Page 36

Chapter 36

Ruth

Three weeks later, and we haven't had another break-in. Tobias says he's starting to think Michael moved to another area to set up a new trafficking ring. But Tobias is convinced Law doesn't agree, he believes Michael is moving just out of sight, waiting to strike. All I know is Michael is scary in a whole other level sort of way. I guess after what I went through, I just want everyone to be safe.

My phone buzzed with a text from Tobias.

Tobias: Hey sexy, how was your appointment?

Me: Great, Doc gave me a clean bill of health. He said all the bruising's gone.

Tobias: That's wonderful! I have good news too: the trial for the two sitting in my cells starts next week.

Me: I'm so glad. I'm ready to testify.

Tobias: So, since you're better... you owe me a punishment.

I laughed, shaking my head at the screen. Since he brought Joey and confessed his feelings, Tobias and I have seen each other every day. Mainly it's for a meal since he gave his deputies time off before he took any. But tonight and tomorrow he's off and he's all mine.

Me: Aww, man. I misspoke, the Dr said I needed rest. Lot's of rest.

Tobias: Nice try, but too late. I'll pick you up at six.

Me: See you then.

I knew as soon as I sent the text about being cleared by the doctor that he would bring up my punishment. I swear it's what's gotten him through these weeks of recovery. The tension between us had been building to a breaking point. He'd been so careful with me during my recovery, never pushing beyond gentle kisses and tender touches. But I'd seen the hunger in his eyes, felt it in the way his hands lingered. Tonight, that restraint would finally break and after what he did to me against the shop wall. I was ready for tonight, more than ready.

To Tobias's surprise, our public appearances had generated far less gossip than he'd feared. People smiled and asked about my healing injuries and the break-in, but that was it. I didn't think people would care but I'm grateful it's worked out this way.

After work, I dropped Joey off at my aunt's house. His recovery had been slower than mine. I can blame that on the squirrel being eager to pick back up on their feuding. The day after Joey had gotten home the squirrel must have been waiting for him. Joey ran a little too much when he saw the squirrel and it took me a bit to get to him. He's fine but he's still moving carefully.

Aunt Irene felt bad she wasn't there to stop him. She became his favorite person in the world, spoiling him with treats whenever she saw him.

"He's looking better every day," she commented as she scooped him up.

"The vet says if we keep him away from the squirrel he'll be fine." I replied. "Thanks for taking him."

"We're happy to have him. He'll just watch TV with your Uncle. Are you up to having a good time?" she asked with a knowing smile.

"More than ready." I couldn't help but smile back. Kissing her then Joey I rushed home to change, pulling out the lingerie I'd ordered after one of our late-night conversations about what we liked. The bright pink lace bra was sheer enough to reveal my nipples, matching perfectly with the boyshort bottoms. I added my black boots, his favorites, and stood back to admire the effect in the mirror.

"He's going to lose his mind," I whispered to my reflection, turning to check the view from behind. The outfit highlighted every curve he claimed to adore.

I threw on a simple dress over the lingerie just before his arrival. I grabbed a change of clothes for tomorrow. Checked my makeup one last time, tossed a quick overnight bag with a toothbrush and necessary makeup into the bag, and waited.

The doorbell rang precisely at six. Tobias stood on my porch looking unfairly handsome in jeans and a button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to reveal his forearms.

"There's my man," I said, rising to my tiptoes for a kiss.

His lips met mine, firm but gentle. "Hi, beautiful. You look lovely tonight, especially in my favorite boots."

"These old things? I'd forgotten you liked them." I smiled innocently. "What's the plan for dinner? I'm starving."

"I thought we'd have pizza at my place. Just relax for the evening." He offered his arm as we walked to his truck.

"Sounds perfect."

"Good, because I already picked up the pizza," he admitted with a grin. "You going somewhere?" He asked, taking the bag from me as I got in his truck.

"Yes. I have a date later with some guy with a weird nickname. But I figured you didn't want to hear about it."

"You're right, I don't." He handed me the bag and winked.

