A Ride or Die Kind of Love Read online

  I need 2 know ur ok <3 Doll

  Fine. U good?

  I reply. And so it begins. We spend the rest of the day texting here and there. Soon, one day turns into one week. One week turns into one month, and now two months.

  It’s been almost four months since I’ve seen her now, and for the last three weeks, we’ve talked daily after we’ve been texting regularly. Tank is stable, but there is no guarantee he will ever wake up from the coma. Sass visits him all the time according to Doll.

  Listening to her tell me about her day makes the long hours on the road manageable. I’ve never looked forward to talking to someone before. I’m heading back home tonight and Doll is supposed to be there when I pull in. I don’t know where we go from here. Tonight though, she’s gonna be in my bed where she belongs. In the morning we can sort out our shit once and for all.

  Chapter Thirty Three

  Not Enough

  Doll

  Having had enough of only having phone time, I want to see Tripp. He’s on his way in from a transport. I agreed to be at his house when he arrives home. Making the five hour drive wasn’t terrible. Stopping by his office, I plan to run in real quick and get the house key from Rex.

  “Doll,” he greets, stepping from behind the desk. Standing in front of me, he hands me the key. “I’ll be out for the night so the house is yours.” He adds with a wink.

  “Thanks, Rex. It’s good to see you.” I say, getting ready to leave.

  Something in Rex’s face changes as I turn to see what has his attention. I’m lost on the little woman in front of me. Time has not treated her well, her skin looks like leather that hasn’t been oiled. She’s shorter than me, around five feet tall. Her clothing is well worn, having seen better days. Her hair is shoulder length golden color that looks brittle. Everything about this woman looks easy to break. She smells like alcohol and stale cigarettes. It’s the middle of the day, why does she smell like she’s spent her time in a night club or bar? My eyes come to meet hers. One look, my chest tightens as I recognize those eyes.

  “Rex, when is Talon due back?” She asks. Her voice gravelling from what I assume to be too many years of smoking.

  “Lucy, I can’t tell you that.” Rex says stiffening beside me.

  “Then I’ll just sit on the front porch of your house until he returns.” Moving in closer to Rex and me as she speaks, I’m at a loss as to what to say or do. Tripp didn’t tell me his mom was in town.

  “Lucy now’s not a good time. I’ll talk to Tripp for you, but honestly, you need to give him space.” Rex says, as he’s guiding her by the elbow to the door.

  “No, I’m not leaving Drexel Devon Crews and you can’t make me. Talon needs to talk to me. If I can fix this with him, then I can fix me, Rex. Y’all don’t understand. I have to fix things with my son before I can fix myself.” She pleads, now crying.

  My heart breaking for her and for the man I love. His mom is a mess. The years of drinking and obvious guilt have made their marks.

  “Give it time. Tripp will open up. You being around and wanting this is still fresh.” I find myself saying before I realize it.

  Shit! I’ve stuck my nose in something I shouldn’t have once again. The look on Rex’s face lets me know I crossed an unspoken boundary and Tripp will not like this.

  “You Talon’s woman?” She turns around to face me coming back toward me and away from the door.

  “Doll, don’t go there. This is between the two of them.” Rex warns, reaching out to turn Lucy around to the door again.

  Jerking out of his grasp, she faces me once again. “You tell my son, I love him. I’m sorry. I want to fix this. I’m sorry. Tell him that please. I’m sorry. I can’t say it enough.” Her words feel like they are more than drunken ramblings. They feel heartfelt and real.

  Unable to control the tears now freely falling from my face, I can only nod my head in agreement. I hear Rex muttering cuss words under his breath as Lucy finally leaves. If only I could have a second chance to be with my mom. She’s gone. I can’t forgive anything even if she was to mess. Surely, Tripp can see that nothing can be that unforgivable. She’s making the effort to be here that should count for something. He’s got to talk to her.

  Tripp

  Parking the truck in the back lot, I enter the office. Rex let me know earlier that Doll arrived safely. Walking in my office, I’m ready to sign off on this transport and get the hell home.

  “Rex, you got everything covered for tomorrow?” I ask, signing the paperwork on my desk.

