Breathless

by Maya Banks

  “Not yet,” I say, narrowing my eyes on her. “And stop looking at her,” I snap at Ezra.

  “Hey, just looking out for my man’s girl.” He winks at her, and I feel my fists clench.

  “Since you’re here, and there’s no fight, how about we get a beer and see what shakes out? I bet they’ll stack another one. It’s early.” Donovan looks past me and then back to us.

  My grip on Pandora’s ass tightens, but she has other ideas.

  “Sounds like fun. The first one was over way too soon.” She blows me a kiss as she wiggles out of my grip and goes to the bar.

  “Goddamn that woman,” I say to myself, but Donovan slaps me on the back.

  “Cheer up, Rolly. You’ve only got another sixty years or so of it to deal with.”

  The thought of spending the rest of my life with Pandora warms the place in my chest that I didn’t think was alive until I met her. Donovan and Ezra know the type of guy I am. They know that I don’t take things lightly when it comes to women. If I’ve put my claim on Pandora, they know it’s for keeps. She’s the one, and I’m done. It’s that simple for me, and they know it. Now let’s see if Pandora can get on the same page as them.

  Pandora grabs a stool and orders us beers. I go over and pick her up, then sit down and put her on my lap. She wiggles on top of me like she’s annoyed, but when her ass finds my cock, her eyes grow wide. I lean into her hair and put my lips against her ear.

  “Keep wiggling like that and I’ll bend you over this bar.” I take her lobe between my teeth, and I feel her shiver. “I’d have to murder everyone in this room for watching you get fucked. But I’ll always give you what you need.”

  I slide my hands up her bare thigh until I get to the edge of her short shorts. They show just the edge of her cheek and barely cover her pussy.

  “Royce,” she breathes, and I shake my head.

  “Call me Rolly when we’re down here. It makes me so fucking hard to think about you cheering my name while you watch me.” I play with the edge of her shorts, running my fingertips where the denim is frayed. “If I get in there tonight, I’m gonna fight. And when I’m done, I’m gonna need to fuck. So if I step in that ring, you better be wet and ready for me, baby.”

  “That middleweight from Boston is here tonight. You want in on that?” Donovan asks, breaking our moment.

  I look up at him and then to Pandora, raising my eyebrow in a question. She licks her lips, and I see a blush creep across her cheeks as she nods.

  “Yeah, I’m fighting,” I say to Donovan.

  “All right. I’ll set it up,” he says, and disappears through the crowd.

  I drink my beer, and Pandora watches me, eyes locked on my mouth and then on my throat when I swallow. Her body is so hot, and I can see the change in her breathing, see her hard nipples poking against the thin white shirt.

  “You stay beside Ezra until it’s finished,” I say. It’s not a question, but she nods. “And you stay where I can see you. Right up front.”

  “It’s done,” Donovan says, coming back over. “You’re up in ten.”

  “Let’s go change,” I say, getting off the stool and pulling Pandora behind me.

  I take her into the bathroom and lock the door. I push her up against it and lift her, letting her legs wrap around my waist.

  “Tell you what, baby. However many seconds it takes me to knock that guy out is how many hours I’m going to spend between your legs when we get home.”

  “Is that a threat?” she asks smugly.

  “You saw me KO that guy in about a second. You sure you want me to go that quick?” I give her my cocky smile that I know makes her wet, and I’m not disappointed when she rubs her lower half against me.

  “Take your time,” she says, but then she becomes serious. “Be careful, okay?”

  “You just take care of what’s most important to me, and I’ll do the rest.” I kiss her softly and then drop her to her feet so I can change.

  When I’ve got on my loose shorts and no shirt, she looks me over like I’m a piece of meat and she’s a vegan who just fell off the wagon.

  “You keep giving me eyes like that and I’ll have to fuck you right now.”

  There’s a loud pounding on the door. “You’re up, Rolly.”

