Rag Doll (8 page)

She wasn’t sure what love felt like. She’d never been in love before. But what was washing through her, overwhelming her with warmth, it had to be close. The sacrifice he made for her sister, setting her up, paying for the year…he did it for her.

Kendle looked to Graham with stars in her eyes. The sun could rise and set on him at that very moment. She hadn’t been this happy since…she couldn’t remember when. All she wanted was her sister off the streets. She wanted her to come inside, and somehow Graham made it happen. She’d be safer, warmer, cleaner, and maybe ready to make a change. Together they could do anything. They’d survived this long, gotten this far, and now with Graham’s help, they’d come even further.

“Thank you,” she whispered, looking to the man of the hour. “I can’t even begin to tell you what this means to me.” She wanted to cry. Wanted to shed tears of happiness, but they were trapped inside. She’d been numb for so long, it was hard to let go of that control.

Graham ran his thumb over Kendle’s lips. Did he dare scare her away by kissing her? The look in her eyes said it was worth trying. Silence crackled in the air between them. One single kiss. Graham lowered his head and tenderly brushed his lips against Kendle’s mouth. Parting her lips, she welcomed his attention.

Her heart thundered loudly, beating fast and hard. Every sound echoed, every moment slowed. His warm mouth tasting her, needing her, asking for the same in return,
and carrying her to an island of pleasure. For the first time in as long as Kendle could remember, she got lost in a kiss. One single kiss. She’d never wanted that kiss more.

Graham’s firm grip on the back of her neck pulled her in closer. Pressing her body to his, he loosened his grip and raked his fingers through her hair. To make love to her…there would be time for that later. He couldn’t rush this, couldn’t push her, this was more than he thought she’d offer. One single kiss. It meant so much more than he ever imagined. He needed her kiss, her desire. He needed her acceptance.

One single kiss. Her body tingled with electricity, a fire burning through her, a desire she never knew taking her over. This man that had pulled her sister in from outside, the man who wanted to love her, to help her, and to help her sister…he was beckoning her to come to him. She was all his.

Her words were like sparks of fire, an ember burning, and on hearing them Graham was taken back. They were unexpected.

“Make love to me,” she whispered.

“Are you sure?” He pulled back and looked into Kendle’s eyes. The pain, the fear, it was gone. There was warmth, reassurance, and a hunger waiting to be satiated. She needed him, needed to feel him within her. For the first time in forever, she was ready to feel something, and she wanted it to be him.

Graham lowered his mouth back to Kendle’s and drank her in. Her kisses were like the sweetest honey. His body stirred below, wanting to be unleashed. With each kiss, his manhood surged with desire, his erection pushing hard against his pants. He couldn’t rush things, though. He needed to go slowly.

Dropping his hand to hers, he led her down the hallway to the bedroom. Standing before her, Graham gently unbuttoned Kendle’s shirt, his fingers large against the small buttons. As he opened each one, she watched his hands move slowly and methodically. Graham slid his hands under the material of her shirt and shifted it over her shoulders, letting it drop.

Kendle started to lock up.
Relax
.
Not now, don’t shut down now
. She steeled herself and closed her eyes. She wanted to be here, wanted this.

His fingers drew lazily down her arms. Clasping his hands to hers, he squeezed gently, letting her know it would be okay.

Kendle looked up at the man before her, her lips parted, her heart in her throat. The anxiety rushed through her, but as she focused on her breathing, she kept it under control. Graham’s lips were back on her, tasting her, kissing her, making her his own. His mouth was wet and warm, his tongue exploring, and his touch was as tender as could be. His fingers barely grazed across her skin and slid to her face, cupping her, kissing her, needing her.

He wanted to tear her clothes off, be inside her, feel her warm body moving with his, but knew he had to take his time. A raw urgency within him pushed for more, harder, faster. Graham focused on the woman before him, trying to chase the thoughts of animalistic passion away.

She trusted him. She opened to him. If he let her down, it would be over. They had to move slowly.

