Chapter Eight
ALEX
My heart hammers. The idea of taking this to the next level with Tomi before she knows who I am doesn’t sit well with me. But the way her eyes glisten in the dim moonlight shining in through the window renders her a goddess. I can’t help myself.
She’s irresistible in every damn way.
My hands run up her waist as her arms stay linked around my neck. I lean in, pressing my lips to hers, needing to taste her berry flavor once more. She’s fucking delicious as I kiss her with all the gusto that I can muster. My cock throbs in my jeans, wanting her, needing her. I’m not sure if we’re heading in that direction, but fuck my body is aching for her right now. I’ve wanted to be inside Tomi since the first moment I laid eyes on her.
I wanted to take her there and then.
It’s primal, it’s animalistic and carnal but true.
She’s the most gorgeous woman I have ever met inside and out, and when I got to know her, truly know her, it only made holding out even harder. I’ve needed her for two long years, and now, as I kiss her, my cock hardens against the seam of my jeans awkwardly, making me uncomfortable. But I won’t change my movements because kissing her like this is a fucking heaven I don’t want to fall from.
Suddenly, her hands snake down from my neck, skimming over my arms as she slides in under them and her fingers tickle the hem of my tank top. I smirk against her mouth as she starts to lift my top. I break my mouth from hers, lifting my hands in the air, and let her pull it free from my body. Her eyes shift to my bare chest. It’s not like she hasn’t seen it before. She’s worked on me for countless hours tattooing my skin, but it is like it’s the first time she’s truly been able to admire me without it being a workplace infraction. Her lips turn up as her hand slowly glides down the center of my stomach, her fingers tracing the lines of my defined abs as she gnaws on her bottom lip.
“You’re stunning,” she murmurs.
I chuckle, bringing my hand up to caress her cheek. “You should see how I view you.”
Her long, thick lashes blink as she glances up at me through them, her gorgeous green eyes staring right at me, sending a shockwave straight to my impatient cock.
“Turn around,” I demand, my voice low and husky.
Her breath catches in her throat as she gulps, then gently turns, kicking off her shoes.
My hands slide sensually up her arms. Goose bumps litter her skin as I trail my fingers up to her shoulders, giving them a tender squeeze. I lean in behind her, just enough so she can feel my erection pressing into her ass, while I grab the zipper on the side of her dress and slowly, tantalizingly slowly, pull it down.
Her arm moves up to wrap around the back of my neck, giving me easier access to the zipper and aiding in pulling me closer to her. My lips dip down to her bare shoulder as I press my mouth to her burning skin. The only noise in the room is her heavy breathing and the slow descent of the zipper.
The atmosphere in the room is electro-charged with energy—the lust surging through the air is setting this place on fire as I move my hand up and gently slide the edge of the shoulder strap off her skin. It falls easily, and I repeat the process with the other side as she drops her arm from around my neck, letting her dress fall to the floor at her feet.
My cock jerks in my pants, seeing the vision before me, her ass pert and round in a red lacy thong and matching red strapless bra. A low growl erupts from my chest as I grab and spin her to face me. Her ample breasts are pushed up and perfect. I lean down, kissing above her chest as my hands snake out around her back, fumbling for the bra clip. With one hand, I unclip it, and the red bra falls like a scrap to the floor, freeing her perfect fucking nipples.
I’m not sure I can hold on much longer.
“Goddamn, you’re killing me, Tomi.” I groan, making her laugh angelically.
Little devil.
Her hands come out, snaking down to grab at my belt buckle. She frantically undoes it while her lips come in to kiss mine again. She kisses me while my hand can’t control itself and caresses her breast. She feels like fucking heaven, but she has no idea I’m her hell.
Her hands make quick work of my belt as she opens the buckle, and then her fingers fumble with my button and zipper as we kiss passionately. She unzips me, which is hard, with my cock pressing like a greedy fucker needing attention to escape its confines. When she does, my cock springs free, and my jeans fall to the floor. I kick off my shoes as she breaks free from me, taking a step back and admiring my length.
I smirk.
She’s always so inquisitive, my girl.
Tomi raises her brow, glancing back up at me. “You’re exactly what I was expecting. Perfect.”
