I did and our gazes locked. She slowly sank down onto me, that wet heat so tight that she couldn't move fast. My body pulsed, as if everything was radiating out from where we were joining, and my hands flexed on her back. Sweat poured off of both of us and I could feel her muscles trembling with the effort of how slowly she was going. When she finally stopped, she rested her forehead on my shoulder, clinging to me as her body adjusted to the width of me inside her. God, she felt so good, so wet and so tight. My own breathing was ragged and it was all I could do to fight my natural urge to thrust, to find the release I could feel hovering just out of reach.

"Fuck me." Her mouth moved against my skin, and I could feel the warm pants of her breath against it as she spoke.

This is what I'd been dreaming of; kissing her, feeling her skin on mine, feeling her wet pussy wrapped around my cock. I couldn't wait anymore. I flipped us over so she was on her back again and I began to move. She raised her hips to meet mine, driving me deeper and harder. We didn't speak. The only sounds in the room were of our bodies coming together again and again, and the cries of pleasure that were shouted out and bounced off the walls.

She came first, but just barely before me. Even as her body went rigid, clamping down on me, I surrendered to the feeling and the last shred of control I'd been holding onto. I heard her say my name as my hips jerked one last time. Her name was ground out in a deep, satisfied growl, and everything went white for one moment of blinding pleasure.

I rolled onto my back so I didn't crush her and turned my head to look at her. She looked down at her shirt and then turned towards me.

Her eyes danced with a humorous gaze, and she said, "You couldn't have waited a couple seconds for me to take this off the normal way?" She still sounded breathless, and that made my cock twitch again.

I grinned. "Not really."

I propped myself up on my side and reached over to cup one of her breasts. She made a sound that made me wonder if we could get in a second round soon. I brushed my thumb over her still hard nipple.

"Patience isn't really one of my virtues," I said. "Especially when it comes to you."

She smiled and rolled onto her side so we were facing each other. "Do you have to go back to the gym to finish training?"

I glanced at the clock. Seven p.m. I probably should make up for what I missed, but I didn't want to. "I think I've have enough of a workout for today."

I sat up. "Why don't we get some dinner? I know a great sushi place around the corner."

Dani sat up as well, then looked at her shirt and pulled it off. My cock gave another interested twitch at the way her movement made her breasts sway. Damn. She definitely had a hold on me. She fixed her bra and then started looking for her pants.

"That sounds good, but I need to go grab a shirt." She frowned as she pulled on her panties and jeans. "And I really need a shower. I probably look disgusting."

I stood and took her face between my hands. "You look beautiful." I kissed the tip of her nose and got the smile I'd been aiming for.

As I dressed, I could feel her eyes on me. I was used to people watching me, and women staring at me was nothing new. Normally, I ignored it, and sometimes it annoyed me, but I liked the way Dani was watching me. She was staking her claim, marking her territory, no doubt imagining what else she wanted to do with me after dinner.

I gave my head a little shake to clear it. If I kept thinking like that, we were never going to make it out of the bedroom, and I really did need to get something to eat. I had a feeling Dani hadn't eaten today, so she needed food, too. There'd be plenty of time for sex later and I had a few ideas about what I could do with my chopsticks after we ate.

"Should we stash the money somewhere before we go?" I asked as I smoothed down my shirt.

"Good idea," she said.

Under my kitchen sink was a loose panel. It was perfect. Dani handed me the plastic bag with the cash and I shoved it inside, and then slid the panel back into place.

"Safe for now," I said as I stood up. I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her to me. I kissed her softly and we stood there for a moment, just soaking in the warm feeling of being in each other's arms again. I didn't want to ever let her go again like I did. No matter what I had to face with Bruno, or the fight or just anything, I knew I didn't want to face it without Dani. I took a step back and gazed at her beautiful face one more time, finding it hard to believe what a lucky son of a bitch I was that she came to New York and found me. Then, with a smile, I said, "How about that food now?"

Chapter Fifteen.

