“Babe, quit standing there, staring at me like you’ve seen a ghost. Sit down at the table, and I’ll get you a plate.
Tessa robotically did as she was told, but after a couple of breaths, she couldn’t stay quiet any longer.
“Why?”
“Why what?” Creed asked.
“I thought you left. Why are you here?”
“I did leave, went to the store. Babe you have absolutely no food in this house and I was hungry.”
Creed said that shit like it was no big deal, but it was. He came back and Tessa wasn’t sure how she felt about that. She had just started to make herself believe it was a good thing that he had gone.
“If you want me to leave, all you have to do is ask.”
Tessa debated, did she want him to leave or did she want him to stay. And if he stayed, would it be for the day or longer? None of it mattered, she was happy he was still here, and if it was for an hour longer or a day, she would enjoy it, however long it lasted. Scooting forward in her chair, Tessa picked up her coffee and took a sip, Creed still watching her.
“Okay, thanks for breakfast and especially the coffee.” Tessa said lifting her coffee mug up before taking another sip. Yep, she was just going to go with it. It wouldn’t last, and she knew better than to totally give herself over to this man, but she liked him. Plus, she was grateful because having breakfast with him instead of him sneaking off without even a goodbye was a win her book. But she had to remind herself she wasn’t that naïve girl who everyone thought, so she laid it out.
“Creed?”
“Yeah, babe?”
“Before you sit down and join me for this breakfast you had to get out of bed at five in the morning to go and get, in a town that doesn’t have a twenty-four-hour convenience, grocery store, or gas station, you might want to think about how you’re going to answer my next question. Why did you come back?”
“Tess, just leave it, okay?” Creed said, placing a plate of food in front of her. “I had fun last night, and I’m not ready to ride off just yet. Can you accept that?”
Tessa laughed, this man was so much like her brothers, give a little nice and a whole hell of a lot of shade. Pretty up what was going on with sweet words, hoping she was dumb enough not to catch it. Well, she was done with that game, had played it for most of her life.
“Yeah,” Tessa said, “I’ll believe that when I start seeing pigs flying in the air. You’re up to something, Creed.” When he went to say something, she held her hand up, just like he had to her the night before. The look on his face showed he didn’t like it very much. Serves him right, she thought “I don’t care what it is, and I don’t even want to know, but there are things about me you don’t know either. Things that could cause you some trouble and before you ask, I’m not going to tell you what those things are any more than you’re going to tell me what you’re up to.
“Here’s the deal. That,” Tessa said, pointing to the kitchen door, “is open for as long as you want to use it. I work three days a week, early morning, and I go to school every day except Sunday. I’m doing my clinical rotation starting next week, second shift. So, I don’t have a whole lot of free time. You show up, I won’t turn you away, you don’t, I’ll keep the good memories from last night and move on, just like you, deal?”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Creed felt like shit because they both knew he was going to lie to her. He hadn’t even made it out of her bed before Talon called, informing him he was to sit tight in Hazard. Cease and desist but stay. Those were his orders and of course, await further instructions. Talon didn’t give him much more, just that a current case was linking up with Hazard, and he was to remain at the ready. On the one hand, he was grateful, but on the other, he was pissed, he hated getting sidelined.
He had shit to do, and he planned on still doing it. Shake and Sherry were at the top of that list. He’d made the hour drive to a real town and picked up supplies along with some groceries for Tess’s house. At the time, he hadn’t realized her cupboards and refrigerator were basically bare. He had just enough stuff to fit in his saddlebags, thinking he was going to be camping out for a while. But those thoughts quickly came back to Tess. If he was going to stay in Hazard, he wanted to still see her, and her place was perfect to hold up in without drawing any unwanted attention to himself. Plus, the fringe benefits were nothing to sneeze at. He’d wanted Tess again, which was strange in itself. Her cold, standoffish attitude this morning didn’t deter him at all. He knew the score, and he could see beyond the protective shell she was putting up. She wanted him here.
