by Monica James
“I knew how this would end, Tiger,” he replies calmly. “As long as those responsible for my brother’s death are held accountable, I can deal with whatever punishment I deserve.”
But this outcome is bleak; it means my future will be one without Bull in it.
Instinctively, I reach for the elastic around my wrist. But pause when Bull gently places his hand over mine.
“You look tired. Get some sleep. I’m going to shower.”
He’s right. I am beyond tired. And this isn’t up for negotiation as he comes to a slow stand and tosses the ice pack onto the dresser.
“What if you’re concussed? I should—”
“Tiger, I’ll be all right.”
Biting the inside of my cheek, I know we’re no longer talking about his injuries. His mind is made up. There is only one way this will end.
I watch as he grabs his bag and makes his way into the bathroom, closing the door. It’s so final. His mind is made up. But if he thinks I’m going to sit back and watch as he throws himself to the wolves, then he’s sorely mistaken.
It’s time I made some plans of my own.
Bull
I wake to a warmth I’ve never felt before.
Slowly focusing out of one eye, I realize I must have passed out sometime last night because the sunlight streaming in through the crack in the curtain confirms it’s now morning.
Tiger had passed out on top of the bed while I took my shower, so I drew back the blankets and tucked her in. There was only one bed, so I lay next to her, on top of the blanket, and watched her sleep. I’ve never slept beside someone before. I didn’t think I’d be comfortable with that sort of intimacy, but I was clearly mistaken.
Tiger’s shallow breathing tickles the back of my neck as her chest is pressed snugly against my back. Her arm is draped across me, holding on tight. The blankets are a tangled mess at the end of the bed as she must have kicked them off in the middle of the night.
Looking at the clock on the bedside table, I see that it’s just after six a.m.
I shift, but Tiger groans softly, tightening her hold around me. Her wrist is still red from where flicking the elastic has left her skin raw. Seeing her hurt herself leaves me with this unsettled feeling in the pit of my stomach.
The significance of the elastic isn’t lost on me. She wears it to help her anxiety. The pain when she flicks it against her skin is almost a form of punishment for losing Jordy. Pain is something we both understand, but seeing her hurt doesn’t give me the feels like it does for others. I want to shoulder her burden and take her pain as my own.
Sighing, I know I’m so screwed. Whatever the fuck this is inside of my chest continues to grow, and I know sooner or later, I will be consumed with it, with her. But who am I kidding? I already am.
When I saw that motherfucker touch her last night, I lost sight of anything but her. I knew my actions would draw attention to her, attention Stevie and José wouldn’t miss, but I couldn’t just stand by and allow her to be hurt. She’s been hurt enough.
This is so fucking backward. I am helping find the son of the man I killed. And to do that, I have to work with the men I want to kill. This is happening for a reason; I have to believe that because I have no fucking clue how I’ve ended up where I am.
It was supposed to be simple, but what I feel for Tiger…it’s anything but that.
She nestles in closer with a contented sigh. I give in to temptation and slowly interlock our fingers. I like the way they look entwined.
My body responds in ways it shouldn’t, but I can’t help it. I never can when Tiger is involved. I’m not only physically aroused, but emotionally as well, and it’s a powerful sensation. All I want is to feel her beneath me as I bury myself deep inside.
My injuries aren’t too bad, thanks to Tiger’s traveling pharmacy, but I shouldn’t be thinking about her soft curves and sweet smell because she is grieving for her son. Getting laid is probably the last thing on her mind.
But when she gently rolls her hips into me, I begin to wonder if maybe I’m wrong.
She squeezes my fingers while gliding her nose over my bare back and inhaling with a sigh. She presses her lips to my shoulder before biting softly. The way she rolls her hips against me has my hard-on straining against my boxers, but I lay still.
She lets go of my hand, only to walk her fingers down to my cock. She isn’t shy and begins to rub over the front of my boxers. Touching was once my hard limit, but now, if she doesn’t touch me, I think I will fucking lose my mind.
