Chapter 9
T he ride back to Providence’s house was quiet, the silence broken only by occasional small talk. She didn’t know what to say. Her thoughts raced through her mind at hyper speed. Stoked by worry, anger, and the urge to do something—anything—made her want to climb out of her skin. Everything Tony had said as they drove to check on the location made complete sense, even if she didn’t like it.
Huddling into the corner of the front seat, she tried to make herself as small as possible. As she stared out the window, her frayed emotions ripped at her.
There’d been so much of everything for the last week. From finding out Tony wanted her to be his, the adrenalin boost when she believed they might rescue everyone tonight and working her ass to heal her patients.
She’d been so foolish. This is why Providence needed to stay in her lane. Practicing medicine was her thing. She needed to leave the rescues to the people who knew what the hell they were doing.
“We’re here,” Tony said quietly.
“Oh. Sorry. Thank you for tonight and straitening me out. Will you let me know when you get any updates?” Proud that she didn’t sound as devastated as she felt, she even attempted a smile. From the look on his face, she hadn’t succeeded.
“Will you invite me in, sweetheart?” His voice continued to be soothing and gentle. Like he could see inside and know how distraught she was.
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea.” She wasn’t in a good place, going between feeling numb and on fire. It hurt to have anything touch her.
“You’re hurting, baby. Let me make sure you’re okay. That’s all. If you want me to leave, I will.”
His face was in shadows, making his expression unreadable. Earlier, she’d agreed to trust him, and he hadn’t only meant with the rescue mission. He’d meant with everything. She’d agreed. But she hadn’t expected to feel shell-shocked after their excursion. But it wasn’t his fault.
“Providence?” He cupped her cheek in his hand. “Let me help. I know today was a lot.”
Unable to bring herself to answer, she nodded. Hopefully she’d feel better after a good night’s sleep, if she could get one. Those had been few lately. So much stress and no outlet threatened to drag her out of her happy place. Who wouldn’t be feeling the same way in her shoes?
Tony came around to her side and helped her out of the Jeep. Then he took her hand as they made their way to the front door, then used her keys to let them in.
“Why don’t you go get comfortable, and I’ll make you some tea. Unless you want something stronger?”
“Stronger sounds wonderful, but I’ll take the tea. Thank you.”
“You don’t have to thank me.” He smiled and squeezed her hand before letting go. “It’s all part of the service, ma’am.”
She nodded but couldn’t bring herself to return his smile. It was obvious. He was worried about her, but she didn’t know how to make it better. “I’ll be right back. Make yourself at home.” Providence gestured toward the living room, then headed up the stairs to her bedroom.
After making a beeline for the master bath, she tore off her clothes and dropped them in the hamper. As she turned to start the water, she glimpsed herself in the mirror and was horrified. No wonder Tony was being so gentle with her. Dark circles and red-rimmed eyes staring back at her made her look like death warmed over. Mercy.
He probably thought she’d keel over any second. It could happen. The shakiness worried her. The muscles in her legs quivered with exhaustion and she grabbed onto the edge of the vanity to steady herself. Maybe the bug had finally gotten her? If so, it was at the worst possible moment.
Gah. Hopefully a shower would help. She reached into the shower and adjusted the temperature, before she stepped inside. The shock of the hot water made her flinch until she acclimated to the heat and her muscles relaxed. Grabbing her favorite peach body wash, she soaped and rinsed off. Unfortunately, the quick shower didn’t pull her out of the numb stupor, then had sunk in on the ride home.
After drying off, Providence wrapped the towel around her and opened the bathroom door. The cooler bedroom air chased away the steamy warmth of the bathroom. Shivering, she hurried to her walk-in closet. She grabbed a pair of panties, pink yoga pants, and a matching sweatshirt. The clothes helped, but her feet were freezing. Finding a pair of socks that matched, she pulled them on her feet. “Thank God. That’s so much better,” she mumbled.
Another glance in the mirror and she reached for her brush. More hair had fallen out of her high ponytail than was still held by the elastic. As she brushed it out, she was happy to see her cheeks had some color again. She still didn’t feel like herself, not really. The dark circles were still there. It would probably take a week straight of nothing but sleep to fix those.
The numbness freaked her out, and she didn’t know how to fix it. Contemplating the last few hours, she wanted to cry, but no tears would come. Fuck it. She’d been up in her room trying to figure shit out, but she’d left Tony all alone. Taking a deep breath, she silently made her way downstairs in search of Tony.
P rovidence stopped at the bottom of the stairs and heard the television. She’d certainly taken long enough for him to make the tea and get comfortable in her living room.
“Hi,” she said hesitantly as she entered the room.
