Hold You Close

by Jessica Linden

  But she’d been horribly mistaken.

  Embarrassment washed over her and she felt a flush rise to her cheeks.

  He didn’t want her after all.

  * * *

  Tony had to muster every ounce of restraint to stop kissing Ginny. Her lips had been soft and yielding. And her body when he’d pulled it against him . . . Good Christ.

  What he really wanted to do was kiss her until she forgot her own name. Worship her body like it deserved. Bury himself inside her until both of them shattered.

  Still, he pushed her away.

  She was vulnerable right now. And he wouldn’t take advantage of her, especially not while she was physically battered and emotionally fragile. He wanted to make sure she was one hundred percent onboard and ready for what was happening between them because once they started down this road, there would be no going back.

  Hurt shone in her eyes and she jumped away from him. It struck his heart like a knife.

  “I’m sorry,” she said, a blush spreading across her cheeks. “I . . . I guess I thought wrong.”

  “No, it’s not that—”

  “It’s okay,” she said. “It’s fine.”

  It was anything but fine.

  She mumbled an excuse and scurried away to the bedroom, closing the door quietly behind her.

  She’d sounded wounded, and like a wounded animal, she’d retreated to her den—in this case, his bedroom. He’d hurt her.

  Fuck. That was not what he’d wanted, not at all. The last thing he’d ever want was to hurt her, especially now. But it seemed he’d done just that. He couldn’t believe about badly he’d fucked up.

  He walked over and stood outside the bedroom door for a minute with his hand poised to knock, trying to figure out how to make this right. What should he say to her?

  The truth.

  “Ginny, can I come in?”

  “Of course.” Her voice sounded small. “It’s your apartment.”

  He opened the door and stood just inside the room. She was curled up on the bed, her arms wrapped around her knees, where she rested her cheek.

  He wanted to pummel himself right now.

  “Ginny, I’m sorry. It’s not what you think.”

  “I know,” she said quietly, and he remembered her words from moments ago.

  “Fuck, no, not like that.” He walked over and sat on the bed, near her, but not touching her, not sure if his touch would be welcome. He was just going to lay it all out there, lay himself bare. “I want you. I want you so goddamn bad it fucking hurts. You have no idea.”

  She tucked her face down into her knees and her shoulders shook. Tears were not the reaction he was hoping for.

  “Please don’t cry.” He felt so helpless. He’d caused this and he didn’t know how to fix it.

  She picked her face up, her cheeks wet. “I just don’t understand.”

  “Because I’m not explaining it very well. You’re hurt right now and you’re still reeling from what happened. I don’t want to take advantage of the situation. I don’t want us to do something you’ll regret later and you won’t forgive me for. I want you, but I don’t just want your body. I want all of you.”

  Getting the words out stripped Tony raw. He felt drained, like he’d run a marathon instead of uttering a few sentences. He’d never exposed himself like that to anyone.

  “I know what I’m doing.” She wiped the tears from her face and straightened her shoulders. “I might be physically hurt, but I’ve never been more sure of myself. You’re right—I could have died. I’m not taking anyone or anything for granted anymore.”

  “We have time,” Tony said. He reached for her hand and ran his fingertips along the smooth skin on her palm. “We don’t have to rush into anything.”

  “I’m done wasting time. I want you and I want you now.” Though her eyes still glistened with tears, her voice was sure and strong. “I want to feel your hands on me. I want to feel your skin slide over mine. I want to feel you inside me.”

  Christ. His need for her was so great he didn’t know how he’d survive without touching her.

  Tony put his hand behind her neck and tilted her head back. Her mouth was still healing from the split lip, so he ducked his head to her throat, his mouth working on her soft skin.

  She moaned, fisting her hands in his shirt, drawing him closer. The sound made his blood run hot and pulse through his body.

  This was Ginny, and he was the reason for those sounds. His Ginny. He couldn’t get enough.

  She tugged on his shirt and he raised his arms so she could take it off, bringing his mouth right back to her soft skin. She raked her fingers across his back, sending shivers down his spine.

