Chapter Text
Tora nursed the strawberry juice as he glowered at the wet bar top. Why the hell he thought it would be a good idea on the last day of his vacation escaped him now. When he’d passed the place earlier, it hadn’t stood out as a place that’d get packed within an hour, music pumping through the speakers, as more and more people downed shots and started to dance.
At least no one had recognized him yet. It’s why he always looked for hole-in-the-wall places. Anywhere that would be up to Quincey’s taste would have people coming up to him, asking for pictures and autographs, and if he said no, he’d get a lecture from his manager when the fans eventually posted about it on social media.
He’d have left already, except he hadn’t closed his tab and the bartender had been stuck at the other end, filling the never-ending orders. He was contemplating how much the bar would charge his card if he left now and picked it up the next day. Except he needed to leave town before the place was open.
The space beside him opened open but was quickly filled by two women. The one closest to him was short enough that she barely came up to his shoulder, where her lavender hair-ed friend was tall enough she was using the first girl as an armrest.
Tora couldn’t help noticing the curves on the cute shortie, but she clearly wasn’t having as much fun as her friend.
“Fuck Julri,” the tall one yelled over the music. “Fuck all cheaters. Four shots of tequila! With training wheels.”
One of the bartenders had finally made their way over and Tora missed his chance. He’ll grab them when she gets back with the order. “Sorry, did we cut?”
He looked down to the shorter woman, and damn, he didn’t know there were so many different hues of brown. Her eyes were gorgeous, melted dark chocolate blended with the rich amber of Quincey’s favorite whisky. Shit, she was still looking up at him, and then she laid her hand on his forearm. He blinked, looking down at it, stupefied. Her nails were painted a bubble gum pink with some sort of character on top.
She pulled back, her cheeks turning red and tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Sorry. I’ve always been too touchy.”
The side of his lip inched up as he tried to hold back the smirk. “Not a problem, sweetheart.”
She scrunched up her face and he had a feeling she was about to yell at him when her friend leaned over, glaring.
“Back off asshole.”
“Erdene!” the first woman admonished. “I was apologizing for cutting in line.”
“Ya didn’t,” Tora said, adopting his stoney expression.
“What?” The cutie leaned forward, struggling to hear him. She put her hand on his arm again, bracing herself.
He tilted his head, refusing to acknowledge that he noticed her flowery scent as he spoke almost into her ear. “I said, ‘ya didn’t’ cut in front of me.”
“Oh!” She pulled back, and a flash of male pride went through him at her breathless response and how wide her eyes were.
“Poppy!” Erdene said as she grabbed the cutie’s arm. “Here!” The taller one pressed a saltshaker into Poppy’s hand, the back of her hand liberally coated in salt.
“To boss bitches who don’t need men!” Erdene shouted, holding a shot glass high. A few cheers let out around them, and then the cutie raised her glass.
“To already being over that faithless fudging jerk face!”
Erdene whooped once before they both tossed back the shots, one after another, before sucking the limes in front of them. Erdene barely flinched, but Poppy—that was her name, right? —screwed up her face in distaste.
“Not a fan of tequila?” He asked, unable to let her go right away. Maybe it was a good thing he hadn’t been able to close out yet.
“Not cheap tequila,” she answered, scowling at the after taste.
Tora gestured to the bar and surrounding area with his practically empty glass of strawberry juice. “Ya don’t come to a place like this for good liquor.”
She giggled, for fucks sake, and he fought off another grin.
Erdene butted in again, and he dragged his eyes to hers, wary at the curiosity in them. “You look familiar.”
He fought back the panic threatening him and instead shrugged. “Ya watch MMA?”
Erdene and Poppy both snorted.
“Figures, you’re built like a fighter,” Erdene said with a scowl. “Fuck them. I’m sure you’re going to say you’re a nice guy, but so did her ex and he was a fighter.”
He raised an eyebrow at Poppy. Did she recognize him?
“I doubt you know him, he’s really only in local fights.”
Tora lifted a shoulder in a shrug. “Probably right then. ‘m only here on vacation. Head back to Narin City tomorrow.”
She was about to say something when someone tapped on his shoulder. Both of them turned to look, only for Tora to bite back a sigh. It was a woman, clearly on the prowl for a hot fuck. Too much makeup, slender without curves, russet colored hair in perfect curls, and—yep—at least four-inch heels.
“Hey handsome, can I get you another drink?” she purred, clearly going for sexy.
