Chapter Nineteen

 
 
 

It was still early when they left Tucker’s parents’ place, and Tucker wanted to keep enjoying the day without bloodshed since Willow’s house seemed to be a spot where they couldn’t manage to get along. If they had a chance at making this work, Tucker was going to have to learn to give in at the one place she’d only ever shared the power with one other person.

“Want to take a ride and show Grady the office? You need to see it too, now that you’re a Delacroix employee.” They dropped Willow’s car at the house.

“Who should I see about that, by the way?”

St. Charles was crowded with tourists, and the afternoon was one of those perfect non-humid days, but all she could concentrate on was Willow dragging her fingertips along her forearm.

“Once I get the sitter all sorted out, I’d like to go back to work.”

“Trout put all that together for you, so they’ll mail your checks until you tell them otherwise.” This was nuts. She’d dated beautiful women before, but the feel of Willow’s fingers on her skin was making her nipples painfully hard. The topper was she didn’t think Willow realized she was doing it and didn’t seem at all that affected by it. “And Mom volunteered to take care of Grady.”

“She told me that and assured me that she’d raised you and Jim Bob without being committed to an asylum, so she was more than capable.” Willow slid her hand down until their fingers were intertwined. “I’m all for it if you agree.”

“Considering she threatened me with bodily harm if something happens to him if we leave him with, and I quote”—she made an air quote but didn’t let go of Willow’s hand—“anyone who beats him with a spatula. It’s something she saw on Dateline and it’s tainted her view of sitters.”

She waved to the parking attendant, drove to her assigned spot by the elevator, and waited to see if Willow would notice the plaque next to hers. “I’m becoming a desk jockey?” Willow asked, after staring at it before turning her gaze to her.

The way Willow slowly smiled made her want to kiss her. “Not exactly, but you needed a spot for when you’re here. It’s a way for me to check up on whether you’re leaving early.”

“I have fishing to do, so yeah, I’ll be leaving early.”

The stroller seemed to make Grady content, so they loaded him up and took the elevator to the top. She led Willow to her office first, to pick up some files she needed for the executive manager’s meeting the next morning and didn’t stop her from looking around. “I tried to think of where you’d best fit in, and I think I came up with the best solution.”

“I don’t care how mad at me you are, I’m not joining the janitorial crew.”

“I’m not mad at you, but give me some time and that might change.” She released Grady and held him over her head, tossing him a few times. “Want to show Mama her new space?”

“When are you going to learn?” Willow shook her head when the jostling made Grady throw up on her face. “Your brother never did either, so don’t feel bad, and don’t open your mouth whatever you do.”

Willow stood outside the bathroom as Tucker showered with Grady to get rid of the smell that was making her queasy. “Hey, can you grab Grady and dry him off?” Being naked in her private shower with Grady and having Willow come in wasn’t a scenario she could’ve dreamed up in any world. “Thanks,” she said, when Willow stared a moment too long.

“No problem. Can I get you anything else?”

“There’s some company shirts in the closet by the door, if you don’t mind.” She took her time getting dressed, liking the way Willow kept taking peeks.

“Do you want to grab the stroller if we’re heading down?”

“Don’t you want to see your office?”

“I do, but I doubt it’s up here.” Willow went to grab the baby, but Tucker took her hand instead.

“You’d be wrong, and like with the house, feel free to change whatever you like.”

“Please tell me you didn’t move anyone to make room for me. That wouldn’t be a great way to start a new job.” They stopped at her doorway and she shook her head.

“There was an opening up here, and he’s probably laughing his ass off that it’s you who’s getting it next.”

“Oh, Tucker, no.” Willow appeared stricken when she realized who she meant.

The office was actually larger than hers and the big marlin hanging over the desk was one of Jim Bob’s most prized possessions. She frowned when she saw Syd hadn’t cleaned the desk like she’d asked, but she could take care of that now. She’d avoided coming in here much but this felt right.

“Sit with me a minute,” Willow said, tugging her to the couch Jim Bob used for napping. “You’re incredibly sweet, but I can’t take his office. If anything, I think he’d haunt me.”

