Fighting for Flight

by J. B. Salsbury

  “I love you, Jonah." Her hands run down my shoulders, and chest, settling on my abdomen.

  My blood roars from the heat of her touch. I need her to understand that her life means more than my own. I’d give it all away: every dream, every accomplishment. Everything for her.

  With a gentle tug, I tilt her head and hold her lips mere centimeters from mine. She closes her eyes and leans in for a kiss. I fist her hair tighter, holding her in place. A moan vibrates deep in her throat. We swallow each other’s breath from our parted lips. Electricity buzzes between us. My teeth scrape against my lower lip with the urge to take her mouth. Her eyes dilate and her breath quickens.

  She shifts and steps closer. The side of my mouth curls into a half smile. My girl. Always so anxious and ready.

  She licks her full lips. Our mouths are so close I can almost taste the moisture her tongue left behind.

  “Jonah—”

  “Baby, you look so sexy right now.”

  She closes her eyes at my whispered words. I hold on tighter.

  “Holding you like this, putting you close to what you want. It’s hot, baby. You shift and rub your thighs together like you’re trying to put out a fire.”

  She sucks her bottom lip into her mouth.

  “You press into me, like you’re hoping our bodies will melt together.”

  A whimper escapes her lips.

  “Mmm. Love that sound.” I flex my hips into her stomach.

  Her eyes shoot open and plead with me to end to her suffering. Pissed or begging, smiling or crying, my girl is damn sexy.

  My girl.

  Dominick’s words echo in my head. I take care of what’s mine. His? The fuck she is. I don’t care what I have to do tomorrow night to make it happen, but I will walk out of that arena with Raven under my arm and our entire future ahead of us.

  I lean forward and brush my lips softly against her forehead. Her eyes flutter closed. I brush my lips against each of her eyelids, taking my time to savor the soft pear scent of her hair. Finally, my lips hover over hers.

  “You’re mine, baby. Always.”

  “Promise me.” Our mouths are so close, her lips brush against mine with her words.

  My chest cramps at the desperation in her voice. “I promise.”

  And that’s all I can take.

  I cover her lips with mine, and she immediately opens to me. Our tongues glide together in gentle strokes. I grab her hair, tilt her head, and delve in deeper. Soft, wet, and delicious. A groan pushes up from my chest and she takes it with an answering moan.

  My ass planted on the hood of the Impala, I use my leverage to pull her tight between my legs. Her hands slide under the legs of my shorts and up my thighs. She pushes her soft fingers under the hem of my boxers and my hips roll into her touch. I let go of her hair with one hand and snake my arm behind her back.

  “I love you.” A storm of emotion and hunger swirl in my chest, making my declaration come out on a growl.

  “I love you.”

  She pushes her hands the extra few inches to my throbbing hard-on. The muscles in my stomach contract as her touch sends waves of pleasure up my spine. With both hands, she grabs hold and strokes. I’m light headed. Her grip tightens as I rub and tease her breasts over her shirt. I want to go soft. Be gentle. But my hands claw at her clothes, itching to get to her skin.

  Closer.

  I break the kiss, grab the hem of her gray tank top, and pull it over her head. My eyes go wide at her bright red, lace bra. Fuckin’ hell.

  I slide off the hood of the car, mesmerized by her breasts as they strain against their lace cage. My hands cup her and squeeze gently. Her head falls back on a moan. I run my thumbs across her nipples watching how they react beneath the fabric.

  My hands travel down her tight, flat stomach to the waistband on her shorts. With a swift tug, I pop the button and open to what I know is matching lace panties.

  Raven shifts her hips and slides her short shorts down her long, tan legs. My head tilts as I take in her body from head to toe. Each sliver of soft skin, every curve of decadent flesh, all perfect and mine in every way. My eyes linger on the parts of her body I want to get to first, covered in red lace. I lick my lips.

  “Your turn.” She motions to my shirt with a tilt of her head.

  I want her hands on me. “Uh-uh. You do it.”

