He frowned. “Are you sure you want to do this?” He searched her eyes for any sign of hesitation.
He wouldn’t find any.
Tamryn bit her lip, nodding, then resumed tugging at his jeans.
“Okay, then slow down.” He placed his hand over hers, stopping her fingers. “If we’re going to do this, we’re going to do it right.” He slid his hand down into her panties slowly, holding her gaze as he guided the lacy material aside and ran his fingertips softly over her wetness. “Are you sure about this? We can stop at any time.” He slid one finger against her center, pressing into the opening, just enough to make her body scream with need.
Tamryn gasped, then opened her legs wider, one knee slipping past the edge of the blanket. She’d worry about splinters later. “I’m sure,” she growled, pressing onto his hand.
Reed leaned forward, running his tongue over her bottom lip as he slid his finger all the way inside her. She moved against his hand, craning her neck to kiss him, and he slid another finger inside. He pulled back, watching her face as he worked his fingers.
A garbled sound from deep in her throat pushed past her lips as he pressed against her inner wall, practically lifting her higher with just his two fingers. She rose, wanting to follow his hand anywhere it guided. Reed smiled, then dropped his gaze to her mouth. Pushing harder with his hand in deliberate, firm motions, he watched her face, then gripped the back of her neck and held her firmly in place as his hand moved faster and deeper.
He slid a third finger inside, spreading his hand and stretching her further. Pleasure and pain radiated from their connection, but warmth soon replaced pain as her body coated his hand, readying itself for his cock, and as Reed massaged her, she writhed—
He withdrew his hand and Tamryn crashed back down to earth, mouth opening on a question that was answered before she even spoke the plea out loud.
“Stand.”
On trembling legs, she obeyed, chest heaving on her near-orgasm.
Reed reached up, slid his hands up her thighs and in between the fabric and her hips, then slid his hands back down, pulling her panties with him as he went. Once she stepped out of them, he gripped her hips, stopping her from kneeling back down.
With a wicked glint in his eyes, he looked up at her, then rubbed his thumb over her folds, spreading the silky wetness. Slowly, he slid his fingers back inside, all three at once.
Tamryn’s eyes slammed closed as pleasure and pain fought to fill her, and she tilted her head back, arching her hips into Reed’s face when his mouth closed over her. She reached for his hair, grabbing a handful and rocking with the motion of his tongue on her clit and his fingers inside her.
When he paused again, she nearly crumpled as he withdrew his fingers, but he quickly pushed his pants to his knees, unwrapped a condom and covered his shaft in nearly one fell swoop, then reached for her. With his hands gripping her lower back, he eased her down until the tip of his cock pressed against her. Tamryn moaned as wetness pooled. Shivering with anticipation, she wiggled, her body aching for him to make the final move and slide inside. She wrapped her arms around his neck, then pushed down, gasping as he glided his way inside. She pressed further, forcing him to fill her without hesitation, without the tedious delay of caution. She whimpered, but gripped Reed tighter, hoping he wouldn’t stop.
She was not a delicate flower. She was not a little girl.
Not tonight. Especially not tonight.
Tamryn held tight as Reed pushed all the way into her, pleasure and pain blending to a heady, intoxicating combination. She moaned as her body stretched around him.
Jake’s face flashed across her mind, and she almost pushed the image aside, ashamed to picture one man while embracing another. But she wasn’t a fool—Reed likely pictured Gennie in her place.
Mutually fucking to forget.
Clinging to Jake’s face in her mind, and Reed’s shoulders in reality, Tamryn pretended it was Jake’s cock inside her, Jake making love to her. She imagined Jake’s naked chest against hers and gripped tighter to Reed, her nipples rubbing against his warm chest, hard and hot, and just the right amount of friction.
“TB?”
In a drunken haze, she even imagined she heard Jake’s voice, thought she heard him calling her name, but the waters of her mind were murky at best, tequila soaked and lust-drunk. Still, she clung to the sound, the image, the fantasy.