“Mom is going to take care of Grady, but I thought we could put a playpen in here and bring him with us sometimes.” She pointed to the spot next to the desk. “And I found something in the top drawer when I came in here to see if there was anything I needed to address. The receipt for it and the frame were from a week before he died.”

Willow placed Grady on the floor and followed her. She’d put the picture in the frame and placed it on the corner of the desk. It had to have been from the hospital when Grady was born, and Jim Bob appeared thrilled as he held him, with Monique at his side.

“I took this,” Willow said, touching their faces.

“I figured.” She handed over the note Monique had written. So you can remember the happiest day ever.

Under that Jim Bob had written something, as if he intended to give the note back. I’ll never forget, but there’s plenty more to come for our little miracle.

“If I cry any more, I’m going to become dehydrated.”

“I thought you could leave it there and Grady will appreciate it when he forces us to retire and takes the joint over.”

Willow put the picture back and placed the note underneath it. “I’ll put the note in the frame later, but thank you for all this. You really have gone beyond what I was expecting.”

She was about to disagree when Willow went up on her toes and kissed her cheek. She’d done that before, but this time she’d come really close to her mouth. So close, but not close enough. “Want to head back? It’s almost bedtime.”

Tucker spoke softly as if she didn’t want to break the spell, and Willow couldn’t stop staring at her mouth. But it was okay, since Tucker seemed to be staring at hers. “Let’s go, and you can tell me what you had in mind for me to do.”

“For you to do?” The stammer in Tucker’s voice made Willow wonder if Stella had been pouring everyone spiked iced tea, because Tucker certainly didn’t sound like herself.

“My job here, I mean.” She almost started laughing when Tucker blushed, her thoughts clearly not work-related. Once their night was done, she’d have to send Stella a thank-you text for her tip—touching a lot and acting like she wasn’t doing it. “We don’t have to talk about it now, though.”

“We can,” Tucker said, like she didn’t want her to move away.

“We could, but right now you have a hot date.” Stella’s other advice was making things sound sexual even when they weren’t.

“I do?” Tucker’s hands landed on her hips and she smiled.

“You do, and he’s in the mood for vegetable medley with chicken. You need some spoon practice, so let’s go.” Keeping a straight face through this whole process was going to be her biggest problem, but patience was the key. She was twisting her line around her hook and waiting for the right opportunity to thread it and pull. When she caught her big fish she didn’t want her to get away.

“Oh,” Tucker said, sounding disappointed. “My spoon skills are fine.”

“I bought you a bib that matches Grady’s, which should keep you and him from another pruning in the bath.” She winked and got Grady. “Then, you’re getting your first lesson in the kitchen because I’m not making every meal.”

“Cooking lessons?” Tucker strapped Grady in and walked them out. “I promise you won’t have to cook every meal. I’ll prove it to you.”

“You mean you know how to cook and you’re holding out on me?”

“I’m not holding out on anything, and I’ll get you a great meal at eight if you’re interested.”

“Ah, then it’s me who has a hot date.” Willow slapped Tucker on the ass, and she smiled at the sharp intake of breath it caused. “What are you making?”

“It’s a surprise, but it requires you to change.”

“Are we leaving Grady alone?”

“Just change and have some faith, Ms. Vernon.”

Later, Willow closed the door to her bedroom and left Tucker in the kitchen feeding Grady. She was putting on lipstick when Stella walked in with Grady, who was splattered with some kind of orange goo.

“Does she not have any kind of talent when it comes to getting a spoon into a small mouth?” Grady was being held a foot from Stella’s body and laughing like he was loving it.

“She didn’t just inherit her great ass from her father—a lack of baby skills was another trait she inherited, but you don’t have time for that.”

That was true, and she trusted Stella to take care of cleaning Grady up, so she kissed both of them and went out to wait for Tucker. Tucker was sitting with her father and they both smiled when they saw her.

“Are you ready?” Willow asked.

