Taking Care Of Leah

by Charlotte Howard

  She raised an eyebrow, sure of his hidden meaning.

  “I promise not to look,” he said, and she thought he meant it.

  * * * *

  The sound of water being forced into the glass cubicle seeped from under the door. It was tempting to take a peek, although he already knew what she looked like without any clothes on.

  Shoving his hands into the pockets of his trousers, he brushed his knuckles against the soft fabric of her knickers. He’d told her they were his now, and with any other woman, he would have kept that promise, waiting for the right time before giving them back to their true owner. With Leah Beauchamp, though… She wore those big knickers that women wore to keep their stomachs flat. He’d yet to see any part of her that needed hiding.

  He had thought about approaching her several times over the past year, but no time had seemed right. When she’d suggested the end-of-term meal, temptation had nagged at him. That wouldn’t have been any good either, though. The last thing he wanted was for Leah to be the center of the gossip that so freely got spread, nor did he want Hilary Davis citing the riot act either. He didn’t have many lifelines left where she was concerned.

  After taking off his shoes and putting them back in one of two wardrobes, he removed his socks and shirt, dropping them into the laundry basket in the corner of his bedroom. He lay back on the bed, rubbing her knickers between his fingers as he imagined her soaping her body. He had always gotten hard at the mere thought of her. Actually seeing her had almost sent him into a frenzy.

  From the loose waves of her blonde hair to the curves of her breasts, waist and hips to the naked mound of her pubis, there wasn’t one part of her he didn’t want to lick and kiss.

  He slipped his hand into his trousers and gave himself one long, hard stroke, thinking about how she’d reacted to his touch. Shit, if he wasn’t careful, he was going to come before she’d even finished in the shower.

  The sound of a door opening and closing caught his attention, and he took his hand out of his trousers, gripping his fingers together and placing his palms behind his head.

  Leah stepped into his bedroom, wrapped in one of his towels, her long, wet hair showing its natural dark-honey coloring at the roots. He smiled as she went to him. Her expression was uneasy, unsure. It was obvious that she wanted him. It was also clear that this was not a game she was used to playing.

  That would change, though.

  Chapter Five

  She straddled him, the towel still tied around her bust. Placing her palms on his naked chest, she raked her nails down to his navel.

  “Fuck me, Miss Beauchamp,” he breathed, grasping her hips and rocking her back and forth. She could feel the firmness of his erection pressing against her clitoris. Ty lifted a hand and untucked the towel so that it dropped around her waist. Pulling her into him, he took one nipple in his mouth and gave it a hard suck. Leah tipped her head back and gasped as electricity sparked down to her core. To feel him against her was surreal. She still wasn’t convinced she wasn’t dreaming.

  He used one hand to hold her breast in place, the other was planted against one butt cheek, squeezing as he sucked. She couldn’t have moved even if she wanted to.

  Ty bucked his hips. He was straining against the zip of his trousers. Reaching between them, she tried to release him, but he stopped her, moving his fingers from her breast to her hand between her legs.

  “Please,” she murmured. “I want to touch you.”

  “And I’m glad that you do,” he said against her breast, his breath rushing over her sensitive flesh. “But right now, I want to pleasure you. I’ve been waiting a whole year for this, so let me have it.”

  Leah nodded and Ty rolled them over so that he was lying between her thighs. She held on to his arms as he trailed his kisses down her cleavage, moving from one nipple to the other, making sure both were left wet and bare to the cold breeze that drifted through an open window. She shuddered as they became painful. She pinched her fingers into his biceps, nipping at the ink that spiraled down his left arm.

  He reached her belly button, dipping his tongue in and out of the hollow, eliciting more twitches as she reacted to his touch. Ty gripped her hips, nipping at her skin as he drifted lower. He left a kiss on her inner thigh, inhaling as he nuzzled her. Instinctively, she lifted her hips to him, pushing her shoulders into the thick pillows. Her mind was all over the place. It was difficult to concentrate as she fought with the memories that nagged at her.

