“What happens when the age difference does come into play. What about when he’s forty and I’m fifty-three and he wants a younger, less saggy woman.”
Sinclair laughed. “First, if he’s that type, you should let him go. No woman needs that kind of man in her life. Second, the fact that you’re concerned about your relationship with him that far in the future suggests that this is more than just a passing fancy. One thing I’ve learned from my own relationship, as well as watching those around me, is that you have to grab onto love, and nurture and guard it for all you’re worth. That’s where true happiness comes from. If Stark ended up taking all of Salvation, I’d be pissed, but I’d be okay as long as I had Wyatt, Alyssa and my family.”
I nodded. What she said made sense, even if I still struggled with allowing my heart to love Tucker.
17
Tucker
I wasn’t sure what to make of Holly’s leaving the evening I’d made love to her. I wouldn’t say she was distant, but I was still uncertain as to whether or not her rushing off was a way to put up a wall again.
While she was out, Brooke called to chat. I was glad for the distraction.
“I stopped by your place the other night but you were out,” she said. “Hot date?”
“I’ve been staying with Holly.” I got the feeling Holly only wanted Mrs. Reynold to think we were married, but not the whole town. Still, she’d told Sinclair, and Brooke was my best friend, and I could trust her.
“Ooh, things are moving in the right direction. That sounds good.”
“It isn’t bad.”
She must have caught my uncertain tone. “What does that mean?”
“It means I don’t know what’s going on.”
“Have you told her how you feel?” she asked.
I sat at the dining table, remembering how sexy Holly was the first night I had her there. And then how quickly she’d turned cool.
“She has no doubt about my interest. And I think she shares it, she just doesn’t want to.” I pinched the bridge of my nose. “The thing is, why am I hitting my head against the wall with this?” Sure the sex was spectacular, but I didn’t want only that and so far that was all she’d been willing to give. “If she is resistant, why am I still interested?”
“Maybe it’s wanting what you can’t have?” Brooke suggested.
“I don’t think so. I mean you stuck with Mo when he’d kept pushing you away.”
“True, but I’m hard headed.”
I laughed. “That’s true.”
“Look, I can’t tell you what’s going on with Holly, but if you have real feelings, you should stick it out.”
“And what if she ends up breaking my heart?” I rubbed my hand over my chest, like I’d somehow protect my heart.
“Well, if you give up now, you won’t know if maybe she’d come around. Do you know why she’s resistant?”
“I suspect it’s because her jerk fiancé left her at the altar.”
“Ouch. Once bitten, twice shy, eh. She probably just needs more time and reassurance. I know you’ve got that in you.”
“Yeah, I guess I do.”
When Holly returned from her visit with Sinclair, she still seemed a bit unsettled, but she didn’t push me away when I kissed her. So maybe she was coming around. Even so, I treaded lightly. I didn’t assume anything. She went to bed before me, and because I wasn’t sure if I was allowed to share with her now, I slept on the blow up mattress. I woke before her the next morning, and she didn’t mention anything about it when she came in for her coffee, so I just left it alone. For now.
We’d developed a new normal for the next few days. We were closer than we were before, but not as close as I’d like. Many times, I wanted to kiss her or tell her how much I thought of her, but held back in fear that it would spook her.
At school, we retained our professional, friendly relationship, so everything was normal there. On Tuesday evening was the Parent-Teacher Association meeting, which Holly was an active member of. I wasn’t surprised. She had her hands in a multitude of pots, all them related to improving the lives of children in Salvation. It was a shame she didn’t have children of her own, because she’d be a tremendous mother.
I sat with other teachers as Holly made her teacher’s report, following up on the success of the 4-H program and her efforts with the library, leaving out the part where she was pretending to be married to me to get a donation from Mrs. Reynolds.
She finished answering questions about the library, and then moved on to her next item. “With the mayoral election coming up, the PTA once again is offering the candidates the opportunity to present their platforms to us. We need to arrange a date with them. Normally we do them at the same time to make sure it is fair.”
They all voted to invite the candidates to the next meeting.
The meeting was about to wind down when a gentleman raised his hand and stood. “Before you move on, I’d like a chance to speak with the group.”
Holly’s eyes narrowed. “Mr. Stark. You’re not on the agenda.”
“Surely you have a section for new business.”
Her jaw clenched. “What is this regarding?”
“I have some questions and ideas I think could help. I’d like to present them before the mayoral debate.”
“It’s not a debate, Mr. Stark.” She looked to the PTA president, who gave a curt nod. “But, of course, you can speak to the group.”
Holly left the podium and Stark, who I only knew by reputation, a bad one at that, took her place. He was slick looking, like he was from a big city, which made him look a bit out of place in rural Nebraska. He was young, mid-thirties maybe, and handsome albeit smarmy.
“Thank you, Madam President.” He acknowledged the PTA president but not Holly. Already I didn’t like him.
“I know I’m a newcomer to Salvation and I have no children, but I’ve paid attention to what’s going on and I have to say I have some concerns. For example, in a state known for agriculture, why isn’t the 4-H program more robust? Especially since the people of this town are entrenched in farming, and are resistant to progress in business and trade.”
