Page 69 of Hauling Ashe

“I know. I’m sorry.” I’m tired. It’s been a rollercoaster of a day and a long one at that. I’m also on edge from our make-out session, which I wish had turned into more. Despite our sexy antics over the past few days, though, I’m not really into exhibitionism.

Tucker rounds the counter and cups my face. “You’re giving me tomorrow.” He isn’t asking but a question still lingers.

“Tomorrow,” I whisper.

“Let’s just take it easy all day. Stay in bed or hang at the beach.”

I nod to agree with him. We need a day of nothing. No maps to follow. No sights to see. Just us.

“Why don’t you take a shower? I’ll go after you. We need some sleep.” He’s right. I know he’s right and yet I’m afraid to sleep. I’m afraid to lose precious minutes with him, but I acquiesce.

Eventually, I’m grateful for the precious, solitary moments in the shower. Wash. Rinse. Repeat. Condition. Shave. I use the time to allow the warm water to wash my worries down the drain. At least for a little while.

As I pull down the sheets of the bed in Garrett’s guest room, Tucker takes a shower. I’m wearing a fresh T-shirt I found in my brother’s dresser. Tucker finds me lounging against a stack of pillows against the headboard. He’s wearing only a towel around his waist as he peers down at me.

“How tired are you?”

“I found a drawer of sex toys,” I blurt, my face heating at the discovery I don’t think I was meant to see in my brother’s nightstand. I have no intention of using or borrowing those things, but I can’t seem to keep this secret. Tucker drops the towel at his waist and narrows his eyes at me.

“I have a sex toy for you.” His voice is completely serious, but I break into giggles. I’m exhausted, but the sight of him is awakening parts of me that won’t rest without his touch. There’s a collection of candles on the stand next to my side of the bed and Tucker lights them, then he turns off the lamp and crawls over me. Within seconds, the tee I’m wearing along with my underwear are removed and we lay beside one another as we did on the beach. Only Tucker’s hands roam, coasting along the length of my arm and the curve of my hip. He travels back up my stomach and over a breast.

His hand curls around my neck and he kisses me deeply before slipping his lips to my jaw and along the column of my throat. He’s taking his time, marking me, outlining me with his mouth. Tonight will be about making more memories as Tucker goes slow, and sweet, and softly down my body. He sucks at my breasts and licks the nipples. He kisses my belly and nips my thighs. He trails all the way down to one ankle and back up the other leg before he focuses on my center, ready and dripping with need.

“You have the sweetest pussy,” he says before his tongue flattens to swipe over sensitive folds. Then the tip of his tongue narrows in on my clit and two fingers take their time to dip in and out of me. Every moment is measured and paced, and the languid delay is both torture and tease. The anticipation is building like a lazy wave.

“Give this to me,” he says at my center. “Give me everything.”

He has no idea what he’s asking and how much I want to give him my all. My heart, my soul, my everything as he says, but he only means my orgasm which comes on a slow crest and lasts long like an idle tide. When I can’t take anymore, he presses a kiss just above my pubic bone and returns to my mouth for another deep kiss. Gently, I press at his shoulders, forcing him to roll over.

With him on his back, I take my time as he did. With his thick shaft in my hand, my mouth graces every inch of his skin over his chest and along his waist. While I kiss him everywhere, my fingers stroke his stiff length, gently tugging and teasing as he’d done to me. He groans and hisses, and I recognize he needs more. My tongue brushes the tip of him before I open wide and drag him deep. This is so much better than the roadside head I attempted to give him only this morning. I lap and I lick until he begs me to stop. Hollowing my cheeks, I suck hard until I’m suddenly pulled off him.

“Enough,” he growls, flipping me to lie flat on the bed. He crawls over me once more and easily slips into me without preamble. He didn’t need to warn me. I wasn’t going to reject him. My legs spread and hook over the backs of his. His hips rock, moving his dick deliciously in and out of me. My hands rub up his back. His fingers massage my breast. We aren’t in a rush as we continue to touch and explore until our bodies can’t hold off anymore.

“Sunshine,” he strains, signaling his patience is at an end and with his finger at my clit I tip easily over the edge again, giving him the orgasm he asked for. Instantly, he stills his hips but pulses inside me and I have a new definition of making love. I love him.

Tucker doesn’t immediately pull out but lingers over me, kissing my nose and my eyelids before the soft brush of his lips meets mine. Then he holds me, and I clutch at him, afraid to let go too soon of one more memory.

33

Unplanned DAY 7

Playlist: “You Matter to Me” – Jason Mraz and Sara Bareilles

[Tucker]

We sleep in and Mae makes us breakfast with eggs that look freshly purchased and bacon left in the freezer. It feels good to eat something home cooked and linger on her brother’s balcony with our coffee. Garrett’s place is swanky, and the kind of condo I’d hoped to own one day, had I stayed in California. The place has a perfect view of the Pacific Ocean. In Chicago, my condo has a view of Lake Michigan, and while I am reminded of home being here, this isn’t the same. Thinking of home reminds me I want to discuss a few things with Mae.

“Come with me tomorrow,” I say again, implying my daughter’s wedding. I’m asking for one more day. Actually three, as I want her attendance for the entire weekend. I’m only putting off the inevitable, but I’m also hoping I can convince her to give us more time. Like a person who has room for a cupcake even after an ice cream sundae, I’m not full of Mae. I crave more.

“I can’t,” Mae immediately states to my invitation.

“You can,” I argue.

“No.”

“Yes.” We fight often like this. Two simple words with opposite meanings and yet Mae and I have come to so many agreements along this trip.

“I don’t have anything to wear,” Mae points out.