He stops and takes a deep breath. “No need to hold back, baby. We have forever.”
Forever. The word echoes in my head and I release him to move.
I’m free. Free to live happily with Jonah. No more threats to our future. Free to fly.
His pace quickens, and his muscles tighten with each stroke. I lift my hips, searching for more, deeper, harder. Passion, trust, and love spiral together until it explodes from my body, and I cry out his name. He groans into my neck, biting down on my shoulder and his pace intensifies. With one last thrust, his body relaxes onto mine.
Our chests heave in unison, the soft moans from the aftermath of our love-making fill the room.
He slides in and out in lazy strokes. “Sorry our first time as husband and wife was . . . um . . . fast. I blame the dress. And the stuff you had on under it.”
I run my hands through his hair, forcing him to look at me. His shy smile makes him look younger and almost embarrassed. “We have forever, remember?”
He closes his eyes and leans into my touch. “Yeah.” His eyes flutter open and he turns to look over his shoulder.
“What?” I lean to the side and look down our joined bodies to the end of the bed. “I guess someone’s feeling left out.”
Dog is curled up in a ball at Jonah’s feet. He gives us a sleepy meow.
Jonah turns back, shaking his head. “I can’t believe you talked me into bringing that thing home.”
“Jonah. He’s my responsibility. I couldn’t just leave him to fend for himself like some kind of—”
“Alley cat?”
“Ugh. You know what I mean.” I give Jonah a playful shove and he rolls off and to my side. His fingers draw invisible patterns on my stomach. “I’d be sick if I moved away and no one was there to take care of him. Everyone needs someone.”
“I never thought I’d have anything in common with a mangy cat.” His lips curl at the edges. “We both need you.” He moves from my stomach to my forehead to trace my scar. His smile falls. “I almost lost you.”
“No, never. I would’ve fought. However long it took. I’d never give up until I was free. You’re my life, Jonah. My family, my love, my best friend. Nothing, not even destiny, could keep me from you.”
He leans forward and brushes his lips against mine. “Okay.”
The End
A Note to my Readers
I hope you enjoyed Fighting for Flight. Please take a moment to leave a review on Smashwords.
The next book in this series will be Fighting to Forgive.
Fast and hard, just the way he likes it. Blake Daniels flies through life the way he burns through women: on his terms, no regrets.
His fighting career in full swing, he has no need for attachments. He knows what he wants, but when a haunting secret from his past threatens his future, he teeters on the edge of sanity.
She’s through with men. After the fifteen-year marriage that never should have happened, Layla Moorehead moves on to start a new life—one that focuses on making amends for the irreparable damage she’s caused her sixteen-year old daughter.
Saddled with shadows from their past, their lives come crashing together in a violent mix of passion and betrayal.
Is love enough to overcome history?
Or will they be left Fighting to Forgive?
Acknowledgements
There are so many people to thank, make sure to look for your name. It’s probably on here.
To my husband and my girls, thank you for allowing me the time to write this book with minimal complaints and guilt trips. You guys are my world. I love you.
To my mom, Gale West, your love and support gave me the confidence to give writing a try. Thank you for believing in me.
To Evelyn Johnson, thank you for listening over a glass of wine as I first voiced my idea. Your excitement for the story gave it wings. Your companionship while doing my research in Vegas was invaluable. I’ll be forever grateful for your encouragement.
Thank you to my family and friends for believing in me. You know who you are.
To the amazingly talented Elizabeth Reyes, thank you for taking time out for newbie writer and pointing me in the right direction. You have a forever-fan in me.
To Jenny Aspinall, and Gitte Doherty. Thank you for championing my idea to write a MMA romance.
Thank you to Chris Letts who never stopped encouraging me from start to finish.
To my friend and Las Vegas connection, LeAnne Zinke, thanks for the inside scoop.
To all my amazing critique partners, Jacki P, Travis Casey, Hijo, Carroll “Sully” Sullivan, and Kaci Persnell, each one of you contributed something different and invaluable to this story. You guys kick serious ass.
Thank you to my amazing critique partners and betas, Claudia Handel and Nicola Layouni. You girls rock.