Chapter 3 Tabitha
Chapter three
Tabitha
The snow is coming down hard, fat flakes swirling in the beams from my headlights as I turn into the alley behind High Tide Tales and pull into my parking spot.
Rory and I agreed to head to my place after we waved goodbye to Leah and Hays.
For one reason. Location. My place is closer than Rory’s hotel.
But I’m glad we did for two reasons. First, the weather. And second? His wandering hand already has me buzzing with need.
I’ve always appreciated that Starlight Bay is a quiet small town. But at the moment, I’m even more grateful it’s as barren as a coastal ghost town because it took all my concentration to focus on navigating the four blocks home as those talented fingers tracked up and down my thigh.
“You live here?” Rory stares up at the building. “Above the bookstore?”
“For seven years now.” I turn off the engine.
He’s quiet for a moment, and I can see him processing.
“Seven years in one place.” It’s almost awe in his voice, or disbelief at least. “I’ve got an apartment in Scottsdale, but I’m lucky if I’m there two months out of the year.”
I can’t imagine a life like that, but I push the thought from my mind as we climb out and dash through the snow to the back entrance to my place. I fumble with my keys while flakes cover us in a blanket of white. Heat radiates from his body, the smell of his cologne mixed with the crisp winter air.
“Think they bought my offer to give you a ride so Hays wouldn’t have to head out in the snow?” I ask as the key finally turns.
“You were pretty convincing.” Rory shakes the snow from his hair.
True. I may have fooled Hays, but Leah was onto me. Chances are good I’ll get an earful from my best friend tomorrow, but tonight, I’ve got round two heading my way. And that’s all that matters.
I push through the door, the narrow staircase forcing us close as we climb.
Once inside, Rory hangs his rather thin coat on the hook by the door then surveys my living room with curiosity.
He moves through the space as if he’s taking inventory, but there’s no judgment in his expression, just genuine interest.
“Seven years,” he says again as if he’s still trying to wrap his head around it. “Same apartment, same job, same town.”
“You’ve had the same job longer than me,” I reply, something in his tone raising my defenses.
He spins back to me, the intensity in his eyes making my breath catch. “You’re right, but when every season, hell, every tournament, is different, it doesn’t feel that long.”
I consider asking more about what it’s like to be a professional caddy, but that would cross an unspoken line, so I drop the subject and shrug off my coat.
As he skirts the kitchen counter, his movements are precise and controlled.
His presence here, in the flesh, surfaces memories from last time we were together.
Images flash through my mind—his hands tangling in my hair in his fancy hotel suite, the way he’d groaned my name against the crisp white sheets that smelled like laundry detergent.
That night was all gas, no brakes. This? Here, in my home, surrounded by the scent of pine and old books, with my crooked Christmas tree in the corner, its multicolored lights casting a jeweled glow on both of us, it feels…intimate.
But as he steps up to me, and his hands slip under my sweater, his cool palms against my warm skin, I forget all about the fact I’m just another night for him. Another woman in another town. Because my body, that’s been on fire since I saw him again? It’s ready to go.
Outside, the wind picks up, howling against the building and making the old structure creak softly. Snow pounds against the windows, thick and relentless.
“Storm’s getting worse,” Rory murmurs, his eyes not leaving mine.
“You might have to stay the night.”
“You’re the one that slipped out last time. While I was sleeping.”
The accusation hangs in the air, but what am I supposed to say? Because we’d finished what we set out to do? or Because you delivered the best orgasms of my life, but I knew all I was for you was a good time?
Tonight is supposed to be simple. Round two and nothing more. We confirmed the ground rules in the car. So why does his observation about last time make my chest feel tight?
“You sure about this?” His fingers pause at the waistband of my jeans.
I cup his face, the sprinkle of his rough stubble against my fingertips.
“I’m sure,” I whisper and lean up to kiss him.
The press of our lips ignites something wild. His mouth claims mine with a hunger that steals my breath, all heat and demand and barely restrained control. I taste the chocolate from dessert on his tongue as it slips into my mouth, one hand tangling in my hair while the other pulls me in.
Our bodies press together as the kiss deepens, transforming into a slow, languid exploration that leaves my senses reeling. His hands roam over my body, mapping every curve with a possessive touch that sends shivers down my spine.
