by Cole, Regina
An idea sparked then, a deliciously wicked thought. Before she could stop herself, her hand crept down, between the legs she straddled, to cup the twin weights of his testicles. Hammer nearly bucked her off.
“Be still,” she cooed, raising her body from his so he could spread his legs farther. “Let me.”
The skin of his back and ass had been smooth, but nothing like the silken heat of his cock as she curled her fingers around the tight length. As she shifted so she knelt between his legs, he came to his knees to give her better access to the throbbing heat of his erection. The sight of him kneeling before her, naked and spread for her pleasure, was such a potent drug.
Dipping her head low, she kissed his sac above the slickness of the oil she’d applied. Keeping her hand moving on his cock, forward and back, she licked up the small seam.
A heavy drop of fluid came from the slit in the tip of his cock, dripping onto her sliding fingers.
“You keep that up and this will last no time.”
“I know what I’m doing.” She blew across his testicles. “Let me.”
After one last long, leisurely stroke of his cock, she rose. Pushing him back down, she pressed her breasts against his back, closing her eyes as their bodies slid across each other, aided by the oil. Hammer’s hips pumped furiously into the bed and he moaned as she rubbed herself against his ass.
“Enough,” he snarled, lifting her as if she weighed nothing at all. He caught her arm and flipped her off him, pinning her facedown. “You think you can tease me all you want and get away with it? Not happening, Sparky.”
Before she could gasp or blink or even rise on her knees to receive him, he’d lifted her and driven his cock deep into her throbbing pussy.
She cried out in surprise, in ecstasy as he began a merciless rhythm. He grasped her firmly, giving her no power over their movement. She lay there helplessly engulfed in the lust she’d inadvertently sprung free like a caged beast. She clutched at her breasts, pinching and rolling the nipples as Hammer’s hand connected sharply with her ass cheek.
“I should punish you,” he growled as he fucked her. Another smack rent the air and she gripped her turgid nipples harder. “You can’t treat me like your toy and get away with it.”
Her left cheek burned with the hot, throbbing memory of his blow. She whimpered, running her hand down the front of her body to rub her clit.
“No,” he growled, grabbing both her wrists. “You’ll come when I say you can come, not a second before.”
He pressed her wrists into the pillows, imprisoning her with his sexual punishment. Tears of lust and frustration streamed down her cheeks. The excitement and helplessness of her position thrilled her, her clit throbbing to the music of their hips smacking together.
“Don’t move.” He gripped her waist again, bringing her high and hard against him.
She clawed at the pillows, doing her damnedest to obey his command. In this position, her hardened nipples bounced against the sheets, each brush of the fabric against her tingling skin sending bolts of sensation straight to her burning, wet core.
“Hammer, please,” she sobbed, desperately twisting the pillowcase. “Please, I need to come.”
“You need to what?” He punctuated the last word with another open-palmed blow to her jiggling ass.
“I need to come,” she gasped. He spanked her again.
“When…I…say.” Each word brought his punishing cock deeper into her wet body. Her frustrated sobs changed to desperate cries.
“Goddammit, Hammer, I can’t wait!” Unheeding of the consequences, she let her desperate fingers find her clit.
As soon as she brushed that throbbing cherry, her world exploded. Heat filled her, wrenching deep cries of pleasure from the place where Hammer invaded her body. His cries joined hers as he poured himself into her. They both collapsed onto the mattress, a trembling mass of humanity, still joined hips to groin.
Oxygen seemed a foreign concept as Hammer lay atop Quinn’s back. What the fuck had happened between them? What started out as an innocent gesture on his part had changed into a wild, lust-filled spank fest. Not that he was complaining. Well, he wouldn’t complain as long as Quinn was happy.
The pleasured buzz lasted long enough for him to pull out. An icy blade of realization stabbed him through when he realized. He hadn’t put on a condom.
