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  With a deep breath, he told her, “Demitria, I promise you I will give you everything you want, everything you need, when we have time. I will not have our first time be a quickie. I need to savor you, to have you weak with pleasure. Right now, we must get up and face our day, so we may find the time we need.”

  He got off the bed and pulled her up carefully. When they were on their feet, he wrapped his body around her, his hands everywhere, suddenly desperate to touch. With one last searing kiss, he put her away from him by her shoulders.

  She glanced down and saw the evidence of his arousal. Her eyes went wide. “Nikolai, I’m happy to see I was right about you being built to scale.”

  When she licked her lips, he growled and took a step toward her. He stopped and shut his eyes. “Demitria, I am barely hanging on. Go get dressed.”

  He turned her, slapped her ass firmly, and pushed her towards the bathroom. She smiled and started to do as he’d ordered when he pulled her against his chest, his erection pressed to the small of her back.

  “You will be happy we waited. I will make sure of this.” In answer, she pushed back, rubbing her ass slowly along his cock. “Go, Demitria. Go now.”

  “I get exploration time of my own, don’t forget.” As she reached the bathroom door, she paused to look back at him over her shoulder. “You’ve tasted me so it’s only fair I get to taste you.” She smiled in anticipation and he took two steps toward her; he caught himself.

  “You are so controlled, Nikolai. I, apparently, am not. You’ll have to punish me for that.” Then she winked before entering the bathroom and closing the door softly behind her.

  Chapter Nine

  Nikolai stood in the middle of the bedroom for a long minute, working to get his breathing under control, and waiting for his erection to ease.

  It was no use.

  He gave up and stalked quickly from the suite, telling Claire he would be back.

  Barely inside the door to his room down the hall, Nikolai stripped his clothes from his body, and stepped beneath the cold water of the shower.

  It did nothing to ease his need for the woman he’d ached for, for so long.

  With a grimace, Nikolai took his cock in his fist and began to stroke. Thoughts of Demitria beneath him tightened his balls even closer to his body and he groaned.

  She wanted to taste him.

  The image of her pouty lips around his shaft, sucking him deep as she stared up at him with her stunning eyes pushed him over the edge. Deep growls left his throat as he exploded, streams of semen arcing to the floor of the shower as he fought to control his pounding heart.

  When he could breathe again, he washed his hair and body. The towel was almost too much stimulation on his hypersensitive skin. He lightly secured it at his waist while he shaved and brushed his teeth.

  He wanted her, hungered for her, as he never had for another woman. Putting her out of his mind was impossible. The thought of seeing her bare pussy, licking the smooth silk, made him iron-hard again.

  Gripping the edge of the counter, he recalled her taste. She was spiced honey, sweet and hot. He had only a small sample but knew she’d be his favorite treat from now on.

  Giving up on control, he fisted his cock again, amazed that he needed release again. He imagined licking and sucking every inch of Demitria, driving his tongue deep inside her clenching pussy so none of her sweet cream was wasted.

  He came a second time in minutes, her name on his lips.

  At last, Nikolai felt like he could handle the day ahead without embarrassing himself. He moved quickly, determined to spend as much time with her as possible.

  Fifteen minutes later, dressed in slacks and a dress shirt, he took a deep breath and returned to her suite. Claire was ready to go and she smiled broadly at him when she opened the door.

  Demitria came out of the bedroom behind her and Nikolai thought his heart might stop. Wearing a snug black skirt that fell just above her knee, a form-fitting pale blue dress shirt, and four-inch heels that wrapped around her tanned ankle…she was fantasy material.

  She carried a jacket in her hand. A smooth chignon and makeup drew the eye from the bruising she’d almost managed to cover.

  Her face lit up when she saw him and Nikolai knew he would do anything to keep this woman. To be able to see such a look on her face every day for the rest of his life.

  Nikolai told her she looked beautiful, kicking himself at the heavier accent he heard in his voice.

