Bourbon Summer, page 12
“So wet,” she whispered.
The room was bathed in darkness, but I drank in as much of her profile as I could. “Put a finger inside.”
She paused. In the dark, the weight of her gaze rested on me. Then the covers rustled as she did what I asked.
“In and out, Goldilocks. I want it to be just right for you.”
“It’d be better if it was you.”
I could imagine her little pout. “I know.”
I’d told her I’d show her what she was missing, and from the sound of it, her ex had missed her clit a lot.
“What would you do to me if it was you?” She was talking in a whisper, but pure, unadulterated desire laced her tone.
I’d face any regret later. Right now, I’d indulge her because when it came down to it, that was all I really wanted to do. “I’d spread those pretty thighs of yours wide open.” I was rewarded with a groan. “Then I’d look my fill. I bet your pussy matches your name. Ruby red and just right.”
“Tenor,” she gasped.
“That ignored clit of yours would get lots of attention.”
“Yes.”
“From my tongue. From my fingers.”
“Tenor.” The bed rocked as she ground against her hand.
“Is that finger still in your tight pussy, Ruby?”
“Yes.”
My dick throbbed like she was fisting it. “Add another.” Her breathing stuttered again, but her hips quit pumping as she did it. “I bet you’re nice and full now.”
Her hair rustled against the pillow when she nodded.
“Now ride your hand and pretend your thumb is my tongue, licking your clit in tight circles.”
Her moan dragged out. “I don’t want to come yet.”
“You’re going to.” I could only suffer for so long. I didn’t want to jack off next to her and miss anything.
“I love it when you’re bossy.” She arched high. “Oh god.”
“Say my name.”
“Tenor.” She let out a cry. “Tenor.”
The bed shook with her orgasm. “That’s it, Ruby. Let it go. I’m right here.”
Another cry. “I wish it was you.” Then she went lax, panting next to me. “That was the strongest orgasm I’ve ever had, and you didn’t even touch me.”
I couldn’t move. If the blankets brushed against me, I’d come as fast and hard as a rocket. Then I’d have a mess to clean up and I didn’t want to leave this little cove we’d made.
“Goodnight, Tenor,” she said in a soft, sated voice.
“Night, Goldilocks.”
Her breathing evened out. I listened to her until my erection got less excruciating and I could finally rest. In the morning, I’d find out if she hated me for this.
Ruby
I woke to a dull thud behind my temples. I cracked my eyes open. Rows of books faced me.
I squinted at the spines. My headache sharpened. The spines all had different names, but one of the books was propped up and faced out. Warhammer 40,000.
Warhammer.
When did I get all these books?
Clarity snapped into place. With a gasp, I sat up. I was in Tenor’s bed.
Heat flooded my cheeks. I’d walked into the wrong room and I’d stayed.
He’d been shirtless.
He’d been pantless.
He’d been so hot. A column of muscle with fine silver lines at his shoulders and just above the waistband of his underwear around his hips. Tenor was a boxer briefs man.
The other side of the bed was empty, but I was surrounded by his scent, soap with a hint of pine.
Memories cascaded in. His hot words in my ear. My climax. I was still in his bed.
Oh. My. God. I’d gotten myself off right next to him. I’d started before he was even in bed!
I pressed my hands against my sweltering cheeks.
But he hadn’t left. I hadn’t scared him away.
I couldn’t believe I’d done that.
I smacked my tongue against the top of my dry mouth. A water bottle was on the nightstand, along with a bottle of pain reliever.
My hangover wasn’t awful, but I needed the water, or it’d get worse.
Why had I drunk so much?
Right. The nerves from having so much attention from men. The heavy-on-the-Malibu and Cokes. My boobs felt dirty from Allen’s attention.
But I’d had fun taking selfies and photos of the drinks. My creator brain didn’t often get to run wild with people, but those fellas had been up for a lot. Amazing what guys would do to get into a girl’s pants.
Except for Tenor.
