Thrasher

by K. S. Smith

  I nodded my head and leaned in to kiss his lips. His sweet breath caressed my face before I demanded his lips give me their undivided attention. His strong hands gripped hard at my hips, pulling my body closer against him, molding us together as one. Duke tugged at my bottom lip with his teeth, and a slight moan escaped from deep within. My body was sensitive to his every touch and well aware of what was about to happen next as my insides began to tighten in anticipation.

  I reached for the buckle of Duke’s pants when the sound of the front door swung open. “Hello! Anyone home?” A familiar yell came from within the foyer, and I jumped off Duke’s lap. “Oh my gosh, it’s my brother. Hurry, get up. He will kill you if he sees us in here like this.”

  Duke pointed to his pants. “And what exactly do you want me to do with this?” he asked, trying to adjust his hard on.

  I cupped my mouth to keep my laugh from bubbling out and shoved him toward the patio. “Go outside. I’ll distract Connor while you get some fresh air. I’ll give you five minutes, and then we’ll head outside.”

  Duke groaned as I turned and rushed into the foyer and jumped into my brother’s arms, hugging him for dear life. “Connor! I’m so glad you’re home. What an unexpected surprise! What are you doing here?”

  He set me down, and I noticed the blonde standing next to him.

  “Hey, Brie, I wanted to come home to tell you the good news face to face. I’m getting married.”

  Shocked, I glanced from him to the woman and then back to him.

  “Married? Congratulations! Do Mom and Dad know?” I extended my hand out to the stranger who was standing before me, my brother’s fiancée. “Hello, I’m Brianna Hamilton. Pleasure to meet you.”

  She pulled me into a hug as a dainty southern accent floated from her lips. “Brianna, I’ve heard so much about you. I’m Abigail Templeton, but you can just call me Abbey.”

  When she released me from her embrace, I smiled at her and my brother, still completely shocked. “Well, why don’t you both come outside. I’ve got somebody I’d like to introduce you to as well.”

  CHAPTER TEN

  Connor and Abbey followed me outside where Duke was standing near the edge of the pool, a beer in his hand. I rushed over to him.

  “You good?” I asked, and he smiled, nodding his head.

  “Duke, this is my brother, Connor, and his fiancée, Abbey. Abbey, Connor, this is Duke Thrasher, my boyfriend.”

  My brother’s eyebrow lifted. “Boyfriend?” he questioned.

  “Oh, don’t you dare even start,” I began. “You come home with a fiancée who we’ve never met, and you want to get all I’m her big brother, hear me roar about my boyfriend? I don’t think so!”

  Abbey laughed before pulling Duke into a hug. “Pleasure to meet you, Duke.”

  Then Connor stuck out his hand. “Yes¸ pleasure.”

  “Why don’t we have a seat. Would either of you like something to drink?” I asked.

  Connor held up two fingers. “Red wine, please.”

  “Of course, my brother, the wine connoisseur. You wouldn’t want something normal like a beer,” I teased, making my way into the kitchen. I poured two glasses of wine and grabbed a beer for myself from the refrigerator.

  After placing the drinks down in front of them, I took a seat next to Duke. “So, tell me about the proposal. And the ring… let me see the ring,” I begged.

  Connor lifted the glass of wine to his mouth, and Abbey slid her hand across the table in my direction. “Isn’t it gorgeous? He picked it out all on his own.”

  I admired the platinum teardrop diamond that sat perfectly on her finger. “It’s beautiful.”

  Then Abbey went on, “We were walking in Central Park after just having dinner together at a new restaurant that’d just opened, and your brother stopped to tie his shoe. I was looking off at another couple who were also sharing an evening stroll, and when I looked back, he was holding the ring up toward me. I was so excited I could hardly breathe. It took me at least five minutes before I could answer him.”

  I watched on as my brother admired his fiancée, and I couldn’t help but smile. “Well, I am just so elated for the two of you. I know you’ve just gotten engaged, but have you set a date yet?”

  Connor took a sip of his wine and nodded, Abbey answering for the two of them. “June sixth, at The Plaza. My maid of honor has already reserved the date.”