Tal’s wasn’t the only call he’d gotten either. Kit had also called. The Vultures had made it to Lexington and were at the Vultures main clubhouse. Shit was going down. He had felt torn between his two worlds, Tess and his family and the RBMC, something no brother should ever feel. The club came first, period. But Creed wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth either, two birds one stone and all that shit.
He’d had another surprise waiting for him, a message from Tuck saying Ben fucking Williams was not to be approached, touched, or surveilled. Now that order, he didn’t know if he could follow. That man had treated his aunt poorly in her own house, and Creed didn’t like it. He wanted that package Talon said he would get for him, and he wanted it now. No one messed with the people Creed cared about, and that list was short but valued. He might have even added one more to the list without realizing it because Tessa was starting to mean something to him.
Tessa had been nibbling on a piece of toast, and he knew she had a hell of a lot more to say to him, so he waited her out, knowing she would eventually spill. They might have only just met, but he was starting to read her well. She usually thought things through before she acted or spoke, like it was important to say or do just the right thing. He didn’t have to wait for long to hear what she had to say next.
“Listen, like I said, you’re welcome here for as long as you want to stay. There’s a whole floor with bedrooms upstairs, pick one. The place is basically a dump, and the water is always cold, so if you have dreams of a hot shower, you’re not going to get one here. One of the bedrooms upstairs is my brother’s, and I would appreciate it if you would stay out of it. I’ll be gone most of the time, so you’ll have the run of the place. When I’m home, I’ll be sleeping in my own bed, alone. That’s all I can offer you, right now. But it is better than the Lone Star”
Yeah, the little spitfire was getting her signals crossed because no way in hell if he stayed here was he staying upstairs in a lonely bed while she slept down here by herself. Getting up from his seat, Creed planted his hands on the small kitchen table and leaned down so that he was just inches from her face.
“I don’t think so, Tess, I’m here, I’m in your bed, period.”
Tess wasn’t scared by his demand, she also wasn’t pissed which puzzled him.
“Creed, the person you met last night, that wasn’t who I am. I had a shit day and some truths thrown at me I didn’t like, so I took a chance and did something I would never do. You, you were my first.”
What the fuck! Creed pulled back further. No way in hell she had she been a virgin. He would have at least felt it or something. Also, no virgin let a man do the things he had done to and with Tess last night. Fuck, he’d never had a virgin and didn’t want that responsibility.
The bump to this shoulder snapped him out of his thoughts.
“No, you jerk, get that look off your face, jeezus, I wasn’t a virgin. I meant you were my first pick up in a bar, my first one-night stand. That person isn’t me. I get attached. Do you understand what I’m saying? I can’t do casual. I knew it last night, and it was a blaring wake up call for me this morning when I watched you creep around my room, trying to leave before I woke up. But I’m not that much of a bitch that I’m going to leave you to stay in that shitty hotel, surrounded by cats. So, if you want to stay here, you have it, everything laid out as clear as day. Now, you have the choice to make.”
Creed watched Tess as she got up and walked out of the kitchen, her ass bouncing along the way. What did he want? Did he want a person like Tess getting attached to him, or did he want what he usually did free, fast and easy? He wasn’t sure, but he also wasn’t going anywhere. Finishing up his breakfast, he went out to his bike and grabbed his saddle bags. Walking through the family room and down the hall, he found Tess’ door closed. He didn’t think twice, opening it and stepping inside.
Tess was sitting on the bed, putting her shoes on. He threw his bag so it landed right next to her.
“You had your say, now it’s my turn. I’m staying, but I’m staying right here in this room with you until this thing between us runs out or one or both of us decides it’s time for me to move on. I don’t do long-term, Tess, never have, so don’t start making any plans. What I can give you is here and now, tomorrow or the next day, that’s it. As long as you know the score, you should be able to deal with that. I’m not the kind of guy you want to get attached to. I will leave. Now, if you want me to pick up that bag and do that, I will, but you have to say the words.”