Tucker jumped to her feet and nodded. “Let’s do it.”

She held Tucker’s hand to the car and didn’t let go as Tucker drove them out of the Garden District and down Canal Street. The silence was okay, and whatever she was thinking and feeling, it wasn’t something she had to temper since Tucker seemed to be right there with her.

“Where are you taking me for your turn at cooking tonight?” They kept driving, and she figured they were headed to the other large park in town that had a few good restaurants around it. “And if it’s good enough, I don’t care if you ever learn how to cook.”

“If you insist I learn, my first lesson should be how to turn on the stove.”

Willow laughed at being proved right, and because Tucker finally stopped at Toups’ Meatery. “You know, someone could define this as romantic.”

“I don’t give a damn about anyone, but I do care about your opinion.”

“It’s a winner.”

They recreated their first night together and that same relaxed but electric give-and-take they’d started with. For those couple of hours they forgot about the tragedy they’d survived, and simply found hope in the future. The only difference was Tucker didn’t kiss her as they waited for their car. The car ride home was quiet, their hands entwined, and the anticipation was making Willow tremble inside. They saw Tucker’s parents, and then they were alone and fumbling for what to say.

“Tucker—”

Tucker put her fingers against Willow’s lips and stopped what she was going to say. “This time we’re going to take it slow and make sure it’s what we want.”

Willow took Tucker’s fingers from her lips and pressed them to her cheek. Slow was the last thing she wanted. “If I hadn’t been such an idiot, things could’ve been so different.”

Tucker held her and kissed the top of her head. “My mother told me I was the idiot, and that she’ll take a switch to my perfect ass if I screwed this up. I’m not sure what the hell that means, but I’m not going anywhere. I’m right where I want to be.”

“That’s good and thank you for tonight. I’m also thankful that you keep forgiving all my blunders.”

“Go to bed and stop worrying. I doubt today is the last time you’re going to screw up, and I’m going to let it go no matter what.”

She shoved Tucker away from her and laughed. “At least you’re not boring.”

“It’d be insulting if you thought that.”

“Want to ride together tomorrow?”

“I promise I won’t leave you behind.” Tucker sounded sincere and Willow was counting on that meaning more than a ride to work.

 

* * *

 

The sofa was never comfortable but tonight it was torturous, and Willow wasn’t helping Tucker settle down by walking to the kitchen twice. Not that a glass of water and then a cookie weren’t legitimate reasons to walk slowly by with extra sway in her hips, but the short black nightgown was making Tucker’s palms sweat.

She lifted her head when Willow’s door opened again, but this time Willow didn’t come out. “Tuck, would you like to talk for a while? I’m having a hard time getting to sleep.”

No kidding. And talking couldn’t hurt anything. Right? “Sure.”

“Come in here in case we drift off.”

Not a good idea. Definitely not a good idea. Her clit told her brain to shut the fuck up. Maybe there was a chance Willow had changed into a nightgown her grandmother would’ve been fond of. Something up to her neck in plaid flannel that would cool her jets.

The moonlight was enough to make her notice how beautiful Willow looked, with only those two thin straps peeking above the blanket, so it was a no-go on the change. It would’ve helped if she remembered any of those novenas the nuns had taught her, but it turned out they were right about lust and impure thoughts. They turned your brain to mush, but her clit wasn’t having that problem.

Willow held the blanket up and the bed seemed to shrink to the size of a postage stamp, but she wasn’t leaving. “What do you want to talk about?”

“The job you’re giving me might be a good start.” Willow was triumphant at Tucker’s somewhat ragged breathing.

“You’ll find out tomorrow, but don’t worry, there’ll be no cleaning in your future.” Tucker felt stiff and sounded strange.

Willow smiled, hoping it was frustration that was causing the problem. “I hope not, since I’m planning on staying busy.”

“You don’t know what you’ll be doing so how can you be sure?”

“I’ll do whatever you like, but that’s not what I’m talking about.” She rolled to her side and gazed at Tucker when she turned only her head toward her. It was as if the chains Tucker had placed on her control were visible and only she had the keys to the locks. It made her feel powerful, wanton.

