Chapter 18
Maria
I know the boys are sound asleep, but I keep my voice low when I say, “I swear this is the most luxurious bathtub I’ve ever been in.
” I wave my hand through the water as Tuck washes his face at the sink.
He glances over at me, and my stupid heart does a little dance as I take in his near naked body.
Does he know that sweatpants, low on the hips—his hips—does something to me?
“I never thought to get bubble bath. I’ll try to remember for next time.”
Next time.
God, playing house with him is so much fun, but I am realistic and know it can’t last forever. In the meantime I’m going to enjoy it. As far as Declan goes, though. I just don’t think I have it in me to date him. Not when I’m physically involved with another man. It’s really not fair to him.
Tuck walks over to me, crouches on the floor and puts his hand in the water. “Although the bubbles would hide all the parts I like to look at.”
I laugh and splash him with water. He yelps and jumps back. “Shh,” I warn.
“Don’t splash me then.”
“Oh, it’s my fault is it?”
“Absolutely.”
He slides his hands into his waistband and starts inching his sweats down. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“Joining you.”
“I don’t remember inviting you.”
He huffs out air, like I’m exhausting and I grin, the action reminding me of little Stella. “I told you I was going to take care of you tonight. How can I do that if I’m not in the gigantic tub with you? It was made for two, you know?”
I do know and I do not want to think about who else he’s slipped into this tub with.
He kicks off his pants, and my gaze instantly goes to his erection. “That’s going to be in the way,” I say and that pulls another laugh from him and honestly, I love the way this man gets hard for me.
“It’s not like I have any control over that traitorous bastard,” he jokes. “But don’t worry, I’m a grown man and not everything is about sex.”
Not everything is about sex?
Wait, what? Isn’t that what our entire relationship is based on? As I mull that over, he gestures with a nod.
“Lean forward.”
I shift in the tub and the water level goes up as he slips in behind me. He puts his hands on my shoulders and pulls me back against his chest, and I let loose a long sigh, the last of the tension from the night easing from my body.
“This is…perfect,” I say quietly.
“Close your eyes and relax.”
I do as he says and he goes quiet, his warm fingers trailing along my arms, and gently massaging the knots in my shoulders. His breath falls over me, and my body feels so heavy and peaceful, I’m sure I could fall asleep.
He dips his hands back into the water, cups it in his hands, and pours it over my throat and chest, warming the parts of me that are exposed.
“Mmm,” I murmur.
His hands move to my hair, and he gives my scalp a gentle massage as he soothes the damp strands back. My body moves slightly as his chest rises and falls against my back, the rhythmic action lulling me to sleep.
I don’t know how long I was out, but the next thing I know, Tuck is standing and pulling me up with him.
“Hey,” he says quietly as he turns to me, a small smile on his face.
“I’m sorry. I fell asleep.”
“I wanted you to.”
I nod, sleepy, and he steps from the tub and helps me out.
The next thing I know he’s drying me with a big fluffy towel, and when he sinks to his knees, I put my hands on his shoulders to stay upright.
He meticulously dries me and then wraps me up and carries me to his bed.
I slide in and my eyes are heavy as he dries himself.
“I need to set the alarm, not only so I’m up and out of here before the boys wake up, but they also have hockey tomorrow.”
“No, you’re up early every morning. I’ll get up and go to the other room.”
“But…how does that make sense?”
“If they ask, and I doubt they’ll even know, I’ll tell them I gave you my room so you could use the tub.”
I glance down, my mind sleepy. “I hate lying.”
“You could look at it this way. It’s a small lie, to protect them.” He shifts closer, and I turn on my side to face him. “You need caring for too, Maria. You deserve to make yourself a priority every now and then.”
“Yeah…I guess they were happy to see me go on a date. They do want me happy.”
“Right now I’d like to make you happy.”
He slides over me, his mouth on mine. “I know it’s been a stressful night,” he whispers. “I wasn’t going to make this about sex, but I do want to make this about you, so I’d like for you to close your eyes, while I slip between your legs and give you an orgasm to help you sleep.”
Is he serious?
“What about you?”
“Tonight, this is all about you.” He runs his lips lightly over mine, barely a caress, and his warm breath falls over my face, making it harder and harder to keep my eyes open.
