Tucker pulls open the door and shoves him through it before slamming it home, and then he leans back and smirks as two hard pounds sound on the wood before everything goes quiet. I guess they don’t know what to think either.
“Well then, hopefully this goes down better than his gift.” Tom chuckles nervously as he rubs at the base of his throat and shoves a gift bag into my hands.
“Why are you guys buying me stuff? I can’t return the favor,” I sigh, but I still feel myself warming at the gesture. The fact that Tom got me anything is, well, I’ll save my thoughts until after I’ve looked inside.
“Well, come on, I’m not getting any younger. More sexy, definitely, but not younger.” He gives me a wink, and I shake my head as Tucker lets out a long, drawn-out sigh.
I pull out what seems to be a book wrapped in tissue paper before brushing it away and looking down at the leather-bound notebook with ‘Luna’s Recipes’ engraved in gold lettering on the front.
“Tom this is…” Amazing. Incredible. Makes me love him even more. On second thought, do not say that last part out loud. “I don’t know what to say, you shouldn’t have. Thank you.” I can’t stop staring at it, and I jump as he places his fingers under my chin and tilts my head up.
“You’re welcome. Although I probably would have got something as bad as Emmet if it hadn’t been for Tucker. I’ve got to give him mad props, he really helped me out on this one.”
He isn’t even trying to take credit for one of the best gifts I’ve ever been given. Damn, if I didn’t already love him, I would have fallen head over heels right now.
“Why did you go through so much trouble? I haven’t got anything to give you.” His eyes are intense as he captures me in his gaze.
“It wasn’t any trouble, Moonbeam, and you have given me something, you just don’t realize yet.” He swipes his thumb over my brow to smooth out the lines, before walking over to Tucker and slapping him on the back.
“Have fun, kids, and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” He taps his chin for a moment before he lets out a laugh. “Actually, on second thought, don’t do anything I would do.” He gives me one last wink before he leaves the room, which means Tucker and I are completely alone.
He takes a seat on the loveseat and pats the space beside him; I don’t even hesitate before I’m next to him. His arm comes around me until I’m hoisted into his lap, with my feet planted in the vacant space.
“I know you’re not a liar, but was that the only reason you rejected Emmet’s gift and loved Tom’s, or is there more to it?” I admire his no nonsense attitude, and his intensity isn’t anywhere near as anxiety provoking as it used to be.
“Everything I said was true. I mean, you even asked what I wanted and I don’t even think you like me half the time.” I laugh, but it’s self deprecating in its tone. “The thing is, I hate grand gestures, it’s always been the little things that matter. My mom has always said that it’s the little things that count, and she isn’t wrong. That’s what I appreciate, if it’s from the heart, driven by the fact that whoever did it cares. I mean, what more do I need? I can go my whole life and never receive a single gift. As long as I know there are people out there who care about me and vice versa.” What power does this man have over me? Will there ever be a time I won’t bare my soul to him?
“I… like you. I just don’t do hearts and rainbows, and I’m not the friendliest of people. That being said, I will try to keep you safe. I can’t guarantee it in this place, but I will try.”
“Can I k-kiss you, Tucker?” I peer into his eyes, the words a whisper of breath on my lips.
“No.” His voice is thick and my cheeks heat at his rejection, embarrassment coursing through me, and I wish I could take back the words.
“Tiny One, I don’t kiss but we’ve kissed twice now. It… it isn’t a rejection, but if I feel those soft lips against mine, I won’t want to stop at just a kiss and I’m trying to be my version of a gentleman for as long as you need,” he groans.
“Oh,” slips through my lips.
“Yes, ‘oh’,” he repeats, his eyes filled with hunger as he takes me in, running his eyes over me in a slow perusal.
“I don’t need a gentleman, Tucker. Not now.” As soon as the words are free, his mouth is on mine and our tongues are battling for dominance.
He nips at my bottom lip before his hand moves fast up the inside of my top, brushing my bra aside and pinching my nipple. It elicits a heady mixture of pain and pleasure, and a deep moan falls free, I can hardly believe it even came from me. It isn’t long before my clothes are on the floor and his soon follow. His hand trails down my spine as he continues to pinch and suck on my nipples.
He grips my hips, making me rise before placing the head of his dick at my entrance and then with one quick thrust, he slams all the way home and I can’t contain my moans as my head falls back and I lose myself in the feel of him. The feel of us.
21
When Guilt Sets In
Tucker is fast asleep and I’m lying with his arm draped over my stomach, willing myself to fall asleep. No matter what I do, all I can think about is the way I treated Emmet and the things I said, it’s eating me up inside and I feel so… ashamed. I was way out of line and he wasn’t doing it to be malicious. I should have looked at it from his point of view, but instead, I took it the wrong way, and let his words affect the insecurities still deep-rooted within me. I need to find him, tell him I’m sorry, and I need to do it without an audience.
The problem, it’s three in the morning. I can’t go wandering around, and I certainly can’t enter the north wing without one of them with me. I consider waking Tucker up, but it feels wrong to wake him so he can take me to see another man. I slide out slowly, lowering his arm gently over my pillow as I try my hardest not to wake him, and then I wander into my sitting area and close my bedroom door.
I contemplate my next move before opening my door and meet Darius’ eyes from across the threshold.
“Is everything okay?”
“Not really, I-I-I t-t-think I did something w-wrong earlier and I can’t sleep until I make it right,” I shuffle on my feet as he looks at me, and then he sighs before nodding his head.
“I need to speak to Emmet. Could you take me somewhere in the morning and try to get a message across for me? I know it’s a lot to ask, but I don’t know what else to do.” I rub at my eyes and he looks at me with sympathy.
“I’ll help you, Miss Carter. Do you think we could talk soon?” His eyes are half hooded, and I’m slammed with memories of our time in the pool house. Heat curls in my stomach and I have to calm my breathing.
“O-of course, I’ll let you know when I’m alone,” I say and he gives me a soft smile before I close the door and return to bed.
I climb under the covers, Tucker mumbles something nonsensical before wrapping his arm around my stomach, and pulling me into his heat. I close my eyes and I drift off, safe in the knowledge that nothing will happen, and loving the way it feels when he holds me.