Page 17
17
TRIPP
It’s nearing one thirty by the time I get home, and I’m feeling better than I have in a long time. It’s always fun hanging out with the guys outside of practice and games. Sometimes a couple beers and good music is more than therapeutic.
I’ll have to get my car in the morning from Manny’s house since we all met up at his place to head down, and I wasn’t okay to drive. I don’t feel that drunk, but I guess it’s better safe than sorry, right?
Thankfully, Dane and Richie aren’t assholes about me staying out late and whatnot. They don’t really care what I do as long as I don’t get in trouble. They don’t ask questions. It’s nice, sometimes.
But as I walk through the door, my gaze settling on Amelia on the couch—in her cute little bunny-print pajamas—I have to wonder what her reaction will be.
Also, what is she doing up this late?
“Late night?” I ask, and she jolts up, looking right at me as I shut the door.
“Tripp…I didn’t uh…see you there.”
I smirk. “You see me now, though, don’t you, Mama Mia?”
I don’t miss the way her cheeks tint with a blush or the way she bites her lip as she nods.
“I guess so.”
I head over to the fridge to grab a water for myself. “You want anything?”
She shakes her head. “No, I’m good, thanks.”
I twist off the cap slowly, noting the way she watches me. I suck down half the bottle in one gulp. Fuck, why does a night out drinking always make me so damn thirsty?
I make my way over to the couch, not bothering to ask if I can sit next to her. I feel like Dane or Richie would ask. But I just know I want to be near her. I want to be wherever she is.
Besides, if she doesn’t want me here, she’ll tell me. I know that.
Amelia knows she can be honest with me. At least, I hope she does.
“Couldn’t sleep,” she says, scooting a little closer to me. She looks away, and I can’t help but chuckle. I reach my arm out and wrap it around her.
“You don’t have to play shy with me, you know,” I say, and I don’t miss the smile that forms on her face. She settles against me easily, her body melting into my side.
Fucking hell. She’s warm and soft and so damn cute with her little messy bun and those damn adorable pjs. She doesn’t look like a woman in her thirties at all, even though I know she is.
She’s so fucking hot.
“I’m not being shy,” she says with a laugh.
“If you want to sit in my lap, Amelia, fucking sit in it. Don’t poke me and fidget, just sit in it.”
I watch her gaze flash from my face to my lap. Watch as she takes that bottom lip into her mouth. “You’re drunk,” she says. It’s not judgmental. It’s not angry. It’s careful, but there’s also a hint of humor in it.
“Maybe a little,” I admit. “But I can still read you like a book.”
She rolls her eyes. “And you think I want to sit in your lap?”
I smile. “I know you do.” I pat the space there. My cock twitches. “So come here.”
For a minute, I think she’s going to say no. I think she’s going to get up and tell me to fuck off because I’m feeling my buzz or that I’m too young or some other type of excuse.
So I’m more than surprised when she leans over and straddles my lap, her hands resting on my chest as she smiles. Shyly.
I don’t think twice about leaning up and kissing her, settling my hands on her hips before moving them back to her ass. I gently press her against me, needing her to feel how hard she makes me.
Needing her to know I want her.
We haven’t exactly had that sort of discussion yet. Things are still…
I don’t know what they are, really. I just know I really like Amelia.
I like kissing her. I like touching her. I like seeing her smile. Fuck, I like a lot of things about Amelia that have nothing to do with her being my stepbrother’s ex slash baby mama.
Those things should deter me, but they don’t.
“You feel that?” I breathe against her lips.
“Feel what?” she teases, and I can tell by the sound of her voice and the humor in it that she’s teasing me on purpose.
I grab her ass and thrust myself against her. “This,” I say.
“Oh, that.” She rolls her eyes as she kisses me again and I tug at the waistband of her pajama pants.
“I want to feel yours,” I say.
Amelia laughs. “Are you always this smooth, Tripp, or is it just me?”
“No, I think it’s just you,” I say as I kiss her mouth, her jaw. My thumb tugs at her waistband, pulling it down just enough that I can feel the edges of coarse hair prickling my skin.
The sensation causes my cock to throb.
“Let me see it, baby,” I beg her between kisses.
She giggles, thrusting against me. I love to hear her laugh.
“Tripp…”
“Come on, I promise I’ll show you mine.” I kiss her neck. “If you want to see it, that is.”
Amelia kisses me back between giggles.
“Is that what you want to do, Tripp? Play show-and-tell?”
“No,” I say as I pull down her waistband a little more, exposing more of her. I slide my thumb through it and she gasps.
