Chapter 22
Brooke
Ithought I was the one keeping secrets. Believed my past was the only one that had ugly, painful pieces.
Not once did I think Tobias had suffered while we were apart.
Hearing that he not only struggled, but also had thoughts that could have led to him not being in front of me now is more than I can bear.
It breaks my heart. Makes me want to cry even more for him than I’ve cried for myself.
It also makes me want to make him feel better. To fix things he claims I didn’t break.
That’s probably why I find myself straddling his lap, lips suddenly on his. Kissing Tobias without really meaning to is becoming a habit of mine. And I’m less and less bothered by it.
Especially now that I’m starting to see that maybe I don’t need time to get over a failed relationship. Tobias is right. Matt and I weren’t in one.
Maybe at the beginning, but that was over long ago.
So why can’t I kiss the man willing to dig up his whole yard to make me want to stay with him? A man who buys me and my friend lunch every day. A man who worked on himself and learned how to be better because he wasn’t happy the way he was.
I can’t think of a single good reason anymore.
“Brooke.” Tobias groans against my mouth as he holds me tighter to him. One hand slides up my back to fist in my hair, tugging my head back so his lips can find their way to my neck.
We’ve been in this same spot many times before, but it was always in one of our offices. Somewhere things could only go so far. But now there’s no one sitting right outside the door. No fear another employee—or one of his brothers—could knock at any minute.
And holy cow am I grateful we’re alone, because I don’t think I can settle for any more of the one-sided bullshit he’s been giving me.
It’s been nice, don’t get me wrong. I’ve appreciated each and every orgasm Tobias Bradshaw has provided.
But being a pillow princess is way more boring than it’s cracked up to be.
“Take this off.” I grab at his T-shirt, tugging it upward. “Now.”
Even though we’ve been basically cohabitating for over a month, I’ve never even gotten a glimpse of Tobias anyway but completely clothed. And even though he’s touched—and tasted—me more times than I can count, I’ve never had the opportunity to return the favor.
That ends today.
I lean back, intending to divest him of the shirt myself, but the movement of my hands stalls when he reaches behind his head and drags the garment up and over, tossing it away.
I make a weird squeaking noise as I take in his bare upper half. Because what in the hell am I looking at? Not the twenty-two-year-old I remember, that’s for sure.
I thought I knew how much had changed about Tobias in the years we’ve been apart.
I was wrong. Holy hell has the man filled out.
His chest is broad and toned with a scattering of dark hair that’s going to feel so good against my skin.
His shoulders are set wide and strong, and the way they flex when he moves is almost hypnotizing.
And then there’s his abs. The man has no business having so many abs. Especially with as much damn dessert as he eats.
Shamefully, they’re what claims my attention first. I’ve never actually touched a stomach like the one he’s sporting, and I can’t resist the lure.
I trail the tips of my fingers over his heated skin, exploring a body that’s not even remotely familiar.
The muscles there jump and clench under my touch, and a second later, Tobias is laughing, one big hand coming to block me.
“Are you tickling me on purpose?” He sits up straight, bringing his front to mine. “Because that would just be mean.”
“I wasn’t tickling.” I grip his shoulders as I try to maintain my balance. “I was touching.” Looping an arm around his shoulders, I pause while he presses a kiss to my lips. “You just aren’t used to it because you haven’t allowed me to do it before.”
Tobias’s eyes hold mine as he turns serious. “I wanted you to know that nothing I give you comes with expectations.”
If I hadn’t already decided I was going to suck out his soul through his dick, that statement would have been motivation enough.
“You might not have expectations”—I grip his jaw, making sure he hears what I say—“but I do. And if you get to touch me, I expect to get to touch you.” I angle a brow at him. “Understand?”
Tobias’s lips curve into an easy smile. “Yes, ma’am.”
He better, because I’m about to touch the hell out of him.
Sliding off his lap requires a little bit of an unsexy limp noodle impression, because Tobias doesn’t seem to want to let me go.
But I manage to make it—even if it’s somewhat ungracefully—to the floor.
Positioned between his spread legs, I slide my hands over the worn fabric of his jeans, giving the thick, muscular thighs beneath a little bit of a squeeze as I go.
Reaching for his waistband, I watch his face as I flip the button of the fly free and carefully lower the zipper.
Tobias’s eyes follow my every move, pupils dilating as his breathing speeds up. Seeing how much he wants me to touch him—even if he won’t admit it or ask for it—makes me feel almost dizzy. Powerful in a weird way.
I want more of that feeling.
Spreading his pants open, I tug them down just a little to make sure there won’t be any zipper mishaps, then I go for the waistband of his black briefs.
The hard line of his dick is already fighting the cotton fabric, leaving a dark spot of wetness where the head is trapped just beneath the elastic.
Anticipation claws at my insides as I pull the stretchy edge up and over, displaying his cock in all its glory.
Yeah. He’s definitely filled out. All over the place.
Or maybe I just got used to being underwhelmed.
“Fucking hell, Brooke.” Tobias groans, his hands clenching to fists at his sides. “If you keep looking at it like that, I’m going to come before you even touch me.”
I lift my eyes to his face. “That sounds messy.”
“It is.” Tobias is breathless. “That’s why I keep a change of clothes in my office now.”
My heart is racing as I trace a path down his length, the velvety smooth feel of his skin making my mouth water. “Smart thinking.”
“Fuck.” Tobias starts to reach for me, but drops his hand before it connects. “That feels so good.”
