The Fighter (The High Rise, Book 1) Read online

  Eleven

  When I saw Heath earlier just as the elevator doors closed, I knew we needed to talk.

  But this. This is so much better than conversing. Because dear lord it feels good. He feels good.

  And holy shit.

  Holy shit!

  Best kiss ever.

  Inside my apartment, he pushes me against the door, our mouths still fused, my fingers gripped tightly in the t-shirt at his back, when he suddenly pulls away. The look in his eyes is so intense a small gasp escapes from my lips and I see the side of his mouth twitch before he bends, placing his lips at my throat where he nibbles, licks, sucks and nips. His hands glide from my waist up to cup my breasts making me moan before they continue up inside my jacket moving it off my shoulders and down my arms to where it drops on the floor behind me.

  He pulls back to look at me again as if he’s checking to make sure I’m real and still here. He then looks down at my blouse which is a wrap front with no buttons and his eyes come back to mine, glittering with seductiveness as he slides his hands inside moving them up to let my blouse fall off my shoulders. I cry out when his hands abruptly grab my breasts then his mouth is on one, sucking on my nipple through my white lace bra making me arch my back against the door wanting more. So much more.

  I try untucking his shirt from his jeans but his hands move them away as they drop to the hem of my skirt tugging it slowly up as he watches. When he gets it high enough to reveal my white lace thong, he groans before dropping to his knees in front of me.

  Watching him pull my thong down and off, I’m suddenly nervous as his hand moves behind my knee to lift my leg and place it over his shoulder and I blurt, “This never works!” because it hasn’t with my previous lovers.

  He looks up and gives me a sexy smirk sliding his hand up the front of my leg where it stops so he can rub his thumb languidly through my folds making me suck in a breath. And then his mouth is on me and oh my dear sweet God it’s working.

  My hands go flat against the door and my eyes roll back in my head as it too hits the door because, holy wow, he knows what he’s doing. And I’m getting ready to show him my full appreciation for it. Gah!

  His finger enters me, pumping in and out, hitting a spot that no one’s found before and when he sucks my clit in, I lose it, screaming out loudly as an orgasmic wave blasts throughout my entire body. I don’t even feel like I’m inside myself anymore, coming so hard I think my soul has left my body.

  Holy shit.

  As I come back to myself, I feel my legs shaking so badly I’m afraid I’m going to collapse but he wraps his hand over my leg on his shoulder pushing his other shoulder against my hip holding me steady as he continues licking and sucking, consuming, devouring, and I think I’m going to go insane.

  “No! Please, stop,” I beg on a moan, my fingers tugging hard at his hair. But he keeps at it, wringing everything from me that he can until I climax again with a cry of his name and I’m gone. My body is useless, boneless.

  Just as I think I’m going to crumple to the floor I’m in his arms and he’s carrying me to my bedroom where he lays me on the bed and proceeds to undress me. I’m breathing hard, my body covered in a mist of perspiration and I feel like I couldn’t even lift a finger.

  I can only watch as he jerks his shirt out of his jeans pulling it over his head and off then he grins cockily down at me and says, “It worked. Twice.”

  Unable to respond I nod, keeping my eyes on him watching as he removes his boots then unbuttons his jeans. He pulls his wallet out of his back pocket and gets a condom out before removing his jeans and throwing his wallet down on them.

  And my God. His body is magnificent, ripped and cut, muscles everywhere with beautifully colored tattoos adorning it. My eyes go to his equally magnificent hard cock that’s jutting out proudly in front of him and I watch as he puts the condom on, sheathing the thick girth and generous length.

  Damn.

  He crawls onto the bed moving between my legs where he rests his hips on mine, placing his forearms to either side of me.

  “You okay?” he asks, bending to touch his lips to mine.

  “Yes,” I whisper. “That was…” I shake my head taking a breath and letting it out, “amazing.”

