"Ow! Mother fucker!"

I heard a voice yell, followed by the sound of crashing dishes, once I entered my home. I dropped my luggage by the front door and slowly approached the kitchen, where audible curses were still heard.

TJ stood by the oven, shaking her hand widely with a grimace expression. She was wearing an apron over her clothing that was splattered with flour. 

"What are you doing at home already?"

"My flight came in early," I said, approaching her as I noticed the oven door was still wide open. "What are you doing in my house? How did you get in here?"

"I was-" her voice was muffled by the fact that her hand was now in her mouth, soothing what I assumed was a burn.

I went to her side, guiding her body away from the oven and towards the sink. Running the cold water, I checked to ensure it was freezing before I removed her hand from her mouth and ran it under the water. "Sorry, care to try that again?"

She gave me a sheepish smile. "I was going to surprise you with dinner," she said, removing her hand from the water to point at the oven. "But that thing is a fucking evil machine!"

"TJ, you need to keep your hand under the water."

"But it's cold!" she whined.

I rolled my eyes and leaned forward. "That's the point."

She placed her hand back under the water and pouted her bottom lip. "Kiss."

I quickly pecked her lips, mumbling, "hi" against them, before giving her another kiss.

"Hi," she repeated, kissing me once again. "How was your flight. Oh- shit wait, can you put that chicken in the oven?"

I nodded, releasing my grip on her hand, giving her a warning look to not move it and made my way over to the supposedly evil machine. I placed the item into the oven, safely closed the door and turned to her, pleased to see her hand had not moved. "Timer?"

"It's already set. You just need to press start."

I followed her instructions and noticed a certain dessert on top of the stove. "Did you make apple pie?"

Following her nod in response, I asked, "Did you guess that was my favourite?"

"I, uh, called your mom."

"You did?" I walked back over to her. "So, you broke into my house and somehow got Ma's phone number?"

"Well, Ryan gave me the number and helped me get inside today," she said, biting the inside of her cheek. "Are you mad?"

"Mad? Not at all." I reached my hand up, wiping away the swipe of flour that had ended up on her cheek. "This is the nicest welcome home surprise I've ever had."

TJ let out a sigh of relief. "Thank god. I even made you a lame welcome home sign."

I looked over my shoulder, noticing the large piece of poster board that was taped to the wall, centred right behind the dining room table. I wondered if she chose that spot intentionally - however, to save a possible awkward encounter of remembering past memories, I decided to ignore my urge to ask.

"You did that?" I asked, turning back to face her. "God, I missed you."

"I missed you too," she said, her face lighting up with a smile.

When she had left that Friday afternoon, it was hard to let her go, even though - at that point in time - I was supposed to be home only a few days later. She had given me her phone number before she got on the plane, making a joke about how her boyfriend didn't even have a way of calling her. At least I now had clarity over the fact that TJ never blocked me - she explained how her phone had broken and Hank took the opportunity to get them all new devices and numbers.

Ryan was flying home with her - for what reason I wasn't told aside from the fact that Jeff had arranged it. Apparently, there were some things back in LA that he needed to take care of. Considering most of his job surrounded watching over me and reporting my whereabouts to Jeff, I couldn't possibly think what his duties would entail. But I didn't press on the matter. In fact, I was glad TJ had someone on the plane with her, considering her recent admission of being afraid of heights.

The two days apart quickly turned into four, which tumbled into seven. And now, I was finally able to be home and see her. I joked to her this morning on the phone that Jeff was finally happy enough with the album sales to release me. It would still be another few days before we knew where the album finished on the charts. All signs were leading towards a possible top five. It could not make it on the charts at all for all I cared. The reviews were positive, fans appeared to adore it, and writing that album led me to her. That's all I cared about.

"Can I please turn this water off now? My hand is fucking freezing."

"Oh, shit, yeah." I turned off the tap and grabbed a cloth to dry her hand.

I tossed the rag back onto the counter and cupped her face with my hands. Without uttering another word, I captured her lips in a kiss, craving her touch.

TJ pulled back, her chest rising heavily as she quickly removed the apron she had on. I caught the look in her eye, one filled with desire and lust. She licked her lips and she stepped forward. Her lips went back to mine. She wasted very little time before deepening the kiss. I was drunk off the things she was expertly doing with her tongue that I barely comprehend her hands moving towards my belt.

I grabbed hold of her wrists. "Wait," I said quickly, meeting impatient eyes. "Our rule."

The three-date rule.

"The aquarium. Your concert. Tonight."

Raising a brow, I chuckled at her quick response. "You've put some thought into this. Does the concert even count as a real date though?"