The drive to his house was filled with comfortable conversation. The first time he brought me to his house for a bar-b-que he'd been concerned about bringing me to the home he'd shared with Joan. But I said since I didn't know Joan, the house was just his. That seemed to resonate with him.

The pizza was delicious, we've found we have the same tastes in a lot of things. We talked about how rebuilding the shop was going. About the case against Michael's men, the upcoming trials. Tobias told me about some training he was planning for the deputies. When we were finished and Tobias stood to clean up the dishes, I excused myself.

Instead of heading to the bathroom as I'd implied, I slipped into his bedroom and quickly removed my dress. Heart racing, I checked my image in the mirror. Flipping at my waist I ran my hand through my hair. A quick lick of the lips and I was as ready as I was going to be. It was time, I felt it was my time to initiate the evening going how I wanted it to go. I walked back to the kitchen and leaned against the doorframe, not saying anything. I wait for him to notice me. Finally he called out.

"Ruth, should we have ice cream?" he called over his shoulder, still facing the sink.

"Depends on what you want to do with it," I replied softly.

He turned, and the expression that crossed his face was worth every single penny I'd spent on the lingerie. His mouth opened, eyes widened, then darkened with desire as they traveled slowly from my face down to my boots and back up again.

"Come here," he said, his voice deeper than usual as he set the towel down and leaned back against the counter.

I walked toward him, enjoying the way his eyes tracked every movement.

"Damn, that outfit was made for you." He gently turned me around in a slow circle. "Gorgeous. Simply gorgeous."

His arm circled my waist, pulling me against him. "Oh, the things I'm going to do to you, Roo."

My stomach flipped as he swept my hair aside and pressed his lips to the sensitive spot where my neck met my shoulder. He'd quickly learned all my weaknesses. How a simple brush of his lips along my neck caused me to melt against him. Breaking contact, he took my hand and led me down the hallway to his bedroom. Once inside, he sat on the edge of the bed and motioned for me to come closer.

"It's punishment time," he said, his tone serious but eyes gleaming.

I stuck out my bottom lip in an exaggerated pout.

"What's that face for?" He raised an eyebrow. "Were you hoping I'd forget?"

"Kind of. That's part of why I wore this outfit."

His laugh was deep and warm. "A valiant effort." He patted his lap. "Let's go."

With all the grace of an elephant on ice skates and a lot of help from him, I managed to lay across his legs, feeling both ridiculous and oddly excited as my bottom was positioned perfectly for his large hand.

"This isn't the most comfortable position," I pointed out.

"It's not supposed to be. But I have to say I think it's great." I could hear the smile in his voice. "I've been thinking about this. I thought it would be the perfect time to give you a lecture."

I groaned.

"I changed my mind. I'm proud of how you handled yourself. Especially knocking one of them out. But, Ruth, you were terribly reckless therefore, I think ten is a fair number. Count them out."

"Ten? TEN! Ten is a lot! Five would be more reas—Ouch!" His hand connected firmly with my bottom.

"You didn't count," he reminded me.

"What? You're kidding," I said, trying to sound pitiful until the next one made contact. "Two!"

"That's one."

"That's two. You already did one." I defensively argued.

"You didn't count so it doesn't count." He patted my ass. "Sorry Roo, those are the rules."

His hand came down again, slightly harder.

"Fine, TWO!" I yelled which only caused him to laugh.

By the time we reached five, I was genuinely squirming. "Five—I've learned my lesson, I really have, I won't work late any more."

"Good," he said, landing another.

"Six," I hissed through clenched teeth. "Come on, you can stop any time."

Seven and eight followed in quick succession, landing in spots he'd already warmed.

"Nine!" I yelped, gripping his pant leg.

The final swat was the firmest yet. "TEN!" I tried to move but he held me in place. As another swat landed immediately after. "Eleven! Why did I get an extra one?"

"A reminder to listen to me when it comes to your safety," he said, helping me up to sit beside him on the bed. His expression had softened, concern evident in his eyes. "Are you okay?"

"Yes," I rubbed my bottom, surprised to find I wasn't entirely displeased by the experience. My skin felt hot, sensitive, and oddly alive. "My ass hurts."

