The Fighter's Stubborn Lover (The Burton Brothers Series Book 2)

by North, Leslie

  She stared at him, her lips parted and her cheeks pink. He saw interest stir in her eyes, a flicker of something that pulled him to her. He touched the base of her neck where the pulse beat erratically. “Do you even know how enticing you are?” She licked her lips. Mason gave a groan. He brushed stray strands of hair from her forehead. “Avery, let me stay with you. Just for tonight. I won’t do anything you don’t want, but God help me I want to do more than just sleep with you.”

  “You do? Are you...?” She shook her head but that gleam in her eyes didn’t go away. “This is a bad idea. A really bad idea.”

  “Oh, it’s the worst.” He touched a hand to the top of her tank top right above the swell of her breasts.

  She pulled in a breath and said, “I wanted to get to you earlier, you know. So I could get you on my side to help me save Dustin.”

  Mason looked at her and wet his lips. “This won’t change my mind about Dustin. You know that, right?”

  Avery nodded. “I’m tired of trying to fight. I’m…just tired.”

  He put a finger to her lips. “Angel, I’m all about being on your side tonight.” He let his hand drift over her collarbone and he began to rub his thumb back and forth. “Let me make everything go away, if only for a little while?”

  She gave a sigh. “I want that. I want you, too.”

  “What are we going to do then? Are we going to be smart, sensible people who listen to reason, shake hands and head to our respective corners?”

  Avery pulled in an even sharper breath. He could see thoughts dancing behind those wide eyes of hers. No matter what her decision, he would honor it. He knew that. He also knew he didn’t want to screw things up.

  Yeah, she was Dustin’s sister, but she was also a woman who could easily get hurt. He didn’t want that for her. He knew he should listen to the warnings in his head, kiss her good night, and get out. But he was way too far past that point of being reasonable.

  She looked lost and needy and like she could use someone who would make her feel as precious as she was. He wanted to be that someone.

  A smile trembled on her lips. “You know, suddenly, the thought of spending the rest of the night alone, trying to work the nightmare out of my mind is the farthest thing from my mind.” She cupped her hand around the back of his neck. “Stay with me? Please?”

  Chapter Eleven

  Avery watched as Mason stood up from the bed. She wanted him, his body, his lips and his obvious desire for her. It’s intoxicating. He left the room and came back with a small silver packet that he tossed on the night table. He peeled off his T-shirt.

  He’d left the light on in the bathroom, so she was able to see the chiseled muscles of his stomach and the small line of dark hair that trailed down to his abdomen and disappeared beneath the waistband of his pants. Reaching up a hand, she traced his pecs. She let her hand glide down across his abdomen, over the smooth skin and hard muscle.

  “Like what you see?” he asked. Leaning over her, he kissing her on the nose before trailing his lips down across her jaw line.

  Avery gave a soft hum. She turned her head until their lips met. This wasn’t like his earlier kiss. That had been tender—sweet. This time he possessed her mouth, tasting her, nipping at her bottom lip, and tangling his tongue with hers.

  Slipping into the bed next to her, he cupped a hand over her breast. She lay back on the sheets and arched to his touch. He seemed fascinated with her breasts. Lifting up her tank top he leaned down and sucked one nipple into his mouth, tugging hard. She let out a breath and a soft moan.

  Sitting up, he smiled at her. “I like the sounds you make.”

  “I think you talk too much.” She cupped her hand around his neck again and pulled him down to kiss him. He cupped her breast with one hand and then moves his hand down to skim across her stomach before tracing the edges of her panties. She wiggled and he slipped a finger under the elastic, dipping into heat and moisture. He stroked her, smiling at her. The breath caught in her chest. She could feel sweat forming on her skin and moisture between her legs.

  She snapped the edge of his pants. “These have to come off.”

  “They do—or I do?” he asked. But he stood and pulled off his pants. He seemed big—really big. Bigger than any guy she’d seen in any photos. She gave a small gasp and he grinned and came back to her. Pushing the sheets to the side, he lowered himself onto the bed next to her. He touched her again and she parted her thighs. He shifted and moved between her legs.