  He slid his hand under her shirt and up her ribcage to cup her full breast. It was firm, supple, and soft. He took her nipple between his fingers and lightly squeezed.

  Another moan came from deep in her throat, and he thought he’d come right then. Jesus. He could barely maintain control.

  But he stopped, taking his hands off her. Her eyes popped open and she looked at him expectantly with parted lips. It would be so easy to suppress what he needed to say, to go on enjoying her body, but he couldn’t. It wasn’t a risk worth taking.

  “I mean what I said, Ginny,” he looked in her eyes deeply to let her know how serious he was. “I want more than just your body. I want—need—all of you. If that’s not what you’re offering, then we need to stop.”

  * * *

  “Yes,” Ginny said slowly. “I want you, too, Tony. All of you.”

  She pulled her shirt over her head and let it drop to the floor.

  Tony’s gaze raked over her body, taking in every inch of her exposed skin. She suddenly felt self-conscious.

  Then he looked up at her with adoration. “You’re so beautiful.”

  He dropped his face to her cleavage, bringing his hand around her back to unclasp her bra with his nimble fingers. Her breasts spilled out of the lacy fabric and he grasped them in his hands.

  She touched her mouth to his earlobe, sucking gently and then nipping lightly with her teeth.

  Tony groaned, low, guttural, and masculine. A smile played at the edges of Ginny’s lips. She ran her tongue along his throat, pausing to apply pressure to his carotid.

  Suddenly, Tony shifted her and she found herself on her back on the bed. He loomed over her, his breathing thick, his eyes flashing with desire. In one swift move, he stripped off her pants, leaving her in her cotton panties.

  Damn, if she’d known she’d be spending time like this, she would have put on something sexier than pale pink cotton bikinis.

  It didn’t seem to matter though. Tony continued worshiping her body with his mouth and hands, touching every inch of her skin.

  He moved from her breasts to her belly, trailing lazy kisses along the way. On her thigh, she could feel his hardness through his jeans.

  She put a hand on his chest and pushed him lightly, then harder to force him to lay on his side. She undid his jeans and tugged them down his hips. He took them off the rest of the way.

  Her hands shook as she reached under the fabric of his boxer briefs, taking his length in her hands.

  His eyes dilated and he sucked in a breath, her name on his lips.

  As she moved her hand slowly, he snuck his fingers in her panties, touching her most sensitive areas. He stroked her folds. Her core throbbed and she was already damp.

  He touched his lips to hers, kissing her only briefly before moving his mouth to her neck. She was momentarily disappointed—she wanted to kiss him hard and deep.

  He’s being gentle because of my cut lip.

  She threw her leg over his hips, opening up for him. He plunged one finger into her, then two.

  She gnashed her teeth against his shoulder, wrapping her arms around him and holding on tight.

  It’d been so long for her, and soon she was rocking her hips against his hand. Vibrations shook her body, growing greater and greater until she exploded, cr
ying out his name.

  He laid his hand firm against her core as she rode out the aftershocks. Once the quakes settled, he removed his hand and gathered her body to his.

  “Ginny, I’ve thought about being with you like this for a long time.”

  She nipped at his lower lip with her teeth. “Is that all you’ve thought of doing?” She reached her hand between them to find him still hard and ready. “I want more of you.”

  She tugged his briefs down his thighs and he helped her take them the rest of the way off. She returned her hand to him, but he grabbed her hand and laced her fingers with his.

  He looked into her eyes. “Are you sure you’re ready for this?”

  She put a hand on his cheek. “I’m beyond sure.”

  He stroked her and she immediately felt the tension ratchet up in her body again. He moved away from her briefly to take care of protection and then returned, raining kisses on her face, her shoulders, her breasts.

  She shifted so he could settle between her thighs. Immediately, she felt him pressing against her opening and she gasped.

  He stroked her hair. “Are you okay?”

  “Yes.” She pressed a kiss to his lips. “I’m very okay.”