Dani I'd wanted to stay in bed with him last night. Snuggle back against him and know I was there; not because I'd fallen asleep after great sex, but because we both wanted to fall asleep with our arms around each other. There was something so much more intimate about sleeping together literally sleeping together than just having sex. And that was why I hadn't done it. I really cared about Luke, he really had a hold on my heart and I didn't want to screw things up by rushing into a relationship. This was the last thing he needed right now. He needed to stay focused on training for his upcoming fight and resolving this whole stupid Bruno situation. I just wanted to be with him, although I knew that what I wanted wasn't always best. Not right now, anyway.

So, I woke up in Lacey's bed, staring up at elegantly-painted butterflies on her sky-blue ceiling. I'd slept in Luke's over-sized t-shirt and shorts because I'd felt weird about wearing my usual camisole and panties in a kid's bed. I'd showered the night before when we'd gotten back from the restaurant, so all I needed to do this morning was head out to the kitchen where I could smell something wonderful cooking. I didn't change clothes, but I did take the time to dart across to the bathroom to make sure I didn't have bed head hair.

Luke's apartment had a kitchen that opened into the living area, so when I walked out, I immediately saw Luke standing at the stove, cooking. I paused for a moment on the other side of the kitchen bar to just stand and admire him. He was wearing a pair of black nylon athletic shorts, but nothing else. Even his feet were bare. From where I stood, I could see the dark tattoo with the two dragon heads on his back rippling as the muscles under it contracted and expanded. The black color of his shorts complemented the ink in the tattoo, making the whole scene before my eyes a seductive invitation to run my tongue over every inch of his exposed skin. My face flushed as I pushed the thought out of my mind and walked forward. No longer totally distracted by his delicious body, I saw an empty egg carton sitting on the counter next to him.

"Eggs?"

He jumped and a few pieces of scrambled eggs flew into the air. "You startled me."

I grinned. "I have that effect on men."

He turned the fire down, stirred the eggs, then turned towards me. I didn't move, unsure how I was supposed to greet him. I'd had awkward 'morning after' moments before, but this was different because it wasn't like I was just trying to decide how and when to leave. Fortunately, I didn't have to decide. He crossed the distance between us and wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me towards him.

I put my hands out as our bodies collided and shivered as my palms came in contact with his rock-hard chest.

"Dani." His voice was husky as he said my name.

I looked up just as he was lowering his head and his lips came down on mine. I slid my tongue into his mouth as one of his hands made its way under my shirt. His skin burned against mine as he ran his hand up and down the length of my spine. I could feel him hardening against my stomach and my body throbbed in anticipation. Then he was breaking the kiss and stepping back from me.

"I really like how you look in my clothes," he said, a bit breathlessly.

"Yeah, I got that." I sounded like I'd been running a marathon myself.

He moved back to the stove. "Could you get a couple plates from the cupboard?" he asked, pointing at the one closest to where I was standing.

I did as he asked, disappointed that we hadn't gone any further. Being in the same apartment, let alone the same room, with a guy as handsome-and not to mention, ripped-as Luke was hard to resist. But this wasn't some sex vacation. He had a fight coming up and needed to prepare. Still, the idea of a sex vacation played delightfully through my head as I stood holding the cupboard door open.

"Earth to Dani."

Luke's voice brought me back and my face burned with the thoughts that had been going through my mind.

"What were you thinking about?" He sounded honestly curious.

"Sex vacation," I mumbled, staring at my feet.

"What?"

I closed the cupboard and turned back to face him. "Sex vacation." The words came blurting out as I spoke a little louder so he could hear me.

I expected a laugh but there was nothing. I looked up and saw that Luke was staring at me, a horrified expression on his face.

"You mean, like..." He seemed to be having a hard time getting the words out. "A vacation from sex?"

Now I laughed. "Hell, no. I was thinking more along the lines of a vacation of nothing but sex."

Luke reached out and grabbed the front of my shirt and yanked me towards him, nearly making me drop the plates. His mouth was hard against mine, demanding, and though brief, the kiss left me gasping for air.

"Dammit, Dani," he growled. "How the hell am I supposed to keep from burning the eggs when you say things like that?"

I laughed again, and this time it was me who broke the embrace. I'd come here to save Luke and Lacey. That couldn't happen if I kept letting us get distracted, no matter how much I wanted to.

In an effort to change the subject, I shot a glance over to the pan on the stove and said, "That's a lot of eggs."

Luke let out a slow breath and then went with me on it. "I'm on a strict protein diet."

