Xavier Cold (Hard Knocks #2) Read online

  I shake my head. I won’t sacrifice being with Anna for the sake of my job.

  I open my mouth to tell my boss this very thing when Anna leans forward and quickly glances at me before turning her attention to our boss.

  “That’s a generous offer, sir. We’ll figure out a way to make it work. I will be at the shows. I don’t want to jeopardize my privileges to be backstage with Xavier when his suspension is lifted. Being with him is all that matters to me.”

  “Anna . . .” I say her name like a warning.

  She stares at me. “I know what you’re thinking, but I’ll be fine. I can handle things while you’re gone. Besides, it won’t be forever. We’ll be apart for only a few days out of the month. We’ll get through it.”

  “Listen to her, X. She’s smart, and she has your best interest in mind.”

  I know she does.

  Anna has been nothing but good for me. I trust her. I absolutely loathe the idea of her being at Tension without me, but what other choice do I have than to agree right now? Being hotheaded has done nothing but fuck things up for me, so I need to learn to be sensible. So, I’ll put on a front that I support this until I can talk some sense into her.

  “Fine. But after my three-month suspension is over, you have to give me a chance to win the belt.”

  I know it’s ballsy for a man in my position to make any demands, but being the champion is something I still really want.

  “Of course. The fans would expect nothing less. I’ll see to it that whoever possesses the belt—”

  “I don’t want just anyone. I want Rex in the ring.” That’s one part of my deal that has to be crystal clear. There’s only one person I want to see in that ring when I return, only one person I want to inflict some pain on while I strip him of the thing he values most in this world.

  He nods. “That would make an epic showdown. I’ll grant that request—as long as you heed my warning and stay away from the show until your suspension is over, and I’ve had time to promote the buildup of your return.”

  The car pulls up at the hotel and parks in front of the entrance as I mull over his stipulation. Staying away from Anna is the last thing I want to do. Not a day has gone by since I met her that we haven’t been together, and as much as I don’t like it, I know I have to allow this to happen. But I swear to God, if Rex fucks with her in any way, no one will be able to pull me off of him the next time.

  “Understood,” is all I say before I open the car door and let myself out. I stretch my hand to help Anna out of the car. “Come on, beautiful.”

  Anna clings to me as we head back to our hotel room. I kiss the top of her head as we wait on the elevator. As fucked up as this situation is, it could’ve been a hell of a lot worse.

  Chapter 2

  Anna

  Locked away in our hotel room, there are no prying eyes.

  I finally have Xavier all to myself.

  I wrap my arms around him, needing to feel his skin against me.

  When I saw the cops carting Xavier out of that fight in handcuffs, my entire world crumbled before my eyes. We’d finally been getting to a good place, and then all hell broke loose and shook up our world.

  Kneeling down in front of Xavier on that mat earlier tonight was the worst moment of my life. I hated seeing him lose control, jeopardizing everything he’d worked for. That cut me to the core. It should’ve never gotten to that point, but Rex wouldn’t back off, and Xavier isn’t the type to back down.

  The thing I hadn’t expected was for Xavier to say he loved me. It crushed me—that the second he’d admitted how he felt about me, he was being hauled off to jail.

  “You don’t know how scared I was that I was going to lose this,” I whisper as Xavier holds me tight and the events from the match feel like a distant memory.

  He rests his chin on top of my head. “You don’t have to worry about that. I’ll find my way back to you . . . always.”

  His words make me melt right on the spot. If someone would have told me that the overly sexual beast of a man that I met on the plane would say words that make me swoon—obliterate my panties sure, but promising to always be in my life?—well, I never would’ve seen it coming.

  It’s like what had happened to him in the ring somehow changed his perspective on everything. He was always so reluctant to make any type of promises or commitments before, even once telling me that he wasn’t the marrying type. This feels like a good step in the right direction for us, regardless of all the craziness surrounding us tonight.

  Xavier rubs small circles on my back, and it causes me to sigh before I snuggle into his chest.

