Rough Love (Tannen Boys 1)

“You okay, baby?” he murmurs. I know he sees the flinch the endearment triggers when he sighs. “Two steps forward, one step back is fine if that’s where you’re at, Allyson. I just need to know if we’re still dancing.”

I bite my lip, not sure how to answer that.

“Maybe?” It’s all I can honestly give.

Bruce nods his head, and I wish I could see his eyes. “I can work with that.” He bends down, his breath hot on my cheek, but he pauses, giving me time to stop him. The refusal doesn’t come, and he presses his lips to my cheek.

I want them on mine. I want him to leave me alone.

I am such a clusterfuck of emotions . . . want, desire, and hope battling safety, routine, and fear.

“I’ll see you at practice on Tuesday,” I finally say.

I know he’s disappointed in my reluctance, but he agrees. “Yeah, see you Tuesday. Call me if you need anything. Or text me. But if I don’t respond, assume it’s a glitch or bad cell service. I promise, I’ll respond to you PDQ.”

My brows knit together. “PDQ?”

Even in the moonlight, I can see the glint of his smile. “Pretty damn quick . . . for you.”

I smile, ducking into my car. “Good night, Bruce.”

“Good night, Al.”

Chapter 19

Bruce

Tuesday’s practice is a tough one. I go hard on the boys, recementing the expectations and team building we did previously, even though Allyson already handled their behavior. Those bonds and boundaries shouldn’t crumble so easily.

I pay special attention to Johnathan, who actually apologizes to Allyson unprompted. Guess he had a bout of conscience later. I’m glad because he’s a good kid. He just lacks some impulse control and a filter. But didn’t we all need some growth in those areas at this age? Fuck knows, I did. Hell, I probably still do.

When we’re done, the team cheer dying in the wind, I try to talk to Allyson, but she’s not having it. She’s fighting me, fighting herself, fighting us and doing a damn good job of retreating in an attempt to hide away.

“Sorry, we have to hustle tonight. Cooper has a science project due in the morning for his STEMP summer camp and we’ve got a busy night of cutting and gluing ahead of us. He’ll definitely be up past his bedtime.” She sounds like it’s a personal failure on her part that he’s going to stay up late. She’s even nibbling on her lip like she’s second-guessing herself on her evening agenda.

“No problem. Raincheck?” I keep it casual, not wanting to scare her off, but I can see the hamster in her mind hitting that wheel like a speed demon. Even though I want to force the issue with every instinct I’ve got, I fight to use my brain instead and make a strategic retreat before she can say otherwise. “See you Thursday. Call me if you need anything.”

I press a quick kiss to her forehead and she flinches. I have an echoing twinge of hurt in my gut until she presses her fingers to my lips, wiping the kiss off them. “Don’t kiss me like that when I’m all sweaty and gross. Ew!”

I grin beneath her fingers. “I don’t care if you’re sweaty. Hell, I’ll make you sweaty and then lick you head to toe just to taste your salty sweetness.” I stick my tongue out against her fingers, demonstrating.

She blushes fiercely and the freckles on her nose stand out in stark relief. She might cringe away from serious talk, but she’s all too willing to listen to my dirty talk.

If I have to win her back using my dick and some filthy words, so be it.

New plan—I’ll get her pussy and then her heart. It’s not bad as far as plans go and maybe won’t scare her off so badly. My cock agrees with my brain for once, and I put the new plan into action immediately.

I lower my voice, letting that gravelly bedroom sound into my vocal cords. “Allyson, fresh from the shower with your soft skin smelling like flowers . . . I want you. Sweaty and wet with salty trails running down your body . . . I want you. Anytime and anywhere, I’ll bend this body over and fuck you so raw and hard that you forget your own name. You won’t give a single fuck about whether your hair is fixed or even clean because all you’ll care about is the way I’m twisting it in my hand as I feed you my cock. I’ll make you forget everything but how good I can make you feel. Because you know I can. I know you didn’t forget that. I’ll make you come so hard you fucking leave your body to float around in bliss while this pussy creams all over me. And even then . . .”