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  “Then you win, Craddock Flynn.” She answered breathlessly into his ear.

  “I most certainly do.”

  “Wait, you don’t have a bunch of roommates or something do you?”

  “No, just me, and you.”

  He opened her door and let her in the car. She buckled in and stayed on her side of things as they made the quick drive. No conversation this time. She looked out the window not wanting him to see what was probably plain on her face — desire, hope, and excitement for something she’d never experienced. True passion for someone else.

  This was no experiment or “get it over with” situation like she’d had before with the busboy. She wanted Craddock to do what he wanted. And she had some wicked ideas of her own.

  They pulled into a tidy little duplex type house and he again told her to wait. His earnest devotion to the date component of the night was, she had to admit, charming.

  He led her to the door and undid the lock. She entered the dark space first and he fumbled for a side table lamp. His half of the duplex was small but easily twice the size of her place. They entered through the galley kitchen. She was curious and walked into the living room and little dining area.

  She saw a small hall which probably had two bedrooms, she figured, and the bathroom. It really was a regular Taj Mahal compared to her place. It wasn’t too messy, so she was grateful. She caught a whiff of men’s body spray, but she figured that was a remnant of tonight’s preparations. It made her smile.

  “Welcome home, A ghrá.” He was behind her and had slid a hand to her hip, another moved her hair to the side so he could smell her neck. He liked to inhale her, it seemed.

  For a moment their attraction was coiled up. It was all expectation, fantasy, visions of what he might feel like. Then slowly she felt his fingers at her zipper in the back of the sweater dress. Each tooth released as her dress opened down the center, he ran his fingers softly over her shoulder blades, her spine, her hips, and loosened the fabric from her body. It felt like his way of making sure it was okay, each step, each slow and tantalizing removal of her dress. She said yes to each moment. She wanted him and she made it as clear as if she’d shouted it from the roof.

  Craddock slid the dress off her shoulders and it fell to the ground. And then he did something that made her feel like he knew her, knew her more than she’d meant for him to.

  He bent down and had her step out of the dress, she leaned on him for balance. He picked it up and draped it neatly on the kitchen chair. Somehow he knew that the few things she owned were precious to her, that she would never leave something, like this new dress from Bess, on the floor in a heap.

  It was a surprisingly sweet and unexpected thing he did for her. It made her feel like he cared about more than what they were about to do. He’d been considerate, even as the sexual tension built between them. When he returned to her, now only in her boots, bra, and panties, sweet was gone, replaced with a hungry look, his eyes took in every inch of her and she felt self-conscious.

  “Don’t ever be shy with me. You have the most incredible body I’ve ever seen.” He nearly seemed in a trance as he soaked in the site of her.

  “So do you.”

  He leaned in and kissed her. She felt her body lean into his and he swooped her up and had her in his arms. He carried her to his bedroom and lay her down gently. He pulled off her boots as he ran his eyes over her. Then he lay next to her and ran his hand from her bare leg all the way up to the juncture between her legs.

  “You’re as ready as I am sugar.”

  He pivoted over the top of her and kissed her again. This time it was she who demanded more. She pulled roughly at his neck, bringing him in contact with every part of her that she could. She was thirsty and he was the only cure for it.

  He groaned as she took the lead, undoing the buttons of his shirt and practically ripping it off him. She was desperate to get closer.

  Craddock ran a rough palm over her taught nipples. It was almost painful, causing her moans to fill the quite space of the room. She found herself writhing, desperate for more. He ripped the cups of her bra down, the underwire serving her up to him.

  He bit and sucked one side, then the other. She’d never felt such a painful and fantastic sensation in her life. She pushed into him, into his hardness.

  Finally, he raked his hands over her panties and dragged them down. She was naked for him and ready as she’d ever been for more, for him, for something wild. He quickly removed his jeans and grabbed a little foil packet. Good, not a conversation I have to have, she thought. She didn’t mind in the slightest that he was prepared.

  He took care of it himself and was poised at her entrance, and for a moment it was almost as if they were suspended in time. She wanted to move and he, all of a sudden, was still. The anticipation was driving her to some carnal place of need she didn’t know existed inside of her. She wanted him, all of him, inside her. He whispered to her.

  “I’m just warning you. I’m never letting you go once we start. Speak now.”

  “Make love to me, please.”

  He kissed her hard and entered into her with no restraint. She’d cried out from the first stroke. She was shocked as he filled her to the hilt. She didn’t even quite understand how he fit.

  “You feel perfect,” he groaned, “so good.”

  Then they were beyond words. His hips pulled back until he was almost out, then thrust back in.

  She’d always wondered what the big deal was — now she knew. She knew as every muscle was wrapped around him, she felt like a string inside her was pulled tighter with every stroke he made. His size, motion, the friction, all of it stoking her, deep inside of her.

  She pushed back against him as their bodies melded together like they were two pieces of the same entity. He moved hard against her, quickly, and she did all she could to match him. He was so big and his hips were sharp. She tried to move but he pinned her to the bed with his weight. She could only hang on and receive the delicious sensations he was igniting all over her body.