  Her eyelids are heavy over blue-green pools of liquid heat. She slips her hands beneath my shirt, eyes locked on mine. Her fingernails drag against my skin as she runs her hands up to my chest. I suck air through clenched teeth as the bite of her nails sends pleasure straight down. I raise my arms and bend for her to pull my shirt off over my head.

  The weight of her stare on my naked torso shoots heat through my veins. She runs her hand along my arm to my shoulder while her other hand glides down to the button of my shorts. She stops there and slips her fingers inside the waistband of my boxer briefs, brushing against the tip of my dick. My head falls back on a groan. I’m going to explode if I don’t get inside her soon. I reach down to undo my pants.

  Her hand covers mine and she pushes up on her tiptoes, placing her lips against my neck. “No, I got it.”

  Soft, wet lips part at my neck as she licks and nips while unbuttoning my shorts. They fall to the ground and I kick them off. I press her back against the Impala, placing her sexy, lace-clad ass on the hood. She lifts an eyebrow in question, but her crooked smile tells me she knows exactly what’s about to happen.

  She leans back, resting her weight against her elbows. I pin her with my eyes, plant my knee between her legs, and climb up.

  ~*~

  Raven

  His body covers mine, pushing me back. My stomach jumps at the thought of our naked bodies tangled together surrounded by the smell of oil and rubber. This scenario has run through my head a few times since I started working with Jonah. I rest my heels on the bumper as Jonah covers my face, neck, and shoulders with hot, wet kisses.

  A fantasy come to life.

  Just like his spontaneous proposal. Not at some romantic beach locale or in some crowded restaurant. But here, in my sanctuary. No cheesy sonnets read down on one knee or even a ring. I don’t need that. Any of it. All I need is him.

  Sucking and nibbling, he makes his way down to my breast. He continues lapping at my skin before pulling my flesh into his mouth over my bra. The combination of his warm tongue and the friction from the lace make my back arch, pushing me further into his touch.

  No one has ever claimed me like he has—stood his ground, willing to fight, just so he could have me. Our future depends on that fight. I may lose my future. I won’t take his down with me.

  His attention shifts from my breasts, and he kisses down my body. My knees fall apart. He settles himself between my legs, teasing my inner thigh with his tongue. I don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow night, but for now, tonight, I am his and he is mine.

  Completely.

  With one finger, he traces the seam of my panties from my hip down. He slides the delicate fabric to the side and, without hesitation, dives in. A groan rumbles in the back of my throat. He slides both hands beneath my butt, pushing me deeper into his mouth. I rock my hips against him, unable to stay still.

  My body ignites at his attention. With the slightest touch he brings comfort and, with a little more, intense ecstasy. But this time there’s an extra layer of emotion. Belonging.

  A powerful urge to bond rockets through my veins. Power, need, passion all mix into a potent cocktail and I’m overcome with desire to take him. I use my foot to push his shoulder back. He looks up at me, eyebrows pinched, hands up in surrender. Something that looks like concern etched in his face.

  I want to give him a reassuring smile. Let him know that everything’s okay, but animalistic yearning wins out.

  With a quick flip of my thumb, I unhook my bra, sliding the straps down my arms and tossing it across the room. I lie back and lift my hips to rid myself of my panties. His eyes go
dark, forehead dropped so he’s looking at me from beneath his thick eyelashes.

  If I don’t move fast, he’s going to pounce.

  Hopping from the hood, I reach for the waistband of his boxers. He watches as I slide the cotton down his sculpted thighs to his ankles, where he kicks them to the side. In a crouch on the floor, I take advantage of my position and take him deep into my mouth.

  “Aww, damn.” He groans and rakes both hands into my hair.

  I look up from my position on the ground and watch the ripples of his muscles contract with every thrust of my mouth. Here on my knees, in a position of submission, I’ve never felt more powerful. His body responds to every flick of my tongue, every pull of my mouth. My heart swells with the love I see in his face as he looks down at me.

  “Baby, enough.” He hauls me to my feet.

  My hands on his chest, I press him back to sit on the hood of the car. He’s stronger than I am and capable of protesting, but he allows my control. And if I’m not mistaken, I think it’s turning him on.