“I’m good,” he said, trying to turn back around but the woman sank her manicured nails into his bicep to stop him.
She gasped, as if surprised. “So strong! You must work out, like, a lot.” She moved down to his forearm where a bit of ink peeked out from his pushed-up sleeves. “And tattoos!”
Movement at his side had him looking over and he groaned. Erdene had dragged Poppy away, taking advantage of his distraction, clearly heading to the dance floor.
The chick slid into their place, and he scowled, eyeing the bartenders, hoping to catch the attention of one.
“Look, I’m sure ya a great lady, but I ain’t interested.”
She grabbed his thigh, much too close to his dick for comfort and batted her eyelashes at him. “I’m positive I can change your mind.”
Tora gripped her wrist in his, yanking her grip off of him, and glared at her. “Ain’t you heard of consent? I fucking said no.”
She snatched her hand free, her eyes spitting venom at him as if he were the one getting handsy. “Asshole.”
She left, and a drunk frat boy took her place. Better than another chick looking for a hookup. He pinched the bridge of his nose. He needed to get out of there.
Tora stood up, towering over the other people at the bar, and immediately getting the attention of one of the bartenders. He also looked towards the dance floor and caught Poppy looking at him as she danced. It was like the first time he got a punch to the stomach.
“What can I get you?” The bartender grabbed his attention and he stared blankly at her for a moment. He leaned an arm on the bar, coming to a decision.
“Another strawberry juice.” He slid his empty glass over to her. “But add a double of Grey Goose.”
“Name on the card?”
“Balthuman,” he answered, hating his adopted last name. He got out, which is all that mattered. Quincey too.
She nodded and started the drink, while he sought Poppy out again.
She wore a dress, but it was positively modest compared to the rest of the outfits the women around her had. And she was wearing flats, not teetering around on heels that’d kill her feet in the name of looking sexy.
She didn’t need any help with that. Not in his opinion. With that round, innocent looking face and those thick thighs, and shit, he can’t lie and say he didn’t think she had a great rack too.
“Here you go,” the bartender said, and Tora grabbed the drink with a nod of thanks. It was pointless though, since she’d already started taking the drunken frat boy’s order. Tora rolled his eyes as he asked for six Jell-o shots.
He made his way through the crowd, not believing what he was doing. He rarely drank and he should have left earlier. But if he left, it meant he wouldn’t see her. So, one drink it was and he could take up a discreet spot where even the flashing lights hadn't banished the shadows entirely.
Old habits die hard when they were beat into you. The bracelet felt heavy on his wrist. At least Joe helped him get out, helped him take down the Balthumans and protect Quincey and the rest of his guys.
Poppy was magnetic, drawing him out of his thoughts. He felt like a fucking creep watching her dance with Erdene, but he couldn’t help it.
She danced however she wanted, moving her body with the music and not trying to entice others. Her eyes were closed as she tilted her face up towards the ceiling.
He sipped at his drink, wrinkling his nose at the hint of vodka. At least it didn’t taste like rubbing alcohol like the house vodka likely did. Even if it meant the drink would cost him more than buying a fifth, it was worth it.
Song after song, he watched her dance, slowly drinking. At one point she slipped away to the bathroom while Erdene acquired more shots. The ladies took them at the side of the dance floor, and from the lack of salt and lime, Tora figured it wasn’t tequila.
Poppy was laughing more, her smile radiant. He wanted to be the cause of that smile, not her friend.
The dance floor was getting more crowded, forcing the two ladies closer together and clogging his line of sight. He straightened from where he’d been leaning against a pillar, hunting for her.
What he saw had him slamming down his glass hard enough to make the people near him jump.
One of the many frat boys was trying to dance with her and not taking no for an answer. Even when Erdene tried to pull Poppy away and dance between them, the dickhead just moved.
He pushed through the crowd onto the dancefloor, no one bitching at him when they saw the expression on his face.
Poppy saw him first, her eyes going wide in surprise, even as she tried to pull the man’s hands off of her hips.
Tora grabbed his wrist as she let go, and grabbed his shoulder, spinning him off of her in the tight space.
“What the fuck, man?” The frat boy’s eyes were red and glossy. Tora rolled his eyes. The kid was cross faded.
“Keep ya hands to yourself,” Tora growled and whether it was the strobe lights illuminating Tora’s expression, the aggression in his voice, or the vice grip he had on the kid’s wrist, the kid got the message.
