by Lori Foster
His bold honesty had her heart beating double time. She started to curl her fingers around him, but he returned her hand to her side of the car. “None of that or I won’t make it to the motel, and you definitely won’t get your shower.”
That snapped her out of the fog. “Trust me, Sublime, no matter how irresistible you are, nothing’s happening until I’m done bathing.”
Stopping at a red light, Simon turned toward her. He studied her in silence for a few seconds. “You do realize that you’re touching on a sore spot, right? I mean, all the other fighters have great names. Havoc. Mayhem. Spider. Viper.”
Dakota fought back a laugh. “Yeah. Makes them sound real adorable.”
“Adorable isn’t the point.”
“I suppose not.”
The light changed so he pulled away. “Almost from jump, I got stuck with Sublime.”
“Poor Simon,” she teased. “You don’t need a badass name to shore you up. You do well enough without it.”
In an odd mood, he said, “So far.”
That surprised her. “You’re worried about winning your comeback?”
“No. But I’m always aware of possibilities.” He studied their surroundings as he drove. “Harley came to see me while I was in Vegas.”
Dakota didn’t know what to make of that. “He lives there?”
“No, but he was in town, too, for promotion.”
A wisp of anger unfurled. “He wasn’t there trying to challenge you, was he?”
“No.” Simon grinned. “Actually, he’s a good fighter, and from what I can tell, a good man. I believe Mallet and Gregor are friends with him. They’ve trained at the same camps, sparred, that sort of thing. Harley’s had some rough breaks that’ve kept him from getting the title belt, but he’s due. It should be a good fight.”
“So what did he want with you?”
Simon pulled into the motel lot. “Back when he slept with Bonnie, he didn’t know she was living with me.”
“And?”
Shrugging, Simon said, “He wanted me to know that he hadn’t sought her out on purpose. She was in a bar and, according to him, she gave the come-on, not the other way around.”
“Does it matter?”
Turning toward her, Simon smiled. “Not really.” He leaned forward and kissed her lightly. “Let’s go, woman. My patience is running thin.”
Simon took her gym bag and, after escorting her from the car, locked it. No one paid them any attention as they entered the motel and went to her room. Once inside, Dakota said, “I’ll make it quick.”
But Simon caught her hand. “I’ll shower with you.”
She looked down at her grungy clothes, thought of her sweaty hair, and said, “Wouldn’t you rather—”
“I’d rather be inside you right now. It’s all I’ve been able to think about for three damn days.”
Her mouth went dry. She could almost feel him pushing inside her, and it excited her unbearably. “Well, if you put it that way…Sure. Why not?”
In minutes, Dakota had the shower adjusted, her hair out of the ponytail, and her sweatshirt and sneakers off. Steam swirled around her as she wrestled with her socks. She heard a noise and looked through the open bathroom door to the sleeping area in time to see Simon toss his slacks and boxers on the bed. He’d already removed his sweater, shoes, and socks. He straightened, and then just stood there, totally naked, looking at her—mostly at her bared breasts—and she almost melted.
She’d never survive this. Still balanced on one foot, she whispered, “Lord have mercy.”
Simon’s expression darkened even more. “Finish undressing.”
“Yeah.” Dropping down to sit on the side of the tub, unable to take her gaze off Simon, Dakota peeled off the socks. She stood again—and felt a twinge of shyness.
Simon stepped into the minuscule bathroom with her, but he didn’t reach for her. “Take them off, Dakota.”
She nodded. “It’s good that the lights are on. I mean, I don’t think I could do this in the dark because my mind would start thinking ignorant things. About Marvin, I mean, and what he did. But I wouldn’t want to miss seeing you anyway. And the light in here is pretty bright, don’t you think?”
Simon frowned. “Don’t be nervous, honey.”
“No.”
“I don’t want anyone else occupying your thoughts but me.”
Looking at his body, Dakota raised a brow and said, “I think that’s doable.”
“Get naked.”