“I’m warning you, Creed, this isn’t going to be as cut and dry as you think. I don’t work this way, I’ll get attached, just like I said, I can’t seem to help myself. My own brothers come and go from my life all the time, and I think this is it, we’re finally going to be a family, and they’re just like you. They get up and leave when the wind starts calling their names, and I’m stuck here, waiting for the next time. With you, it will be worse because I’ll know you’re never coming back. I need the distance, can’t you understand that?”
“Yeah, babe, I can understand that,” Creed said as he stalked her, crouching down in front of her, “I get it I even understand it, but I’m too much of a selfish bastard to care right now. I want you, and I’m not ready to leave just yet. Leaning forward, he kissed her. At first, she resisted, keeping her lips firm and closed, but he coaxed, licking them until she became soft and warm. Creed never claimed to be a good guy; he wasn’t. He was a Ruthless Bastard through and through.
He didn’t want to hurt Tess, but shit happened and he wasn’t a good guy, he took want he wanted and right now that was Tess, and the consequences. Creed decided he would give her something, show her what he hadn’t before. It wasn’t a ploy or a way to get what he wanted, it was the most honesty he could ever give her, his body but never his soul.
Creed, still kneeling between her knees, reached forward and he slid his hands around her waist, so he could pull her closer to him. His height and the height of the bed made his position perfect for what he had in mind. Her thin leggings weren’t able to hide the warmth coming from her cunt. Looking into her eyes, he touched her cheek, then kissed her forehead. He was giving her time to stop him, to stop this path he was determined to put them on. When she shut her eyes, he almost sighed and moved away, but Creed Clearwater had never once been a quitter.
Staying where he was, Creed waited for Tess to open her eyes, say something, or make him move. Worse yet, make him leave. But like countless times in the last day, Tess surprised him. She opened those beautiful hazel eyes and smiled at him, cupped his face with her hands, and let her fingers shift through his beard. It was all the invitation he needed. Hugging her up tighter, Creed kissed her slow and soft, letting his lips and tongue glide across hers.
Every time Tess tried to deepen the kiss or move faster, he would stop her. He was in control of this, and she needed to get on board. Creed wasn’t going to let her make this fast and rough like another quickie to add to the other ones. When her body melted against him, he leaned forward pushing her back onto the bed. Creed didn’t understand why he was pursuing this thing with Tess so hard. He had never once done it before, he just knew they both needed this connect on a deeper level or some shit.
Letting his weight settle on her body, Creed continued the slow, soft kisses, peppering every inch of her face and neck. Like a little cat, she stretched and moved, giving him more access. Tess’ body moving beneath him was lighting a fire he wasn’t sure he could or even wanted to put out. Giving her a little of what she wanted, Creed kissed her faster, harder, probing her mouth with his tongue fast and deep, using his body to stop her movements, pressing her into the bed further.
Tess surprised him when she pushed him away, but the distance didn’t last long. Once she got him on his back, she straddled his hips, grinding herself against him, her little smile at her triumph igniting the dominant in him. Tess liked to play, he’d already figured that out. She also liked to give as good as she got. He wasn’t opposed to that, but she was also holding back, making what they were doing impersonal. Creed didn’t want impersonal.
He hadn’t planned on meeting a person like Tess, hadn’t planned on needing her, but he did. He wanted to believe it was lust, once it ran his course he wouldn’t feel bad about leaving, but he was a little worried it was something much more. Fuck, if any of his brothers could hear his thoughts, they would call him a pussy. Growling, he took back control, rolling them over again, putting Tessa under him, only this time, he straddled her. Reaching behind his back, he grabbed his t-shirt and ripped it over his head. Once that was done, he did the same to her sweatshirt, exceedingly happy she had decided to go braless. His hands went right to her breasts, cupping them, the heavy weight pleasing him.
