Tripp: Ride With Me Series

8. Tripp

The last twoweeks had been—crazy busy.

There were no other words for it. Casey getting hurt. Finding out the case she was on was just a drop in the hat of crazy shit happening close to home.

Two of the men she’d photographed were wanted on charges and bail jumping. Then her ex, who was also wanted on multiple charges, was in the group of men she’d been so close to.

Her finding out his true identity was hard to watch. The pain and betrayal he’d left her with made me want to track him down and beat the ever-loving shit out of him again.

Trust me when I said, when I got my hands on that motherfucker, he’d regret ever setting foot back in Texas. Let alone hurting her again.

As for the men wanted by law enforcement, Trace and his team, including my son Phoenix, tracked them down. After careful planning, they raided the place where they were staying. Two were captured and taken in. No one was hurt during the capture. Which wasn’t always the case.

The others in the group, the big hitters if you will, were gone. There had been no trace of them since. In cases like this, a quiet perp was a calculating perp. My gut was telling me there was more to this whole situation. Pieces of a bigger puzzle.

The images Casey got of her perp, obviously moving around and in and out of stores and vehicles, was turned in, her part of the job done. It was now up to the insurance companies to deal with him.

After what she’d been through, I was glad. Her leg and ankle had both healed, though the ankle was a little sore if she moved just right. All in all, things were kind of back to normal. With the exception of me hanging around.

We were trying to move forward and focus on us; this new life we both wanted. I was still getting used to the fact that I was here, and that I had another kid. A beautiful, funny, little angel who has stolen my heart. She was a daddy’s girl, for sure.

I was sitting on the floor, cleaning up the blocks Penny had tossed everywhere, when Casey walked in. Two bags of groceries balanced on her hips.

“Hey, let me help.” I went to get up.

“It’s fine, this is it. I just made a quick run through after my appointment.”

“What did Shelby say?”

“I’m good to do as I want again. Everything seems to be working properly.” She shrugged, digging into the shopping bags. “My thigh is all healed up, but we knew that. She removed that one stitch that didn’t want to come out. That was not fun, let me tell you. I feel after all this time with me, it should maybe have had a name or something.”

I shook my head, chuckling at her.

“We’ll I’m glad you’ve gotten a clean bill of health. Let’s keep you safe and healthy from now on. Yeah?”

“I plan to do my best.”

Getting to my feet, I put the basket of toys beside the couch and headed into the kitchen.

“How was she? Did she do okay?”

“She did great. She asked for you a few times; I told her you’d be back, then distracted her with toys and a book. She finally did the eye rubbing and curled up in my lap. Half a bottle while being rocked in the chair and she was out.” I looked at my watch. “She’s been down for about ten/fifteen minutes.”

Casey turned from the fridge and shut the door. “Thank you.”

“Hey, you have nothing to thank me for.”

“You played babysitter?—”

“Nope.” I pressed my finger to her bottom lip. “It’s not babysitting when it”s your child. That is called being a parent. I have two years of not being here to make up for.”

“No, you don’t. You didn’t know.”

“That is not—” I kissed her. When she went lax in my grip, I pulled back. “Can we agree to disagree?”

“Sure…”

I grinned, leaning in to capture her mouth again. Her body writhed against mine, causing my cock to stiffen. She pulled back, her lips leaving mine. I met her beautiful, heated gaze and smirked. I knew that look well. “How long do we have?”

“We have to be there at five.”

Shaking my head, I tipped her chin up. “Not that. How long before she may wake up?”

“Oh…um…” She licked her lips. “An hour, maybe an hour and a half.”

I’d behaved for the past two weeks. No longer. I needed her under me, crying out my name. I pulled back just enough to get a hold of her hand and led her to the bedroom. I’d dropped my bags on the floor a week ago, but I’d been sleeping on the couch. I didn’t want to crowd or rush her, but that ended today. “I want you naked.”

“I want a lot of things…”

Oh, so it was like that. My hand came down on her ass, squeezing as I pulled her to me. My lips brushed her jawline. “That wasn’t a suggestion, love.”

Her breathing hitched. As it did any time we were together.

See, I knew what she liked, and I’d always give it to her.

“Yes, sir.” Her words were a whisper.

I held her a moment then stepped back, my eyes trailing over her. She kicked out of her trainers, pulled her socks off, and slowly started to slide her pants down. Her tanned legs gave me a peep show all the way down. She straightened, laced her hands in the fabric of her shirt, and lifted it off.

Her breasts heaved as she took in a breath. I watched as she unclasped it, letting it slowly slide down her arms. Her perky breasts bounced with each movement. Her rosy nipples pebbled as I reached out to tweak them. Her hands moved to my belt, unbuckling it. I let her touch me, her hands running up under my shirt, across my abs and chest.

I was hers to do what she wanted with, but first, I needed to taste her.

Leaning in, I cupped one breast and captured the other nipple with my mouth. Her head fell back. Her fingers moved through my shaved hair, pinching the back of my neck with her nails as I nipped at the bud.

“Tripp…don’t tease.”

Releasing her, I stepped back, my brow arching.

“Please, not this time. I need you.”

Pulling her to me, I kissed her softly, running my hands down to cup her ass. Having a baby filled out her hips. And her ass. I approved of every bit of it. Turning, I walked her to the bed. “Lay back for me.”

She laid out across the surface, her feet planted on the bed. I watched hungrily as her hands ran over her body.