  I nodded, a grin on my face, positive my mother was going to have a heyday with the fact that the wedding wasn’t going to be at the governor’s mansion in Tallahassee. Smiling, I winked at my brother. “A New York wedding… Mom and Dad will be thrilled.”

  Connor kicked me underneath the table, and I couldn’t help but laugh before he tried to change the subject. “So, where is Megan? I was expecting that she’d be here. I wanted her to hear the good news as well.”

  Abbey’s eyebrow raised. “Megan?”

  “My best friend. She’s like a little sister to Connor. We’ve been best friends since birth. I’m sure she’s at home with her boyfriend. Maybe tomorrow we can all get together and have a barbeque or something.”

  “No can do. We’re taking the plane up to Tallahassee tomorrow morning to see Mom and Dad, and then we’re back off to New York,” he stated matter of factly before turning the conversation to Duke. “So, Duke, how did you and my little sister meet?”

  I quickly interrupted, knowing full well that he didn’t need the details of me being shoved around like a ragdoll in a nightclub. “We were both out one night, Duke with his friends and me with Megan, and just happened to run into each other. Nothing special really,” I said before I lifted my beer bottle to my mouth.

  Duke smirked as he glanced over at me from the corner of his eye. “It may not have been anything special for Brie,” he said, slipping his fingers through my free hand, “but it was for me.”

  I couldn’t help but blush. Abbey’s hands lifting to her heart as a huge smile took hold of her face. “You two are just precious!” she exclaimed in her southern accent.

  We all four sat around outside, drinking and enjoying each other’s company for a few hours before my brother and his new fiancée decided to call it a night.

  Connor rose and took Abbey’s hand. “Brie, it was great to see you, and Duke, a pleasure to meet you. Be good to my sister. I may not look like a tough guy, but I’ll kill you if you hurt her.”

  Not able to help the laugh that bubbled up, I leaned in to hug my brother. “Love and miss you so much. Don’t be such a stranger.”

  He kissed the top of my head before passing me off to his fiancée who was practically bouncing up and down to hug me.

  “I’m sure I’ll be in touch real soon,” she said happy as could be. “I’ll need your measurements for a bridesmaid dress.”

  The two of them said goodnight before making their way up to Connor’s bedroom, leaving Duke and me outside on the patio.

  Duke had taken a seat on one of the couches next to the pool. Once I reached him, I climbed onto his lap. His muscular arms wrapped around me as his deep voice whispered into my ear, “So, meeting me was nothing special, huh?”

  The prickliness of his five o’clock shadow brushed against my neck, sending shivers throughout my body. I slid my hands up his sculpted chest and linked them around his neck before I leaned my forehead against his. “Meeting you, my dear, was the most special day of my life.” My lips puckered out and brushed against his.

  “Now you’re just talking out of your ass,” he whispered, his warm hands tracing my spine as they slid up the back of my shirt.

  I couldn’t help but tighten my grip around him as his warm hands caressed my skin.

  Duke’s deep voice whispered as his lips trailed along my shoulder. “How far is your room from Connor’s?”

  My lips turned up, and I continued enjoying his caresses. I needed no explanation as to what he was asking. “Far enough,” I breathed out.

  And with that, Duke was standing up off the chai
r, my body still in his arms before he set me down.

  “Upstairs, now,” he demanded. “I’ll lock up.”

  I rushed off and took the stairs two at a time before I was in my closet rifling through my lingerie. I quickly changed into a silk black nighty then waited for the twist of my bedroom lock to sound before I stepped out.

  Duke’s body was still as he looked me up and down, and I couldn’t help but smile. I crossed the room and made my way over to him. I gripped his belt buckle with my hands. “Tonight, I’m in charge.”