There were murmurs in the room.
“What’s that about?” I whispered to Becky, sitting next to me.
“He tried to buy up land to build a prison but the farmers, led by the deputy mayor, were able to block him,” she said.
“Now, I’m sure Ms. St. James does a wonderful job with it, but she can’t do everything. She’s now building you a library. Why isn’t the city or state funding that? The people of Salvation want to rely on Ms. St. James and the pocketbooks of the few wealthy in the area, none of whom have children in the schools, to fund education that even the city and state don’t deem worthy.”
“Mr. Stark!” Holly jumped up. “Since you do not have children, you’re in no place to provide feedback. And if you have a question of funding, perhaps you should go to the school board.”
He gave a smile that was sickenly condescending. “It just seems to me that the PTA should consider how little the city and state have contributed, especially with the mayoral election coming. Mrs. Jones will provide you more of the same, but I for one, don’t want to have a bake sale or rely on a single dedicated teacher who can’t keep her own life together to insure the future of Salvation’s children.”
What the fuck!
“What are you talking about?” Holly said incensed.
“Well, it’s well known that your fiancé left you. If you can’t manage your home life, why should we trust you with school improvements?”
I started to stand, but Becky gripped my arm. “Don’t become a target.”
“You’ve made your point,” the PTA President stood and made her way to the podium.
Mr. Stark nodded. “I hope I have.” He didn’t return to the audience and instead left the building. Pissed beyond belief, I followed him out. I was an easy-going person. I’d never been in a fist fight. I can’t even remember wanting to punch someone o
nce I got out of elementary school. But I wanted to punch Stark in the throat.
I caught up with him on the steps of the school.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” I demanded.
His cool gaze looked me over. His expression suggested he wasn’t impressed. “What’s it to you?”
“I'm Holly's husband.” Okay, so lying wasn’t such a good thing, but I wasn’t going to let him get away with disparaging my wife…fake or not. “I don’t know what is wrong with you, but since when is it okay to attack a woman’s dedication to children or her personal life? Seriously. It’s the new millennium. Assholes like you should be hiding in a hole.”
He flinched, and for a minute I thought maybe he didn’t like me calling out his misogynistic attitude.
But he quickly recovered. “You barely look out of high school. I don’t take advice or threats from—”
I gaped at him. “Is this really how you operate? You come in guns blazing insulting and threatening people? No wonder people hate you.”
His jaw clenched.
People were exiting the meeting room, but I didn’t stop my tirade. “And you’re an idiot.”
“I beg your—”
“If you had any brains, you’d know that these people would have welcomed you and maybe even your ideas if you treated them with the respect they deserve. You think they’re dumb hicks—”
“I’ve never said—”
“You don’t have to. It’s clear in the way you talk to them and treat them.” I shook my head. “Of course, that doesn’t matter does it? All you know is how to throw your weight and money around.”
“You’re the one acting like a child.” His eyes flicked to the crowd of people. He probably didn’t like looking weak in front of them. Well, too bad, buddy.
“Yeah?” I leaned in close to him, and to his credit he didn’t flinch this time. Strange how he could deal with a threat but didn’t like being called a chauvinistic pig. “If you say or do anything to hurt Holly, I will hunt you down and kick your ass.”
“Are you threatening me?” His eyes narrowed like he was surprised.
“Nah. It’s a promise.”
18
Holly
When Stark finished and walked out, I saw Tucker followed him, but I couldn’t imagine what he’d say to him. Stark seemed like a soulless man bent on bending Salvation to his will, although thankfully, he hadn’t been successful so far. Of course, that just seemed to make him more determined to punish us for not doing his bidding.
The meeting was finally adjourned and I hurried out to see what Tucker was doing.
“If you say or do anything to hurt Holly, I will hunt you down and kick your ass.”
The feminist part of me knew it was silly to feel good at how Tucker was threatening Stark on my behalf. I was a strong independent woman who could take care of herself. And yet, my body went all warm and gooey to see Tucker getting into Stark’s face for me.
“Are you threatening me?” Stark’s eyes narrowed like he was surprised.
“Nah. It’s a promise.”
“I’m not a man to fuck with,” Stark said. Several of the PTA members watching the altercation gasped at his choice of words.
“You don’t scare me, Stark,” Tucker scoffed.
“You should be.” Stark glanced at the crowd, and then turned, walking away toward the parking lot.
A woman I’d seen around the mayor’s office walked up to Tucker. “Well done.” She handed him a business card. “I’m Erica Edmonds. I’m a journalist doing a story on Stark. I’d like to talk to you. Give me a call if you’d like to share your story.”
She walked off before he could answer. The rest of the crowd was breaking up and heading off as well.
Tucker turned and saw me. “I’m sorry about that asswipe.” His hand reached out for me, but then he seemed to remember we were in a school setting and put it on his hip. I was bummed. In that moment I had a strange desire for him to touch me.
“Don’t be sorry. I would like to get home though.”
He escorted me to the car and helped me in. We drove a short distance in silence, with me replaying Tucker taking on Stark, and the surprising way it made me feel. Protected. Cared for. Aroused.
