Holding Strong
Page 72

Instead she hooked one leg around his hips while running her hands over his chest and shoulders. “Now, Denver.”
As he rocked in she winced, causing him to slow even more. “Relax,” he told her again.
Her eyes opened, big and dark and dazed with need. She looked at him with love, leveling him.
“Cherry...”
“I need you. All of you.” She braced herself, and whispered, “Now.”
“Fuck.” He tried to hold off, tried to temper the raw explosion of emotions, but she broke him. Gathering her closer, holding her tight, he gave one hard thrust that sank him deep.
On a cry, her sharp little teeth closed on his shoulder and her sex squeezed him even tighter. The bite turned into a hot, wet kiss; the cry into a hungry purr.
She squirmed as she adjusted to him, each small movement urging him on.
The things she made him feel, disturbing in their intensity, encouraged him to ride her hard while also cherishing her.
He settled for a deep but steady rhythm and she kept pace, her pleasure building, her low cries growing sharper, higher. He kissed her even as he felt her tightening, her fingertips digging into his back, her body lifting—she freed her mouth as she came, keening sharply, and that turned him on, too, enough that he immediately joined her.
Little by little the blinding pleasure receded, taking with it all his tension. He rested over her on his forearms, careful not to give her all his weight.
Softly, sweetly, Cherry kissed his shoulder.
“Now,” she whispered, “wasn’t that better than sleeping?”
His laugh turned into a groan as he moved to the side of her.
Laying his hand on her thigh, he tried to come to grips with his feelings for her. He had a lot on his plate, including the big fight coming up. He needed to refocus on that, and he would. But he’d also make time for this, for being with her, being there for her, enjoying the way she ramped up his lust only to numb him with mind-blowing pleasure.
Turning into him, Cherry glided her hand over his biceps and let out a satisfied breath. “I hope Merissa didn’t hear us.”
Oh shit. His breath stalled, his eyes widening.
He’d totally forgotten that they weren’t alone. Looking at the ceiling, he wondered how soundproof the house might be.
He turned his head to look at Cherry, and crushing emotion struck him again. Damn, she was so beautiful, and right now she looked like a satisfied, well-laid woman.
Curiosity got the better of him and he asked, “Have you ever heard Merissa having sex?”
Eyes closed, Cherry smiled in that womanly, secretive way. “No. Not ever. Rissy doesn’t really bring guys here.” Her lashes lifted. “I think she’s in love with Armie.”
“Yeah.”
Her brows lifted. “You knew?”
“I think about everyone does except him.”
She let that go and instead concentrated on his torso, her fingers drifting through his chest hair, following that down to his abs. “You’re going to destroy that guy when you fight.”
“You think so?” He knew he would, but he wondered at Cherry’s level of understanding of the sport.
Giving him an impish smile and wrinkling her nose, she said, “He waxes everything. His chest, his legs. Even his underarms.”
Denver grinned. “And that somehow means I can beat him?”
“Yes. While you’re working out, staying so fit and strong, he’s off grooming. He’s a wuss. You’ll annihilate him.”
“You’re nuts.” He dipped his head to kiss her nose. “Guys get rid of the hair so it doesn’t snag or pull when they’re grappling.”
“You don’t.” Crawling up and over him, she shifted her ministrations to his overlong hair, loosely tangling her small hands in it. “God, you are such a hunk.”
Settling both hands over her ass, he smiled. “It was a really long day away from you, Cherry girl.”
Her expression changed, going serious, even grim. “Denver.” She moved to the side of him to sit—leaving the sheet rumpled beneath her. “I have to call him.”
They both knew who she meant. “Yeah.” He’d been thinking about it, and he wanted it behind them. “I know it’s bothering you. Best to get it out of the way.”
Hopeful, she asked, “You understand?”
He nodded. “As long as you understand that I won’t let him hurt you.”
Her smile looked so sad it bothered him. “It’s not your responsibility—”
“Hush with that, okay? If you want to be with me, then you need to know who I am. And, girl, I’m not a guy who’d let you be scared or worried. Not ever.”