  “Promises, promises,” Pandora says, and runs her hand across my chest. “Put your shirt on right after. I don’t like other women seeing you without it on.”

  I reach into my bag and pull it out, slipping it back on over my head. She looks at me with shock on her face, and I wink. “For your eyes only.”

  We walk out and make our way over to the ring. I stand at the edge, and Ezra is right there beside Pandora, waiting on her.

  I lean down, giving her a kiss and laying my claim in front of everyone. I want to deepen it, but I force myself to stop and then move my lips to her ear. “Count for me, baby.”

  Stepping away, I walk in the ring and look over to her thighs squeezed together. My job is almost done. Now I just need to knock this guy out so I can go take care of my woman.

  The bell rings, and I step up, my fists held in front of my face. The guy comes at me, and I block his first few punches, dancing around the ring. I hear the crowd cheering, but over all of it I hear Pandora say my name.

  The primal beast inside me grows ten sizes, and I smile at the man across the ring from me. He doesn’t stand a chance.

  Stepping forward, I lay a one-two punch on him and then another. That’s all it takes to make him go down. He’s a big guy, but I’ve got my woman shouting my name, and I’d never let her see me fail.

  He’s not knocked out, so the ref has to come over to count it out. I turn to see Pandora with one hand on her throat in surprise as she watches me. It was fast, but the time is ticking. I count out loud with the ref, giving her my dirty smile. Knowing I’m going to love every minute I’m between those smooth thighs of hers.

  “Three, two, one,” I say, stalking toward her. But before I make it to her, she’s leaping into my arms.

  I carry her through the crowd, and her mouth goes to my neck, licking and sucking on me.

  “Get out of my way,” I growl at people who are blocking us.

  When I get to the bathroom, I kick it closed and shoot the bolt.

  “Goddamn, that was hot,” she breathes right before my mouth connects with hers.

  I set her on her feet and unbutton her shorts, pushing them off her hips along with her panties. I lift her back up and press her to the wall as I pull my rock-hard cock out.

  “Seven seconds,” she moans right before I thrust all the way into her tight pussy.

  “Seven hours of heaven,” I say, pulling back and thrusting back in.

  “Royce!” She cries out, and I do it again.

  I ride her hard, needing the release from tonight. The adrenaline has built up from the fighting and thinking about all the men out there checking out what’s mine.

  “Right now, you’re getting a quick fuck. I’ll take my time when we get home.” I reach between us and rub her clit. “This is fast and dirty. But I know you like it.”

  I feel her tighten around me as I pound her against the wall. I strum her sweet little nub, and she moans, burying her mouth against my chest.

  My cock aches to come, but I feel how close she is. I grit my teeth and hold off, wanting us to go together. The punishing rhythm is enough, though, and I don’t have to wait long.

  “That’s it!” she cries, tensing up and biting my chest as she comes.

  “Fuck,” I moan, and empty into her, feeling my whole body shake from the intensity of it.

  Her body goes limp in my arms as I feel the heat of our passion coat her thighs. I’m going to have fun cleaning that up later.

  “God, you’re so hot when you fight,” she
says, smiling at me with heavy eyes.

  “Not as hot as you are when you’re on my cock.” I flash her the smile I know drives her crazy, and she rolls her eyes, smacking my chest playfully. “I’m going to take you home, feed you, and then make good on my promise.”

  “You’re going to get lockjaw,” she says, kissing my lips. “But then I won’t have to hear your cocky comments.”

  “I’ll take that trade-off.”

  CHAPTER 12

  Pandora

  “I’ve never seen you look nervous before,” Royce says, looking over at me.

  It’s been over a week of pure bliss with him. I even said “fuck it” and called out of work for two days just to stay in bed with him. I’d been working my ass off, and I figured I’d earned it.

  He’s right, though. I hardly ever get nervous. “I want them to like you,” I tell him, looking up at my parents’ house.