  “Yeah man. Tripp, you need to know. Lucy was here today.” Suddenly, carefree Rex is serious.

  “What’s she got to do with anything?”

  “She was here while Doll was here.” He says meeting my stare.

  “Was she wasted?”

  His face gave me all the confirmation I need. My mom can’t lay off the booze. She’s been out of control since I was born. According to Aunt Jolene, she was so young. Having a baby was overwhelming. My dad bailed on her. She was lost and went wild. Being too young to be responsible she blamed me, an innocent child, for every problem she had. When she started taking her frustrations and anger out on me, my Pop’s stepped in and sent her packing. She had nowhere to go and sunk into a deeper hole. She’s trying to get her life together, but feels like she can’t do that without me. All these years later, she’s still blaming me. Her problems still rest on my shoulders. Without my forgiveness, she can’t move forward and get sober, she claims. At what point will she own her shit and fix herself?

  “Doll react to it?” I ask as the tension builds inside of me. Doll had her mom when she was young. Maybe not long enough, but she had her from the beginning. Doll has always had Roundman. He’s a rock, someone you can depend on.

  “She’s gonna try to fix it knowing Doll. Head’s up man, she was cryin’. I tried to explain it, but Doll was muttering about her own momma. I don’t know what you’re walkin’ in on at home. I’ll be at Tessie’s tonight if you need me.”

  Shocked by his choice of sleep arrangements, I’m quickly drawn out of my own problems.

  “Man, why the fuck are you going to Tessie’s? She’s got Axel. He doesn’t need to see you there. Tessie ain’t like that, bringing men around her boy. You got her wrapped, damn it. She’s incapable of tellin’ you no, and has been for years. So, she ain’t gonna tell you not to be around her boy. Pick a bar fly. Hell, get a hotel. Don’t go to Tessie’s house.”

  “It’s all good, Tripp. Axel will be at her mom’s tonight. You know Tessie won’t let me or anyone else near her kid. She knows the deal, it’s all good. You get your ass outta here, your woman’s home waitin’.”

  Rex and Tessie is something I’m not getting involved in. He’s gonna fuck her over. That’s their deal, I’ll always be there to throw her an extra few bucks, but she gets her head and heart wrapped up in Rex, that’s on her. We’ve known Tessie for a while now. She knows Rex better than most. This dance they’re playing though, it ain’t gonna end well for her.

  Leaving the office, my excitement from earlier is now turning to anger. Lucy won’t go away. Doll met my mess up of a mother. What am I coming home to?

  Pulling up, my irritation is building more. Walking in, I’m expecting weird tension between us. I haven’t seen Doll since she left without saying goodbye. Entering through my kitchen, she meets me at the entry to the living room. She looks amazing. She’s in a navy blue, knee length dress with these red, fuck me heels. Her blonde hair is down with one side pinned back with a flower. The gloss on her lips makes me lose focus on everything but kissing her. Leaning down, I wrap my arm around her waist, pulling her into me. My other hand snakes through her hair as I crush my lips down on her. She moans against me, her body relaxing into my hold. Our tongues and lips in a tango, the passion is burning between us as I pull away.

  “Hello Darlin’, miss me?” The smile that comes across my face causes my breath to hitch. Damn, she’s everything. Her hands come up on my t-shi
rt as she pulls at me.

  “Kiss me, Tripp.” She says looking up at me.

  Leaning down, I whisper against her ear. “Say it.”

  “Kiss me, damn it.” Doll demands.

  “Not till you say you missed me.” I say running my nose along her jawline.

  “I missed you. Kiss me, damn it.” Laughing, I take her head in both of my hands now.

  Brushing my lips against hers, I slowly tease her. When she stomps her foot down in frustration, I devour her mouth. Pulling her out of the entryway and into the kitchen, I push her up against the kitchen wall. Having the wall behind her, she wraps one leg around me as she tries to climb up my body. My hands roam, cupping her ass as I rock her into my ever growing erection. I want nothing more than to take her to my room and fuck her until she can’t walk in those fuckin’ shoes. Gathering my self-control, I pull away. We’re both breathing heavy as Doll looks at me. My forehead resting on hers, the depths of those crystal blue eyes consume me.

