Lori Foster - Holding Strong

“Well enough that I was only a little embarrassed that he busted us. He accused us—”

“You and Yvette?”

She nodded, but admitted sheepishly, “Mostly me.”

“Go on.”

“He said we were being shallower than men just because we appreciate how sexy you guys are.”

His jaw locked.

Very slowly, Cherry reached out until her hand cupped him through his jeans. Lips parting at the reality of his length and thickness, she wavered, for the first time wondering if maybe he was too big.

“You’ll take me,” he assured her, his voice low and rough. His eyelids went heavier, his mouth tighter, but he didn’t move away.

When she stayed silent, overwhelmed, he encouraged her, saying, “Go on.”

So she stroked him.

“No.” His throat worked as he swallowed. “Get to the part where you and Armie discussed my junk.”

“Oh.” She would much rather explore him. “Armie overheard me talking about you and—”

He stopped her long enough to open his jeans, ease down the zipper, then carry her hand inside. Hot and sleek and big enough that her fingers didn’t quite circle him.

Like a flash fire, heat rolled through her.

Denver gave a soft growl, covered her hand with his own, and guided her in a slow stroke. After three deep breaths, he asked, “What were you saying exactly?”

How could he chat right now? She certainly couldn’t. “I don’t remember.”

“Cherry.”

Wanting the discussion over with, she shook her head. “Something about liking your shoulders and your thighs.”

He flattened his free hand on the wall next to her temple and just stared at her while enjoying her touch. “Still listening.”

“Right. So he, ah, suggested...” To get it over with before she fainted, Cherry blurted, “That you would happily give me a viewing, and that you were bigger than most.”

“Those aren’t the words he used.”

“I can’t think!”

He brushed his mouth against her temple. “Try.”

How had she missed this bossy streak of Denver’s? “He...he said you’d gladly give me a show and you were the best hung one in the bunch.” The second the words were out, she felt his smile.

“Yeah. That sounds more like Armie.”

“He was right.” She lifted her other hand, now holding him in both. “Honest to God, Denver, I never imagined—”

His choked laugh was accompanied by a hug. “It’s not all that.”

“I...I need to sit down.” She seriously did.

“Soon.” With two fingers under her chin he lifted her face. “No more talking about my cock with other men.”

For a second there, his wording dazed her, then she nodded. “Okay, sure.” She hadn’t meant to have that discussion with Armie anyway. “No problem.”

Smile going crooked, he added, “You can brag to the other ladies all you want.”

Jealousy spiked through her; he wanted the attention of the other women? “You—”

“Now, if we’re done with interruptions...?” He pulled her hands away and went back to one knee, dragging her panties down at the same time. “Step out.”

Sidetracked, she took in his position at her feet, his gaze level on her body, and nothing else existed. Another bright flash of lightning emphasized the stark intensity in his eyes as he took in her nudity.

No one had ever looked at her quite that thoroughly.

She no sooner had that thought than bad memories tried to intrude, memories of being scrutinized critically, against her will—

No. Ruthlessly, she quashed those thoughts.

She was with Denver—nothing bad in that. He was unlike any man she’d ever known, definitely better than most. When it came to ugly experiences, there was no comparison.

Keeping his focus on her body, he held her hand to steady her as she stepped free of the underwear. Brushing them aside with the rest of their discarded clothes, Denver said, “Jesus, Cherry, you have a smokin’ body.” He touched his fingertips down her belly to her sex. “I’m dying to taste you.”

With no more warning than that, he cupped her backside, pulled her forward, and pressed his face to her.

Gasping, Cherry sank her fingers into his hair and held on.

Apparently done waiting, his hands—easily twice the size of her own—roamed over her body while he treated her to soft, devouring kisses that forced her to lock her knees and use the wall for support.

Putting his palms to the inside of each thigh, he urged her to widen her stance. Once he had her arranged to his liking, he stroked two fingers of one hand into her, and used two fingers of his other hand to part her.

Another throaty growl of appreciation, and he closed his mouth over her throbbing clitoris, suckling softly while rasping with his tongue.

Oh God, oh God, oh God... His hair felt cool brushing her thighs, his fingers working inside her, pressing, and he kept making those low sounds of hunger...and appreciation.

Thunder shook the floor beneath them. Wind lashed the rain against the window. The strobe effect of the lightning increased to an almost constant flash.

Locking her hands in his hair, she cried out as he drove her higher, as pleasure drew her tighter. Like a powder keg with a short fuse, she surprised herself by exploding so quickly. Denver supported her easily, and good thing because she went boneless, her tripping heart leaving her breathless and far too weak.

CHAPTER THREE

DENVER SCOOPED UP her lax body and carried her to the bed, putting her on her back and then taking a step away so he could look at her as he took off his shoes and socks, pushed down his jeans and removed his boxers. The storm raged on, matching his turbulent lust.

How she’d come, the sounds she’d made in her pleasure and the taste of her, left him primed. He’d always known they’d be scorching together; the easy way he’d just gotten her off proved it.

Now he wanted more. A lot more.

Eyes still closed, she half turned, drawing one knee up to help hide her sex while crossing her arms over her chest.

That pose just fired his blood more. She looked equal parts timid and boldly sexual.

She had the most amazing breasts, big and soft and real, trembling with her heavy, broken breaths. In her pale throat he could see her pulse still tripping.

“Let me see you.” Gently, he clasped her wrists and moved her arms to her sides. “You don’t ever need to hide from me.”

Her nipples were softer now that she’d come, her hair more tangled. She wasn’t as slim as most of the women who hung out at the rec center.

She was better.

Rounder in the right places and so damn sexy he knew it was going to be a struggle to hold back. Thinking that, he got the condom from his wallet, tossed his wallet on the nightstand and opened the rubber.

Cherry never moved.

Soaking up the sight of her, he smiled. “Girl, you didn’t fall asleep, did you?”

She shook her head, sucked in air, and whispered, “No.”

“Then how about you open those pretty eyes and look at me?”

She did, her gaze going straight to his dick. Eyes widening, she bit her lip and put a hand over her heart.

For some reason, that reaction almost made him laugh. “You’re overreacting, honey.” Coming down next to her, he promised gruffly, “I’m going to wear you out—and you’re going to love it.”

When he started to kiss her, she straight-armed him. “Can I ask you something first?”

Well, hell. He hadn’t expected all this reserve from her. Most women were excited by the size of his package.

But from the get-go, he’d known Cherry wasn’t like most women.

He smoothed back her hair, kissed her forehead. “Ask away.” Not like he had anything else to do.