by TC Matson
She places the food on the counter. Her hips. Her ass. Her legs. It’s been two days since I’ve been inside of her and I’m craving the feel of her heat wrapped around my cock. I seize her waist and lift her to the counter as she wraps her arms around my neck. I savor her lips, dipping my tongue into her mouth and pressing my bulge into the center of her legs.
Her breath hitches but she slides her hands between us and pushes me back slightly. “I can’t. Not right now.” Despair is declared in every inch of her gaze.
Comprehension disappoints my cock.
She hops off the counter, clutches my hand and leads me toward the living room. She looks over her shoulder with devilish seduction and it ignites something carnal to pang my chest. She pulls my waist and gets a handful of my ass. Biting her lip, she peers up to me while she unbuttons my pants and lowers my zipper.
No words are needed where she’s taking this.
A rogue smirk tugs my lips. She releases my dick from my pants and strokes it while her forced-confident gaze remains on me.
She’s sexy as fuck when she pushes herself to a whole new level.
She shoves me to the couch and goes down to her knees between my legs. The heat of her mouth engulfs my cock and I fight to keep my view of her, resisting the urge to drop my head to the back of the couch and miss this. Rising off, she flattens her tongue, lapping from the base to the tip, flicking her eyes up with pleasure etched in her expression as she swirls her tongue across the tip.
I watch, rapt, witnessing a fantasy.
She mixes her kisses, soft and heavy along my shaft, continuing to stroke it. And then she presses her closed lips to my tip and sucks in an inch, retreating, and circling her tongue again.
She drops my pulsing cock and dances her tongue under my nuts. I groan, beckoning my restraint. Dragging her lips up my length, she sucks my dick into her mouth without any motherfucking help from her hands.
“Holy fuck,” I rasp, losing the battle, and drop my head back for a second.
Her lips wrap my cock, her hand gripping the bottom, and she begins her onslaught, rising and falling. Salvia glistens on my shaft. Her eyes are on me. Mine on the erotic show she’s giving me.
She flicks the tip of her tongue under my tip and takes all of it again. My restraint splinters. I move her hair from her face and out of my view, twisting it in my hand.
Her fingers bite into my thigh and my jaw ticks.
A deep guttural groan escapes my throat and I tighten my grip in her hair, easing her head down, seriously testing my fucking limits as to how much she can take. It forces her other hand away and she roams my stomach with it.
Control—she trusts me with it.
I thrust, fucking her mouth, guiding her up and down. She whimpers her pleasure. Tension builds up and I can feel my ending.
“Whit,” I growl my warning.
Her eyes flick up to mine. She grips my dick again, twisting her wrists and starts a delicious hasty bob as her tongue rides my shaft.
“Whit,” I warn again with more urgency.
She doesn’t stop her assault and sucks harder adding a heavy moan.
It’s my undoing.
Staggering mind-blowing bolts of electricity…
“Fuck,” I hiss, holding her hair and pumping fiercely into her mouth.
She draws the last drop from me and with a weak smile, holds up a finger before rushing off to the bathroom.
I drop my head, eyes closed, sliding into a state of submission.
I’m still lax, arms to the side, dick still pulsing, intoxicated as hell when she returns. I crack open an eye. Her lips are plump, swollen and red, looking as pleased as I am.
“I can do some things, but I can’t do them all,” she informs, standing at the end of the couch with a lopsided smirk.
“Mmmm…” I hum, closing my eyes, still not moving.
My satiation is dissolved by the sound of my phone ringing and I open an eye again to see Whitney grab it off the table. She grimaces, her face wilting and then hands it to me.
Abby. Shit.
I tuck myself back into my pants before answering. Feels too close to cheating.
“Yeah?” I answer.
“I need you,” she rushes out. “There was this guy. He…” she snubs and it catches all my attention.
“What’s wrong?” I snap.
“Can you come get me?” she asks.
I slide my view to Whitney, who is desperately keeping herself together, and shove to my feet. “Yeah. Where are you?”
