Chapter 15
FIFTEEN
LUCY
I’m still curled up against Tiny’s chest, my face tucked into the warm space between his neck and shoulder.
He’s so big that the guest bed barely holds both of us.
His legs hang off the end a little and his shoulders take up most of the pillow, but he doesn’t seem to mind.
One of his huge arms is wrapped around me like he’s afraid I might disappear if he lets go. I don’t want him to.
I haven’t moved in what feels like hours.
The sun is fully up now, light slipping through the blinds and painting soft stripes across the room.
I should probably get up. I should probably start figuring out what my life looks like now that I don’t have a home to go back to.
But right now all I want is to stay right here, listening to Tiny’s steady heartbeat and feeling his fingers trace slow circles on my back.
Scarlett had poked her head in earlier and told me I could stay in the guest room as long as I wanted. No pressure, no time limit. She said it so casually, like offering someone a place to stay after their whole world fell apart was the most normal thing in the world. I almost started crying again.
Tiny shifts a little, trying to get more comfortable without squishing me. “You awake?” he asks, voice rough and sleepy.
“Yeah.” I tilt my head back so I can see his face. His eyes are soft, worried. “I don’t know what I’m going to do.”
He brushes my hair back from my face. “You don’t have to figure it all out today. Scarlett said you can stay here. Or you can come stay with me. My place isn’t fancy, but it’s yours if you want it. No pressure either way.”
I bite my lip and look down at where my hand is resting on his chest. The choice feels huge.
Staying with Scarlett would be safe and easy.
She’s already been so kind, and I wouldn’t feel like I’m imposing on Tiny so soon.
But the thought of waking up next to him, of having him close every night, makes something warm bloom in my chest.
“I don’t want to be a burden,” I whisper.
“You’re not.” His arm tightens around me. “You could never be a burden, Buttercup. I want you with me. But I know this is a lot. You’ve had your whole life flipped upside down in one night. Whatever you choose, I’ve got your back.”
I stay quiet for a while, just listening to his heartbeat and thinking.
Staying with Tiny feels scary and exciting at the same time.
It’s fast. Really fast. But everything between us has felt fast in the best way.
He makes me feel safe. He makes me feel seen.
And after last night, I don’t want to be alone.
“I think…” I take a shaky breath. “I think I want to stay with you. If that’s really okay.”
Tiny’s whole body relaxes. He presses a kiss to the top of my head. “It’s more than okay. It’s exactly what I want too.”
We stay tangled up a little longer, neither of us ready to face the day yet. Eventually Scarlett knocks softly on the door and tells us she made breakfast. Tiny helps me up, keeping one arm around my waist like he knows I still feel unsteady.
When we walk into the kitchen together, Scarlett gives me a knowing little smile but doesn’t push. Rook just nods at Tiny like everything is settled. I sit down at the table with Tiny’s hand on my knee under the table.
We sit at the kitchen table for a while longer.
Scarlett had made a big stack of pancakes, crispy bacon, and a fresh pot of coffee.
The smell fills the whole house and makes everything feel a little less heavy.
Everyone drinks coffee and eats quietly.
Tiny keeps his hand on my knee under the table the whole time, a steady, reassuring weight.
Eventually I push my plate away and stand up.
“I’m going to get dressed,” I say softly.
Scarlett stands up too. “I’ll come with you.”
We walk back to the guest room together. Once the door closes behind us, Scarlett turns to me with gentle eyes. “You don’t have to leave today, you know. You can stay here as long as you need. There’s no rush.”
I sit on the edge of the bed and look down at my hands. “I know. And I’m really grateful. You and Rook have been so kind to me. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you last night.”
She sits beside me and bumps my shoulder lightly. “But…?”
I take a shaky breath. “But I want to stay with Tiny. I know it’s fast and maybe a little crazy, but he makes me feel safe. He makes me feel like I’m not broken or ruined or whatever Dad said I am. I want to try this with him.”
Scarlett studies me for a moment, then smiles softly. “Then that’s what you should do. Just know the door here is always open if you ever need it. Day or night. And if that big idiot does anything to hurt you, I’ll kick his ass myself.”
I laugh through the tears that threaten to spill again. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
She pulls me into a quick, tight hug. “You’re stronger than you think, Lucy. Don’t let last night make you forget that.”
When she leaves I change into the clothes I managed to pack, jeans and a soft sweater.
I feel a little more like myself once I’m dressed, even if everything still feels overwhelming.
Tiny is waiting for me in the living room when I come out.
He stands up the second he sees me, eyes warm and worried.
“Ready?” he asks.
I nod and slip my hand into his. “Yeah. I’m ready.”
We walk over to Scarlett and Rook in the living room. Scarlett pulls me into another hug, holding me tight for a long moment. “I’ll check in on you later,” she whispers against my hair. “You’ve got this.”