She’s only in her bra and underwear as she must have removed her jeans and sweater during the night. We’re treading dangerous waters because when she slips her hand into my boxers and begins to stroke my shaft, I know this is only going to end one way.
She continues to bite and suck me as she works my dick with her small hand. Wherever she touches, my body responds, and it’s not long before I am thrusting into her touch. Without warning, she swiftly removes her hand and rolls me onto my back.
I don’t have time to question what she’s doing before she climbs on top of me and unhooks her bra. I grip her hips, staring up at her. She is a fucking goddess, and my chain hanging between her perfect tits only cements this. Her body is toned, strong. Her light pink nipples are hard, begging for me to take them into my mouth. But this is Tiger’s show.
Her hair is wild around her face, tangled from sleep, and it only makes her sexier. She runs both palms down my chest, transfixed by her hands on me. I can see the way she studies my tattoos and the barbells in my nipples, and the way her brow puckers when she traces over the scar on my side.
I wish I had something nicer to offer her, something that isn’t marred with violence and bloodshed.
She chews on her bottom lip when she reaches the top of my boxers. I reach up, flicking her lip out from under her teeth. A bashful smile spreads across her mouth before she slides down my body and gently removes my boxers.
My dick springs up, and a beautiful rose coats her pale skin when she realizes how hard I am because of her. Brushing her hair over one shoulder, she bends forward and takes me into her mouth.
“Holy fuck,” I curse with a shudder. It’s been so long since I’ve had a blowjob that I’ve forgotten how good they feel. But the ones in the past pale in comparison to what Tiger is doing to me right now.
She takes her time as she works my cock carefully. She appears to be fascinated with my piercing as the tip of her tongue pokes out to flick over the curved barbell. All I can do is watch her, spellbound by her beauty. This isn’t some porn movie where she sucks me hard and fast. She seems to be familiarizing herself with me, seeing how far she can go, and I like it.
We’re testing the waters as it’s been a long time for us both.
She finds her rhythm, gripping my upper thighs as she bobs between them. I almost shred the sheet as I bunch the bedding in my fists. When I hit the back of her throat, she gags and pulls away. I think she’s had enough, but she takes me back into her mouth, sucking and whimpering around my cock.
Her jerky movements only make this all the more perfect, and when I feel the sting of her teeth rake across my shaft, I grunt in pleasure. Needing to touch her, I brush the hair from her face and collect it in my fist so I can watch her.
Her cheeks hollow as she takes me deep, and I hold back my need to come because it won’t be in her mouth when I do. Her tits swing with her movements, and my chain around her neck is a sight I like way too much.
“Baby, come here,” I growl, the term of endearment slipping free naturally.
But of course, she doesn’t do what she’s told.
She pulls back, tonguing over the tip of my cock while stroking my shaft. I arch my head back, unable to look at her because I am so turned on, and I won’t be able to hold on. She uses her hands and mouth in unison, not being gentle, and I like it so fucking much.
When she cups my balls, I jerk in surprise, sliding down her throat. “Oh, fuck,” I grunt, everythi
ng suddenly too much.
Reaching down, I impatiently tug at the waistband of her underwear. She has three fucking seconds to take them off; otherwise, she will be leaving here without them. Thankfully, she complies, quickly letting me go before pulling them down her shapely legs.
Once she’s naked, she straddles me, gazing down at me with a look I don’t understand. “Bull, I-I…” She nervously licks her lips.
She leaves the sentence unfinished as she grips my cock and guides it toward her pussy. I instantly reach down, wanting to ensure she’s ready for me, but I feel how wet she is when she takes me into her sex slowly.
Groaning, I’m her prisoner as she lowers herself onto me leisurely, ensuring we both feel how deep I am. She whimpers when I’m buried to the hilt. Placing her hands against my stomach, she begins to rock slowly, backward and forward, side to side.
“I don’t want to hurt you,” she whimpers, touching over my bruises with care.