  Though she didn’t have a lot to go on she knew her body. She knew she couldn’t last much longer with his pace and she said as much. “I can’t hold on much longer.” She whispered.

  “No need to hold on right now at all, baby, come with me now.” He lifted his face from her shoulder and looked in her eyes as he increased his motion and tilted his hips at an angle that, oh, dear God, that was it. She felt stars burst in front of her eyes and a powerful spasm, an incredible pleasure rolling over her that she’d never dreamed existed.

  “Oh, Craddock, God, yes,” she moaned.

  He growled into her ear. No discernible words were coming from his throat, just a growl, she realized. He put one hand on her hip and used the other to lever enough above her to make this perfect motion, their perfect connection, and blissful sensation go on and on.

  His moan was a primal sound, almost a roar, that she knew meant he was feeling like she was — untamed and beyond language. They climaxed together during that roar, and it was beyond what she’d dreamed. It was rough, beautiful, sweaty, sweet, everything. Craddock.

  He moved a few more slow strokes, she felt herself quiver around him. Then in one swift motion, he flipped their positions and somehow they stayed connected. She was on top, so he didn’t crush her. She still felt things pulsing, parts of her alive that had never been before.

  “A ghrá.” Craddock said with what felt like reverence, then wafted the cool sheet over them.

  “A ghrá?” She still didn’t know what the word meant.

  “It means love, you are the love.”

  For the first time since she’d moved into her freezing apartment, she was actually warm at night. That night’s dreams couldn’t compare with the reality they’d just shared.

  Craddock

  Craddock looked down at the sleeping beauty in his bed. Her hair was splayed across the pillow and she hadn’t stirred when he’d gotten up and come back. She laid curled on her sid
e. She was so delicate really, when you looked at her. Her bones, her nose, her ankles — so small compared to the big sass she gave him. The fact that she was so little scared him for her a bit.

  She must have had to fend for herself. She said as much with the foster kid life. But now, making sure no one messed with her would be his job, he thought.

  He crawled in next to her and she snuggled into him. Her rounded backside waking him up completely. He wanted to let her sleep, she was so beautiful asleep, but he couldn’t take it. He wanted her again, now, if she’d have him.

  He slid his hand from her neck, down her arm, and around the front of her belly. She started to move against him. She was awake, or at least part of her was.

  He tried not to smile, but it was impossible. He ran his teeth across her shoulder blade, then his tongue. To his surprise, Little Miss Innocent turned around and pushed him down. He was flat on his back. She wasn’t just awake, she was curious.

  She straddled him and let him look at her gorgeous body as she sat up. This time, she decided to help a man out and slid the condom over him before she slid herself on him.

  She was little everywhere and he worried he would hurt her, but it was hard to keep that in mind when she fit him like a tight, hot, glove. As she slowly worked her hips up and down she also traced a finger on his brow.

  “What’s this one from?”

  “Head butt.”

  Cassidy leaned down and kissed the scar that slightly interrupted that eyebrow, then pulsed her hips on him. It was slow ecstasy that he didn’t want to end.

  She found a longer scar under his shoulder and traced it as well.

  “This one?” She was sitting up now and he watched her work him. It was the hottest thing he’d ever seen. Bar none.

  “Separated shoulder repair.”

  She leaned over it and kissed it. Pushed up, down, back, her hips rolling on his. She sat back up and continued her slow exploration and literal fucking torture. He was happy to let her for as long as he could but there would be a point…

  “This one?” She traced the scar above his hip bone, forcing his eyes to where they were joined together. Good God. He tried to stay still and let her do her thing, but it was getting impossible.

  “Appendicitis.” He croaked out the words. Fuck it. He couldn’t take it anymore and sat straight up. He grabbed her hips and pushed her down while at the same time lifting her with his own hips. She straightened her legs behind him and he felt himself get deeper into her than he had their first time.

  She made the sexiest little sounds. She started to lower her forehead to his shoulder.

  “No, eyes up here, look at me.”

  She did. He locked his eyes with hers and they connected on another level. He watched her face as he hit the spot. He felt her tighten around him and knew she was ready. He was beyond ready. It was just as good the second time, maybe better. Different? All he knew was that watching her face as he came was the most goddamn amazing thing he’d ever seen.

  He leaned back down after she settled a bit and she fell on top of him. He still had more plans for her, but for now, she needed a little sleep. Maybe he would let her get some.

  Chapter Six

  Cassidy

  The next day Cassidy was up early and totally disoriented. Oh my, she really did sleep in Craddock Flynn’s bed. If sleep was the word.

  He was nowhere to be found, however. She took a tentative look around the duplex and didn’t see a sign of Craddock. Well, it was just as well. Maybe she could get out and to the library before he, well, before he did anything. Part of her knew resisting a Craddock advance was futile. And clearly she didn’t want to.

  She had no other clothes so she figured out where the various parts of last night’s outfit were. Thank God he’d nicely placed the dress like he did and it wasn’t balled up on the floor like her bra and panties.