I reach forward, grabbing her tightly and spinning her toward the bed. She giggles as we collapse on the mattress. I roll her onto her back, me on top of her as I pin her to the bed. She smiles up at me with adoration in her eyes, and I love it.
I lean in, pressing my lips to hers. A jolt, that spark ignites inside of me as I start to move. She squirms. She’s just as needy as I am. So, I wriggle my way down her body while she stays at the top of the bed. I slide in between her legs as she spreads them wide for me.
I nuzzle into position as she glances down at me, that red bandana still in her hair as gorgeous as ever. “You fond of these panties?” I ask with a grin.
“If you rip them, I’ll—”
I rip them on the side of her leg, making her moan out her disapproval.
“Well, I guess I’ll just have to buy new ones then, won’t I?”
She giggles as I rip the other side and slide them off her.
She shakes her head, rolling her eyes as I lean down, kissing along the top of her pussy. She writhes against my movement, but I continue as my tongue sneaks out and flicks against her clit. Tomi arches up off the bed, her hands fisting in the sheets as she whimpers . I love how responsive she is to me. I flick her clit again as I bring my hand down and massage the side of her thigh, moving my fingers closer to her pussy.
Tomi moans lightly under her breath. I know she’s trying to keep quiet so we don’t wake Levi.
I slide a finger gently inside her, using her juices to work her up. My skin slickens in sweat already from simply how good she tastes. She’s sweet and salty, and it’s making it so hard for me to control myself, but I need to work her up first. My main priority is to make sure that Tomi is satisfied.
Her needs will always come first.
Always.
I push a little higher inside of her while flicking my tongue on her clit at the same time, making her gasp. Her back arches high off the bed, her fingers digging into the bedsheets as she pants with heavy breaths. Her entire body shudders, slickening in a fine mist of sweat. I know she’s close, so I need to work harder, no matter how much my cock’s throbbing. My tongue works at full speed to get her there. I flick, spin, and rotate, working Tomi to her climax.
Her panting breaths echo through the room as she gets closer and closer. Her pussy tightens around my finger as she inhales, her body curving off the bed dramatically. Her entire body shudders. She’s beautiful to watch as she climaxes hard, her head swinging to the side as she pants it out.
“Fuck, Tomi, you’re stunning when you come.”
She stifles a laugh as her limbs flop on the bed, completely spent, but I’m not done with her yet.
“I’ve never come like that before. So, feel free to do that whenever you want to,” she gushes in a hushed voice.
I lean in, kissing her thigh, then slowly make my way up her tummy, pressing feather-light kisses as I go. She catches her breath. My cock throbs so damn hard I can hardly think straight. I slide up her body, then my eyes meet hers—they’re hooded and so full of lust that the sight takes my breath away. I lean in, pressing my lips to hers. Her tongue slides into my mouth, and I love she isn’t one of those girls who’s afraid to kiss me after I’ve been down on her.
She wraps her legs around my ass, edging my cock closer to her pussy—the greedy little minx—but I won’t deny her. I grab her hands and thrust them back to the bed on either side of her head, pinning them by her wrists. I gaze into her eyes. They’re wide with delight as I bite down on her bottom lip. Her hips rock up into me, the tip of my head sliding inside her just a fraction, enough to make us both moan. Then I lean down, kissing her strongly.
She wants this.
I want this.
I want her.
So, I don’t hesitate any longer and thrust inside her. She’s like a silky, warm vice gripping me so damn tight around my cock I can’t help but moan. I have to still for a second to control myself. Panting hard, I drop my head to her shoulder, gripping tightly on her wrists, letting her know I have the power, and she’s merely holding on for the ride.
She rocks her hips up into me, letting me know I don’t have all the power after all. My girl’s a feisty one. I chuckle and pull back, gazing into her eyes and thrusting deep inside of her. Her eyes glaze over as she tries to hold in a whimper. Her fingers wriggle like she’s itching for me.
I pull back, almost all the way, then thrust deep inside her again, rotating a little to make sure I hit the right spot. Her eyes stay focused on me, making the energy in the room ignite. My skin prickles at watching her face contort with the pleasure I’m giving her. My cock swells inside her as the pressure builds in my balls. The tingling starts in my toes as the pins and needles run down my spine.
