Page 19

19

Tucker

I have no idea what it is about this mysterious woman that has me so captivated, but I’m hers. It’s as simple as that.

Earlier, when I saw her retreating from the other guy’s reactions, I moved out of instinct. My mother had panic attacks when I was a child. Deep pressure is what helped calm her. Though I never saw any evidence of abuse, they stopped when my father died from a farming accident.

I was entranced watching Spencer clean her guns one after another. She knew exactly what she was doing with complete comfort and ease. When I saw the shake of her hand, I knew she needed more. I have yet to learn what the relationship is between her and the three other men in the room, other than Miller referring to Spencer as his. Right now, it doesn’t matter to me.

As I carry her to the couch and settle her in my lap, I already feel her stress ease. The guys follow me and each hold a piece of her to give their own comfort and strength. I have a feeling we are about to hear the hardest part of her story.

“It was a Tuesday evening. Shane made me Shepherd’s pie. He knew it was my favorite. After a nice dinner and conversation, he told me to take a bath and relax. I was overjoyed at the idea. I soaked and rested and felt refreshed. I stayed in the tub until my fingers and toes were like prunes.” She absentmindedly rubs her thumbs over the pads of her fingers, remembering the feel of it.

“While I was getting dressed, he came in and told me he had another surprise for me and to come downstairs when I was finished.” Her body becomes rigid in my arms, and looking at everyone’s faces, they see it, too.

“When I took the first step to go downstairs…I fell.”

That’s not the truth. I can feel the fear radiating from her.

“Little Miss, I’m gonna need you to be honest with us. I can promise you right now that not a single person here will hurt you. And before you protest, that’s what your dipshit ex made you believe; I want you to listen to me right now.” I tilt her chin so she’s looking into my eyes. They’re glossy, and I want to find this Shane asshole and make him pay for every tear she’s ever shed for him.

“Spencer, I know you don’t know me from Adam, but you can ask my brother here. I’m a man of my word. You looked real pretty cleaning your guns, and I’ll say I’m impressed. But if any of these men ever lays a hand on you in anger, I’ll put a bullet in his brain and not think twice.” I shift my gaze to Lincoln, “And if I ever lay a hand on her, I expect you to do the same, brother.” Lincoln gives me a curt nod, and I know he believes my conviction.

“Why?”

Who the fuck knows. Chemistry. Fate. Fucking God. A penny I made a wish on and threw into a fountain when I was six. I’ll give her the only truth I know.

“Because you’re worth it.” She gasps at the enormity of my statement, but they’re the most honest words I’ve ever spoken. “Tell us what happened, Little Miss. The truth this time.”

“When I took the first step, I was…pushed down the stairs.” I tighten my grip around her, feeling the shudder go through her body.

“Fuck, Dream Girl.” I heard Lincoln call her that earlier, and for the first time, I realize that every single man in this room has a sexual attraction to Spencer. Even my little stepbrother, despite his boyfriend being right next to me. What an interesting dynamic this woman has orbiting around her.

“We lived in an older house. The stairs were wood and steep, with a landing in the middle. I fell all the way to the bottom. I must have passed out because I don’t remember getting to the bottom floor, but…” Her body recoils inwards, and I brace myself for what she’s about to say next. “I came too, when Shane was kicking my stomach. I was only an EMT then, but I knew whatever marks he was creating could be swept under the rug as part of the fall.”

Every one of us is ready to search out and kill this man. It’s written plain as day on our faces and the heavy breathing containing our rage.

“I lost consciousness again, and when I came around this time, I was alone. Alone and in excruciating pain. I knew if I was going to leave, it was my only chance. Beaten and broken, I got into my car with only my wallet and willpower. I had broken ribs, most likely a concussion, and bruises lining my body. But none of that mattered to me. He completed the task he set out to do. Despite my discomfort during the four-hour drive, I waited and waited. She never moved. My baby girl never moved again. I drove straight to my father’s house. I knew the only way he was going to believe me was if he saw it with his own two eyes.”

She’s been through so much, and my heart breaks for her. I want to fix every one of her worries and dispose of anything and anyone that’s ever caused her pain.

