Never Say Never (Haven Harbor #3)

Chapter 21

TWENTY-ONE

LET ME WORSHIP WHAT’S MINE

T ucker

Less than 30 minutes later, Daisy and I are walking through the doors of Catch 21.

I have prepared myself for the icy greeting I expect to get from my father and an awkward night with my parents and their social circle. I covertly sneak a glance at Daisy to get a read on how she’s doing after what just happened in the locker room. I could tell her wheels were turning the entire car ride here. Hell, my mind was spinning too. Getting dressed immediately and pretending like the hottest sex of my life meant nothing to me felt all wrong. And I worry how she’s feeling about all of it. As soon as we get through dinner tonight, I plan on checking in with her.

Daisy’s dad is the first to notice us arrive, walking toward us and clapping me on the shoulder.

“The man of the hour is here! Coach Collins! What a game, son. Man, you made us all proud tonight.”

The rest of room cheers and claps, and soon I’m surrounded by a small crowd of people wanting to congratulate me.

My Aunt Victoria slips a glass of champagne in my hand. “How does it feel to be a conference champion? You’re a legend!”

“I don’t know about legend, Aunt Vic, but it feels good.”

“Oh sweetheart, don’t be modest. You’re amazing.” My mom smiles brightly, wrapping her arms around me. “Come say hi to your dad, honey. He is so proud of you.”

I narrow my eyes at Daisy, and she tilts her head with a shrug. In what fucking universe would my dad ever be proud of me? Not this one, but to keep my mom happy, I follow her through the crowd of people who are mingling with drinks in their hands.

“Bill, that’s exactly what I was just saying—”

My dad is cut off mid-sentence when my mom stops beside him. “Sweetheart, Tucker is here.”

I see his expression change when he notices me. His back stiffens and his grin falters, but he reaches his hand in my direction and cautiously I receive it.

“Great game, son. Congratulations on your win.”

“Thanks, Dad. I appreciate it.”

“Bill, you know my son, Tucker,” he says to the man standing next to him. I’m pretty sure I’ve seen him at the country club my parents belong to.

“I’m not sure we’ve met, but it’s my pleasure,” he says, shaking my hand enthusiastically. “Great game today, kid. I’ve followed the team all year and you are one hell of a coach. It’s just a matter of time before the NFL is calling you.”

My dad seems to puff his chest at the compliment, like maybe the idea of an NFL coach for a son is something to be proud of.

“Thank you, sir. I can’t imagine that would happen anytime soon, but if and when the day comes, I for damn sure wouldn’t say no.”

I wait for my dad to come up with some sort of dick response like, He has a better chance of becoming president , but he doesn’t say a word. I’m not sure how to react, this isn’t what I’m used to from my father. Part of me is waiting for the other shoe to drop, and I look around to see if Daisy is witnessing this strange shift in my dad’s attitude.

I spot her several feet away, standing next to a guy about my height who’s wearing nicely tailored gray suit pants and a crisp, white collared shirt. At first, I don’t recognize him, but when Daisy moves to the side, I get a better view of him and realize that he looks familiar. I can’t remember his name, but he went to high school with Daisy and me. He was a year or two younger, so we never really hung out. It’s been years since I’ve seen him. Daisy seems to know him better, because when he wraps an arm around her, pulling her into him for a hug, she smiles widely and leans into him. She has obviously kept in touch with him, closely. Jealousy burns a hole in my chest. The guy obviously thinks she’s hot, and while I know we agreed to be exclusive until she leaves on her trip, we never said anything about flirting. A huge fucking mistake on my part, I realize now. I watch the two of them, biting the side of my cheek in irritation, wondering how much more of this I can stand.

They continue to talk as I’m dragged around the room by people who want to congratulate me, eventually ending up talking to Jake and Holden. There are 80 or so people here tonight, a mix of family, my friends, influential people from the social circles my parents run in and a few guys from the Outlaws coaching staff.

I quickly find out from Jake that the guy I want to murder is Nathan Boyd, a physiotherapist and all-around nice guy from a well-respected family. Apparently, he has had a thing for Daisy for years. From the looks of it, that may be mutual. She hasn’t taken her eyes off the guy, and she’s putting her hand on his arm way too fucking much for my liking. If they’re so into each other, then why haven’t they gotten together? Or maybe they have? The thought makes me sick.