She clung to Reed and made him Jake, a loud moan escaping her lips as she bobbed up and down on his shaft, faster and faster, closer and closer to release—
“What the fuck!” Jake’s voice boomed through the space, echoing off the walls.
Reed jumped back, dropping Tamryn in his haste to get away from her, sliding across the room as Jake thundered inside, the door slamming against the wall as he tore through the doorway.
Tamryn curled into a ball, frantically wrapping the blanket around her exposed body. Holy shit, holy shit, holy shit…but he only had eyes for Reed. Tamryn scrambled backward until she hit the opposite wall, then pulled her knees up to her chest and tried to disappear. Of all the people to catch them—
“What the fuck!” he shouted again. “TB, Reed? Seriously? How could you fuck TB?” Jake stormed across the wooden floor, then reached down for Reed and pulled him up by his throat.
Reed stumbled, but if the adrenaline ripping through Tamryn’s veins was anything like what Reed felt right now, his tequila-induced intoxication was ancient history. Long gone. He squared his shoulders and raised his hands in surrender, opening his mouth to—
The crack of Jake’s fist across Reed’s jaw echoed through the room. Tamryn shrieked, then stumbled to get up, dropping the blanket in her haste to rush to Reed’s aid. They hadn’t done anything wrong!
Jake cocked back to swing again, but Tamryn grabbed his arm and pulled it behind him, holding it tight to her body with all the strength she could muster.
Jake spun around, his face pulled into a sneer as he focused on Tamryn. She let go of his arm and backed up, shrinking beneath his angry glare.
He opened his mouth to speak, but only panted, his head shaking slightly as he held her captive with his eyes.
Was he mad because he wanted her for himself? Or because she was still, and would forever be, Colby’s kid sister? A little girl destined to remain that way.
She had to know.
“What?” she asked after a few torturously long seconds. “What can you possibly say?”
He opened and closed his mouth several times, his bare chest heaving, then his gaze fell to Tamryn’s exposed breasts, then lower, and he bowed slightly in the middle as though he’d lost the air from his lungs. He brought his eyes back to hers, his brows bunched in the center. “Is this why you wanted the key?”
Torn between covering up and apologizing—begging him to forgive her, explaining that this was a mistake, an accident—or standing tall, Tamryn chose the latter. Sticking out her chin, she straightened, allowing him an uninhibited view of her breasts, her body, the wetness still glistening on her thighs.
She looked up at him, hoping he could see the challenge in her eyes. Call me a child now.
Jake shook his head, frowning.
Tamryn allowed herself a quick glance at his shirtless chest, his unbuttoned pants that rested just low enough that a dusting of brown hair peeked over the button fly. She looked up at messy, disheveled hair—like someone’s hands had tugged at it just moments ago.
Tamryn closed her eyes, remembering the sound of him fucking Gennie, his headboard punctuating each thrust. They’d shared that heavy moment in the hallway, Jake’s desire for Tamryn so obvious you could choke on it, then went right back to fucking Gennie. That’s what drove her here, into Reed’s arms.
And now he had the audacity to act like he gave two shits about who Tamryn fucked?
Anger quickly replaced the heartache, her muscles tightening. She opened her eyes and met his gaze.
Whatever he saw in her expression made him rock back
on his heels.
“What is it, Jake? Only the boss can fuck coworkers?”
He blinked once, twice, clearly stunned by her words, but then he smiled, nodding slowly as he turned on that Johnson charm he’d mastered so long ago, careful—as always—not to give away any indication of what he really felt. “Touché, little Baker.” He turned his back on Tamryn and pointed at Reed. “We’re not finished, you and me.”
Reed massaged his jaw and nodded.
Jake stomped out of the room, dust plumes following in his wake. “Put some fucking clothes on! Both of you!”
Chapter
Six
Jake paced a trench in the dance floor, but he couldn’t sit still with all the emotion flowing through him. He hadn’t slept. Hadn’t eaten.
His hands itched for something to hit.
He’d already punched Reed early this morning and at least two walls since, but despite his bloodied and bruised hand, he still had way too much anger scorching through his veins. Maybe he’d install a punching bag next door, make that space a gym, rather than a spot for singing lessons and fucking.
