Relentless by Cheryl Douglas Page B

stroke of his tongue inside her mouth. He felt her relax as her tongue dueled with his, demanding more. He continued to stretch her until she was finally able to accommodate him.
    She pulled his hair, moaning into his mouth.
    “You okay, sugar?”
    She squeezed her eyes shut, piercing his back with her nails. “Oh my God…”
    “Hey, you need me to pull out?” It would kill him to withdraw now, but he would if she needed him to.
    She shook her head, biting her bottom lip. “No, sorry, just give me a minute.”
    He licked her neck, drawing the sensitive skin into his mouth as he tried to resist the urge to mark her. He hadn’t stamped a girl since high school, and only then because he had been too young to know better. His need to claim this woman, to let the world know that she belonged to him, defied reason. Maybe it was because he knew she was a rising star, and it was only a matter of time before men found out she was single and began making their move. He slid in and out gently when she finally started clenching him, trying to draw him deeper.
    “God,” she whispered. “That feels amazing, J.T.”
    He had always enjoyed giving a woman pleasure before he surrendered to his own release, but the one time he was desperate to impress, he didn’t think he’d be able to hang on long enough to give her what she needed. He clenched his teeth in frustration, trying to stave off the mounting need that was burning in his gut.
    He reached between their bodies, stroking her, faster, harder, until he finally had the satisfaction of watching her plummet with his name on her lips. The sight and sound was so erotic, he had no choice but to give in to his body’s demands.
    She smoothed a palm down his damp torso. “Wow, I can see why you’re a world champion, cowboy.”
    He was angry with himself for not giving her more. She deserved the best of him and he hadn’t even come close. It unnerved him to think this might be his one and only chance and he may have blown it, literally. He rolled off the bed, muttering, “Gimme a sec. I’ll be right back.”

 
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Six
     
    Nikki frowned when she heard the spray of water pelting the tiles in the bathroom. She knew most guys weren’t big on cuddling afterwards, but she hadn’t expected him to cut and run as soon as the deed was done.
    Mortified that she might have done something to prompt his hasty retreat, she made quick work of dressing, collected her belongings, and headed down to Brad’s room to bunk with him for the night. It was late, but she knew he wouldn’t mind the intrusion once she explained her situation. She couldn’t stay in her room in case J.T. came looking for her. Even worse, he might be glad to be rid of her, and she’d lay awake all night waiting for the phone to ring or a knock on the door that never came. She should never have told him they were next-door neighbors. Since his room was at the end of the hall, there was no doubt which room belonged to her.
    To think she had been worried he would pursue her once they got back home. Ha. Apparently, she had given herself too much credit. He probably had buckle bunnies lining up, competing for the right to brag that they’d banged a world champion. They could knock themselves out fighting over him, ‘cause she’d had her fill of him.
    She punched the elevator button, leaning her head against the wall as soon as the doors closed. She cursed the hot burn of tears behind her eyelids. She’d been a damn fool to give herself to a man like J.T. McCall. She should have known he was a pro at shoveling shit.
    She stepped off the elevator, head down, as she walked past a boisterous couple commiserating over their losses at the casino. After knocking on Brad’s door, she leaned against the wall, waiting for him to open it. Fortunately, he was a light sleeper and she wouldn’t have to resort to calling him on the phone to rouse him.
    Within a minute or two, he pulled the door open, standing