He popped up from the couch and wrapped her in his soothing embrace. It felt so good. She almost moaned.
“I’m sorry I took so long.”
“No worries, sweetheart. Your tea is probably the perfect drinking temperature now.” He pulled her to her sofa and waited as she got comfortable. Then he handed her the mug of tea and sat next to her.
“Thank you. Aren’t you having anything?” Then she saw the glass of iced tea he had on the coffee table. “Iced? Aren’t you cold?”
“It’s not cold darlin’.”
She trembled from the bone-deep chill. Even as she realized he was right, she still couldn’t shake it. If she was a patient, she’d have diagnosed shock, but what could have caused it? Nothing horrible had happened tonight, other than she couldn’t get out of her own head.
Tony grabbed the crocheted blanket off the back of the couch and draped it over her lap. “Better?”
“Yes. Thank you. You’re being too sweet.”
“Really? I don’t think that’s a thing. And if you said that to anyone I work with, or even family, they’d never believe it.”
Providence took a sip of her tea and grinned behind the mug. Just being near him helped to ease the gray numbness covering her like a shroud. After another sip, she set her mug on the coffee table and snuggled against Tony’s side. He hummed his approval and pulled her closer.
“Is this okay?” She didn’t want to overstep. Hell, she really didn’t know how to do this. The whole weird numb thing didn’t help either.
“The only thing that would make it better is to have you on my lap.” He smiled.
“I think I might be a little too old to sit on anyone’s lap. Except maybe Santa. I might be tempted to do that.”
Tony chuckled. “So you’re saying I have to dress up as Santa Claus to get you to sit on my lap?”
“Hmm, maybe? Remember, I said I might sit on his lap. Nothing definite.”
“God, woman, you’re killing me. Are you still cold?”
“A little, but I’m warming up. You’re like my own personal heater.”
“Happy to be of service, ma’am,” he teased and tipped an imaginary hat.
Providence giggled and pinched his side.
“Ouch. I didn’t deserve that. But I’m glad you’re not staring into space anymore. Want to talk about it?”
“No. Maybe. Why do I feel like you’re always trying to pry shit out of me?”
“Because I want to know everything about you. I’m going to make it my life’s work to learn all your secrets and find out your deepest desires. Then I’ll do my best to fulfill each one of them.”
Providence leaned back so she could see his face. He looked completely serious, but how could he be that invested in a relationship after not even a week? She’d heard of people meeting and falling in love, but she never believed in it. She wasn’t sure she believed it now either. “Why would you want to know everything? Are you saying you’re in love with me?”
“I wouldn’t say I’m in love. Would you believe extreme like? Though, I’m not ruling out the other four letter “L” word.”
“You might be a little crazy…”
“Crazy for you, maybe. The need to protect you and keep you safe is riding me hard. And before you freak out, no, I won’t ever tell you what to do. Or stop you from doing what you want, but I’d hope we discuss it like adults.”
Providence listened to his words. Maybe he wasn’t entirely crazy. In the short time she’d been cuddling with him on the couch, her senses were waking up and the fog dissipating. No one in her life had ever done that before.
“Okay. I’m on board with extreme like.”
“Thank fuck. How do you feel about some kissing while we ignore what’s on TV?”
“Hmm, you might be able to persuade me.”
Tony slid his hand beneath her knees and kept the other one tight around her shoulders as he lifted onto his lap.
“Wait, what are you doing?”
“Putting you in the perfect kissing position.” Tony waggled his eyebrows.
Before she could respond, he leaned forward and rested his forehead against hers. “I have it bad for you, Providence. Please don’t break my heart.”
Providence blinked back tears at his whispered words. She didn’t know if she could make that promise. Hurting him wasn’t in any plan she could imagine. She was even pretty sure he’d already stolen a piece of her heart.
He slanted his head and rubbed his lips against hers. The kiss started out gently. When she moaned as desire flared over her skin, he slid his tongue into her mouth. Rubbing against hers, she sucked on him. He tasted like sweet tea and mint. Inhaling his scent of fresh air and spiciness, had her rubbing against him.
Sliding her hands over his pecs and around his neck to play with his hair. As she pulling him closer, every swipe of his tongue stoked the flames of her desire. She never wanted the kiss to end and moaned as he released her lips.
“More. I need more.” She shifted until she was straddling his lap. Then she slid forward and rubbed against his hard cock. “Mmm, is that all for me?”
“Always, but I’m trying to be a gentleman here. When?—”
Providence put her finger over his lips to stop him from talking. Leaning forward, she nibbled on his earlobe and whispered, “What if I want more?”
