Dani We needed to be sitting with our elbows resting on a white linen table cloth, gazing into each other's eyes over a fabulous dinner. After everything that had happened, a celebration was in order. Luke didn't have everything he wanted just yet. He didn't have his daughter back, and that was eating at him for sure, although he struggled to keep those dark thoughts at bay. It affected his entire demeanor, but his spirits were lifted when he got the word that he would be fighting professionally again. I could tell how much he'd missed it just by the way his eyes lit up when he talked about getting back in the ring.

As soon as he'd told me what the judge had said, I'd insisted that the two of us go out to a fancy restaurant. We'd eaten out almost every night mostly because our culinary skills were limited to slightly charred chicken and scrambled eggs but it had been fast food or just one step above. Tonight, we were dining at a place that required a jacket and tie, and we were splurging on wine and the kind of meal that was loaded with cream-infused sauces and butter, lots of buttercooked into and spread on top ofeverything. Anything that wasn't really good for us, I was about to indulge in it. Although Luke was starting training again tomorrow and Coach had already laid down the law about drinking.

"Joe's already contacting smaller venues all around the East Coast to try to lock in as many fights as possible," Luke explained. The waiter placed a cloth-covered basket of bread between us and a shadow passed across Luke's eyes. "You know, just in case."

I reached across the table and put my hand on his. I knew what he meant. If everything went the way we wanted it to, these fights would help Luke climb up through the professional ranks quickly. If things went south, he'd at least have made the most of it and earned as much money as possible.

"Don't think like that," I said firmly. "You're the best at what you do, Luke. You'll knock 'em all dead in the ring-well, not literally-but hon, it won't be your last ones as a professional. It's the beginning, not the end."

He smiled that endearing smile that made my stomach do a flip. It was as intimate as a kiss and it was meant just for me. Luke turned his hand so that he could lace our fingers together. It made eating awkward for him, but since he'd been practicing fighting as a southpaw, I didn't think it would be hard for me to try it.

"I stopped at the doctor and he gave me the go ahead to train as long as I don't do any sparring for at least another week. He said the exercise will be good for my knee, but he wants me to be careful."

"He's not the only one," I said, squeezing his hand. I'd known he'd been hurt worse than he'd admitted when he'd faced The Butcher, but I hadn't realized how devastating another injury would've been until I'd overheard him saying something to Joe about how a kick could've crippled him. That had been the first time he'd ever seen me truly upset.

"I will be," he winked. "I'll go easy on the knee. No dancing or kneeling."

I jerked back with a tug on his arm. "Stop it. You're teasing me."

I smiled; glad to see his lighthearted playfulness back in the atmosphere.

"Oh, so no getting down on your knees to pray for a good fight?"

"I'm not Catholic."

"No dancing? Twisting action? Drop it to the ground?"

"Nope. Coach won't allow it."

"How about on your knees for doggy style?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Coach won't...we'll work around that one."

Luke took my hand in both of his as we both laughed and with renewed sincerity, he said, "Look, Dani, I see what you're doing here and I appreciate it. I love you for it, I do, but..." He leaned forward and said, "This isn't just one fight for everything. I have to look towards the future."

I bit my lip and my eyes darted down to his large, strong hands covering mine. They felt so warm and my hand was dwarfed in comparison, but I loved how it made me feel. I wanted to ask if that future had me in it, but I didn't. Things were going good between us. I didn't need to push, not right now.

"Joe thinks I can be back in the ring in two weeks."

"That soon?" I was surprised.

"I'm still in great shape from before the fight, except for the injury."

I could attest to that statement. Luke had been muscular when we'd first met, but now his torso was exquisitely defined...I'd spent more than a couple hours running my fingers and tongue over those abs. I had to admit, I didn't mind that part of his training.

Still, I had a question. "I think this is great, Luke, but..."

"But what?"

"How are you going to manage training, fights and looking for Bruno at the same time?"

