Chapter 20
So this is where you live? I looked around the modest, single story home.
Ollies face turned slightly pink. Its nothing fancy, he mumbled.
I put a hand on his arm. Its lovely. It is. It feels like a home.
The whole place would probably fit in my fathers kitchen, but it was a hundred times more welcoming. The furniture, though worn in spots, was tasteful and looked comfortable. They seem to say, ‘sit on me, eat popcorn, drink wine and watch movies.’
Id like to do all of those things, but that wasnt the plan today.
Mum wants to meet you. Hed looked nervous before. Now he looked like he was ready to run out the door and disappear into the twilight.
I want to meet her too, I said. The woman who raised him must be a special person.
Although, by that logic, the person who raised me must be special, so that theory went out the window. Still, I wanted to meet her.
Ollie took my hand and pulled me gently towards the kitchen. Mum, this is Rubie.
The woman who looked up from a desk in the corner of the kitchen, couldnt have been confused with anyone but Ollies mother. She had the same blonde hair, the same bright blue eyes, the same face shape. And like him, she was absolutely stunning. She could easily model for any of the big-name designers or stores.
The smile she gave me was warm, like her home. I immediately liked her, and that never happened.
You must be Rubie, she said. Ollie has told me a lot about you. All of it good, of course. Im River Tucker. She half rose and leaned forward to offer me her hand.
I took a couple of steps forward and shook her hand. Rubie Thomas. Its nice to meet you. Ollie has told me a lot about you too.
I recommend you believe about half of it. She sat back down again and grinned. Ollie tends to exaggerate my awesomeness.
Mum, Ollie groaned. You’re every bit as awesome as I tell everyone.
River gestured towards him. See? She gave me a wink. Hes going to give me a big head.
You have a long way to go before you have anything close to a big head, Ollie said. Especially compared to the guys on the team.
Thats a pretty high yardstick, I pointed out.
There was nothing wrong with having a healthy ego. As long as people didnt behave like a douchecanoe.
River laughed. I like this girl, she said approvingly. She focused her bright blue eyes on me. So, have you come to ask permission to marry my son?
My mouth dropped open. I— Was she serious?
I was halfway to thinking she was, when she burst out laughing. I had you going there, didnt I?
It took me a moment to get any words together.
Yes. Just a little bit. The strange thing was, in that half minute I might actually have done exactly that. There were worse things in the world than marrying Ollie Tucker.
Ollie dropped his forehead and shook his head. Im sorry I think I forgot to mention how embarrassing she is.
Yes, I probably shouldnt be out in the world unsupervised, River said lightly. On the other hand, it prepared him to deal with… Well, the majority of the Rapids. They all seem to be a bunch of jokers.
Youre right about that, Ollie conceded. Thank you for giving me the skills to deal with clowns like them.
Youre welcome, she said graciously. She turned to me and added, He can also cook.
That makes one of us, I said. That wasnt entirely true, Id spent time with Dads cook, when I was younger. I picked up a few tips and tricks. Enough to make a basic meal or two.
Mum insisted, Ollie said.
Indeed I did, River agreed. No son of mine was going to miss out on important life skills like that. And picking up his own socks.
Ollie looked pained. So, we were just leaving. He gave me a meaningful, pleading look.
Yes, I agreed. We were. I didnt hesitate to take his hand in front of his mother, and step towards the door.
River smiled softly. She was obviously happy her son was happy.
The whole thing felt like a more normal interaction than any conversation I ever had with my father. Okay, maybe that wasnt fair, but they were both authentic people. I was so used to fake people, that this felt… Right. Comfortable.
I think she likes you. Ollie squeezed my hand.
I like her too, I said. She seems sweet. But sassy too.
Like you, he said.
I snorted. I dont think anyone has called me sweet before.
He let go of my hand and put his arm around my shoulders. Then they dont know the real you.
I swallowed down the knot of emotion that rose from his words. Maybe you dont know the real me. My words came out sounding a little choked.
Maybe not, he conceded, but I know youre sweet. He shut the door behind us and lowered his voice. You certainly taste sweet. He claimed my mouth in a rough kiss so hot, fireworks went off throughout the neighbourhood. Red wheels, yellow blasts of light. Everything except the popping and the actual fireworks.
I moaned against his lips. If we dont go now, we may not leave. I wasnt sure how his mother would feel hearing me scream his name over and over and over from his bedroom.
Reluctantly, I pulled away. We laced our fingers together and walked together towards my bright red Maserati, parked beside the curb.
I hope your shoes are clean. I glanced down at them speculatively.
They are, he assured me. Does she have a name?
I gave him a funny look. Its only a car.
Right. He looked slightly disappointed.
I grinned. Just kidding. Her name is Jessica. I have no idea why. I waved him toward the passenger seat and climbed in behind the steering wheel.
Reverently, he patted the dashboard in front of him. I think it suits her. Ive always wanted a car like this but its…impractical.
Thats exactly what I like about it, I said. Its not the kind of car you drive if youre a soccer mum.
Depends on the soccer mum, Ollie said. I couldnt imagine you in a boring old, white SUV.