I thrust again, deeper. She moans, then quickly bites her bottom lip like she’s trying to contain herself. So, I work faster, bringing her to the place she needs to be. Being inside of her is everything and nothing like I pictured it would be. It’s so fucking much more. Tomi is heaven and hell wrapped up in one feisty little package. I thrust inside of her, she quivers in delight.
I tighten my grip on her wrists, leaning down next to her ear. “Come for me, Tomi,” I murmur, then bite her earlobe, sucking it into my mouth.
She gasps as I move my lips to her neck and run my teeth along her slickened skin. She shudders against me, panting breathlessly. Her back arches off the bed as her eyes close, and she shakes uncontrollably, letting me know she’s right on the cusp. I thrust again, deeper, making sure to push at just the right angle. It hits its intended target, and she moans, her pussy gripping around my cock, making me clench my eyes tight to stop myself from unloading inside of her. I’m not ready for this to be over just yet.
She climaxes hard, quivering, all while trying to keep her whimpers to an inaudible level as she rides through the wave of pleasure. Then she pants heavily, and when I know she’s made it through, and her body relaxes, I let go of her wrists, moving my hands to her hips, and flip us over. Her eyes widen as she steadies herself on top of me, and she nestles in over me. She grins, liking that I’m now giving her control.
“Now you’re in the lead, Tomi, do with me as you will.”
A mischievous glint crosses her face as she starts to rock on top of me, the different change in position making my balls pull up almost instantly. She leans forward, her nails pressing into my chest, the red tips marking my flesh, causing my skin to ripple in goose bumps. I like her being rough with me. She rides me hard, fast, unrelenting, as my hands move to her waist to help aid her movements up and down.
Fuck, she feels good like this.
Seeing her breasts bounce up and down as she rides me and the faces she’s making, she’s so fucking perfect, I can barely constrain myself. She twists her hips in just the right way—she knows what she’s doing, she’s taking charge of this, and fuck, I’m going to let her.
My fiery girl, getting all worked up again, is just what I need right now.
Her nails dig into my chest, into the artwork she’s placed on my skin, I can’t help but be turned on further by knowing that as she rocks on top of me.
The sensation starts at the tips of my toes as my spine radiates with pins and needles. My balls pull up, warning me of an impending explosion as I moan.
Her body trembles, letting me know she’s close too.
So I move one hand from her hip to her clit and start pressing, rotating on it fast. She arches her back with a long moan, and it’s all I need. Her pussy tightens around my cock, sending my balls into spasm. Tomi digs her nails into my flesh, possibly drawing blood as the pressure builds, and I groan. With a shudder, I reach my boiling point. Then she grinds down on me again, causing me to explode my hot cum inside of her. At the same time, her pussy clamps down, and she shudders during her climax.
“Fuck, Tomi!” I moan as she falls on top of me, her head in the nook of my neck and shoulder. My hands rub up her back as we both pant while coming down. Closing my eyes, I turn my head, kissing her cheek as she lays in my arms, relaxing.
“If that’s what sex with you is like, then we’re never going to leave this room,” she mumbles.
I chuckle as she raises her head and swipe the hair from her face while caressing her. “Levi might have something to say about that.”
She glances at the wall as if she can see right through it. “Did he hear?”
I tighten my hand on her cheek. “No, we’re good.”
She relaxes her muscles and gazes upon me, her face glowing like a damn angel. “Thank you,” she whispers.
“What for?”
“For being so understanding… about Levi… about how my life works. Not all men are like you. Most don’t understand at all .” She rolls off me, then snuggles into my side.
I know she’s thinking about ‘Alex’ when she says that.
Goddammit!
“Tomi, there’s nothing to be understanding about. Levi’s a great kid. I couldn’t imagine being here and him not being a part of this.” Everything I say is true. I want to be here, and I want to be a part of their lives. Levi’s a great kid, and Tomi is amazing. I’m just not too sure about what will happen when she finds out or if she’s going to want to keep me around.
She studies our naked bodies with a questioning brow, making me chuckle. “Well, Levi won’t be a part of… this .” I wave my hand around, making her giggle. “But you know what I mean. He’s a part of you, and I adore every part of you.”
She leans in, pressing her lips to mine softly, then moves back, nuzzling into my side. With Tomi lying in the nook of my arm as we bask in the afterglow, I can’t help but feel like a fraud. Everything about what we did was fucking euphoric. She’s undeniably the most perfect woman I’ve ever met, and yet I’m living this double life with her. She’s resting peacefully unaware that I’m lying to her.