“I want to play how many licks does it take to make Mia scream my name?”
“Jesus Christ,” she groans, but the way she grinds herself against me tells me she’s not put off by my suggestion.
I slide my hand under the waistband, letting my fingers brush through the coarse yet soft hair. Her heat isn’t missed, and the moment I find her clit, I flick it with my thumb. My fingers slide against her folds and I can feel how soaked she is.
“Try again. My name is Tripp,” I tease her.
She laughs, but it’s short-lived as I tease her wet, quivering hole.
“Tripp…” she mewls, and I laugh. I trace the edges of her pussy, not pushing or stroking or making any move to enter her, even though I want to.
Fuck, I really want to.
Instead, I swipe my fingers through her hot, soaked folds and pull them out in a flash.
I stare at her with a smirk as I take one finger and push it into my mouth. I lick it dramatically.
“Sweeter than a Tootsie Roll pop, that’s for sure, baby,” I say once I’m done. I offer her the other finger. “Want a taste?”
She looks at my finger, her cheeks heated and her mouth open in shock.
“Uh…” She blinks.
“Fine, more for me,” I say as I slide my finger into my mouth, moaning once again dramatically.
Her gaze holds mine. “Maybe I’d just…rather taste you.”
Sweet lord, this woman is going to kill me.
“Is that so?” I ask as I kiss her, shoving my tongue into her mouth. She tenses, but kisses me back, relaxing almost instantly.
“Mhmm,” she murmurs against my lips.
I settle my hands beneath her and upend her onto the couch. The television drones on as she giggles, the two of us fumbling around on the couch to get comfortable.
“You dirty little girl, you. Taking advantage of me.” I pepper her with kisses, running my hands up underneath her shirt.
She laughs. “Tripp! That tickles!”
Her laugh is so cute, and I like hearing it, so I scrunch my fingers and actually tickle her. She squirms as she bursts into a fit of giggles.
“Shhh…” I say as I kiss her. “You’ll wake the baby. And my brothers.”
“Th-then s-stop—” She can barely breathe through her laughter and I smile as I continue, taking in the sight of her wide grin. I kiss the side of her mouth, pressing myself against her to prevent her from moving around.
“I love your laugh,” I say like an idiot. But it’s true. She has a cute laugh.
“But pretty soon you won’t be laughing,” I add as I grab her pants and pull them down.
She gasps, and I stop, her pants halfway down, resting at her knees as I look up at her. She’s staring at me with a look that is somehow endearing and yet full of heat.
“This okay?” I ask, needing to hear her say the words.
She’s quiet for a moment and I think she’s going to recant. Push me away and change her mind. But she doesn’t.
“Yes,” she says softly.
“You ever play the quiet game, Amelia?” I ask, raising my eyebrows.
“Of course,” she says, her voice breathy. Warm.
“Loser buys the other one dinner.” I raise an eyebrow.
She smirks at me. “Deal.” Then her smile spreads and she looks down at me. “Be prepared to take me to dinner, Tripp.”
I laugh. “You’ll be eating those words soon enough, baby.”
I grin at her before sliding my thumb down through her hair again, finding her clit. I flick it, drag my nail across it. She arches her back as she breathes a heavy sigh. I take my time, sliding one finger into her while my thumb continues to play with her clit, and already she’s practically writhing beneath me.
“Oh my God,” she breathes. “Tripp…”
I chuckle. “That was fast. I’m not even licking you yet,” I tease.
“You didn’t say go,” she says. “You have to say ‘ready, set, go…’”
Her pussy contracts around my finger. Squeezing me tight.
God, if it feels this good around my fucking finger, I can only imagine how good she’d feel wrapped around my cock. Clenching me.
Milking me of all my fucking cum.
My cock twitches at the thought and I groan. Fucking hell.
I slide my finger out and she breathes out a sigh.
“Ready,” I say as I slide my finger back in. “Set.” I flick her clit with my thumb. “Go.”
I lean forward, careful of my movement as I shift my fingers, but I don’t remove them. I dart my tongue out, swiping up her center with my tongue, and her legs tighten. I look up, seeing how she’s clamped her lips shut, how her jaw tenses.
I slide my tongue into her hole alongside my finger and she shudders, her legs tensing as her breaths come in faster. With one finger inside of her, I curl it, stroking her insides as I probe her with my tongue.
She moans, quickly clamping her hand over her mouth.
I stop for just a moment, catching her gaze and her heated cheeks, and then I remove my hand and dive into her sweet, warm, wet pussy. I suck her clit into my mouth and she grits out a heavy moan through the hand that’s clamped over her mouth.