  “You tired?” he asks.

  It doesn’t hit me until then how exhausted I actually am. Tonight’s been stressful, and I’m sure, if I allow myself to close my eyes for even the briefest time, I’d fall asleep on the spot.

  But I refuse to let go of Xavier. When I thought they would lock him up and throw away the key, the opportunity to hold him against me anytime I wanted felt like it was quickly being ripped away. So, for now, I choose to stay here, in his presence, breathing him in as much as I possibly can.

  I tilt my head up and stare into his light-blue eyes. “I’m ready for bed, but I don’t want to sleep just yet.”

  For the first time since the chaos of the day began, Xavier smiles, but it’s not just any smile. It’s the heart-stopping one-sided smirk that drives me out of my ever-loving mind.

  “Have I turned my good girl naughty?”

  I give him my best wicked grin. “Afraid so. I can’t seem to get enough of you.”

  His large hands cradle my face. “Glad to hear it because I’m fucking addicted to you.”

  His lips press on mine, and I’m immediately lost in his kiss. The stubble on his face scratches my fingertips as I trace his jawline.

  “I need you.”

  A wicked gleam is in his eyes. “Is that so?”

  Xavier bends down and nips my lower lip. “You don’t know how much it turns me on when you ask for it. It takes every ounce of willpower in my body to stop myself from throwing you down on that bed and ravaging every inch of your body for my pleasure.”

  At the very thought of what that would be like, my pulse races under my skin. “What’s stopping you?”

  “You’re too sweet for that.” He leans in and runs his nose along my cheek, causing my entire body to quiver with anticipation. “And because you’re not ready to go there—to allow me to have full control—yet.”

  “How do you know?” I take a deep breath as my chest heaves. “You don’t always have to be gentle with me, Xavier. If you want me, then take me. I want to please you.”

  Heat from his parted lips brushes against the sensitive skin on my neck, causing my toes curl. It’s amazing how turned on this man can make me with a few simple touches and naughty promises of pleasure. No one else has ever made me feel this way.

  “You sure about that, beautiful?” His eyes are hooded with desire.

  “Yes.” I slide my hand under his shirt, allowing my fingertips to dance across the toned muscles in his abdomen. “Don’t hold back.”

  That seems to be all the permission he needs because his touch shifts from gentle to demanding in a flash.

  His fingers thread in my hair as he pins my head in place so that he can crush his lips to mine. His slick tongue glides over my lips, begging for entrance. I open my mouth, and he thrusts his tongue inside, a low growl emitting from his throat.

  To know he’s enjoying this kiss as much as I am makes my sex clench.

  “I need you naked.” Xavier’s fingers find the hem of my shirt, his pinkie grazing the bare skin along my side, before he whips it over my head with more grace than should be allowed for such a big man. The pads of his fingers caress the mound of flesh spilling out of the cup of my bra before he reaches behind me and unhooks it with ease.

  I expect him to work on removing the bra straps, but he instead grabs the backs of my thighs and picks me up. His lo
ng hair twists between my fingers as all the playfulness leaves his face, and things turn serious while his eyes search mine.

  Xavier slowly rakes his teeth over his bottom lip in a deliberately sexy manner. “I love you so fucking much, Anna. Don’t ever leave me.”

  “Never.”

  He presses his lips to mine, so tender that it almost feels hesitant. “You can stop me at any time.”

  Before I can question what he means, a shriek escapes me as he tosses me onto the edge of the bed. I bounce against the mattress, and Xavier immediately climbs on top of me. He kisses me fiercely, and it’s obvious that our talking session is now over. He removes the white lacy fabric from my chest and then wraps his mouth around the taut pink flesh standing at full attention before him.

  A tingle passes all the way down to my toes as he nibbles on one nipple and then moves on to the other. I tug his long hair as he works on popping the button of my jeans, and then he unzips them, like I’m a Christmas present he can’t wait to unwrap.