“Giovanni’s,” she cries. Quietly.
“Are you safe?” I ask, grabbing Whitney by the elbow, and walk out the door.
“Yes,” she answers, but her tone implies she doesn’t feel it.
I’m barreling down the road, gripping my steering wheel, and trying my best to remain calm.
I am not fucking calm.
“Is everything okay?” Whitney asks genuinely concerned.
It takes me a moment to respond. “I don’t know,” I clip.
I pull up to the front of the restaurant and tell Whitney to stay put. She isn’t happy about it, but she’s smart, knowing now’s not the time to pick a fight. I’m striding toward the front door when it swings open and Abby comes rushing out, throwing herself into my arms. Black trails of mascara mark a path down her cheeks.
“What happened?” I gruff.
She shifts, meeting my glare. Anguish saturates her complexion. “Just take me home, please.”
I exhale a pissed breath through my nose and walk her to the truck. Whitney hurries out of the truck, opening the back door, looking as worried as I’m feeling.
Abby’s feet stop. “Oh my God, Ryker. I’m sorry.” She begins backing away. “I didn’t know—”
“Get in the truck,” I grit, scooting her along by her back.
Whitney shuts the door and hops back in the truck, but I can feel the vibes are off.
“Abs, what the fuck happened?” I ground out, pulling my truck onto the road.
I hear her take a shaky breath trying to compose herself. I glance in the rearview mirror and she’s looking down at her lap. “You have to promise me you won’t do anything.”
Whiney snaps her head to me. I clench my jaw, glaring at Abby in the mirror.
“It’s not a promise,” I give her.
“I met this guy. I thought he was different.” She twists her lips trying to keep her tears at bay.
It only fuels me. I squeeze the steering wheel tighter.
“He didn’t like my answer when he wanted to have sex,” she adds.
Rage. I slam on my brakes—thankfully, with no one behind us, because that thought isn’t in my sights—throwing everyone forward and twist around to her. “What the fuck do you mean he didn’t like the answer? Did he fucking ra—”
“No!” she shouts. “No.” This time it’s quieter. “He hit me.”
Rage turns to a roaring fury.
Whitney gasps, turning to her. “Are you okay? Do you want to call the cops?”
Abby shakes her head, not lifting it or meeting anyone’s eyes.
I’ve known Abby for years and have never witnessed her so brittle. And never scared. It’s doing a fucking number on me.
“Abby, I’m going to—”
“Take me home,” she finishes my sentence. “You’re going to leave it alone and take me home. I won’t be seeing him again and after kicking him in the nuts as hard as I did, he’s probably not going to see his dick for months.”
“Do I know this character?” I fire off.
“Ryker.” Her bloodshot, humiliated eyes level with mine. “Please.”
I look to Whitney and then drive. And stew. And get more pissed by the mile. When we finally pull up to her house, I’m vibrating in such an intense anger, I’m almost scared of myself.
Again, I tell Whitney to wait in the truck, and I walk Abby to her door making sure to stay in Whitney’s view.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” I ask.<
br />
She pats my chest, glancing back to the truck. “She’s beautiful.”
“Abs,” I ground out between clenched teeth.
“I debated on calling you because I knew you’d get all Rykerish on me. But no one answered their phone and I was scared to call a cab. I’m fine, Ryker. Shaken up, but I’m fine.”
“What are you doing with a douche like that?”
“He hasn’t been anything but sweet to me. Sending flowers, bringing lunch to my work.” She looks down. “He didn’t like the idea of having to wait longer for sex.” She shrugs and looks back up. “Win some, lose some.”
“Does he know where you live?”
She puffs a laugh before tiptoeing to kiss my cheek. “You’ve taught me a lot over the years, Ryker. Thank you.”
I wait for her to disappear behind the safety of her door and head back to my truck.
“Is she going to be okay?” Whitney asks.
Her heart is solid gold.
I sigh, raking my hands over my face. “She says so.”