  Blowing a hot breath against her, he let the pad of his thumb rest on her clitoris, moving in small circles. She could feel him looking at her, studying her. No man had ever watched as her pussy quaked and hummed. Embarrassment took over and she put her hands between her legs.

  “No,” he said forcefully, moving them to her sides before thrusting a finger deep inside her.

  She let out an audible moan of delight as he slipped out and added a second digit, twisting as he removed them again. His tongue swiped over her before he used his fingers again. That was the rhythm for what seemed like a frustrating age.

  Lick, thrust, out.

  Lick, thrust, out.

  Then he stopped. Just as she thought she might explode around his hand and mouth, he stopped. She frowned and held herself still for a second, irritated by the sudden end to her pleasure.

  Leah wiggled her hips, trying to force him to continue. He chuckled, placing a kiss on her clitoris, and shuffled up the bed. He cupped her with his palm, the tips of his fingers tickling her. He stayed in that position for a few seconds before adding some pressure behind his palm, letting his finger dip between her folds again.

  “I love the way you react to my touch,” he whispered against her shoulder, and he drove into her, taking in her shouts of delight as her orgasm built. She clenched around his hand, her own fisting in the sheets beside her. As she relaxed, he pulled out and drove in again, pressing his palm on her clitoris again.

  “Fuck you feel good,” he said, and nipped at her collarbone. He rolled over to kiss her, swiping his tongue over hers, taking all of her in while his fingers and hand continued to rock her to the brink of total destruction.

  She lifted a hand and held on to his head as if letting go might make her fall to her death. He put his hand from between her thighs, sweeping over her hips, leaving a trail of her own wetness on her skin, grabbing at the soft flesh of her bum.

  Letting go of her, he stood up and stripped out of his trousers, taking a condom from his pocket. He stood proud and throbbing with need. Leah reached out for him, helped him roll the sheath over his cock, desperation taking over.

  Ty dropped between her thighs. The tip of him rested against her entrance. She wrapped her legs around him, linking her ankles beneath his backside, urging him forward. Playfully, he resisted for a couple of attempts before succumbing and driving into her, pushing her up the bed with the force of his body moving into hers.

  A cry left her throat. It was animalistic and louder than she had thought it would be, pure lust flowing through each sound. He thrust into her over and over again, grabbing at her backside as though he was losing control and needed to hold on to something, anything, and she was there for him. There were going to be at least five finger-shaped bruises the next morning, of that she was sure. She didn’t care, though. Ty Sinclair was fucking her with wild yet precise movements in a way that could easily become addictive.

  “Shit,” he exhaled over her neck. Perspiration beaded over his forehead and shoulders. Leah lifted her head and licked one salty droplet away as it began to drip down his arm. She positioned her hands to his back and dragged her nails down either side of his spine. He shivered, pushing into her as far as he could. She cried out in response, feeling heat sear through her flesh as he drove into her.

  His balls tightened and lifted against her. He held himself still for a brief moment, catching his breath as he tried to fight the inevitable. Leah circled her hips, trying to find the pressure that would bring her to her own climax.


  Ty relaxed and drove into her one final time, spilling inside her, releasing himself all at once. Leah arched, pressing her breasts against his chest. She spiraled into a dizzying, blinding orgasm, all of her tightening and sparking at the same time. The intensity scared her and she grabbed at his arms.

  “Jesus…” Ty blew a heavy breath out as he lay next to her, reaching for the towel that had dropped to the floor and handing it to her. “I’m not sure I’m going to be able to make you breakfast, so it’s a good job you don’t normally eat it,” he said.

  “Why?” she asked, making to stand up.

  He grabbed her wrist. “Because if I let you get out of this bed, you might leave, and I’m not sure I want that to happen.”

  * * * *

  He did make her breakfast, though. Scrambled eggs, bacon and sausages on one plate, two slabs of buttered toast on another, and a smaller plate with baked beans and golden fried mushrooms, all presented to her on a tray with a mug of tea.