Of all the thoughtless, inconsiderate, lazy things to do. He’d let the pleasure take him away, unheeding of the consequences. Hammer was clean but what if that asshole boyfriend of hers had given her something? What if she wasn’t on the Pill? A ton of unintended worries obliterated all sense of pleasure their intimacy had granted.
“Hammer.” Quinn’s sleepy voice rose from the pillows. “What’s wrong?”
“I didn’t put on a condom.”
She yawned, seemingly unaffected by his earth-shattering pronouncement. “Is that all?”
He pulled her upright. “Sparky, listen to me. I’m so, so sorry. It completely slipped my mind. I promise you I’m clean but I’ll pay for testing again if it’ll make you feel better. As far as anything else, well, if you’re not on the Pill…”
“What the fuck are you talking about? You’re harshing my glow here. I’m clean, you’re clean and I’m on the Pill. Relax already, will you?” She yawned again, dragging him toward the bathroom. “Now come on. We’re both greasy as hell and we need to get some sleep.”
A numb Hammer allowed Quinn to lead him to the shower. He’d never expected her to be so blasé. She’s the one who insisted on just having “fun”, right? Was this becoming something more or did unprotected sex not mean as much to her as it did to him?
They washed the oil from their skin in the shower together, the perfunctory act quickly turning tender as Hammer washed Quinn’s back and she reciprocated. Sweet touches, soft glances and steamy water combined to rev them both up again.
After bundling Quinn in a towel, he laid her on the clean bed and entered her, slowly this time, meaningful, full of sweet kisses and soft gasps. Without the barrier of a condom between them, he was able to savor her body, the hot wet heat gripping him as he moved within her. Instead of the explosion of their earlier orgasms, these were quiet, gentle expressions of an emotion that neither could voice. Hammer prayed he wasn’t imagining the reciprocation he’d seen in her eyes.
She fell asleep quickly, almost as soon as he pulled out of her. He lifted the covers over her naked body and cradled her close. Propped on an elbow, he looked down at her sleeping face.
“Good night, Sparky,” he whispered, pressing his lips to her temple. He laid his head behind her and said the words he only felt safe enough to say while she slept. “I love you.”
The morning dawned hazy and overcast, fitting the anxiety that wafted through Quinn to a T. She slipped out of bed, reluctant to leave Hammer’s arms but all too ready to get the day over with.
Facing Guy would be hard but she had to do it. She needed to remain clearheaded, something that necessitated staying away from Hammer’s delicious body. Keeping her distance wouldn’t be easy but she needed to get Guy sorted out once and for all. Hammer deserved her best, and she couldn’t give it while looking back.
Her resolve set, she dressed quickly, donning a yellow sundress that perfectly matched the yellow tips of her phoenix’s feathers. By the time she’d slid her feet into white flip-flops, Hammer was awake.
“Good morning,” she said, turning back to her suitcase. “Sleep well?”
“Great.” Seconds later, strong arms wrapped around her waist. “You?”
She tried to ignore the lips that pressed against the nape of her neck, left bare by the sweep of her ponytail. “Just fine.” She slipped from his arms. “You should get ready.”
He glanced over at the clock. “We’ve got time.”
A nervous laugh escaped her. “No we don’t. Come on or we won’t have time for breakfast.”
Hammer lifted his brow at her, doubt written all over his features, b
ut he didn’t argue. He was ready only a few moments later and when they made their way down to the convention floor, laden with coffee and croissants, they had to wait for security to unlock the doors.
She was grateful he didn’t comment. Her nerves were strung tight and the last thing she wanted was a stupid argument with the man she needed more than anything.
“So what’s the plan today?” Way too nervous to eat, she picked apart her croissant, buttery flakes scattering everywhere.
“Well, we’ve got a full day of appointments and the competition tonight.” His voice was soft. She didn’t dare look over at him, afraid she’d see suspicion or worse in those beautiful green eyes.
“Okay, great. I’ve got an errand or two to run so I might disappear a couple times today.” She spoke quickly to make sure she didn’t lose her nerve. “Nothing to worry about and I’ll be back before you notice I’m gone.”