He put a couple spoonfuls of eggs onto my plate and then dumped the rest onto his. I wasn't about to argue, if that's what it took to get a body like his. I followed him to the table, still mesmerized by that twitching tattoo.

"Got any idea what you're going to do today while I'm training?" Luke asked before taking a huge bite of his food.

"First thing I'm going to do is go shopping," I said. "Otherwise, one more night like last night and I'm either going to have to wear all your shirts or walk around in just my bra."

His eyes darkened. "I wouldn't mind coming home to that."

"I'll keep that in mind," I teased. "But, seriously, I need some clothes. I only brought a single change." I looked down at the eggs. "And I'm getting some groceries. Can't live on eggs alone." I took a bite. He was a better cook than Emma. At least as far as eggs were concerned.

We traded more small talk between eating and then it was time for him to go. He stood there for a moment by the door, his bag in hand, as if he wasn't sure what to do, then he gave me a quick kiss and headed out. I waited for a moment, struck by just how surreal this whole thing was, and then headed back to Lacey's bedroom to change into my own clothes. I meant what I'd told Luke about shopping, but there was one thing I had to do before that.

Once I was in my jeans and one of the cute tops I'd bought in Summerville, I sat down on the couch and made the call.

"Grammy?" My stomach was in knots, not knowing how she was going to respond to my long, unexplained absence.

"Dani, sweetheart." Her voice was as kind as always. "I've missed you."

"I missed you too, Grammy," I said. The lump in my throat was making it difficult to talk. "I'm back in town now, so I'll be coming by to see you soon."

"Did your friends find you?"

I froze. "Friends?" My lips were so numb that I could barely get the word out.

"Last week, two very nice gentlemen in fancy dark suits came to see me and asked if I knew where you were. They said they were friends of yours, helping you with a problem."

"What did you tell them?" I fought down the panic that wanted to explode inside me. They had to be Bruno's people, and if they found my grandmother, that meant they knew my name, and maybe what I looked like.

"Oh, just that you were out of town and I had no idea when you'd be back."

"Did you show them a picture of me?"

"Why would I do that?" Grammy sounded puzzled at first, and then her voice changed. "Dani, is this about the money?"

"What money?" My heart leaped into my throat.

"I'm not stupid." Now she sounded like the woman who'd raised me when I'd tried to pull one over on her, which hadn't been often. "The money for my treatments. I know they're expensive and I appreciate you paying for them. I'm feeling much better, but I don't want you to get into trouble because of me."

I closed my eyes and prayed that I'd be able to keep my voice steady. "Don't worry, Grammy. It's nothing I can't handle. Everything is fine."

"Daniella Carrington, don't lie to me."

"I'm not lying," I said. "Everything's fine. I just wanted to call and let you know that I was back and that I'll be stopping by in a few days."

"And if your friends come back?"

Dammit. I couldn't tell her the whole truth, but I also didn't want them to know I was back in the city. If they figured out I was with Luke, we were both dead. My silence must've been answer enough because she didn't wait for me to say anything.

"I'll say I haven't heard from you."

"Thanks..." The air in my lungs deflated as the word came out like a slow dying balloon. I hated that the consequences of my actions had reached even her. First Luke, then Lacey and now my grandma. The guilt felt like bricks on my shoulders and I didn't know how I was going to make it. Three more weeks, just three of the longest weeks of my life until Luke would fight Bruno's new fighter, The Butcher from Seville. Shit. With a name like that, well let's just say, the knot in my stomach pulled even tighter. All I wanted was for this to be done and over with so I could get away from the city and maybe then Bruno would leave my grandmother in peace. Even men like him had lines they wouldn't cross, right?

"I love you, Dani," she said.

"I love you, too." I ended the call and sat there for a moment, my eyes closed, head bowed. I wished I'd never taken that damn money. But, I thought, if I hadn't, my Grammy would still be in pain and I'd have never met Emma or Michelle...or Luke. I sighed. What was done was done. I couldn't change it, but I could make sure no one got hurt because of my actions. Now I just needed to figure out how.

