CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR.

a week later, in the middle of the day, with sunshine streaming in through the open bedroom windows, Yvette went to her knees in front of Cannon. Not for the first time.

And he'd ensure it wasn't the last.

So many things he'd thought would level her-the death of Whitaker, the upcoming trial for Heath who, luckily, remained behind bars. Mindi's arrest as she'd tried to leave the state.

Her grandfather's letter-which she'd read at least a dozen times.

But she was far more resilient than he'd ever imagined. And so d.a.m.ned s.e.xy, he wasn't sure how much more he could take. With the threats behind them, she seemed determined to enjoy her newfound s.e.xuality to the fullest.

With him.

That she proved insatiable only made him love her more.

"I hope," she said around nibbles to his hip bone, "you're thinking of me, and only me."

"You, and everything about you." He tunneled his fingers into her long hair, then forced himself to only hold her head loosely, without urging her mouth where he needed it most. This was her turn to do what she wanted, how she wanted.

As long as she only wanted it with him.

With every day that pa.s.sed, she'd grown bolder in bed-and out of it. Knowing how much Yvette enjoyed s.e.x with him made him feel far more like a stud than kicking a.s.s in the SBC ever had.

"Every time," she whispered, trailing her open hands over his thighs, her open mouth over his abs, "I see this amazing body of yours, I want you."

Since she said that while naked, on her knees in front of him, he couldn't drum up a reply. h.e.l.l, it was all he could do to stay standing.

She cupped his b.a.l.l.s in one hand, teased her nose over his c.o.c.k and made a purring sound of pleasure. "It's not just your body, though."

He'd never survive this. "Babe..."

"Shh." She looked up at him, her green eyes big and soft and hungry. "I want you to know that it's you, Cannon. Not just the well-known fighter, not just the great body. It's everything about you. I hear you and I want you. I think of you and I want you. Will it ever end?"

"No." He tightened his fingers in her silky hair, then had to lock his knees to keep from coercing her. A deep breath wouldn't help. He knew that, but tried it anyway. "I told you we're good together."

Her small hand held him snugly. "Mmm," she said by way of acknowledgment-and licked him, from the base of his shaft up to the head.

He shuddered, waiting on pins and needles-and he felt her hot mouth close over him.

He should have been lying down, he realized as he flattened one hand on the wall to brace himself. Gaze smoldering, he watched her work over him, her mouth, her hands...he even felt her nipples on his thighs.

Lost, he put his head back and fought off release. He wanted to be inside her, and he wanted her with him when he came.

For as long as he could, he enjoyed her attentions- until he knew he wouldn't last a second more.

"Enough." Using her hair like a leash, he eased her away. "That's enough, honey. No more."

She sank back to sit on her heels, licked her lips and gave him a dreamy smile. "Did I do something wrong?"

Scooping her up, Cannon dropped with her sideways on the bed. "When we're naked and you're touching me, nothing you do is wrong, I promise." He kissed her, slipping a hand between her legs, gratified to find her already wet and hot. "You liked doing that to me?"

"I could eat you up," she murmured, and proceeded to nibble on his bottom lip, his chin.

G.o.d, she was hot. "Turnabout is fair play." Kissing his way down her body, paying special attention to all her most sensitive places, he moved off the bed and pulled her to the edge of the mattress. "Put your feet on my shoulders."

For a beat of time, she breathed hard, unmoving. He wrapped both hands around her ankles, lifted her feet up and arranged her as he wanted-wide-open and waiting for him.

On a heartfelt groan, she relaxed her legs, and Cannon used his mouth to get her up to speed with him.

When she was close, she tried to twist away, but he held her still.

"No fair," she gasped. "You stopped me."

"Totally different thing, honey." He put his mouth to her again, licking, sucking, pushing her.

"Next time," she moaned, getting closer and closer, "I won't stop either."

Just thinking about it nearly did him in.

Her heels pressed into his shoulders, her legs stiffening, her neck arching, and she cried out, her pleasure firing him even hotter than her words had.

The second she eased he rose over her, hurriedly rolled on a condom and, keeping her legs high, sank into her.

More often than not, the s.e.x was fast and frenzied, but Yvette stayed with him every step of the way. When she came a second time, he joined her, and he wondered how it could be so incredibly perfect.

Over and over again.

The minutes ticked by, but she didn't want him to move away. He relaxed with his face against her neck, thinking of how easily he could have lost her.

And how he'd once let her walk away.

"You still give too much," she sweetly complained while idly stroking his nape.

Not enough, by his calculation. He wanted to give her everything. s.e.xual pleasure, sure. Security, absolutely.

Also love, marriage. A lifetime.

But he'd mentioned a lifetime once already, and she'd reacted with compa.s.sion.

Not exactly the response he'd been hoping for.

Never had he declared himself to a woman. But ever since her return-or really, since she'd first left him- Yvette had kept him in knots.

She talked about the infatuation she'd had as a schoolgirl, the hero worship she'd had for him as her rescuer.

Now she was a mature, independent woman and she wanted him s.e.xually, yet she kept her emotions under wraps.