But I don’t want gentle. “You won’t.”
Gripping her wrists, I watch as she lifts her hips, using her core muscles before slamming back down. My cock is snug and deep, but it’s not enough. She begins to move, around and around, drawing her pleasure from me as she moans and tosses her head back.
She rides me hard, pleasure contorting her body, rippling as she gulps in air. She is so fucking beautiful.
Unable to help myself, I cup her tits, rolling her nipples with my thumbs. Her whimpers are music to my depraved soul. As she continues to rock against me, I feel myself slowly spiraling out of control. I usually have a grip on my emotions, but with Tiger, I have no control.
We fit perfectly, her body crafted for mine and mine for hers. I don’t understand it, but each time I’m with her this way, a clarity takes over, purging the darkness that eats away at me. Sometimes, it’s easy to get caught up in the notion that a happily ever after may be in the cards for me.
But reality soon hits. How could we not have anything but regrets between us? The memories of who I am will never allow her to escape the past. And I won’t do that to her. She deserves her prince. Not a villain.
Gripping her hips, I encourage her to use me and milk her pleasure until she’s well spent. Her skin is red-hot, slick with sweat as she rides me wildly. “I—”
“You what, Tiger?” I desperately want to know what she wants to say.
Looping my fingers around her nape, I draw her toward my lips, needing to fucking own that mouth. I kiss the fuck out of her, driving my hips upward and fucking her senseless as she takes what I give.
“I, this…” She fumbles over her words. “You.”
I am utterly consumed by her, not giving her a moment of rest as I continue to sink into her and encourage her to slam onto me. I hit her deep, and we both moan at the sensation.
She kisses me gently, not wanting to hurt me, but she couldn’t. My injuries are overshadowed by her.
She tosses her head back, her long hair spilling over her shoulders and down her bowed back. “Everything,” she pants, her body tensing. “You are…”
She doesn’t need to finish. I can fill in the blanks; yet, I don’t know how to respond. This beauty has allowed me to pollute her with my filth, and here she is, declaring words I don’t deserve. But I want them regardless.
I want her because I feel the fucking same. She is everything, too.
She shudders, coming violently around me with a pleasured cry. I pump my hips, suddenly filled with a need to make her come again and again. The moment her cries cease, I grip her waist, coaxing her to climb up my body.
I instantly miss her warmth, but I won’t be without it for too long.
She has no idea what I want until I drag her up and position her over my face. She doesn’t have time to object when I slam her pussy over my mouth. Rearing up, I lick her entrance, tasting her sweet arousal on my lips.
“Bull, no,” she pants, trying to get away. “You’re hurt.”
I reply by spreading her pussy with two fingers and biting her sensitive clit.
She doesn’t stand a chance because she wants this as much as I do. As she rocks over my face, I reach down and grab my cock and begin to pump. I want to come inside her, but I can’t. Going bareback has spoiled me, and I want it all.
My hand attached to her waist coaxes her to ride me hard. She grips the headboard, bowing back, giving me what I want. With me, I want her wild and free because that’s how I feel when I’m with her.
Driving my tongue deep within her, she rocks back and forth, crying and shuddering around me. I am going to come. But not before her.
Her pleas feed me, and I can’t help myself; I stop stroking my cock, only to slap her ass. She rockets upward, a surprised moan spilling free, but she likes it. She arches backward in a silent request for more. I slap her again, harder, groaning against her pussy as she tenses her muscles.
“More,” she shamelessly asks, curving her back.
She gets off on pain, she always has, and I like to deliver it. This combination will only lead to a fiery mess.
Slapping her one more time, I crane my neck and suck over her ripe clit before driving my tongue into her. Her body tightens, and I know she’s going to come again.
Gripping my cock, I begin to work it hard, and just when she uses her core muscles to raise herself off me before rubbing herself over my lips, a heat spreads upward before it explodes out of me. The moment I come, Tiger sits over my face and comes against my mouth.
She twists and moans, her body convulsing while I let out a string of filthy curses.