  “Babe, I’ve been on the road. I need a shower and a meal. Then I’ll give you everything you want, okay?”

  She bites her bottom lip. Sexy as hell, I’m fucked. One of her legs still wrapped around mine and her hands fisted into my shirt. She’s not letting go. Her face flushed in her want. Unable to resist, I use my tongue to sweep across her lips causing her to stop biting at her bottom lip so I could suck on it. When I pull away this time, she’s smiling at me.

  Fuck it. I lift her up as she wraps her legs around me. She’s kissing my neck, reaching my ear she tugs at it gently with her teeth. Laying her back on my kitchen table, I push the bottom of her dress up and pull her panties off. My fingers immediately begin moving between her wet folds as she rocks into me moaning for more. She pushes herself to the edge of the table, and reaches for my belt. Quickly, she’s released me. The look in her eyes, as I stare down at her, is one of heated, irresistible desire. She’s taking another piece of me with her as I join my body to hers. Her tight cunt squeezing around me after so long is the real homecoming for me. Never breaking eye contact, I look down at her. Watching as she tries to control her body and hold out. Reaching between us, I rub circles over her clit sending her over the edge. Unable to hold back any further, I release into her. Something about watching her lose all control under me pulls at my emotions. She’s mine. For a moment, I keep us connected as I come down and kiss her with all the unsaid feelings between us. Pulling out, I tuck my dick in my jeans and bend down to retrieve her panties.

  “Do you want me to cook for you?” She asks shyly, putting her panties back on and sliding off the table.

  “No babe, we’ll go out for dinner. You cookin’ in my kitchen in those shoes will not motivate me to get a shower or get us fed.”

  A devilish smile comes across her face. “I can take the shoes off.” She starts to step out of them.

  “Oh no, you keep those shoes on.” Leaning down to her ear, I breathe against her. “Later, I’m gonna fuck you for hours in Just. Those. Shoes.” I feel her nod against me.

  Pulling away without another word, I go take a very cold shower. She cleans herself up and my kitchen table. Just thinking of fucking her again, I’m getting hard. Doll is here. Damn, she twists me up in a way no one has before.

  Chapter Thirty Four

  I Don’t Date

  Doll

  Tripp walks out in a charcoal gray shirt, jeans, and his motorcycle boots. His hair still wet from his shower is pulled back. The look on my face must have given away my appreciation because Tripp is smiling at me.

  “Like what you see?” He says, stalking over to me.

  “You clean up well.” I smile up at him. He places a quick kiss on my forehead then takes my hand and leads me out to his truck.

  We get to the restaurant, are seated, and order. Catching up over our meal, I update him on Tank and my day to day stuff. As much as I want nothing more than to be home, lost in bed with Tripp, I need to talk to him about his mom. I don’t want to ruin our evening, but I can’t get her out of my thoughts. As we’re waiting for our dessert, he seems to notice my head is all over the place.

  “What are you over there lost in thought about?”

  “Your mom.” I answer honestly. Sadness quickly washes over both of us. Damn it, Doll, learn to shut your mouth.

  “Lucy isn’t your problem Doll.” His eyes meeting mine with a stern stare.

  “Hear me out, please.” I pause giving him a chance to stop me. His silence allows me to continue. “My mom is gone. I can’t know what you feel because I had her for a while, but I do know what loss feels like. The difference is you don’t have to have the loss. People can change. Give her a chance. Don’t look back and miss something great because of pride or inability to forgive.”

  “Doll,” He starts.

  Cutting him off, I continue, the tears prick at the back of my eyes. “Life is short. Tomorrow isn’t promised. Look at Tank. At least give her a chance to say what she needs to say before you close her out completely.”

  “Doll.” He starts again, but I put my hand up in protest.

  “I don’t claim to know her or what you’ve been through. She needs help, and maybe you could give her what she needs to get that help. She had you young and weak. I don’t think she knows herself, Tripp. I was given my dad to be strong for me. Maybe no one has been strong for her.” A single tear escapes as I whisper my last sentence. “You were strong for me with Delatorre. Be strong for your mom and help her.”