It constantly chewed on his peace of mind, needing to know if she loved him. Things had progressed at a whirlwind pace-she'd lost her grandfather, moved back home, been through one crisis after another, had her life threatened from multiple sources.

He had to give her time without pressuring her, and he would-as long as she didn't try to leave him again. Because if she did, he'd fight for her this time.

Sliding her fingers into his hair, she kissed his temple. "Be warned."

He lifted up to see her, took in her messy hair and swollen mouth and had to kiss her, and then kiss her again. "Warned about what?"

"From now on, I'm going after what I want."

He searched her face, unsure of her meaning.

Amused by his confusion, she tacked on, "From you."

"From me?" She wouldn't have to chase it down- he'd gladly give it.

Nodding slowly, pleasure teasing her lips, she whispered, "From you. Over you and under you. With you." She ate him up with her eyes and sighed. "Just wanted you to know."

He started to ask for details, but barking interrupted his intentions.

Warming him with her happiness, she asked, "Ready?"

"No." He rolled to his back, took a second to get his bearings, then sat up and found his boxers.

Giggling, Yvette pulled on a shirt and panties. "At least he waited until we'd finished."

They would never finish. More and more, he had the driving urge to tell her so, and the even worse need to hear her admit it.

Oblivious to his stormy thoughts, looking lighthearted and well loved, Yvette went to open the bedroom door.

Muggles, the midsize, muscular mutt they'd adopted the day after Whitaker died and Heath was arrested, came charging in. He acted as if it had been days instead of a few hours since he'd seen them.

According to the shelter, Muggles had been left outside on a chain to guard a trailer. His life hadn't been an easy one, until his owner had been arrested for making meth and Muggles had gone to the shelter, looking for a better-forever-home.

The day they'd met him, Muggles had s...o...b..red a little too much, bounded around with excess energy and loved Yvette on sight.

Every time Cannon petted him, the dog closed his eyes, licked his meaty chops and rumbled like a lion.

He liked that Muggles accompanied Yvette wherever she went, which would include the p.a.w.nshop. It'd be ready to open soon, and although-for now-the danger was over, Yvette had been threatened too many times for him to ever take her safety for granted.

Muggles was a complete sweetheart, but also a superior guard dog, which made him perfect. He got along great with the kids at the rec center, loved the other fighters and had a natural tendency to be vigilant.

Cannon had divided sentiments on the p.a.w.nshop. It had come together nicely, and Yvette loved it.

Since he loved her, and it made her happy, he wanted it to work. But eventually he'd have to head back to Harmony, Kentucky. Two or three times a year, he'd be there for extended periods to train with his camp.

When he left, he wanted Yvette with him, not tied down with responsibilities.

He watched her say to the dog, "You want to go to the rec center with us? Do you? Do you, boy? Yes, you do. Such a good boy."

Laughing, Cannon touched the top of her head.

Tipping up her chin, she peered at him. "What's so funny?"

"You talking baby talk to Muggles." And the fact that even that turned him on. "Think he'll let us shower together?"

"Of course he will." She held the dog's face. "Muggles is a good boy, aren't you, Muggles?"

Blissful over the attention, Muggles wiggled and jiggled his strong, squat body everywhere. "Keep that up," Cannon warned her, "and he's going to pee on you."

Muggles did follow them into the bathroom, but he rested on the rug outside the tub and snored while they showered. As long as he could be close to Yvette, he was happy.

Since he felt the same, Cannon sympathized.

Within an hour they were on their way to the rec center. Armie's tournament was happening soon, and though he'd ended up with st.i.tches in his b.u.t.t, it hadn't slowed down his training, or his determination to fight.

"Doubtful," he'd said, "that anyone plans to punch my a.s.s."

Cannon knew better. Armie was as likely to receive a kick there as anywhere, but he also understood Armie's need to push through. Luckily the st.i.tches were out now, and he'd cleared his physical.

"Have I told you lately," Yvette asked, "how much I enjoy being at the rec center, watching you work with Armie and seeing everything you have going on in the community?"

Muggles gave him a look, then went back to staring out the window, his tongue lolling and his tail thumping.

The statement was out of the blue, making Cannon curious, but he said only, "I'm glad." She might not realize it yet, but she fit into every aspect of his world, and he into hers.

As he kept telling her, they were good together.

Maybe it was time to push her a little after all.

They'd get through the rest of today, and then tonight, when they were alone, after he'd given her another screaming climax, he'd tell her that he loved her.

Then they could start working on making a future together.

sweat built on Armie's shoulders as he continued to work the heavy bag.

Cannon stood off to the side, watching and deciding what to have him do next. When his cell rang, he pulled it from his pocket. "h.e.l.lo?"

"Hey, stud."

Vanity? Yvette's friend now called often enough that he'd come to recognize her husky voice. "What's up, California?"

"Mmm, not much. Eating a banana split."

He smiled. "Is that code for something?" Vanity could be so outrageous, he was never quite sure of the things she said.

"Yeah. A banana, ice cream, whipped cream." She made another "mmm" sound. "And a cherry on top."

"So did you call me just to tell me that?" He turned the phone away from his mouth and told Armie, "Break in two minutes."