by Alexa Riley
I raise my eyebrows at him, but then his face grows serious. He leans down, cupping my face in his big hands.
“No,” he says simply, and I can see the truth on his face. “I’ve never been serious with someone before. For a while I thought something might be wrong with me. I didn’t have an interest in women, or even men, for that matter. I felt nothing. But then you walked into my life, and I knew. I just hadn’t found my woman yet. I found the one who challenges me and makes me feel things I’ve never felt.”
I lean up and kiss him. It’s slow and soft, and before I know it, I’m in his arms, wrapping myself around him again. I’m lost when his lips touch mine, and it’s like drowning in a pool of love. I’ve never experienced anything so safe and free.
It takes us thirty minutes to finally pull ourselves from the shower, and when we do, my fingers and toes are wrinkled like raisins.
“You’re not wearing that,” Royce says.
I glance over at him. He’s dressed in dark jeans and a tight gray shirt that molds to his body. He’s got a gym bag slung over his shoulder, and he’s glaring at me.
“Well, this is all I’ve got, unless you want to run by my place,” I say, walking toward him. “Besides, I wear whatever I want.” I walk right past him and don’t stop as I walk out the front door. I know he’s going to follow me, because I feel him behind me. I didn’t have much choice in what to wear, but I can’t say I don’t like poking the bear.
I have my jean shorts on and one of Royce’s white undershirts. My black bra is easily seen through the white material. Luckily I had some boots in my car, because I wasn’t going to wear flip-flops to a bar fight. Or whatever this is called. This isn’t something I would normally wear, but I’ll tough it out. I’m showing off more skin than I want to, but it will be fine. Plus, when I saw Royce’s eyes heat up as he looked me over, it only solidified my view on this outfit. I like it even more now that I know how he feels about it.
“I have a feeling I’m going to be fighting more than my opponent tonight,” I hear Royce say from behind me. A little squeak leaves me when I’m lifted up and thrown over his shoulder. He slaps me on the ass before putting me back on my feet. I glare up at him, but he only leans down, kissing me and ignoring my stare.
His hand cups my ass. “Come on, baby. We gotta get going.” I pretend to be mad as I walk around his car. He opens the door for me, and I slip in. He reaches in and buckles my seat belt. I want to tell him I can take care of myself, that I know how to put my own seat belt on. But something about him taking care of me, just like in the shower, gives me a warm feeling in my stomach.
He slides in the driver seat and we take off toward the bar. “Do you get nervous before a fight?” I ask, because he seems completely calm. I would at least be a little jittery.
“Nope,” he says easily. “Been doing it awhile now.”
“Your face seems too pretty to fight all the time,” I tell him, earning me that cocky smile of his.
“I’ll try and keep it that way tonight. Wouldn’t want my woman thinking I’m not the best-looking guy in the room.”
I roll my eyes at his comment.
When we finally make it to the bar, I start getting excited. Everyone seems to know who Royce is. He keeps a possessive arm wrapped around me as we make our way through the crowd. It’s weird having a man hold on to me and stake his claim, but I like it. I know I can take care of myself, but it’s nice having his protective body telling everyone in here I’m his.
“You know you’ll have to let me go so you can get in the ring, right?” I look up at him. For once his face doesn’t have that smile. No, now he looks a little irritated.
“Yo, Rolly, who’s the girl?”
Royce’s arm tightens around me even more. I glance over to the man who called his name.
“She’s none of your fucking business. That’s who she is,” he throws back. The other man is big. He looks like he spends ten hours a day in a gym. I wouldn’t be shocked if someone said he was on steroids, but Royce doesn’t seem to care. “If I were you I’d watch myself. No point poking me before we get in that ring. Don’t make it worse for yourself.”
Jesus, he’s going to fight this guy? He looks like the after picture in a bodybuilder commercial, but Royce doesn’t seem to care.
“Never seen you on a girl before. Got me wondering.”
I look around and see other people are looking at us, too.
I go to say something, but Royce drops his arm from around me. “You need to go somewhere else.”
“Damn, that pussy must be good if it’s got you all riled up. How about we bet on her own little ass? Whoever wins the fight tonight gets her,” he challenges.
Now I’m fucking pissed. I try to step forward, but Royce beats me to it. His arm shoots out, and he swings. His fist meets the guy’s jaw, and there’s an audible crunch throughout the room. Before I can even blink, he’s throwing his other fist and connecting with the other side of his face. The man sways back, and Royce thrusts an uppercut, sending him down hard to the concrete floor.
Everyone starts cheering and yelling Royce’s name. I stand there a little shocked, but the crowd is going nuts.
Royce comes back to me, wrapping his arm around my back.
“Guess the fight is over,” I murmur through a smile.
Something about him getting jealous and possessive makes the warm feeling come back to my stomach. I never thought I would have something like this, or even want it. Now I’m starting to see why Penny loves it when Ivan gets all territorial. It makes you feel special.
“Told you not to wear that outfit.” He shakes his head, but I just keep on smiling as his hand moves down and squeezes my ass.
Chapter Eleven
Royce
I growl when I feel her press her lower half against my cock. She knows exactly what she’s doing with that ass of hers.
“You trying to get fucked down here tonight?” I ask, looking in those dark blue eyes.
“Maybe.” She bites her bottom lip, and I swear to God I wrap tighter around her pinky.
“I bet you didn’t know you were such a dirty girl.”
“Yo, Rolly!” I look up and see my boys coming down the steps.
Ezra looks at the ring behind me and shakes his head. Donovan just laughs and looks at me with a questioning expression. “Guess there’s no fight tonight?”
“No,” I say, and don’t elaborate.
“Someone went caveman,” Pandora says, and waves to the two of them.
“I don’t blame him,” Ezra says. “You’re coming down to the lion’s den dressed like that. I’m surprised another fight hasn’t broken out.”
“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.<
br />
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 Twelve
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 make 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.