  He pushed inside her slowly and she closed her eyes so she could focus on the sensation of his body joining with hers. She brought her legs up higher so he could go even deeper.

  Her legs wrapped around him and he thrust into her, again and again, creating glorious heat and friction. She moved her hips with his, whimpering his name.

  Her muscles tightened around him and she dug her fingers into his back, holding on for dear life.

  He kissed her one last time before his body spasmed and he fell with her.

  Chapter 17

  Ginny lay sprawled across Tony’s chest, and she lightly ran her fingertips along the smooth lines of his pecs.

  Being with Tony was better than she’d imagined. He was worth the wait.

  She snuggled closer to him, draping her leg over his thigh.

  “Are you cold?” he asked, immediately pulling the covers up around her.

  “No,” she said. “I just like being close to you.”

  She wasn’t playing coy with him—years had already been wasted and she wasn’t about to waste more time with him.

  His response was to press his lips to her forehead and hold her tighter. She continued to run her hand over his chest, moving on to his stomach. It rumbled, and she felt the vibrations with her hand.

  She laughed. “Are you hungry?” Glancing at the clock, she realized it was almost three. They’d completely missed lunch. She started to pull away from him. “I’ll make something.”

  He yanked her body back against his. “I don’t think so. I finally have your naked body wrapped around me. As much as I love your cooking, I love this more. You’re not going anywhere.” He released her for a moment to lean over and pull his phone out of his pants, which were on the floor next to the bed. “What kind of pizza do you like?”

  “Veggie.”

  He grimaced. “We’ll definitely need two, then.” He called and placed an order for delivery.

  While he did that, Ginny observed his hand resting on her hip. The knuckles were scarred, like they’d been in battle. Though when and where, she didn’t know. But she was looking forward to learning everything.

  She closed her eyes, focusing on the feel on his hand on her bare skin.

  This was Tony.

  She squeezed her eyes tighter and smiled into his chest. Everything about the last several days was surreal, but nothing more so than this.

  “Hey.” He lifted her chin. “Is everything okay?”

  She realized he couldn’t see her smile—only that she’d buried her face. “Just thinking about how crazy this all is. A week ago, I was engaged to a man I loathed. Now here I am, in bed and about to eat pizza with a man I’ve adored for years.”

  He rolled her so she was on her back and he towered over her, resting on his forearms. The edges of his lips quirked up and his eyes danced. “You adore me?”

  She swatted him playfully on his ass. “Don’t let it get—”

  He silenced her words by capturing her mouth with his. She matched the vigor of his kiss and stroked his back. On her thigh, she could feel him, ready to go again.

  Heat and dampness formed between her legs. She shifted slightly so she could open her legs for him to settle between them. Instead, he stayed propped up and reached down to touch her.

  Her back arched at that first contact and she thrashed her head against the pillow as his mouth moved to her neck and his fingers continued to stroke. Heat built within her and she raised her hips to his hand, wanting more.

  Slowly, he slid one finger into her as his thumb massaged her clit. She squeezed her eyes shut and moaned.

  “Come for me, baby,” he whispered.

  He increased the pressure of his thumb and quickened the pace of his finger. Her hips bucked one final time and she held on to his shoulders as the tremors consumed her body. He removed his finger but kept his hand against her area as aftershocks raced through her.

  Her forehead was damp with sweat and she pressed it against his shoulder. Her body slowly relaxed as she breathed deeply.

  She’d never had two orgasms so close together before. The second one was better than the first, and both were better than any she’d ever had.

  Each one was an emotional as well as a physical experience. She’d never freely given herself the way she’d just done because she’d never trusted anyone enough. She’d always tried to maintain at least an ounce of control.

  With Tony, she’d gladly relinquish it.

  She ran her fingers down his chest, over his abs, and down to his member, lightly stroking the soft skin. His body tensed and he pulled her against him.

  The doorbell rang and he cursed.

  “That’s probably the pizza,” Ginny said. Her hand stilled.

  “It can wait.” Tony didn’t budge.