She groaned. "Carter, we've waited long enough. I'm not scared of that stupid rule anymore. I think we can bend it just a little."

"Wait - does tonight count?" I enjoyed seeing the annoyance build on her expression with every passing moment. "Because technically, the date part hasn't even started since dinner is in the oven right now and-"

"Here's what's going to happen," she interrupted, clearly not enjoying this as much as I was. "I'm going to the couch. Either you join me and fuck me, or I'll get myself off. And we both know how well I can do that without your help."

Although she was dressed as an angel, in a white lace dress with a matching ribbon in her hair, it did little to conceal her true, devious ways. She played both roles so perfectly well, but there was something about how the sinful words dripped from her lips that made her all the more irresistible. 

I was one lucky man - that was for fucking sure.

I grasped hold of her hand before she got too far out of reach and drew her back towards me. Our lips connected as we blindly stumbled towards the living room and onto the couch. TJ straddled my lap, moving her attention to my neck. My hands travelled up her thighs, bunching the material of her short dress at her waist. I grasped her bottom, my fingertips dipping into her bare skin as she sucked and nipped at my neck. Normally I was the one pulling this type of move on her. However, tonight she appeared to be taking full control of our speed, dictating every move as her hands went to my belt.

The clinking of my belt and the slight release of tension signalled that she had been successful in her mission. Her lips returned to mine and she placed her hands on my shoulders. TJ began to rock her hips back and forth, pressing into my hard length. I let out a groan - which was muffled in a kiss - in response to her actions.

She pulled her head back slightly, catching my bottom lip in between her teeth. My hand dug against her hip, pressing into the skin until she released. Suddenly, I realized the missing material under her dress.

"Forget to put something on this morning?"

TJ grinned, sitting back in my lap. "Just wanted to be prepared," she teased. "Besides, you seemed to enjoy ripping my underwear into shreds a little too much. Didn't want it to become a habit."

"You didn't like it?"

"Oh, I thought it was hot," she confessed, sinking to the floor and positioning herself in between my legs. "But I can't afford to replace your habit."

She had a point.

"How about I replace each pair I rip?"

Her hands ran up the inside of my thighs. "Deal," she said, reaching my waist.

I lifted my hips lightly, allowing her to pull down the material with ease. TJ bit her lip as she leaned forward, sliding her hand under my briefs. Her hand wrapped around my erection before slowly moving up and down. She ran her tongue from base to tip, repeating her teasing action quite a few times. With little warning, my cock slid past her parted lips as she began taking me inch by inch further into her mouth.

I held her hair back as her mouth continued to work while her hand pumped the base of my shaft. Her eyes met mine as her tongue flattened against the underside, giving me a look with her wide green eyes as if to ask if she was doing a good job. My fingers began to tangle in her hair as my head rolled back to her movements.

"So good, baby," I was finally able to manage.

The grip of her mouth increased as she let out a moan. I looked down, realizing that her hand had disappeared in between her legs. I bit back a smile and tried to focus on not releasing myself right then and there.

It wasn't long before I gave a tug on her hair and pulled her off. She pouted her lower lip.

"Don't give me that look," I said, as she made her way back into my lap. "If you kept going like that, there's no way I would have lasted."

"Is that such a bad thing?"

"While we're pressed for time, yes." I tugged at the material of her outfit. "Might be easier if you took your dress off."

"I don't want it to get all wrinkled and dirty on the floor. It's white."

I raised a brow, looking down briefly at the bunched material I held. "I'm not sure how much we can avoid getting it wrinkled."

"Well, better make sure you don't get it dirty either," she said, lifting her hips. "Don't go and make a mess, baby."

I wanted to comment on her nickname, tell her how much I enjoyed hearing her say it but was instantly distracted by TJ sinking down onto my lap. The tip pushed against her opening and she began taking in every inch. I noticed her wince before the sounds of her groaning was mixed in with mine.

"You okay?"

TJ nodded, letting out a hum in response. Her movements were slow, adjusting herself to my length as she moved her body up and down. She used my shoulders for balance, one hand gripping into the collar of my shirt. Finally, words left her lips, as she commanded, "faster" with eyes burning of desire and a mischievous grin.

I listened to her instruction and gripped her hips to guide her body. She was so tight, I was worried it would be too much for her too soon. However, the wave of sweet-sounding moans that erupted from her numbed my fears.

TJ arched her back. The straps of her dress had fallen off her shoulders and with every bounce, I watched the material of her dress slide further down. This little minx had not bothered to wear a bra either - not that I was complaining, of course. Although, it was slightly humorous to think that she was worried I'd rip that too.