Chuckling, Tobias stood in front of me and began unbuttoning his shirt. His movements were deliberate, his eyes never leaving mine as he shed each piece of clothing. Soon he stood completely naked, his body better than I'd imagined during all those nights of wanting him. And damn if that wasn't the thickest cock I'd ever seen. The length seemed normal and while that wasn't going to get him any BookTok contracts the girth sure would. Wowzer.

Sliding to my knees, I winced slightly as the lace of my panties pressed against my tender skin. I took him in my hand, having to use two to surround his size. I savored his sharp intake of breath as I leaned forward to taste him. His moan of pleasure encouraged me as I explored what he liked, licking, stroking and sucking. I made mental notes that cupping his balls made his hands tangle in my hair. That blowing on the wet tip caused his breathing to quicken. This was new territory for us and we had a lot to learn. I'm proud that I was able to open my mouth wide enough to take him all in. Although as time went on my jaw started to ache. I'm sure with practice I'll get more stretched out.

When he came undone, the power of giving him such pleasure left me feeling intoxicated. He helped me rise to my feet, only for him to reach behind me and unhook my bra with surprising dexterity. He tossed it aside, then helped me step out of my panties.

"On the bed," he instructed. "Legs apart."

"Boots?" I asked lifting a leg.

"Oh no, those stay."

I complied, watching as he positioned himself between my thighs. His fingers explored me first, his thumb on my clit while his fingers filled me. When his mouth followed, and he started driving his tongue in with his fingers it took embarrassingly little time before I was calling out his name, my release washing over me in waves.

As I came back to myself, I found him watching me with a mixture of tenderness and desire.

"Do you have protection?" I asked, suddenly shy.

"I have the best protection," he replied. "I had a vasectomy years ago."

"Really?" The revelation surprised me.

"One child was enough for us." His expression was open, honest. "So we took measures."

"Tobias," I looked at him. "I want you to know it's ok if I don't, you know, climax. What you just did is more than good enough for me."

"Shut up," he murmured, leaning down to kiss me, "challenge accepted. But, it's been a long time for me. So, this first time might be a bit quick."

"Good," I whispered, shifting my hips invitingly.

Tobias entered me slowly, watching my face with such intensity that I felt more naked than I already was. The fullness of him made me arch my back, pressing my breasts against his chest.

"Are you okay?" he asked, brushing hair from my face.

"Yes," I breathed, encouraging him to move. "Fuck you're thick."

He withdrew and drove back in, eliciting a sound from me that was somewhere between a half scream, half moan. I'd never experienced anything like this, not just physically, but the emotional connection that made every sensation more intense. My nails traced patterns down his chest, then scratched up his back as he established a rhythm that had me gasping with each thrust as my hips rose to meet him each time. The feeling of being stretched over and over was something I've never experienced. But I fucking love it. This is what I needed all along, an older man with a wide cock who knows how to use it.

Just when I thought I couldn't take any more, his hand slipped between us to stroke my clit. Putting pressure on it, I spilled over the edge of control. My walls clenched around him as I writhed beneath him, my climax triggering his own. I felt him pulse inside me, his face buried against my neck as he whispered my name.

We lay tangled together afterward, our breathing gradually returning to normal. His weight on me felt like a shield against the world.

"Oh my God," I murmured. "Tobias, I've never," I tried to find the right words but failed. "You got me to, that was fantastic."

"I'm glad you enjoyed it," he said, pressing a kiss to my temple before shifting to lie beside me.

"That feeling of you inside," I closed my eyes and asked, only half joking. "Can we do it again?"

He laughed, pulling me against his side. "Yes, but remember I'm older. I need some recovery time."

"Recovery is good." I snuggled against his chest, listening to his heartbeat.

"Ruth?"

I looked up when he didn't continue.

"Yes?"

His hand cupped my cheek tenderly as we looked into each other's eyes. "I love you, Ruth. Not just this. Though God knows I love this too, I love all of you. Every stubborn, brave, beautiful part."

I felt like I was going to cry, "I love you too, Tobias. I have for a long time. Nothing's going to change how I feel."

"Screw recovery," Tobias rolled us over as I felt his hardness against me.

The End.