Stalking His Claim
Page 9
“If you consider me pleasuring you with my mouth, my hands and my cock until you’re screaming my name punishment, then yes.” I swear I can smell her arousal. I watch as her eyes heat. Her mouth parts and she licks her lips. She’s letting me know that she wants that. That she trusts me. That turns me on even more than I already am.
“What are you waiting for?” She lets go of my hand, running toward our bedroom. And I do exactly as I promised her I’d always do. I chase her. Her laughter fills the hallways before she disappears into our bedroom. I pull my shirt off as I follow her.
As much as I want inside her, I need answers. I am a bastard because at the end of the day it doesn't matter why she ran. She isn't going anywhere. When I enter the bedroom, she is falling back onto the bed already naked.
She lies on the bed looking up at me as I come to stand on the side of it. She comes up to her elbows to look at me. Her eyes trail down my bare chest to the top of my jeans. She bites her lips. I fight not to pounce on her.
“Why did you run?”
She releases her lip as if she’s remembering. “You were on the phone.” She sits up more. She licks her bottom lip. She starts to cover her breasts with her arm, getting self-conscious. I snag her by the wrist to stop her. I want to see all of her. I want both of us to be laid bare, not only physically but emotionally.
“Don’t hide from me.” I come down over her. “I think that’s a lot of our problem. No more hiding.”
She nods in agreement. “I heard you on the phone.”
I shift, freeing her wrist to turn her head to look at me. I need to look into her eyes. “With your dad.” Who may or may not be on a plane here. He was pissed, but Tinsley is an adult. She can do whatever she wants.
“It sounded like you were only doing this because you thought it was the right thing to do, not because—”
“I love you,” I finish for her. I do everything because I love her. Because I’ve always known that she was the one for me. That I would protect her, love her and honor her for all the days of my life whether she reciprocated those feelings or not.
“I know you love me, but I mean like love. Beyond friends.”
“Tinsley, I’m not even sure love is a big enough word for what I feel for you. What I’ve always felt.”
“But-”
I keep going, needing to get this out. She needs to know it all. To understand I’m all in. Always have been and always will be when it comes to her.
“Why do you think I’ve never been with another woman, Tinsley?”
“I just thought”—her eyebrows furrow together—“you don’t like people.” She finally comes up with, making me let out a bark of laughter. I don’t know if I really don’t like people or if I’m just in a shit mood because I can never have what I truly want. Her. “I love when you laugh.” She reaches up, touching my face. I lean into her touch, needing it like I need my next breath. Knowing that now that I’ve had her that I’ll never be able to be without her.
“You’ve been it for me, sweetheart. Been waiting for you to be ready.” Her whole body goes soft under me. Fuck. She’s finally getting it. What I said on the phone was the truth. I’d do anything for her.
“You’ve been stalking me.”
I shrug. She only smiles up at me as she wraps her arm around my neck, looking pleased with the idea of me stalking her.
“You gave me an in with this whole trying things out shit. All you really did is seal your fate.” There was no fucking holding back after that. Or trying to give her space. She better get used to me because I’m going to be around all that time. I couldn’t go back to not touching her every night or day whenever I wanted. Now it’s her turn to laugh.
“I was trying to seduce you.”
“Seduce me?” Why the hell would she need to seduce me? “You breathe and I’m turned on.” She pushes on my chest. I don’t move.
“Move. I’m not running.” She pushes my chest again. I roll over because I can’t deny her. She climbs on top of me, straddling me.
“You make it hard to concentrate.” My eyes go to her swaying tits. My cock is begging to get out of my jeans and into her.
“Well, I’m about to tell you how much I love you so—”
My eyes snap up to hers. She’s giving me one of her dimples. I grip her hips, wanting to hear it.
“Been in love with you since you punched Ben for pushing me into the pool all those years ago.”
“Should have done more than punch that little prick.” He had a crush on her. So he pulled her hair. She never paid him any attention, so his ass pushed her in the fucking pool. After I got her out I’d lost it. We might have only been little kids at the time, but it had been the day I’d learned what rage was. It was also the day I knew I’d do anything to keep Tinsley safe from the Bens of the world. When I’d lifted her out of that pool and her little arms wrapped around my neck as I carried her to safety, I silently vowed to always protect her.
“When the suggestion came up that I stay with you while I went to school I knew it was my chance to get close to you. To see if we could have something.”
“That suggestion came from me,” I admit. I’d pushed for her to come here. I knew she had college applications out here. That she wanted to get away from her hometown. I slipped right in and took her when she was vulnerable. That probably makes me an asshole, but I don’t care.
“I was planning to come out here before everything happened, Reed. Getting to stay with you was just a bonus. Why do you think I applied to so many schools out here?”
“Baby.” I roll her over again, pinning her below me. I can’t help myself. I don’t know what comes over me with her, but I can’t control it. It’s worse when I see she gets off on it too.
“Don’t baby me. I’m mad at you.”
“Mad? What did I do now?”
“Oh my God.” She bursts into a fit of giggles. “Are you pouting? You’re totally pouting.” She keeps on laughing.