  With his back against the hood, I climb above his body, and straddle his hips. He cups my breasts. I give him a moment to play before I take his wrists in my hands and push them above his head. He smiles at me as if my attempt at domination is cute. I give him the wettest, sexiest kiss I can muster, wiping that smile right off his gorgeous face.

  “Fuck, baby.” He runs a hand through my hair to rest at my throat. “You’re amazing. My sexy, shy girl one minute, sex crazed vixen the—”

  I take him in my hand, lift up on my knees, and bury him. He groans so deeply it vibrates our connection.

  “Mine.” My possessive claim tapers off into a moan.

  And with that, my dominance is over. His hands tangle into my hair and his back leaves the car. His kiss is deep, proving the word I’ve just said.

  Yes. I’m yours.

  Exultant tears burn the behind my eyes. I fight to hold them back. My hips roll in waves and Jonah matches my pace. I kiss his jaw, neck, and shoulder, pushing him back against the hood. Bracing my hands on his brawny chest, I thrust harder, pressing down deep, reaching.

  “You’re so beautiful, baby. I love watching when I’m inside you.”

  I’m beyond words as pleasure coils in my belly. His thrusts become urgent and powerful, spurring on my frenzy. My body is overflowing with sensations, begging for release.

  His eyes spark beneath heavy lids. “Let yourself go, baby.”

  My body obeys his command. Tiny explosions fire from low in my belly and shoot up my spine. I grip his shoulders and throw my head back. He holds my hips steady as reverberations rock through my limbs.

  Lost in the foggy aftershocks of my climax, our positions flip. I lie flat on my back on the hood of the car, and absorb the heat from where Jonah’s body was. My heels brace on the bumper, my knees fall open. I bring them back up, but lack the strength to keep them there.

  Jonah leans down and drops a tender kiss on my lips. I kiss him back with lazy strokes of my tongue.

  He straightens and grips my hips. Entranced, I watch the slashes of his muscles roll as he finds his release. He bites his lip, and I gasp at the blissful pinch of his fingers digging into my skin.

  His pace quickens moments before he groans my name. Goose bumps race across the planes of his chest and ecstasy floods his face. He slows to a glide, sending delicious sensations to my belly. He falls forward, braces himself with his arms, and kisses me.

  This kiss isn’t fast or deep, not a beginning to a desperate end. His lips are firm, molding against mine. We explore each other’s mouths in tender strokes. Patient and meaningful, expressing the love between us with every swipe and passing nip.

  He breaks the kiss and looks at me. His eyebrows knit together and he looks over his shoulder.

  “How many times has this song played?”

  My face heats as I try to think of a way to get out of having to explain my song choice and the fact that it’s been on repeat.

  Your iPod must be broken. I accidently hit a button. I don’t know why the same song keeps playing. Remember, I only own tapes. The list of excuses keeps growing. I settle on indifference. “I think it’s Beyonce.” I shrug.

  His eyes narrow at me. Darn it! He sees right through me every time.

  “Yes, I know who it is. I remember putting it on the iPod for you.” His eyes dart to the side as he listens to the words. He hits me with the deadly one-dimple smile. “I guess you like it?”

  I nod and turn my face away. Avoiding his eyes will help the red coloring my cheeks to fade.

  “I like this song. It . . .”

  “It what?”

  The softness in his voice tells me he’s well aware of why I like it. Why does he need to hear me say it?

  I exhale a heavy breath and meet his eyes. “It reminds me of you. You’re my saving grace, Jonah. My angel.” I wiggle my arms between our bodies and cross them over my chest. “Happy?”

  His teasing smile dissolves. His dimple is replaced by a slight tick in his jaw. He doesn’t look angry. More like, confused.

  I feel stupid and exposed after my sappy comment. “Can we go inside now?” I hope to get that intense look off his face or at least get me out from under it.

  He blinks and his expression softens. “It’s funny, this thing between us.” He flicks his finger back and forth from me to him. “Every concern or emotion we feel, it’s mutual.” He laughs in a short burst. “Here you’re thinking I’m saving you, when all this time it’s been you who saved me.”