  In the light of day her nighttime activities seemed positively wicked, but she had no regrets. She knew she probably would at some point, but this morning, no, no regrets. Just a delicious soreness. She washed her panties out in the sink and decided a quick shower would be fine.

  Cassidy decided Axe for Men body wash was not great for her hair, so she tied her hair back before showering. She never left home without a hair tie or two in any purse she used. Always be prepared, she thought. Except now, now she didn’t feel too prepared.

  She finished toweling off and was mostly dressed by the time a sweaty Craddock returned. He was always sweaty, not that she was complaining.

  “I’m back,” he called when he entered the duplex.

  “Back from where?” She asked as she put on her boots.

  “Five miles, at least four times a week.” He said by way of explanation.

  “Impressive.” Satisfied she was together as possible, she got up to face the day. She was greeted with Craddock in the doorframe and her panties dangling at the end of his long finger.

  “This is what’s impressive.”

  She blushed scarlet. “Craddock!” The panties were well above her head. “I am not going to jump for them. I need those so I can get to the library.” She gave him the sternest face she could, but it was tough being serious when she knew that he knew she was without her panties.

  “No breakfast?” He looked despondent, and even stuck out a lower lip to pout, that their date was nearly 12 hours later, coming to a close. She hoped he didn’t pout too much because it was impossible not to give him whatever he wanted with that lip out. Was that what he saw when she pouted at him?

  She toughened her resolve. One night of mind blowing sex meant she was behind on last night’s classes. “I’ve got to do the classwork I missed last night this morning, then a test after work.”

  “On one condition…” He was most definitely NOT looking her in the eyes as he laid out his condition.

  “I need you to promise me to go to work like that today.” He was dead serious — he wanted her to go to work with no panties.

  “I don’t think I can. I mean…” She stuttered. It was hardly shocking compared to last night, but something about being at the gym and only him knowing. It was hot, but way beyond her idea of appropriate.

  “I’m the only one that’s going to know.”

  “Oh yeah,” she raised her eyebrow.

  “I better be.” He lunged at her so quickly, she would swear he was part cat the way he pounced. He lifted her up and kissed her.

  “This isn’t fair.”

  “Life isn’t fair.” He answered her between kisses.

  “I will not go to work with no panties. And we need to stop. I need at least an hour of class time.”

  He didn’t appear to be listening carried her to the kitchen while continuing his kiss attack.

  He set her on the counter, freeing his hands to roam up and down her back and up her dress to where the panty situation was most evident. He probed with his fingers and she gasped. He had her hot and bothered even though she was trying to resist. This was bad. She had always been in control, but with Craddock she was powerless. Or was she?

  A thought occurred to her as Craddock slid her dress off one shoulder. She admitted that what he was doing felt good, but it wasn’t quite what she wanted. So Cassidy Parker decided to take back some control. She wasn’t powerless, it was just a different kind of power.

  She leaned away from his face and looked at him. He hadn’t stopped his manual exploration. Clumsy, strong, but not exactly right.

  “Here’s my condition.” She squirmed forward on the counter.

  “Name it,” he murmured into her ear.

  “Gentle.” If she had power she was going to use it. She put her hand on his wrist to indicate exactly what she wanted him to be gentle about. In this scenario, there was no need for speed. Craddock Flynn’s eye opened wide as he got the picture. He adjusted to her perfectly.

  “Gentle,” he said, his frenzied and ham-fisted attention turned slow, soft, and feathery in just the right place at just the ri
ght rhythm. To Cassidy’s great joy, she discovered Craddock could finish what he started on her terms. She threw her head back and let the sensations take over.

  Cassidy decided a day without panties was well worth it.

  Craddock

  He didn’t like leaving her at the library. He didn’t like leaving her period. He was working out at the gym by the time Cassidy showed up, but the idea that she walked from the library, was alone there, and wanted to go back at night pissed him off. It was downtown and it wasn’t safe.

  He spotted her walking in at 7:55 a.m. and things in his world shifted back to into place. Something that was off, forever, before he even knew she existed, had been put into alignment. She was in the world, in his world, and it clicked things for him. He even listened to what Whitey was telling him about dropping his arm.

  Whitey was keeping him and Zeke away from each other. It used to piss him off but it was probably the best. They would likely be in the finals down the road and they both knew too much about each other as it was.

  He’d never felt a sharper focus as he had the last few days with Cassidy in the room. As much as he wanted his mom and Dylan to be taken care of, Cassidy added a new fuel to succeed on the flame of his 21C League dreams.

  Whitey had him in the corner with his grandson, Jessie. He needed to focus on drilling now, no more hearts and flowers, Jessie had the best double leg take down in the GWG. His goal would be not to get taken down, but if it happened, he needed to be ready.

  They were drilling his defense over and over. Jessie would dive in and grab both his legs. The plan was to lean forward and grab Jessie around the waste and roll. If he could do it to Jessie, he could do it anyone. The guy was as thick and low to the ground as anyone he’d face.

  They drilled it until he lost count. Dave Boggs, GWG’s grappling coach, watching every single one.

  “Again, you’re not throwing your head down.”

  They did it again.

  “Again! If you don’t finish it and roll through, you’re fucked.”