Thrasher (10 page)

“Now you’re just talking out of your ass,” he whispered, his warm hands tracing my spine as they slid up the back of my shirt.

I couldn’t help but tighten my grip around him as his warm hands caressed my skin.

Duke’s deep voice whispered as his lips trailed along my shoulder. “How far is your room from Connor’s?”

My lips turned up, and I continued enjoying his caresses. I needed no explanation as to what he was asking. “Far enough,” I breathed out.

And with that, Duke was standing up off the chair, my body still in his arms before he set me down.

“Upstairs, now,” he demanded. “I’ll lock up.”

I rushed off and took the stairs two at a time before I was in my closet rifling through my lingerie. I quickly changed into a silk black nighty then waited for the twist of my bedroom lock to sound before I stepped out.

Duke’s body was still as he looked me up and down, and I couldn’t help but smile. I crossed the room and made my way over to him. I gripped his belt buckle with my hands. “Tonight, I’m in charge.”

I pushed his large frame up against the door and worked as fast as I could to rid him of his pants before getting on to my knees and taking him in my mouth. My eyes trailed up his sculpted abdomen as his hands tugged his shirt up and over his head. Our eyes met for a brief moment before a low moan escaped his lips, and his head fell back against the door.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

My eyes opened, and all I could feel was the heaviness of Duke’s body entwined with mine, his right arm holding me firm to the mattress. I tried my best to lift him off me, but it was useless. His dead weight was pinning me down. “Babe,” I whispered, “wake up.” I tried nudging him, but I couldn’t move.

“Babe,” I said again, this time a little louder, but still, nothing. Finally freeing an arm, I went for the only thing I knew would wake him up. My hand made its way between his legs and began caressing him. His body began to stir.
Bingo!

A short moment later, Duke was tightening his arms around me as he sleepily whispered into my ear, “Came six times last night and ready for more?”

I stifled a giggle. “Actually, I just have to pee, and you were crushing me.”

I felt his arms loosen up, but just slightly. “Go to the bathroom and then get your ass back in bed. We aren’t leaving this room at all today.” His teeth softly scathed my shoulder before I left the warm embrace of his arms and darted into the restroom.

After I’d relieved myself and brushed my pearly whites, I hopped in the shower and rinsed off as fast as I could, not wanting to make Duke wait any longer. If a day in bed was what he wanted, then that is exactly what he was going to get. I ran the towel over every inch of my body, drying completely before I made my way back into my bedroom.

Much to my surprise, Duke was out of bed and half-dressed when I emerged. “Sneaking out on me?” I asked, curious as to what he was doing.

His body twisted, allowing him to look over his shoulder. “Have to run. Duty calls.”

I huffed as I lifted my silk robe off the hook and laced it around my body. “Call in sick,” I begged, my hands now tracing their way from the top of his round ass to around his waist. My lips pressed lightly several times over the skin of his perfect back before he turned in my arms.

His eyes locked on mine. “I’ve got to be across town in twenty minutes. Gunner needs some assistance with a client.”

A grin spread over my face as I allowed my fingers to tiptoe up his chest. “All I need is five of those very precious minutes.” My tongue darted out, wetting my lips, and before I could even slip it back into my mouth, Duke’s lips were pressed against mine.

His kiss alone had my nether regions soaked, more than ready when he slammed inside of me. Duke’s strong hands hoisted me up, and before I knew it, I was pressed against the wall as his hips thrust in and out. My fingers dug into his shoulders, and he picked up speed.

“Fuck, baby,” I moaned.

“Oh, I am.” Duke panted.

Yes, he was, and he was doing a mighty fine job at it. A short moment later, he tightened his grip around me and took a few steps back before we were on the bed, me on top of his lap.

“Keep going.” He breathed heavily.

I took his orders and finished what he’d started before collapsing down onto his chest as I did my best to catch my breath. We’d both climaxed together, and I couldn’t help but smile as the beat of Duke’s heart slammed against my face that was resting on his chest.

We lay like that for a few minutes before he spoke. “Don’t want to lose the warmth of being inside you, babe, but I’ve got to get going.”

I rustled on top of him and scathed his nipple with my teeth before rolling off his body. “Go, before I tie you to the bed and keep you here all day.”

I felt the weight of his body lift off the mattress and heard the rustling of his clothes as he dressed. “We’ll practice that when I get back tonight.”

His strong hand swatted my ass before his lips pressed against my hair. “I’ll call you in a bit.” And with that, he made his way out of my room and off to deal with work.

****

I was sitting at my desk as my students took a pop quiz that I’d prepared last night and scrolled through my call log. The last time I’d spoke to Duke had been late Sunday evening. Apparently, Gunner had needed more help than he’d let on, and now Duke was handling the situation with him.

I’m going to be off the grid for a few days. I can’t really discuss it, but I just wanted to let you know I won’t have much phone access.

And boy, was he right. It was Wednesday, and I hadn’t heard from him. Megan slipped into my classroom, and, of course, when she did, all of the kids glanced up from their quiz.

“Get back to work,” she whispered at them before strutting over to my desk and sitting down on top of it.

“Has Tripp heard from Duke?” I asked, hoping he’d mentioned something to her.

Her expression fell. “He hasn’t mentioned anything if he has. I’m surprised he still hasn’t called you. I sure hate not knowing what they are up to.”

I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. “I know. It drives me crazy. I get that it is part of their job, but I hate not knowing.” I unlocked my phone and shot him another text, probably the hundredth in the past couple of days.