“Listen, I know you don’t need a knight in shining armor, but I just couldn’t let his comment go unanswered,” Tucker said, his hands gripping the wheel.
“Okay.”
He glanced at me. “You’re not going to be mad at me for being a protective caveman?”
I shook my head. “No.”
He frowned. “Huh.”
“You expected me to be mad?”
He shrugged. “I thought you’d think I was overstepping my bounds. Or be offended that I thought you couldn’t defend yourself, which I know you can do. I just…I couldn’t let it pass.”
“I wasn’t offended and didn’t feel like you were usurping my personal power. I sort of like it, actually.” I really liked it in reality. All my neurons were humming with the need for him to touch me. To use some of that male domination on me. My hormones were truly out of whack.
He glanced at me. “Really?”
I nodded.
We pulled into my driveway and walked up to the house. I followed him, watching him, taking in his broad shoulders, his fine tight ass…God I was going to combust.
He opened the door, letting me in first. When the door shut behind him, I turned, and pushed him against the door, and plastered my body against his, my lips consuming his.
He groaned. His hands went to my waist, and in a quick move, he switched our positions so that I was pressed against the door. He took my wrists and pushed them up over my head.
“You wanna fuck?”
I nodded. “Yes. Here. Right here.”
His eyes flashed with wild heat.
“Watching you with Stark made me wet, Tucker.” I’d never been one for sexy talk. That was one of the many things different with him. He made me hot. He made me want to explore my own sexuality, as well as learn what made him hot with desire.
He let out an explicative. “How do you want it?”
“I want you to do whatever you want. I’m yours to dominate.”
He growled. “If I want you to suck my dick, you will?”
“Yes.” God, I hoped I got to do that.
“If I want to fuck you hard from behind, I can?”
“Yes,” I gasped, wanting that too. I wanted it all. All from him.
“What if I want to fuck your tits?”
Was that possible? “Then fuck ‘em.”
“Jesus, you’re a fucking dream come true, you know that?” His lips were all over me as he undressed me. Naked against my front door, he pushed my hands back up over my head and his gaze washed over my body. God, I hope he liked what he saw.
He bent down and laved a nipple. He sucked it gently, and then bit it; lightly at first and then a little harder. Hard enough to make me gasp, but not so hard for me to want him to stop.
I reached for his clothes, wanting him to be naked too. When his dick popped free, I grabbed it, marveling at its length and girth.
He gripped my arms, turning me again, so he was against the door. “Suck my dick, Holly.” He gently guided me down to my knees.
I’d never looked at his dick up close. It was even more beautiful than I’d realized. It stood up toward his belly in an act that seemed to defy nature considering its size. The shaft was ridged with veins that I knew from experience felt divine inside me. The tip was pink and looked velvety soft. I couldn’t wait to get it into my mouth. The only problem was, I didn’t have a lot of experience pleasuring a man with my mouth. I worried I wouldn’t be very good at it.
Tucker’s fingers thread through my hair. “If you don’t want—”
“I do want to. I want it to be good for you.”
“It’s already good for me,” he said.
I looked from his face to his magnificent dick. A small white bead of wetness sat on the tip
. I flicked out my tongue and licked it up.
He let out a small moan. “Just suck, Holly…”
I brought the tip to my mouth, sucking it in, and running my tongue along the rim.
“Yes, fuck…yes…that’s it.” His fingers gripped my head.
Feeling confident, I continued, licking and sucking. I took him deep, loving how he moaned. I focused on his tip, sucking and laving while my hand jacked him. With my other hand, I massaged his soft sacks.
“Oh…shit…fuck…God damn…”
I smiled around his dick as he went through a list of swear words. His hips moved, thrusting and I worked to accommodate him.
“I’m gonna come, baby…fuck…are you going to drink it? If not…fuck…”
A splash of warm liquid hit the back of my throat. I swallowed, and then more filled my mouth with each thrust. I sucked and licked until he softened in my mouth.
When I let him go and looked up, he was leaning against the door, looking completely sated.
“That was fucking awesome.” He said between harsh breaths.
I’d always enjoyed sex before, but I’d never felt as powerful as a woman as I did in that moment.
“Come on,” he said, taking my hand and tugging me with him up the hall.
“Where are we going?”
“To the bedroom. I’m going to rock your world, baby.”
I wasn’t sure how, because his dick wasn’t hard, although, I couldn’t say it was completely flaccid either. Still, I knew that Tucker had an arsenal of sexual skills he could use.
He motioned for me to get on the bed and went to my side drawer. “Don’t get pissed. I found this when I was cleaning up the other day.” He pulled out my little vibrator. Immediately, embarrassment washed over me.
“Don’t,” he said, bringing the toy to the bed. “Don’t be embarrassed. God, it turns me on to know you like to pleasure yourself.”
“It’s private.”
“Would it help you to know I jerk off in the shower? I’ve jerked off thinking of you. Look, I’m getting hard again just thinking about it.”
Fake Marriage (Contemporary Romance Box Set) Page 72