  “You’re amazing, Laney,” he mutters, kissing me hard and wet and deep. My hands go to the back of his head my fingers twisting in his hair then landing on his shoulders when he pulls away to look down at me. “Been thinking about this for a while.” His hand goes to the outside of my thigh lifting my leg up and curling it around his waist. Keeping his eyes fixed to mine I feel the head of his cock at my entrance and then he slowly, oh, God, so slowly enters me making me suck in a breath at how fully he fills me.

  I’ve never had anything this intimate happen before. Never had a man get me there before he did and definitely never had a man keep his eyes on mine as he slid inside. I’m in so much trouble here because he’s totally seduced me and now my emotions are reeling.

  His lips come to mine and he kisses me deeply just as he starts moving, his thrusts slow and deliberate, measured. Then dropping his head to my side he whispers in my ear, “This is everything I thought it’d be, Laney.”

  And I die right there. He’s too much. This is too much. Another orgasm blasts through me, burning me, setting every part of me on fire from the inside out. Such sweet agony.

  When I finally catch my breath, I experience a sudden moment of clarity and know he’s destroyed me.

  But I can’t stop it. I don’t want to stop it. I want this forever.

  God help me.

  Without warning, his hands slide under my back and he pulls me up to where he’s sitting on his knees and I’m straddling him.

  “Ride me, baby,” he groans, his hands at my waist moving me up and down on him.

  I was always one to follow directions so I ride him. Hard.

  “Fuck!” he hisses, leaning back to put his hands on the bed behind him, watching me as I move on him.

  “Oh, my God,” I whisper as I take him deep. So good. So fucking good. God.

  When I bring a hand up to caress my breast, he growls and starts pumping his hips up faster to meet mine. But when I move my other hand between my legs and start rubbing my clit, that does it. He pushes off his hands, coming forward and literally throwing me back onto the bed. Then putting a hand behind my knee he draws my leg up as he drives in hard and fast going so deep my breath catches with every thrust.

  “So fucking tight. So goddamned wet,” he mutters, entering me so hard I’m moving up the bed with each thrust.

  I know he’s almost there when his drives become more erratic, shortened and even faster, and I watch as his abs become tight, his shoulder muscles bunch and he slams into me hard with a low groan as he comes.

  He lets out a shuddering breath before his body comes down on top of mine. I can feel his heart beating rapidly, his breaths at my neck are hot and I know I’m completely wrecked when he whispers, “You were so fucking worth the wait.”

  I’m panicking.

  Heath’s asleep behind me, one arm under my neck and the other thrown across my waist, my body curled into his, and I realize I don’t even know him.

  I’m falling for a man I know nothing about other than he has a great body, an awesome face, a smartass attitude and he fucks like none other.

  Oh. And he works in construction and he likes to fight.

  But another thing I’m wondering? How did he go from hating me to suddenly liking me? Just Friday he was accusing me of putting on an act about something and two days later we’re having sex? I mean, how does that happen?

  And what’s going to happen when he wakes up? Is it going to be awkward? Oh, please, God, don’t let it be awkward! But if it is, what else can we do about it when we see each other in the weight room, the elevator or the market but just smile and say hi, embarrassed that we let things go too far one night?

  I don’t realize I’ve let out a frustrated groan until his ar
m tightens on me.

  Shit! I’ve woken him up! Now what?

  “’S’matter, baby?” he says in my ear, his voice husky with sleep.

  I start to answer but his hand drops between my legs and his fingers start working their magic stopping anything other than a moan to come from my mouth. His other hand curls up and he finds my nipple, rolling it lightly between his thumb and finger making me whimper and arch against him.

  His mouth at my ear whispers, “That’s my girl,” and I’m so turned on by that, by his hot breath against my skin, his hands on me, that I come straightaway, no prelude, no nothing, just BAM! Instant orgasm. Good lord.

  While he speckles an array of breathy kisses over on my neck, sliding his considerable length between my legs forward and back several times through my folds, I try remembering what I was going to tell him, but my post-climax bliss and everything he’s doing to me are fogging my head. Then, oh yeah. I remember. I need to tell him we should slow down, get to know each other better before sleeping together again.