“The baby, you mean?”

“There is that.” She gathered her courage and moved to straddle Tucker before her rational brain took over. She laughed at Tucker’s expression of surprise, but just as quickly Tucker closed her eyes and flared her nostrils when she put her hands on her hips. “I meant that you’d be keeping me busy.”

“What are you doing?” Tucker speech was slow, as if she was drunk.

“I happen to have experience with you in this area, so I’m sure you know what I’m doing.” She leaned down and stopped right before she reached Tucker’s lips with hers. “Tell me I’m wrong and I’ll stop.”

“Don’t you want to date first?” Tucker’s hands went farther under her nightgown and once they caressed her ass there was no way they were stopping.

“We’ve been on enough dates for me to know this isn’t a bad idea.” She gave in to the urge to kiss Tucker, and even though she had a need for Tucker to touch her, Tucker made it achingly slow and tender. “Please tell me this is something you want.”

“I not only want it, but I’ve always thought this is a good idea.” Tucker was smiling and her eyes held so much more than Willow could’ve hoped for. “Only we can’t screw this up this time, so is this something you want?”

Tucker lost her smile when Willow sat up quickly, but it was back when she stripped naked. “Don’t worry. I know your full name, and who your family is.” She took Tucker’s hands and placed them on her breasts. “I’m sorry for running out on you before, but I promise I’m not going anywhere this time.”

She couldn’t help but let her tears drop when Tucker sat up and kissed her like she was the center of her world. “Don’t apologize again. We simply had to find our way to what works for us. You and me, Willow, that’s all that matters now.”

She kissed Tucker again and fumbled with Tucker’s shirt. The boxers had little red crawfish all over them and were cute as hell, but they had to go. “Stop laughing and get all this off.” Quickly she found herself under Tucker, whose eyes were dark with desire, and she could guess every X-rated thought going through her head. She approved of every single one.

Tucker rolled her over and held herself off as if wanting to see where she was touching as she made her way down her body. Her slow, sure movements were firm and felt good, but were way too slow.

“Should I be worried that you’re this patient?” Willow asked. Tucker stopped kissing her neck and lifted her head. “It’s disappointing that you’re—” She had to stop to keep from embarrassing herself when Tucker squeezed her clit so hard she had to fight not to come. “Okay…Jesus.” Tucker squeezed harder and tugged her fingers up and down.

“If you come before I tell you to”—Tucker went back to her neck and eased the pressure before removing her hand altogether—“you’ll be sorry.”

“Don’t be cruel.” She was already squirming, trying to find a spot on Tucker she could rub against to find some relief. “I’m so ready for you to fill me up.”

“Patience, baby.” Tucker circled her nipple with her wet finger and Willow held her breast up in invitation for Tucker to put her mouth on her.

“Suck me.” It was a good thing Tucker proved she could follow orders because there’d be plenty in her future if this was going to work. “Oh my God…fuck me.” Tucker not only sucked but bit down gently. “Please.”

“Open your eyes,” Tucker said when she moved up and kissed her. “I want to see you.” It was hard but Willow did, and her emotions were about to swamp her, but this time it wasn’t about any kind of pain.

“Please, honey,” she said as she reached up and touch Tucker’s face. “I need you.” Tucker put her hand back between her legs and paused, her fingers at her opening, but it was no time for sweet and considerate. “I need you to fuck me.”

Her body arched higher than she thought possible and her moan was deep enough to raise goose bumps on her entire body when Tucker slammed her fingers in. “So good—so fucking good.” Tucker pulled almost completely out and repeated the hard, fast entry, and it was something Willow hadn’t realized she craved. She’d followed with her hips but she wanted more, she needed to come or pass out. They were the only viable options to ease the need.

“You’re so goddamn beautiful,” Tucker said as she started a more steady movement.