“Sorry—didn’t know she was taken!” He scrambled away from Tora, not even bothering to try to save face.
A hand wrapped around Tora’s and he looked down to see Poppy at his side.
“Thank you,” she said, before glaring towards where the asshole disappeared. “The fudging man was lucky I left my taser at home.”
Tora snorted, both ignoring the dancing crowd around them. Even Erdene had returned to dancing once she saw Poppy was fine.
“Yeah, don’t see a place where ya could keep it,” Tora said, and he swore she blushed again.
Making this chick blush was becoming his favorite activity of the night. But after a few moments of staring at each other, he started to feel awkward. Fuck, he wished he still smoked.
“I’ll leave ya alone now,” he said, leaning down towards her so she could hear him. “Gotta head outside for a break.”
To his surprise, she didn’t let go of his hand.
“Can I go with you? It’s really hot in here.”
Fuck, what was he supposed to say? He nodded and she smiled widely. Poppy reached back and got Erdene’s attention, their heads tucking together to talk. Erdene’s eyes shot to his, a clear threat in them.
He nodded once, making it clear he understood, before Poppy turned back to him, her other hand coming to hold onto the one she already had.
Tora guided her through the crowd, the dancers parting for him like a river around a boulder, flowing back together behind Poppy.
The street outside was almost deafeningly quiet compared to inside. Right on the curb beyond the bouncer were a handful of people smoking, and Poppy coughed slightly, waving her hand in front of her face.
“Shit,” he muttered, before tugging her down the sidewalk. “This way.”
She followed him with entirely too much trust for a stranger.
Poppy let go of his hand as they turned the corner of the building, a decently lit alley with a few cars backed in. He wanted to grab it again, but that would be in creep territory. Old habits had Tora noticing the distinct lack of security cameras.
“It feels so much better out here,” she said, running her hands through her hair, lifting the long locks off the back of her neck.
Tora looked away, back towards the street.
“Ya, fucking packed. Meant to leave earlier. But the bartenders got too busy to close me out.”
She swayed from side to side, a soft smile on her face. “Well, lucky me then. I would have hated to punch that guy.”
He arched an eyebrow. “Oh yeah, you feisty like that?”
She raised her arms in the proper guard form, jokingly tossing a few punches his way. The entire image was ruined by her tongue sticking out the side of her mouth.
“Cute,” he said with a smirk, catching one of her fists in his hand, wrapping around it entirely. “Ya ex teach ya that?”
Her smile disappeared and he cursed at himself as she dropped her hands to hug herself around the waist.
“No, my dad did. Julri—my ex—seems to have only taught me that guys suck. No offense.”
“None taken,” he answered honestly. Most guys did suck, and Tora knew he wasn’t exactly prince charming. Still, he took her in, how close she was to him, and the blushes that colored her cheeks.
Fuck it. The worst that could happen is she turns him down.
“You know,” he drawled as he leaned back against the building. “They say the best way to get over someone is to get under someone else.”
She stared at him, wide-eyed, before sputtering and blushing.
Then she started laughing, and while it was a rejection, he couldn’t help but feel glad he was the cause of it.
“That was so cheesy,” she gasped out, wiping tears from her eyes. He smiled, not holding back and she gasped.
“What?”
“Your dimples have to be illegal,” she said, entirely serious. “They’re too dang cute.”
Maybe Tora’s chance wasn’t entirely lost. He was familiar enough with one-night stands, his relationship style boiling down to fuck-and-go.
“So how ‘bout it, sweetheart?”
She giggled, shaking her head. “We don’t even know each other’s names!”
He shrugged, not wanting to let her know he’d heard Erdene say it.
“I’m Tora.” He stuck his hand out, waiting for her to shake it. She did, and to his delight, it was a firm handshake.
“Nice to meet you,” she said. “I’m Poppylan, but I guess that’s a pretty weird name? People just call me Poppy.”
He didn’t let go of her hand. “What was that? Puppy?”
Her eyebrows snapped together, and it was hard not to smirk. “Poppy!”
Tora feigned more confusion, even leaning forward as if he struggled to hear here. “Poopy?”
Now she was getting angry and damn, Tora liked it.
“No!” He swore she almost stomped her foot. Pfft. Fucking adorable. “Poppy! Like the flower.”
He pulled back, letting the smirk take over his face. He didn’t know if the reddening of her cheeks was from his teasing or his smirk. “Damn, must have taken too many hits to the head if I can’t hear you. What about Sweetheart?”
