Love Resisted (Entwined Hearts #2) Read online

I’m sitting on the floor my legs spread in front of me and stretching, resting my head on my knee and touching each foot. I can feel the burn and the muscles pulling out any knots.

  Suddenly Eric slaps me on my leg.

  “Oi!” I shout at him.

  “Err, Missy, you might want to see this,” he replies. I sit up and look at Eric, only he’s not looking at me, he’s looking through the window toward the car park. I turn my head and gaze outside. My body instantly heats. There, in the car park, is a very sweaty Saul getting out of his car. He has loose joggers on and a workout tank. “Hellooo Mr. Hunk of Burning Love,” I hear Eric say from beside me.

  I giggle, partly from Eric’s words and partly with nervousness, not knowing what he’s doing here, but appreciating the hell out of my sexy man.

  Did I just think that? Is he my man? Fuck…is he still seeing other women?

  What’s even more worrying is that he looks like he’s on a mission, and I’m scared that he somehow knows about my past. Even though, that couldn’t possibly be true. I’m being irrational and I feel my heart trying to push out of my chest, but I’m not sure which thought is making it beat faster, my past or Saul finally being my man.

  I sit still like a total muppet just listening to my heartbeat. Somehow everything else has been drowned out. Watching Saul, as though in slow motion, he strides through the door and straight to me. I turn my head slightly to see Eric with a smirk on his face creeping out of the studios. My brain isn’t functioning enough to speak, even to ask where he’s going. It feels like I’m on autopilot so I just turn back to Saul. He’s watching Eric leave, nodding to him as Eric closes the door, then he turns his attention back to me. Suddenly I feel like a baby rabbit trapped by a lion. He prowls toward me and I stand up and take a step back. Saul takes another step forward so I take a second step back and feel the wall behind me. Now he’s in front of me I can’t decipher the look in his eyes.

  I thought I knew all his looks.

  My breath sounds loud to my ears and I’m almost panting, I don’t think it’s with fear though. It feels more like arousal. The minute my mind works out that I’m turned on, Saul cages me in.

  Grabbing both my hands and holding them against the wall above my head he leans into me and whispers, “Now babe…now, I claim you.” And before I can reply he takes my mouth. Every single kiss we’ve had he’s controlled, not that I’m complaining, he’s an amazing kisser, better than I could have imagined. This time though…this time it’s different. He doesn’t just own the kiss, it’s like this is the last thing he’s ever going to do. Like I’m his last breath…like I’m his everything. Pulling away from my mouth his eyes search mine. I don’t know what it is he’s looking for, but he must find it and I realise what that look was on his face before, it was desire…for me. It was heat in his eyes, but not only that, it was determination. That’s why I hadn’t seen it before, he’s never shown his desire for me.

  He kisses down my neck then removes my sports top. I have no bra underneath and when my breast falls out of it, Saul groans staring at them.

  “Fuck,” he says before leaning down and taking one in his mouth. His other hand that was still holding my wrists against the wall drops, and his thumb strokes the nipple of my other breast. He steps back letting me go and bringing the top over my head, then reaches behind his shoulder blades and pulls his tank off.

  I just stare.

  My eyes can’t move.

  I’ve never had a chance to just gaze, at all that is Saul. So I do. I just stare at him looking from his throat down, over every inch of his tanned chest, and boy what a chest. The genes sure are good in his family. Every tiny bit of him is perfect and I want to lick him. If I lick it, then it’s mine right? He’s better than any of the models out there, and I know this for a fact. Saul smirks at me and pulls his joggers off.

  Holy fuck a duck!

  I’ve had enough men to know that Saul has it going on all the fuck over. He’s big. My eyes must give me away as I hear a chuckle come from him and looking back to his face I see he has a self-assured smirk.

  Git! Two can play that game.

  I pull down the dance pants I’m wearing, commando style. Then watch his reaction as his eyes bulge out. I have a smug smile of my own for about a second. Until Saul looks back into my eyes with such fire that I think I might end up as a heap of ash by the time he’s finished with me.

