One to Love (One to Hold #4) (13 page)

He cupped my cheeks and kissed my lips, my chin, my cheek, my nose, my closed eyes, before pulling me tight against him, enveloping me in a hug that was more than warm. It was passionate and protective and so intimate. God, I wanted him so bad it hurt.

Slowly the waves of emotion in my brain subsided. I was acutely aware of us, breathing rapidly, his cheek against my head. “I’ve wanted to do that for two days.”

Lifting my face, I traced a finger down the line in his chin. “I’ve wanted to do that for two days.”

He smiled, revealing straight, white teeth. “That’s all you’ve wanted to do?”

“No.” Our eyes joined. “I’ve wanted to do a lot more.”

“A lot more?” His voice turned daring. “I was pretty sure you were mad at me this morning.”

All of that seemed miles away now. In this place it was just the two of us, holding each other, breathing each other’s breath, no conflict.

“I can’t remember this morning.”

A low noise rumbled in his throat just before his mouth covered mine again. This kiss was even more intense, and I felt his hands moving from my cheeks to my waist to my back and then lower, cupping my ass. A little whimper came from me as he clutched me against him, and I could feel his erection hard at my stomach.
Yes.
The word ached from deep in my core. My inner muscles clenched, and all I wanted was for him to fill that need in me.

He kissed me again and again before pulling his head back with a deep breath and another groan. “Kenny.” He hugged me against his chest, working to calm his body’s responses. It was so sexy, I struggled not to tear his shirt off.

“I need to get you back to your car.” He grasped my hand firmly in his and started walking the way we’d come. I followed trying to keep his pace, skipping along the sand. Every minute or so, he’d glance back. I could’ve flown at this point.

Once we were at the boardwalk, he stopped and faced me. The lights were all on now, and they cast shimmering-white circles on the black water. Moths and other bugs flew wildly at the lamps, seduced by their humming glow. I was seduced by him.

Pulling me against his chest, he leaned down and kissed my cheek, the side of my ear, before whispering, “I want you in my bed so badly.”

“Okay.” I didn’t even hesitate, but he did.

He leaned back, holding my cheeks. “God, you’re killing me. You know that?”

“Why? What’s wrong?” I wanted nothing more than to spend the night wrapped in his arms. “Isn’t your place right over there?”

“Yes.” His gaze raked over my body and back to my eyes. It was thrilling. He ran his thumbs over my throbbing lips, and I wanted him to kiss me again. “I need to take care of a few things first. I’m not ready for you to see my place.”

I put my fingers on his square chin again, running my thumb down that sexy line. “You make it sound like you’re hiding something illegal.”

“No.” Pulling my face to his, he kissed me deeply one more time, sliding his tongue to mine, tracing the rim of my lips before pulling the bottom one between his teeth.

I couldn’t help a little whimper. “You’re a horrible tease.”

“You have no idea how this is killing me.”

“You could always come to my place.”

He was quiet a moment, thoughtful. “You have a point.” Looking up at my car and then back to me, he grinned. “Give me twenty-four hours.”

My brow lined and he kissed it, lowering his hands to my waist. Then his lips moved to my temple, and he took a slow inhale. “You smell so good. I can’t wait to have my mouth all over your body, Kendra Woods.”

A thrill surged through my core. “I can’t wait either, Slayde Bennett.”

He pulled my face up and kissed me several more times before stepping back. “Now get out of here before I forget I’m a gentleman.”

“Are you a gentleman?” I squinted.

“Not really.” A naughty gleam hit his eye, and I was sure I’d have to change panties when I got home. “With you I try to be.”

Stepping forward, I caught his cheeks and kissed him hard. “Don’t try too hard. I’ve never been much for gentlemen.”

“Go. Now.” His voice was almost a growl.

“If you insist.” Shaking my head, I skipped away to my car. If he wanted to delay our gratification, I could play that game—as sucky as it was.

Pausing, I looked back one last time. He stood there in his jeans and white tee with his hands in his back pockets. That sexy grin was on his lips, and he was yummy enough to eat—or at least run my tongue all over.

I blew him a kiss, and with that we said goodnight.