“It comes back to that, huh?” She firmed her mouth, hooked her thumbs in the elasticized band of the jogging pants, and pushed them down, taking her panties with them. She stepped out of them and glanced at Simon.
Breathing deeply, he looked her over from head to toes, lingering everywhere in between.
“Do I pass?”
“Yeah.” He sounded hoarse. “You pass.” Then suddenly he was there, pushing back the shower curtain and lifting her into the tub. Seconds later, when her back flattened against the icy tile wall, Dakota gave a small shriek. Simon smothered the sound with a deep kiss, at the same time turning so that it was his back to the wall and she had the dominant position.
One of his big hands held the back of her head, keeping her there for his kiss, for the teasing of his tongue and the nip of his teeth. His other hand went down her back to her bottom. He gave a gentle squeeze—and groaned about it.
Wow, he was impatient. And with his erection pressed solidly against her belly, she knew he was more than ready, too.
He was so tall and hard all over that he overwhelmed her, and little by little, the ruthlessness of his touch and kiss eased into a tender exploration. Dakota ran her hands over his shoulders, loving the bulk of his muscles and the sleekness of his skin. She trailed her fingers through his dark chest hair, over his pecs, and down to his tight abdomen.
Pulling his mouth away, Simon tipped his head back against the shower wall and groaned. A split second later, he caught her wrists. “Sorry. I can’t take too much of that right now.”
Dakota stared into his dark brown eyes, inspired and excited. “What if I don’t want to stop?”
His eyes glittered beneath wet lashes. “I’ll come.”
“I don’t think that sounds so bad.” With their gazes locked, she pressed against his restrictive hold until he released her. Watching him, loving the strain in his face, she wrapped both hands around his jutting penis.
His breath caught.
Her breath caught, too.
The shower sprayed against them until her hair was soaked, streaming down her back. Steam rose around them. Dakota couldn’t recall ever feeling so connected to a man and what he wanted. It was…exhilarating.
“Relax for me, Simon. Let me enjoy you for a little while.”
Breathing harder, his nostrils flared and his body taut, Simon dropped his hands to his sides and braced his feet apart. “Have at it, sweetheart.”
A challenge? Slowly, Dakota smiled and let her gaze drift from his face down his body. “You are such a treat.” She leaned forward and opened her mouth over his chest, tasting his skin, breathing in the hot scent of him. And all the while, she held his flexing erection tight in her hands. She didn’t stroke him, not yet. She just held him.
Every so often he twitched, as if he couldn’t control himself.
Because she didn’t want to relinquish her hold on him, Dakota caressed and explored the rest of him with her mouth. His throat, his shoulders, his jaw. Simon turned his head and caught the kiss, taking over for a brief moment, kissing her long and deep. He didn’t raise his hands or in any way touch her, other than with his kiss.
It was so erotic that Dakota felt herself on the edge, too.
To put things back on track, she squeezed Simon. He tightened all over, giving up the kiss so he could lock his teeth against a harsh groan. Expecting to see his eyes closed, Dakota looked up at him.
He stared at her, and there was so much there in his dark gaze that she wanted
to both cry and smile, and beg him to love her.
Instead, she slowly lowered herself to her knees, trailing her tongue along his heated flesh until she reached his navel. Her chin bumped the head of his cock and he jerked hard. She liked that reaction, and turned to rub her cheek against him.
Simon made a small sound, and his hands curled into fists. Teasing him, Dakota left a warm, wet trail of love bites along his hip bone. His scent was so much stronger here, drawing her, heightening her awareness.
It quickly became too much. Still holding him in both hands, she drew the head into her mouth and sucked.
Simon went rigid with a curse. His hand caught the back of her head, his fingers tangling hard in her hair. “Dakota. Baby, don’t.”
His response amplified her own. Awed by the silky texture of his flesh here, the way he swelled even more, grew harder and longer, she worked her tongue around him. A bead of fluid escaped, giving her his taste.