  Penelope has been begging me all week to bring Royce to the family dinner. While I want to, I’m a little reluctant. Not because I’m embarrassed to bring a guy around, but because I want everyone to love him.

  Royce reaches over, sliding his hand into mine. “Baby, I promise everything will be fine.” He gives me a little squeeze.

  “My family is close,” I tell him, trying to making sure he understands how important this is to me. I don’t want him to think I don’t want them to meet each other I just want this to be perfect.

  We’re more than close. My family is everything to me. I actually think that’s part of the reason why I never went out and found—or wanted—a boyfriend. I had people close to me at home and didn’t think I needed it anywhere else. Plus, I always thought I’d never find someone as good as my dad. I wasn’t willing to settle. I saw how he treated my mom, and I thought that was rare. I didn’t think I would ever find a love like that. My mom’s strong-willed like I am, but he handles her, while letting her be who she is. I’m a leader like her, and most men are threatened by that. Royce seems to get off on it, though. It’s probably why I love him.

  I freeze for a second, processing the thought that just popped into my head. I love him.

  “Then I want to be close to them, too,” he says, breaking through my internal shock.

  “I’m different with them,” I admit. “It’s not like the ‘work me’ most people see.”

  “Baby,” he sighs. God, I love it when he calls me that. I used to think guys calling their women that was annoying. Maybe I was secretly missing something, because when Royce says it, I melt into a puddle. “I’ve spent a week worshiping your body and feeding you. I know there are two sides to you. I love them both.”

  “You love them both,” I repeat, only really catching one word.

  He grabs me, pulling me onto his lap and positioning me so I’m straddling him. He takes my mouth in a deep kiss that has me worked up in seconds.

  “Loved you from the moment I saw you,” he tells me. He runs his hand up to my hair, pulling my ponytail. “I felt it that first time you took my hand.”

  I’d felt it, too, but it scared me. “You make a different part of me come out. With you, I feel like I don’t have to have any walls. I can just be me,” I admit, because it’s true.

  “I’m like a fucking king because you’re that way with me.” He rubs the back of my neck before pulling me to him and taking my mouth again. This time I deepen it, wanting to fall into him.

  I pull him closer, but suddenly the car door is flying open.

  “Oh. My. Fucking. God,” I hear Penelope say.

  “Royce, this is my sister,” I mutter, pulling back from the kiss and blushing because I got caught making out.

  “He’s hot,” Penelope says. I hear Ivan growl and look over to see him moving her behind his big body and away from us. “Not hotter than you.” She rolls her eyes. “Get out of the car,” she says, before yelling, “Mom, Pan is making out in the car!”

  Now it’s my turn to roll my eyes. Royce chuckles as I climb off him and out of the car. The smile on Penelope’s face is giant. Ivan has his arms around her, cupping her belly like her baby might pop out at any moment and he might need to catch him.

  “She’s mine,” Ivan says simply, his eyes boring into Royce. I know Royce can fight, but I’m not sure anyone wants to come up against Ivan when it comes to my sister.

  Royce wraps one arm around me, pulling me into him. “And she’s mine,” he says simply.

  They glare at one another, and Ivan nods to me. “And she’s my sister. Hurt her and I promise you it will be the last thing you do.”

  It takes me a little by surprise, but his words make me smile. Ivan and I have become somewhat close over the years, with him being married to Penelope, but I didn’t think he’d say that.

  “And this is my brother, Ivan,” I say, smiling.

  “Hurting her is the last thing I’ll ever do,” Royce says, pulling me even closer to him. Ivan studies him for a moment before nodding.

  “Look at them. He’s all cuddling her and she’s letting him!” Penelope says excitedly. She looks like she’s about to burst into a pile of sparkles.

  “Pan,” Mom says. I turn to see her and Dad standing in the front door. Dad has his arms crossed over his chest and is giving Royce a death stare. Mom has a little smirk on her face. She and Penelope seem to be the only ones who are happy here.

  “Hey,” I say, waving to them.

  “You going to introduce us?” Dad says.