  “I want to taste you,” he whispers against my skin before his tongue darts out and swirls around my nipple. “I want to suck your clit until you come all over my tongue.”

  Oh my.

  My stomach flutters as that dirty-talking mouth of his comes at me in full force, telling me exactly what he wants to do with me.

  He drags my pants along with my panties over my hips, leaving me naked before him. The thing about being naked in front of Xavier is, I never feel like I’m being judged, only appreciated and admired. He takes a moment for his eyes to gaze over my nude flesh. He pulls his shirt over his head, making his hair look even sexier than before—if that’s even possible—and then he kicks off his boots before dropping his pants and boxer briefs to the floor, like he can’t stand them between us anymore.

  He climbs back on top of me, and I writhe below him.

  “I need a little taste, Anna. You’re going to come a lot tonight, and I won’t apologize for it, so I hope you meant what you said because there will be no holding back on my end.”

  “Anything you want, take it. It’s all yours.”

  Damn if he doesn’t know what to say to me to get me to agree to anything he wants.

  A smile flashes across his face before he pushes off me, grabs my hips, and flips me onto my stomach without any warning. The next thing I know, my ass is being yanked up into the air, and Xavier’s tongue is drilling into my pussy from behind. My eyes roll back the moment the warmth of his mouth is on me. My legs instinctually open wider, giving him better access. He works my clit , driving me into a frenzy while his nose moves around my entrance, stimulating every inch of my folds. It doesn’t take long before I’m crumpling the sheets in my fists while I teeter on the brink of ecstasy.

  “Oh God, Xavier, I’m coming already. Ohhhh!” The cry that comes out of me could rival the most seasoned porn star as an orgasm rips through me.

  He’s never made me come that fast before. Usually, he takes his time with me, but tonight, he’s doing what he said he was going to do—ravage me.

  He slows his assault down and licks me one final time before he turns me back over.

  He crawls on top of me and kisses my lips, allowing me to taste myself on him. “See how good you are? So sweet. I’ll never have my fill of you.”

  I cradle his cheek in my hand. “And I’ll never want you to. I want you—always.”

  “Don’t worry. There’s no way you’re getting rid of me now. Like I told you before, this shit is fucking permanent.”

  “Good,” I whisper against his lips as he circles his hips to coat his cock in my wetness.

  He finds my entrance with the tip of his stiff shaft and then thrusts his hips, slamming into me hard, balls deep. Another moan spills out of me as I call out his name and dig my nails into the flesh of his back. He pumps into me a few more times before he slips out of me and stands by the bed. His hands settle on my hips, and he yanks me to the edge before grabbing the base of his cock and ramming it back into me.

  “Mmm . . . so fucking tight. This pussy was made for me, and it’s all fucking mine.” The way the words come out of his mouth with a slight growl in his voice causes my toes to curl.

  It’s total caveman talk, but his possessiveness is such a turn-on. I love that he takes ownership of me.

  A shiver of intense pleasure ripples down my spine as he continues to seek out his own release. This beast of a man before me is sexy as sin as his mouth drifts open while he uses my body to pleasure himself. My eyes roam down his chiseled chest before pausing on his abs, which are contoured to perfection, and then they move even further down to watch his cock work in and out of me.

  He grunts as his tattoo-covered arms flex as he holds on to me. His penis slips out of me. Immediately, I miss his warmth, but it’s quickly replaced when he flips me over yet again and shoves my right leg up further on the bed, spreading me open further while I’m on all fours on the bed. He rubs his cock against my folds, and a long moan escapes from my mouth. I’m so ready for him.

  Xavier shoves my hair to one side of my neck, exposing the skin, before he kisses it. “You want me back inside you?”

  “Yesssss . . .” I hiss because his touch feels so damn good. “Xavier . . .”

  “You know I like to hear you say it. Tell me you want it, and I’ll give it to you,” he whispers in my ear.