“I don’t want you mad at me,” I defend. Not like I can say I haven’t done anything for her not to be mad about. I’ve done all kinds of fucked-up shit to keep her close to me.
“I’m mad because we could have been doing this for a long time.” She pulls me down for a kiss. I take her mouth, kissing her back. She was right, we could have been, but it doesn’t matter now.
She is mine. She now knows it all and she isn’t running. She only tried to run because she didn’t know I was all in when it came to her. I’ll spend my life making sure she never has that doubt again. She’ll never question what I feel for her again. I belong to her. This woman has owned me all of our lives. And I’m going to cherish her for the rest of our days.
“I need you inside of me,” she demands. I lean up, hurriedly undoing my jeans. I need inside of her so badly that I only push them down enough to free myself and thrust all the way inside of her wetness. She’s still wet from her last orgasm. But I plan to make her come so many more times tonight. Her greedy cunt squeezes me, but I don’t move for a second, waiting for her to adjust. She’s still so tight that I don’t want to hurt her.
“I need more.” She pushes on my chest again, wanting control. I roll over, keeping me inside of her. She can take whatever she wants. It all belongs to her. I watch as she leans back, her arms falling to each side of me to steady herself.
“Take me.” I watch as her eyes heat at my command. She moves her hips, lifting them up and down slowly. “That’s it, sweetheart. Ride my cock.” I watch as the speed of her hips picks up. I want her to have the power in this moment. Her taking me is the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.
She’s mine and I’ll never let her go.
22
Tinsley
“Where are you going?” Reed snags me around the waist, pulling me back into the bed making me laugh. I love how much he can’t keep his hands off me. I can’t keep mine off him either.
“Food. You never fed me,” I remind him.
“Fuck.” He starts
to get up. This time I grab him.
“Kiss me first.” He doesn't have to be asked twice. He leans over, kissing me. Before it can get too heated, he pulls away.
“Food,” he reminds us both, making me laugh. I watch as he strolls into the closet. A few moments later he’s back in gray sweatpants and handing me a shirt. I pull it on over my head. “So fucking good seeing you here. We’re moving your shit out of your room and into here tonight.” My whole body warms. It is more than good. It is right. We belong together.
“You’ve already moved a bunch.” I look around the room. He’s been slowly bringing things from my room into here. I should have seen Reed’s intentions long ago when it came to me. Once he told me how he’s always loved me, so many things slid right into place that I should have seen before.
I should have realized how he was with me compared to everyone else. If I ever tried to spend time with him, he was there in a second. Everything the man did was for me. I just couldn't get myself to believe that he saw me as more. In saying that I would have been wrong too. He doesn’t only see me as more. He sees me as his everything.
“Then it won’t take much to finish the rest.” He pulls me up from the bed, leading me into the kitchen.
“I wonder what happened to all that food I ordered.” Crap. I’m guessing they tried to drop it off but no one was here.
“It might be downstairs.” My stomach growls. I walk over, opening the refrigerator to peek inside. I feel Reed's big warm body come up behind me. He wraps his arms around me. Both of us are looking for some grub now. This feels so natural. As if here in his arms is exactly where I’m meant to be.
“I’ll call down and see if it’s there.” He kisses me on my neck before stepping back to call downstairs. I find us something to drink.
“They are sending it up.” He places his phone on the counter. “I’ll grab it. You don’t have enough clothes on. Stay put.” I roll my eyes. His shirt covers more skin then some dresses do. I still like his jealousy. I snag some plates. I can’t stop smiling thinking this is going to be our lives now. We’re together.
My stomach drops when I hear my father's voice. I rush out, surprised to see Carly and James both standing there too. Everyone turns to look my way. My dad’s eyes drop down to what I’m wearing. I can feel my whole face flush with heat.
“You weren't answering your phone. I had to come check on you.” James stands there ready to enjoy the show.
“I’m fine,” I reassure everyone. Reed comes over and puts his arm around me. My dad lets out a rare curse, running his hand down his face. At least he’s not shouting.
“I’m going to go.” I watch Carly drop a plastic bag on the floor before pushing the button to get back on the elevator. The doors open.
“You got this?” James asks as he puts our food down on the table by the door. Reed gives him a nod. He steps on the elevator with Carly, who mouths to me that I better call her. Even with everything going on, I don’t miss the way James is staring at Carly.
“Dad.”
“Are you okay?” he asks before I can say anything else.
“I’ve never been better.” I try to step closer to my dad. Reed doesn't want to let his hold go of me. I give him a look and he drops his arm from around me. I walk over to hug my dad. We aren't always the closest, but I know he loves me.
“I knew this would come one day, but I thought you needed time after what happened.” He squeezes me tight before letting me go.
“I feel safe with Reed.” It is the truth. I always did. “He knew that too. It’s why he let me come out here.”
“I know.” He lets out a long sigh. I’m taking this as a win. No one is shouting or throwing punches. “I figured it would be a few more years until the two of you ended up together. More time for you to grow up.”
“I am grown up,” I point out.
“Still my little girl.” His eyes go soft.