  He stalks toward me until we’re nose to nose. “Fuck babe…you’re bare…fuck!” he says and I feel fluttering in my ho-ha. He rubs his nose up mine and then down claiming my mouth. His hands grab my wrists again, but this time he positions them behind me, bringing them together then untangling his hands and pushing me against the wall trapping my arms. It pulls, but it’s not uncomfortable and I’m too dazed and hot to care. He sets one of his hands on my right breast cupping it and rubbing my nipple with his thumb and the other hand journeys toward my sex. He moves back slightly from my mouth and nips my lip while using his foot to nudge my legs apart. Running his hand over my pussy cupping me, he stills for a second and looks directly into my eyes. I stare back at him and then suddenly feel him slip a finger into my heat. I gasp and moan and his eyes flare. A second finger joins his first, rubbing inside me and catching me in all the right places then his thumb runs over my clit.

  His mouth assaults my neck now while his other hand is still at my breast. My head falls back and I groan as I feel myself nearing release. Saul pulls back and I snap my head up to see his mouth in a smirk and his eyes hooded. Pulling me forward slightly he releases my arms, placing them on his shoulders.

  “Hold on, babe,” he says and then grabs behind my thighs lifting me against the wall. Gripping me tight he looks up at me. “This is it, Soph. This is where I claim you. We do this, there’s no turning back. It’s you and me. Always. You’re saying yes too.”

  I look into his eyes and I can see the emotion behind them. I can see the love, the passion, the power.

  “Yes,” I whisper and look down between us, his cock resting at my opening. He doesn’t move. So I look back into his eyes.

  “Need to take you bare, baby. Never done that before. Not with anyone.”

  “Do it,” I moan. I’m on the pill, but I don’t need to go into details. I know he trusts me and if I say do it, then he believes that it’s okay. I look back between us and watch him ease his dick in slowly, filling me, rubbing against my walls. When he’s fully inside me, he stops. I can feel my body adjusting to him and I look back into his eyes to see he’s staring at me.

  “I love you, Sophie. I tried to beat it back for years. But I can’t anymore. You’re it for me. Just you.” He doesn’t give me a chance to answer, as he kisses me slowly and starts moving in and out, back and forth, gentle and slow. He builds his pace rocking into me, but he never loses my mouth. He’s loving me, definitely not fucking. I’ve never had sex this way before. I run one of my hands into his hair keeping the other on his shoulder. He starts moving and grinding into me at a slightly quicker pace, rolling his hips and I groan feeling my climax coming. He must feel it too gripping him from inside. Suddenly from nowhere it overtakes me and as I’m coming, I can hear him growl out a release.

  As we’re winding down, our breathing still laboured I open my eyes and look straight into his. He releases one of my legs, but still keeps me up with the other. Bringing his hand up to my face, he strokes my cheek with his thumb.

  “I’m gonna sound like a pussy now.” He shakes his head and smirks. “Fuck it! You know I always listen to a particular song?” he pauses, waiting for my reaction.

  I think for a moment gazing over his shoulder, then my eyes snap back to him. “You mean ‘The Reason’ by Hoobastank?”

  He nods. “Next time you have a quiet moment listen to the words, babe…you’re my reason.” I feel my eyes widen and he just smiles at me and gently lets me down. I steady myself, my legs having gone numb and look around.

  “Shit! We’re still at the dance studio. Eric!”
I whisper shout.

  Saul chuckles. “Don’t worry babe, he walked out. I’m pretty sure he knew what I wanted to do and has gone home. This studio is in the middle of nowhere and nobody’s due here today until 5:00 p.m., right?”

  I nod, trying to gather my thoughts and make sure what he’s saying is true. When my brain catches up, I relax and start putting my clothes on.

  “Damn shame,” Saul comments and I look over to him cocking my eyebrow. “You covering that sinful body up,” he replies with a grin. I could say the same about his, but I won’t. I’m not giving him a bigger head. Instead, I just shake my head and wink.

  When we’re both presentable again, I ask, “What happened today? I mean, what made you just stride in here and fuck me?”

  He moves into my space and kisses me softly on the lips then says, “We both know what we just shared wasn’t fucking, babe.” I close my eyes and feel another broken piece slot back into position.