The blush was definitely because of irritation. It was all he could do to not laugh. Shit when was the last time he was this close to losing it?
“Absolutely not.
He rolled his eyes, but darted out his hand, capturing hers and lacing his fingers through hers. “Whatever, have it your way. Bobby.”
She glowered at him, but before she could say anything, one tug had her falling against his chest with an oomph. His other hand went around her waist and he had to hold back the groan as every soft part of her met his hard angles.
“So, now we know each other’s names,” he said, ducking his head down low, his voice brushing against her bare neck. He didn’t make a move, and his grip was loose enough she could pull away if she wanted. He could feel her breathing hard, her tits pressing against his chest, but she didn’t say anything. So, he pulled back enough to meet her wide-eyed stare.
“I ain’t in the habit of forcing ladies to do what I want,” he said as softly as he was capable of. “If I crossed a line with ya—”
Her mouth was on his, her fingers gripping his shirt.
Tora wasted no time turning them until it was her up against the wall, keeping one hand splayed between her shoulder blades to protect her as much as he could from the rough material.
He pulled back, smirking, and said against her lips, “Are ya this feisty with everyone ya meet, or just me?”
He thought Poppy growled at him, but it was as intimidating as a kitten. He kissed her again, loving the feel of her small hands climbing up his chest to his neck and finally gripping his hair, almost pulling half of it from the haphazard bun.
He growled against her mouth, his tongue sliding between her lips and she met him kiss for kiss. This woman was all innocent doe-eyes but fiery as fuck against him. He didn’t bother hiding his hard on, pressing it against her to let her know exactly how much he was enjoying this.
He moved, kissing along her jaw and then down her neck.
Poppy tilted her neck, giving him more room to explore as she shuddered in his arms. “I—don’t usually do this,” she admitted between breaths. Her grip never loosened.
“Me neither,” he said before nipping at her exposed collar bone. It was true. While he had hookups when he needed to let off steam, it was never with a random chick behind the bar they met at. He wondered suddenly if he had a condom, and mentally cursed Quincey for freaking out when Tora said he kept one in his wallet. But after a quick search, turned out the Quincess was right and Tora didn’t want to take any chances getting a woman pregnant.
Still, it didn’t mean he couldn’t get her off. That sure as hell would be satisfying enough for him.
He dropped his free hand to her thigh, loving how smooth and soft she was as he moved upwards until his fingertips were just underneath the hem of her dress.
She froze for a moment and Tora was about to slide his hand up over the dress, backing off, when she raised her leg up around his thigh since she couldn’t reach his hip. Poppy tugged Tora’s head back, making him growl and pitch his hips forward, his hard cock against her soft stomach. Her eyes fluttered as she answered him with a soft, almost surprised moan, as she dropped her head back. But then she forced herself back, her gaze locked on his lips. He was more than happy to oblige, capturing her lips once more.
“Fuck, you taste like heaven,” he said, his voice huskier than even he recognized. It was doing it for her though, as she started pressing harder against him.
Tora eased his hand upwards under her dress along the back of her thigh until he could palm her generous ass. His cock twitched as he felt her panties, somehow knowing she wasn’t a thong or G-string girl. He wanted to know what she looked like wearing nothing but panties. A girl like her would be wearing something cute as fuck, he bet.
They both groaned into their kiss when Tora’s hand swept lower, his fingers trailing over the damp heat he found there.
He stroked a line along her center, and she was as soft here as she was everywhere else. When he grazed her clit, he knew because she jolted in his arms, pulling away from the kiss. He stilled, looking at her.
“This okay?” he asked and she nodded.
“Just took me by surprise is all,” Poppy admitted quietly.
“Want me to stop?”
She chewed on her lips before she shook her head and ground down against his hand.
He smirked, swirling two fingers around her clit, and when she jumped this time, he laughed, and she buried her face in his chest.
“Don’t stop.” He felt her words more than heard them.
“My fuckin’ pleasure,” he said, moving his other hand from her back up to grip the back of her neck.
He explored her through her panties, the material growing even more damp. She was surprisingly vocal, muffling her sounds against him, and he hopes he can convince her to go back to his room with her. He had condoms there, always packed them in his toiletries just in case. He wanted to taste her. He wanted to feel her writhing on top of him.
When he tugged her panties aside, they both groaned as his fingers slipped through her folds.
