“Faster, Jonah. Harder,” she says, grasping at my ass.
“Baby, you’re sore. I need—“
“Take me, please. I want you to.” Her words are breathy and hot as hell.
My body responds by thrusting in deep. I bite my lip to keep from calling out in blissful satisfaction as her gripping heat pulls me in. Fuck. She gasps against my neck. I check her face to see it’s not pain she’s feeling. It’s pleasure. Pulling out slowly, I push in again, harder this time. She moans and coaxes me on.
My girl.
Overwhelming emotion and raw need push my hips deeper. I keep my eyes locked on hers and roll my hips. The sounds coming from deep in her chest take me to the edge of my control.
A familiar twinge in my chest warms my skin as I continue to love Raven. My strokes increase in strength and her fingernails dig into my ass. She meets each thrust with a push of her own. Her dark hair is splayed wildly around her face. She arches back in the way that I know is her signal. She’s close.
Not ready for this to end, I roll to my back, keeping our connection. A light sheen of sweat clings to our bodies, her torso lies atop mine. Her face is buried in my neck where she kisses and licks below my ear.
She pushes herself up, straddling my hips. Her eyelids are low, and her lips part as she seems to absorb the sensations of the different position. My eyes roam her body from her hips, up her slightly rounded feminine stomach, to her perfect full breasts. Gloriously naked and towering over me like an angel without wings.
I circle the tips of her breasts with my fingertips, teasing the sensitive flesh. She presses them into my hands and sucks in a breath. Her heavy-lidded eyes sparkle and she begins to move above me.
Her hands brace at my chest, and I continue to caress her breasts. I watch in amazement as she commands her body with practiced ease. She moves with confidence and control, and it’s hard to believe she was a virgin a day ago. Her pace quickens. She rolls her hips in bliss-ridden waves. I fight every urge to flip over and pound into her. She shifts, searching it out, desperate for the perfect combination.
I’m so close. Her cries alert me to the fact that she is too. I flex my hips into her. She grinds down hard against me. My toes curl and my stomach tightens.
“Fuck, baby . . .”
“Me too, Jonah . . .”
We’re panting and pushing. Grinding and moaning. Her beautiful eyes lock onto mine and bore into my soul. Wound tight, we reach together, pushing toward the edge. Her mouth drops open, and I bite my lip, our orgasms ripping through our connection together.
The shockwaves push through my body, lifting my shoulders from the bed. Her hands move to my knees, bowing her back. I hold her hips in place and continue to grind into her. She throws her head back, calling out my name as we ride out our climax.
Fucking amazing.
Her body falls forward against my chest, pressing her warm, balmy skin to mine. Heavy from the aftershocks of our lovemaking, we lay silently, breathing as one, our hearts beating together.
“Wow,” she mumbles against my neck.
“Mmm.”
She pushes herself up, resting her elbow on my ribs, and her chin in her hand.
“Is it always like this?”
Beautiful and cute.
“No. It’s never been like this. And, yes, with us, it’ll only get better.”
Her eyes grow a fraction before her lids drop lower. “Really?”
I run my fingers through her hair, from root to tip, the long strands falling against my chest. “Yeah, baby.”
She bites her bottom lip and softly moans. Her hips start to move again.
I smile. “My girl wants more.”
“Yeah, Jonah,” she says in that breathy way that makes me instantly hard.
“I aim to please.”
***
After another round of lovemaking, Raven is curled in my arms. Her head rests against my chest and her leg is thrown over my abs. I run my hand through her long, silky hair, twirling it around my finger. My other hand lazily traces patterns on her hip while her finger outlines my tattoo.
“You loved up enough to talk now, or do I need to give it to you one more time?”
She smiles, but doesn’t laugh. “I would love to do it again, but I’m too tired.” The yawn that follows confirms her words.
“Tell me about this Vince guy.”