I stared at my small leather purse sitting on the coffee table in front of me. I picked it up and slipped my cell phone into it. It was just large enough to fit a few small items like a phone and a small comb. It had a long thin strap made to wear across your body and I liked traveling light. I was not the oversized bag type of girl like many of my friends. There, sitting next to my purse, was the spare key Luke had left for me to use. I tucked it into an inside pocket of the purse and went to the loose floorboard to retrieve some money. I pocketed five hundred dollars, telling myself that my new wardrobe didn't need to be cheap, and then headed downstairs.

As I left the apartment building, I noticed there were two young men standing on a nearby corner. I could feel their eyes on me, looking me over, sizing me up, so I decided to project confidence as I walked towards the subway. I hadn't exactly grown up in the best neighborhood, and I knew how guys like them worked. They were watching for a sign of weakness, and those two definitely made me uneasy. I walked faster, stretching out my strides as I went, and then heard footsteps behind me. A quick glance over my shoulder confirmed that the two men were following me. I shoved my hand into my pocket and picked up the pace until I was moving at a light jog.

As I rounded the corner to enter the subway, a woman stepped out in front of me. I skidded to a stop, nearly falling as I bumped into her. I apologized as I broke into a run, ignoring the curses she threw after me. I slapped my card on the turnstile and bruised my hip pushing through, but I didn't let that slow me down. The doors were just starting to close on the car when I managed to slip between them. If I'd been a second slower or a little heavier, I never would've made it.

The pair behind me didn't.

I watched them through the window as they threw their hands in the air and gestured angrily at the car pulling away from them. I sank down in the first empty seat I found. They could've just been two guys trying to make the train and angry that they'd missed it, but somehow, I didn't think that was the case. A man like Bruno protected his investments. I was sure he had people watching Luke's apartment to make sure he didn't skip town.

Now I understood why Luke hadn't wanted me to come back to New York. One little slip and they'd realize I was the one who'd taken off with their money. I rubbed my temples as the dull throb of a headache started to form. It hadn't been the smartest idea to come.

As I sat there, I reflected on everything that had happened from the time I'd arrived yesterday. The way I'd felt when I first saw Luke at the gym. Holding his hand. The toe-curling sex we'd had. Seeing him in the kitchen cooking. Joking with him over breakfast. Knowing that I'd see him again tonight.

No, I thought. I couldn't spend my whole life afraid. I couldn't allow fear to keep me shackled to a life of hiding because of possible consequences. Sometimes in life you just have to take a risk, go out on a limb, roll the dice...whatever, just do something. Make a move, because if not, then nothing would happen, neither the bad nor the good. And I wasn't willing to give up the good because I was scared of the bad. In my heart, I knew that Luke was worth all of the risk.

Chapter Sixteen.

Luke Pain exploded across the side of my face, and mixed with the pain signals that my body was still processing from the blow to the kidney just a few seconds ago. My head snapped back and everything started to go gray. I sat down on the mat, hard, and I dimly heard Joe call off my sparring partner.

My vision was swimming as I fought off unconsciousness. A right hook square on the jaw was bad enough. If I passed out, Joe was going to give me hell. Joe. I focused on him as he came towards me. He'd been training me since moment one. Back in 1978, he'd coached a guy who'd made it to the Olympics and that was still his claim to fame. Sometimes I wondered if he'd thought I'd be his next golden boy.

"What the fuck is the matter with you, Luke?" His Italian accent had thickened, which was never a good sign. It meant he was pissed. "Did you get laid last night or something?"

I didn't meet his eyes and hoped he'd chalk that up to the blow. I knew the rules. No sex this close to a fight. If Joe only knew. My reactions were off. I should've bobbed and weaved and his fist would have missed my face but I'd been thinking about how hot Dani had looked wearing my t-shirt and shorts this morning, how I'd wanted to fuck her right there in the kitchen...damn. Joe would go ballistic if he ever found out.

"You're not focusing at all. In fact, your focus is shit. My grandmother would do better than you, and she's dead."

I looked up at him. My face throbbed and there was a jackhammering pounding in my head, but at least the guy hadn't knocked me out. I spit my mouth guard out into my sparring glove, still winded from my round. "Sorry, Coach," I said. "I'll do better. I got a lot going on right now."

"Fuck that." He grabbed my arm and pulled me to my feet. He might've been old, but he was still strong. "You have one thing to focus on for the next three weeks. This fucking match. If you don't, you're up shit creek without a paddle."