Rook just gives Tiny a single, meaningful nod. The kind of look that says everything without words, like he’s promising to have Tiny’s back if anything goes wrong, and that he’s proud of him for stepping up.
Then we’re outside. Tiny straps my bag securely to the back of his bike, helps me with the helmet, and swings his leg over.
I climb on behind him and wrap my arms tight around his waist, pressing close.
The ride to his place is quiet and calm, the morning sun warm on my back and the wind rushing past us. I feel like I can actually breathe.
When we pull up to his apartment, he helps me off the bike and carries my bag inside. The place is a one bedroom, with big furniture and a big television. It’s clean but also there’s not much to it.
“It’s not much, but it’s home. And now it’s yours too. Whatever you need, space in the closet, a drawer, anything, just take it. I want you to feel like you belong here.”
I step into his arms and hold on tight. “Thank you. You’re always coming to save me.”
“You saved me first, Buttercup.”
We spend the next little while unpacking the few things I brought.
I hang up a couple of shirts in his closet next to his hoodies and jeans.
When we’re done he pulls me back into bed, even though it’s the middle of the day.
I don’t argue. I just curl up against him, head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat.
“We’ll take it slow,” he murmurs, fingers running through my hair. “One day at a time. You’ve got work and school. I’ve got the club. But we’ll make this work. I promise.”
I nod against him. “I’m scared. Everything is changing so fast.”
“I know. But you’re not doing it alone anymore.” He tilts my chin up so I’m looking at him. His eyes are warm and serious. “You’re really important to me, Buttercup. More than I’ve ever told you. I’m gonna do everything I can to make sure you feel safe and happy here, with me.”
Something inside me cracks open. I look into his eyes, cup his cheek with my hand, and kiss him deeply.
At first it’s sweet and full of everything I’m feeling, but Tiny takes over almost immediately.
The kiss turns hot and hungry in minutes.
His hand slides to the back of my neck, holding me closer as he deepens it, tongue stroking mine in a way that makes heat flood through my whole body.
He grips my hips with both hands and pulls me on top of him.
I straddle his lap, my knees sinking into the mattress on either side of him.
A low, filthy groan rumbles in his chest as I settle against him.
I move against him experimentally, rolling my hips, and he moans into my mouth, the sound deep and raw.
“Fuck, Lucy…” he growls against my lips.
That sound undoes me. I pull back just enough to tug my sweater off over my head and drop it on the floor.
Tiny’s eyes darken as he takes me in. He leans up immediately, one hand sliding up my back as he kisses me hard, then trails hot, open-mouthed kisses down my neck.
I tilt my head to give him better access, gasping when his teeth graze my skin and his tongue soothes the sting.
My hands shake a little as I reach behind me and unsnap my bra. I let it fall away. Tiny’s breath catches. “Goddamn, baby,” he rasps, voice thick with want. “Look at you. So fucking perfect.”
He leans in and captures one nipple in his mouth, sucking hard enough to make me cry out.
His other hand palms my breast, thumb teasing the sensitive peak while he works me with his tongue and teeth.
I arch into him, fingers threading through his hair, hips grinding down against the hard length of him through our clothes.
He switches to my other breast, sucking harder, one big hand sliding down to grip my ass and guide my movements. The friction is driving me crazy. I can feel how hard he is beneath me, and the thought that I’m the one making him like this only makes me wetter.
Tiny pulls back just enough to look at me, lips swollen, eyes dark. “You’re so wet already, aren’t you?” he murmurs, voice dirty and low. “I can feel how hot you are through your jeans. You gonna let me make you feel good, Buttercup?”
I nod desperately. He flips us so I’m on my back, then kisses his way down my body. He peels my jeans and panties off slowly, eyes locked on mine the whole time. When I’m bare beneath him, he groans.
“Fuck, look at this pretty pussy,” he says, voice rough. He spreads my thighs wider and leans in, dragging his tongue through my folds in one long, slow lick. I cry out, hips jerking. He does it again, then focuses on my clit, sucking gently while two thick fingers slide inside me.
I’ve never felt anything like this. The pleasure builds fast and overwhelming. My hands fist in the sheets as he works me with his mouth and fingers, curling them just right, sucking harder when I start to shake.
“That’s it,” he growls against me. “Come for me, baby. Let me feel you.”
The orgasm crashes over me hard and sudden. I cry out his name, thighs trembling around his head as waves of pleasure roll through me. He doesn’t stop until I’m shaking and whimpering, only then does he kiss his way back up my body and pull me into his arms.
I’m still panting, dazed, when he presses a soft kiss to my forehead.
“First time?” he asks gently.
I nod, burying my face in his neck, embarrassed and glowing at the same time.
He holds me tighter. “Good. I want all your firsts, Buttercup. Every single one.”