He’d stalked right in and literally picked me up.
My stomach fluttered. A lurch followed.
Water. Then food.
I chugged the bottle. Before I went searching for food, I swung into the guest room and gathered fresh clothing. I took a quick shower and towel-dried my hair. Dressed in navy linen shorts and a gray shirt that said nothing but Bookish, I trudged to the kitchen. A pan covered with aluminum foil in the fridge had a note on it with heating instructions.
I lifted the foil and my stomach rumbled. Breakfast burritos. Had he made them?
I heated up two. I didn’t overindulge with alcohol often, but I got ravenous when I did.
When I was halfway done with the second one, Tenor walked in.
He drew himself up and stuck close to the door when he saw me.
My mouth was full but I gave him a lopsided smile that was probably more like a grimace. Time to face the reckoning.
I swallowed. “So last night . . .”
He slouched against the door. “Yeah . . . about that—”
“I’m really sorry if I made you uncomfortable,” I rushed on.
He cocked his head like he hadn’t heard me. “Made me uncomfortable?”
“I don’t usually act like that. I invaded your space and then I . . .” My words caught in my throat. How embarrassing. “I was just inappropriate.”
He crossed the distance between us in seconds, planted his hands on the table, and leaned in close, his face inches from mine. “If you think having a beautiful woman get herself off to the thought of me in my bed makes me uncomfortable, you didn’t see or feel the erection I’ve had ever since.” He tilted my chin up with his rough fingertips. His brown eyes were bright behind his lenses. “That was the hottest night of my life.”
I scoffed. What he said refused to register. He’d been out of my league even before I’d seen him with his shirt off.
He didn’t take his fingers off my face. “Do you know how badly I wanted to taste you?”
But he hadn’t.
He took my hand and prompted me to stand. “You’re sober now.”
I was. “The water was really thoughtful. Thank you.”
He gripped my hips and lifted me. My ass was planted on the top of the table and he wedged himself between my legs. “You’re welcome.” He took his glasses off and set them beside me. Then he planted his mouth on mine.
I curled my arms around his neck and greedily returned the kiss. He hadn’t kissed me last night, but he hadn’t let me make a spectacle of myself alone.
If you think having a beautiful woman get herself off to the thought of me in my bed makes me uncomfortable, you didn’t see or feel the erection I’ve had ever since.
He’d been into it?
He pulled back, keeping his forehead against mine. “I wasn’t going to take advantage of you, Ruby. But don’t think that means I wasn’t interested.”
I hated that I needed constant reassurance. He was hot and cold, sometimes flashing back and forth in an instant. The man was so carefully restrained.
Memories from last night crystallized. The shock on his face when I walked in had morphed into self-consciousness. The rigid way he’d stood when I gave his body attention. It was the same when I had spotted all the belongings haphazardly stashed around his bed and dresser.
“I’m just a man, Goldilocks. Just because I’ve sworn off relationships doesn’t mean I don’t react to having a sexy woman in my house.”
Well. That was a splash of cold reality on the heat his words had caused. He wanted to fuck me, but he didn’t want to be with me otherwise.
I wasn’t completely let down. He was affected by me, and I’d soak that up while I could.
His eyes were a warm brown, always putting me at ease, but in their depths, the intensity simmered. Was I the only one to see it? Why did he hide the real him? “Were those bookshelves in your bedroom originally in the dining room?”
He worked his jaw, but he didn’t pull out of my reach. “Yes.”
“Why did you move them?”
He propped his hands on the tabletop on either side of me.
I traced my fingers along his forehead and down the sides of his face. So many facets to this man and I found each one fascinating.
“After high school, I didn’t go to college. I didn’t need to. I had a job waiting for me, so I just took classes that would help me with my position at the distillery. I didn’t even build or move out right away.”
“There’s nothing wrong with that.”
His laugh was cynical. “Women don’t really find that attractive.” He nodded toward my empty plate. “Mama made those.”
“They were really good.”