Nathan leans in closer, his hand at her waist as he whispers something in her ear. I grip the stem of my champagne glass so tightly I half-expect it to shatter.

“Tuck, do yourself a favour and go get your girl before Nathan gets her first,” Jake says in a voice only loud enough for me to hear. I sip from my champagne trying to keep my frustration under control.

As if she knows we are talking about her, Daisy looks over her shoulder at me. She must see the infuriation written all over my face because she says something to Nathan, smiles and then walks in my direction.

“Holdey, let’s get another drink,” Jake says, tugging his arm and making a quick exit for the bar, leaving me standing at the high-top table alone.

Daisy stops in front of me, a mischievous look in her eyes. She leans in, going up on her tiptoes to whisper in my ear. “Everything okay? If I didn’t know better, I might think you’re jealous of my friend Nathan.”

“Why would I be jealous? He isn’t the one who had his dick inside of you less than an hour ago.”

“Which is exactly why you are jealous. You’ve never liked it when I pay attention to any guy who isn’t you.”

“Well, now you’re mine, so Nathan should find someone else to flirt with.”

“Is that what I am? Yours?”

“Yes.” I give her my cockiest grin and I notice that it seems to set her off balance. “For the next eight weeks you belong to me.”

Daisy

“Meet me on the patio in 5 minutes, Daisy. Be a good girl for me.”

A shiver dances up my spine as I watch Tucker walk away, slipping out of the restaurant door and onto the dark patio. My mind spins. Tucker is always unpredictable. Slipping my phone from my purse, I check the screen for the time. I’m stuffing the device back inside my bag when Jake appears at my side.

“Oh, hey, Jake. It’s good to see you.” I smile at him. “How’s Everly? Is she here?”

“She is not. She’s home with Birdie. The game was enough for the two of them so she’s sitting tonight out. I’m only here for a drink to support Tuck, then I’m heading home too.”

I like Jake, so I’m trying to make small talk, but the buzz in my veins and the fluttering in my stomach is not making it easy. “It was nice of you to come. I know it means a lot to Tucker.”

“Anything for him,” he says. “He’s one of the best.” Then he adds, “Often misunderstood, but the guy’s got a huge heart.”

Something about the remark has me feeling like it was meant just for me. Was he trying to tell me something?

“Anyways, I better say hello to Mr. and Mrs. Collins before I head out. It was nice seeing you, Daisy.”

“Good to see you too.”

I say goodbye, then take a quick glance around the room before surreptitiously walking to the patio doors. When the door shuts behind me, I’m gripped by my arm and pressed up against the cold wall.

Tucker and I are all alone in the dark, the only lights casting a glow over the secluded area are coming from two fire lanterns perched on the corners of the glass railing. The muted sound of laughter drifts out from the restaurant, met by the crash of the ocean waves on the shore 50 feet away.

Holding eye contact, he stares at me with hungry blue eyes. “You can flirt all you want with every guy in Reed Point, but no one touches what is mine. Not even a finger. Only my hands will touch you until this pact is over. Got it?”

Tucker presses the length of his body against mine and I feel his warm breath against my forehead. The possessive grip he has on my wrist and the feel of his hard chest against my body has me melting with lust.

Standing firm, I hold his eye contact. “You’re cute when you’re jealous.”

“I never said I was jealous.”

“But you are. Why won’t you just admit it?”

Goosebumps erupt over my skin when he sucks my earlobe into his mouth. I moan softly at the feeling, closing my eyes, my head tilting to one side, encouraging him to keep going.

“I shouldn’t have to watch another man touch what is mine,” he growls, slipping his hand up my shirt and yanking the cup of my bra below my breast before he pinches my nipple. “Admit it, rebel… you like getting a rise out of me. You can be such a brat.”

“You’re one to talk. You know exactly how to push my buttons,” I whisper as he keeps twisting the stiff peak. “Just like you’re doing now.”

My breathing is shallow. The feeling of his fingers plucking my nipple shoots straight between my legs until he suddenly stops, leaving me wanting more.