Swirling my tongue inside of her, I suck on her clit, and when I come up for air, I replace my tongue with two fingers and pump them inside of her. I move on top of her, adjusting my position so I can stay inside of her. With one hand, I remove hers from her mouth. She stares up at me with glistening eyes full of heat, and I don’t think twice about leaning down and kissing her. I shove my tongue into her mouth while I fuck her with my fingers until she’s squirming beneath me, breathing heavily into my mouth.
“Tripp…”
“Shhh, they’ll hear you,” I whisper. Her mewls are borderline feral as I sink a third finger inside of her. “You feel so good, Mia. So warm, wet, and tight.”
“Oh my God,” she sighs, her voice all tight and full of need. “Tripp, I’m?—”
I move as fast as I can without falling off the couch, because I know.
I know how close she is, and I want to taste every drop when she comes around my tongue. I dive into her, biting, sucking, and licking her clit and probing her center. Her hand finds the back of my head, fingers tangling in my hair as she pushes me against her. She thrusts herself against my face, and I look up to see her face slack, her eyes shut as she breathes heavily.
She is so fucking beautiful and she tastes like heaven. Better than any cake I’ve ever had, for sure.
“That’s it, ride my face, baby. Ride it until I make you come.”
“Tripp!”
That’s when I feel it, the tension in her legs, her pussy clenching around my tongue. It only fuels me to keep going. So I do.
“Oh, fuck…I can’t, I?—”
I don’t let up as her body relaxes. I lick, suck, and bite at her until she’s writhing beneath me again.
“I don’t know if I can come again, Tripp, I?—”
“Yes, you can,” I mutter against her clit. “You can and you will.”
I rip off the remainder of her pajama pants and throw them on the ground so I can settle into her easier as I grab her by her ass cheeks and lift her up, feasting on her as I continue my motions.
Her hand fists in my hair again, but her grip isn’t as tight.
I adjust myself so I have room to slide all three fingers back into her, focusing my mouth on her clit, and barely a second later, I feel her pussy clenching me again and her exhausted, deep moan echoing in the air. I settle us both back down and I grin as I get up, if only to adjust my cock which is straining against my jeans.
And then I catch Amelia’s terrified gaze.
“Something wrong?” I ask, panic hitting me.
Her breath comes fast. “I can’t do this,” she says as she scrambles away from me, off the couch.
“Amelia…are you okay?” I ask, blinking as I adjust my cock. I’m confused. She said this was okay, so why is she freaking out?
“I can’t do this, Tripp, I just?—”
She hurries herself into her pants and my heart is in my throat. This…this is not the way it was supposed to go.
I grab her wrist once her pants are up to her waist.
“Hey…” I tell her, blinking up at her. “Talk to me…”
She pulls her wrist from my hand. “I should go,” she says, and it’s only then I see the faint beginnings of tears in her eyes.
“You should go to bed,” she says, biting her lip. “You have class in the morning.”
And with that, she leaves me hard and alone on the couch with nothing but the television light and the taste of her sweetness on my tongue.
Fuck, what happened?
When I hear the door shut, I turn the television off, grab my water, and head to my room.
I can’t shake the feeling that I did something wrong, but I’m not sure what.
I asked her for her consent and she gave it. We were having fun. She seemed like she was enjoying it, so why did she leave? Was it bad?
I’ve never had anyone complain or anything. And she did come. Twice.
Amelia doesn’t seem like the kind of person to just…get off and leave. Maybe it’s something else. But I can’t help but feel like maybe I did something wrong. That I wasn’t good enough, or something. Fuck, I don’t know.
I undress myself, breathing out a heavy sigh. Maybe she’s right. Maybe I should just call it a night. I get down to my underwear, noting how hard I still am. It’s not that I expected her to return the favor, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little disappointed because just hearing her say those words— I want to taste you —had me fucking harder than I want to admit.
I shove down my underwear and get comfortable on my bed.
The room is quiet, save for the opening of my drawer and the sound of the cap popping off my lube. I don’t waste my time warming the cool liquid in my hands and sliding my hand around my cock. I lick my lips, savoring the remnants of her taste there. I made her come. Twice.
I close my eyes and jerk myself as fast as I can while I lick my lips. Knowing the fingers wrapped around my cock are wet with lube and her scent, thinking about just how tight and wet her pussy would feel around my cock has me groaning out my release. I come hard, my eyes practically rolling back in my head as I shoot my load all over my fucking chest.
My breathing evens as I stare at the ceiling, feeling guilty as all hell.
