“Don’t do this,” he whispered, his eyes devouring her compact little body. When he was a teenager, he and his brother used to have posters of girls who looked like her on their walls, but he never thought he’d come face to face with one, especially one brave enough to offer herself to him after he’d warned her off.
“Don’t do what?” She reached around to unfasten her bra. “Don’t admit that I want you to make love to me?” She took her time sliding the straps over her shoulders, her eyes locked on his, before she let it fall to the floor.
He sucked in a breath, knowing it was too late to turn back.
“Don’t allow myself to fall for you?” She hooked her thumbs into her panties but hesitated, looking unsure. “It’s too late. I’ve never done anything like this before, offered myself to a man who seems so… indifferent.”
“God, I’m not indifferent. Can’t you see what you’re doing to me?” he said, raking a hand over his cropped hair. The evidence of his arousal was hiding behind the island, but her little striptease left him aching in more ways than one.
“No.” She shook her head. “I keep looking for it in your eyes, but I see nothing, and that scares me.”
He’d gotten good at shutting down and hiding his feelings, but he had no idea he was that good. He assumed his desire for her was written all over his face every time he looked at her. Apparently not, if she couldn’t see it.
“You want the truth?” He forced his eyes to remain firmly on her face. “When you told me about your ex tonight, it took everything in me not to put my fist through a wall.” He’d already given her too much insight into how he felt about her, but he couldn’t stop. The vulnerability in her eyes had finally unleashed the truth. “You said he’s going to be in town tomorrow night? I’d love to meet him to make sure he knows that you’re mine. Except you’re not mine, are you? You’ll never really be mine, ‘cause girls like you don’t end up with guys like me!” By the time he finished his tirade, he was breathing heavily, his emotions on full display for her to see.
She walked around the island. “You’re wrong.” She stood on her toes to press a kiss to his lips, linking her arms around his neck as she swept inside of his mouth.
He groaned as he boosted her up, encouraging her to wrap her legs around his waist. A little voice in his head told him she’d regret this when she found out what kind of man he was, but he wasn’t selfless enough to stop. He kissed her ravenously as he walked backward out of the kitchen and down the long hall to his bedroom. The candles were lit and the sexy music playing, creating the perfect backdrop for a night of passion he wanted to last forever. Laying her on the bed, he stood back to admire her mind-blowing perfection as he unbuttoned his shirt.
Stretching her arms above her head, she pressed her foot into his chest when he peeled off his shirt. “Have I ever told you that your chest makes my mouth water?”
He routinely mixed it up with his guys in the ring, so he wasn’t surprised she’d seen him without a shirt. He grinned as his hands drifted up her smooth calf before curling around her thigh. “No, I don’t think you have.”
“You’re so strong, so powerful,” she said, biting her lip as she watched him remove his jeans to reveal a pair of black boxer briefs. “I’ve imagined this a hundred times. I’ve never wanted someone—no, needed—someone so much. It’s taken all of my self-control to wait this long to be with you.”
He was relieved he wasn’t the only one who’d been fantasizing about this. He’d taken more cold showers after heavy petting sessions with her than he had in his entire life. He kissed a path up her leg. The only thing standing between him and the one thing he wanted most was her sexy lace panties, and he intended to rectify that in a hurry. When he peeled them off, his heart thundered at the sight of her completely bare and exposed to him.
Her eyes were heavy with lust, but there was also a defenselessness that was even more of a turn-on. He wasn’t in this alone. He wasn’t the only one afraid of falling too hard, too deep, to rebound.
“You’re the sexiest woman I’ve ever seen,” he whispered, his voice raspy. “You’re every fantasy I’ve ever had.”
She smiled shyly before sinking her teeth into her plump lower lip. “You definitely know how to make a girl feel special.”
“You are special.” He kissed a trail up her leg, his eyes never leaving hers. “You’re dangerous, girl. So dangerous.”