  “Oh God.” My eyes roll back when he pushes the very tip inside me, but he holds back, so it’s only a tease. “I want you, Xavier. Please, I need you inside me.”

  “That’s my good girl,” he encourages before he thrusts his hips, slipping the head of his cock inside me from behind.

  This sensation is completely different from every other time we’ve done it. It’s primal and raw and completely about seeking a release.

  He pumps in and out of me. “So fucking amazing.” He grips one of my hips with one hand and then twists the other into my hair. “Fuck, Anna,” he growls like it’s difficult for him to speak. “I’m not ready for this to end, but I can’t seem to hold back when I’m inside you.”

  A familiar tingle starts to roll through me, and I know I’m only moments away from peaking again. “Don’t stop.”

  He digs his fingers into my skin and slams into me so hard that the distinct sound of his skin slapping against mine echoes around the room.

  It doesn’t take long before my entire body is shaking. “I’m coming.”

  A string of curses pour from his mouth as he comes hard, and we get lost in ecstasy together.

  He collapses onto my back and then quickly rolls off of me. He pulls me tight against his chest and kisses my forehead. “I’m never going to get enough of you.”

  I lift my chin, so I can gaze into his eyes. “I feel the same way about you.”

  He reaches up and traces my cheek with the pad of his thumb. “I don’t want you to worry about our future together, Anna. I’m going to figure out a way to take care of you.”

  I furrow my brow, completely thrown off by this change of topic. “I’m not worried. I know that we have each other, and everything will work out for the best.”

  “I don’t know how you always manage to be so damn optimistic about everything.”

  “It’s because I believe in you. You’ve already proven that you have a way of making things better for yourself,” I honestly tell him. “Besides, I still have my job with Tension. I won’t make as much money as you, but every little bit will help, right?”

  He sighs heavily. “I hate the idea of you going on the road without me. You shouldn’t go.”

  “You heard what Mr. Silverman said. I have to go. If I don’t—”

  “I could quit.”

  The ease in the way he says it, like it’s no big deal, shocks me, and I don’t believe he really means it.

  “But you love wrestling. How can you be willing to give it up so easily?”

  His eyes focus on me. “Because you mean more to me—that’s why. When I was in that ring and the c
ops were about to cuff me for nearly killing Rex, I came to the realization that I can’t live without you. I love you more than my own life, Anna.”

  My heart does a double thump inside my ribs. It was a huge step for him to admit how he felt about me, and it’s amazing to hear him say it again.

  “I love you, too.” I rise up and kiss his lips. “You are not quitting, and neither am I, for that matter. This will all blow over, and when it does, I want to be by your side all the time. We can’t screw up my chances of going backstage. You have to trust me.”

  He’s quiet for a second, and then he slides his hand up to cup my jaw. “I trust you with anything I have, even my life. I won’t like it, but I know you need to go on the road.”

  It’s easy to see how hard this is for him. The people in Xavier’s life have never given him much cause to trust anyone, so I’m grateful that he’s opening that part of himself up to me. There’s no telling how things will work out, but whatever happens, we’re in this together.

  Chapter 3

  Anna

  After we get a few hours of sleep, Xavier’s cell phone rings, waking us up.

  He groans and rolls over onto his side to reach for the phone on the nightstand. “Hello?” his voice growls. Then, he’s silent for a few moments as he listens to whoever is on the other end of the line. “Understood.” He lets out an exasperated sigh and then scrubs his hand down his face. “I’ll be on the first flight back to Detroit tomorrow.”

  He ends the call and then lays the phone down. “We need to pack.”

  “What’s wrong?” I push myself up onto my elbow and stare down at his beautiful face.

  Conflict is raging in his eyes, and it instantly makes me curious about what’s on his mind.

  “That was one of the lawyers with Tension. Looks like Mr. Silverman did indeed get all the charges dropped, like he said, so I’m out of all the legal trouble.”

  Relief washes through me. “That’s fantastic news. I told you things would work out.”