“Trust me,” he continues a teasing edge to his voice.
“I’m getting something out of it too.” He touches my face, and puts his palm over my eyes, closing them.
“Tomorrow,” I assure him. “I’ll make it up to you.” I let out a sigh as he slides lower, and that first sweet touch of his tongue on my sex takes me out of my body. I touch his hair, wanting the connection as he twirls his tongue around my clit, one finger slipping inside me.
It feels wrong to lay back and be pleasured, knowing I’m not going to return it, but with Tuck, it actually feels right. I like him taking care of me. I like taking care of him.
As I consider that, some part of my brain reminds me to set my alarm.
Tuck likes taking care of me, but he doesn’t have to get up early tomorrow, but I do, and if I forget, the morning will be chaos.
But I can’t think about that. Not when pleasure is sparking through every inch of me, lighting me up from the inside out, all of it focused on the devastatingly, perfect way Tuck’s mouth moves between my legs.
He curls his finger inside me, finding the place that makes my breath hitch, while his tongue turns deliberate, sharper, more focused. I thread my fingers through his hair, holding on.
“Tuck…that feels so good.”
He groans against me, the sound vibrating through my body, and I lift my hips, offering more—more than just my body, even if that’s all he’s asking for.
Not everything is about sex…
The thought drifts through my hazy mind. I almost laugh. I must be exhausted, because that can’t be right. Everything between us is this, heat, want, the kind of connection that burns fast and bright.
“Tuck,” I gasp, clapping a hand over my mouth to muffle the sound as the pressure builds. He doesn’t stop—doesn’t ease up—just keeps moving, steady and sure, like he knows exactly how to take me where I need to go.
And then I fall.
The orgasm crashes through me, powerful and consuming, stealing every coherent thought from my head until there’s nothing left but sensations. I sink into the pillow, riding it out, my body trembling in the aftermath.
He stays with me, gentle now, his touch soft, as he traces slow, soothing strokes. The room settles around us—quiet, warm, safe—and when he finally moves away, I barely register it.
A moment later, there’s the soft press of a warm cloth between my legs, the careful way he tucks the blankets around me, his body sliding in behind mine.
And I let myself drift.
Sleep pulls me under before I can think too hard about any of it. A loud laugh yanks me back to the surface. I blink slowly, disoriented, my brain catching up in pieces. Tuck’s room. Morning light spilling through the window, warmth at my back that’s no longer there.
Oh no.
My stomach drops.
I didn’t set my alarm.
I grab my phone, heart racing, only to see the time, and Gina’s message telling me to take it easy this morning because she’s opening for me. Relief rushes in so fast it makes me dizzy. Until the next thought hits.
I’m still in Tuck’s bed.
The boys.
Panic snaps through me. I throw off the blankets and scramble out of bed, my feet hitting the floor as I rush to the bathroom. By the time I’ve made myself somewhat presentable, my pulse is still racing. I glance at the clothes scattered on the floor and wince. No way am I putting those back on.
That’s when I see them. A neatly folded pile of clothes on Tuck’s dresser. My breath catches. I step closer, running my fingers over the soft fabric—pants, a sweater, and panties. Clean. Fresh. Thoughtful in a way that makes something in my chest tighten unexpectedly.
Why is he this considerate?
Another burst of laughter echoes down the hall, followed by quick footsteps and the unmistakable skitter of Marbles’ paws across the floor. My lips curve despite everything.
The boys are having fun. They’re happy. Whatever I’m doing—or where I am—is probably the last thing on their minds right now.
Still…responsibility settles back in. They need breakfast. Gear. A ride to hockey. Most Sundays are chaos. This one even more after I’d failed to set my alarm and because Lucas can’t drive them today.
I stare down at the clothes in my hands, my thoughts already racing ahead. How am I going to get them to practice? I pull open the door just as Josh zings past me.
“Morning,” he calls over his shoulder, already halfway into his room.
I linger for a second, listening. Voices drift up from downstairs—Tuck’s low, steady rumble and Lucas’s lighter one weaving in and out. My stomach flips. Is Tuck giving him advice…on his love life?
Oh dear God.
