Ink Slapped Read online

  She had to say that. “All right kids, it’s past your bedtime.” I point my finger at them.

  “Oh, it’s time for me to go, too.” Taylor stands, but sways and blinks her eyes. I resist the urge to grab her wrist.

  “Taylor, you can’t drive. In fact, none of you can. Give me your keys. All of you.” My mom holds out her hand, trying to regain authority and dignity. I could kiss her for suggesting Taylor not drive.

  Taylor protests. Her body goes rigid beside me, and I jump on the opportunity to get answers without outright asking about the ring. “Where are you going to stay, anyway? And how long are you here for?”

  More anxiety falls across her face. “I never moved to New York, Eli.”

  Looking to Crockett, he’s so drunk he’s not paying anyone any attention. “How long?”

  She bites her lip. “A few days after I last saw you, maybe less.”

  I open my mouth but nothing comes for a few long seconds. “You could’ve told me.”

  “Why would I do that? You never replied to any of my texts.”

  Her words are sharp and cut to my core. Crossing her arms, she looks away. She’s right. I had stopped contact, so I have only myself to blame. And really, what would’ve changed if I knew? Would I have allowed Madison back in my bed? I reach for her arm to say something, anything but my mom calls out to her. With one last look at me, she hurries toward the house.

  Mom puts Taylor in my old bedroom above the detached garage. As a teenager, my parents decided I needed a separate space to play instruments and have band practices. Since Taylor likes her space, I think it fits her for tonight.

  With everyone else in guest bedrooms and on air mattresses, I take one for the team and lie on the couch after a shower to get rid of the bonfire smell.

  The beer floats heavy through my veins, but I can’t sleep. I turn over and give my pillow a punch. All these months, she’s been in Nashville while… I can’t bring myself to think about it, but knowing Taylor is here right now keeps my nerves on edge. I should see how she’s faring or if she needs anything. I laugh. Who am I trying to kid here? When I’ve had enough of my brain battling itself, I make my way into the kitchen and reach for the side door handle. Crockett’s voice cuts from the dining part of the room. “You better know what you’re doing, Gregor,” he slurs.

  He’s slumped in a chair and sipping from a scotch glass. His party isn’t over. He never talks much about himself or his own family and relationships, but a cloud follows him sometimes.

  He finishes his drink. “If you go out there, you better mean it.”

  “How long have you known she never moved to New York?”

  “A week? And anyway, I still wouldn’t know if I hadn’t seen her 4Runner and paid her apartment a visit, even though I talk to her often.”

  “What the hell has she been doing all this time?”

  He shrugs. “Writing.”

  I grab my emergency bag from my car. Gina says there’s a shower in the bathroom, but I don’t take any notice of it because I’m still reeling with tonight’s events. A truly incredible experience. I thought I’d seen Eli in his element before, but now, I don’t know. There was a carefree air to him while Tainted District played in the field. Family and friends would join in at different moments and songs with instruments of all kinds. They battled with banjos and fiddles and used anything that would make a sound like oil pans and hollowed-out pumpkins. I feel like I should have paid for a ticket.

  I’m able to get my contacts out, brush my teeth, wash my face, and pull boots off. I put my glasses on and stumble to the bed.

  Falling on it, I take in all the stuff on the walls and ceiling. Band posters and half naked girls posing seductively across expensive cars fill every space. I laugh aloud. “I bet he had a hard time getting laid in here.”

  “Actually, I never brought any girls here.” I raise my head to find Eli standing in the doorway. “For one, it smelled like feet and farts. For two, I was always afraid my dad would catch me or even worse, my mom.”

  “They’re not scary. They’re cute and love each other. That’s rare.”

  He comes in, closing the door behind him as if my engaging him in conversation gives him the okay. “Your parents don’t love each other?”

  I scoff. “My mom is a ball buster. Always the love them and leave them type. She never remarried after my dad. And he lives in Cali with wife number five? Or is it six? Spends most of his time taking care of my brother and sister. My parents don’t like the compromise of a relationship. The compromise it takes to stay in love. Addicted to the feeling or whatever.”