That’s the extent of our conversation as I drive back to my house. I can feel the shift in Whitney. It isn’t bad, but it isn’t good either. I’m contemplating how to explain Abby. Omit part of the truth, or trust my girl trusts me. It’s a risk I’m afraid of.
As we enter back in the house, she heads straight for the bag of food she left on the counter before she sidetracked us both.
“I’m not hungry, but if you are…” she trails, waiting for my reply.
I dip my head and kiss her cheek. “I’m not.”
She drops her head. “I’m trying really, really hard here. I feel there’s something between you two, but in my heart I don’t think I have anything to worry about. Please tell me I’m right.”
God, the dispirit in her voice threatens to claw my heart out.
I crook my finger under her chin and pull her face up to mine. I need her to see. I need her to understand. “Nothing to worry about.” I swallow. “She and I have been friends for a long time. I’m not going to stand here and lie and say nothing physical has ever happened. But I’m standing here telling you I love you and I’m with you.”
She nods. “I trust you.”
Relief crackles in my blood, swallowing my chest whole. I kiss her lips softly.
She pulls back, slightly. “I need to go.”
I close my eyes, resting my forehead against hers. “Whit, don’t run away, please.”
She shakes her head. “I’m not. I promise. I just need to breathe.” She grabs her purse. “Understand where I’m coming from.”
I stare at her and clench my jaw as she kisses it.
“I’m trusting you. Now you have to trust me. Okay?” she whispers.
I dip my chin, keeping my view on the empty air in front of me. I don’t watch her walk out.
Chapter 23
I went home last night, took a long, stinging hot bath, texted him to ease his mind, and then went to bed. I needed time to gather myself. That was a big blow, to know he still is in close contact with someone he’s been with. There wasn’t any denying how much they cared for each other. That was crystal clear.
I’d like to think he and I were virgins, destined to cross paths and be together forever without anyone in between, but I’m not naïve, nor am I that ridiculously stupid. It’s the path that made us, molded us into who we are. I wouldn’t change it one bit.
At another shot of keeping his mind calm, I texted him again this morning, ensuring all is still fine. I’m sure his thoughts are wild and I can only imagine what he’s thinking, but he has to trust me. He can’t control this situation.
I hear the door chime and Lily greet someone, but I pay it no attention until there’s a knock at my door. I glance up and suck in a breath. Standing in my doorway is Abby looking beautiful. The same woman who sent me through a loop last night is visiting me here at work. Her eyes are soft and apologetic, and her smile is sweet. Stark opposite of the image the night prior.
“Mind if we talk?” she asks.
I push back in my chair and gesture for her to have a seat. “Sure. Come in.”
She shuts the door before taking the seat, placing her purse on the floor beside her and folding her hands in her lap. My heart is pounding.
“I hope you don’t mind, but I might have pried Ryker for the information about where you work,” she says with a small giggle and then straightens back up. “He’ll be really mad if he knows I’ve actually come. But I had to talk to you. I saw how you looked at us and I can only imagine what it seemed like. Ryker, in his own way, confirmed your fears.”
This makes my jaw tick.
“I don’t want you to worry,” she adds.
I smile politely, unsure of her motives. “Ryker assured me I had nothing to worry about.”
“He doesn’t lie, so I know you know about us. I swear to you, Whitney, you have nothing to worry about. If I had known you were with him, I wouldn’t have called him.”
There’s true sincerity in her tone. I swallow my fear, pushing it as deeply as I possibly can. “I’m glad you did. If he had found out something happened to you because you were scared to call him…” I trail off with the images of him being pissed.
She smiles. “He’s told me how huge your heart is. I like you and if you feel like I’m a threat, I’m willing to disappear from his life to make sure he stays happy.”
Her admission swarms me with an odd relief and threatens to bring tears to my eyes. “I appreciate that, but you don’t have to. I’ve learned his word is solid. I can tell you two care for each other and I wouldn’t want to strip that from him.”