I hurry down the stairs, my pulse picking up, and the second I step into the kitchen, two sets of eyes swing my way.
Tuck’s expression shifts the moment he sees me—something warm and soft curling at the edges of his mouth—and he’s already moving, grabbing a coffee pod and sliding it into the machine.
“My alarm didn’t go off,” I say, still trying to catch up with the morning.
“It’s okay, Mom. Tuck made us pancakes.”
I freeze.
“Oh no,” I murmur, stepping closer to Lucas and pressing the back of my hand to his forehead. “Are you feeling okay?”
“They were good,” he insists, shrugging me off with a grin.
Tuck lifts a box from the counter, one brow arched. “Hard to mess up ‘just add water.’”
A laugh slips out of me before I can stop it. Lucas finishes the last bite and carries his plate to the dishwasher.
“Run up and brush your teeth,” I tell him, glancing at the clock. “We need to be out of here in ten minutes.”
He nods and takes off, his footsteps pounding up the stairs. I wait until he disappears before turning back to Tuck.
“You’re up early.”
He closes the distance between us, hands sliding around my waist. The kiss he drops on my lips is soft, unhurried, and I melt into him.
“I told you I’d take care of things.”
My body instantly betrays me, remembering exactly how he took care of me last night. Heat blooms low in my stomach.
“Mmm…a man true to his word.”
His mouth curves, eyes searching mine. “Sleep okay?”
I exhale, leaning into him just a little. “Your bed is dangerously comfortable. But I think it was the bath… the massage…” I pause, my voice dipping as I meet his gaze. “And, well… you know.”
Something flickers in his eyes—heat, yes, but there’s something softer underneath it. Something that makes this feel like more than just an easy morning after. And that’s the part that makes my heart beat just a little faster.
“Glad I could help.”
“I really appreciate you making breakfast.” I hesitate, then ask, “Did they ask about me?”
“Not a word.”
I huff out a laugh, folding my arms loosely over my chest. “Wow. I feel incredibly important in their lives right now.”
He chuckles, leaning a hip against the counter, completely at ease. “They’re teenagers. I was exactly the same.”
“If I ever meet your sister, I’m asking for stories.” I study him for a second, and he opens his mouth like he’s about to tell me something but then I interrupt. “Wait…were you giving Lucas love life advice?”
He shifts gears, nodding. “Ari’s birthday is at the end of the month. He wanted my opinion on a necklace.”
Something in my chest tightens. Lucas usually comes to me for that kind of thing.
I force a small smile. “That sounds nice.”
“He’s also looking for ways to make extra money,” Tuck adds. “Asked about mowing my lawn, raking leaves. Figured he could earn it himself.”
My gaze flicks to his. “He should be doing that for free. You took in his kitten.”
“It’s fine,” he says easily. “I don’t mind. And honestly, it’s good he’s showing initiative.” His voice softens just a touch. “You’re raising some great boys, Maria.”
The words warm something in me…and stir something else right alongside it. Before I can sit with that too long, his hand lands lightly on my hip, giving me a playful swat that startles a laugh out of me.
“Now,” he says, grinning. “Why don’t you go crawl back into bed?”
“I can’t,” I say, even as my body briefly considers it. “I’ve got to get the boys to hockey.” I glance out the window and my stomach drops. “But my car…”
“I called the garage.”
Of course he did.
“Radiator, hood, bumper, headlight…all damaged. Airbags deployed too.”
I wince. “I need to call the insurance company. Did they say how long?”
The look on his face tells me everything before he even answers. “Close to a month.”
“Damn.” I turn, scanning for my purse, already running through logistics in my head. “Can I borrow your car today? I’ll figure something out after that.”
“You can borrow it anytime,” he says immediately. “No figuring required.” Then, like it’s the most natural thing in the world, he adds, “And today, I’ll take the boys to hockey. Gives you a little time to yourself.”
I pause, turning back to him. “A little time?”
His grin shifts, slow, knowing, just a little wicked.
“Yes,” he says, pushing off the counter and stepping closer. “Because after I drop them off… I’m coming back.”
My pulse stutters. “Oh?”
“I believe,” he continues, voice dipping just enough to send heat curling through me. “Last night you mentioned something about making it up to me…”