My curiosity is peaked. “Do you want to tell me about it? You don’t have to if you don’t want to.”
“I have nothing to hide, Taryn. I’m an open book to you. Last year I met this girl. She was my former team captain’s twin sister. It was love at first sight for me, but not for her. So this is a reminder to only trust the right person with your heart.”
“Did she hurt you?” I ask.
He shakes his blond head. “Yes. But it wasn’t intentional. She fell for someone else. She never even saw me as more than her boyfriend’s teammate.”
“It’s her loss.” I bite out.
Tucker’s tone is surprisingly soft. “It wasn’t her fault. She didn’t even know how I felt. I made such a fool of myself when I realized that I liked her, that there was no way she could ever have taken me seriously. But I wanted a reminder to guard my heart. And my body, too. I want you to know something, Taryn.”
“What is it?” I realize that Tucker’s easy going, goofy personality is just a thin veneer that hides incredible depths.
“This, between us, means something to me. I know we’ve just started to get to know each other, but I care. I haven’t hooked up with anyone since I fell for Bex. I didn’t even kiss another woman. Until you. So if I let myself fall for you, Taryn, please don’t hurt me.”
That resonates with me more than I thought possible. His trust in me means more than anything else. More than the attraction and how much Tucker makes me laugh.
Tucker makes me feel safe, and I realize that I trust him too.
For a really brief moment, I had felt something vaguely similar for Tim. That’s why I hooked up with him. Even though in Tim’s case I was planning for it to be just a one-night stand, I trusted him. I felt safe with him. Until he roofied me and maybe I…
I shudder at the memory.
Since I packed everything and got in my car with Jodie, I have tried my hardest not to think about my last night in Hemlock Beach. I’ve been successful for the most part in keeping my mind occupied with training camp and the guys. My thoughts and my fears catch up with me at night, when I’m about to fall asleep.
“Baby,” Tucker’s hand cups my jaw, his touch gentle, his voice soft. “Where did you go just now? I’m sorry for mentioning another woman. I did just because you asked, and I didn’t want to lie to you. But I swear that I’m over Bex. I’ve been over her for a while now.”
I look into his dark blue eyes and I almost tell him everything.
That I don’t know if I did it, but that it’s a possibility.
Would Tucker believe me? Or would he be terrified of being alone with me? Would he call the cops if he knew?
His eyes are shining with pure, unadulterated desire and trust. When he says that he could fall for me, I believe him because I feel the same way about him.
That’s why I should tell him my secret. I almost do, but the words stop in a painful knot in my throat at the last second.
Because despite the feelings that are beginning to exist between us, our relationship is still too new.
How would I react if Tucker told me that he doesn’t know if he killed someone while under the influence of powerful drugs? Would I trust him? Would I feel safe? Or would I run far, far away from him? It’s a risk I can’t take. Or, at least, not yet.
“I’m sorry.” I whisper. “I wasn’t mad because you mentioned someone else. I was just thinking about this. About us. I like you, Tucker. And I would never hurt you. I hope you know this.”
His smile lights up his whole face. “I know. I have a good feeling about you, Taryn.”
He kisses me, hot and intense, and I can vaguely taste myself on his soft lips.
Before I know it, I’m straddling him again. My fingers are playing with the waistband of his sweatpants.
I can feel his hard length under me, and another thing the girls said before comes to mind.
“He’s got the biggest cock I’ve ever seen. And he definitely knows how to use it.”
“Baby,” he covers my hand with his. “We don’t have to do anything you aren’t ready for. I know you’ve been with Colsen and Nash, but that doesn’t mean you have to go there with me too unless you really want to. Tonight is just about you and all I wanted was to spend time with you and make you feel good.”
The feeling of him pulsing under my hand is intoxicating. Tucker is handsome and popular enough that he could have any woman he wants. Especially with his reputation as a great hookup. The fact that he wants me makes me feel sexy and powerful.
I palm his hard-on through his pants. “I know all that. And I want this. I want you, Tucker.”