  “I wasn’t sure about the beans and mushrooms,” he explained, sitting on the bed and handing her a fork.

  “What if I’m vegetarian?”

  “You’ve ordered either ham or tuna sandwiches every day for the past year. You’re not vegetarian. Who’d you think goes and collects the staff lunches?” he said on seeing her confusion.

  “I’m not usually a breakfast person,” she reminded him.

  “I thought you’d be hungry after last night.”

  “So you collect lunches, fix broken sinks… Why do you work at the school?” she asked around a mouthful of bacon and beans. “You obviously either own the club, or know the owner.”

  “It’s a means to an end.”

  She licked a smudge of grease from the corner of her mouth. “Are you rich?” Leah took a swig of the tea. Of course he knew how she took it—milk, one sugar.

  Ty let out a short burst of laughter. “No,” he said. “I’m not rich. And I don’t own the club either,” he added as an afterthought.

  “So you do have to work for a living.”

  “Yes,” he said, lifting his thumb and wiping it across her bottom lip. “I have to work for a living. But not just at the school. I used to moonlight as a bouncer at the club, so I have friends there.”

  “You don’t work there anymore?”

  He swallowed, hard. “I was left some money last year. I decided to invest it.”

  “Into the club,” she surmised.

  “Some of it, yes. The rest went into this house and a flat in the center of Bristol. But I live on the wages I get from school. Now…” He slapped his hands into the covers and pushed himself up. “Enough about me and my finances. Anyone would think you were a gold digger.” The accusation stung. Ty leaned down and kissed her, relieving some of the hurt. “Fortunately I know you’re not. Finish your breakfast and then come downstairs. You can borrow one of my shirts for now.” And he left her with a tray of food and a feeling that this was going to be far more than a one-night stand.

  Chapter Six

  Her phone trilled from the confines of the bag on the floor. Leah swung her legs from beneath the sheets and padded across the carpet, bending down and scooping her mobile up. She swiped her thumb across the screen to see a couple of texts and a missed phone call but no voice mails.

  Alive. R. X

  At least Rainie was okay and awake. Leah smiled at the memory of Miss Smith coming undone. The rest were from her sister, as was the missed call. She fired off a quick message saying she was sorry and had stayed at Yvonne’s but would call later, hoping that Maggie wouldn’t think to chase her and discover her blatant lie.

  She realized that her dress and bra were nowhere to be seen. Leah frowned and went to the wardrobe to see if there was anything wearable that she could borrow.

  She swung the doors open and glanced over the array of clothes. Shirts in varying colors hung in a neat and ironed row, followed by trousers in black and dark gray, then jeans and jumpers. Everything was in its perfect place. Considering how tidy the house was, she was surprised that he’d allowed her to eat breakfast in bed.

  Choosing a shirt that looked as if it was meant to be casual, she was surprised how well it fit her, hanging to just below her buttocks. He’d kept her knickers, though, not that she minded having to go commando for a bit longer.

  Leah picked up the tray and took it downstairs, finding Ty in the kitchen, brewing a fresh pot of coffee and munching on a slice of jam on toast.

  “So I get a full English, and you get toast?” She put the tray by his elbow and he began to unload it, putting the dishes into a dishwasher.

  “I had plenty to eat last night.”

  Leah blushed at the memory of him between her thighs, both in the bedroom and in the back office of the club. She felt like an utter slut and hoped he didn’t think that she was an easy lay and worthy of being added to school gossip.

  “My sister is complaining. I should probably give her a call and let her know I haven’t been kidnapped by some mad ax murderer.”

  Ty nodded. “I’ll drive you home later. You can pick up some clean clothes.”

  “Sorry?”

  “You are staying the night again, aren’t you?” he asked, taking her hands and tugging her to him. With one palm caressing her cheek, he put his mouth on hers and parted her lips with his tongue. The kiss was gentler, more tender than those of the previous night. As the sweet strawberry sensation from his breakfast danced around her mouth, she felt herself melt a little.

  “Who’s being forward now?”