  Without a word, he moves to be beside me. His arms wrap around me, pulling me into him. Something has changed. He pulls back, wipes my tear away and whispers, “okay” before he kisses my forehead.

  Feeling at peace, I smile at him. Taking my hands, I place them on each of his cheeks and pull him into me for a soft, slow kiss. The waitress bringing our dessert interrupts us. Tripp stays sitting beside me as we share dessert. Taking care of the check we walk back out and head home.

  Tripp

  Doll gets to me. I can’t say no. I’d lay the world at her feet if it meant her happiness. I don’t want to bring tears to her beautiful face. She wants me to hear Lucy out, fine. It won’t change anything but it will give Doll peace of mind, so be it.

  Once we’re home and in my bedroom, all thoughts of anyone else evaporate. My woman is in my house, and soon she’ll be in my bed. This is how it should be. Taking Doll by the hand, I walk us to my room. Turning around to her, I cup her face as I lean down and kiss her. When she moans into me, I trail kisses down her neck while I unzip her dress. She’s pawing at my shirt. Breaking away, I pull her dress and my shirt off. Looking at her standing before me in a red lace bra, matching panties, and those shoes, I growl. My erection is painfully pressing on the zipper of my jeans. I unbutton and unzip them to give myself some room before I begin kissing her again. Pushing her back as I kiss her, we make our way to the bed. Laying her down gently, I quickly untie and remove my boots and socks.

  Starting with her right leg, I massage up her calf as I brush my lips against her ankle, then her knee. Going to her left leg I do the same. At her thighs, I open her to me, trailing my tongue on the inside of her legs. Stopping at her core, I breathe in her scent. She’s relaxed under me as I graze her mound with my teeth over the lace covering her. She rocks up seeking more. I push her panties aside and insert one finger as I let my tongue lick between her folds. She’s drenched and rocking into me. I circle my tongue over her clit and then suck. Inserting two fingers, I kiss along both of her inner thighs. Nipping at her hips, I work my way slowly up. Keeping a steady pace as I finger fuck her, I pull her breasts out of the cups of her bra. Swirling my tongue over her erect nipples, I then blow across them. Their peaks are calling out to me. Her hands on my head are threading through my hair. Doll is rocking hard against my fingers, as I begin rubbing my thumb over her clit. I suck hard on one of her nipples, sending her over the edge.

  “Talon, fuck me now,” She cries out reaching down she’s attempting to push my jeans d
own. I help her out and remove the last of my clothing. Hooking my thumbs under the sides of her panties, I slide them off of her as she’s unhooking her bra. Skin on skin, she was made for me as she fits perfectly to me. Her legs come up, wrapping around me. Rubbing the head of my piercing against her core, she’s pushing into me, as I tease her.

  “Talon,” She pleads. My name off her lips is heaven.

  Still teasing, I kiss her as I finally slide into her. She’s tight, wet, and gripping me. I still myself, wanting to absorb every sensation. I begin to bring myself in and out of her making sure my piercing rubs her inner walls with each stroke. The spikey heel of those shoes dig into the backs of my thighs as I pick up my pace. The feeling of being in her, while her nails rake down my back, as she’s arching up to meet me thrust for thrust, is everything. No one will ever fuck me the way Doll fucks me, matching my every move. Leaning down, I nip at her shoulder and lick her neck and the spot right behind her ear. As she gets tighter around me, I feel her getting close. Reaching between us, I rub her clit, giving her the climax she’s been working for. The aftershocks of her orgasm grip me and milk my rock hard dick. No longer able to hold back, I release, filling her. Once I’m drained, I gently pull out of her.

  We lay together for a while as I run my hands gently over her body, allowing us time to get our breathing back to normal. Once we both recover, I take Doll to my shower, where I make sure to not only clean her, but give her another orgasm. With her, I can’t seem to get enough.

  Waking up after a night with Doll, I realize there’s no way I can let her go. Nothing’s the same without her. I kiss her forehead. She’s stretching beside me. Looking up at me, I smile at the innocent face she’s making. Her eyes say she’s in complete bliss. This is a look I could wake up to every fuckin’ day for the rest of my life and never get tired of seeing.