“I see.”
She chanced a glimpse up at him and swallowed hard. His features had gone dark.
Impulsively, she grabbed his hand. “It’s nothing to worry about, just something I need to take care of.” She silently begged him to believe her.
After a tense moment, he nodded, his features relaxing. “Okay, Sparky. I trust you.”
The last three words might as well have been made of hot pokers. Each one wounded Quinn right through the heart.
But you’re doing this to be with him, her heart whispered.
But you’re not telling him what you’re doing, her brain replied. Be honest with him.
But if I am, he’ll go find Guy and start trouble. I don’t want that for him. Not with his career about to take off.
Her internal argument over, she pinned a brilliant smile on her face. “Good. Like I said, back before you know it.”
She could have tap-danced with glee when the convention finally started. She’d been holding Hammer at arm’s length for hours at that point, almost ready to scream with frustration. Why did her life have to be so fracking complicated?
With Hammer finally ensconced with his first tattoo of the day, Quinn slipped away to find Guy. One conversation would be enough to tie up all their loose ends, freeing her to live the life she wanted without regret.
It was worth it. It had to be.
Chapter Seventeen
Hammer looked up from the skull he was placing on a guy’s biceps in time to see Quinn slip away. Biting the inside of his cheek, he lowered his brows and focused on his work.
Something had gone wrong. Somewhere between the incredible night they’d had together and this morning, something changed between them. She’d kept her distance from him all day and he wanted to know why.
Minutes ticked away, then an hour, with no sign of Sparky’s return. Déjà vu gripped him as he wiped the fresh tattoo down, medicated it and bandaged it.
“Thanks, man.” The customer shook Hammer’s gloved hand. “It’s exactly how I imagined it.”
“Glad to help.” Hammer nodded politely. “The new shop will be in Fell’s Point. Hope to see you there sometime.”
“You got it.” The client left the booth, nearly colliding with a wan-faced Quinn.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” she said, blushing. “Didn’t see you there.”
The guy continued on his way and Quinn sat at the front of the booth as if nothing had happened.
“Did everything go okay?” Hammer asked, cleaning down his equipment.
She whirled toward him. “Huh?”
“Your errand.” The scent of bleach stung his nostrils as he sprayed more onto the paper towels. “Did it go okay?”
“Oh. That. No, I couldn’t find, I mean, couldn’t do it right then.” She turned away from him without another word, tension tightening her shoulders. The tiny straps of the sundress she wore revealed that little black-and-gray leaf, which seemed even sadder now than before.
“Let me know if I can help you with it,” he said sincerely to her back. He was sure he hadn’t imagined her wince. “I’ll be here for whatever you need.”
She didn’t respond. He sighed and prepped his gun for the next client.
Her disappearances continued throughout the day. Every hour or so she’d wander off, leaving him to wonder what the hell she could be doing at a tattoo convention that was so important and upsetting to her. Each time she came back the worry lines in her forehead were deeper. By the time Hammer finished with his final client of the night, Quinn was almost shaking like a junkie.
He slammed the autoclave, causing her to jump. He’d had enough. “Listen, Sparky, I’m pulling you from the competition.”
“What?” Her voice was thin and outraged. “Why?”
“Because you’re obviously upset about something and I’ve got to presume it’s nerves because of that. I’m not going to put you through it, especially if that’s the reason you’ve been so on edge all day.” He reached for her, drawing her body close to his. “Listen, it’s fine. I’ve made some pretty good contacts with the appointments I’ve had. Word will get around. This competition won’t break me.”
“But it could make you.” She pulled back enough to look up at him from beneath her heavy bangs. “I’m not going to back out of something that could help your new shop get on the map. Not after everything you’ve done for me.”
“Nothing I’ve done for you was intended to be repaid,” he said, pushing the hair out of her left eye. “I did it because I wanted to.”
“And I’m doing this because I want to. So trust me. I’ll be fine.”