His chest tightened on that last thought.
The front door swung open, and Jake squinted against the rush of sunlight. “We’re closed!”
Reed stepped inside and shut the door behind him. “I work here.”
Jake’s fists curled in on themselves, and he crossed his arms to keep from swinging at Reed. “Get the fuck out, man.”
“Are you pissed off because she’s Colby’s sister, or your TB?”
Jake’s body went rigid. “The fuck is that supposed to mean?” He spun and headed toward the cooler.
Reed scoffed. “Oh, I think you know exactly what that means, except you’re too damn chicken shit to admit it.”
Jake whipped around and took three long strides forward to corner Reed. “Admit what, exactly?”
Reed straightened his shoulders and leaned toward Jake, eyes narrowed. “That you have feelings for that girl in there.” He pointed toward the wall between the empty space and The Bar.
Jake rocked on his heels. “What?” He ran a hand through his hair. “That’s Colby’s kid sister.”
Reed shook his head with a mocking laugh, bringing a pack of frozen peas back up to his chin. He pushed past Jake, walking toward the bar, then paused and swiveled his head to pin Jake with a hard stare.
Jake straightened, expecting another fight. “Did you steal those fucking peas from my house?”
Reed shook his head as if Jake’s question was so absurd. “Colby’s dead, Johnson.” He pointed to the empty half of the building again. “But she’s not. And she’s not your kid sister. You’d do well to remember that.”
What did that even mean? Of course he knew TB wasn’t dead. Reed was off his rocker. Jake scoffed, but remained silent—maybe he’d clocked Reed too hard. They both needed to cool off. After the dirty thoughts he’d had about TB last night, and then catching her with Reed, Jake didn’t know which end was up anymore. But he didn’t have feelings for her—that much he was certain of. He was just a horny piece of shit as usual and saw a hot piece of ass.
He slammed his hand to his forehead. A hot piece of ass? Colby should smite Jake from heaven right where he stood.
He shook his head, then stomped outside for some fresh air.
Shoving a wad of tobacco into his mouth, he paced the wooden porch, kicking up dust and mumbling to himself. How could Reed take advantage of TB like that? She was just a kid! He expected so much more from Reed.
Drunken chicks and random sex was Jake’s thing.
The image of Reed balls deep inside her wouldn’t cease, burned into the back of his eyes so that every time he blinked, he saw them fucking all over again. He’d stood there too long last night, too stunned by what he saw, and by the time his brain caught up to his eyes, he’d seen far too much to forget. He rubbed at his eyes, wishing he could scrub her naked body from his mind.
But then, hadn’t that been why he’d gone in search of her in the first place? Her over-exposed body, the intoxicating feeling between them, the desire buzzing on the air…the way all oxygen seemed to leave the hallway in a whoosh when her eyes met his.
It was her innocence, her youth that always endeared her to him, made him long to be near her, to protect her. It was his promise to Colby that gave him the opportunity to do just that. But the way she stood there in her panties, so bold… the way she openly observed him, confident, free, daring him to touch her.
He closed his eyes, imagining TB’s heavy gaze on him once more. His dick twitched at the vision, hungry for her.
“Fuck!” Jake slammed his fist into a wooden post, then shook his hand as pain seared up his arm into his shoulder. He couldn’t think about TB like that. Colby had been his best friend since birth. He stomped around the building toward the house, then tore inside.
TB stilled in the entryway, having just walked from the kitchen.
Jake froze as the front door slid closed behind him.
Her wavy blonde hair cascaded down around her shoulders, her signature ponytail gone. She quickly met his gaze, then looked away, eyes downcast.
He waited with bated breath for her to look up at him again.
“Are you okay?” she asked, still avoiding eye contact.
Jake lifted his hands up into the air, scoffing, then let his arms fall to his sides. Was he okay? Was she serious? He shook his head, but had no words. He was far from okay, but what could he tell her? That the man who was supposed to protect her and keep her safe from guys like him was suddenly lusting after her?