  “No, it wasn’t,” I respond. I can’t say anymore. I want to, but I can’t. Not yet. Not until he knows just how broken I am. Instead, I say, “Why did you come here?” I momentarily spot something pass over his face.

  Disappointment maybe?

  “I was at Murphy’s and this woman was flirting.” I still in his arms and he must feel me go rigid. “Don’t worry, babe, I didn’t flirt back.” I blink up at him forcing myself to smile. I realise I’ve never felt jealous with men I’ve dated before. Not until this very minute and I don’t like this feeling. It’s like a spring has just twisted my stomach and I want to hit something.

  “Carry on,” I snap out and Saul just grins.

  “Anyway, it made me wonder whether you were flirting with guys.” I look up at him to see his eyes are narrowed and I realise he’s feeling the exact same thing I just have.

  “I’m not,” I tell him and his eyes flick to mine. “Flirting…I’m not flirting with guys.”

  He nods and relaxes his muscles. “I wanted to come over here and make things crystal clear between us.”

  I say nothing waiting for him to tell me what he needs to say.

  “This? This thing between us? As far as I see it is a relationship. You’re my girl. There’s nobody else for either of us. Are you, all in?”

  Looking at Saul I think about what I want in my future…what I need. Stepping forward my lips nearly touching his I look straight into his eyes and whisper, “I’m yours.” The moment I say it he slams his lips down onto mine and lifts me up again bringing me over to a mat on the floor. He lays me down, and this time we don’t go slowly, this time we’re hot and heavy and sweaty. Saul doesn’t need to go back to Murphy’s he doesn’t need a workout after we’re finished.

  I’m not sure how long I’ve been awake just staring at Soph sleeping. It’s creepy as fuck I know, but I just can’t seem to tear my eyes away from her beautiful form. We’ve been together for four weeks now. The first three we were feeling each other out. Unfortunately, not in the literal sense. This last week though, it’s been more than I could have ever hoped it would be. The promise of Soph is nothing compared with the real thing. She’s always been gorgeous, loving and strong. But now I get to have all that with one difference. She’s mine. She told me she was, and to give her credit she’s lived that statement this last week. Telling everyone that we’re now officially a couple and spending most of her time with me.

  So why the fuck do I have this nagging feeling that something isn’t right?

  I dislodge myself from her, roll off the bed and pull on my joggers, tagging a top as I leave the room. Walking into the kitchen, Dane is standing there with a mug of what smells like coffee.

  He glances up at me and smirks. “Don’t you own a top?” he asks and I chuckle pulling my top over my head. Things have gotten better between us. We’ve formed an unconventional bond. It’s not strong, but it is getting there. I’ve realised Dane is a good guy. He’s trustworthy which is kind of a make or break trait for me. He helped both Soph and me sort out our shit and he loves Pea.

  “Coffee?” he asks raising his mug.

  “Yeah, sounds good. Cheers,” I reply sitting at the table as he places the cup in front of me. Staring at it for a second wondering whether to ask for his help, I glance up at him and think fuck it.

  “Have you noticed anything off with Soph?” I ask.

  Dane frowns and replies, “Why would I notice anything?”

  “Mainly because you live with her,” I tell him through gritted teeth.

  He laughs. Fucker.

  “How hard is it for you to get those words out without wanting to punch me,” he replies laughing again.

  “Let’s just say it’s not easy, so just answer me arsehole.” His laughter vanishes and he looks out of the kitchen toward the stairs, probably making sure Soph’s not within hearing distance. He shakes his head at me then rubs his jaw.

  “I’ve noticed. I thought it was this thing between you two. That maybe when you sorted yourselves out then she’d go back to the way she used to be. But I think now it’s more than that. She’s been different since she was attacked.”

  At his words, I clench my hand around the mug, taking a deep breath trying to relax and loosen my fingers. I hate the reminder that I wasn’t here for her. I nod at Dane. “Thanks, man, I need to find out what’s going on. You know, make sure she’s okay?”