I’m breathless by the time I’m done. I’ve never come so hard before.
Once she stops writhing, she lifts herself off me before shyly lying beside me. Tremors still rock her body, and I like that they’re there ’cuz of what I did to her. We’re lying face-to-face, breathless, without words.
Reaching for the sheet, I cover us both with it.
She reaches across and gently touches my bottom lip. “I hurt you. I’m sorry.”
Tonguing over my lip, I taste the sharp metallic sting of blood. I didn’t even realize I was bleeding because all I could taste was her sweetness. “Don’t be.”
She is bashful, even after everything we just did, and averts her eyes. It seems we’re both processing what this is because each touch sends me closer to the point of no return. And her admission…holy fuck. I am so done for.
The moment we get Jordy back, I will finish this once and for all, ensuring her safety. I honestly have no clue what my future holds, but as long as Tiger is safe, then I will deal.
“We should get back,” I say. “Lotus already wonders where I am these days.”
She nods, but I can see something is weighing on her mind. “Do you think Lotus will let me come back? Now that I’m not working at Blue Bloods, I need a job.”
The thought of seedy assholes looking at her godly body has me clenching my teeth, but I have no right to act this way. It’s her body, and she can do what she pleases with it.
“This way, I can”—she clears her throat—“be near you in case something happens.”
My chest fills with something warm and fuzzy, and for the first time, I don’t want to kick its ass. “I think she’d be happy to have you back. And you’re right, staying close is wise.”
“I’m probably yesterday’s news, what with Cherry and—”
But I won’t let her speak such lies. “Tiger,” I utter, placing a finger over her lips. “You will always be a headline.”
Her cheeks redden, and she smiles. “Thank you. So do I have to pretend not to like you?” When she realizes what she just asked, her entire face turns red.
Tiger has been nothing but honest about her feelings for me. I don’t understand it. I never will. She likes me, and I like her, but it’ll be safer if no one knows about whatever the fuck this is between us.
“Yes,” I reply, not wanting to make a big deal about her comment and embarrass her further. “Just because we can’t see th
e enemy doesn’t mean they’re not lurking. Being linked to me will only get you hurt. I have no doubt Jaws has someone watching us.”
“If he already knows about us, then why do I have to pretend?”
“We don’t want to poke the bear,” I state. “Until we hear from Jaws, it’s a guessing game. He took Jordy because he knew about the night in the parking lot.”
She swallows, appearing guilty that she gave in. But fighting this between us has been impossible from the get-go.
“We don’t want to piss him off anymore. Men like him thrive on power and control, so we make him believe he has both.”
“Okay,” she agrees. I hate to see that the fire behind her eyes has simmered. She misses Jordy, and without him, she must feel like a part of her is missing. “What happens if I see Stevie or José?”
“You act like you don’t know them. Let me handle them.”
“Bull, this is so dangerous. We are gambling with everyone. I know we can’t go to the police, but we are trusting criminals. How can we be so sure they’ll stick to their word?”
She’s right. There is no guarantee they won’t double-cross me. But what choice do we have? I can’t outsmart Stevie or José. They’ve probably got half the city on their payroll. But this is personal, a war between foes who need a middleman—me.
“Don’t forget, Tiger…I am, too.”
Her mouth parts, but she doesn’t say a word.
Thumbing over her bottom lip, I kick off the sheet and reach for my boxers. Slipping them on, I commence dressing, hinting it’s time to leave.
Tiger wraps the sheet around her as she stands and reaches for her bag. “I’ll just freshen up.” She makes her way into the bathroom, shutting the door softly behind her.
No matter what she feels for me, I need her to remember who I am and what I did.
Once I dropped Tiger off at home, I went to the motel to feed Fluffball and get ready for work. I told Paul the latest and that he needs to keep an even closer eye on her. If Stevie or José come into work and see her dancing, they’ll realize she is someone of importance to me. It’s too much of a coincidence, and they saw my response to her.