  “You’re so wet, Avery.” The words fill the room as his fingers slide through her folds.

  Then he lowers himself down and Avery felt his mouth brush her mound. His tongue moves quickly, diving deeply into her. His hands grasp her hips and he moans into her.

  “Mason,” she said, her voice breathy. “I’m close.”

  His head moves quickly as he lashes her clit over and over again. She grabs the back of his head as the orgasm bears down on her.

  “I have to be inside you.” He said, as he emerged from under the covers.

  His arms caging her against the sheets, and the heat pouring off his body as he hovered himself over her. He fitted himself to her body and slowly started to push in. She gave a gasp. He was so damn big.

  “Slow,” she said. She dug her fingernails into his skin. “Go slow.”

  “Slow as you want, angel.” He slowly rocked his way into her body, using his hands on her breasts and his mouth on her skin. For an instant, a sharp pain jabbed inside her. She caught a breath. Mason pulled out and pushed in again. This time her body seemed to open to him. The pressure inside eased, replaced by nothing but a wave of raw pleasure. Her skin heated. She held him tighter.

  “More,” she said, rocking her hips.

  Mason grabbed her waist and rolled her with him so she straddled him and stared down at him. “You’re ride, angel. Any way you want.”

  She grinned, and gave another experimental wiggle of her hips. Mason’s eyes closed and he gave another moan. She shivered. She could feel Mason inside her—so big, filling her, and so hot. She loved the feeling. She moved again, leaning down to brush her breasts over his chest, feeling the soft curly hairs tickle and tease. She licked a stripe over his chest. “You taste good.” Bending down, she pulled his nipple into her mouth the way he had hers.

  He gave a gasp and grabbed her hips. “Do that again and this is going to stop being slow.”

  Lifting her hips, she smiled. She lowered herself back down on him. “Like that?”

  “Oh, yeah—like that.”

  She pulled off and down again—the pressure inside eased even more. She seemed to fit him perfectly. Her skin heated. She closed her eyes and threw back her head. Mason dug his fingers into her hair. A sudden spiral of pleasure snuck up on her, leaving her trembling and gasping. She dug her fingernails into his shoulders. He bucked up into her, thrusting forward once, twice, three times before she felt his body tighten and shake. Another wave of heat poured into her—raking up inside and down her spine. She lay on Mason, gasping, listening to her heart pound along with his.

  He turned and settled next to her. She immediately missed his warmth and wrapped herself around him, seeking the comfort and the sense of security she’d just had.

  Smiling she snuggled closer, Mason’s woodsy smell wrapped around her as she fell into a dreamless sleep.

  ****

  Mason tried to stop his brain, but it kept spinning. What the hell? Could it—no, no way. He wouldn’t believe it. That had been the best sex of his life, and Avery…..no.

  He pulled her closer, feeling her body go heavy with sleep. The need to protect her rose strong as an instinct. Dammit, what had just happened? He pulled off the condom and found tissues next to the bed that he could wrap it in for now until he could dump it. Something sticky seemed to be on it and he pulled his hand close, thinking to smell Avery. Something else—something coppery clung to the aroma, and he knew that smell…but, oh hell. What if?

  He gave a s
igh and tried to close his eyes. Not going to deal with that now. But what was he going to do with Avery in the morning?

  Finally, he drifted off to light sleep himself around dawn, Avery wrapped around him like she belonged there. She woke him when she stirred and slipped out of the bed, padding into the bathroom. Not a bad idea that, but it was going to have to wait.

  He sat up and rubbed at his hair. The room smelled of sex. Avery stepped back into the room and Mason caught his breath. She looked like some kind of goddess fallen to Earth. Her long hair tousled, her skin so pale and barely touched by the dawn’s light, her small high breasts and the curve of her hips. She took his breath away.

  He kept staring at her.

  “Good morning.” She smiled.

  Mason frowned. “We need to talk about last night.”