“Damn, Tess, you are so fucking gorgeous, these tits are a man’s dream.” Leaning down he couldn’t resist sucking one of her nipples into his mouth, then the other, biting lightly, but Tess was getting impatient, arching further into his touch, asking for more, and Creed wasn’t about to leave her hanging. Cupping them both with a firmer touch, he pushed them together, so he could get his fill, alternating bites, licks, and sucking between them. He felt Tess’s hands pushing at the waist of his jeans. Not missing a beat, he lifted himself slightly to give her better access.
Creed reached down and helped her with her task, but Tess was already on it, using her feet to push his jeans down over his ass. Opening her up further to him, moving down her body, he started to kiss, suck and lick the curve of her breast, then her ribs. Sliding his body down hers, kissing her stomach, swirling his tongue into her bellybutton, then the notch of her hip. He could already smell her sweet arousal filling the room. Still moving down her body until his knees were back on the floor, he pulled her with him until her ass was partially hanging off the bed, and in the position, he wanted. Putting her knees over his shoulders, Creed smiled up at Tess, but she had her eyes closed and her back arched. Waiting in anticipation for what he did next. Trusting him to take her there. The sight of her like that would be seared into his brain. So beautiful. Leaning in, he ran his tongue through her the lips of her drenched pussy, savoring the taste. Creed hummed in approval; she tasted good, salty and sweet at the same time. That was his Tess.
Swirling his tongue around her clit until she started to pump her hips up into his face, adding first one, then two fingers, Creed matched her pump for pump. The second he felt her body still and her pussy start to clamp down on his fingers, he pulled away long enough to stand and place his dick at her entrance leaving her legs on his shoulder he stared to pushing inside her slow and steady until his balls hit her ass. Hearing her cry out was music to Creed's ears. It only took seconds for her to explode all over him, soaking the bed and his dick taking him right to the edge. But Creed wasn’t ready to stop.
Gritting his teeth, Creed held still, waiting for the urge to cum to lessen. His balls were so tight, he was afraid he wouldn’t have the control he needed. Thinking of everything else but the tight feel of Tess as she spasmed hard on his dick. Math problem, computer code, everything was flashing lightning speed through his head. When she screamed, “Oh, God, Creed, don’t stop,” that was it he couldn’t wait any longer and started slamming into her body, faster and harder, his control lost. Grunting with every slam of his hips, Tess shot off again, and he was helpless not to join her.
It took Creed several minutes to get
up off the floor and join Tess on the bed. She was laying there like a limp noodle, complete with a soft smile on her face. Arranging them both until he had her cheek resting on his chest, Creed started to run his fingers through her hair. Never having had a moment like this before, Creed realized he liked it. Normally, once he got off, he either turned over and went to sleep or left. This was different, a good different, but he needed to make things alright for Tess, he owed her that.
“Tess, I can’t promise you anything, but I like where this is going. If you don’t, all you have to do it say it, and I’ll leave.”
Tess started petting his chest, and for a long time, she didn’t say a word. Then he got want he wanted.
“Stay, here in my house, in my bed for as long as you want, but promise me one thing.”
“What’s that?” Creed questioned.
“Before you go, because I know it’s going to happen sooner or later, you tell me goodbye. That’s all I’ll ask of you, Creed, don’t leave without saying the words. I won’t fight you or ask you to stay, I just want to know, okay?”
“Yeah, Tess, I can do that.” Fuck, it looked like he wasn’t the only one who could read a person.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Tessa sat in her car and stared at her house. It had been almost three months since Creed had moved in and made it a home. Every single night she would come home from school, and he would have dinner waiting for her. Then they would wash the dishes together and either play a game or watch TV. Sometimes they would even talk into the wee hours of the morning. Those were her favorite times besides the time they spent in bed and anywhere else the urge hit them. Creed had the sex drive of a teenager, he was always ready to go, and she was becoming addicted to it. To him.
Creed: Ruthless Bastards (RBMC Book 5) Page 8