  Ten minutes later, they were downstairs and Tomas held the door of the limo with a smile. “You look much better, Demi.”

  “Thank you, Tomas. I feel better.”

  She settled on the cool leather and he slid in beside her. Demitria crossed her smooth legs and her foot touched his calf. Absently, she stroked him with the toe of her shoe as she talked to Claire and scrolled through her phone.

  When he reached out in a daze and ran his palm from her knee to her ankle, she sighed. She is softer than silk. He shook himself and focused on breathing. Slow and steady breaths geared to keep his hunger for her under tight rein.

  Her slim fingers wrapped around his larger hand and he seized the physical contact like a lifeline, squeezing her gently with a small exhale of relief.

  Their day was packed with activity and appointments. Fortunately, Demitria kept their interactions light to dispel the sexual tension though she didn’t move far from his side at any time.

  At the meet and greet, Nikolai watched as she spoke to the new wrestlers. Most of them were unable to focus or respond with her standing in front of them.

  Demitria’s presence, even more so than her beauty, was mesmerizing.

  He stood beside her and answered questions from the rookies when she deferred to him. She continually drew him in, involved him personally. It was something she’d been too reserved around him to do before.

  The majority of the new wrestlers were large and good looking. It was the nature of their industry. When one asked her if the rumors were true that she was dating Granite, she smiled. “No. I’m dating Nikolai, which is so much better.”

  The words made his heart feel too big for his chest.

  As the meeting ended, she wished them luck in their debuts and turned to him. Stretching up, her hand slid along the nape of his neck, and she kissed Nikolai lightly. Her thumb massaged a little circle on the side of his throat.

  It took everything he had not to deepen the kiss. After a few seconds, he let her go with a smile. When they were back in the limo, he said, “You did not leave them any hope.”

  She grinned but didn’t look up from her phone. “No, no hope at all. No one should have any hope when it comes to dating me. Ever again.”

  Nikolai’s heart pounded and a feeling of complete rightness went through him. He reached out to stroke his fingers along her cheek and she leaned into it. It seemed every cell in his body was attuned to her. The sight, the scent, the touch of this woman laid him bare.

  He broke the connection before he did whatever was necessary to mess up her sleek hair and get her out of her clothes. It was not good to distract her.

  She exhaled heavily and went back to work.

  ESPN’s affiliate reporter met them at a small bistro in downtown Tulsa. They answered questions and posed for pictures. He wanted to know plans for the company at large and each of them individually. The interview was casual and they laughed a lot.

  The questions about their personal relationship stumped Demi but Nikolai was open and honest. She couldn’t believe he’d claimed her so openly, so publicly, when thousands of women would do anything to catch him.

  Half of her worried that she was moving too fast, seizing what she’d wanted for so long without thinking it through. The other half of her told the wimpy side to shut the fuck up.

  Still, after lunch, she casually mentioned that he didn’t have to give up everything – claim her so definitively – until they saw where things went.

  Her words were playful but her reasoning w
as very serious.

  He pulled her to a stop a few yards from where Tomas waited with the car. “Demitria. Never do you lack confidence but I sense that is the reason you say this. You know me. I am not…impulsive, yes? I think carefully. I give up nothing. I gain everything.”

  Huge shoulders lifted in a shrug. “Why continue to look for the woman I want when she stands right here? You are the best. To me, you are perfect.”

  The blush that crawled from her chest to her face was so hot and he gave her a gentle smile. For the first time since the hospital, she didn’t feel like she was in the middle of a dream.

  The thought that she might be able to keep the man she’d fallen in love with made her heart pound with nervousness and excitement.

  Nikolai cupped her overly warm face in his palms and settled his lips over hers. The kiss was light but affected her from head to toe. He rested his forehead against her. “Let me belong to you, Demitria. Belong to me.”

  Her answer was in her kiss…and she made it very clear that part of her had always belonged to this man. A gentle giant who inspired her to be a better woman, to work harder, to be strong.