  “So that’s why you were going to marry Adrian.” His statement sounds like he found a missing puzzle piece. The bed dips as he sits on it.

  I swallow and stare at a bright yellow Lamborghini that’s right next to an old Perry Farrell poster. I smile when I spot several magazine covers adorned with Nirvana. “Something like that.”

  A thoughtful silence continues for a while. Finally, he breaks it. “I’m glad you’re not marrying him.”

  I’m almost afraid to ask, but I’ve had too much to drink and we’re being honest with each other. “Why?”

  Goose bumps erupt along my skin as he traces my arm with his fingertip. “I have a feeling the compromise in a marriage with Adrian would have been yourself.”

  I nod. “Adrian wanted the idea of me, not me. He needs someone,” I search for the right word, “demure. I’m the opposite. Despite what you might think.”

  His face becomes pained. “Taylor—”

  After sitting upright and breaking the small contact, I regret it instantly, but distance is a must this second. The shower doesn’t sound like such a bad idea anymore. “Don’t apologize for calling me a doormat. At the time, I needed to hear it. And now, I need to shower.” I stand, glancing at him. He scrutinizes me for so long, I can’t stand my nerves anymore. “Thanks for the late-night chit-chat. I’ve missed you.”

  When I reach the bathroom, I feel him behind me and turn. His lips part like he’s about to say something, but he closes the space instead, backing me into the wall. The feeling of losing control hits me and my breathing picks up. Noticing, he glances at my chest and his fingertip trails along the top of my corset. My stomach dips with a sharp twist, sending fire to intimate parts. His eyes meet mine again as he sucks in air. “I missed you, too.”

  I hold his gaze, letting my hands explore him a little. His heart beats under my hand as I slide it across his chest and then around his neck to tangle my fingers through his hair. When I pull him closer, his breath hitches, and he spreads his fingers on my neck as his thumb travels over my chin and my bottom lip. This is so wrong in more ways than one. When I lick my lips, I catch his thumb and his gaze shoots down. The line gets blurry as it’s about to be crossed. I pull away in thinking he wants me to make the choice, but his body holds mine into place as he puts his lips to mine. I tighten my fingers and slip him a soft taste of tongue.

  A deep rumble comes from his throat as he takes the reassurance. He tilts my head back to deepen the kiss, and we both become relentless and frantic as we give in. My glasses become a hindrance—all askew—and he removes them before his hands roam from the small of my back, my rear, down to my thighs and to my back again. The slickness of our tongues quickens my blood as I grow wet between my legs. My body betrays me, and I push my hips forward. Breaking our kiss, he puts his forehead to mine with heavy gasps. His hair falls in my face as he peers down and watches my movement. His breath tickles my skin as he pumps his hips into mine.

  Meeting my gaze, he fingers my garters, tracing them under the tutu skirt. When he reaches the apex of my thighs, he slides his finger into my panties. It glides with my arousal. His eyes close. I hiss in a breath and my head falls back against the wall. He swallows in between gasps. The knowledge makes me ache all the more and I raise my hips for easier access. Heat surges my face. This won’t take long, but he keeps his pace unhurried and indulgent.

>   He inhales near my cheek and caresses all the way to my neck and ear. The roughness on his face makes me lick my lips. “I’m having a hard time here, Taylor.”

  I open my mouth to respond to the desire in his voice, but he flicks his finger, keeping me on the brink of my fulfillment. I groan. To torture me more, he guides a finger in. I clench around it, and he exhales through his teeth. “I don’t know if I want to watch you up close while you tighten on my fingers, or if I want to be on my knees tasting you.”

  The pleasure stops when he removes his hand. I open my eyes, watching him suck his finger deep into his mouth. He lifts a brow in query.

  “Lick me but take the skirt off on your way down.” His dilated eyes fasten on my lips. A naughty grin lifts one of his cheeks. He kisses my upper lip, suckling it before moving to my neck—as if I need any more foreplay. I use his distraction to rock my hips into his, but he holds them in place.