His steel blue eyes twinkled and he grinned. "That's the best part. I'm doing double duty."

As his words soaked in, I gave him a puzzled look.

Luke leaned forward and in a lowered voice continued. "I'm positive that if Bruno's still on the East Coast, he'll have a hard time staying away from matches. It's in his blood. If he sees it's me fighting, I'm hoping that will make it harder. It's a sure bet that sleazebag will show up for at least one of them. I'm already planning on paying the bouncers to keep an eye out for him and let me know if they spot him."

My stomach clenched at the thought of how that would play out. I knew the judge had told Luke that he wasn't supposed to actually go after Bruno, but it would take an act of God for Luke to just walk away after seeing the man who'd kidnapped his daughter. Hell, I couldn't have done it.

"Hey." Luke must've sensed my tension. He raised our hands and brushed his lips across my knuckles. "I'm not going to do anything stupid. It'll be okay."

Suddenly, the room seemed so small. I felt trapped by the choices I'd made months ago back at the Greymore Hotel. Taking that money seemed so innocuous at the time, but now, look where it had gotten me. I loved Luke and I desperately wanted him in my future. I couldn't picture a life without him. I gave him a weak smile in agreement and took a breath. I didn't want to think about the future right now. I just wanted to enjoy our celebration. And I didn't want to do it here anymore. The food was amazing, but there was something I was craving much more.

I leaned in and gave him a soft kiss on the lips. Then, in a lowered voice, I said, "How about we continue this celebration at home in bed?"

Luke's fingers tightened around mine and he pulled me even closer. I could feel the heat of his breath on my ear as he said, "You don't have to say that twice." He pulled back and raised his free hand to signal the waiter that we wanted the bill.

In less than ten minutes, we were in a cab, our bodies pressed together in the backseat. Luke's arms were around my waist, one hand on that place halfway between my hip and my ass. My arms were under his jacket, my hands running up and down his muscular back. My fingers itched to trace the ink that covered his skin. Luke pressed his lips against the side of my neck and I sighed. A low chuckle rolled out of his throat as he kissed his way up to my earlobe, grazing his teeth across it.

"You two newlyweds?" The cab driver's voice interrupted the haze.

I blushed, shaking my head. I couldn't look at Luke as he answered, "We're not married."

"Does that mean she's fair game?" Well, that was awkward. Although the cabbie's tone was joking, I felt Luke's muscles tense. Then it just got worse. "I'm willing to share, too. I got no problem with a threesome."

My face burned and I buried it against Luke's chest. The old cab driver was laughing and saying something about how he always joked with his fares. Yeah, probably in his day sexual jokes about women were tolerated, but obviously he didn't know who he was talking to. You don't joke like that about Luke's girl. Not with a guy like Luke. His coolness was evidence that he was not amused. His entire body was tight and although I couldn't see his face, I could tell that he was clenching his jaw. I just prayed he wouldn't do anything stupid over a lewd comment. That was the last thing we needed right now.

Fortunately, we weren't far from the apartment and made it the last block without incident. Luke handed the cabbie the money without a word, grabbed my hand and we headed up the stairs. I really hoped he wouldn't keep fuming about it. I didn't want to have to deal with diffusing a situation rather than having mind-blowing sex.

"You know," I joked as we entered the apartment. "If that cabbie had been twenty years younger, I might've wanted to take him up on his offer."

"Is that so?" Luke growled as he grabbed me around my waist and pulled me against him.

Luke's mouth came down on mine, hard and hot. He pulled back, his eyes blazing and his lips open and wet from the kiss. His hand reached up, releasing the hair clip that held my hair up, and my curls tumbled down around my shoulders. The sight of it spurred him on and he thrust his tongue between my lips as his fingers twisted and tangled in my hair. He was claiming me, letting me know in no undeniable terms that I was his. I made a sound in the back of my throat and his teeth took hold of my bottom lip, working at it until it began to throb in time with my entire body and I slide deeper into his embrace.