It isn’t until my heartbeat evens and my wet dick has gone limp that I get up and head to the bathroom. I don’t bother showering, because I shower every morning before breakfast. Instead, I wipe up my cum with a warm rag and stuff my dick back where it belongs, and then I crash on top of my covers until sleep pulls me under.
When I wake up, I feel exhausted.
I didn’t sleep well. I tossed and turned all night, and yet somehow I’m still up earlier than usual. But I figure there’s no point in going back to sleep now. So I get up and shower, and head to the kitchen.
I stop in my tracks when I see a familiar blonde messy bun. A familiar ass in bunny-print pajamas.
“Tripp…” she breathes, her gaze flashing from my dick to my face with heat.
“I didn’t see you there,” she says, her voice cracking.
I give her a half-hearted smile. “But you see me now, right?” I say, trying to be cool. Funny. But looking at her just makes me feel like an idiot.
I should not have pressed her, should not have pushed so hard. The alcohol is definitely to blame. I don’t regret what happened, but I just wish I hadn’t been so forward about it.
Amelia deserves better than that, and I?—
“I’m sorry,” I say as I head for the fridge. She settles Lyla in her high chair, turning her back to me.
“About what?” she asks, trying to play cool herself, but I can hear the way her voice shakes a bit. I hate that. Hate that I may have made her feel awkward or afraid or?—
“For uh…pushing you. Last night. I?—”
I let out a sigh as I open the fridge. It’s rare that I’m up before Dane or Richie. Usually Dane is the first one up and breakfast is ready and served by the time I make it out here. But with it being so early—six a.m., to be exact—I know Dane won’t get up for a few hours, so I might as well work on making breakfast, even if it’s just for me and Mia. And the little princess.
I pull out some eggs and cheese, some bacon bits. Some peppers.
“You didn’t,” she says with a sigh. I can feel her gaze on me, but I focus on breaking the eggs into the pan. One at a time.
“I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable or anything,” I say. The eggs sizzle and I keep my sights on my task. Lyla makes sounds behind me, and then suddenly I feel her.
Amelia. My space gets warmer the closer she gets.
“You didn’t,” she says softly. “You were…great, Tripp. It’s just?—”
That gets me to turn my head and raise an eyebrow.
“Really?” I ask nervously. I reach one hand behind my head as I brace my other hand against the counter. The sizzle of the eggs echoes between us. I take in the sight of her with her half-undone bun and the sun shining on her, lighting up her cute pajamas, her bright blue eyes.
Her gaze flicks from my eyes to my mouth before she looks down at the ground. “Really, I just?—”
Without thinking, I reach one hand out and settle it on her hip. I tug her close. “Hey, it’s okay. Whatever it is you have to say, I promise I won’t be mad.”
She sinks into my hold, flashing those bright blue eyes up at me with interest. A small smile tugs in the corner of her lips.
“It’s just…I like you, Tripp,” she says softly.
“I like you too, Mamma Mia,” I say with a grin. Her hands settle on my chest, her palms warm against my skin. My gaze dips to her lips and I’m suddenly aware of how close she is to me. My cock twitches and I don’t fight the smile or the laugh that escapes me, and she laughs too.
“But everything is just kind of crazy, you know?” she says, biting her lip.
I lean down just a fraction, her lips inches away. “I know. I promise I won’t rush you into anything, Amelia. I get it. But?—”
She lets out a soft laugh. “There’s always a but.”
“If you want me…” I say the words, feeling the weight of them in the air between us. “All you have to do is ask, sweetheart.”
She offers me a soft smile and I realize her hands have slid up to my neck.
“So if I wanted to kiss you right now, all I have to do is ask?” she says, and I see the mischief in her eyes.
“Mhmm.”
I ghost my lips over hers and for a second she doesn’t move. I pull away just a hair and that’s when I feel it. Her hands at the back of my neck, pulling me closer. Her lips parting and her tongue sliding into my mouth.
My cock throbs as I pull her against me, until I’m backed against the counter. My hands slide over her waist, over her pajama-clad ass, and rest there. I grin as we kiss, enjoying the feel of her body against mine. The taste of her tongue in my mouth.
Then I smell the overpowering scent of something burning, and there’s the sound of a throat clearing.
Amelia all but jumps off of me and we both turn to see a rather pissy-looking Dane.
And Richie.
Fuck.
“You’re up early this morning, Tripp,” Richie says, his voice full of disdain.
Shit, I’m going to hear about this, I know it.
“Couldn’t sleep anymore.”
Dane makes his way over to Lyla and picks her up. She coos and giggles as he settles her on him, rubbing her back.
