Page 53 of After Care

“What am I missing?” I questioned.

“My dad was a pastor, and he wasn’t a fan of the sinful music I produced. When I left home, I struck out on my own, literally. No support from family until my sister was old enough to escape as well. After all that happened–the struggles of Colt45, the death of Bruce—we realized we had to stick together to make it work. We were our only family.”

It was sad to me. My parents had always been supportive of my goals, but I had to admit I had nothing so large as being a famous musician on my list of future plans.

“What was all that family always says sorry stuff? It was sweet, but seemed like it meant something deeper.”

Tommy sighed and swiped a hand through his hair, looking away again.

“Ivy and her mom had a huge blow out near the end of Kit’s life. Ivy wanted to stay home to be with Kit. Kit wanted her to finish school. Kit went into cardiac arrest. Ivy thought she’d never have the chance to tell her mother she was sorry for the selfish things she said. When Kit came around, Ivy asked her mother for forgiveness. Family loves unconditionally, Kit told her, knowing how our own father treated us. And family always says sorry, Ivy amended, knowing you can never assume family forgives you. Ivy holds it as a motto with Gage, and it transferred to the band. Gage always considered Collision his family. Him and Jared and Cash were best friends. After losing Cash, where Gage wanted to apologize for all sorts of things that weren’t his fault, he demanded anyone associated with the band apologize to each other when they fought. He never wanted anyone to separate with thoughts of being unforgiven or unloved.”

“Family loves unconditionally,” I muttered, lowering my chin to my crossed arms on the tub. I admired their closeness, their dedication to each other minus the bonds of blood. They were a special group of people.

“You’re a lucky man, Mr. Carrigan,” I said. He wiggled his brows and removed the shirt he slipped on to answer the door for room service. He stood and lowered his jeans, exposing his commando style. “What are you doing?” I laughed, sitting straighter in the tub.

“Enough talking,” he said, a sharp twist to his words. “I am a lucky man, and I want to get lucky again.”

“That was cheesy,” I said as he stepped behind me in the tub, and I scooted forward. I didn’t have a tub in my condo. The master suite had a ridiculously big double shower that would be enough for more than two people. The kids’ bath had a shower stall. I missed a tub, as a warm bath was a luxury vacations demanded. When I suggested the soak, Tommy obliged. However, I didn’t see how we were both going to fit in this one. Tommy was a solid man.

“Gonna need to sit up on me, darlin’,” he said, lowering into the tub and scooping up my backside.

“I can’t sit on you,” I gasped, worried the weight of me laying on him in the tub would be too much. He’d already stretched out his legs and lowered me to rest at his waist. His knees rose and bent while my legs crossed and slipped between his. It was a tight fit but I liked it. I’d never bathed with David.

Tommy massaged my shoulders as I held his knees. I tipped my head to his shoulder, and he kissed my exposed neck. My eyes closed. Surrounded by warm water, a temperate sensation inside me from the wine, and the heat of Tommy at my back, I was melting into sweet oblivion. Kisses on my neck increased, the pressure of pecks turning into stronger suction and an occasional nip. His hand lowered, brushing over the coarse hair at the top of my legs.

“Are you hurtin’?” he muttered. “I was a little rough.” Make-up sex had been intense, but I found I liked it as he held my legs in the air, feet at his shoulders, and pounded into me as I lay on the small breakfast table. I wasn’t as flexible as I used to be, but I’d been able to balance. Surprisingly, we hadn’t knocked over the table.

“I’m good,” I sighed, slipping deeper into peacefulness under his attention. He hardened at my backside, and he jolted when I purred. Tommy adjusted me so the cheeks of my behind straddled the hard length of him.

“Ever do it like this? In the back door?”

I sat forward, splashing water like a small tidal wave as I choked. “No.”

“Ever curious?” He continued, pulling me back to him and returning his mouth to my shoulder.

“I…I don’t know.” Had I thought about it? Maybe. I mean all the hottest romance novels had it in them, but could I do it? I didn’t know, and I didn’t answer.

“What about toys? Got a Mr. Bob?”

“I…” I was about to answer it’s none of your business. I blushed recalling my awkwardness at purchasing such a thing, but then I considered who was asking and wondered: “Why?”

He chuckled into my neck, as I’d answered his question with my own.

“Want to know how you’ll get off when you go home.” It was the first time he’d mentioned home, hinting at the separate directions we would soon take. I didn’t want to think about it. I decided not to answer at all. Suddenly, my hips were gripped with two firm hands and he lifted me, slightly. His dick stood upright, and perched at my entrance.

“What the…” My voice trailed off, as he slid me over him with no warning. We’d used a condom when we got to his room, but he was bare at the moment. He groaned as he filled me, pressing me forward to accommodate the sudden intrusion. He stilled as I sat over him.

“Don’t want to think of others getting you off, Edie,” he said, as he started to maneuver my body, lifting and lowering me over him. He slid his knees beneath mine, forcing me to straddle his thighs in a reverse cowgirl style. I gripped the edge of the tub as he continued to move my body in the manner he wanted. I was full in a different way once again. Every time we were together, the sensation was new, the experience original, and I wondered how I’d survived as long as I had without sex like this. I grunted as he started bouncing me up and down over him. The water sloshed and swirled, lapping at the sides of the tub like our skin slapped under water.

“Fine wine—I like you uncorked.” His voice came out choppy as he slammed me down over him. “I love you uncorked,” he amended, the words coming out on uneven exhales. Was that a declaration? I decided it wasn’t and let him work my body in the way only he could. “Touch yourself, Edie. Get there for me, darlin’.” I did as he asked, my fingers touching myself, but also stroking the length of him as he entered me.

“Fuck that feels good,” he grunted behind me. He whipped me off of him, and wet warmth jetted over my lower back. Reaching around me, his fingers pushed mine out of the way as he took over attending to me. Slipping into my ripe core and adding his thumb to the mixture, he strummed at me while he squeezed himself behind me. I came almost instantly.

Resting his head on my shoulder, I pressed back, allowing my head to balance on his.

I love you, I heard in my head, the words fighting to cross my lips. I love you, damn it, when I knew I shouldn’t.

+ + +