  I pushed his large frame up against the door and worked as fast as I could to rid him of his pants before getting on to my knees and taking him in my mouth. My eyes trailed up his sculpted abdomen as his hands tugged his shirt up and over his head. Our eyes met for a brief moment before a low moan escaped his lips, and his head fell back against the door.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  My eyes opened, and all I could feel was the heaviness of Duke’s body entwined with mine, his right arm holding me firm to the mattress. I tried my best to lift him off me, but it was useless. His dead weight was pinning me down. “Babe,” I whispered, “wake up.” I tried nudging him, but I couldn’t move.

  “Babe,” I said again, this time a little louder, but still, nothing. Finally freeing an arm, I went for the only thing I knew would wake him up. My hand made its way between his legs and began caressing him. His body began to stir. Bingo!

  A short moment later, Duke was tightening his arms around me as he sleepily whispered into my ear, “Came six times last night and ready for more?”

  I stifled a giggle. “Actually, I just have to pee, and you were crushing me.”

  I felt his arms loosen up, but just slightly. “Go to the bathroom and then get your ass back in bed. We aren’t leaving this room at all today.” His teeth softly scathed my shoulder before I left the warm embrace of his arms and darted into the restroom.

  After I’d relieved myself and brushed my pearly whites, I hopped in the shower and rinsed off as fast as I could, not wanting to make Duke wait any longer. If a day in bed was what he wanted, then that is exactly what he was going to get. I ran the towel over every inch of my body, drying completely before I made my way back into my bedroom.

  Much to my surprise, Duke was out of bed and half-dressed when I emerged. “Sneaking out on me?” I asked, curious as to what he was doing.

  His body twisted, allowing him to look over his shoulder. “Have to run. Duty calls.”

  I huffed as I lifted my silk robe off the hook and laced it around my body. “Call in sick,” I begged, my hands now tracing their way from the top of his round ass to around his waist. My lips pressed lightly several times over the skin of his perfect back before he turned in my arms.

  His eyes locked on mine. “I’ve got to be across town in twenty minutes. Gunner needs some assistance with a client.”

  A grin spread over my face as I allowed my fingers to tiptoe up his chest. “All I need is five of those very precious minutes.” My tongue darted out, wetting my lips, and before I could even slip it back into my mouth, Duke’s lips were pressed against mine.

  His kiss alone had my nether regions soaked, more than ready when he slammed inside of me. Duke’s strong hands hoisted me up, and before I knew it, I was pressed against the wall as his hips thrust in and out. My fingers dug into his shoulders, and he picked up speed.

  “Fuck, baby,” I moaned.

  “Oh, I am.” Duke panted.

  Yes, he was, and he was doing a mighty fine job at it. A short moment later, he tightened his grip around me and took a few steps back before we were on the bed, me on top of his lap.

  “Keep going.” He breathed heavily.

  I took his orders and finished what he’d started before collapsing down onto his chest as I did my best to catch my breath. We’d both climaxed together, and I couldn’t help but smile as the beat of Duke’s heart slammed against my face that was resting on his chest.

  We lay like that for a few minutes before he spoke. “Don’t want to lose the warmth of being inside you, babe, but I’ve got to get going.”

  I rustled on top of him and scathed his nipple with my teeth before rolling off his body. “Go, before I tie you to the bed and keep you here all day.”

  I felt the weight of his body lift off the mattress and heard the rustling of his clothes as he dressed. “We’ll practice that when I get back tonight.”

  His strong hand swatted my ass before his lips pressed against my hair. “I’ll call you in a bit.” And with that, he made his way out of my room and off to deal with work.

  ****

  I was sitting at my desk as my students took a pop quiz that I’d prepared last night and scrolled through my call log. The last time I’d spoke to Duke had been late Sunday evening. Apparently, Gunner had needed more help than he’d let on, and now Duke was handling the situation with him.

  I’m going to be off the grid for a few days. I can’t really discuss it, but I just wanted to let you know I won’t have much phone access.

  And boy, was he right. It was Wednesday, and I hadn’t heard from him. Megan slipped into my classroom, and, of course, when she did, all of the kids glanced up from their quiz.

  “Get back to work,” she whispered at them before strutting over to my desk and sitting down on top of it.

  “Has Tripp heard from Duke?” I asked, hoping he’d mentioned something to her.