  “This is Pan’s man,” Penelope says before I can get a word in. “She needs a ring and a baby,” she adds, and I feel myself blush. I give her a hard look, and she just shrugs.

  Mom and Dad make their way out the front door. “Mom, Dad, this is Royce. We kinda work together,” I tell them.

  “This is what had you in knots last week?” Mom asks. I feel myself redden even more. I had no idea I was a blusher, but leave it to my family to pull it out of me.

  Royce reaches out, taking Dad’s hand. Dad holds it for a second before letting it go.

  “I wasn’t in knots,” I say as Royce takes Mom’s hand next. Mom just smiles more, looking just like Penelope.

  “Don’t let her lie to you,” Royce says before kissing the top of my head.

  “I know my girl. And I know you,” Mom says as she lists off Royce’s life history. She even knows a bit more than I do.

  “Mom,” I scold, but she shrugs.

  Penelope keeps on smiling, and Dad stands there, seeming to know it all.

  “We run one of the biggest security firms in the States. Do you think we don’t know who you’re dating?” Dad says.

  Royce lets out a bark of laughter. “Well, I hope I meet your standards.”

  “Not that it matters,” I add. “I’m keeping him.”

  Dad studies me for a second before a smile finally pulls at his lips. While I was a little nervous to introduce them to Royce, I knew they would be happy. My parents are so in love and want the same for me. Dad has even been poking me about when I might bring someone around.

  Royce squeezes my hand, and I smile at him. “Okay, guys, now that’s out of the way. We’re leaving,” I tell them.

  I go around and give everyone a goodbye hug.

  “You just got here,” Penelope says grumpily in my ear.

  “He just told me he loves me,” I whisper back.

  “Yep. They have to go,” Penelope says loudly, making me shake my head.

  My mom and dad try to protest, but Penelope goes about pushing them back into the house.

  Royce looks at me with confusion and holds his arms out, palms up.

  “Get in the car,” I tell him, and he raises his eyebrows at me.

  “You get in the car,” he says back, and I roll my eyes.

  I go around to the other side and get in
and wait for him to slide into the driver’s seat. Reaching over, he pulls on my seat belt for me and waits.

  “Drive,” I grit out.

  “What has you all pissy?” he asks as he slides his key in then backs out of the driveway.

  “The man I love just told me he loves me, and I haven’t gotten to say it back.”

  We’ve only traveled a few yards when the car comes to a sudden halt as he hits the brakes and throws it into park.

  Before I know it, my seat belt is off, and Royce yanks me out of my seat and onto his lap.

  “Say it.”

  “You can’t demand it,” I tease.

  “Baby…” His voice comes out rough and deep, with so much emotion in it. “Say it.”

  “I love you,” I whisper for the first time to someone outside of my family.

  He stares at me hard for half a second before his mouth hits mine. His tongue pushes in, and I kiss him back just as fiercely. I don’t know why I ever fought this. His hands tangle in my hair, and all I can think is that this love is what I’ve been waiting on my whole life.

  “We’re getting married,” he tells me as his lips move to my neck.

  “You’re bossy.”

  Normally I would get mad, but something about the way he’s so assertive and sure of what he’s saying does it for me. I feel myself smile and close my eyes, loving the feeling of his lips on me.

  His grip on my hair tightens, and my pussy clenches. God, what this beast of a man does to me.

  “Say you’ll marry me,” he pushes, and I moan at the strong grip he has on me.

  He’s tough, and it goes straight to my core. I’m not used to someone being so firm with me. I like it, and he smiles, knowing damn well I’m getting off on it.

  “I’ll marry you,” I tell him, because it’s what I want. It might be crazy fast, but I don’t care. This man was made for me. “We could fly to Vegas tonight.”

  He smiles and then leans forward, giving me a soft, sweet kiss. It’s the complete opposite of what we were just doing. Then he’s putting me back in my seat and going back into my parents’ driveway.