His beautiful brown eyes searched her face, and she he could see her truth. That she desired him more than her next breath. As she continued to rub against him, she wondered if he could feel her how wet she was for him. Her panties were soaked, probably her yoga pants too. Now that the shock had worn off, all ached with need for him. Her nipples pebbled under her sweatshirt, and she rubbed them against his chest. Needy for any contact she could have.
“I don’t want you to regret this tomorrow,” Tony whispered against her lips.
“Never. Are you going to make me beg?”
The sound that came out of his mouth sounded close to a growl. “As much as I’d love to hear that, no, I’m not. Hold on.”
Before the words registered in her brain, he stood with her in his arms.
Providence wrapped her legs around his waist. “I’m too heavy?—”
“You’re not. You’re absofuckinglutely perfect. I don’t want to hear you say that ever again.”
“What would you do?”
“I’d come up with something.”
Providence giggled.
“Where are we going?” Tony asked as he stopped at the bottom of the stairs.
“I don’t know. You’re the one carrying me.” Yeah, it was snarky, but she couldn’t help it. Happiness bubbled up inside her and the dormant butterflies took flight. When he rolled his eyes at her, she smirked. “Up the stairs, first open door on your right.”
If she hadn’t been so turned on, she’d probably have made him put her down. It was crazy that he carried her up the stairs and wasn’t even breathing heavy. She wasn’t tall, not much over five feet tall, but years of working out made her solid. No one had tried to pick since she was a small child.
“I’m going to have to call you superman, you know. I didn’t know you were so strong, plus you’ve got a steel rod in your jeans.”
“Wait till you see what I can do with my rod,” Tony murmured as he slid her against him until her feet were on the carpet.
“Yes, please. I can’t wait.”
The longing in his gaze as he undressed her took her breath away.
“Oh, doctor, are you going commando this evening?”
“I’m not commando, just without a bra. But it’s just for you, Commander Knox. Only you.” Where had this vixen come from? She’d never flirted like this. But then, no man had ever made her crazy with need the way Tony did. “Did you just growl?”
“I want to think about you being with anyone else. You’re driving me out of my mind and my cock is so hard, I am struggling not to come inside my jeans. I won’t be able to hold off once I’m inside your hot little pussy.”
“Mercy. You’re killing me.”
“It’s mutual, sweetheart.” He sucked in a breath as he lowered her yoga pants and panties and revealed her bare skin. “Fuck, you’re so beautiful.”
He lifted her panties to his face and closed his eyes as he inhaled. “Delicious.”
Providence’s face flamed with heat. Goosebumps rose on her skin, and she shivered. This time not from the cold, but from need.
“My turn,” she said and reached for his shirt.
“Not this time, baby. I need you too much.” He lifted her and tossed her into the center of the bed. By the time she’d settled, he was naked and crawling toward her like a lion stalking his prey.
His cock bobbed against his stomach. Her mouth watered as a bead of pre-cum formed on the head. She’d known he was large from when she’d straddled him. A steel rod was an understatement. It was wide too. She wouldn’t be able to wrap her hand all around his girth. She’d be lucky to sit down tomorrow. The thought made her smile.
“What’s that wicked grin for, baby?” Tony asked as he nuzzled her neck.
His sculpted chest rubbed against her sensitive breasts, teasing her nipples into hard peaks.
“I was thinking of trying to walk tomorrow after being impaled by your monster dick.”
He lifted his head and searched her face. “We don’t have to…”
“Fuck, yes, we do. You better not think about stopping now or you’ll be sorry.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.” Tony gave her a cocky grin and nipped her shoulder. Kissing his way down her chest, he licked and nibbled her nipple. Teasing it with his teeth and tongue. “Perfection.”
“Tony…” she whined and arched her back, needing everything.
“Shhh, baby. I’ve got you.” Taking her nipple into his mouth, he sucked and licked as she writhed beneath him. Her thigh rubbed against his cock, as his pre-cum left a trail on his skin. Then he cupped her other breast and pinched the nipple, making her moan.
Providence was so wet. Her juices slid between her ass cheeks. She hissed as he inserted a finger and then a second inside her pussy and tongued her clit.
“Tony. I need more.”
“Fuck. You’re so tight, baby. I’m gonna need you to come for me. I need to make sure I don’t hurt you.” He fucked her with his fingers, and continued to suck on her swollen nub, nibbling, licking, teasing her until she screamed.
Providence screamed as she tightened around his fingers, chasing her release. Panting, until her world exploded in stars.
Tony gentled his licking as her breathing slowed. Helping her ride out her climax. As he removed his fingers from her pussy, her juices leaked out, but she didn’t have the energy to care.
“You are my new favorite meal,” he said as he licked his fingers clean. “Mmm, so tasty.”