  My heart swells to the point that I’m choking on it. “Jonah—”

  “I was cold. Dead on the inside from the time I heard about my dad’s accident. Never felt anything outside of kicking ass or a killer hit in the octagon. Fighting gave me my breath, but you brought me back to life.”

  I whimper and cover my mouth.

  “This whole time I thought I was living. But the day I met you, the lights came on. You fill me with things I thought I’d never feel again.” His hand tugs my at my wrist, freeing my gaping mouth. He kisses my lower lip. “You’re my angel, baby.”

  With my world split in two, ultimate devastation runs parallel to blessed elation. And I’m stuck in between. My future uncertain, staring into the hazel eyes of everything I’ve ever dreamed about. And more. More than I deserve, but I’m taking it.

  I’ll hold on with a grip so tight, that even if they take my body, they’ll never take Jonah from my heart.

  Twenty-eight

  Raven

  “What’re you doing here, Ray?” Leo walks into Guy’s office as I’m putting my stuff in a locker. “Thought you’d be spending the day with your man. Big fight tonight.”

  I suck in a shaky breath. Big fight is right. That’s why I’m here on my day off. Jonah has to go to the training center, and there isn’t enough work left to do on the Impala to keep my head in a good place until tonight.

  “Nah. He’s got official UFL stuff to do all day. I’m going to meet up with him after the fight.” I put on my most unaffected face and stroll past Leo into the garage. “What have we got?” I motion to the few cars in the bay.

  “You can run a diagnosis on the Tahoe. Said it’s making some clinking noise. Check the alternator.” He goes back to working on a Toyota.

  Greatest thing about working with guys, they never ask too many questions.

  I start work on the Tahoe, my hands moving through the procedures, but my head wrapped up in tonight. Flutters of nervous energy turn my stomach and tighten my chest. My phone rings in my pocket, making me jump three feet in the air, and earning me a lowbrow look from Leo.

  “Hey, Eve.” I greet my friend loud enough for Leo to hear. He rolls his eyes and disappears back beneath the hood of the car.

  “Rave. Ugh, I’m so pissed right now.” Her voice sounds genuinely pissed, and she’s huffing and puffing like she’s just run a marathon.

  “Why? Are you okay?” I head back to Guy’s office, close the door, and flo
p down in his chair.

  “Hillary came in two nights ago with the stomach flu. I told her to take the night off, but did she listen? Noooo.” She grunts loudly and I hear something heavy drop. “So here I am, forty-eight hours later with six, six people short for dinner service tonight. On one of the busiest nights of the summer.”

  I know where this conversation is going. My nervous flutter turns into a throbbing pound. She’s not coming.

  “I have to work. There’s no way around it.”

  Darn it.

  “I understand. It’s a bummer, but you’re the manager. What can you do?”

  “Um . . . I could kill that bitch Hillary for starters.” More banging.

  “What are you doing? It sounds like you’re trashing your house.”

  “Oh, what am I doing?” Her voice is high and dripping in sarcasm. “I’m setting up the bar. By myself! I have one bartender tonight. One! Man, I need a drink.”

  I rub my forehead. How am I going to get through this night without my best friend?

  “Where’s the after party?” Her question gets my attention.

  “After party?”

  “Well, yeah. Duh. The heavyweight champion throws an after party following a big win. Jeez, Rave, how long have you lived in this town?”

  “Right. Um . . . okay.” There will be no big win, therefore, no after party, but she doesn’t need to know that.

  “I’ll be off by eleven. Text me and I’ll meet you guys out. Just make sure to have Mr. Pecs-n-Abs put me on the list.”

  Her mention of being put on the list reminds me of Vince. “Hey, have you heard from Vince?”

  Her throat clears followed by an even bigger bang that has me pulling the phone from my ear. “Nope.”

  One word answer. Translation: I don’t want to talk about it.

  “You okay?”

  “Fine.”

  One word again.

  “I’ll text you after the fight.”

  “Sounds good. And Rave, I’m really sorry.”