But it gets better when the same hand slips down between my legs, under the band of my tights and carefully slides my underwear to the side before pushing a finger inside of me. When I moan, he growls against my neck. “Someone likes it when I push their buttons. You’re drenched for me.”

“Maybe I do like it.”

“You love it. And damn, if that doesn’t make my dick hard.”

“Tucker—” I release a breath, as his finger moves in and out of me, before he adds a second. “That feels so good.”

“Spread your legs a little wider for me, baby. I’m going to remind you who you belong to.” I do what he says as his fingers push deeper inside me. “Now I want you to keep your eyes closed and don’t open them until I tell you to. Understand?”

“Tuck… what if someone comes out here?”

“Trust me, rebel. Now do what I say and close your eyes.”

My eyes flutter closed as he gently slides two fingers slowly inside me, adding his thumb to my clit where I ache for him the most.

“Kiss me, Daisy,” is his next command, and with parted lips and my eyes closed, I slowly lean forward to where I think his mouth his, my breathing shallow, my lips searching for his. When I finally find them, he gently kisses me as if he’s never kissed me before.

A slow, sensual lingering kiss. It’s almost too tender like it means more than a silly pact. When he breaks the kiss, a whimper escapes me.

His fingers continue to pump inside of me, while his thumb draws tiny circles over my clit. I’m squirming and whimpering, riding a potent cocktail of multiple sensations.

Tucker Collins knows how to touch a woman.

I exhale a tiny breath when his fingers inside of me slow to a stop. “Kiss me again, rebel. Keep those pretty eyes closed.” With parted lips, and my eyes still shut, I lean forward, again seeking him out, slowly searching for what I want. My mouth opens, desperate to get a taste of him, and then I feel the tip of his tongue draw a long-wet line over the length of my bottom lip. The sensual way his tongue wets my lip, the careful way he’s taunting me with his mouth, while my eyes are closed has my body lit up. My tongue flicks at his before he kisses me again.

I gasp against his mouth when his fingers start to move again, faster this time, in a perfect rhythm. He picks up the pace, his fingers curling inside of me as I rock against his hand.

“That’s it, rebel. Fuck my fingers. Show me how desperate you are to have my cock inside of you.” His fingers find my G- spot, his thumb stroking my sensitive bundle of nerves, while he holds my mouth to his like he needs my breath to breathe.

“Now, open your eyes and keep them open until you come. If your eyes are anywhere else but on mine, I will stop.”

This is reckless. Anyone could walk by and see us, but I push those thoughts down, not giving a damn. I slowly open my eyes, riding his fingers as he pumps inside my slick center.

“My god, Tucker. You know how to make me feel so—”

I come hard on Tucker’s hand, biting my bottom lip to stop myself from screaming. An intense wave of pleasure spreads through my body leaving me lifeless as my heartbeat slows and I ride out wave after wave of my release. I cling to him as my body falls limp against the wall when he slips his fingers from me, and he wraps an arm tightly around my waist to keep me from toppling over.

Tucker’s mouth slants over mine in a bruising kiss. The hand he used to fuck me is pressed against the wall, and his other hand cups the side of my face. I can feel his erection when his hips hold mine in place, making me desperate to want to get him off too. My hand palms his length over his pants, but before I can undo the zipper, he moves it away.

“That was for you, Daisy, to remind you who you belong to. You are mine. And I don’t want you to forget it.”

Goddamn this man, he knows how to send a shiver up my spine. Three orgasms in two hours is just asking for trouble. If I had any sense in me, I’d cut this thing off right now. But I can’t. It feels too good to be drowning in the depths of Tucker Collins.

“But what about you? You’re hard. I felt it.”

“Go back inside, Daisy.” His hands straighten my hair. “I told you this wasn’t about me.”

Without another word, I turn and walk back into the restaurant, still sated, my hand clutched to my heart.

I return to the party and do everything I can to not think about what just happened. Or how much I like the idea of being his .

Somewhere along the way this has become more than just friends with benefits. Somehow, I’ve developed a deep connection that is about so much more than just great sex. But what if Tucker doesn’t feel the same? I ache to know how he’s really feeling but I worry that if I force that conversation, I’ll scare him away.

It’s a risk, I decide, I’m not willing to take.