Guilt flows through me in tidal waves of regret.
I should tell her.
I want to tell her.
I need to tell her.
But I know the second I do, this will be over.
And I’m not ready to give Tomi up.
No matter how this plays out, I’m damn well screwed.
Tomi’s fingers gently stroke up and down my chest. The move should be soothing, but I’m tense as hell as her soft breaths let me know at least one of us is relaxed after our amazing time together.
This is all I’ve wanted since the first time I saw her. She stole a piece of me the second I laid eyes on her, and it’s what makes this all so damn hard. Keeping this secret from her eats away at me, but I’m between a rock and a hard place.
Tomi props up on her elbow, gazing down at me. Her messy blonde hair frames her beautiful face as her lashes blink a couple of times. She’s occupied while she massages my tattooed chest.
I grab her hand, linking our fingers together. “What’s on your mind?”
She licks her lips, letting out a small sigh. Her eyes shift down like she’s ashamed. It’s a look I don’t like on her.
“It’s all good,” she replies, but I can tell straight away something’s weighing on her mind. I’m sure she’s going to talk about Alex and how much of a scumbag he is and that she’s ashamed for stooping to his level by sending that email. She needs to let this out, so I say again, “What’s on your mind? You can tell me. I’m right here… I’m listening.”
“I told my sister she was selfish.” Her voice is weak, almost broken.
I push her hair behind her ear to comfort her. “We all say things we don’t mean, Tomi.”
“I meant it. She was at college, but she was wasting her time on boys and parties, not concentrating on her grades. She was turning out like me… a damn mess.”
My brows furrow at her words. “The fuck, Tomi? You’re nowhere near a mess.”
She finally glances up at me. “Now. Now… I have to basically be a mom. I’m the responsible one.” My palm on her face tightens, and she nuzzles into it. “Before all… this… my parents said getting me my own tattoo studio would teach me how to be responsible. Would show me what it’s like to grow up, to stop my partying and staying out till the stupid hours of the morning.” She weakly smiles like she’s reliving a memory. “It started to work. Running my own business meant I had to pull my shit together. I had employees to take care of. It settled me down. I wasn’t quite there, but I was on my way.”
Her body tenses, her bottom lip quivers with the obvious memory flashing through her mind. “Kaylie looked up to me. Her big sister, the tattoo artist, owning her own studio. But I still had a party animal in me, and Kaylie wanted to be me…” She pauses like she’s having trouble saying the next part but finally continues, “She called drunk off her face, but bad drunk, the type where her drink had been spiked. She only went to that damn party because of the fight we’d had where I told her she was selfish. The problem was my parents had to go get her because big sis couldn’t come to the rescue… her stupid ass was drunk as well.”
My stomach falls through the floor as I watch Tomi’s eyes mist up, reliving the memory. I tighten my hand on her cheek, turning her to me. “Tomi, you’re not that girl anymore. You can’t carry this weight with you. Your parents having a car accident with Kaylie in the car is not your fault. You weren’t responsible for the actions of the other driver.”
Her entire body shudders as a warm tear slides down her face. “No, but if it weren’t for me, Kaylie wouldn’t have been drunk in the first place. They wouldn’t have even been in the car, and that damn truck would have never…” she trails off.
Anger surges through me that she’s been living like this for a year. Grabbing her, I spin us over, pinning her beneath me, her normally strong and stubborn frame now meek and fragile. “Stop right now, Tomi. You have to let this go, or it will eat you alive. You may not have been available for your sister at the party, but that’s more her fault than yours. It was her choice to drink, her choice to go to the damn party in the first place, and if you don’t stop dwelling on this, it’s going to suck you into a hell you can’t pull yourself from.”
I soften my voice a little, my anger ebbing more into concern for her. “You need to be available for the people who are still here, for the people who need you now. Don’t dwell on ghost stories, Tomi. Consider Levi. He needs all your attention, not glimmers of the past. Grieve for them, keep the good for sure, but don’t dwell on the negative.”
She sniffles, her hand coming up to gently caress my cheek. “Where have you been all my life, Just Xander?”
I manage a smile. “Waiting for you.”