A Fighting Man (9 page)

“Well, maybe he’ll get lucky?” I suggested.

“Maybe.” Casper shrugged.

Our waiter came by and placed a napkin on the table. I handed him a twenty and he started and almost dropped the tray in my lap. I helped him right everything, and then smiled at him. He was a cute kid, probably barely twenty-one. He coughed and tried to smile.

“Thanks,” he kind of mumbled.

“No problem.”

I handed Casper his drink and noticed him staring at the kid.

“See something you like?” I teased.

“Huh? Oh, no. It’s nothing.”

Wanda was now onstage, shaking her hips with the strippers. Casper was chuckling next to me and shaking his head. I took his hand and kissed it. The way he looked at me just then spoke volumes for how he felt, and I wanted to leave as soon as we could. I searched for Pritchard and found him in the corner with Juan-Carlos. I didn’t know what else he had up his sleeve, but I was ready to go. I stood up and leaned into Casper’s ear.

“I’m going to see if we can get out of here.”

Casper nodded, and I turned and smacked right into Drakon.

“Hey, you okay?” I asked.

“Yes. I just got a text from my mother. The toilet is overflowing and the pipe in the kitchen just burst. My dad is trying his hand at being a plumber.”

“Is that bad?” I asked.

Drakon nodded. “Oh God, yes.”

“Okay, um, you need the limo?”

“No, I’ll grab a cab. Have fun!”

I nodded and kept moving forward. That was until I heard a familiar voice behind me.

“Slater! Isn’t this wonderful?”

I groaned and turned slowly to see my mother all dressed up. She was holding a roll of bills in her hand.

“Oh God, this is my worst nightmare.”

“Sweetie! Come on, don’t be like that.”

“Mom, this is just,” I shook my head. “I so need to be out of here.”

I kissed her cheek, flagged Pritchard down and pointed to my watch. I got a nod and ran for the table, grabbing Casper.

“What’s going on?”

“My mom is here!”

“Oh, hell!”

“Yep. We need to go, like, now before she starts drinking and shoving bills in guys’ jocks. I don’t need that image burned on my retinas.”

Casper shivered.

“Have fun, Wanda!” I shouted.

“Woo hooo! You bet!” Wanda grinned, shaking her butt.

“We have to go before another hairy or waxed ass is in my face.” I pulled Casper behind me.

“That would actually be great payback for the stripper,” Casper laughed.

“Punish me when we get back to your place, okay? But just move faster!”

All I could hear was Casper’s laughter behind me.

Casper

I closed the door and leaned my forehead against it. Slater’s warm breath caressed my skin and soft lips kissed the side of my neck. I released a shuddering breath as Slater turned me around slowly to face him. His eyes searched mine, asking the silent question we both knew the answer to was ‘yes.’ I wanted him to hold me and kiss me. I wanted that feeling in my stomach, the one that tingled my spine and made me moan.

And I wanted Slater to be the one to give it to me. At some point he had gone from major annoyance to the most important person in my life. He wasn’t just gorgeous; he was smart, terribly funny, honest (to a fault) and honorable.

Slater untied my tie and unbuttoned my shirt slowly as I did the same for him. He pulled the fabric over my shoulders and kissed the skin at my collarbone. I sighed as I slipped his shirt off and splayed my hands out on his muscular chest. God, but the man was beautiful. Muscles rippled as I ran my hands down his torso. Slater’s hands made quick work of my slacks and he pulled me gently toward the bed.

My heart pounded as he gently lowered me to the bed. Slater stood at the end of the bed and took his own pants off. A very large erection strained his boxers and I licked my lips as they fell to the floor. He leaned across me, taking my mouth in a slow but passionate kiss. I moaned in his mouth as he moved on top of me, his dick rubbing mine just right.

God, I wanted him so badly my mouth watered. I opened the drawer and blindly searched for the lube with my fingers. I found it and pulled it out, placing it on the side of the mattress.

“I’m going to be very careful with you, Casper,” Slater whispered against my lips.

“It’s…it’s been a while.”

“Spread out a bit more.” Slater nudged my leg gently.

I did as I was told and watched as Slater slicked up a finger. He rested beside of me and rubbed across my asshole slowly. Our eyes were locked as Slater pushed in a fraction of an inch. I gasped at the sensation. It had been so long since anyone had touched me that my dick was dripping precome at an amazing rate.