His voice was as rough as his kiss had been. "I'm not sharing you with anyone." His fingers still in my hair, he gave a commanding tug and my head tipped back.

The tone in his voice and the pull on my hair made a different kind of heat bloom in my belly. It was the kind of arousal that came with understanding that the possessiveness of a lover wasn't borne of a need to own or dominate in a negative way, but rather the sort of emotion that drove people to eventually pledge themselves to each other until death. I loved that I could hear that in Luke's voice, but the insecurity that had been nagging me since he'd told me he was going to go back in the ring again reared its ugly head.

I chuckled in a way that would cover my true anxiety and did the usual and swallowed it down. I didn't want that to ruin our intimate time together. I leaned my forhead against his and said, "I don't want to share you, either, but..." I traced my finger across his full lower lip. "It's harder for me. Pretty soon, there'll be hundreds of screaming fans calling your name, bouncing their big boobs as they shout out their phone numbers from their seats. I can see it now. They'll reach out desperate hands as you walk past, just to touch your sweaty skin and have a taste of Luke, The Renegade. They all want you and even there, right there from ringside, they'll already be fantasizing what they want to do to...this." My hands ran down his lapels and inside to the front of his shirt.

"Oh, really?" he teased. "And what exactly will they be fantasizing about?"

I pushed my hip against the growing bulge at the front of his slacks and he let out a small moan. "Your naked body in their bed." I trailed my hands across his chest and pushed his jacket from his shoulders.

"Too bad for them ," he said. "Because only one person gets to see me my sweaty nakedness." He gave me a deadpan face. "Coach."

I laughed at that, abruptly stopping when Luke's hands slid down my back to my ass and squeezed.

"You have nothing to worry about," he said seriously. "There's only one woman I want." He dropped to his knees and my eyes widened. "And I intend to show you just how much."

His hands slid up my legs, moving under my dress as he reached my thighs, and it was only then that I realized what he planned to do.

"Fuck," I whispered, my eyes locking with his.

Luke's fingers hooked the elastic of my panties and slowly drew them down. He didn't break our gaze, not even when I put my hand on his shoulders for balance as he helped me step out of my panties. He tossed them aside and pushed my dress up far enough for him to get where he wanted to go. I had worn the same sexy green dress that I'd bought to wear for him when I came to New York. Besides being low cut on top, it was made of a stretchy fabric that allowed for easy access as I stepped my feet apart for him.

His fingers dug into my hips, making little dimples in the fabric as he held me in place. My breath hitched as I anticipated the delicious touch of his mouth as he pressed it against me. He ran his tongue along the length of me, flat broad strokes, then short, quick ones. I put my hands on his head, loving the feel of his soft hair between my fingers. There was no need to maneuver him or guide his face closer like I'd had to do with other boyfriends when they'd gone down on me, though none had ever done it like this. Luke knew every place to touch, how to tease every nerve until I was whimpering, begging him to let me come.

"Please, please, please." My knees shook as wave after wave of pleasure washed through me, each one bigger than the last, bearing the promise of reaching a crest soon.

When Luke slid a finger inside me, I moaned. He crooked it, rubbing against that spot on my wall and I came instantly, my body tightening around him. My legs buckled as he thrust into me again, this time with two fingers, drawing out my orgasm until I couldn't stand. He caught me as I fell, standing even as my body went down. One strong arm wrapped around my waist even as he pushed his fingers all the way into my pussy.

"Fuck!" My head fell forward against his shoulder. The heel of his hand pressed against my clit and I shuddered.

"Do you believe me?" he whispered fiercely against my ear.

For a moment, my befuddled brain wasn't sure what he was asking but I would've agreed to pretty much anything as long as he kept those two long fingers moving inside me. Then I remembered and nodded. I did believe him. I hadn't doubted, not really, but as my second climax crashed into me, the last of my anxiety dissipated.