Her smile stretches to a toothy grin and she stands to leave. “I’m sorry to have bothered you at work, but I really wanted to clear the air and I didn’t think coming to Ryker’s house seemed appropriate.”
I stand too. “Don’t stray away because I’m in the picture. You’re important to him too.”
Her eyes shine. “It’s about time he found you. You make him happy.”
“I can say the same about him.” Honestly, I’m happier than I’ve ever been.
She starts to the door but turns back. “I’m sure you already know this, but he’s not the asshole he makes himself out to be. Don’t hurt him. Please.”
Shaking my head, I reply. “I don’t plan on it.”
She warms me with another big smile and disappears out the door.
All day, Abby’s words have played over and over in my mind. Truth of the matter, when Ryker told me I had nothing to worry about I believed him, but add that to how sincere Abby was, and I’m entirely convinced his heart rests in my palms.
I’ve been using the back entrance of the gym ever since Ryker started showing me what his fighting consists of and working out with me. He and Kyce are sitting in chairs against the side wall when I enter. Ryker spots me and his expression lights up.
I admire his half-naked, muscle-bound body as I walk to him.
Kyce slaps his brother’s arm. “Quit getting a chub sitting beside me. That’s sick.”
Ryker cuts his eyes. “Are you jealous?”
“Of what? Your little dick?” Kyce puffs out a breath. “Not a chance.
Ryker bellows and stands as I approach. “How was your day?”
“That’s you’re opening line?” Kyce nags, rolling his eyes, and slams back in the chair, crossing his arms over his chest. It causes the metal to ring out against the cement. “Grab her by the neck and kiss the shit out of her and then ask how her day was. Betcha it goes from good to great in an instant.”
I bite my cheek, coyly blinking up to him. “I have to agree with your brother.”
I know it’s because he didn’t know what to expect when I walked in. Having an off night last night, has him…well, off.
His eyes flare with hunger. He grips the back of my neck and slams into my mouth. I snake my arms around his neck, and if there was any distance, I just pulled him closer. He splays his other hand on my lower back w
ith his fingers digging into the skin above my ass. I moan softly, limbering into his arms.
When he pulls back, I’m breathless and saturated with desire. “It was great.”
“Boom yeah!” Kyce shouts, clapping his hands. “I told you. Call me the love doctor.”
I can’t keep a straight face any longer and neither can Ryker. We burst out laughing, and Ryker drops his hand to his hip turning to his brother.
“Single love doctor?” Ryker’s tone heavy with sarcasm.
Kyce smirks to his brother. “I’m smart like that.”
I decided not to work out with Ryker today, and instead, hit the treadmill pretty hard. I miss running and the absence of it sucks. I pop my earbuds in and stride while watching Ryker and Kyce wrestle around on the blue mat.
I’m lost running along a dirt path, green grass threatening to take over the trail, snow topped mountains off in the distance. Crisp cool air sweeps against my body as I trek forward, promising to keep me completely refreshed and invigorated. The only sounds here are the small rocks crunching under my shoes as I continue along the path. There isn’t a person in sight, only me and nature and…
“Ryker!” I shriek as he snatches me off, mid-stride, scaring the shit out of me.
He twists me and instinctively I hook my legs around his waist, gripping his shoulders in fear. He plucks my earbuds out of my ears and kisses my chin, chuckling.
“Hour’s long enough,” he tells me.
“I could’ve run longer.”
“It wasn’t for you, but for me. I can only take so much of this perfect ass bouncing before everything in me wants to fuck you.” His fingers dig into my ass cheeks.
I giggle as he carries us to a chair. My legs are on both sides of his lap. “Brian called me today. I have a charity event on my roster before the fight. It’s normal, but I want you to come with me.”
“When? I have a sweet sixteen this weekend,” I remind him.
“Next weekend. Can you get off Friday? Brian’s booked a flight that evening. The event isn’t until Saturday, so if—”
“I can get off.”
He bucks his hips under me. “This I know.”
