Chapter 19
CHAPTER NINETEEN
“This is so much better than a closet,” I murmur into the side of her neck as I pull her back into me. “You were phenomenal tonight, Red.”
Tinsley tilts her head to look up at me over her shoulder. “Thanks, Jack. I love when I get to perform with Fiona, it’s so rare that it works with our schedules. Can you believe there were still stories getting run today that her and I are in a massive feud?”
“Just goes to show you that the press doesn’t really care about if a story is true, so long as it gets them clicks and views. If they knew the truth, no one would ever make such an outlandish claim about you two.”
“It’s really insane. She’s my best friend and one of my favorite people in the world.”
“Oh, really? And what am I?”
“Did you want to be my best friend, Jack? Should we get matching BFF necklaces?” She turns in my arms and giggles—my favorite sound.
“I don’t know about that. I’m not sure best friends do things like this.” I run my hand along her jawline, tilting her head back and guiding her face to meet mine.
The kiss is innocent enough at first, but quickly escalates, until I pull back. “What about your ribs? I don’t want to hurt you.” I’m panting, but I will always put her needs and wellbeing first—that’s nonnegotiable.
“Jack, I mean this in the nicest way possible.” She rises back up and nibbles on my lip ever so gently before pressing her forehead into mine and whispering against my lips, “I’m fine. Now shut the hell up and kiss me. This is not the time for talking.”
“Oh, really? What is the—” Whatever my next thought was goes right out the window as Tinsley reaches down, undoes my belt, and releases the button before grabbing at the fly.
“Oh, hell yes.” I squat down and pick her up by her thighs, which she immediately wraps around me as I turn and walk us to the bedroom while she trails kisses up and down my neck.
I wanted to do this when we were in Nashville, but having sex together for the first time in her brother and my best friend’s house didn’t feel quite right.
Also, she was injured, and despite her brave face, she could barely even walk without wincing in pain.
I drew a hard line while she was healing, and instead just had to deal with my own hard situation.
But this is better. It’s just the two of us, and I finally get to make her mine.
In a blur of tangled clothes, we help each other undress, and I turn us so she is on top because I’m also not sure I fully believe her that she’s not in any pain after performing tonight. So, I will be as gentle as possible and also prevent my body weight from pressing into any of her healing ribs.
She traces my quarter sleeve tattoo that most people don’t know I have.
The intricate designs wraps up my bicep, engulfing my shoulder and spreads across my chest. The tattoo features an antique nautical compass, a large sailor’s knot in a figure-eight configuration, with a vintage map in the background and constellations interwoven throughout, but you only see those if you know they are there.
“But I thought you’re a Gemini, not a Capricorn...” she trails off as she discovers the hidden Gemini design close to the Capricorn sea-goat symbol, which the compass is positioned so the arrow points to it.
“I am.”
“But … I’m a Capricorn.” Tinsley raises her eyes, and they are filled with emotion and questions. I can handle the emotions, but she doesn’t need to question anything when it comes to me.
“I know. You’re my own North Star, Red.” I run a finger along the side of her face, down her neck, and the swell of her breasts. “You are absolutely exquisite, Tinsley.”
“You beautiful man.” She swipes away a rogue tear before thrusting her fingers into my hair and gently tugging, like she somehow knows how that drives me nuts when she does it. “Do you even know how gorgeous you are, Jack?”
“If you keep doing that, things are going to be over much faster than I’d like,” I say as she grinds down on me.
“Then no more waiting, Jack. I think we’ve waited long enough, don’t you?” That question is about so much more than tonight, and the emotions that rise in my chest in response are so much bigger than a single night could ever be, and all I can do is nod.
“Yeah, Red, we definitely have.”
Tinsley hums in agreement before reaching down and positioning me to enter a paradise that is even better than my sweetest dream.
“You’re fucking perfect, Tinsley,” I manage to get out as she chases her pleasure, and her grin only solidifies my claim. We chase our release together, without anything between us, and if she hadn’t already taken possession of it long ago, she would have stolen my heart tonight.
She’s not only gorgeous and especially as she calls out my name riding out her release. Tinsley is talented, intelligent, and kind on a regular day, but right now, she’s absolutely radiant.
And she is absolutely mine.