  The doorbell rang again. She removed her hand and disentangled herself.

  “Fuck,” he grumbled. “The one time I wouldn’t mind the pizza being late.”

  Ginny giggled. “It’s okay.”

  Tony stole one last kiss before sitting on the edge of the bed and slipping into his jeans. He stood and turned, the jeans undone and riding low on his hips.

  If the delivery man was actually a she, she was in for a pleasant—and eye-catching—surprise.

  Ginny’s gaze traveled the length of him—his defined chest, ab muscles, and the hair on his stomach that led down to his manhood. She swallowed.

  She’d already seen everything, but knowing what was underneath his clothes—and what he felt like—made her want him even more.

  His eyes raked over her body and with every inch of skin his gaze devoured, her desire heightened. With a sigh of reluctance, he left the room, shutting the door behind him.

  Ginny exhaled and fell back onto the pillows. That man was sexy, generous, and enigmatic, all rolled into one.

  And he was hers. All hers.

  Finally.

  No matter what happened, she was not letting him go.

  * * *

  Tony grabbed some cash out of the kitchen junk drawer on the way to the front door. The doorbell sounded again.

  “Fuck,” Tony muttered. “Calm your shit.” He flung open the door, prepared to give the delivery man a piece of his mind.

  Instead, Veronica stood there wearing fuck-me heels and a twisted, impatient expression. She squinted at him, looking him up and down. Her nostrils flared. Then she pushed her way into his apartment before he could stop her.

  “What the fuck do you want?” he growled.

  “I want to talk to my sister.”

  “Sorry,” he said, shrugging his shoulders. “Can’t help you with that.”

  Well, he could. But he sure as hell wasn’t going to. Veronica could rot in hell first. Things were finally as they should be between him and Ginny.
Figured Veronica would somehow find a way to fuck it up. Not if he could help it.

  “Don’t try to bullshit me,” she sneered. “I know she’s here. Ginny! Ginny!” She stretched her neck and went up on her toes, as if that would make her voice carry farther.

  When she tried to push past Tony to get farther into the apartment, he grabbed her arm. “You can’t just come in here like that.”

  “The hell I can’t. This is my sister we’re talking about.” She sneered.

  “And this is my home. And anyway, you didn’t seem to give a shit when she was prepared to marry that asshole, Barkov. Now all of a sudden you do?”

  “You don’t know shit. Get your hands off me.”

  Tony didn’t loosen his grip. “You need to leave. Now. I’m only going to tell you nicely once.”

  Veronica threw her head back and laughed. “Then what? What are you—” Her neck turned at a noise behind them and her brightly painted lips formed a smirk.

  Tony glanced over his shoulder. Shit. Ginny stood in the living room in yoga pants and his T-shirt. No bra. Her cheeks were flushed.

  Veronica detached her arm from Tony’s grasp and he let her go, crossing his arms.

  Veronica looked back and forth between the two of them—Tony wearing nothing but jeans and Ginny’s disheveled appearance—and let out a snicker. “So that’s how it is now.”

  Tony cursed and clenched his fists. Goddammit. He didn’t care that Veronica knew he and Ginny were together—he’d shout if from the rooftops if it wouldn’t put her in danger with Barkov. But he wasn’t sure how Ginny would react. She’d barely had time to process this shift in their relationship.

  When Ginny crossed her arms over her chest and glared at her sister, Tony’s concern eased a little.

  “What do you want?” Ginny asked pointedly.

  Good. Tony was glad to see she wasn’t planning to take any shit from her sister.

  “Just to talk.”

  Tony shook his head and stood between the two sisters, making himself a human barrier. “It’s not a good time.”

  “No, it’s okay,” Ginny said quietly with a sigh. “She’s my sister. I’ll talk to her.”

  Tony’s lips pressed into a thin line, but one look at Ginny was enough to know he couldn’t talk her out of it. She’d always had a soft spot for Veronica. And even though Ginny was the younger sister, she was the one who always took care of her older sister instead of the other way around.