“Touch yourself. Get ready for me.”

She did as I ordered. My eyes stayed on her fingers teasing her clit. That sweet little bundle of nerves—If I stroked her just right, she would do anything I asked. But what I really liked was pounding that pussy. Her walls would all but strangle my cock. She’d take it all. Her body was like a piano, and my cock was the one stroking the keys.

And trust me, unlike other men, I knew exactly where to stroke.

Standing before her naked, I gripped my cock, stroking myself. Her eyes locked on to the movements, and she moaned. Her fingers slid in and out of her. She was soaking wet. I released myself so that I could climb up the bed. I slowly kissed along her inner thigh and on up. My tongue darted out, teasing her wet folds.

My mouth made love to her pussy. Her nails scraped my scalp. Her hips rocked into me and pulled back. I moved closer, teasing her clit with my thumb as my tongue fucked her.

“Tripp… Oh…yes.”

The more her hips jerked the harder and faster I moved my tongue and thumb. I could feel her body tighten as her orgasm hit. She arched her back, her fingers tugging at my hair.

“Oh God!”

I don’t slow my ministrations, working her fully through her orgasm.

Slowly, I moved up her body, my lips and tongue trailing a path up her body. Pushing myself up, I met her gaze.

“I do love making you come undone.”

“You’re kinda good at it.”

“Kinda?” I lowered myself down, kissing her softly. “I want to be the best at it.”

“If you get any better, I might die.”

I chuckled. “You’re not allowed to die on me, love.”

Her smile made my heart strum. She was beautiful. Perfect. Her softness balanced out my hard edges. My mouth claimed hers again, and I groaned. Her hand was wrapped around my shaft. I pumped my hips, letting her tease me.

“If you don’t…” I nipped her lip, “let me inside of you…”

Her legs came up, and I slid in slowly. She was wet, but I didn’t want to chance hurting her by just slamming home. Though I wanted to. Our bodies moved in sync. Her hips rolling, my thrusting. Our mouths danced as our bodies moved faster. I could feel her building, the orgasm so close. I reached between us and pinched her clit. She came hard, with a cry. I dipped my head, my mouth taking that cry as I continued to pump harder, faster.

“Please…yes!”

She locked her legs around me, keeping my thrusts hard and short. I could feel myself cresting, and I wanted her to come again, to give me that gift.

I rubbed at her clit, my teeth nipping at her bottom lip as I spoke. “Come for me, baby.”

My hips slammed into hers once, twice, and then she clamped around me a final time. There was no holding back. I came, my body arching.

“Fuck, I love you.”

“You do love to fuck?—”

I claimed her mouth, cutting her off. She had a point though. I did like to fuck her.

Once she was comfortable, I got up, got a wash cloth, and wet it with warm water. When I came back out, she was half asleep. Smiling, I got her cleaned up, and then myself. When I joined her back on the bed, wrapping her in my arms, she was asleep.

“Where is—there it is.”

“I wasn’t expecting it to look the same.”

“You haven’t been here in how long?”

“To the house? Oh, man. I’m goin’ to say twenty years. I’m usually in and out. I stop at the station, say hi, and go find Phoenix. I sleep on his couch, then I’m gone again.”

“Are you sure you want?—”

I pulled the minivan into the driveway and followed it around to the back.

“Woman. I swear I’m where I want to be. Stop fretting. For my sanity, please.”

She let out a small laugh. “Okay. Okay. I’ll worry silently.”

“Casey LeAnn.”

Parking beside a big truck, I turned to look her in the eyes. “Is there a reason for me to not be here? Am I missing something?”

“Oh. No. Gosh no. I just know you’re missing work. You have bills… I don’t want you to stay just because you feel obligated to.”

“You should know I don’t work that way.” I reached up and cupped her cheek. “I’m here because I love you. I’ve always loved you.”

“You said that earlier.”

“And I’ll say it every damn day until it sinks in, and then every day after that just so you don’t forget.”

She leaned in and kissed me this time. “I love you too.”

“We should get out and join the crowd before I decide we need to go home and back to bed.”

Her laughter followed her out of the seat.

Shaking my head, I got out, opened the side door, and grinned at Penny. “Hey, pretty girl. You decided you had enough napping?” I had to fight the clasp, but I got it undone. “Let’s go say hey to some people.”

I walked around the van, my hand going out to take one of the covered dishes.

“I can carry them, they have handles for a reason.”

I, being me, ignored that and scooped up one of them.

“Handle schmandle.” I winked at her.

“I swear…” Her grin was infectious.

As we made our way to the gathered crowd in the backyard, Penny laid her head on my shoulder. She was the bravest little one at home. Put her in a crowd and she was a typical toddler. Shy. Quiet. Once the newness of a person wore off though, she was all about joining in.

“You’re late, old man.” Phoenix came over and took Penny from me and gave Casey a one-armed hug.

“Sorry, everyone. The casseroles took a little longer than I anticipated and someone,” she eyed the grinning toddler, “decided to have a blowout the second we opened the door to leave.”

“Been there.”

“Done that.”

“Will do it again.”

Everyone chimed in.

“It’s how our luck usually goes. But I leave her in her big brother’s hands now. If she has a repeat, I’m not it.” Casey laughed, her happiness radiating around us. She took the dish from me and went over to the other table.

“Family looks good on you, old friend.” Gabe slapped my shoulder.

“It feels good too.”