Page 55 of Embers of Torment

"Fuck, that hurt." After transferring the ball to my left hand, I shook my right, my palm stinging like crazy.

"Holy moly. Are you okay?" Della stared at my hand, her voice nearly drowned out by the comments and shouting that had erupted when my catch replayed on the jumbotron.

"It stings like hell, but I'll be all right." I balled my hand and flexed my fingers, one at a time, while receiving numerous claps on my back and shoulder from those around us. "See? I can move everything."

"Lordy, that scared me," Kendra said as the noise quieted. Her voice was shaky, and she still appeared shocked by what happened.

Spencer leaned across the ladies and gave me a fist bump. "Thanks, man. I appreciate the save. That could have been nasty. I don't think I need to worry about you protecting my sister. You proved you have her best interest at heart."

"Thanks. That's one thing I promise to do." I leaned toward Della, my voice by her ear. "I'll always protect you and won't let anyone hurt you." I kissed her neck below her ear and felt her shiver.

Della smiled, her eyes shining. "It seems I've acquired a champion. I've never had one before, and I like it." She giggled and kissed me. "We need to get you a horse. Isn't that how it works in mythology? The super hot hero rides in on a magnificent white stallion."

"Wait a second. I thought I was already hot. I don't need a trusty steed to confirm it, do I?" I teased.

"Umm…maybe not."

"That's beneficial to know. Besides, I may like the animal, but I've never been good at riding one. I can see it now. The handsome cavalier rides in, sitting tall and proud on a powerful and majestic beast. Dignified, he's the essence of strength and honor. He reaches for the lady in distress and slips from the saddle, landing on his ass. Hmm. Not quite a stately picture, is it? I'll stick to cars and feet."

"Hey, you shattered my fantasy." Della gave an exaggerated sigh. "All rightie, no horses. But if I stumble across a sword, shield, and armor breastplate, I'm buying them," Della laughed.

"Deal. They'd make a wonderful Halloween costume." I slipped my arm around her shoulders and pulled her close, kissing her above her ear. All the quips aside, I meant what I said.

No one was going to hurt Della on my watch.

Chapter 17

Della

Jace rolled off me and kissed my forehead. We lay there side by side, panting from a vigorous round of lovemaking. I enjoyed morning sex. Jace was tender but ultra enthusiastic, always seeming to wake up needy. One touch and I had him spurring into action, and he always made sure I was satisfied.

Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.

Groaning, I reached out and gave my alarm clock an irritated slap. I was cozy and relaxed and felt no great urgency to get up, still immersed in the after-effects of a rocketing orgasm.

"I need to get rid of this condom and clean up. I'll be back." Jace got up and went into the bathroom.

Unwilling to move, I was lying in the same spot when he returned.

Jace reached for his underwear, which he'd tossed on the chair in the corner with the rest of his clothes, as my alarm went off again. I gave it another whack.

"You can't keep hitting the snooze button," he warned. "It's time to crawl out of bed, or we'll be late."

"I'm working on it. I need another minute or two." I rolled onto my side so I could face him. "In case it's not obvious, I want to stay in bed and cuddle."

"And so do I, but we have jobs. We're both immersed in projects with aggressive deadlines, so playing hooky is out of the question. We'll have to wait until this weekend for a leisurely morning in bed." Jace bumped my dresser when he bent to slip into his boxer briefs, the baseball he had caught during the Red Sox game a week and a half ago toppling to the floor. "Shit. The ball rolled under your box spring."

"No worries. I'll get it later. Oh, that reminds me. I talked to Kendra yesterday. She called me at work to tell me Spencer likes you and thinks we're well-suited for each other. You must have made a glowing impression because he wants us to come over when the Red Sox play the Tigers in Detroit. They're having a bunch of friends over and barbequing for the game. It'll be a week from Sunday. I told Kendra I'd talk to you and let her know."

"I'd like that. I don't have anything planned. So we can go."

"I hoped you'd agree. It'll be fun. By the way, Spencer's only met two of my prior boyfriends, one at my high school graduation and the other when I graduated from college. And he hated them both, so this is a huge deal for him to say something positive."

"It sounds like it, and I appreciate his favorable opinion." Jace leaned against my dresser and crossed his arms. "You do know you're procrastinating again. You need to get up."

"I know." I rolled onto my back, wanting Jace's tantalizing body beside me a little longer. "I'll make a bargain with you."

"Oh, no. Here we go. You are such a schemer," Jace teased.

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