  Heavily muscled arms wrapped around her and he whispered something in Russian at her ear.

  “Nikolai…” There was no way she could publicly handle him talking to her in his native tongue. “Why can’t I be alone with you right now?”

  He growled and led her to the car with his hand at her low back. “Demitria, we will hurry through our day. We will have time alone soon, I hope.”

  There were two more meetings. One with the venue people and another with a local retail chain that wanted more of their merchandise to sell. They were surprised and pleased they had the chance to meet Granite and Dancer together.

  “Nikolai is invaluable to Stavos. One day, when he’s ready to stop wrestling, we’ll need his expertise in other areas of the company. I want him to know what I do, should he decide to partner with me in the field of recruiting and public relations.”

  Nikolai could only grin; he would happily be her partner in any capacity.

  Back in the limo yet again, Claire worked to rearrange their schedules. Demitria’s assistant thought she could clear time for both of them after the match that evening and through the show the next night.

  Nikolai felt his body tense, his cock going hard behind his slacks as Demi responded, “Not what I was hoping for but it will have to do.”

  “Claire will stay at the hotel with you while I head to the arena. I will be back after. I am going to see you up first,” Nikolai said when they pulled up to their hotel.

  “I’m going with you, Nikolai. I go to all the fights. I don’t remember the last time I missed one.” Her lower lip trembled and she hated the thought that he would shelter her. For just a moment, it reminded her of the men in her family. She lifted her chin. “I am not staying at the hotel.”

  Nikolai laughed and Demitria’s heart sped up.

  “Alright, Demitria. I cannot resist you.” He leaned close and held her chin between his finger and thumb. “You give me your word to rest if you feel off and be honest if you need to leave?” She nodded. “Then I will leave you at your room and grab my stuff from mine.”

  Demi showered and changed in record time. She chose a sleeveless scoop top that matched her eyes, skintight black leather pants, and black stilettos.

  She dabbed makeup along her cheek. Over the years she’d wrestled, she became very familiar with hiding bruises after fights. Adding eyeliner and lipstick, she appraised the results and was reasonably happy. She left her thick, curling blonde hair loose down her back and grabbed a short black leather jacket.

  Claire wore black slacks, a pretty green sweater, and heels. Her red hair flowed around her shoulders. When she saw Demi, she whistled. “Very vamp, Demi. Hot.”

  “Thank you, my friend.”

  Grabbing her bag, she opened the door and smiled at Nikolai waiting on the other side. His gaze roamed down her body and up again. The predatory gleam in his eyes stole her breath.

  “You look…very good, Demitria.”

  He stepped forward, raised her chin, and dropped a light kiss on her lips. His lips were both firm and soft at the same time and he smelled like the forest and clean aftershave. His hand under her chin was so warm. She leaned into him as his lips moved along her cheek to her ear.

  “Good enough to eat.” Need rocketed through her body.

  Claire politely cleared her throat and Demi turned. “Claire, there you are. Time to go.”

  She looped her arm through Nikolai’s and he carried his gear bag on the other side. Before they headed down the hallway, she caught him checking out her breasts. A quick glance confirmed that her nipples were furled tightly, obvious behind the thin cashmere of her top.

  Nikolai slipped his fingers around hers and squeezed, smiling when she did the same.

  Chapter Ten

  The wrestlers’ entrance at the arena was mobbed with fans and reporters. The limo pulled up and when Tomas opened the door, Nikolai stepped out, helping first Claire then Demitria out. The fans went crazy over them, randomly yelling and clapping.

  “That’s it, Demi! Rock that hot body…you go girl! Marry me and have my babies! I’ll have your babies! Demi, please come home with me. I will worship you!”

  The women screaming and flashing Nikolai were far worse. “Granite, this body is all yours! I give head! I’ll do anything you want…anything! Me and my friend will rock your world! There’s enough of you for our entire sorority!”

  The last one had Demitria laughing loudly and she called out, “I think you underestimate him, honey!” Nikolai looked down at her in shock. Neither of them slowed but she went up on her tiptoes and he leaned to kiss her lips.