  Her expression fell. “He hasn’t mentioned anything if he has. I’m surprised he still hasn’t called you. I sure hate not knowing what they are up to.”

  I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. “I know. It drives me crazy. I get that it is part of their job, but I hate not knowing.” I unlocked my phone and shot him another text, probably the hundredth in the past couple of days.

  Miss you. Hurry up and call me. I’m worried.

  I stared at my phone, willing a response, when all of the sudden, it began to ring. Tripp’s name was lighting up the screen. My eyebrows furrowed together as I showed Megan before answering.

  “Hello.”

  “Hey. Where are you?” Tripp asked like he didn’t know I was a school teacher.

  “I’m at school, teaching. Where else would I be?” I replied sarcastically.

  “Can you get someone to cover for you? I need to pick you up. I’m two minutes away.” His tone was terse.

  My heart stopped, and I gripped my iPhone tighter. “What’s wrong?”

  I watched as Megan’s eyes grew larger, and worry took over her face.

  “Not over the phone. Just meet me outside. Teachers’ parking lot.” He ended the call, and before I could hang up as well, I was grabbing my things.

  “Find someone to cover for me. I’ve got to go!” I barked as I rushed out of the classroom.

  Tripp’s massive black truck tore into the parking lot just as I made it to the curb. He came to a screeching halt, and the passenger door flew open. “Get in!” he shouted over the roar of his engine.

  I threw my things in and hopped up, pulling myself up into the lifted truck. I slammed the door closed behind me. “What’s wrong? Where is Duke? Is everything alright?”

  Tripp sped through town. “Just sit tight. I’ll explain in a minute.”

  A few minutes later, we arrived at their warehouse, and before I could even open the door on my own, Tripp was at my side, pulling my body from the truck and rushing me inside the building.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  The office was empty, and all of the lights were off. “What is going on, Tripp?” I asked, irritated as I watched him move to each light switch and flip them on, not saying a word.

  Finally, he pointed to Duke’s chair. “Just sit.”

  There was something in his voice that made it clear that I needed to listen to him, so I sat down and shot a quick text to Megan.

  Not sure what’s going on. Once I figure it out, I’ll call you.

  Her response was instant, as if she’d been waiting to hear from me.


  Yes! Are you okay? What about Tripp, Duke, the rest of the guys?

  My thumbs beat against the screen rapidly.

  I’m fine. So is Tripp. Not sure about the rest of them. Tripp is being evasive.

  Just as I hit send, the front door burst open, and Duke came flying in, Gunner hot on his heels. I shot up out of the chair, but before I could even take a step, Duke was in front of me, hands caressing my cheeks.

  “Are you okay?” he asked, his breathing labored as if he’d just sprinted across town to get here.

  I watched on as his eyes studied my face and then the rest of my body. “I’m fine. Now would you please tell me what in the hell is going on?”

  I went to rest my hands on his waist, and when I did, my right hand was met with a warm liquid. My eyes glanced down as I jerked my hand back and examined it. “Wh—why are you bleeding?” I shouted, suddenly terrified as I watched the red stain grow larger on Duke’s white shirt.

  A grin took over his face before he cupped his side. “That fucker got me.” He glanced over his shoulder to Gunner. “Double or nothing. I’m not paying you a thousand dollars for this shit. It barely broke the skin.”

  “Who got you? What are you talking about?” I quizzed, trying to regain his attention, but before I could, someone else came barreling through the door. My eyes shot over and were now focused on the blonde who was approaching Duke.

  My eyebrow lifted as I followed her every move. She crossed the room in her skin-tight black dress and pair of fuck-me pumps then laced her arm through Duke’s. “This way, big boy.”

  He followed her through the doors and into the next room.

  Still unsure of what was going on, I raced after them just as she pointed to an empty conference room table. “Take your shirt off and lie down.”

  Unable to allow this to go on any further, I stepped between her and Duke. “Whoa, whoa. I’m not sure who in the hell you think you are, but he isn’t taking his clothes off for you, much less lying down for you, so back the hell up.”