Slater kissed me softly as he pressed in and my back arched at the feeling I’d almost forgotten. Heat slid up my spine as Slater kept our lips locked and his finger inside me, pressing up and crooking. I gasped in his mouth as he touched that magical spot inside me.

“More,” I rasped.

Slater removed his finger and I actually whined. He chuckled softly and I groaned in frustration.

“I’m not going to stop, just want to make sure you’re comfortable.”

Slater pressed a kiss to my nose and I sighed as he was back at my hole with two fingers this time. God, I was in heaven. Slater kept a good pace, pushing in and out, crooking and pressing my spot repeatedly.

“Touch me, please,” I almost begged.

“I’m right here, Casper,” Slater whispered. “I’m not going to leave.”

I nodded and then really moaned. Slater had a grip on my dick and was slowly stroking me into oblivion as he fucked my ass with his fingers. Three fingers went in and I thought I’d scream from the pleasure.

Damn. Slater was good.

“Please, Slater.” My head tossed from side to side on the pillow.

“I want to make sure you’re prepped.”

“I’m prepped. Jesus Christ, I’m prepped!” I groaned.

Slater removed his fingers and I opened my eyes when he pressed his nose to mine.

“Condoms?”

“In the drawer.” I pulled Slater back to me before he reached for it. “Are you…clean?”

Slater nodded.

“I get tested every six months.”

“I’m clean…I haven’t…” I sighed. I couldn’t seem to articulate what I wanted.

“You want me to make love to you bare?”

I nodded.

Slater cupped my cheek. “Are you sure?”

I nodded again and pulled him to my lips, my hand slipping around his dick. Slater moaned softly as I began a slow stroke. He was bigger than what I was used to, but I was ready for it. I grabbed the lube, coated my hand and continued to stroke him. His hips moved into my hand and his head was bent over me, hiding in my neck.

“I want you, Slater!” I guided Slater’s dick to my hole and took a deep breath. “Now.”

I cried out in bliss as Slater entered me. The pressure, the burn, the pleasure of having someone that close to me again. It felt like it had been forever. Slater stopped halfway in and searched my eyes. I pulled him down to my lips and kissed him as I pushed down on him. He moved slowly, his muscular hips moving back and forth, massaging every inch of my walls. I found myself moving in time with him, wanting more—wanting it deeper, harder and faster.

Slater took his time with me and I threw my head back as he licked and nipped at my neck, his thrusts becoming faster, hips snapping, filling me completely. I lifted my legs and squeezed his hips as I moved with him. His hand wrapped around my dick and stroked in time with his movements. Our tongues met and wrapped around each other and I drank from Slater’s warm mouth.

I couldn’t get enough of him.

My orgasm began to build with a tingle in my balls. I gripped Slater’s back with my fingers and pushed into his next thrust. I came undone, wailing as my orgasm raced from me, coating Slater’s hand. Slater cried out, stiffening on top of me as his own orgasm shot from him. Warmth spread up my tunnel and I fell back, gasping for air. Slater held himself above me, looking down. I lifted a hand and pushed back the sweaty hair from his brow.

“Are you all right?” he asked quietly.

“Yes, God, yes. I’m more than all right.”

“I was hoping to last a bit longer,” Slater admitted.

“You?! Hell, I haven’t had sex in over three years.”

Slater whistled softly.

I smacked him in the chest. “Don’t make fun of me.”

“I’m not.”

Slater lifted off me gently and walked out of the room. I sat up in confusion.

“Slater?”

“Where are your washcloths?”

“In the bathroom cabinet.”

I heard the water running and then Slater was back. He wiped up my chest and dick, and then tended to my ass. I sighed as the warm washcloth cleansed me gently.

“Are you hungry?” Slater asked, cleaning himself as well.

“A little, why? Are you?”

“Starving.”

“Pizza?”

“Sounds good.”

I made to get up and Slater pressed his hand to my chest. “No, I’ll get it. You just stay here.”

I rolled to my side with what I knew was a ridiculous smile on my face. I’d finally been intimate with Slater. The nightstand drawer was still open from where I’d removed the lube and I saw the edge of a picture I knew well. I pushed the drawer closed and sighed, closing my eyes. As much as I missed Mason, he was gone and he was never coming back to me. I had a chance to be happy again and Drakon was right.

