An up-and-coming MMA fighter wants more than just one night
from a woman fleeing her past in Lori’s irresistible new novel.
Heavyweight fighter Denver Lewis plays real nice, but he
doesn’t share. That’s why he’s been avoiding top-notch flirt Cherry Peyton. But
a man can only resist those lush curves for so long. Their encounter surpasses
all his fantasies, bringing out protective urges that Cherry’s about to need
more than she knows…
Denver’s combination of pure muscle and unexpected
tenderness has been driving Cherry wild. Yet no sooner does she get what she’s
been craving than old troubles show up on her doorstep. And this time, Cherry
can’t hide behind a carefree façade. Because the man by her side is one who’ll
fight like hell to keep her safe…if only she’ll trust him enough to let him…
“Holding Strong will have you holding
your breath while burning fingers quickly turn the pages.”
“…a fun and sexy read. It has a touch of suspense to it as
well to keep the pace of the story going along.”
“The men of Foster’s Ultimate series may be powerful
fighters, but they are all heart, and none more so than the hero of this
installment. His unwavering support for his feisty, frightened heroine redeems
them both in time, but it is their searing chemistry that will hold readers’
attention.”
“Foster…manages to keep characters evolving throughout the
course of a novel, becoming true ‘heroes’ by the time ‘The End’ rolls around.”
Watching her laugh, seeing her tease and flirt, burned his
ass big-time. He loved when she laughed and teased with him—not so much when it
was with other guys.
And therein lay the problem. He had a near-savage lust for
her. When he looked
at her, when he heard that carefree laugh, he felt dangerously
close to losing it.
Contemplating decisions and possible mistakes, Denver Lewis
sipped his beer. He should look away
from her but knew he wouldn’t. She was all tits and ass and
attitude in a petite frame, and God love the girl, she turned him on.
He’d avoided her, refused to be drawn in by her tempting
smiles, and all in all given her the cold
shoulder since determining they wouldn’t suit. He had no right
to judge her for having fun elsewhere.
But knowing and accepting that as true didn’t talk him off
the ledge. No, if anything it wound him tighter.
Damn, she looked good. The shifting lights in the club
played with her dark blond hair and the curves of her lush little body. His buddy
Stack, another fighter, drew her into a fast dance. She didn’t refuse.
Ever.
Cherry Peyton was always the life of the party. The loud music
competed with the furious drumming of Denver’s heart as he monitored her every move.
The music’s wild tempo kept her body from touching Stack’s. They danced around
each other and the rest of the crowd on the floor. Every guy there made note of
her, seeing her once and then taking a longer look. Her happiness, her laugh and
that killer bod all combined for one hell of an impact on the male libido.
For over an hour, Denver watched her draw attention and
smiles and, no doubt, sexual thoughts. He ignored other women who tried to get
his attention, those who came up to him and propositioned him in modest and sometimes
lewd ways.
Yeah, he wanted to get laid. But he wanted Cherry, not
anyone else. It pissed him off that he couldn’t get her out of his head. He
should have had her before decreeing theirs an acquaintance-only relationship,
then maybe he could have some perspective when it came to seeing her with other
men.
Then again, maybe not—because days after meeting her, he’d
known sex wasn’t the only thing he wanted. He’d already begun to think of her
as his, even though he hadn’t even kissed her yet. If only his territorial
tendencies didn’t clash so badly with her playfulparty-girl personality. Seeing
her accept her third glass of wine, he finished off his beer and called it
quits.
At least on the alcohol. He stewed while watching her
indulge in several dances with too many different guys—never mind that they
were all from their group, fighters that she, and he, knew well and trusted as
friends. They’d all come down en masse to cheer on one of their own. Fighters from
the rec center who sparred and coached together. Men he’d known forever. Men
who had befriended Cherry when she’d become roommates with Merissa, another
fighter’s sister. She was well and truly enmeshed in his life, friends with his
friends, a part of their inner group, and if he wasn’t denying himself like a
freaking masochist he’d be over there with them right now. She’d be laughing and
joking with him. Dancing with him. Treating him like everyone else. That she
was so well accepted in their circle made it even more impossible to stop
thinking about her, because everywhere he went, he saw her. Finally, after a
robust dance that had her laughing aloud, Cherry began to fade. She dropped
into a chair at a table with three other fighters and a few women. Her gaze
never once came his way—almost as if she knew where he was and avoided making
eye contact with him.
Suited Denver fine.
Mostly.
Damn it.
Since first publishing in January 1996, Lori Foster has
become a USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly and New York Times bestselling author.
Lori has published through a variety of houses, including Kensington, St.
Martin’s, Harlequin, Silhouette, Samhain, and Berkley/Jove. She is currently
published with HQN.
Lori hosts a very special annual “Reader & Author” event
in West Chester, Ohio. Proceeds from the event have benefited many worthy
causes, including the Hamilton County YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter, the Animal
Adoption Foundation, The Conductive Learning Center for children with spina
bifida and cerebral palsy, and The One Way Farm, Children’s Home.
Each year Lori donates all proceeds from one book to
charity. You can see the benefit romance books here :http://lorifoster.com/benefit-books/
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