A protesting whimper escaped me as he removed his hand from between my legs and got me more or less on my feet. My eyes were still half-closed and I swayed as he released me. I barely registered him pulling my dress over my head. With this one I didn't need to wear a bra, so it was short work until I was standing in front of Luke nearly naked, moist and wet, with nipples peaked and hardened. Then my body registered the cool air and I focused. The only thing I was wearing now were my black, thigh-high stockings. He was stripping, too, dropping his shirt on my clothes and then tugging off his pants and boxer briefs.

I ran my gaze slowly down his body, appreciating every beautiful inch. I didn't need him to turn to know what that tight ass looked like, or the intricate details of the tattoo that covered the top part of his back. My stomach tightened, almost painfully. I wanted him. I held out my hand. He took it and used it to pull me to him.

"I'd like to take you right here, hard and fast," he said. "But I want to take my time." He scooped me up in his arms and we headed down the hall towards the bedroom.

I kissed my way across his neck as he walked, stopping at the pulsepoint in his throat to nip at it, earning a growl. I laughed as he dropped me on the bed, but the sound caught in my throat when he pressed himself down on me, his naked body flush against mine. Luke's eyes burned into mine and he reached down, grabbing my wrists and pulling my arms above my head. My fingers brushed against the headboard.

"Hold on." His mouth hovered over mine, not touching. "Don't let go."

I nodded, wrapping my fingers around the smooth wood. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach, fueling my desire. Luke's lips captured mine and I closed my eyes as he slid his tongue into my mouth, thoroughly exploring every inch of it. His hands moved over my body, setting my skin on fire, and I pushed my hips up against him. He was hard against my stomach and I made a sound, frustrated that I couldn't get him where I wanted him, where I needed him.

Luke's soft lips moved from my mouth to my jaw and I tilted my head back. Each wet, open-mouthed kiss on my throat sent a shiver through me. At the place where my neck met my shoulder, he paused, pulling the skin into his mouth. One hand found my breast and his fingers began to tug on my nipple, his movements in time with the suction of his mouth, pulling pleasure up through my body until everything was focused on those two points.

I needed to touch him. I let go of the headboard, wanting to run my fingers through his hair, over the dragons on his back.

"No." Luke spoke quietly, but firmly. "Don't let go."

I didn't even think about it. I obeyed, resuming my position. Luke ran his teeth over the spot he'd been sucking and I didn't need a mirror to know that he'd left a mark on me. His fingers tightened on my nipple and I cried out, arching my back. The jolt of pleasure that ran through me was almost painful.

"Mine," he whispered against my ear before moving down my body.

I cried out as his mouth covered my nipple, sucking hard and fast until I was writhing against him. He switched to the other, the cool air on my wet skin making my flesh harden even more. He bit down, hard enough to make me jump, but not so much that it overrode the pleasure.

"Mine," he repeated. His hand slid down between my legs and ran a finger between my lips. "Mine." He raised his head to look at me, his eyes the deepest shade of blue I'd ever seen them turn. "I don't share."

I nodded mutely, my mouth suddenly dry.

With one deft move, Luke hooked an arm under my right leg, opening me wide for him. My grip on the headboard tightened as the head of his cock entered me. I waited for him to enter me, bracing for that initial penetration that sent a hot zing through my body, a unique kind of rush I always got when that sensitive tissue stretched with his width to be deliciously filled with him. No matter how many times he'd entered me, that initial thrust always had a pop to it that matched no other. It rode that edge so perfectly that I'd actually come before with just that one thrust. This time, however, Luke had said he wanted to take his time and he did. He didn't push forward, though I was aching for him to fill me. Instead, he pulled my other leg up over his arm. I watched as he slowly moved my legs up until they were straight along his chest, my heels at his shoulders. Even with just the tip of him inside me, I could feel the difference.

Fuck, this was going to be tight.

Luke turned his head, pressing his lips against the side of my foot, and then he slowly moved forward.