  He watched the wariness fill her eyes, and wished there was a way to have this conversation without causing her any embarrassment. “We do? Why?” Avery came back to the bed and sat down. She didn’t seem to mind being naked. “Last night was wonderful!”

  “The best you’ve ever had, huh?”

  Avery grinned. “You could say that. Looking for compliments?”

  “No, just the truth. Why didn’t you tell me, or stop me? Deflowering a virgin is not part of my usual game plan.”

  “It wasn’t important.”

  “Like hell. What would Dustin say if he found out?”

  She stiffened. “It’s none of his business.”

  “So you get to meddle in his life, but he doesn’t have a say about yours? Families don’t work that way.”

  “It’s fine, Mason.” Avery stood and stretched. “Except I’m sore in places I’ve never been before and I could use a hot bath.”

  Mason gave a groan. “Now you’ve got me thinking about you, me, and lots of water.”

  She shook her head. “Mason, last night was great, but it was just last night. A one-time offer taken up. That’s all. I’m not looking for a relationship here.”

  He stared at her. Weren’t those his lines? Mouth pressed tight, he stood and pulled on his pants. When he looked up he saw Avery’s cheeks had pinked. He gave her a nod and strode closer. “It’s not my habit to bed virgins and dump them.”

  “You’re not dumping. I needed comfort, you offered, I took you up on it. End of story.”

  Mason shook his head. “No, it’s not. But I’m late for my run and there’s a very nice, very warm hot tub outside the training gym. Why don’t I walk you over and get you settled before I hit the trails?”

  “Thank you.” Avery stretched up and placing a chaste kiss on his cheek.

  Mason grabbed her arms. “That is not a kiss, but I’ll allow it for now. If I kiss you like I want to, neither one of us is going to get much else done this morning. Get dressed and I’ll walk you over to the gym.”

  “What about a suit for the hot tub? I didn’t bring one.”

  Mason grinned at her. “You look fine as you are. Just grab a robe. Or are you too much the shy virgin to go skinny dipping?”

  Chapter Twelve

  There was something decadent about sitting outside in a hot tub, while a light snow fell around her. Avery soaked for an hour. The steam was great for her lungs, opening them up so she felt as if she could breathe without effort.

  Her muscles relaxed and while she was still aware of her body in ways she hadn’t been before, she felt rejuvenated. When her fingertips started to prune, she climbed out. Mason had made sure to guarantee her privacy by hanging an out of order sign on the gate that led into the fenced around the hot tub room. The redwood fencing gave her some privacy, except from the hawks soaring overhead. She wrapped herself in the large bath towel Mason had left.

  She’d brought jeans and a bulky fisherman’s sweater in a deep red with her. Pulling down her hair, she brushed it out, then pulled on socks and sneakers.

  Heading out into the gym, she stopped when the gym door opened. Dustin walked in. He stopped in front of her, a sheepish grin on his face and his head ducked. With his hair tousled and shorter than she’d ever seen it, he looked even younger than he was.

  She put a fist on her hip and parted her lips, but Dustin held up a hand. “Before you get started, Mason’s already reamed me a new one. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have bailed like that.”

  She lifted her chin. “When did you see Mason?”

  Dustin nodded to door. “Caught up with him on the run—about halfway along the trail. He told me to come in here and apologize, and then I’m supposed to head out and do the trail twice more.”

  A smiled tugged at her. “Punishment?”

  “No—me trying to make up for a missing half a day of training.”

  “Dustin, can we—?“

  “Sorry, sis.” He started to back up, hands in front of him. “I’ve got that run to do. We’ll talk later.”

  “But, Dustin…” She let the words fade into a frustrated sigh as Dustin turned and jogged out of the gym, giving her another wave and a stiff smile.

  Shoulders slumping, Avery shook her head. An apology was better than nothing, but how was she ever going to talk to him if Dustin wasn’t going to stay still?

  Heading outside, she started for the cabin where she was staying, but she heard Mason call out, “Hey, you see Dustin?”