  Believe me, the irony of this is so not lost on me.

  Just as I take a breath to tell him he asks, “Do I need a condom? I’m clean.”

  I shake my head no because I’m also clean then I start to talk again.

  “You’re on birth control?” he says.

  I nod yes, and right as I open my mouth to interject my point, he pulls my leg over his hip and enters me from behind. This, combined with his hands and fingers doing what they are, makes a sound come from my already open mouth that’s unintelligible, my body locks up and there I go again, coming all over the place like it’s normal for me. Honest to God, I’ve always had to finish myself with other guys yet Heath touches me and I’m there. Damn.

  “Fuck yeah,” he groans when he feels me pulsing around him, putting his hand flat on my belly and pulling me tighter against him. “Love that. Like your pussy’s trying to keep me inside you. Doesn’t wanna let me go.”

  He’s right. So right. From the very start there’s been something between us, something chemical or biological that’s drawn me to him and my body’s reaction to him now is proof of this.

  I’ve now forgotten what I was going to say, not able to focus on anything other than how perfect he feels. I just want more of what I’m getting because it’s so damned good. When I reach down between my legs and V my fingers around his cock as he drives inside me, just making sure this is all real, he growls in my ear as his thrusts become faster.

  “God, you’re so big,” I breathe out, thrusting my ass back to take him deeper.

  He speeds up even more, grabbing me tighter with the hand splayed across my stomach and warns, “Gonna make me come.” Then with a deep groan he’s there burying his cock deep inside me.

  Afterward, we lie there panting as he wraps both arms around me embracing me even more tightly than before. I could so get used to this. And seriously, if relationships were based only on sex, we’d be good to go.

  A few moments later, he pulls out and tells me he’ll be back. He turns on the bedside lamp and I watch him go admiring his nice, tight butt and how his broad shoulders V down to his narrow waist. Too late I realize I’ve been daydreaming about him instead of getting up and dressing, and he’s back with a washrag that he uses to clean me up (another first) before leaving to put it in the hamper in my bathroom, then he immediately returns. And, oh my. I’ve gotten to see him coming and going a total of six times tonight and it’s been a friggin’ treat.

  But even though he’s glorious to look at, I still don’t know him and my mind’s racing thinking of how to explain it all to him.

  He sits on the side of the bed and reaches for his jeans tugging them onto his legs before standing to pull them all the way up and buttoning them. He next grabs his t-shirt and slips it over his head stretching his muscular arms through the sleeves then looks down at me smiling warmly which melts my heart. “What’s going on in that head of yours?” His eyes are now narrowed as he looks at me, and I see that distrust that I’ve grown accustomed to flare in them for a second.

  And that’s the trigger.

  “That!” I snap sitting up, holding the sheet over my chest before drawing my knees up. “That right there is what’s been wrong.”

  More eye narrowing before shaking his head and stating, “I’m not understanding.”

  I sigh. “From day one you’ve looked at me that way.”

  He frowns. “What way?”

  “Like you don’t trust me. The way you just did.”

  He looks at me, as in really looks at me this time, which is different from all the other times, and admits, “You’re right.”

  This surprises me. “I am?”

  He chuckles. “Yeah.” He shrugs. “And I didn’t then but I do now.”

  I make a face. “Didn’t then but do now what?”

  “Trust you.”

  I let out an exasperated huff. “Why didn’t you trust me before?”

  “Long story.”

  “I’ve got time,” I share.

  He sits on the bed and starts pulling on his socks. “I can’t go into it right now, but I will tell you later.”

  I make a pfffttt sound as he bends to grab his boots. “So we’re starting out not trusting each other and keeping secrets? I don’t think this’ll ever work.”

  He stops tying his boot and now turns extremely narrows eyes to me. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  I shrug flippantly. “It means just that,” I answer, throwing his own words back at him. “And besides, we don’t even know each other! I don’t even know your middle name!”

