“I’ll get the historical board on it, pretty sure Sable has some sway in that department.” Shit, the payment from the gallery I’m receiving would be more than enough for Indy to start her own, and I’d gladly back her.
“You’d do that?”
“I’d do a whole hell of a lot for you, cherry.” The truck eats the pavement of the road, the tree-lined areas slowly turning into another town we’ll be traveling through. I glance down at the GPS and see that we’ve got a long-as-fuck way to go. Knowing Indy, these questions will turn into more.
“As much as I’d love to continue this conversation, is there a rest area coming up? I may have consumed a bit more caffeine than I should have.” Her feet dance on the dash, legs going back and forth. I turn on my blinker to switch lanes and look for the next exit. May as well fuel up again while we’re at it.
“Only a matter of time with the way you consume it, cherry.” Mile markers come and go, brown geographical signs appear, then finally what I’m looking for: gas, food, and a shopping center.
“I can’t help it.” She shrugs her shoulders. “We got up before the sun rose. Your neighbors’ chickens weren’t even awake.” I wanted to miss the morning traffic, buses and commuters.
“Not complainin’, Indy, but thinkin’ I’m gonna ration your caffeine intake.” A likeliness that’ll never happen.
“Yeah, I’d like to see you try.” My hand goes to her inner thigh, squeezing it softly. She places her hand on top of mine, and we stay like that till it’s time to take our exit.
16
Indy
“Ireally hope you’re okay with the studio aspect of this place. The pictures and videos showed lots of natural light, glass garage doors instead of windows.” Toren didn’t give me a whole lot to work with. He said make it quick, give me natural light, and a place to eat, shower, and sleep. I scoured places, called realtors, and even roped Alex in to help me. Luckily, she had a contact who sent me over several listings available right away, and I narrowed it down to two. The second one was a hit for Toren. The building is amazing, has views of the water, the mountains in the distance, and is minutes from the art gallery. I also made sure there was a caveat in Miranda’s contract that Ellery House of Art would pay for a housing allowance. I’d like to say that was my idea, but it was definitely Jett’s and one I’m glad she suggested.
Miranda wants Toren so badly, she was willing to pay the Pied Piper, and I’m not sure what her financials are like, but I don’t see her breaking even on Toren’s contract. I’m sure she’s hoping it’ll pull more artists in, bigger ones who won’t require near as much persuasion. That being said, I know for a fact Toren’s pieces will sell and it’ll lead him to even more customers with or without Miranda’s help.
“Cherry, seen the pictures. The place is perfect, promise. Don’t borrow trouble in the form of worrying about me. Besides,my only goal is to get you to stay with me as much as possible.” I look over at his profile. There’s a wolfish grin on his face, and when he shoots me a wink, it hits me right between my thighs. You’d think our mutual desire for one another wouldn’t be this strong, but nothing has calmed down, and the verbal foreplay we have on our car rides only makes it that much more intense.
Last night was one of those nights. We’d arrived at the Airbnb later than initially planned. I’d gotten the hang of being his guide to pack the trailer into whatever garage we had for the night, helping him unhook it and doing all of the other stuff that Toren takes care of when it comes to his rig. Usually, it’s me taking care of the trash, bringing in the cooler to be replenished, and then grabbing our bags for the night. Then I’d do a load of laundry, mine dwindling faster than Toren’s since he’s essentially moving to Seattle for a minimum of six months. Then I’d order groceries depending on the time or a delivery for food, trying to get ahead for the next day. Needless to say, we settled into a routine, and once we were finished with everything else for that evening, well, that’s when the night really began.
A shiver runs through my body thinking about the way Toren took me in the shower this morning. The place we stayed at had a massive walk-in shower with a huge bench and more showerheads than necessary. Except it worked, in a massive way I wasn’t expecting before. Toren sat on the marble bench, his back against the cool stone, his long, thick, muscular thighs spread wide enough to anchor him, and when his hand wrapped around his heavy length, it was like watching my very own show.
I stepped between his knees, the spray hitting my shoulders, slicking my hair back in its wake, when Toren’s hands moved away from his cock and to my hips. He told me not to move in his commanding voice, smoky and thick with intent. I nearly crumbled to my knees, only his hold on what I’ve learned is his favorite place keeping me in place.
With Toren’s guidance, I climbed in his lap, my knees finding purchase on either side of his hips and stretching myself further than ever before. My hand took over from where his palm was with a nod of his head, and I slowly took my time lowering myself onto his cock. I watched his head fall back against the wall, his throat working as he swallowed a groan.
He allowed me to set the pace, using my hands on his shoulders as leverage. Each rise and fall sent a tidal wave of sensations through me. My head swam when he reached up, his arms wrapping around my upper back, drawing me impossibly closer and causing me to nearly stumble. Toren slowly gave up some of his control, allowing me to set the pace, but I knew it was because he gave it to me freely.
When he came, watching him break was indescribably beautiful. The cool, collected man crumbled under the weight of the pleasure I gave him. And when I lost the will to keep going, he thrust his hips upward until I came shortly after.
“Whatcha thinking about, cherry?” he breaks through my thought as he pulls up to the place that will be his for the next six months.
“Last night, this morning, all of the above.” There’s also the fact that tomorrow, it’s back to normal for me, working at the gallery, dealing with whatever Miranda sends my way, and that includes hours upon hours of overtime. When all I want to do is stay with Toren. Even tonight, I’m mourning the thought of not having his arms wrapped around me.
“We’ve got tonight, Indy, also tomorrow morning and every day after that. I get you’ve gotta work, and I do, too, and I’m not thrilled to lose you once I’ve finally found you. I like having you near when I’m creating something, to be able to look up and see you’re there. It’s nice as fuck. And while I wanna be greedy as hell and make your boss add another clause where you’re withme while I’m on a welding machine, I know I can’t ask that of you.” He puts the truck inParkand then takes my hand in his.
“Tor.” My voice, his eyes, the way he licks his lips, I’m up and over the center console before I know it.
“That, that right there, what’s a man gotta do to convince you to stay with me tonight?” I should really go home, start another load of laundry, catch up with Alex, and do some work before starting what I’m sure will be a Monday from hell. Then again, I can always text my best friend, update each other, do laundry tomorrow after work, and swing by my place in the morning to get dressed.
“Hmm... Well, you’re currently neck to neck with a mountain of laundry in my suitcase and at home, along with a very annoying six-o’clock alarm. It’s going to be tough to beat that.”
He closes the gap, eliminating the small space between us entirely. One hand slides into my hair, his thumb tracing the line of my jaw with a slow, deliberate movement. Thoughts of tomorrow become a distant memory.
“You want coffee?” he murmurs low and rough. “I’ll have it ready and waiting before the sun comes up. But let’s get one thing clear: by the time I’m done with you tonight, you’re going to need all that caffeine just to remember your own name.” I swallow the lump in my throat, liking his promise already. “And laundry? Forget about it. I have much better plans for those clothes, and they involve ending up in a pile on my floor. So, you tell me, cherry. Are you staying tonight?” He doesn’t wait for an answer. His lips hover an inch from mine, giving me barely enough room to breathe and just enough to realize I’m not going anywhere. I’m right where I belong.
17
Toren
Monday hit like a freight train with the alarm coming to life, and the only thing that didn’t make me want to hit a reset button was that I stayed true to my word. I woke Indy up with my head buried between her thighs, licking, sucking, and fucking her tight-as-hell cunt with my mouth, tongue, and fingers. I also learned along the way that this works a hell of a lot better than promising coffee in order to get her rear in gear.