I wanted to be the ‘I did.’

“Hey, are you sure you’re okay?”

I opened my eyes to see Slater looking at me with concern.

“I am, I promise.” I patted the bed. “Come here.”

Slater sat on the edge of the bed and smoothed my hair back from my eyes. He bent and kissed me softly.

“I ordered sausage and black olive. Is that okay?”

“I love sausage and black olive.”

Slater narrowed his eyes at me. “Are you fucking with me?”

“No, I actually do.” I pulled Slater down on top of me. “How long until the pizza gets here?”

“Half hour at the most.”

“Good.” I pulled him to my lips and kissed him. “I think I want to suck on what you’re packing.”

Slater’s eyes widened comically. “Such language!”

“Shut up.”

* * * *

Morning arrived with the sounds of New York City. I rolled over to find Slater’s side of the bed empty and, for a split second, I panicked. Then I heard humming in the kitchen and the caught unmistakable smell of food. I padded out to the kitchen to see Slater flipping pancakes. He looked especially sexy in his boxers and nothing else. I kissed his spine and he turned to me with a spatula in his hand.

“Don’t make me use this on you.” He waved the spatula.

“I don’t know…” I tilted my head to the side. “I might like it.”

“Kinky, aren’t you?”

I smiled seductively and edged back to the kitchen table. I sat down and spread my legs.

“Come here,” I growled.

“Damn, that’s hot!”

Slater threw the spatula over his shoulder and rushed me. I laughed as he sprawled me out on the table like a buffet.

“Well, now. I like this.” I waggled my brows.

“I have a surprise for you.”

I narrowed my eyes. “What kind of surprise?”

“How would you like to go to Atlantic City?”

“Really?” I sat up.

“Yup.” Slater nodded.

“Is it for the campaign?”

“No, it’s just for you and me.”

“I’d love it.”

“Well, get packed.”

According to my GPS, it would take us two hours to get to Atlantic City. I’d never been there, but Slater assured me he had. I didn’t want to know when and with whom. I knew Slater wasn’t a virgin. Hell, he was far from it. But I didn’t know him then and I wasn’t one to judge. I’d only been with Mason and he hadn’t been a virgin either.

We stopped by his house so he could pack up some things while Raquel coddled and fed me. I really loved her. She had a way of making me feel like one of her own kids. Even Blaine had said he felt that way. By the time we got on the road, it was almost two in the afternoon. Slater had borrowed his dad’s car—but made sure the radio was off.

I had to chuckle at that.

I watched in fascination as the scenery flew by. I really hadn’t gotten out of New York at all since I’d moved there. After Mason died, I really didn’t even want to go anywhere. Slater held my hand as we drove down the Garden State Parkway. I had to keep handing him change as we passed tollbooth after tollbooth.

And I thought New York was bad.

The closer we got, the more lights I saw blinking in the distance. I turned to Slater and eyed him.

“Didn’t Atlantic City take a hit from Hurricane Sandy?”

“Just wait.” Slater winked.

The closer we got, the more excited I became. I’d heard all the stories of people going to Atlantic City to gamble and taking long walks on the boardwalk. I was finally going to get to do it myself.

I gasped as we pulled closer to the city.

Hotel lights were flashing and the streets were crowded. Slater turned into the Trump Taj Mahal and a valet quickly appeared. The setting looked like something out of the Middle East. Everywhere I looked, signs for casinos blinked at me.

“Come on, let’s get settled in the room and then we can take a walk on the boardwalk.”

“The boardwalk? Didn’t it get washed away?”

Slater grinned and pulled me forward. “Come on, just trust me.”

He stopped at the front desk as I looked around. There were people everywhere, and the sounds of the casino thundered out into the lobby. Slater took my hand and we entered the elevator.

“Kinda swanky, don’t you think? You know I’ll put out.”

Slater smacked my ass as the elevator doors opened.

“Come on.”

I waited as Slater unlocked the door and then followed him. My mouth hit the floor as I surveyed the room. A bed that had to be bigger than a king size was against one wall with a bathtub opposite. A large floor-to-ceiling mirror occupied one wall, and large picture windows shone across from it. I sat down on the bed and bounced. Slater chuckled and I raised a brow.

“What?”

He pointed up and I looked. A mirror spanned the ceiling.