“And she gave me the meatball dish. If you check the freezer, you’ll find a lot more meals. Ready to heat.”
“I wish my freezer was full of your mama’s food.”
He shook his head. “I hardly have to cook, Ruby. I got my job—both of them—because of my last name. I don’t have a degree, and my mom still cooks for me. If a woman gets beyond that, it’s my gaming. My toys.”
“They’re not toys.” At his militant look, I shrugged. “I guess they are. But, Tenor, you work hard. You work all the time. Your mom loves to spoil you. If she didn’t give you food, would you stomp around and complain?”
“I know how to feed myself.”
I poked him in the shoulder. “That’s the difference.” I flung my hand toward the bedroom. “Those figures are pure art. I don’t know much about tabletop gaming, but does it hurt anyone? Is it inherently selfish when you play? No. I bet it’s not. My stepdad used to leave Mom for weeks at a time to go on snowmobile trips. He did it one winter when she broke her ankle and was hobbling around on crutches. He went gambling in Vegas when I was home with mono and Mom couldn’t find a sitter. Context is everything, Warhammer.”
His forehead crinkled. “Did you just call me—”
“Yes, and I’m going to keep doing it. You work hard. Everyone knows it. So you have a hobby some people don’t understand? Fuck ’em.” I ran a finger down his chest. “Next week, when I stay here, we’re going on a day date when it won’t be some big reveal. Then you’re going to show me how you paint those Orks.”
“Space marines.” His gaze skated away. “I have a new unit to paint.”
“I know of books with naughty space marines. I’ll buy one to read while you paint them.”
His eyes lifted to mine. Disbelief lit their depths. “You’re really something, you know that?”
He made me feel like it. “When we go to Crock’s wedding, we’re going to show up as a united front. They’re going to be so jealous about how comfortable we are with each other.” The idea was more appealing as I thought about it. I hadn’t noticed how anxious I’d been around Brock, just waiting for a comment about something he didn’t find attractive. One weekend at a time, Tenor was wiping away that toxic residue.
He was stroking my lower lip again. Then he withdrew his hand and dropped it to his side. He took a deliberate step back and cool air flooded between us. It was a good thing my body wasn’t steaming. “Next weekend, we’ll do what we enjoy together. No judgment.”
So he wasn’t going to kiss me again, but a weekend of hanging out wasn’t a bad consolation prize. “That sounds just right.”
“I’m glad you think so, Goldilocks. But remember . . . you’d better be wearing another skirt Saturday night.”
CHAPTER NINE
Tenor
“I made extra.” Mama gestured to the two trays stacked on her countertop while she rinsed dishes at the sink. “Wynter said Ruby likes pasta dishes, so there’s a taco spaghetti bake and chicken linguini. That one was Cruz’s favorite.”
“Thanks.” I gathered the containers, feeling moderately better after Ruby had made this seem like such a normal thing last weekend. Even more, she’d sounded almost envious.
Yeah, I could cook for myself. I could cook for Mama too. But she missed taking care of a brood of kids. She hated making small dishes. Preparing a feast and portioning it out for various kids delighted her.
Since I lived alone, I didn’t chow through her gifts as quickly. I had a nice stash. Something Katrina had thrown in my face. You’re pathetic, Tenor. You thought you could hide that from me?
My throat burned. Ruby had acted fascinated by my collection. Had she just been placating me? She still needed me to show her ex up.
Mama hung a dish towel up. “Ruby at your place?”
I nodded. I’d followed her home from the distillery last night. I’d appreciated her bare legs in a maroon skirt. The one she’d worn before had been longer. The ballet flats she’d paired with it had given her a sexy librarian look.
She’d been tired, and I had fed her some of Mama’s enchiladas and ensured she got to bed. In the guest room.
One night in my bed and I’d become a man obsessed, hankering for another hit. I’d gone to sleep alone, looking forward to spending a day with her. Anxious as hell about doing what I normally do any other night, only with Ruby as a witness.
“How are things going?” Mama asked quietly.