She huffs out a frustrated breath. “I met him that day I went to see Dominick. He acted like he knew me, but I didn’t think much of it. Guess he’d been milking Eve for information about me for weeks. Then I ran into him at Eve’s. I wanted to tell you, but forgot with everything that was happening with us.”
This all makes sense. Now for the tough question. “What happened tonight at the club?”
She cowers against my chest.
What the fuck?
“We were at the bar after dancing. We had a little too much to drink, and before I knew it, these guys were harassing us—“
“Harassing you? Fuck, Raven! Why didn’t you call me?” My words are flying before my brain has time to consider what I’m saying. And I wonder why she’s cowering? Not wanting to lose my shit, I push my anger down and take a deep breath. “Sorry, baby. Go on.”
She continues to tell me about her night. I try not to dwell on the motherfucker that put his hands on my girl then pressed her up against the bar. I swallow the angry retorts that bubble up from my all-consuming frustration. I nod and listen, unsuccessfully suppressing the occasional growl.
“Did he say where he was taking you?”
“No, he called me a slut and told me it was none of my business. He said that if I didn’t shut up, he was going to make it my business, um . . . allnightlong.” Her chin drops again as she ends the sentence in a whisper.
Did she say all night long? He called her a slut!
My head starts to buzz. “He’s fucking dead,” I say with a calm I am not feeling.
“Um, I’m pretty sure you got him back. I didn’t even recognize his face when you were done with him.”
Her body shivers in my arms. I hold her tighter.
“I can’t let this go, Raven. I’m going back to talk to Dominick. If he doesn’t get his boy in check, we’re going to the cops.”
“Jonah—”
“I’ll do this Dominick’s way. I’ll throw my fight. He’ll get his money. But the moment his goons put their fucking hands on my girl . . .”
What? I have no options. I’m the one with everything to lose, not Dominick. The fucker’s backed me into a corner and he knows it.
“We can’t go to the cops. Even you said he’s got them on his payroll. If Dominick feels threatened, he could leak to the media that you agreed to throw your fight. Even without evidence, the rumors could get you banned from the UFL.”
Fuck. She’s right. My mind spins with unanswered questions. The most important thing is to keep Raven calm and safe. That’s where my focus needs to be, at least until this shit is over.
“I’ll talk with Dominick again. He wants his money. I’m sure he’s not pleased that his boy got his ass handed to him tonight. Don’t worry, baby. I’ll take care of this.”
She nods into my chest. “Please be careful.”
“Always. Now go to sleep. We can talk more in the morning.”
“Okay, Jonah. I love you,” she says through another yawn.
“I love you too, baby.”
After shutting off the light, I stare into the dark room. Raven’s breathing shifts to the rhythmic cadence of sleep. I hold her a little tighter, absorbing the contentment I feel from having her safe in my arms.
This clusterfuck with Vince has complicated my deal with Dominick. He needs to know now, especially after I turned Vince’s face into ground beef, that I’m not going to allow him to fuck with Raven. There’s no way—
My thoughts are redirected by the sound of my phone ringing. With a slight lean, I grab my phone from my bedside.
I don’t check the ID, but
instead hit answer and bite out a quick, “What!”
Raven stirs, and I rub her arm reassuringly.
“Mr. Slade.”
Adrenaline floods my bloodstream, making my head buzz.
“Dominick.”
Twenty-two
Jonah
I kiss Raven’s head before slipping out from under her and into the hallway.
“I see you and Vince had a little difference of opinion this evening,” Dominick says, sounding bored.
“Difference of opinion? He assaulted her! He was taking her to God knows where to do God knows what! You call that a difference of o-fucking-pinion?”
The usual buzz in my head has amplified to a roar. I’m vibrating from head to toe.
“I’ve taken care of him. I’m not happy with what transpired at the club.”
“I told you to pull your tails. That was part of our agreement.”
“Yes, well it seems Vince has grown fond of this Eve girl. You can’t blame a guy for sticking around for a little easy pussy. I’m sure you of all people can understand that.”