––––––––

M
y head was on fire; my whole body was on fire as I stood there watching her drive away. I couldn’t believe I let her go. Everything in me wanted to carry her back to my place and make love to her every way I knew how—on the bed, on the table, in the shower, against the wall... Would she scream when she came? Was she quiet? Did she make that sexy little moan?
Fuck! What was I doing?

I was being smart. I
had
to let her go. I didn’t have condoms for one thing; my apartment was a shithole for another. It might work for me to eat, sleep, and shower here, and call the beach my living room. With Kenny, I wanted something better—clean sheets, for starters. Flowers would be a bonus. Maybe I could grill something for her to eat. Or not. I couldn’t tell what her appetite was like.

All I knew was she filled my mind like the most powerful drug. Only boxing felt this good. Lying back on my bed, I stared at the ceiling remembering her mouth. She tasted like sugar and mint, just like she smelled, and she felt like heaven. I was counting the minutes until I’d see her again. I didn’t work on Sundays, but I’d be in early for our training session. Pulling out my phone I wished I’d gotten her number.

I needed to buy more minutes.

* * *

T
ension ached in my throat the next morning. Would she be different when I saw her again? Would she change her mind? Half the night I’d tossed and turned, reliving the feel of her lips against mine, the amazing sensation of lifting her small body in my arms, her legs wrapped around my waist. She weighed next to nothing, and I could’ve held her that way for hours exploring that mouth.
Delicious
.

I rounded the corner at the gym and there she was. Her gorgeous blue eyes flickered to mine and then away again like little birds.

“I wasn’t sure you’d come in, since it’s your day off.” She smiled, that dimple appeared, and my tension released.

I walked over to where she sat on the bench, doing my best not to look like I was ready to jump her. “You didn’t think I’d miss our workout?”

“But you’re not training me, remember?”

“I can make an exception in this case, I guess.”

“You guess.” She stood in front of me then, facing me with a grin. Those gel gloves were on her hands, and she was so small and fierce. I wanted to sweep her up and kiss her until she couldn’t see straight. “What happened to ‘I don’t fight anymore’?”

Our bodies were so close, I couldn’t resist wrapping my finger in the ends of her long purple ponytail, giving it a little tug. “I’m not fighting. I don’t fight girls.”

Her eyes flashed, and my stomach tightened. Damn she was sexy. “I’ll kick your ass, Slayde Bennett.”

“Oh, yeah?” I smiled and her eyes darkened.

She punched my shoulder with one of the gel gloves. I barely even felt it. “See that poster? I’m the tiger.
Me
!”

I couldn’t help laughing. “That all you got, Tiger?”

She punched me harder, still bouncing. “How bout that?” Then she did it again,
right, left, right
. I caught her around the arms and lifted her, pinning those little fists against her chest.

“Put me down!” She struggled for a second before her chin lifted. Our mouths were a breath apart, and if this was a test, I didn’t give a shit about passing it.

“Fuck it.” I lowered her and caught her face, covering her mouth with mine. All the frustration from last night flowed into that single act, and she let out that sexy little moan as her arms wrapped around my neck.

Mint and sugar were on my tongue, and I moved my hands to her waist lifting her again as our tongues curled together. I wanted to consume that smart mouth.

She gasped and broke away, turning her face. I took that opportunity to touch her neck with the tip of my tongue before closing my lips against her skin.

“Oh, god,” she gasped, before catching my face again and pressing her lips to mine. Our kisses were fast and desperate, almost as if our mouths were chasing each other’s.

My hands fumbled with the edge of her tank until I found her bare skin and slid my palms across it, cupping her lower back and drawing her close to me. From there, my hands moved lower, scooping her up by that fine little ass as her legs went around my waist. She moved against me in a way that I knew was getting her off. Another little whimper, and it was like gasoline on a fire already raging in my chest.

I wanted her so bad, but we were at the gym... We were the
only
people at the gym. I caught her lip between my teeth wondering what she would say if I—

“Nobody else is here.” She gasped, holding my neck with her gloved hands, pressing her lips against my skin. “Nobody would know.”