  Dropping to his knees, he buries his face in the tutu, squeezing the apples of my rear with the tips of his fingers teasing the seam of it. He nips at me and lifts my panties away with his teeth. Removing his hands, my ass turns cold as he flattens the tutu against my stomach and his eyes come into view. He grips the skin of my lower stomach underneath the corset. My panties snap back into place. I move forward, crying out at the abrupt sensation.

  “So, you’re a flirt and a tease,” I taunt, even more turned on he doesn’t listen to my command right away.

  When he sits back, the tutu springs up as he grins. “I haven’t even begun to tease you yet.” He squeezes my thighs once before grabbing hold of the skirt to pull it down. I oblige and step out of it. He unsnaps the garters from my stockings and tosses both items across the room. His hands trail my corset to cup my breasts. Tease indeed. He’ll find out soon enough I don’t have patience right now. It’s been a few months. Running my fingers through his hair, I grip and push my hips forward.

  A hungry glint shines in his eyes as he pulls my panties down and hooks my leg over his shoulder. He wets his lips as he stares at what very few people have seen before. My head falls back and I close my eyes.

  Massaging my thighs and kissing them, he takes his time doing so, and I grip his hair harder. His breath is right where I want his mouth and I feel his grin against my skin before he blows on me with no other contact.

  I groan and huff. “I was kidding, you weren’t teasing, but now you are—” My complaint is cut off by the wet warmth of the flat of his tongue. I push his face all the way in to feel the prickle of stubble against my thighs.

  Stopping, a chuckle escapes him at my eagerness and it opens my senses. As soon as his attentions continue with relaxed movements and suction, my desire escalates and my moans sync with it. Glancing down, I meet his hooded eyes as he lazily licks me as if he could do it all day. His tongue circles and he slips in a few fingers, cupping them upward. I gasp and suck my bottom lip in as the deep pressure builds. The massage of his fingers matches the manipulations of his tongue. He pulls back, removing his fingers when I’m right on the brink.

  I groan in approval, rubbing my hand down my thigh and biting my lips. No matter how much I want it, I can wait for him to give it to me. He kisses and nibbles the soft skin of my inner leg before returning and then bringing me close but not close enough. Repeating the cycle for the third time, he has me in a state of intense arousal.

  My body moves on its own, begging for climax. He lets me keep a grip in his hair and smiles every time I try to close my thighs. After another cycle of his game, I can’t take it anymore.

  “Please.”

  His eyes flash as he meets my gaze. I love his wicked grin as he glides his fingers in. As soon as his tongue touches, an orgasm bursts through and my body rides the waves rippling over and over. His grip on me tightens as he leads me through it. I come to flat against the wall. He grins, wiping his mouth. With quivering legs and rough breathing, I slide down the wall to the floor in front of him.

  I’m in a daze when he kisses me on the lips. “Come on, Taylor. Let’s go to sleep.”

  “Let’s?”

  “Yes, I want to sleep beside you.”

  “But—” I’m not finished, I want to say. And how is he? I’m slick between my thighs. So, I can think of a few other things to do besides sleep.

  “Please.” At the earnest look on his face, I nod. Apparently, this is where he draws the line.

  After changing into a big t-shirt, I wait until he pulls me to him to close my eyes. “You have your own clothes?” The deepness of his voice reverberates through my back.

  “I have a bag in the car for when I’d stay at Adrian’s or Savannah’s or get too drunk to go home.”

  “So, you have a drunken overnight emergency kit.” He laughs and I laugh with him because it’s true.

  “Hey, dipshit.” The bed jerks and when I peek my eyes open through a blur, I can tell Crockett is smiling. I’m tangled in big limbs. My hair is all over the place and a few strands are wrapped around my neck. When I get my hair straightened out, I realize Eli’s eyes are already open and he stares in amusement. So close we breathe each other’s air. The stubble on his face invites me to bite his jaw as the events of last night flood my mind. Fresh lust heats my body. Friskiness should be the last thing I feel. Shame. That’s what the feeling should be.

  “Eli, wake up.” The bed shakes again, and Eli’s lips quirk as he clutches my waist tighter before sliding his hand to my lower abdomen. It dips in reaction. I wriggle and notice how aroused he is.

  “Taylor, wake him up.” Oh, he’s awake all right.