She arched her back, tipping her head back as he placed open-mouthed kisses on her inner thighs. “How so?”
“You could become addictive.” Who was he kidding? He was already seriously infatuated with her. If he fell any deeper, he’d have to call it what it was. Love. That scared the hell out of him, especially with Morin back in the picture and ready to dig up skeletons Blaise had thought were buried.
“I’d like to be your addiction.” She licked her lips as she trailed her hands over her full breasts. “I want you to crave me, just like I crave you.”
He groaned. The sight of her caressing herself set off a firestorm inside him. He couldn’t remember ever being so turned on. He wanted to take it slow, to be romantic and whisper to her how beautiful she was, how much she turned him on, but he feared if he slipped inside her now, it would be a race to the finish. The last thing he wanted was to disappoint her.
He set one of her legs over each of his shoulders as he positioned his knees on the mattress between her. He trailed a finger between her slick folds, admiring how responsive she was as she moaned and arched, coaxing him to give her more. Thrusting two fingers inside her, he felt his entire body stiffen when her body clenched.
Her breath came in quick pants as she whispered, “Oh God, Blaise…”
He felt as if he’d been waiting forever to hear those sweet words, to know that she was losing control and he was the cause. “Goddamn, girl, you’re so sexy. Show me. Show me how much you want me.” He picked up the pace, giving her no choice but to meet his demands. He slowed marginally as she came apart, crying his name as she fisted the duvet.
“I want more, so much more of you,” he murmured as his knees hit the floor. “I need to taste you, to feel every sweet inch of you.” He’d always been more of an action than talk kind of guy, but something about her made him want to say things he’d never said, to express things he’d never felt.
Chapter Three
This is not happening. I must be dreaming, Kiara thought as Blaise took her to new heights of ecstasy. She hadn’t been a virgin in years and had enjoyed her fair share of lovers over the past decade, but he was doing things to her and making her feel things that were unfamiliar, as though she’d been waiting for that man, that moment, to finally let her guard down and enjoy real intimacy.
He was so attentive, so thorough, and he seemed to get as much pleasure from the intensely intimate act as she did. No one had ever made her belly clench that way, setting her insides on fire and making her limbs tremble with weakness. She felt so helpless, so vulnerable, yet so alive and excited at the same time.
When she couldn’t stand the pleasure another second, she surrendered, allowing his skilled tongue to push her over the edge into an abyss she likened to free-falling without a net. When her heart battered her chest to the point she feared she might stop breathing, his arms were there to catch her, to remind her that he wasn’t going anywhere as long as she needed him. God help her, she needed him so much more than she wanted to.
“I could do that all night,” he whispered, pressing his hot body to hers. “So sweet, so damn sweet. I don’t think I could ever get enough.”
She shivered, as much from his words as the after-shocks of what he’d done to her. His body never left hers as he reached into the nightstand for a condom. She couldn’t tear her eyes away as he encased his hard shaft. She wanted to do so much to him, with him, to return the favor, but her body felt limp and lifeless. She was sure that had been his intent. She prided herself on being a sensual and generous lover who gave as good as she got, and she’d
never wanted to give so much.
“Gimme a minute,” she said, trying to force a laugh through her over-taxed lungs. “You kinda wore me out.”
“I wish I could.” He took what little breath she’d reclaimed with a powerful kiss that revealed how close he was to snapping. “I can’t wait another second to have you, gorgeous.”
She hadn’t thought about how turned on he must have been while he selflessly bestowed pleasure on her. “Then don’t.” She closed her eyes at the first hint of his penetration, wanting to enjoy every second of their merging.
Breath seeped through his lips as he filled her, inch by inch, taking his time to stretch her gently. “God, this was so worth waiting for, Ki.”
She smiled against his shoulder at his nickname. No one had ever called her that, but hearing it on his lips felt suggestive and personal, as though he’d christened her as his. As he slowly moved inside her, she realized that was exactly what he was doing—claiming her as his. Kiara had been waiting forever to feel like that in a man’s arms, like she belonged. She was safe and protected, and no one could hurt her as long as she had him.