She read my mind. Glancing around, we weren’t too far from the men’s locker room. Holding her in my arms, I carried her straight to the metal doors as her lips moved to my ear.

“I dreamed of you inside me last night,” she whispered against my skin.

“Shit, girl, I hope you liked it fast and hard.” I pulled the door open, and we were inside.

Her hands gripped the edge of my tank, helping me whip it over my head. I barely registered the gasp hissing through her lips, and she lightly touched the ink around my neck. I knew what she was seeing, but I didn’t care. Slayer was alive and well, and I was a fool to think he wasn’t.

My hands were under her tank at her sports bra, shoving it up and off. Small, beautiful breasts, a beaded nipple was in my mouth, and she dropped her head back with a moan. “Oh, god, Slayde.”

Her hands threaded into the sides of my hair pulling me closer, and I pushed a hand inside her yoga pants. Her hips fell open as my two fingers slid inside. Another little noise, and I almost shot.
Fuck me.
She was dripping and clenching on my fingers.

“These pants need to be off. Now.” My voice was a low command, and she immediately moved to obey when a loud voice cut through our moment.

“What is this? Fucking Karma?” Rook was right behind us, and Kenny squealed, pressing her body against my chest.

Straightening, I held her to me, using my arms to cover her.

“Shit,” she whispered, her head tucked under my chin.

“Get the—” My voice broke off as I stopped my instinctive response. I was pissed and ready to shout at him to get the fuck out of here. Only, I remembered the pecking order, and it was very possible I was about to be fired.

“You’re supposed to be on your day off.” Rook stood there frowning with his arms crossed. “If you’re going to be up here, it’d better be because you’re thinking about what we discussed.”

All I was thinking about at this moment was the small woman in my arms, her soft breasts pressed against my chest, my straining dick, and how bad I wanted to be inside her. Kenny’s head moved against my skin, and I glanced down at her. I didn’t want to be fired. I wanted to be here, seeing her every day.

Clearing my throat, I managed to calm my voice. “I thought about it. I’m going to train Kenny.”

“And what exactly are you training Kenny to do?”

She lifted her chin to face him. “If you wouldn’t mind giving us a minute. I’d like to put my clothes back on.”

He paused a beat longer then lowered his arms. “No fucking in my men’s room. Got it?” I nodded, and with that, he turned and headed out the door.

We both released our breath, and I distinctly heard her mutter
hypocrite
.

She was still in my arms and I looked down. She lifted her chin, so I could see those eyes. “Damn,” I whispered. “You are so beautiful.”

Her cheeks blushed a delicate shade of pink, and I couldn’t resist leaning down and kissing her one more time. Her mouth opened, and her hand touched my cheek. My hand moved up to her small breast, rolling a still-tight nipple between my thumb and forefinger.

“Mmm,” her moan had an edge of frustration in it.

It was one of the hardest things I’d ever done, but I managed to pull back. “We better hit the bags.”

* * *

W
e didn’t have much time left to train, and to be honest, it was hard to think about much past what we’d almost done in the men’s room.

She stopped punching the bag and stared at me as if reading my mind. “How am I doing?”

I blinked the X-rated images out of my brain. “Elbows are tight and chin tucked, but you’re still too close.” I touched her waist, and a little surge moved between us. It was crazy how bad I wanted to finish what we’d started. “Start a little more than arm’s length out.”

Glancing back over her shoulder, she smiled. “Will you suit up and practice with me?”

“You want me to?” Her dark purple ponytail bounced with a nod, and I thought about it. “I could hold the pads while you work. Maybe do some practice sparring.”

“It’s probably a bad idea. I’ll just want to hang on you the whole time.”

That made me laugh. “I’ve never been in the ring with someone I only wanted to hold.” She threw two jabs followed by a left cross. “That’s good. Your form is really good.”

At that she turned her back to the bag, eyes shining. She really got off on me complimenting her. “I just saw the time. I’ve got to hit the showers. You staying?”

I thought about my own plans. “Nah, I’ve got a few errands to run before tonight.”

The corner of her mouth curled up. “Meet at the pier?”

“That would be perfect.”

She left the room, and I gathered up my stuff. Only a few hours and we’d be together again.