  Getting up to go back to Soph I walk by Dane but he stops me grabbing my arm. I spin around and look down at him

  “You need me to help, I’m there.” I nod again and go to move away, but he still hasn’t let me go so I look back at him.

  “Not just with Soph. You need me, Saul? I’m there.”

  Feeling strangely emotional, I swallow hard. Then decide to just let things work out how they will.

  “I’ve never had a blood relative I liked. Never had one I respected, and sure as fuck never had one I ever thought I could love.”

  Pausing, I shake my head. “Do now brother.” And I then pull him up by his arm and into a man hug, slapping each other’s backs then walking away without a backward glance. It’s not like I was going to hold him. I’ve grown as a man, but I haven’t grown a pussy!

  Moving back to Soph’s room, she’s still sleeping. She looks like an angel, but fuck she can be a little devil and I now know first-hand, no other fucker will ever get to experience that shit again. No-one but me. Smiling to myself at that thought, I then curl around her and fall back to sleep.

  Bollocks…shit…fuckity, fuck…fuck! I pace back and forth in the lounge. Dane has gone to the office and Saul is at Murphy’s.

  Wait…will little Miss Flirty Knickers be there?

  Should I go there to stake my claim? I shake my head and realise I sound like a dick, Saul isn’t ever going to step out on me. And it’s not like if he wanted to I could stop it, I can’t be with him every minute of every day. Nope, I have to trust him.

  Anyway, I have bigger problems right now and I’m shitting myself. And not because I’m worried Saul is going to get it on with a gym bunny. No. This is because I’m holding a letter in my hand. A letter which has made me feel like I don’t want to leave the house. I thought it strange when the front door rattled this morning. I was in the kitchen making tea and it sounded like something was put through the letterbox. It was odd because the postman had already been. When I got to the door, I noticed an envelope on the doormat. A handwritten envelope. ‘Cherry Pie’ was scrawled across the front. As soon as I saw those words my blood ran cold and I started shaking. I’ve managed to calm down now and so only my hands are still shaking.

  I can’t believe he found me.

  How the fuck did this happen?

  I can’t open it. I don’t want to see inside.

  My phone chirps and scares the crap out of me. Grabbing it from the kitchen table I open a text from Pea.

  Pea: You still happy to meet me at mine today?

  Ugh…I’d forgotten we were going to the cemetery later. Dane and Saul are meeting us there and
I’m still not sure what Con has up his sleeve, although I’ve got a good idea. No matter what is happening with me I’m not about to let Pea down, and I’m sure as hell not going to spoil her day. My shit will have to wait for another day. I fold the letter in half and put it in the front pocket of my joggers.

  Me: Course hun. I’m just going to grab a shower and I’ll see you soon.

  Pea: Thanks. x

  She’s still hormonal, but it’s been different lately. Less grumpy, bitchy, Pea, and more crying and emotional. I’m not sure which I prefer.

  After showering and getting dressed, I’m pacing again. I need to leave in the next thirty minutes to pick Pea up, but even so I’m still freaking out.

  What if he’s out there waiting for me like he used to do?

  “Shit,” I moan and then call a cab.

  Twenty minutes later the cab arrives and upon hearing the beep of his horn outside signalling I shouldn’t keep the driver waiting. Collecting my purse and keys, thankful that the front door doesn’t require locking behind me, I stand at the door and look through the peephole. For the first time in my life, I’m glad for a bloody peephole. However, looking through one is an entirely different thing. There’s nothing to see…not really. Unless he was standing right in front of the door, the peephole is pretty useless.

  Yeah, sucks for me.

  Taking a deep breath and hearing the cab driver beep his horn again impatiently, I open the door and almost sprint to the cab, listening for the door to slam behind me. Giving the cabby the address, I sit back looking everywhere just in case he’s waiting. My hands grip the door handle as though he might try and open my door from the outside, and it’s only when we’re about five minutes down the road that I begin to relax. Loosening my grip on the handle, but still not letting go.

  On arrival at Pea’s, I clutch onto her doorframe like someone is going to grab me from behind. Ringing the doorbell, but keeping a look out over my shoulder, I wish I’d never given my key back. She takes so long to get to the door with her waddling these days.