“Good,” I said, full of sincerity. “She’s unexpected.”
“I’ll say.” Mama’s smile was fond. “She’s good for you. I was in the grocery store yesterday and Wilna asked me if it was true.”
Wilna worked at one of the churches and she ran the annual bachelor auction fundraiser. She’d suspended it last year due to diminishing returns, but she continued to hound me and Teller, insisting our participation would bring back the bids. “Did you send her my sympathies that I can’t be one of her bachelors?”
“I did, in fact.” Mama chuckled. “Poor Teller.”
“You don’t sound that sad for him.”
A mischievous glint shone in her doe-brown eyes. “Might be good for him.”
“Depends who buys him.”
“He can donate a weekend of work.”
“You know that’s not why anyone will bid. He’d probably make it a month to really drive up bids.” Women wouldn’t be bidding on his handyman skills.
Her smile said she knew exactly that. Mama wasn’t pushy about her kids settling down, but she wanted us to. She would be sad when Ruby and I parted ways after the wedding.
It didn’t have to be like that . . .
No.
But what if . . .
I didn’t work with what-ifs. Distilling and ranching were well-researched sciences. Financials were exact. Ruby had been nothing but unpredictable since the night I kissed her.
For now, she needed me. There was no reason to wait around after and find out what about me repelled her.
Teller entered the house. He spotted the pans I was holding and looked around.
“They’re in the freezer,” Mama said.
Teller grinned. “Thanks, Mama.” He nudged my shoulder. “Want to invite your girlfriend to a barbecue tomorrow? Tate’s got some brisket smoking.”
My family had been having barbecues my entire life, and I always looked forward to them. Lately, our gatherings had a hint of bitter with the sweet. My sisters had all found the love of their lives. Tate and Scarlett still acted like newlyweds.
“I’ll ask her.” With Cruz and Lane, Teller and I didn’t stand out as the bachelors of the group. Now, they didn’t think I was single. Pretending for a month was one thing, but being around them together for a family gathering—that was different. That was too close to real.
I didn’t look forward to seeing firsthand what I would be missing when Ruby and I fake broke up.
Ruby
Tenor had insisted on cooking—roast and fried potatoes—likely to prove he could after he had shared that he’d been criticized for subsisting on his mom’s food. Growing up eating plain pasta meals and heat-n-serve food, I gave zero fucks if he subsisted solely on Mae’s meals. I would too if I could.
After we finished eating, I didn’t let him ban me from the kitchen to help clean up. We worked alongside each other, casually chatting about what he’d done that day. Tenor and his brothers had worked cattle, something to do with vaccinations for the calves.
“How ’bout you?” he asked, hanging a dish towel up.
I wiped off the island. He’d revealed that he ate at the island instead of the table most of the time, so I’d insisted we sit there. “I sent myself some post ideas for the fall.” Waking up in a cabin by the mountains filled me with all sorts of inspiration. “Junie sent me some images. I made some edits for her.” I pushed a lock of hair behind my ear. “I’m brainstorming what to do when she’s done with her tour.”
“Fewer pictures?”
I nodded. “It’ll be more important than ever to keep her connected with her audience. We’ll work on making her seem like she’s around when she’s not around, you know.”
“I’m actually glad I don’t know.”
I chuckled. “Exactly. I would not want her life. Then I called my mom.”
“She doing okay?”
“Better than okay.” I folded my arms and leaned against the counter opposite him. I’d much rather be chatting Tenor up in his house than trying to get free drinks at the bar. “She finished her hiking trip with Dave—Daniel. This one’s Daniel.”
“This one?”
I pursed my lips. “Mom’s a player.”
His brows shot up. “Not how I expected you to describe her.”
“I think she’s always been hung up on my dad, but one of the good things he did when he was younger was not lead her on.” I fiddled with the end of a lock of hair that had slipped free. “He said he wasn’t ready to settle down, but he’d work to give her child support and take me for a weekend a month.”