“I could give a fuck what Vince does with his dick, but I swear to God, if he comes near Raven with it or with any other part of his body again, I will kill him. You get me? I hope like hell you do because I’ve never been more serious about anything in my life.” I pace the living room, trying to keep my voice down.
“I won’t apologize for Vince’s behavior.”
“You want Raven so bad, but you’d let that animal put his hands on her?”
“Vince knows the girl needs to remain unharmed. Whatever his plan was, I’m confident it wouldn’t have left any permanent—”
“You sick motherfu—”
“Our deal is still as it was agreed upon at Zeus’s.”
“Only if you and your men agree to leave Raven alone.”
“Mr. Slade, you are in no position to make threats.”
“The fuck I’m not. Say it!”
“I will protect what’s mine.”
“She’s not yours!” The intense buzzing between my ears travels down my arms to my fists.
“We will see, Mr. Slade. We will see.”
The phone disconnects. My call log lists the number as unknown.
“Fuck!” I throw my phone into a club chair across the room. It lands with an unsatisfying thud.
My appetite for beating Dominick to a bloody mess claws at my nerves. I fall to the couch with my head in my hands, fisting my hair, and will my heart to slow.
Fear from tonight comes rushing in. Flashbacks of Vince’s arms around Raven flood my mind. What if I hadn’t gotten there in time? I shove the question back, resisting the thought of losing her.
She’s safe in my bed, where I should be.
I stalk down the hallway to my room and throw open the door. It slams against the wall, making Raven jump then settle.
Shit. Calm the fuck down.
I fight the buzz in my head and crawl into bed with Raven. Her soft body, warm with sleep, curls into mine. A gentle hum vibrates from her lips, the soothing scent of her skin a salve to my fury. My heart rate slows and the riot between my ears recedes. I haul her deeper into my arms, silently promising to keep her safe and make her mine. Forever.
~*~
Raven
“Hand me the wrench?” Jonah’s big hand reaches out from beneath the Impala, and I slap the wrench into his palm.
We’ve been working on the Impala all morning in an attempt to take my mind off the fact that I haven’t heard from Eve. Hours pass, and still no word. I can’t just sit here and do nothing.
I’m assembling the new engine parts when I gather the courage to broach the issue with Jonah.
“If I don’t hear from her soon,” I scrunch my nose and pinch my eyes closed, “I’m going to her house.”
The metallic clank of a tool hitting the concrete floor bounces off the walls. My eyes remain fixed on the project before me.
I hear him slide on the dolly out from underneath the car. “Over my dead motherfucking body.”
I brace myself for an argument. With a determined scowl, I bring my eyes to his, steel in my resolve.
Worry and concern mask his usual easy smile, shattering my will. My shoulders slump and I lean on the workbench. “I’m worried about her.”
He stands and closes the space between us. “I know, baby. But I can’t let you go to her house alone. If you insist on stopping by, I’m going with you.”
I need to tell Eve about Vince, and I don’t want her to get embarrassed having Jonah there. Not to mention he turned her boyfriend into road kill just hours ago.
“No. I need to go alone.”
He wraps me in his arms and I go limp against his chest. “No way.”
I exhale, frustrated, but not surprised. “Jonah, I understand why you’re worried. But really, what’re the chances that Vince will be at her house? He’s probably hiding away with a tube of Neosporin and an ice pack after what you did to him.”
His arms tighten at the mention of Vince. “You aren’t going.”
Why does everything have to be so hard?
I tilt my head to see his face. “What’s the big deal? All I’ll be doing—”
“The big deal?” He lets me go and takes a few long strides back to the Impala. His hands spear through his hair. “The big deal is that the last time I let you go somewhere on your own, against my better judgment, you came back destroyed.” He leans into the car’s hood, arms bracing his weight, head down.
I step to the front fender. “Jonah.”
He turns his head, a tortured expression on his face. He’s right. I promised him, the night we made love for the first time, I’d never put him through that kind of worry again.