She loosened one hand from him so that she could stroke his thigh, feel the muscles so bunched and rigid. With the other hand, she stroked in counterpoint to the glide of her mouth over him.
Simon sank both hands into her hair and began guiding her. With each stroke his breath grew harsher, deeper. “Last chance,” he warned in a low growl, and he tried to draw her away.
Dakota wanted everything from him.
Giving up, he pulled her close, pushed himself into her mouth two more times, a third. And then he was coming, his moan rough and loud in the small shower, his body tensing in rhythm to his release until he was completely spent.
Feeling warm and soft, Dakota drew away and looked up the length of his gorgeous body. Eyes closed, head back, chest still billowing, Simon looked like a female fantasy. And for right now, he was all hers.
More than satisfied, Dakota licked her lips, then slowly stood and hugged herself to him. Simon managed to loop one arm around her, and again, he tangled his fingers in her wet hair. She indulged that quiet comfort for half a minute before she pushed away and made use of the soap while Simon barely opened his eyes.
“God, you are a sexy woman.”
Covered in lather, Dakota laughed. “Yeah, that’s me. A regular femme fatale.” Teasing him, feeling powerful, she licked her lips again. “You taste very good, Simon.”
His eyes narrowed. “And what about you, sweetheart?” He levered away from the shower wall and took the soap from her. “When do I get to taste you?”
Her heart started pumping double time. “Um…maybe after I’m clean and sitting down somewhere?”
His smile did crazy things to her. “We’ll see.”
Turning her so that she faced the shower spray, he took over washing her. Taking his time lathering her breasts and belly in a diabolical way that soon had her squirming in need. “Simon…”
“My turn.” His soapy hands came back up to her nipples. The lather left her slippery so that his fingers slid over her, around her, pinching lightly, tugging at her.
“I’m not you, Simon.” So much sensation swelled inside her, she wanted, needed, to lie down. “I can’t do this standing up.”
His mouth touched her ear, and he whispered in challenge, “Wanna bet?”
Dakota tried to turn, but he held her secure with one arm. She really didn’t think she could take too much more, not with how much she wanted him already. “Simon, no.”
He went still. “Are you afraid of me, Dakota?” His arms hugged around her. “Does this position alarm you?”
She shook her head hard. “No, it’s not that.” Other than that one time after discussing Marvin with him, she’d never been distressed with Simon.
“Good.” He went back to teasing her.
“But I—”
His hand cupped over her mound. “Quiet down, Dakota. No talking. Just feel.”
Pressing her head back against his shoulder, she tried to do just that. He had one arm around her upper body, supporting her but leaving his hand free to toy with her breast. With his other hand, he fondled between her legs, exploring her. The soap washed away, but the water left their skin slick.
Simon said, “Hold your breasts for me.”
“What?” She didn’t understand him at all.
He took her hands and lifted them up to her breasts. “Right here, honey.”
Arms crisscrossed, she covered her own breasts. It wasn’t nearly as exciting as Simon’s touch.
“Now I have both hands free to play with you.” And that’s just what he did, slipping his fingers inside her while also exposing her small clitoris, rubbing lightly, rhythmically. It was wonderful—but it wasn’t quite enough and Dakota grew so frustrated that she wanted to scream.
Suddenly Simon said, “My turn now.” He eased her back against the shower wall and went to his knees.
Anxious for her release, Dakota groaned and braced herself. She clamped one hand on the towel bar, the other on his shoulder, and she moved her legs apart.
Simon ran his hands down the length of her body, from her breasts to her upper thighs. She felt his sudden hesitation and peered down to see him lightly touching the faded knife scar on her thigh. He looked higher, at the similar scar on her ribs.
Some strange emotion showed on his face, prompting Dakota to ask softly, “Do they bother you?”
“They infuriate me,” he whispered back. In the next instant, he leaned forward and gently kissed each sign of past violence. “You’re a remarkable woman, Dakota Dream.”
“I’m a horny woman.”
