Page 43 of Holding On

“Oh, really? What is the—” Whatever my next thought was goes right out the window as Tinsley reaches down, undoes my belt, and releases the button before grabbing at the fly. “Oh, hell yes.” I squat down and pick her up by her thighs, which she immediately wraps around me as I turn and walk us to the bedroom while she trails kisses up and down my neck.

I wanted to do this when we were in Nashville, but having sex together for the first time in her brother and my best friend’s house didn’t feel quite right. Also, she was injured, and despite her brave face, she could barely even walk without wincing in pain. I drew a hard line while she was healing, and instead just had to deal with my own hard situation.

But this is better. It’s just the two of us, and I finally get to make her mine.

In a blur of tangled clothes, we help each other undress, and I turn us so she is on top because I’m also not sure I fully believe her that she’s not in any pain after performing tonight. So, I will be as gentle as possible and also prevent my body weight from pressing into any of her healing ribs.

She traces my quarter sleeve tattoo that most people don’t know I have. The intricate designs wraps up my bicep, engulfing my shoulder and spreads across my chest. The tattoo features an antique nautical compass, a large sailor’s knot in a figure-eight configuration, with a vintage map in the background and constellations interwoven throughout, but you only see those if you know they are there.

“But I thought you’re a Gemini, not a Capricorn...” she trails off as she discovers the hidden Gemini design close to the Capricorn sea-goat symbol, which the compass is positioned so the arrow points to it.

“I am.”

“But … I’m a Capricorn.” Tinsley raises her eyes, and they are filled with emotion and questions. I can handle the emotions, but she doesn’t need to question anything when it comes to me.

“I know. You’re my own North Star, Red.” I run a finger along the side of her face, down her neck, and the swell of her breasts. “You are absolutely exquisite, Tinsley.”

“You beautiful man.” She swipes away a rogue tear before thrusting her fingers into my hair and gently tugging, like she somehow knows how that drives me nuts when she does it. “Do you even know how gorgeous you are, Jack?”

“If you keep doing that, things are going to be over much faster than I’d like,” I say as she grinds down on me.

“Then no more waiting, Jack. I think we’ve waited long enough, don’t you?” That question is about so much more than tonight, and the emotions that rise in my chest in response are so much bigger than a single night could ever be, and all I can do is nod.

“Yeah, Red, we definitely have.”

Tinsley hums in agreement before reaching down and positioning me to enter a paradise that is even better than my sweetest dream.

“You’re fucking perfect, Tinsley,” I manage to get out as she chases her pleasure, and her grin only solidifies my claim. We chase our release together, without anything between us, and if she hadn’t already taken possession of it long ago, she would have stolen my heart tonight.

She’s not only gorgeous and especially as she calls out my name riding out her release. Tinsley is talented, intelligent, and kind on a regular day, but right now, she’s absolutely radiant.

And she is absolutely mine.

CHAPTER TWENTY

“No ma’am, that’s okay.” I hear Allie’s tight voice on the phone. I watch her in the mirror as she sits on the couch while my hairstylist finishes the final touches before I head out on stage in a few minutes.

“That won’t be necessary. Please stop calling my mother, Bridget.”

I whip around and look at Allie. Why is she talking to Bridget? I look over to Thor who is watching Allie intently.

“Allie, what’s going on?” She looks at me and shakes her head, trying to wave away my concern.

“No, that’s not happening right now either. You need to stop, Bridget. This is not okay.”

While I appreciate the sentiment, I don’t need Allie to stand up to her for me. “Allie, give me the phone, please.” I hold out my hand and she shakes her head, looking mortified at the thought. “It’s okay, Allie, just give me the phone.” I emphasize my hand and she reluctantly places her cell in it.

“Bridget. Why are you calling my cousin? Do we need to get a no-contact order for you as well?” I do my best to make my voice sound as bored as possible, even though my heart rate is picking up speed like a racehorse that just heard the starting gun.

“Tinsley? Why haven’t you called me back? Did your phone break or why can’t I call you anymore?” My mother’s southern draw is only slightly slurred, so while she is intoxicated, she is hopefully sober enough to remember this conversation.

“You can no longer call me because you no longer have my number.”

“No, that must be some mistake. Have Allie text me, or even better, you text your own damn mother. I raised you better than this, Tinsley. Why do you think you can ignore me? Do you have any idea how this all looks?”

“Oh, I don’t know Bridget, maybe because you ignored the abuse your husband subjected me to for over two decades? Maybe that had something to do with it.” Allie tries to reach for her phone and I shake my head. I can handle Bridget Wilson, and if this is the last time I ever talk to her, I have a few things to say to the woman.

“Always so dramatic.” She has the audacity to huff into the phone. “You’re making a big deal out of nothing, honestly, Tinsley. You were a spirited child and needed a firm hand growing up, which is exactly what Rick did for you. And you should be grateful—look at what he built!”