The image she projected to the world was one of total competence, but the romantic in her wanted a lover who made her feel cherished, as if she was the most important person in his world. Blaise did that, exceeding her expectations as he made love to her with his eyes and body. The only time his eyes strayed from hers was when he swept her away with sensual kisses that aroused her almost as much as the enticing rhythm of his body.
“This feels so incredible,” she said, needing to give a voice to the sweet anguish of sinking deeper than she’d given herself permission to when the evening started. When she’d propositioned him in his office, she had no idea where he intended to take her emotionally, or how terrifying the journey would be.
“It does.” His breath was broken, his voice ravaged as he focused all his energy on taking her back to the brink with him. “Give me this, Ki.”
She didn’t have to ask what he meant. Surrendering to him was easier than she ever thought it would be. Giving herself to him, trusting him with her body and heart, felt as natural as breathing. She locked her ankles behind his waist, raising her hips to meet his powerful thrusts.
“Oh, God,” he moaned. “Now, baby.”
She closed her eyes and basked in the feel of his hard body cocooning her, giving her pleasure as he demanded his own. The moment came and went, the peak giving way to a softer, more subtle landing. He brushed the hair off her face and kissed her forehead. Kiara was mortified when the tender gesture made tears burn her eyes. If not for the candlelight, he might have missed it, but the healthy glow showed him what she’d hoped to keep hidden. He had overwhelmed her.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” he asked, concern etching faint lines on his forehead. “Are you okay?” He moved to her side, one arm curled around her head while his free hand splayed on her stomach. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”
She tried to laugh, but it came out a broken sob that made her curse softly. “You were incredible. I just never expected…” She gestured helplessly with her hands. “That.”
One side of his mouth tipped up. “You’re not the only one. That was pretty intense, wasn’t it?”
“Uh, yeah.” She brushed away tears as her cheeks flamed. “I’m sorry, I don’t know why I’m getting so emotional. It’s just sex.”
“That’s bullshit. Don’t ever let me hear you say that again.”
She was surprised by the vehemence in his tone. Forcing herself to look up, her breath caught, making her grasp for words that felt trapped in her throat. The last thing she’d wanted to do was offend him. “I’m sorry, I just meant—”
“I know what you meant.” He rolled on his back, covering his face with his forearm. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to snap at you. I just…” A deep breath revealed his inner turmoil. “It’s not just sex, at least not for me.”
Kiara felt guilty for insulting him, but she never would have guessed this big, tough guy would be sensitive when it came to matters of the heart. She propped her weight on her elbow, looking down at him as her hair fell on his chest. “It wasn’t just sex, Blaise. We made a real connection. Why do you think I was getting so emotional?” She knew the only way she could convince him she was sincere was if she afforded him a glimpse inside her head.
“Tell me what you’re thinking?” He rolled onto his side to face her. “Talk to me.”
“I’m thinking I haven’t felt like this in a really long time.” Maybe never. “And I really like it. But I’m scared too.”
He reached for her hand and pressed his lips to her palm. “Why are you scared?”
“Look at you.” She gestured toward his body and perfect face. He would put most fitness models to shame. “You’re so… sexy.” Her face burned with embarrassment as she forced out the word. She hated to seem insecure, but Blaise worked in an environment where beautiful women with hard bodies were likely throwing themselves at him all day, and Kiara spent half her time thousands of miles away.
“So are you.” He smiled. “Do you have any idea the crazy thoughts that run through my head when you’re away, Ki?”
“No.”
It felt so good to be honest with him, to hear him voice his fears and to feel comfortable doing the same. She hadn’t had a mature relationship built on honesty and trust in a long time, and Blaise was making her believe she could have that with him.
“I always wonder who you’re with, what you’re doing, whether you’re thinking about me.” His knuckles grazed her cheeks when his eyes met hers. “That’s why I snapped earlier when you told me about your ex—it was like my worst fear was happening.”