“Because of what happened, it put a strain on the relationship between my father and me. He blames himself. He couldn’t believe he missed every sign of the abuser that Shane was. He drove me to the hospital, and we told them I was mugged. They confirmed she had passed and…”

“Shhh. You don’t need to say anymore, Little Miss.” I want to cocoon her into me. Taking a bold risk because I know nothing about this woman other than what she’s told me and the immense pull I have toward her, I tug on the hair tie at the bottom of one of her braids. It slips from her hair, and I gently unravel her braid from the bottom to her crown until her copper hair flows in waves. She sighs, and her body melts farther into mine. I repeat the process on the other braid until my fingers can freely flow through her locks. I can tell she needed this extra stimulation after the confession she just made to us.

Us.

I almost forgot we were surrounded in a room together. As I massage Spencer’s scalp, a soft moan escapes her. I will my cock not to respond to her noise, but it isn’t listening because she continues mewling.

“Little Miss, I need you to stop making those sounds. I’m trying to be respectful, but you’re making it difficult.” I’m not sure she’s even listening to me; too lost in the feel of my hands in her hair. I feel a growl at my side and realize Miller isn’t happy with me.

We need to talk about what those pictures mean, but right now, she seems like she’s had enough. She’s shared her unimaginable truths with us, and I won’t ask for more than she can handle. Spencer moans again and I can’t take it anymore. My body reacts before my brain can catch up, and I fist her hair and pull her head back. Sealing my lips to hers, I kiss her gently. She returns my offering, and I drink her in. Her soft lips caress mine, and I want to deepen the kiss, but she’s in charge.

“Tucker.” My name is a growl on Miller’s lips. I care fuck all about his opinion. If Spencer wants to kiss me she can kiss me.

“Fireball, let them be.”

“Are we going to just let him do that? She barely knows him.” I ignore them and continue kissing my girl. I feel the couch dip next to me, and any protest Miller has, dies on Lincoln’s lips as he kisses him. I hear their heavy breathing but get distracted as Spencer shifts in my lap and straddles me.

“I want her lips,” Miller whines, and I open my eyes to see Lincoln kissing his neck. I pull away from Spencer, and her lips drift to my neck. Reaching my hand across the couch, I grab Miller’s chin and pull him to me.

“If you want her lips, you can taste them on mine first.” I wait for his reaction. I’m not willing to take something he doesn’t want to give. I see his chest heaving and know he’s turned on. Whether it’s from his previous activity with Lincoln or the thought of kissing me, I’m not sure.

“Kiss him, Fireball.” That must be the permission Miller was waiting for because he lunges forward, crushing his lips to mine. Miller tries to dominate our kiss but he’s about to learn his place.

“I don’t think so, Bruiser. I’m in charge.” I lower my hand to his neck and push him back so our lips hover an inch apart. “Lincoln, you better control your boy toy before I do.” Miller’s Adam’s apple bobs under my hand, and I watch his pupils dilate. He likes that idea. Why do I like the idea of sharing my brother’s boyfriend?

Axel pulls Spencer away from me, and if I wasn’t in this tense staredown with Miller, I’d protest, but I have a situation that needs to be dealt with at the moment.

“Linc?” He hasn’t answered me, and I don’t know if it’s a good or bad thing. I know Lincoln and I both have particular tastes when it comes to the bedroom. Our flavors of sexuality have always danced on both sides.

Reluctantly, I release Miller’s gaze to look at my brother. He’s watching our interaction with lust-filled eyes. He wants this, too.

“On your knees, Miller.” The room goes silent, and Axel and Spencer’s make-out session comes to a halt. Miller has a choice to make, and I feel like this is a line in the sand he needs to decide to cross or walk away from. Either answer is fine with me.

His eyes give everything away. He wants this but is hesitant. Lincoln has mentioned Miller to me a few times, and I know this is his first relationship with a man. Right now, he’s probably wondering if he can handle both of us. The answer is no, but we could ease him into it.

“The choice is yours, Fireball. You can obey or say no. No one will fault you for your decision.” I give Lincoln an appreciative nod. He could also tell me no—Miller belongs to him. He doesn’t have to share with me. It’s not something we’ve ever done before. But I really fucking hope he says yes.