"Shit!" My entire body shuddered as he inched his way inside. My eyelids fluttered as his cock rubbed against every sensitive cell. This was beyond full; this was two bodies melding into one.

When he finally bottomed out, my knuckles were white and the muscles in my arms were starting to ache, but all of that just added to the intensity of what I was feeling. He drew back just as slowly before repeating the process. After three strokes, I was sure he was going to kill me. My mind was screaming, "No more slow!" After five, I began to beg.

"Please, fuck me, Luke. Please. Just fuck me..." The last couple words just trailed off into an undistinguishable gurgling rumble in the back of my throat. I couldn't hold out much longer. The pressure inside me was at a tipping point and if I didn't get release soon, I was going to explode, and not in the good way.

Luke leaned forward, pushing my legs back towards my chest until the muscles in my thighs started to burn. I sucked in air and he eased back enough until I could bear it. Luke's hands ran down my legs to my hips and he held them tight. The moment he slid out of me, I could see the change on his face. We were done with slow, and that was fine with me.

Luke snapped his hips forward and I shouted his name, followed by a long train of expletives which involved Jesusand a few choice variations of the F-wordcreating a blasphemous image of the bearded holy man doing the dirty deed. Luke was deep, so deep, and when he did it again, the head of his cock hit my g-spot at just the right angle and I saw sparks. He drove into me hard and fast now, each thrust causing the air to rush from my lungs and leaving me gasping I couldn't breathe, couldn't think. My brain was so scrambled that I didn't even know I was close to climax until it hit me with enough force to make me scream. Or, at least, try to scream. I didn't have enough air to make a sound.

I heard Luke swear as I tightened around him and his rhythm faltered. I was still riding the waves of pleasure when he came with a groan, burying himself as deep inside me as possible. He released my legs, letting them fall to either side, and slumped down on top of me, his weight welcome. I let go of the headboard and wrapped my arms around his massive shoulders, holding him against me, inside me.

"Yours," I murmured as I pressed my lips against the top of his head.

A muffled ringing interrupted my blissful reprieve. I thought I could hear my phone, but I ignored it. I'd left it in my purse in the living room and I had no intention of moving from where I was. If it was that important, they'd leave a voicemail.

After a few minutes, Luke rolled off of me, maneuvering us around until I was tucked against his chest, his arms tight around me. I nestled my head into him further and let the steady beat of his heart lull me to sleep.

Chapter Six.

Luke Fuck me. What was I thinking? The last night's wine had left me bent over, my hands on my knees, trying to catch my breath. The sex had been exactly what I'd needed to get my mind off of things, but the wine had left a jackhammer pounding in my head and it had no signs of going away any time soon. I'd been training on the heavy bag for about an hour and my muscles were aching even more than my knee.

"What the hell, Luke?!" Joe threw up his hands in disgust. "A week ago, you took on the most brutal underground fighter there was and won. With a bad knee. Fighting southpaw." He scowled at me. "Now, you wouldn't be able to take my grandmother!"

I wiped my arm across my forehead and straightened.

"Your punches are sloppy and your kicks look like crap." He got in my face. "I know you like this girl and I know you've got a lot on your mind, but unless you take this shit seriously, you won't be able to beat a third division fighter, much less anyone I want to put you up against."

Coach was right. I was neck deep in this mess and kicking myself for losing focus, even if only for one dinner, for one night. I'd actually gotten some sleep, but when I'd woken up, everything I'd let myself forget about while with Dani had come rushing back with a vengeance, and now my mind was my worst enemy and I was paying for it. My head just wasn't in it.

"You need to quit fucking around, son."

I pulled off my gloves and threw them to the side as Joe continued his lecture.

"Lay off the booze and the women. Or one woman. I don't give a shit, but do whatever it is you have to do to get focused."

I stomped off to the locker room without a word. I heard Joe still yelling, but I didn't respond. I needed a break so I could refocus. I raked my hands through my hair and slammed my palm against the lockers. Dammit! I needed to do this.