“Wait. Until we got together?” When he said he thought this would come one day, I thought he meant me dating and everything that goes with that. But he meant Reed and me. I can feel Reed come up behind me. He wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me flush against him.
“I love her,” Reed tells my dad. I melt into him.
“I know.” His eyes drop to me. “But does she love you? You can be-”
“I love him.” I cut my dad off. I know what so many people think of Reed. He can be cold and ruthless. My dad knows he’s never that way with me, but it doesn't mean he wouldn't worry.
“Then that’s all I need to hear.” My dad pulls me in for another hug, kissing the top of my head. “We’re having dinner tomorrow. There are more things to be discussed, but it’s late and I want your mother here for that.”
“Thank you.” I smile up at my dad.
“I love you, pumpkin. If this is what you want it’s what I want. I just needed to hear you say it.” He looks to Reed. “We’ll talk tomorrow too.” He holds his hand out. Reed takes it. They shake for a minute before my dad pulls him in for a hug too, making me smile even bigger before he leaves.
When the elevator doors close leaving Reed and me alone, I jump into his arms. “How did everyone know we were going to end up together but us?” He gives my ass a squeeze.
“I knew.”
“You could have let me know.” I try to glare at him, but all I can seem to do is smile. I wiggle for him to put me down. I see the food sitting on the table by the door but what really catches my attention is the bag Carly dropped by the door. “Let me down.” I wiggle more. He reluctantly puts me down. “I think I know something you don’t.”
I pick the bag up and pull out the pregnancy test. I've been feeling strange this last week. It was why Carly and I met at the pharmacy to pick up the test to begin with. But then Reed had shown up with James, and everything got crazy. James had assumed that it was Carly that was buying the test. Reed’s whole face changes as he takes it from my hand. He looks from the test up to me again.
“I’ve been trying to get you pregnant.” He says it almost like a confession. “That way you wouldn’t be able to leave me.”
I burst into laughter. “You wouldn't have let me leave pregnant or not.” He keeps thinking his little confessions are going to freak me out. “Pretty sure it was me that kept pushing your cum inside me.” As I say it my face fills with heat, feeling a little shy, but it is the truth.
“Take it,” he orders.
“Does it really matter?” I ask. “If I’m not pregnant today it will only be a matter of time.”
He lifts me up in his arms. “We’re getting married.” Of course he’s not asking. That only turns me on. I wrap my legs around him.
“Because I might be pregnant?”
“No, because you’ve been mine far too long without everyone knowing it.” I love the sound of that. I want everyone to know Reed belongs to me too.
“Yes.” Reed’s face lights up as his mouth comes down onto mine. Never has there been a more perfect kiss. He pours everything he has into it and I do the same.
“Don’t tell your dad I proposed before I ask him.” Reed breaks our kiss. “I want to make sure that I do this the right way.”
I nod in agreement. “Now, let’s go take that test to see if we’re pregnant.”
“Okay.” Reed leans down, giving me one last peck before he carries me off to the bathroom to see what the future holds for us.
It might seem as if it’s taken us a while to get here or that we’ve wasted time by not telling each other our true feelings, but in reality everything has happened the way it was supposed to. I believe we both needed this time to grow separately in order for us to now grow as one.
Epilogue
Years later
I glance down at my watch to check the time. I’d already allotted an extra twenty minutes for the meeting and I knew we were over that. Robert must notice my aggravation because he speaks before I can. He must start to sense that I’m done and that he needs to wrap it up.
“But-” someone starts to say, but I’m already up and leaving. Robert can handle it. It’s why I pay him so well and also why he puts up with my shit. We work well together. My phone goes off in my hand as I head down the hallway.
Wife: I’m running behind. Seth wants to go over a few more things. Be home as soon as we’re done here.
My jaw clenches at that fuck’s name, knowing that his intentions toward my wife are more than just working on a project with her. It’s the reason I’ve put an extra security detail on her. Too bad they didn't go into the school with her. Some people might think that’s crazy, but it’s the way I’ve always been when it comes to Tinsley and her safety. Also, any swinging dick that thinks he can get close to her. Not fucking happening. This shouldn't be shocking to my wife. She knows how I am.
Tinsley has gotten so wrapped up in the girls’ end of school event. She decided to volunteer and since Seth is in charge of it, she has to deal with him. But what he’s doing goes beyond what the project calls for. Since it started he has been all over her. First it started with emails that soon turned into texts. Now he is keeping her late. I’ve tolerated it the best I can because I know how important doing this is to Tinsley.
I’ve been trying to keep calm about it. Tinsley has been so excited about the event. She’s been planning the end of the year blow-up for months now. I’ve tried to keep my jealousy in check, but I am now at a boiling point.
If this fuck thinks he’s going to meet up with my wife alone he’s got another thing coming. When I get into the car, I tell my driver to head toward the school. Every Wednesday she stays late to go over details while the girls and some of the other kids' parents do a book club in the library. The meeting is over. Seth doesn't need my wife to stay late and talk about shit. He can say whatever it is he needs to in the meeting. Yet, he continues to test my patience. That shit ends today.