She leaned forward, capturing my lips with hers. Her lips parted in time with mine, allowing her to slip her tongue into my mouth. My hand went to one of her breasts as I palmed the exposed skin. I took her hard nipple in between my fingers, pinching it gently. That earned a yelp of pleasure.

I could feel her clench around me as she leaned back. Although she told me in a whisper that she was close, I could already tell by the way she was responding to every touch and thrust. My hand travelled down from her breast, towards her waist. TJ angled her head slightly to the side, exposing her neck. Leaving a trail of sloppy, wet kisses across her skin, I sunk my teeth into her sweet spot. She let out the sound that never failed to drive me wild; a mixture of a moan and a whimper. I released my teeth and ran my tongue across the light marks I had indented into her skin.

The hand I had moved to her waist now travelled under the bunched material of her dress. She gasped, feeling my finger open her below and press against her clit. In a circular motion, I rhythmically timed the movement with each thrust. Her eyes closed as she focused on the building pleasure in her core. She clenched harder, almost causing me to finish right then and there, as her release came over her.

The sound of my name, mixed with a string of other curses, was chanted from her lips as her body collapsed forward. I slowed my motions, easing her down slowly from her high.

"More," she managed to say through heavy breaths. "Harder."

"You sure, baby?"

She nodded her head and licked her lips. I watched for a few speechless moments as she pushed her knees into the couch to lift her body, leaving only the tip inside her, before slamming her entire body back down. A loud groan escaped and my head rolled against the backrest of the couch.

It was a struggle to hold back my own release, but I had to, given she was the one in control tonight. And, her whimpers of asking to be "fucked harder" needed to be fulfilled. Her hips were slightly more lifted into the air as her knees pushed into the couch. TJ gripped the cushion behind my head. My hands resumed their position on her hips, holding her in place. Providing little time for recovery, I withdrew my length and immediately pushed it back in. One hand moved from her hip, running up her bare thigh until I reached her bum. I gripped her cheek, digging my fingers into her skin. My hand pulled back, reconnecting against the skin with a loud smack.

She whimpered loudly into my neck, and for a second, I thought my actions were becoming too much for her until I heard her go, "Mmm, again, baby."

I gave her what she asked for, smacking my hand against her skin. Reaching for my release, I deeply thrusted into her. "Baby... I'm gonna," I grunted, unable to find the rest of my words as I felt her clench.

She peppered kisses along my jaw, reaching my ear. "In me," she whispered.

"You sure?"

"Well, I can't have you making a mess."

Only a few more seconds passed before I was buried deep inside her and allowed myself to release. Her forehead rested against mine, as we both caught our breaths.

"Welcome home," she said, with a proud smirk.

I nodded in response, still attempting to gain consciousness of everything that had just happened. TJ rested her head into the crook of my neck, as I felt her heavy breathes across my skin.

"Hey, TJ?" Ryan's voice called out from behind.

TJ pulled back, looking over my shoulder. "Shit!" she cursed, pulling up the straps of her dress to cover her exposed chest.

"What are you- oh fuck, sorry!" Ryan nervously called from behind.

I adjusted myself down below and looked over to the guy, who was now facing the wall.

"I didn't see anything, don't worry! I just came back to drop off the ice cream," he said, extending his arm to show the shopping bag. "Is something burning?"

TJ leaned back, sniffing her nose. "I don't think-" she cut herself off as her eyes widened. "Oh, fuck! The chicken!"

TJ quickly got up from my lap and hurried off to the kitchen. I stood up, adjusting myself one more time and rehooked my belt, before turning to face Ryan. The two of us exchanged an awkward glance, as if to agree to not speak of what he had just entered in on, and walked to the scene of the crime in silence. The oven door was open, releasing a thick cloud of smoke into the air. TJ waved her hand feverishly and pulled out a pan, dumping it onto the stovetop with a defeated sigh.

"It's ruined," she groaned, looking at the timer and realizing her error. "I set the stupid thing for hours, not minutes!"

"Hey, it's okay," I said softly, "I'm sure we can fix it."

"Carter, it's burnt to a crisp. I ruined your welcome home dinner."

I turned her to face me and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "No - no, you didn't." I noticed her eyes gloss over and wanting to try and limit the disappointment she was feeling, added, "I'm sorry, I probably messed something up with the timer. But, we can order a pizza, and hey, we still have this pie you made, which smells amazing by the way."

"And ice cream!" Ryan chimed in from behind.

"And, yes, we also have ice cream."

TJ crossed her arms over her chest. "I hate your kitchen," she pouted.

I chuckled and gave her a quick kiss. "I'll rip it down and build an entire new one for you. Deal?"

She bit back her smile, trying to keep her angered expression.

This had quickly turned into an expensive welcome home surprise.

haha. anyway. happy sunday.