He bent low intending to kiss her but she stepped back, leaving his arms empty and cold. He closed both hands, feeling the knuckles go white.
“It’s up to you, Sparky.” He went back to his equipment.
“Listen, I’ve got to go…”
“Yeah, I know.” He waved without turning toward her again. “I’ll be here.”
When he faced the front of the booth, she was gone. Hammer slumped into the metal chair, holding his head in his hands. Things had been going so well. Why had she changed so quickly?
Quinn almost sprinted down the aisle, feeling like pond scum. Where the fuck had Guy been? She’d searched all over this fucking convention hall about seven times today and never caught sight of her target. She’d even combed the parking lots, searching for that stupid motorcycle. Nowhere to be found.
She hated the distance she’d put between her and Hammer but she was still sure it had been the right thing to do. She needed to be clearheaded when she skewered Guy for what he’d done to her. She had to stand up for herself because she’d finally realized she was worth a lot more than Guy thought. She intended to let him know that, standing alone as a strong independent woman who could make up her own mind and solve her own problems. Keeping Hammer out of it was the right thing to do. If only she could find Guy.
The convention had closed earlier than the night before and everyone wandered into the next ballroom for the tattoo competition and art auction. Quinn searched each face desperately for Guy’s but came up empty-handed every time. Frustration built within her until she wanted to fucking scream. She’d nerved herself up all day for nothing. She’d be completely useless until this was done.
The empty aisles suggested what a quick glimpse at her watch confirmed. She’d been away for forty-five minutes. Again. Hammer hadn’t said a word about her repeat disappearances, but each time she left she could see the fresh disappointment there. She longed to tell him but she wouldn’t. It wasn’t the right thing to do.
She finally arrived back at their booth. Hammer was in the chair she usually sat in, an ankle propped on his knee as he twirled his phone in little circles on the table. He glanced up at her, his smile tired and thin.
“Hey there, Sparky. You ready?”
She nodded. “Let’s go.”
She wished he’d palm the small of her back as they walked but with the way she’d pushed him aside all day she couldn’t blame him for keeping his hands to himself. Quinn took a deep breath as s
he entered the busy ballroom.
Contestants lined up beside the stage. Quinn started to go over but Hammer’s touch on her shoulder made her pause.
“You can still back out of this.” The weight of his hand would feel so wonderful if the weight of Guy weren’t still there.
Resisting the urge to sink back into Hammer, she forced a smile and stepped away. “No, I can’t.”
Quinn left Hammer and spoke to a girl with dreadlocks and piercings who stood by the stage, holding a clipboard. After checking in, she got her number and lined up with the rest of the contestants.
She was kind of grateful for the extra time she’d wasted searching for Guy. It meant she didn’t have as long to wait before the competition started. She wanted to get this over with so she could find Guy, get that part of her life done so she could move on with Hammer.
The heavy metal music that had been buzzing out of the speakers suddenly stopped and the conversation in the ballroom faded.
An older guy with a beer belly and a long braided beard grabbed the mic. “Welcome to the sixth annual Inktastic Convention and Tattoo Competition. We’ve got some interesting pieces to share with you tonight. But first I’ve got some announcements.”
Groans greeted this pronouncement. Quinn rolled her eyes, wishing he’d get the hell on with it.
After a ten-minute explanation of how sexual intercourse was not allowed in the bar, there was no smoking in any of the elevators and alcoholic beverages were not to be served to anyone underage, Beer Belly finally got on with it and introduced the first contestant.
When the guy made his way up to the stage, Quinn leaned over and examined the rest of the queue in front of her. She didn’t bother to stop her sigh. At least twenty-five people stood in front of her. She was last in line. Last to go in front of the judges. This was going to take forever.
Turning to the sea of bodies beside the line, she lazily scanned them for Hammer. She wanted him to be up front, close enough for her to watch him when the ink he’d given her won this contest. The layout of the room prevented her from finding him easily though.