  She threw her arms wide. “For all of two seconds!” She watched Mason walk over to her. Despite the snow on the ground, he had on light sweats and a tight top that outlined his muscles. She was all too aware how those toned arms felt under her touch, how that chest had hovered over her last night. Her mouth dried.

  Mason stopped in front of her, his eyebrows lifted high over his blue-gray eyes. “Forget what you want—you just to listen to him. And tell him how you feel without blame getting into it.”

  Avery crossed her arms. “And how do I do that when he won’t hang around long enough for me to say two words? Or when you send him off to run all over these mountains?”

  Mason grinned. “You could go running with him.”

  “And have him leave me in his dust? Or leave me so breathless I can’t talk. Thanks, but I’ll pass.”

  Mason held up his hands. “Okay, okay. When he gets back I promise I’ll be a voice of calm—I’ll referee you two. Will that work?”

  Dropping her arms, Avery let out a breath. “I guess maybe I looked like I was going to punch him.”

  “Oh, that he could deal with. I think it’s your tears he’s worried about. He said as much this morning.”

  Cheeks hot, she stared at him. “What else did he say? You didn’t tell him…I mean, you didn’t say we…”

  Mason shook his head. “Relax. I’m not looking for a fight with your brother. And we still haven’t settled anything between us.”

  Avery lifted her chin. “Yes, we did.”

  He shook his head. “No, we did not. There’s more going on here than a one-night stand. But I’m not going to argue about that on an empty stomach. Breakfast is waiting in the lodge—and that means coffee, too.” He tucked her arm into his and started walking.

  With no choice but to hurry to keep up with him, Avery glared at Mason. “Are you always this imposing, or are you just this way after a run?”

  Glancing at her, he shook his head. “Angel, you have no idea yet just how bossy I can be. I’m used to whipping fighters into shape, remember.”

  “Meaning a little ol’ girl like me should be no problem?”

  He shook his head. “Meaning those fighters were training for me being able to take you on. Now how about a truce until we get some food in us. Then you and I can have a chat, and you can take on your brother, and smack him up aside of the head if you need to get him to listen. And if you have any energy left I’ll see if I can think of some better ways for you to spend it.”

  Avery pulled her hair back with one hand. “In your dreams. Told you—one time deal.”

  “Yes, you did tell me. And I’m telling you that you have no idea yet what happens when I set my mind on
something. And there is nothing…” He paused and grinned at her. “Well, almost nothing that I like better than a good fight.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  When Mason finally got Dustin to sit down in his cabin, Avery took one glance at Dustin’s face and knew he wasn’t going to listen. He sat with his mouth tight and his hands on his knees. He looked as if he was going to face his execution. Mason made coffee and pulled out the pecan pie and cut everyone a slice. Dustin left his on the plate on the coffee table and Avery picked at the pecans on hers.

  Wetting her lips, she said, “Dustin, could you at least try to understand my point of view?”

  “What point is that?” Dustin leaned forward. “The one where you think I’m just like Edward? Well, I’m not. I’m not heading underground, and you haven’t even watched me train or practice. I’m good. Really good! So why do you keep thinking I’m going to get pounded? You don’t even know if I can fight.”

  “That’s just the point, isn’t it? We don’t know—we never know about the future. But fighting—you’re just putting yourself in danger, aren’t you?”

  “Hold on. Time out.” Mason glanced from Avery to Dustin. “Let’s keep this to how each of you feels. Dustin you start. Have you explained to your sister why you want to fight? What it means to you?”

  Dustin nodded and threw himself back in his chair. “Oh, you mean like everything? I’ve tried. She doesn’t seem to care.”

  Avery’s eyes stung. “Now you’re fighting dirty. I’m here because I do care.”

  “Well, I wish you’d care less, then!” Dustin’s mouth pulled into an even more stubborn line.

  Mason stepped between them, his pie on his plate and his fork hovering in the air. “Okay, Time out again. Avery, your turn. I want you to think about something for a moment. You see fighting as very dangerous, but what if Dustin took up riding a motorcycle?”