  “Shh, don’t make any noise and he’ll go away,” Eli whispers. His hand rubs against me through my panties. I don’t move, just close my eyes, hoping Crockett goes away so I can have my way with this man. I hold his hand, directing how I want it to move. He sucks in a breath.

  “Madison is here.”

  I tense as if doused in ice water. With our lust extinguished, Eli removes his offending hand and raises his head, peeping at Crockett over his shoulder.

  “Go through the basement, she thinks you’re down there. Your mom is stalling her.”

  With that, Crockett leaves, but Eli only continues to watch me for a minute before moving from the bed. Our actions are wrong. He’s married, and her coming here only serves to prove they are working on it. And here I am, screwing with their marriage and hurting myself in the process.

  After using the bathroom, he slips on his t-shirt. “Will you come in for breakfast? Or brunch? I’m sure my mom cooked enough for three armies.” Leaning over, he slides my glasses on and his face becomes sharp and clear.

  “It’s okay, Eli. I’m just going to go.” I run my hands through my hair, sitting upright. “I’m sure the guilt will be visible on my face.”

  Somberness settles over his expression. Grabbing my hand, he squats beside the bed. My body warms at the look in his eyes. It’s a mixture of worry and adoration. “Don’t feel that way about what we did. It’ll ruin it.” He looks away and whispers, “She’ll taint it.” When he glances back at me, I’m not sure what to say. Hope tries to worm its way into my being—and that is something I can’t allow. “And anyway,” he continues. “I don’t see anything written all over your face. You’re a tough one to read sometimes, but...” His chuckle sounds uncertain as he rubs his neck. “I can’t believe I left that bed.”

  “You need to work things out with Madison,” I blurt because I need to or later the guilt will gnaw at me.

  He stands. His jaw clenches tight before he speaks. “If I wanted to do that, I wouldn’t be in here with you.”

  I blow a breath and close my eyes, but I open them again. “Maybe I’m just a novelty. Someone forbidden. Someone you can’t have. Someone to get your rocks off while you’re dealing with marriage problems.”

  Now his jaw works sideways as if he’s grinding his teeth. He gets in my face. “Is that what you think you mean to me? Or is that what I am to you?” I flinch from his question. His stare
is intense as if he really wants the answer.

  “I’ve never given you a reason to think that, so no, but you’re married to her. Just a few months ago you told me you still loved her. And the last time I went to your apartment to—” I suck in a breath. “She was there. Don’t you think you need to figure that out?” The last thing I want is to be a regret—someone that drives a wedge even further between Madison and him.

  He’s quiet for a long time. “Maybe like Adrian, I loved the idea of her,” he whispers, searching my face. “How many compromises would we have to make?” He has a point. It’d be easy to be with Eli. Natural. Comfortable. Warm and cozy. Fun and entertaining. Explosive. Hot and passionate. Nerve-wracking, too. His gaze searches my own. “Do you trust me?”

  I wait a moment before nodding. A smile stretches across his face, and he kisses me. Just another feather-light touch of the lips, but the meaning is clear. When he leaves, his presence stays. Did I just agree to an affair?

  I’m a glutton for punishment because as I think about it more, I accept Eli’s offer for food. I don’t want to leave without telling Gina and John how much I enjoyed their party and hospitality.

  After showering, I dress in leggings, a denim button-up, and a small jacket that shows off my waist. When I walk through a carport and in the side door, everyone stops talking. Eli looks shocked and… proud? Crockett smiles at me as if he knows I have balls big enough to do this after spending the night with Eli. For all they know, we could have talked all night. If I don’t show it bothers me, the guilt won’t show, right? What am I doing?

  I nod in greeting to everyone at the table. The smell of bacon and biscuits draws my attention to Gina at the counter.

  She smiles, although it seems anxious. “Good morning, Taylor. How are you feeling?”

  “Ravenous.” I eye the food as Milo and Crockett cackle at the table. I flinch at the inappropriate sound of the word. Eli supplies them a glare before sipping more coffee. Madison sits next to him and watches my actions. “Thanks for letting me stay the night. You probably saved me a DUI,” I tell Gina.