  “I was hoping to take you out for dinner tonight. It would be nice to get to know Leah and not Miss Beauchamp.”

  They were disturbed by the sound of the front door opening with a loud bang. It echoed throughout the house. Ty wrapped his arms around Leah’s waist as she spun around to see Jerry walking into the kitchen.

  He looked haggard, with bags under his brown eyes and a chin that sported a fine layer of growth. Wearing the same clothes as the night before, he walked straight for the percolator and poured himself a full mug of warm coffee, and immediately took a sip. “Oh, that’s good.” He groaned with appreciation, placing the mug by the sink. He turned and took Leah in, scrutinizing her with narrowed eyes. “You’re whatchamacallit’s friend.” Jerry started clicking his fingers in the air.

  “This is Leah,” Ty said, keeping his arms around her waist. “And Rainie got home fine, thanks.”

  Jerry gave a dismissive wave. “I’m having a shower,” he said, and disappeared up the stairs in a thunder of heavy footsteps.

  “Your flatmate?” Leah asked, moving away from Ty’s grip. She gave him a disapproving look.

  “I can’t control what he gets up to.”

  “I should go. Where’s my dress?” she asked, standing in the doorway with her hands on her hips.

  Ty shrugged. “Where did you leave it?”

  Leah clucked her tongue against the roof of her mouth in annoyance. “And my knickers?” She held a hand out. Ty stepped closer to her, and his steps held a certain swagger. He took her hand in his, tugging her toward him and planting a kiss on her lips.

  “I already told you, they’re mine.”

  “I’m sure you’ll look great in them.”

  Ty scoffed and let her go.

  After gathering as many of her things as she could find, and still dressed in just his shirt, Leah stepped into her heels and stood by the front door.

  “You’re going dressed like that, are you?”

  “I don’t have a choice,” she said.

  “Let me drive you at least.”

  Glancing down at her attire, she reasoned that allowing him to drive her home was the better of her options. She didn’t need a taxi driver judging her, she would get enough of that when her sister saw the state she was in. “I need to go and fetch my car.”

  “Promise to let me take you out to dinner and I’ll take you later.”

  “Later?”

  “After I’ve seen wher
e you live.”

  “Stalker,” she said with a pout.

  It didn’t take Ty long to find his keys. Leah sat in the passenger seat, hating that her bare ass was leaving indentations in the clean black faux leather. He already had her knickers, and now she was leaving him a molded reminder of her shape.

  “You don’t like Jerry,” he said, breaking the silence.

  “I didn’t like how he was with Rainie,” she responded, folding her arms across her chest.

  “He’s an arse of a drunk,” Ty admitted. “But you hardly know Rainie.”

  Leah bristled at his poke. “I hardly know you either,” she remarked. She felt his palm rest on her naked leg, sneaking higher up. She clamped her thighs shut.

  “I give you the best orgasm you’ve ever had, feed you and lend you one of my shirts, and now you’re being shitty with me,” he grumbled, putting his hand back on the steering wheel. “What have I done? And how do I make it up to you? Or was last night it? A quick fuck. Wham, bam, thank you, Tybalt.”

  Leah let out a laugh. “Tybalt? Is that your name?”

  “There’s no need to be cruel. It’s a good name. My parents were actors. Mum even worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company for a while, hence Tybalt.”

  “It suits you.” She smirked. “Tybalt. The King of Cats.”

  “Yes, I know the story, thanks, and I was teased about it enough at school, so I don’t need you adding to the memories. Why do you think I go by Ty?”

  “Okay, Ty,” she said, lengthening his name.

  “Glad I could make you laugh,” he said, placing his hand back on her thigh.

  She wasn’t really cross with him, more herself. It wasn’t like her to get drunk on a couple of vodkas—well, four if she counted that they had been doubles—and happily shed her knickers for the first bloke who looked at her. Granted, Ty Sinclair had been the vision of many fantasies over the previous ten months, but nonetheless, she had stripped and allowed him access to her most feminine parts without even a thought of decency.