Providence blushed. Damn. He had a dirty mouth during sex. Definitely not what she expected. She loved it, too. Who knew she liked sexy talk during sex? And Tempest thought he was boring? Not that she’d share any of this with them. She didn’t kiss and tell.
“Tony, please fuck me.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, and if you ask me again, I’m going to twist your balls.”
Tony laughed. “Well, okay then.”
He rolled off the bed and reached into his jeans, and grabbed a condom from his wallet. “Do you want to put it on?”
Hell yeah, she did. She sat up and reached for the gold wrapper in his hand. Then she tore it open with her teeth.
She couldn’t resist taking him, especially as she watched the pre-cum slide over the head of his cock and run down the side. Leaning forward, she licked around the silky skin down his shaft to the base. His growl reignited her yearning. Taking his head into her mouth and she slid her tongue over the slit, and let her gaze meet his. His expression looked almost feral as he groaned, and he twisted her hair around his hand and pulled away from her.
“Baby, if you don’t stop, I’m going to come in your mouth. I’m not twenty anymore. I won’t recover right away, and I really want to be inside your pussy this first time.”
As much as she wanted to suck on him, she needed him to fuck her more. Quickly, she rolled the condom over his thick length.
“I want you on your hands and knees, baby. Turn over for me.”
His words took her by surprise, and she hesitated for a moment until his quirked eyebrow sent another wave of desire making her clit throb. Why hadn’t she realized he’d be so dominant? It’s what he did. Who he was. Not that it bothered her. Just hearing that commanding voice made her nipples harder and her inner muscles flutter.
“Are you going to make me ask again?”
Longing surged along her nerve endings, setting off sparks. She didn’t answer, but flipped over onto her stomach and got up on her knees. The bed shifted under his weight as he knelt behind her, gripping her hips hard enough she’d probably bruise. Having him leave his mark on her? Hell yeah.
Providence moaned as Tony rubbed his cock along her slit and cover her clit. He was taking too long. She needed him to fill her. Then he did. With one hard thrust, he buried himself to the root. His balls smacked her ass.
“Oh my God, baby. You’re so tight,” He groaned his words, but didn’t move, letting her adjust to his size.
She’d never felt so full. It was right on the edge of pleasure and pain. It didn’t take long for her need to surge. “Please move,” she begged as she pushed against him.
His hands gripped her harder, his fingers digging into his hips. “Fuck me,” he cursed. Then he pulled almost all the way out, then trusting deep. He reached around and slid his fingers through her juices, then pinched and rubbed her clit until she was begging for her release.
“Harder.” She was so close. She just needed a little more to push her over the edge.
“I need to see your face as you come.” Tony pulled out and flipped her over.
His hands rested on the bed, next to her head, keeping her knees up to her chest, and spreading her wide open. As his gaze met hers, he pushed all the way in, hitting her G-spot. Over and over, he increased his rhythm until she couldn’t take anymore. “You take my breath away, baby. Holy hell.”
“Yes. Oh. My. God,” she cried out, arching her back. No one had ever been so deep inside her. Her vision dimmed as the most intense orgasm of her life surged through her. Stealing her breath and the ability to think. Her fingers gripped his biceps as he continued to pump into her.
“Fuck, Providence. I’m going to come, baby.” With one last deep thrust, he shouted her name. His body jerked with this release as her core continued to throb.
Tony rested his forehead against hers as they caught their breath. “That was incredible,” he murmured.
“When can we do it again?” Providence grinned. Teasing him. She couldn’t have moved if her life depended on it. He’d taken everything, and she’d glady give it to him again, but just not right then.
Tony rolled to her side and grasped the condom around his softening dick. “I’ll be right back. Don’t move.”
She giggled. “I’m not going anywhere.”
He kissed her forehead and gave her a gentle smile, then headed into the bathroom. Providence must have drifted off, because it felt like he’d just walked away when he returned with a washcloth.
She reached for the cloth. “Oh, I can do that.”
He held it away from her. “Let me take care of you.” It was a statement, but also a question. He was testing her to see if she trusted him with everything, even taking care of her intimately.
Providence dropped her hand onto the bad.
“Thank you, sweetheart.”
“Mmm, no thank you,” Providence said, and then yawned.
“Get some sleep. I’ll see myself out and lock up.” Tony kissed her, then rolled off the bed.
“Stay? Please? I don’t want to be alone tonight.”
He met her gaze as he picked his jeans up off the floor. She could almost hear him trying to decide what to do. In the end, he nodded, and climbed back into bed.
Her last thought as she drifted off was how peaceful she felt wrapped tightly in his arms.