Hold Tight (For You 2)

“Not avoiding me anymore?” I raise an eyebrow at him.

“Not now. It used to be Penelope we had to do this with.”

I tilt my head, unsure about what he’s talking about.

“Why is Royce Davenport asking me for your address?” His words make butterflies take flight in my stomach.

“When did he ask for it?” I try to play dumb, but the look on Henry’s face tells me he isn’t buying it.

“Called me about thirty minutes ago. He seemed pretty agitated. Then when I told him no he got pushy about it.” He straightens and puts his hands in his pockets.

“What did you say?”

“I told him to fuck off. Like I’m going to give him your address. I should’ve seen it coming. He asks about you every damn day.”

My cheeks warm at his words.

“Fuck me,” Henry says, shaking his head. “Not you, too. Pandora, you know what happens when you fall in love in this family.” He runs his hands through his hair just like his father does when he gets frustrated.

“Give me his address,” I tell him, not caring. I want this.

“Come on, Pan.” He gives me a look like I can’t be for real.

“I’m not messing around. I want it.” I pull out my phone and wait.

“Fucking hell.” He rolls his eyes and lets out a sigh. “I’ll text it to you. But only because I know you can take care of yourself.”

He pulls out his phone and taps out a message. I see it pop up on mine, and I nod. He walks over to me and pulls me in for a hug.

“I know we’ve been at each other’s throats the past few months with work, but I love you, and I just wanted to check in on this.”

“I love you, too,” I tell him. “But if I catch you leaning on my car again, we’re going to have another problem.”

He laughs, pulling away and walking into the house.

I hop in my car and put the address in my GPS. My hands are shaky, and I feel anxiety creep up my spine, but I’ve never been more sure of anything. I know I’m headed in the right direction.

Chapter 8

Royce

I shouldn’t have let her go.

That’s the only thing running through my mind the past few days. I should have carried her out of that fucking basement and brought her home. I should have made her mine that second and not let any time pass between us.

I pace back and forth through my living room, trying to rack my brain about what to do. I’ve already been sneaking down to her floor for made-up reasons. I don’t know how much more I can take. Days have gone by, and nothing. I see the look in her eyes. There’s so much need there, and I know exactly how to make it better.

I clench my fists and grit my teeth. That damn stubborn woman is determined to drive me crazy. If she would just let herself feel what’s between us, I know she’d see it. I know without a doubt that she’d fall into my arms.

Picking up my phone, I decide to call Henry again. Fuck everything. I don’t care if this screws up working together or if it ruins my name. I won’t let pride get in the way of what I want with Pandora. My finger hovers over the number just as I hear a knock on the door.

Looking up, I wait for Ezra or Donovan to walk in, but nothing happens. Thinking it must be a delivery from the doorman downstairs, I walk over and pull it open.

Standing in the doorway is my redheaded goddess. I’m stunned silent by her appearance, and I hold the door open with my jaw on the floor. Like an idiot.

Her hair is down, and she’s looking up at me through her lashes. She’s got on a black tank top and cutoff jean shorts and flip-flops. It’s the most skin I’ve ever seen exposed on her, and my mouth begins to water. She looks casual, like she’s been lounging around all day while I’ve been pacing like a maniac. I’ve never seen anything so beautiful in my life.

“Hey. Sorry to barge in on you, but I needed—”

Her words shake me out of my block of stone, and I reach for her, pulling her into my arms and kicking the door shut.

Before I know what’s happening, I’ve got her pinned against the wall, and my lips are on hers. Fire ignites between us, stronger than our first kiss. I taste sweetness on her tongue and moan at the feel of her hands on my chest.

I grip her ass tight and grind her against the length of my cock. Every thick inch pulses for her, and I’m aching to be inside her tight, wet heat.

“Fuck,” I moan as her hands move lower and I feel her fingers touch my stomach. “More.” I hold her up against the wall with my lower half so my hands are free to pull my shirt off. “Touch me.”