram,” I whisper.
She looks up from the book she’s reading, and I have to fight back a grin when I notice that it’s a Harlequin romance.
A sly grin forms on her face. “Good morning, Rebecca. Have a nice evening?”
My cheeks heat, and I cut my gaze to the floor, mumbling, “Uh, erm. Yes.”
She pats the kitchen chair beside her and says, “Oh, please, honey. Don’t be embarrassed. Come have a seat.”
I shuffle over and pull out the chair, gingerly sitting down. “Gram, I’m sorry. We shouldn’t have stayed locked away. I know it’s probably disrespectful that I spent the night.”
She waves me off. “My Barney’s a grown man. He can have whomever he wants over to spend the night. And besides, I’m no prude, dear. You forget, when Barney was fighting, I went to all of his events and got to know a lot of the other fighters. Some of those young men had a revolving door of ladies lined up.” She points to the book she set down when I came in the room. “Besides, I love a good romance. Have you seen that movie Fifty Shades of Grey? I read the book.” She pauses to fan herself. “Let me tell you, dear. That Christian was a fine specimen of a man.”
I have to bite my cheek to keep from laughing out loud. “Oh, I’ve seen the movie, Gram. It was H-O-T!”
She smiles broadly and reaches out to grasp my hand. Her skin is so soft; I make a mental note to ask her what lotion she uses.
She drops her voice and says, “I’m so glad he’s found you, dear. The last couple of years have been tough on him. Then you came along and changed it all.” Her eyes are shimmering.
I pray that she doesn’t start crying. I’m not sure I’ll be able to keep dry eyes if she starts.
She gazes at me, a faraway look in her eye. “I always imagined my boy settling down with a lady. I would daydream about the first time he told me about her. The first time I would meet her. His wedding day.” A small smile plays on her face, and I can’t help but smile along with her. “And, honey, my dreams were nothing better than a nightmare compared to the real thing. His face when he said your name for the first time, darling—I’ll take that image with me up to heaven. Happiest I’ve ever seen him.” Her fingers squeeze mine tight.
I give up on trying to fight the tears back. My tears spill over, but I don’t dare release her hands to wipe my face. After a few seconds, she gives me one final squeeze and lets my hands go.
I war with myself, but I finally work up the courage to speak. “Gram?”
“Yes, dear?”
“Can I ask you something?”
“Of course, honey.”
“Does Ryker ever talk about what happened with his suspension?” I ask hesitantly.
She stiffens, her mouth opening and closing. “That’s something you’ll have to ask him about,” she finally says.
I shake my head. “I have, but he won’t talk to me about it. You don’t have to tell me what happened. I would never ask you to betray him like that. But, uhm, would you at least tell me if he’s talked about going back?”
Her face falls, and she slowly shakes her head. “I don’t think so, honey.”
My heart sinks. “You think he might change his mind?”
She purses her lips and then lowers her voice. “I know my boy, Rebecca. I know he didn’t do what they said he did. I also know he loves fighting. He’d go back if he thought he could.”
The wheels in my head start turning, and I jump to my feet. “Gram, I’ve gotta go. Tell Ryker I’ll call him later, but if you don’t mind, don’t tell him about our conversation.”
Her eyes light up. “You got an idea, don’t ya, sweetie?”
I shrug and bite my bottom lip. “I think I might. Just don’t tell him, please?”
She shoos me away, calling after me, “Have a good day, dear.”
***
An hour later, I hear my doorknob turn followed by the doorbell ringing over and over again. I can hear my brother’s voice on the other side as he calls my name while someone pounds on the door. I race to answer it, nearly tripping over Prince in the process. Throwing it open, I smile when I see Breccan and Tripp standing there, worry etched on their faces. They shove their way inside, and I scramble to get out of their path.
“Are you okay?” Breccan asks at the same time Tripp blurts, “Are you hurt?”
Their eyes are wild as they scan the room, looking between me and the windows. Breccan brushes past me and strides over to the window, shoving the curtains aside.
Tripp comes over to me, wrapping his arms around my shoulders. “Reb, are you okay? Say something.”
I give him a quick hug and then disentangle myself from his hold. “I’m fine.” Turning to where Breccan is inspecting the window, I tell him, “Breccan, I’m fine.”
He turns back to where I’m standing with Tripp, “Window looks fine. Don’t see any evidence of tampering. You said it was this one?” He points to the one he’s standing in front of.
I look away from him and mutter, “Uh, well. About that.” Glancing back at Tripp, I see his eyes narrow.
“What’s that smell?” he asks, lifting his nose in the air.
I clasp my hands behind my back and rock on my heels. “So, uhm. About that intruder.”
“What about it?” Breccan growls as he stalks toward me.
“There
, uh––there was no intruder.”
“What the fuck, Reb?” Breccan shouts.
“Are you fucking serious? You scared the shit out of us!” Tripp hollers.
“Sorry?” I squeak before retreating to my kitchen.
Breccan and Tripp both follow me, still cursing.
My back hits the kitchen counter, and I hold up my hands in surrender. “I made my famous monkey bread and breakfast casserole!”
They stop their prowl and glance at each other before returning their gazes to mine.
Tripp exclaims, “Oh, fuck! What did you do?”
My mouth falls open in mock outrage. “I can’t believe you two! Can’t a girl make a nice breakfast for her brother and her best friend?”
In unison, they shout, “No!”
Planting my hands on my hips, I scold them. “You two should be ashamed of yourselves! What have I ever done to deserve this kind of treatment?”
“Cut the crap,” Breccan snaps.
I fold my arms across my chest and mutter, “Fine.”
“What are we doing here if not saving you from the intruder you apparently made up?” Tripp asks.
“I’ll tell you. But, first, sit down. Let me make you a plate.” I gesture to the table, and they look at each other again.
Tripp shrugs and slides into a chair at the table. Breccan eyes me and then follows suit, sitting beside my brother.
“I could eat, I guess,” Breccan mumbles.
Clapping my hands together, I sing, “Good choice, boys!”
I make them each a heaping plate of their favorite foods. Then I pour freshly squeezed orange juice into a couple of glasses and set them down in front of them. Once they dig into the food, I settle in the chair opposite of them.
With his mouth full of casserole, Tripp asks, “You didn’t make this food, did you?”
I shake my head.
Breccan takes a large gulp of juice and elbows Tripp. “She didn’t squeeze any fucking oranges, either.”
“Nope,” I confirm.
After they’ve nearly cleaned their plates, Tripp finally asks, “Why are we here?”
Resting my arms on the table, I turn my attention to Breccan. “So. I want you to train Ryker to fight again.”