I can’t stop the little laugh that sneaks out. “Last time I touched you like this you said it tickled.”
“You can tickle me there whenever you want.” The words rush from his mouth, turning to a groan as my touch shifts, fist gripping him tight. “Or just do that.”
I plan to do way more than that, and I’m honestly tired of teasing us both, so I lean forward, wrapping my lips around him. The slickness already collected at his slit is salty against my tongue as I work my way over him, taking his length deeper and deeper with each pass.
This act has never been particularly appealing to me, but the sounds Tobias is making—the words of praise and appreciation roughly passing through his lips—are making this moment one I’m already eager to rep—
“Shit.” Tobias’s fingers fork into my hair, pulling tight as he drags my mouth off his dick.
I’m not expecting the action, so all my focus goes to making sure my teeth don’t get involved. Straightening in surprise, I look up just as Tobias grips his glistening cock, big hand squeezing tight as lines of cum streak across the abs I’m so fascinated by.
And I’ve got to admit, I think I like them even better like this.
I can’t explain why, but seeing Tobias breathing heavy, covered in the cum I’m responsible for, has my thighs pressing together against a throb of heat.
Knowing how much I enjoyed having him in my mouth makes me eager to find out how good he’ll feel other places.
Unfortunately, I’ll have to wait to find out because Tobias has already—
I tip my head as his dick flexes, looking just as hard as it was before.
He flashes me a smirk as he grabs his discarded T-shirt and swipes away the mess. “Impressed?”
I mean… A little.
Tobias tosses away the shirt and crooks a finger at me. “Come here.”
That’s the plan.
Before doing as he requests, I stand, pushing down my panties and kicking them away. This time when I settle on top of him, there’s much less between us. I can’t fight the urge to rub against him. I want…
I want…
I want him. In ways that scare me a little. But there’s only one of those ways that matters right now, so I push everything else to the side as I lean forward, putting my lips on his.
Tobias pulls me close, his hands moving over me.
My back. My arms. My thighs. He shoves up my dress, leaning back to look down where our bodies are pressed together.
There’s pure, unrestrained lust in his expression as his hips flex, dragging the back of his dick along my slit to rub against my clit.
My head drops forward at how good it feels. How good he feels.
And I want more.
Tobias makes an unhappy sound of protest when I shift, separating us.
But it’s only for a second. Because after a quick adjustment to the angle of my body, the head of him is pushing into me, stretching just a little as I sink over him.
Tobias’s arms wrap around my back, hands flexing against the fabric of my dress as I start to move. His face is close to mine as he begins to move with me, thrusting up as I come down. Each breath passes from my lungs to his as I lose myself in the moment. In him.
In us.
Sex has never felt like this, and I don’t want it to end. But with him sitting up like he is, each move has my clit grinding against his pelvis, and it’s too much while also being exactly right.
“That’s it.” Tobias’s voice is low. “Use me. Take what you need.”
His lips move against my neck, trailing along the scoop of my dress’s neckline.
When a finger hooks into the fabric, pulling it and my bra to one side so his mouth can lock onto my nipple, I tip right over the edge.
It’s so much more than I’m expecting, and it overwhelms me.
Leaves me shaking and weak, with ringing ears and useless limbs.
It also leaves me with tears running down my face. I don’t even notice them until Tobias’s lips track their path over my cheeks, his voice low as he tells me how perfect I am. How beautiful. How strong.
How brave.
It barely registers as he stands from the couch, kicking away his pants before carrying me upstairs. After peeling away my dress and replacing it with a T-shirt that smells like his skin, he slides me under the covers and stretches out beside me.
Pulling me close, he presses a kiss to my head and says, “Go to sleep, Brooklyn Marie.”
I feel wrung out. In good ways and bad. Like I was stripped emotionally bare. All the old awful thoughts and feelings that plagued me seem far away now.
But without them in the way, I’m forced to face the truth they were blocking.
I’m falling in love with Tobias Bradshaw.
“You hungry?” His voice is sleepy in my ear as he pulls me closer. “I think I’ve got some strawberry Pop-Tarts we can play catch with.”
I smile in spite of the riot happening in my head. “Do you really have them, or are you just making a joke?”
“Both.” Tobias’s hand strokes over my hair. “I told you I’m doing everything I can think of to keep you here with me.”
I snuggle into his chest, fingers tracing along the scatter of hair there. “And that plan includes Pop-Tarts?”
“That plan includes whatever I think will sweeten the deal.” He twists a strand of my hair around one finger. “Pop-Tarts. A swimming pool.” He tucks his chin, looking down at me. “How do you feel about miniature cows?”
“Miniature cows?” I’m not sure where that came from. “I think I’m more of a dog person.”
Tobias angles a brow. “You sure?”
“Positive.” I give his skin a little pinch. “I do want those Pop-Tarts you promised though.”
“Say less.” Tobias slides away from me, straightening to his full height before stretching with a grunt.
I can’t help but stare as he tucks the blankets back around me. He took the time to put me in a shirt but skipped any sort of coverings for himself, so the hard lines of his body are on full display.
And they are all hard.
“Don’t get any ideas.” He kisses me. “You need to eat something.”
I lean up as he turns, taking in the perfect curve of his ass. “Then can I get ideas?”
He pauses to grin at me over one shoulder. “Then you can get ideas.”
I huff out a breath. “Fine. But the longer I have to think, the more ideas I’m going to have.”
Tobias’s smile widens. “In that case, I might make you eat a whole pack of Pop-Tarts.”