She flattened his palm against her racing heart. “I think about you all the time when I’m away. Hell, who am I kidding? I think about you all the time whether we’re in the same city or not.”
His grin lit up his handsome face with a perfect set of white teeth that looked as though they belonged on an actor instead of a boxer. “Really? Tell me more.”
He looked so adorable, she couldn’t resist the urge to lean in and kiss him. “It’s been that way from the beginning. You’re a terrible distraction.”
“Hmm, I could say the same about you. Can’t tell you how many times I’ve almost had my bell rung ‘cause I was thinking about you instead of what was happening inside the ring.”
“Um, I wanted to talk to you about that.” She tried a softer approach as she ran a hand over his cheek, loving the feel of coarse stubble under her palm. “I meant what I said earlier. I’m really worried about you sparring like that. When your doctor told you to give up boxing, I don’t think he meant you could still train fighters from inside the ring.”
“That’s the only way to train,” he said, looking amused.
“Then maybe you should consider managing or promoting fights if you still want to be involved in boxing. Do something that doesn’t involve hand-to-hand combat.”
“I love that you’re so concerned about me.” He kissed her softly. “I’ll think about it, I promise.”
“Thank you.”
“Now will you do something for me?”
She didn’t even have to ask where he was going. “If this is about Morin—”
“Please don’t meet with him tomorrow, Ki.”
“I have to.” She rolled onto her back to stare at the ceiling as he turned off the music. “I’d never forgive myself if I didn’t hear what he had to say. Please try to understand.”
He pursed his lips, looking annoyed. He sat back against the headboard with a pillow behind his back and his arms crossed. “I’m asking you to try to understand this from my perspective. This guy hates me almost as much as I hate him. He’d do anything to hurt me. Since we can’t act out our aggression inside the ring anymore, he’s looking for other ways to get to me.”
After what they’d shared, the last thing Kiara wanted was to argue with him, but she refused to allow him to make this decis
ion for her. It was her career, her choice. “Did it ever occur to you that he might want me because he thinks I’m good at what I do?”
“Baby, I know you’re good,” he said, brushing her hair off her face. “If I were still boxing, I’d sure as hell want you representing me. If it were any other fighter, I’d say go for it, but not Morin.”
They weren’t going to solve the issue that night, so Kiara sat up and swung her legs over the side of the bed.
“Hey, where are you going?” he asked, running a hand down her bare back.
“I should head home.”
“No, stay here tonight.” He kissed her shoulder. “I want to wake up with you in my arms.”
As enticing as his offer was, Kiara knew they wouldn’t be able to make it through the night without arguing about Morin. “Maybe tomorrow night?”
He sighed. “Fine. Call me after your meeting with Morin?”
“Sure.” She only hoped he would still want to talk to her if she told him she’d decided to represent the enemy.
***
Kiara sat across from Morin, listening to his spiel about how he was the best thing to happen to boxing since Mohammad Ali. The guy had a huge ego, but judging by his record, he’d earned the right to be arrogant. Her research told her the only person with a better record was Blaise, and she was sure that incensed Morin.
“I’m just not sure, Mr. Morin,” Kiara said, sliding back her swivel chair. “Mitchell’s has represented a few boxers in the past, but I’ve never worked with them directly. Mr. Mitchell, the company founder, represented them, and later his daughter, Sabrina. Unfortunately, Sabrina isn’t taking on any new clients at the moment, because she’s getting married and having twins in a few months.”
“I want you.”
She swallowed, slightly intimidated by the intensity on his hardened face. Since Sabrina had been sexually assaulted by a client, Kiara had been on high alert. She didn’t want to become paranoid, but she refused to put herself in compromising positions with men who made her uncomfortable. “Why me? I just explained to you I don’t have any experience with boxers.”
Going For It (Texas Titans #7) Page 3