It was better but still way too slow. “Give me what…oh, oh…uh, oh fuck.” Her belly tightened as Tucker bent her head and sucked in a nipple and sped up her hand. The orgasm was right there—the beginning of that all-encompassing feeling at the edge of her want and desire to be with Tucker like this. “Yes, like that, baby, just like that.”

Her hips moved to meet Tucker’s thrust, and it was all she could concentrate on. It was so incredibly good and it was all because it was Tucker.

“Come for me, baby.”

She couldn’t form articulate words and she wrapped her legs around Tucker’s ass and pulled her hair as the peak came sooner than she wanted. “Oh fuck, I’m coming. Don’t stop, I’m coming.”

“I’ve got you,” Tucker said before she kissed her again.

“Wait.” Her body went rigid and she pushed up against Tucker, wanting to hold the moment. “So good.” It was all she could manage as she came, her sex squeezing Tucker’s fingers before she completely relaxed. Tucker kissed her eyelids and started to pull out but she shook her head. “No, stay. Please, just for a minute.”

“You just reminded me of something. I’ve been thinking—”

She opened one eye and fixed it on Tucker’s smiling face. “If you bring up that I told you to drop dead, or any other woman, I’m in a position to break your fingers, and considering how much I want to use them every chance I get, I’d rather not.”

Tucker laughed and curled her finger slightly upward. “I’d rather you didn’t either, and that’s not what I’m talking about.” She was too spent to protest Tucker kissing her before moving down the bed.

“I don’t know if I can go again.”

“Have a little faith in me, darlin’.” Tucker lowered her head and used only the tip of her tongue on Willow’s surprisingly still pulsing clit.

Jesus loved her a whole, whole lot, she thought as her nipples got rock hard after about a second of that. “What were you thinking?” She didn’t want to be selfish, but she was quickly losing interest in this conversation. “Harder, baby, suck harder.” Fuck, between that mouth and those fingers she was about to lose her mind.

It wasn’t as shattering as the first, but it was still better than anyone else who’d ever touched her. Tucker moved up, rolled over so she was on top, and held her until the sound of her blood rushing receded from her ears. “You’re wonderful, and you didn’t answer my question.”

“I was thinking—I’ve been hard for you since you left me hanging that day at lunch.” Tucker slid her hands down her back and left them on her ass.

“It’s not broken, is it?”

“Could be.” Tucker squeezed hard but stopped right before it became painful.

“Could be it needs mouth-to-mouth to revive it.” She teased Tucker with her words and with the tip of her tongue along her lips before moving so Tucker was under her.

“What a great idea.” She moved down and took a second to see how wet Tucker was and how hard her clit was.

“Oh, honey, that looks painful.”

“You could say that.” Tucker’s voice changed to a funny pitch when she lowered her head and sucked her in with no intention of stopping. “Fuck.” It was a turn-on when Tucker fisted a handful of hair as if to keep her in place, but she wasn’t moving unless the house caught fire. It took no time at all for Tucker to moan and release.

“We’re going to have to work on that hair trigger, big guy,” she said and kissed the inside of Tucker’ thigh.

“I’ve been waiting for months, so I think I did pretty good.” Tucker held her when she moved up and draped herself over her and kissed her cheek.

“Was this okay?”

“Considering I think I pulled a muscle in my ass, it was great.”

“Not that. I mean you and me.” The fear it was only a one-shot deal was probably unfounded but real nonetheless.

“Sweetheart, you’re smart enough to know that the fishing and breakfast invitations were more than fishing and breakfast. I want to be with you, beautiful.” Tucker rolled over and cupped her cheek. “Our first time wasn’t going to be it, and I mean that. I think I know what you’re worried about so forget about our siblings and Grady for a minute.”

“Why?”

“Because what we have—we found that. You and me, and we’re the only ones responsible.” Tucker kissed her gently and winked. “And I’m using the next six years to convince you into a longer, exclusive contract.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, so go to sleep and dream about your terms. I’m a ruthless negotiator.”

“And you have the perfect ass.” She kissed Tucker’s chest and sighed. “And you’re the perfect person to share a family with. I can’t wait for what comes next.”