“You are…” he starts, his lips trailing down my neck as I tilt my head and he finds my collarbone with his tongue. “Irresistible.”
Irresistible? I grip his biceps.
“Mmm,” he hums, his mouth trailing lower as he cups my ass and pulls me against the ridge of his erection.
Is that why we’re back at it within hours of him landing in town, even though he made it clear in August he’s not the kind of guy who sticks around?
But I don’t question his declaration because I knew exactly what I agreed to when I offered to give him a ride.
And another night of bliss is worth it with this man who’s so fit he has stamina in spades.
Rory knows what he’s doing in bed. His expertise was on full display our first night, and I enjoyed every minute.
So I’m down for more, even if it’s only physical.
Before I can murmur a response, he guides me to the couch with the same sexy confidence I remember.
He’s a man who knows what he wants and isn’t afraid to take charge.
I push the thought of him with other women, making the same moves, out of my mind because I don’t have a claim to stake.
I’m good with just sex tonight. In the new year, maybe, I’ll have time to date and find a man here in Starlight Bay to settle down with, because I’m not getting any younger.
But that’s something future Tabitha can tackle.
Present Tabitha’s preoccupied at the moment.
Rory lifts the hem of my sweater, stripping the soft wool over my head, then reaches behind to unclasp my bra, sliding the straps down my arms. Though we’re same people we were in August, everything about tonight feels different from that first time at the hotel.
Less frantic, less…blistering. As if we have all the time in the world.
He takes a moment to admire me, his eyes darkening with desire as they rake over me before his hands cup my breasts, massaging them gently.
His thumbs circle my nipples until they harden under his touch.
He dips his head, capturing one hardened peak in his mouth, licking and sucking until I gasp with pleasure, my eyes rolling back in my head.
He moves to the other, giving it the same attention, and drawing out a soft moan from deep within me. The contrast of his warm mouth and the cool air sends shivers down my spine as I grip his shoulders.
In the hotel, the air conditioning had hummed constantly, drowning out any other sound.
Here, even with the heater on to keep my apartment cozy, I hear everything.
The storm raging outside, Rory’s breathing, the soft creak of the couch springs as he sinks down and reaches for the button on my jeans then peels them down my legs.
As he slides off the denim, his fingers trace a path up my calves, past my knees, and along my thighs, his touch igniting a trail of fire on my skin. His eyes, dark and intense, never leave mine as he leans forward, pressing a soft kiss on my belly then another and another as he works his way down.
My breath hitches when his tongue traces the waistband of my panties before his fingers hook into them and he strips off the lace. I’m completely bare before him, vulnerable in a way I don’t remember feeling that first night when we were both drunk.
“You’re gorgeous,” he murmurs, his voice rough with desire. He leans in, his breath warm against my core. “My one regret from that night is not tasting you.”
“Don’t let me stop you,” I breathe, my belly clenching at his words.
With a sly smile, he leans forward and dips his head, his tongue finding my center.
I gasp as he licks and explores, his movements slow and deliberate against my clit, stoking flames that threaten to consume me.
I grip his shoulders, my legs quaking as I widen my stance, my hips rocking in sync with his rhythm while he draws out a pleasure so intense it’s almost unbearable.
The sensation commands every bit of my attention, and everything outside of it fades into the background.
All that exists is Rory and the way his tongue explores my slick folds.
He slides a finger inside me, then another, his tongue never ceasing its delicious torment.
A coil of heat and tension winds tighter and tighter in my core until it snaps, sending waves of pleasure crashing through me.
As I come down from the high, my chest heaving, I glance down to find Rory watching me through thick lashes, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips.
He presses a kiss to my hipbone then draws back, his voice a low rumble. “I could spend all night with my head between your legs.”
I can’t help but let out a soft giggle, my body still tingling with the aftershocks of pleasure. “I wouldn’t stop you.”
He chuckles. “Maybe another time. Right now, I need to be inside you. To feel you come around me again.”
The way he just tossed out another time, so casually, as if we hadn’t agreed in the car, not twenty minutes ago, on just one night—no matter what—makes me want things I know better than to hope for.
After all, we'll see each other, at least occasionally, now that our best friends are married. And what will we do? Sleep together every time we’re in each other’s company?
I ignore the comment and tease, “Then what are you waiting for?”