Youre going to be really disappointed when you see my other car then. I smiled. I could tell from the look on his face he wasnt sure if I was joking or not. Hed find out, eventually.
How many cars do you have? He asked.
Personally? Just this one. But my dad has several that I drive if I feel like it. He hadnt said I couldnt drive them. I hadnt crashed any of them.
Yet.
What about you? I asked. Do you have a practical car? Let me guess, you have a white SUV?
He laughed. No, just a little hatchback. It gets me around.
I was impressed. I know how much money you guys make. You really arent squandering yours are you?
He shrugged. I dont know how much time I have left to play, so I need to make sure I have enough to live on. I did pay off Mums house.
Of course you did. I started the engine and pulled away from the curb. Let me guess, that was the first thing you did.
Second. I paid off my student loans first. I studied sports medicine, so they were hefty.
I glanced over to him. Wow. You must be really smart. I knew he was, but to excel at football while studying something like that was amazing.
I wanted to give Mum a good life, he said. After Dad walked out, it was just her and me. You know how it goes, she worked really hard just to put food on the table. She still does even though she doesnt need to anymore. Shes very proud.
I couldnt say I did know, but I nodded. I could tell that about her. Shes the kind of person who doesnt let the world tread on her.
Very much so, he agreed. Where are we going? All you said was wear something nice, but not fancy. Should I have worn a suit? He wore dark blue trousers and a blue-and-white striped shirt.
You look perfect, I assured him. I wore a knee length black skirt, a white blouse, and a black leather jacket. Also nice but not too fancy. At least, not by my standards.
You too. He sat back, his hands in his lap. Is this where I start guessing where were going?
You can try, I said.
I wove slowly through the Storm Valley traffic. The further we went. The thicker it got. Im starting to think I should have gone with plan A.
Yeah? What was plan A? he asked.
It involved landing a helicopter in the middle of Rapids Stadium. I flashed him a smile while we were stopped at the lights.
Nothing says subtle like a helicopter on the turf, he remarked.
Whoever said I was subtle? I asked. But youre right, I didnt want to make a spectacle. I mean, not today anyway.
I wanted to spoil him rotten, in every way I knew how. The problem was, all of those ways involve spending a shit load of cash. He was obviously not impressed by money. Whatever I did for him, would have to be special, not just flashy.
That made me like him even more.
So I guess were not flying anywhere then, he said slowly. Because this isnt the way to the airport.
Maybe thats what I want you to think, I suggested.
Sneaky, hmmm? He sounded thoughtful. You know you dont have to try to impress me. Im already impressed. Youre smart, beautiful, sexy and even if you dont agree, sweet.
I dont know about any of that, but thank you. Youre all of those things too. Especially beautiful.
He snorted. Im not sure thats the word Id use.
I would. I was falling for him, hard. He was everything I never knew I wanted or needed in a guy. He was…perfect.
I pulled up in front of my apartment building.
You really live here? Ollie asked. He cleared his throat. I just thought—it seemed a little, not like you.
Yes, I really live here. Dads place got too small with both of us there. Our personalities take up too much room. His tendency to want to run my life got jarring eventually. Especially since his interest waxed and waned faster than the moon. Moving here gave me the stability I never had, but always craved.
We walked hand-in-hand up to the apartment Dad gave me. The one beside mine.
I unlocked the door.
The place was empty except for a blanket in the middle of the living room floor, a few cushions, a bottle of wine, one of soda, two glasses and my laptop.
I was thinking you could help me plan the remodel of this place, I said. The pizza should be here in an hour or so.
I watched his face to gauge his reaction to my idea of a special date. He seemed pleasantly surprised.
Id love to. But… He drew me into his arms. I think we need to work up an appetite first.
I like the way you think. I claimed his mouth and kissed him while pulling him down to the blanket. His nice-but-not-fancy clothes made a neat pile on the floor beside mine.
I explored his whole body, unlocking hidden secrets in the hard muscle. Places that make him squirm because my touch tickled. Places that made him groan. The moan he made when I finally lowered my lips over his hard cock was the sweetest sound of all.
Holy hell. He arched his back, making his hips jut so his cock pressed deeper into my mouth. That feels…
I presumed it felt good, because his head dropped back. The only sounds he made were groans and pants. I teased his head with the tip of my tongue and sucked deliberately and firmly. He tasted so good. The salt of his pre-cum was delicious and heady. The feel of his hot, thick cock was pure heaven.
I slid my hand up the inside of his thigh and cupped his balls. They were heavy and tense in my fingers.
Rubie, Im going to come, he moaned. He tangled his hand in my hair and held me in place while he thrust up into my mouth.
I looked over to him, silently, giving him permission.
His eyes on mine, he thrust harder, sliding in and out between my lips. He shouted his release, and his balls exploded pearly, sweet cum down my throat.
Fuck, yeah, he breathed once he caught his breath. Swallow for me.
I slowly slid my lips back off him, kept my gaze on his and swallowed down every drop.
Fucking hell, youre beyond hot. His eyes were still dark when he rolled me onto my back and dove down between my thighs to spoil me with his talented tongue.