Hard Knocks: An Ultimate Novella by Lori Foster

his big hands gently molded over her, his thumbs teasing her nipples until she couldn’t stop squirming. She wasn’t one of the overly stacked groupies who dogged his heels, but she didn’t dislike her body, either.
    She’d always considered herself not big, but big enough.
    Now, with his enormous hands on her, she felt delicate—even more so when he scooped an arm under her behind and easily lifted her up so he could draw one nipple into his hot mouth.
    Harper wrapped her legs around his waist, her arms around his neck. He took his time, drawing on her for what felt like forever, until she couldn’t keep still, couldn’t contain the soft cries of desperate need.
    From one breast to the other, he tasted, teased, sucked, nibbled.
    “Gage...” Even saying his name took an effort. “Please.”
    “Please what?” he asked, all full of masculine satisfaction and a fighter’s control. He licked her, circling, teasing. “Please more?”
    “Yes.”
    Back on her feet, she dropped against the door. He opened her jeans and a second later shoved them, and her panties, down to her knees.
    Anticipation kept her still, kept her breath rushing and her heart pounding. But he just stood there, sucking air and waiting for God knew what.
    “Gage?” she whispered with uncertainty.
    One hand flattened on the wall beside her head, but he kept his arm locked out, his body from touching hers. “I should take you to my place,” he rasped, sounding tortured. “I should take you someplace with more time, more privacy, more—”
    Panic tried to set in. “Don’t you even think about stopping now.” No way could he leave her like this.
    His mouth touched her cheek, the corner of her lips, her jaw, her temple. “No, I won’t. I can’t.”
    A loud roar sounded from the main part of the room. Knowing what that meant, that Cannon’s fight was about to start, guilt nearly leveled Harper. “I forgot,” she admitted miserably.
    “Doesn’t matter,” he assured her.
    But of course it did. He was here to watch Cannon compete, to join in with his fight community to celebrate a close friend.
    She was here to show him she wouldn’t interfere and yet, that’s exactly what she’d done. “We could—”
    “No, baby.” Need made his short laugh gravelly. “Believe me when I say that I can’t. ”
    “Oh.” Her heart started punching again—with excitement. “We’ll miss the fight.”
    “We’ll catch the highlights later. Together.” He stroked her hair with his free hand, over her shoulder, down the side of her body.
    “You’re sure?”
    Against her mouth, he whispered, “Give or take a bed for convenience, I’m right where I want to be.” His kiss scorched her, and he added, “With you.”
    Aww. Hearing him say it was nice, but knowing he meant it multiplied everything she felt, and suddenly she couldn’t wait. She took his hand and guided it across her body.
    And between her legs.
    They both groaned.
    At first he just cupped her, his palm hot, his hand covering so much of her. They breathed together, taut with expectation.
    “It seems like I’ve wanted you forever,” he murmured at the same time as his fingers searched over her, touching carefully. His forehead to hers, he added, “Mmm. You’re wet.”
    Speaking wasn’t easy, but he deserved the truth. “Because I have wanted you forever.”
    “I’m glad, Harper.” His fingers parted her swollen lips, stroked gently over her, delved. “Widen your legs a little more.”
    That husky, take charge, turned-on tone nearly put her over the edge. Holding on to his shoulders, her face tucked into his throat, she widened her stance. Using two fingers, he glided over her, once, twice, testing her readiness—and he pressed both fingers deep.
    Legs stiffening, Harper braced against the door.
    “Stay with me,” Gage said before kissing her throat.
    She felt his teeth on her skin, his hot breath, those oh-so-talented fingers.
    “Damn, you feel good. Tight and wet and