Miss you. Hurry up and call me. I’m worried.

I stared at my phone, willing a response, when all of the sudden, it began to ring. Tripp’s name was lighting up the screen. My eyebrows furrowed together as I showed Megan before answering.

“Hello.”

“Hey. Where are you?” Tripp asked like he didn’t know I was a school teacher.

“I’m at school, teaching. Where else would I be?” I replied sarcastically.

“Can you get someone to cover for you? I need to pick you up. I’m two minutes away.” His tone was terse.

My heart stopped, and I gripped my iPhone tighter. “What’s wrong?”

I watched as Megan’s eyes grew larger, and worry took over her face.

“Not over the phone. Just meet me outside. Teachers’ parking lot.” He ended the call, and before I could hang up as well, I was grabbing my things.

“Find someone to cover for me. I’ve got to go!” I barked as I rushed out of the classroom.

Tripp’s massive black truck tore into the parking lot just as I made it to the curb. He came to a screeching halt, and the passenger door flew open. “Get in!” he shouted over the roar of his engine.

I threw my things in and hopped up, pulling myself up into the lifted truck. I slammed the door closed behind me. “What’s wrong? Where is Duke? Is everything alright?”

Tripp sped through town. “Just sit tight. I’ll explain in a minute.”

A few minutes later, we arrived at their warehouse, and before I could even open the door on my own, Tripp was at my side, pulling my body from the truck and rushing me inside the building.

CHAPTER TWELVE

The office was empty, and all of the lights were off. “What is going on, Tripp?” I asked, irritated as I watched him move to each light switch and flip them on, not saying a word.

Finally, he pointed to Duke’s chair. “Just sit.”

There was something in his voice that made it clear that I needed to listen to him, so I sat down and shot a quick text to Megan.

Not sure what’s going on. Once I figure it out, I’ll call you.

Her response was instant, as if she’d been waiting to hear from me.

Yes! Are you okay? What about Tripp, Duke, the rest of the guys?

My thumbs beat against the screen rapidly.

I’m fine. So is Tripp. Not sure about the rest of them. Tripp is being evasive.

Just as I hit send, the front door burst open, and Duke came flying in, Gunner hot on his heels. I shot up out of the chair, but before I could even take a step, Duke was in front of me, hands caressing my cheeks.

“Are you okay?” he asked, his breathing labored as if he’d just sprinted across town to get here.

I watched on as his eyes studied my face and then the rest of my body. “I’m fine. Now would you please tell me what in the hell is going on?”

I went to rest my hands on his waist, and when I did, my right hand was met with a warm liquid. My eyes glanced down as I jerked my hand back and examined it. “Wh—why are you bleeding?” I shouted, suddenly terrified as I watched the red stain grow larger on Duke’s white shirt.

A grin took over his face before he cupped his side. “That fucker got me.” He glanced over his shoulder to Gunner. “Double or nothing. I’m not paying you a thousand dollars for this shit. It barely broke the skin.”

“Who got you? What are you talking about?” I quizzed, trying to regain his attention, but before I could, someone else came barreling through the door. My eyes shot over and were now focused on the blonde who was approaching Duke.

My eyebrow lifted as I followed her every move. She crossed the room in her skin-tight black dress and pair of fuck-me pumps then laced her arm through Duke’s. “This way, big boy.”

He followed her through the doors and into the next room.

Still unsure of what was going on, I raced after them just as she pointed to an empty conference room table. “Take your shirt off and lie down.”

Unable to allow this to go on any further, I stepped between her and Duke. “Whoa, whoa. I’m not sure who in the hell you think you are, but he isn’t taking his clothes off for you, much less lying down for you, so back the hell up.”

Her lip tugged up into a smirk as I felt Duke’s arms lace around my waist. “Calm down, babe. She’s a doctor. Here to fix me not fuck me.”

A low growl came from the corner. “Watch it,” Gunner said sternly.

Duke laughed in my ear. “Brie, this is Doc Elliott. Our resident repair woman.”

The beautiful blonde scoffed, “Resident repair woman, my ass. You dickheads have too much against me for me to say no when you summon me. Now move it, new girl, I’ve got to get back to the hospital before they notice I’m missing.”

Still in a daze as to what was going on, I stepped aside as I watched Duke lift his shirt over his head and lie down on the table.
Doc Elliott
opened her black bag and began to stitch up his side after pulling a bullet out of it.

He was bandaged up and she was gone in less than fifteen minutes, and finally the guys had cleared out, allowing Duke and me to finally have some time alone.

He was sitting on top of the table when I hopped up next to him. “So, you got shot. Bullet-lodged-in-your-body shot, and you all act like it’s no big deal?” I lifted an eyebrow as I glanced up at him for a brief moment.

“Part of the job, babe.” His shoulder nudged mine. “Doc says I’m fine. We trust her, so I’m fine. A little sore, but nothing to fret over.”

I shook my head. “Not good enough. I need more. Why were you looking me over like I was in danger when you got here? Why did Tripp pull me out of school? The way you’re acting, it clearly wasn’t because you’d been shot. What is going on?” I asked, needing answers.

Duke’s giant frame slipped off the tabletop and stood, taking my hand into his then tugging me behind him. “Hadn’t seen you in days. Just wanted to make sure my girl was good.”

I rolled my eyes, knowing that he was full of shit, and we walked back into the office area where the rest of the guys were sitting, seemingly shooting the shit.