Page 33 of Buckle Up, Buttercup

“You two are assholes!” She points at her brothers. “I did the Tucker reputation super proud, stayed on until level seven. I’d like to see you stay on past that.”

Jasper winks between us. “Don’t you worry about how well I ride, little sister. That ain’t ever been a problem for me.”

Bluebell makes a gagging sound and taps my arm. “That’s our cue to go, Alk. C’mon. Take me home, big boy.”

The command isn’t inherently sexual, but the way she says it tightens my sack anyhow.

“She’s a mess,” Jasper mutters.

“No, she’s not,” I bark before I can stop myself.

Jasper’s dark brows rise, and he looks between Bluebell and me. “Okay, big guy, if you say so.” He claps me on the shoulder. “You want help getting her home?”

“I think I can handle it.” I force a smile so he knows we’re good. Pulling Bluebell carefully with me, I leave the other Tuckers behind as we head toward the exit.

She’s quiet all the way back to the Bodice, humming softly with her arm around my waist. The scent of tequila radiates from her, but it mixes with her natural essence until I’m rock-hard thinking about licking that tequila from every inch of her body.

Gods. I’m down bad. I don’t know if I even fully admitted it to myself until this very moment. But if I had my way right now, I’d be having my way with her up against the wall. Then again in our stairwell. At least once in our hallway. And then over and over and over again in my nest. And when she passed out, I’d let her sleep, and I’d rub all over her, massaging that sexy body and loving on her until she woke again. I wouldn’t get sleep for days. Not with Bluebell Tucker in my bed.

I’m slowly going insane with need. Every moment I spend with her breaks down the walls I’ve put up over the years. It was easier when I was in school and didn’t see her so frequently. But now? A switch in my brain has fully flipped, and I’m barely holding back from following my deepest, most basic primal instincts.

This zero-to-sixty obsession is so typically gargoyle, but if I’m honest with myself I’ve been holding it at bay for such a long time, I just can't anymore. It’s impossible with her living right across the hall.

We make it all the way to her door before she looks up at me with a silly, open smile. “You’re cute, Alk, ya know that? Too cute for your own good.”

“You’re drunk,” I say with a laugh, thumping her nose with my left hand.

“Not so drunk,” she corrects. “It was a fun night, though. I enjoyed myself.” She slips her hands over her head and stretches tall from left to right. “Good to get out of my head sometimes, ya know? I’m just so busy all the time.”

That’s a conversation I’d love to have with her sometime when she isn’t drunk.

She slips her keys out of her back pocket and swings them around her finger, but they go flying and hit me, sliding down my body and hitting the ground with a clink.

“Shit,” she mutters, dropping to the ground. As she does, her to do list falls out of her pocket and lands on the keys. She moves so slowly to grab them that I get a quick look and holy shit—is this all for a single day?!

Cottage healing at units 234 and 712.

Follow up with dad about purchase paperwork.

Check with supplier about the Mead Cute order for the Bodice.

Reorganize the storeroom.

Invoices through Wednesday.

Call Rhubarb Ranch about final decision re: spring planting

And that’s just what I see at a quick glance.

Her hair falls to either side of her head, exposing the sunburst tattoo on the back of her neck. I reach for her before remembering I shouldn’t just touch her like that. Not yet.

When she rises, her face is flushed, and her scent explodes between us, thickening until I’m choking on pheromones and need.

“Bluebell.” My throat is rough with need. I bracket my hand on the wall above her head, dipping low as she backs against the solid surface.

“Hadrian?” She stares up at me, heart racing and mouth slightly open.

Drifting closer, I bring my mouth to her ear, loving how she mewls softly and shudders. I nuzzle the edge of her ear, deciding that a tease might be exactly what she needs right now.