“Jesus, Bobby,” he hardly made out over his thrumming heart. Was it possible to cum just from touching her?
“Poppy,” she corrected distractedly.
He licked a line up her neck, grasping her ear lobe between his lips before saying, “If ya remember ya name, I ain’t doing this right.”
She laughed. She fucking laughed. And Tora was almost brought to his knees.
He slipped his middle finger into her, her laughter cutting off in a gasp. He pressed his forehead against hers as he stroked her. She gripped his finger with hot silk, and he couldn’t wait to sink his cock into her.
She bit her lips, making herself quiet, even as she squeezed her eyes shut. In the dim lighting, he could see how her flush traveled down her throat, disappearing below the neckline of her dress.
“Nah, I wanna hear ya,” he said, his own voice growing hoarse. Shit, he only had a single finger in her and it was still the best sex he’d ever had. He caught her lip with his, tugging gently until she let out a shuddering moan. He knew she could get louder, but he’d take it. Didn’t need it echoing off the walls and have someone come interrupt them.
“Good girl.” He slipped his ring finger in on a stroke, pressing his index finger against her clit.
“Oh, fudge,” she hissed out and he smiled against her, still lapping at her lips with his, open kisses swallowing her sounds.
She started grinding down against his hands, and he met her movements.
“Fuck ya gorgeous,” he said, unable to hold back anything. He was never like this with hook-ups. There was just something about her that shattered his defenses. “That’s it, ride my hand.”
Poppy gave into herself, into his touch, and he knew his boxer briefs would be soaked with precum. Over and over, they moved against each other, and then he felt it. Her thigh tightened where he had it trapped between his thigh and arm, her hands gripping him so tight he felt her nails dig into his shoulders. Marks he’d wear with mother-fucking pride. Her moans cut off into silence, her eyes squeezed tight, her entire body tensing.
One last swipe of her clit had her shattering, and he slammed his lips against hers, swallowing the loud cry ripping from her lips as she came on his hand. He kept working her, prolonging her orgasm until finally easing her down, slowing his strokes, matching the slow, almost gentle kisses he gave.
“Wow,” Poppy shuddered out as he slipped from her, tugging her panties back into place. If they were in his hotel room, he’d lift her up on the wall until her legs were over his shoulders and he could drive her to another orgasm with his mouth.
“Ya,” was all he could answer, feeling wrecked and he hadn’t even cum. His cock was practically throbbing, and he knew it wouldn’t take much. But he didn’t want it stay in the alley. He wanted to take her back.
He helped ease her leg down until she had both feet on the ground, though she was unsteady. He smirked, knowing he was the cause of her trembling legs. Tora held her waist, trying to think of the best way to suggest she ditch her friend and spend the night with him. A part of him was disappointed this was his last night here in the beach town, and after tonight he’d never see her again.
“Did you hear that?” Poppy asked, pushing him back. He gave her the distance even though it went against every one of his instincts.
“What—” he started, but then he heard it.
Her fucking friend was yelling her name.
“Be right there!” Poppy yelled, slipping away from him.
“Oi,” he said, reaching for her hand. He couldn’t just let her go. “Ditch her. Come back to my hotel room.”
He’d stopped her in her place with his grasp, and she turned to look at him over her shoulder. He could see her seriously considering it.
“Poppy! There you are,” Erdene said as she entered the alley and hurried towards them. Poppy yanked her hand away as if they’d been caught doing more. He tried to ignore the hurt it caused. Erdene didn’t seem to notice as she looked frazzled. “We gotta go. Mirabelle is freaking out apparently. Like, code red.”
“Sugar snaps,” Poppy said, and Tora bit the inside of his lip to keep from laughing. She looked at him again, a soft smile that reached her eyes. “Thanks for keeping me company Tora.”
Fuck, he wanted to stop them even as Erdene hooked her arm through Poppy’s and started talking in a frazzled voice. But what was the point? Tonight would have been it, and something told him that if he’d had any more of her, he’d be addicted.
So, when the ladies got to the sidewalk and Poppy sent him one last look, he raised two fingers to his lips before saying with a wink. “Nice to meet ya, Bobby.”
She disappeared around the building, and he groaned, his eyes closing. He’d used the hand coated in her for the gesture, and he didn’t care how much of a pervert it made him. He sucked his middle finger, tasting Poppy, and slumped back against the wall.
He needed to close his tab and get the hell back to his room. There was no way in hell his cock was settling down on its own.