She finally looked up at him, frowning. “I’m sorry, I…”
She’s sorry? He closed the distance between them and peered down into frightened blue eyes. “For what? What are you sorry for? He should be sorry, TB, he took advantage of you—”
“What did you say?” TB stood taller, squaring her shoulders, her eyes bright with rage. “I’m not a fucking helpless infant, Jake, maybe I took advantage of him; did you ever think of that?” She poked his chest, hard, the pain searing straight to his heart.
He opened his mouth to argue, but then his brain conjured images of TB coming on to Reed.
Images he didn’t want to consider for even a second.
Jake shook his head. No. Hell no. “There’s no way—”
Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open. “Don’t, Jake.” She stared at the ground between them, head shaking slightly.
“Don’t what, TB?”
Her pink lips curled back. “You know what, Jake? Fuck you. I’m not sorry. Fuck. You.”
“Don’t you talk to me like that,” he snarled. He clenched his aching right hand into a fist, ready to punch another wall as soon as he had the chance.
TB squared her shoulders and took a step toward him. Her robe fell loosely above the belted sash, exposing the soft crowns of her pale breasts. “Don’t pitch a fit, Jake.” She took another step toward him. “I can say whatever I want.”
He took a step back.
She advanced on him once more. “And, not that it’s any of your business, but I can fuck whoever I want. Maybe I’ll pick someone up tonight and bring him home. Get real loud with it.”
He sucked in a breath.
She narrowed her eyes and stepped so close she had to crane her neck to look up at him. “I’m not yours to control.”
Jake grimaced. “I…I don’t want to control you.”
TB’s face relaxed slightly, the anger dissipating, but she didn’t say anything for a long, uncomfortable few seconds.
“Why Reed?” he asked, voicing his thoughts before he could stop himself.
“Why not Reed?” Her eyes flicked back and forth between his, looking for something he didn’t know the answer to. When she apparently didn’t find it, she smirked. “Yeah, I figured. You don’t really care who or what I do, you just didn’t have any damn control over it and that makes you madder than a wet panther.”
Jake frowned. Was she
right? Was that all he was pissed about? “What would Colby think?”
She laughed, a bitter, scornful sound that sent ice down Jake’s spine. “Colby is dead, Jake. He’s dead.”
Jake shook his head, each word a knife through his heart. “I promised him I’d take care of you.”
She sneered. “I can take care of myself.”
“Oh yeah? Is that”—he pointed to the center of the empty room—“is that how you take care of yourself? Fucking random guys in my bar? Colby would be so proud.”
Too caught off by her soft gasp and the sudden shimmer in her eyes, Jake missed the movement of her hand as she cocked it back, registering the motion a second too late. The slap sent his head reeling, the sharp sound echoing through the room.
“Fuck. You. Jake Johnson.”
She ran out the door, and his heart went right along with her, the echo of her sobs cutting far deeper than the sting of her palm.
“What did you do to her?” Reed roared, crossing the bar to meet Jake as he entered. “I heard her crying all the way in the kitchen!”
Jake fisted his right hand; a wooden post just wouldn’t cut it this time.
Reed caught the motion and quickly centered in on Jake’s hand, then he stepped forward and matched Jake’s angry stare. “I allowed you one punch last night, Johnson. That won’t happen twice.”
Jake clenched his jaw, staring hard into his friend’s eyes for a long moment, then sighed. “How could you fuck her, Reed? She’s TB.”
Reed lifted his hands, his shoulders still tense, ready for a fight. “It wasn’t planned. We were drunk.”
“That makes it worse. You don’t even care for her.”
Reed smirked. “That’s just it, Jake. She doesn’t care for me either.”
Jake shook his head. “No. That’s not the way she is. TB doesn’t just fuck for fun. She must have a thing for you.”
Reed stepped away, head tilted, then returned to the bar. “What do you know about her sex life, Jake? You’ve never even noticed that Tamryn’s not fourteen anymore.”
Whiskey Burned (Flawed Heroes Book 2) Page 4