Laughing, he put his face against her belly and hugged her. “That’s it, honey. Make it easier on me.”
He continued to kiss her, down her stomach, lower. His fingers opened her more, and his mouth covered her and Dakota nearly shouted from the joy of it. The flick of his tongue, the heat of his mouth, the sheer awareness of Simon kissing and tasting her there, and she didn’t last more than a minute.
Helping to keep her upright, Simon caught her hips until the roiling climax eased and the ripples of release weakened. Easing her down until she sat in his lap, Simon held her.
He kissed her ear and said, “I’ll give you one minute to recover, and then we’re drying off and trying this in a bed.”
Dakota managed a chuckle. “A bed? How boring.”
“I want to be inside you, Dakota.” He tipped her head back so he could see her face. “I want to feel you squeezing me when you come.”
As he said it, she felt it, and desire sparked again. It amazed Dakota, but she wasn’t about to question it. She liked it too much. “Simon?”
“Yeah, honey?”
“Turn the shower off.”
He smiled, brought them both to their feet, and turned off the water.
“I like mounting you,” Dakota whispered as she lowered herself over him. “It’s much more fun than when I’m sparring.”
Lying flat on his back in the bed, Simon held her hips, keeping her on her knees. Her nipples were tightly puckered, her skin flushed.
He knew he wanted to grow old seeing Dakota just like this.
She’d towel-dried her hair, but it was still damp, hanging in long, tangled clumps around her proud shoulders. The faded bruises on her forehead and cheek didn’t detract from her feminine features, especially when need softened her blue eyes and fast, shallow breaths parted her lush lips.
He loved her. He knew it. And he didn’t give a damn if it hadn’t been long enough yet. “I hope you wore more clothes when you mounted the guys at the gym.”
“Yeah.” Her eyes closed and she braced her hands on his chest. “Lots of clothes.” Her eyes opened again and she stared down at him. “But it wouldn’t have mattered because none of them are you, and they don’t even come close to making me feel the way you do.”
She’d closed the curtains, but every lamp glowed in the room. Simon could see the scars of her past, the scars that had kept her from feeling anything sexual for far too long. Already, he wore a condom. He didn’t want to take chances with her future, a
future she had to decide.
“For my peace of mind, whether it matters or not, keep on wearing clothes, okay?”
She started to laugh, but as Simon worked two fingers into her, she gasped instead. He felt the bite of her nails on his pecs and said, “Easy, honey. I just want to make sure you’re ready.”
She pressed herself against his hand, driving his fingers deeper. “More than ready.”
Yeah, she was wet and hot, swollen and soft. Ready. Pulse racing, Simon pulled his fingers away and guided her onto him. Her small, anxious sounds of excitement filled his head. He watched as, slowly, his cock pushed past her pink lips, as her thigh muscles flexed and her belly drew tight. Little by little, he sank in—and it was such a turn-on that he had to fight to hold back another release.
Clasping her knees, Simon opened her legs more, then reached down and touched her where she joined with him. She gasped again.
“So tight, Dakota. But nice and wet.”
Moaning, she leaned closer to his chest, but that wasn’t what Simon wanted. He took her shoulders and held her away. After a deep breath, he said, “Sit up, honey.”
She shook her head. “I can’t.”
“Yeah, you can. Do it.”
She sucked in several shaky breaths, and drew herself upright by small degrees. Simon watched her face, relishing each nuance of sensation as he went deeper, filling her more, possessing her completely.
“Lean back on my knees.”
Squeezing her eyes shut, she did as he asked, and the position arched her back, offering her breasts to him. She bit her lip on a whimper.
He loved it. Strong, capable Dakota, reduced to burning need. He could spend his every free moment loving her like this. “You are beautiful, Dakota.”
She said nothing.
Simon kept one hand between her legs, gliding a fingertip over her turgid clitoris, and with the other he took turns working her nipples, tormenting each in turn until Dakota trembled with near desperation.
“Do you like the feel of me filling you?”