Still Standing (Wild West MC 1)

Buck looked from the view to me, and his lips were tipped up as he said, “Correct.”

Right.

I was out of words.

Therefore, to get to the point, I asked leadingly, “Sooooo…?”

Even if we were not far apart, he still managed to lean toward me.

“You and me, baby, unexpected. Out of hand. Off the charts. I don’t fuck around with that shit. Ever. Even with you, if I’d thought you’d been getting around, that would have dawned on me and I would have worked in a glove. But you told me you’d sworn off men. So in that department, you got nothin’ to worry about. I take pains to keep clean.”

Well then.

If that was the case (and I had no reason not to believe him), then if we were non-exclusive, our little snafu might not have even more calamitous ramifications.

It was thin, but at least it was one good thing to hold on to.

I nodded to him.

Buck touched my nose with his lips and returned his attention to the view.

I followed his gaze and stared at the landscape thinking I’d managed to survive foster care, Rogan and Esposito, but I was still making all the wrong moves.

Alternatively, maybe they were the right ones.

I mean, Tatiana’s (somewhat understandable) attitude aside, it was without a doubt West Hardy made beautiful children.

Then I sipped my margarita and prayed, for the very first time, I got my period…and soon.

Another boy, a little one, with Buck’s thick hair and his beautiful eyes hit my mind’s eye and an entirely unhinged thought about the return of my monthly friend entered my head.

Because maybe I should pray for…

Not.

* * *

“We can watch somethin’ else,” I heard Gear say quietly.

“I wanna watch this,” I heard Tatiana put in, not as quietly.

“Clara isn’t into it, Tat, it’s put her to sleep,” Gear returned, again quietly.

Earlier, Buck and I had come in and both the kids were in armchairs watching television.

I put my empty margarita glass in the dishwasher (possible Hardy Tot inside me had had enough tequila for one night), Buck got another beer and we headed to the couch.

I tucked myself on the opposite side of him and stayed tucked there for point-two-five seconds after Buck sat in his normal place.

Then his arm shot out.

Fingers wrapping around my wrist, he yanked me to him and settled me in my usual position with my cheek to his thigh. About point-one-five seconds later, I felt his fingers in my hair.

I avoided both Gear’s and Tatiana’s eyes and glued mine to the TV.

A little over an hour later (I knew it was an hour because I’d managed to watch an entire program), I fell asleep.

Now, my eyes were closed, my fingers curled around Buck’s thigh, I was still mostly sleeping, but their conversation had penetrated my doze.

“She does this,” I heard Buck rumble behind me.

“What?” Gear asked.

“Every night, she crashes in front of the TV. Watch what you wanna watch. Toots don’t give a shit. Television is a tranquilizer. She’s good,” Buck answered.

“All right, cool,” Gear muttered.

After that I heard nothing but the TV.

And after that, I slipped from my semi-conscious doze back into sleep.

* * *

I woke up again when Buck lifted me from the couch.

I slid my arms around his shoulders and dazedly looked around.

Moonlight was glowing through the windows, there were no lights on, and both Gear and Tatiana were gone.

I pressed my forehead into West’s neck.

“See,” Buck’s voice rumbled all around me in a way I liked, “you get tired, baby…cuddly and sweet.”

“Mm,” I mumbled and then his chuckle rumbled all around me in a way I also liked.

He set me on my feet on my side of the bed, and I immediately started to disrobe. Jeans down and off. Librarian blouse (this one fuchsia pink with little ruffles on the cap sleeves) unbuttoned and thrown aside. I turned to the bed wearing a bra and undies in order to reach under the pillow to get my nightie.

I didn’t make my destination.

Buck’s hands were at my hips. They turned me then slid over my behind and down to my upper thighs where he lifted me up, his hands sliding more, spreading my legs.

Automatically, I clamped them around his still-jeans-clad hips and my hands went to his bared shoulders.

My eyes also went to his.

“Buck, the kids.”

“Asleep and they sleep deep.”

“But, Buck—”

His mouth hit mine. “Baby, not waitin’ any longer. Fuckin’ you.”

With that, I was on my back in bed, my head on the pillows, Buck’s tongue in my mouth.

And I wasn’t sleepy anymore.

Buck did not lie, he wasn’t waiting. He was kissing me, deep and wet, and his hands were all over me. It didn’t even have the chance to start. It went from nothing to all revved up and ready to go in seconds.

To prove that point, suddenly, my bra was gone, and Buck’s mouth was at my breast, his fingers toying with my other nipple, rolling and gently pulling as he sucked it deep in his mouth.