  “Cutter.”

  My brow comes down. “What?”

  “My middle name,” he explains.

  “Oh.”

  We stare at each other for a moment before he informs me, “I disagree with everything you’ve said.”

  “What? Why?” I inquire. “We don’t know a damned thing about each other,” I restate. Jeez, he’s hardheaded.

  He leans toward me, his hand going to my face where he runs his thumb over my bottom lip. “I know that you get pouty lips when you’re arguing with me.” I frown and he chuckles. “I know that you get a little wrinkle between your brows when you’re mad.” I roll my eyes. “I know that you like German chocolate cupcakes.” He leans up and brushes his lips against mine. “I know that you’ve got an ass that looks so fucking good in those skirts you wear that I almost pop a fucking boner every time I see you in them. And I know you’re the best fucking lay I’ve ever had.”

  I blush at the last part. There’s no question he’s the best I’ve ever had but hearing that about me from him makes me feel somewhat giddy.

  He goes back to tying his boot then stands and turns to me. “We’re having dinner tomorrow night at Andre’s at seven.”

  “N-no we’re not!” I sputter.

  “It bothers you that we don’t know each other.” He jerks a shoulder up. “Let’s get to know each other.” He bends putting his hands on the bed to either side of me and gives me another earth-shattering kiss. “See you tomorrow night,” he reminds giving me a wink before leaving the room.

  “I didn’t say yes!” I call after him.

  “Tomorrow night!” I hear him holler before he closes my front door behind him.

  Twelve

  I would’ve liked to have spent the night with Laney but I had some things I needed to do, plus I knew she was getting worked up over shit so I thought I’d leave her to sort it out.

  She’ll realize soon enough that this is going to happen between us.

  “Hey, man. We still on?” I ask Craig from my phone as I get in the elevator after having showered quickly at my apartment and changing clothes.

  Friday morning, he’d invited me to his apartment tonight to watch some March Madness basketball. So I’m now taking him up on it thinking I might be able to nab his keys, see if one opens Kyle’s office and make a copy. It’s worth a shot.

  I exit the elevator on the seco
nd floor and make my way to Craig’s apartment, knocking when I get there. Some pretty little thing opens the door.

  “Well, hey there, handsome. C’mon in,” she says flirtatiously.

  I go inside and Craig meets me almost immediately, his arm around another woman who’s nibbling on his ear. “Hey, dude. This is Glenda.” He nods his head toward the woman who opened the door.

  “I’m the good witch,” she says seductively with a flirty smile.

  “And this is Ronni. She’s with me,” he tells me unnecessarily since she’s now about to eat his face off. “They both live in the building.”

  Ronni looks at me, meaning she looks at my crotch, and mutters, “Oh, this could be fun.”

  “Hey,” I offer, as Craig hands me a beer then the Glenda chick grabs my hand and leads me into the living room plopping down on the couch and patting it for me to sit beside her.

  Jesus. The things I do for my brother. He’s gonna owe me big time for this shit.

  “So you’re Heath?” she asks when I’m seated. “Like the yummy candy bar. I’ll bet you taste just as good too.” She laces her arm through mine making sure to brush it with her breast when she does.

  She’s very petite with long blond hair, almost a Pamela Anderson lookalike, dressed for action in a low-cut Harley-Davidson t-shirt and a micro mini jean skirt, and if I went for that type she’d be perfect. But, no, I’m into sassy auburn-haired beauties who wear longer tight skirts and fuck hard without any inhibitions.

  The game that’s on is pretty good, so as I drink my beer and watch, Glenda starts asking about my tattoos.

  By the time I’ve explained the background of the first ten tatts on my arms, I’ve now grown tired of her questions, so I just start making shit up to see her reaction.

  “Got that one in ‘Nam,” I say seeing her eyes get big. Damn. “I was assigned to take down Colonel Kurtz with extreme prejudice because he’d gone crazy and was touting himself as some kind of god to a group of highlanders.”