  The crowd was silent for a heartbeat and then they started screaming. “You give it to him, honey, make him work for it!” “Dude, you are totally my idol!”

  By the time they ducked into the passageway leading to the locker room, they were hysterical and Claire shook her head. Demi moved to pass him with a pat on his ass and told him to hurry.

  He didn’t let go of her hand.

  Nikolai dropped his bag and pulled Demitria to him. By the time her bag touched the floor, his huge hands cautiously splayed over her upper and lower back and his mouth was on hers. She nibbled his lower lip and he opened for her.

  Then their tongues were sliding along one another and Demi couldn’t breathe from the sensations flooding her. Her hands went up around his neck, her fingers in his hair. He pulled her closer to him and she felt his erection, moaning and nudging into him.

  He broke the kiss, his forehead against hers. “Okay, okay. I need to catch my breath because I have to go fight and I cannot do that with a hard cock.” He looked at her kiss-swollen lips and lust-glazed eyes and groaned. “I would like one more…no, no more kissing. Come, Demitria.”

  His fingers flexed against her back and then he grabbed their bags. When he turned back, his eyes focused on her chest and she realized her nipples were hard again. She gave a half smile and a little shrug.

  Nikolai flexed his head on his shoulders to relieve the tension. “Woman, my God.”

  They moved quickly down the hall, arriving just in time for the pre-show meeting. Her family stood at the front of the room and they looked her over carefully. She glared at her brothers and they glanced away. Claire and her mother huddled together and giggled like co-conspirators.

  She patted Nikolai’s arm and walked up to join them as the oldest wrestler in their company stood up and cleared his throat.

  Silas, known professionally as Shredder, had been one of her favorite people on the planet since she was little. Originally from a place in Louisiana too small for a formal name, he’d introduced himself to her father after a performance when he was barely eighteen.

  He was covered in scars and the public usually thought his backstory was a marketing ploy. Every word of his swamp rat past and wrestling gators was true. He was one of
the kindest men she’d ever known.

  “I’d like to say somethin’ y’all. Demi, I’ve known you since you was no bigger than a grasshopper. That mother…excuse me…that piece of crap that dared to cold cock you just ‘cause you whipped his ass in the ring…excuse me ma’am…well, Nikki was right to beat him bloody.”

  The big man cleared his throat again and Demi saw Claire nod at him encouragingly.

  Silas blushed and continued. “I wish I’d been there to see it but ESPN been playin’ the footage since yesterday and I had my housekeeper record it on the DVR. Anyway, glad you’re all right and I hope I meet that son of a…guy around some day.”

  “Thanks, Silas. So much. I’m good, guys. Just a rattle of the noggin.”

  The room clapped and she turned away so no one would see her tearing up. Her father said a few words about their next bouts back home. Then she and Oscar gave them the lineup for the night.

  Matches like tonight were held against rival companies who often tried to lure away their well-trained fighters. Tonight they were facing Excess Entertainment, who had one or two fighters with enough muscle to bring a true fight.

  Nikolai, as the number one fighter for Stavos was taking on Luke Logan, who currently held the number one place on the Excess Entertainment roster. Shredder, as the most seasoned, would face Bear.

  They had no female matches tonight since their champion had busted a rib the week before. They had a hot girl band who’d been touring nearby to play during intermissions.

  Everyone filed out with a wave and Demi smiled when Nikolai winked at her.

  Her brothers scuttled around her with questions firing. She held up her hand to stop them before they had a chance to get started.

  “Not. This. Time. You are not going to ruin this for me or interfere. I really like him; I have for a long time actually. More than like, I…never mind.”

  Demi cleared her throat and started again, more calmly.

  “Do not get involved. It will either work or it won’t but if it fails, it will be because we don’t suit, not because my family decided to put their two cents in. Don’t threaten. Don’t stalk us. Are we clear? Promise. I want your word.”