Amelia is frozen beside me.
“Funny, you seemed to sleep just fine before. Practically had to drag you out of bed to make sure you got your breakfast.” Richie’s gaze drifts to the stove.
I hurriedly go back to my omelet—which was going to be Mia’s omelet—and flip it before it can actually burn.
“Looks like you got that covered too,” Dane says as he comes to stand next to Amelia. His gaze on me is solid. Maybe even a little bit scary. But when he looks at Amelia, the smile that graces his face is like he’s someone else entirely.
“Good morning,” he says, and I watch the way her shoulders relax. The way she looks up at him.
I shouldn’t be jealous. I really shouldn’t. But I also know the story of how she met Dex.
He wasn’t who she met first.
The man she’d actually hit it off with was Dane. Then Dexter came in like a bat out of hell and swept her off her feet.
“You have anywhere you need to be today?” Richie asks gruffly as he slides past us, heading for the refrigerator.
“Uh…no. I don’t have any interviews or anything lined up today. I suppose all I really have on the agenda is calling and canceling my lease.”
Lyla squeals and giggles as she reaches for her mother, and as I press my omelet I watch out of the corner of my eye the way Amelia takes her from Dane, her eyes lighting up.
Seeing them in the same room is weird.
I know better than anyone that Dane is not anything like his twin. But it is weird seeing his features reflected in Lyla.
When he’s next to her, you can really see the resemblance, but there’s also a good bit of Amelia shining through, so that’s what I choose to focus on.
“Well, if you don’t have any plans, we should go shopping,” Dane says as he makes for the coffee pot. Amelia bounces Lyla in her arms and I plate up the omelet, slicing it in half so we can share it.
I settle the plate on the island for her. “Bon appétit, baby,” I say with a wink, getting a myriad of grunts and under-breath curses. Her cheeks blush and she shoots me a mischievous grin.
“You didn’t have to make me breakfast, you know.”
“I know.” I shrug as I grab Lyla from her arms, and she lets me. The little cutie starts squealing like a pig and kicking her feet the minute she sees me.
“Good morning to you too, princess!” I say as I kiss her on the cheek, carrying her over to her chair. I brush past Dane, who looks like he’s contemplating my death. I smirk at him.
He takes the seat next to Amelia, ignoring me.
“Shopping?” she asks curiously while I get Lyla situated in her little jumpy thing that Dane set up in the living room yesterday after Amelia officially got here.
She bounces, giggling and drooling, and looking too damn cute for words.
I’ve never really thought about having kids or anything. I know plenty of guys my age do, but I’ve always been more focused on playing hockey than anything else. But I can’t deny that Lyla is fucking adorable, and I actually kind of enjoy her little baby sounds and her giggles.
I take a seat on the ground in front of her and watch her bounce, playing with her the best I can. I can feel Mia’s gaze on me as well as Richie’s.
“Yes. I mean, I know you have stuff, but I’m sure there are things you’ll need while you’re here. Lyla too.” Dane flashes her a grin. “It’ll be fun, I promise,” he adds.
She twists her lips and I watch them intently.
“I don’t know, it seems like a lot,” she says softly.
“It’s not, I promise,” Dane says. “Just a few things. The three of us can get lunch or something after.”
Richie grunts out a sound that makes us all turn.
“What?” I ask.
“Nothing,” Richie says as he downs his coffee, pushing his way out of the kitchen.
“Where are you going? You haven’t had breakfast yet,” I ask.
Richie flips me off.
Guess I’m not the only one who didn’t sleep well.
My gaze meets Dane’s for a moment and he shrugs. “You should head out, Tripp. Or you’re going to be late,” he says.
I look at the clock, realizing he’s right. It’s nearing eight a.m. Fuck.
I look at Lyla, offering her a small smile. “Gotta go, princess. I’ll see you later, okay?” I say, and she just bounces and smiles.
I get up and head back to the kitchen, scarf down my omelet, and make my cup of coffee all while Amelia and Dane discuss their plans for the day.
“Sounds good,” Dane says. “You shower, I’ll watch the baby.”
I grab my travel mug and don’t think twice about leaning in and kissing her cheek. Right in front of him.
He can be pissed all he wants. He doesn’t have a claim on her.
This isn’t a competition. It’s about what Amelia wants, and if she doesn’t want me to touch her or kiss her, she’ll tell me.
Her cheeks redden.
“See you later, Mamma Mia,” I whisper, and then I shoot Dane a grin. “See you later, bro.”
And with that, I make my way outside, just as Manny is pulling up.