“Okay. I won’t go.”
With a murmured curse, his body weight collapses, and he pushes off the car.
“To her house. I’ll go to her work.” My determination is back, and he must see it in the seconds he studies my face.
“Fine. But only to her work. With plenty of people around. And call me before you walk in and the second you walk out. Understand?”
I grin, overwhelmed by how much I love my protective Jonah. “Okay.”
“I’m serious, baby. If you see—”
My phone chimes with a new text.
Just got your message. I’m fine, just slept in. Come on over. Eve.
I text her back and ask her what time she has to work. We agree to meet there a half an hour before her shift starts.
Jonah’s not satisfied with the plan, but at least he’s not chaining me to his bed for safekeeping, as he threatened. I promised him I’d meet him at the training center after I met with Eve so he could see with his own eyes that I’m okay.
He takes me to work to check in with Guy, looming in the background the entire time like some Adonis bodyguard. We hit my studio to feed Dog and pack some things. He finally left my side so I could meet with Eve, but only with the promise that I’d see him in less than an hour.
I pull into the parking lot of Nori Pizzeria right on time. Walking from my car to the front door, I notice Eve’s 2010 blue Mustang. I do a quick scan for Vince’s H2 and exhale in relief to see it’s not there.
I push through the front doors, and the aroma of garlic and butter make my stomach growl. Wax-covered Chianti bottles sit atop tables dressed in white butcher paper. A few waiters mill about, but no Eve.
“Raven! Hey, haven’t seen you here in a while.” Stephanie’s eyes dart around and behind me before landing on my face. “Where’s the hottie you’re dating?” The enthusiastic hostess flashes a hopeful smile. “Did you guys break up?”
She’s a cute girl, and I’ve never considered myself the jealous type, but my hand tingles with the desire to backhand that ready-and-willing look off her face.
“Mmm, nope. We didn’t break up.” I lay my forearm on top of the hostess stand and lean in. “We’re still very much together, if you know what I mean.” I give her a wink and watch
the enthusiasm drain from her face.
Yeah, take that!
“Eve in the back?” I don’t wait for an answer and head to the kitchen with pep in my step.
She mumbles something I can’t quite make out as I push through the kitchen doors.
At the closed office door, I pause to refocus before knocking. I have no idea what kind of mood Eve will be in, and I can only hope she takes what I’m about to tell her well.
“Eve? You there?” I rap my knuckles against the door.
Her soft voice tells me to come in.
The room is dark except for a dim desk lamp. She’s sitting in her chair with her elbows on the desk and both hands on either side of her head. Not good.
I take the seat across from her. “Hey, Eve. How are you doing?”
“Humph.”
“That bad, huh?”
She doesn’t reply only drops her forehead to her desk.
“Look, about last night, I’m so sorry—“
Her head flies up, and she locks me in a narrow glare. “Sorry? What do you have to be sorry about? This whole thing is my fault. I keep telling myself that this guy will be different. This guy won’t hit me or talk shit to me. They all seem so normal in the beginning. Or so I think.” Her head is back in her hands as she rubs at her temples. “God, Rave, I’m so fucked up.”
“Eve, you aren’t . . . effed up.”
Her puffy eyes narrow on mine again, and I decide this is a good time to shut up and listen.
“You know what I did last night after you dropped me off? I lay in bed all night with my phone on my chest, hoping he would call me. I wanted that piece-of-shit to call me and tell me that he was sorry, that he would never scare me again. If he would have shown up on my doorstep, I would’ve taken him back.” She falls back into her chair. “Still think I’m not fucked up?”
No, that sounded pretty screwed up to me. But, I wasn’t going to tell her that.
She’s beating herself up about Vince, feeling as though this is all her fault. If she knew that she was nothing more than a job to him, maybe it would help her to let him go and let herself off the hook.
1001 Dark Nights: Bundle Fourteen Page 79