His hands cupped her shoulders, and again he drew his hands down her arms. His fingers danced up her back. He wanted to touch every inch of her skin, to know her, to consume her, to cherish her.
Could she love him back?

Kendle closed her eyes and got lost in his movements, his hands caressing her skin, delicate yet reassuring. He moved slowly, but with purpose.
Why had he chosen her? How could he feel so strongly this quickly? Why was she forced to question it?
Kendle forced the thoughts out of her head, and followed his finger’s movements with her mind.

His fingers traced the edges of her bra straps. She wished she had frilly, fancy lingerie, but all she owned was an ugly bra or two she’d grabbed at a discount store. He didn’t seem to notice or care, but she did. She wanted to feel pretty.

Graham slid his thumb under one of the shoulder straps and pulled it gently over her shoulder. His mouth moved to the newly exposed skin and dotted kisses on her shoulder. Her skin was salty, and her scent was of soap.

Kendle tilted her neck, allowing him the space in the nook between her neck and shoulder. Exposed and vulnerable, she invited him in. Graham’s mouth moved to the tender spot, and with a soft murmur she told him what he needed to know. She was truly present with him, not tucked away vacantly numb, lost in her thoughts.

Graham’s lips suckled her sweet skin, drawing another murmur from her. His hands moved lower, helping her unbutton the pants that she wore. Slowly, he pulled at the teeth of the zipper, opening it. With the gap in her slacks, he slipped his fingers near her waistband and started to slide them over her hips.

Her body got rigid, stiff. She wanted to relax, let go, enjoy the moment, but old habits die hard.

“Shh, it’s alright,” he whispered, his hands pushing the fabric lower.

Kendle exhaled deeply and nodded quietly. Together they moved forward. Stepping out of her pants, she pushed them to the side along with her shoes.
It’s okay. He won’t hurt you
.

Graham unfastened her bra and let it drop to the floor. Her pert nipples stood at attention, hardened from arousal. Barely moving, Graham let his hand slide slowly around
a bit at a time until he reached her breast. Cupping her gently, he took pleasure in feeling her delicate skin.

Kendle closed her eyes, her head tipping back as Graham ran a finger over her nipple. Slowly rolling it between his fingers, he teased her. Kendle’s hips shifted, her body taking over. This wasn’t like anything she’d experienced before. The fire within her, the electricity, the desire…it burned and left her aching for more.

Her panties were damp between her legs as he continued to tease her flesh. Graham brought his mouth to Kendle’s breast and sucked on a nipple. His warm mouth encased her, and like a liquid bath, everything inside of her felt fluid and hot. She wanted him, wanted this, and didn’t want him to stop.

She didn’t know it could feel this way. She’d only ever feared and loathed a man’s touch. For the first time, she was craving it. Graham’s hands played her like a finely tuned instrument. Each stroke of her flesh, each pass over her skin left her tingling.

Graham’s mouth suckled Kendle’s breast. He moved to her other, and let his fingers wrap in the elastic band of her panties. Slipping them down, he let them fall to the ground. He would pleasure her until she begged him to stop, take her to the edge and let her leisure in the high of an orgasm. He wanted her to drift in the pleasure he was offering.

Together they moved to the bed, and as Kendle climbed under the covers, Graham shed his clothing, tossing it to the side. There was no hiding his erection. He wanted her, and it showed.

Kendle drew her finger down the side of his face as he crawled in beside her. Their gaze locked once again, pulling them into a long, wet kiss. Rolling up to his side, he reached over to the nightstand and felt around for a condom tucked in the drawer.

Tearing the foil packet, he rolled the sheath on. To feel her, to press inside of her, to take her…he wanted nothing more.

Kendle’s eyes grew large as he climbed over her. She pushed the fear away, reminding herself that it was Graham, and she was safe with him.

Feeling him between her legs, Kendle’s body seemed to fit perfectly with Graham. Entering her, the couple made love. Kendle’s nails dug into his back as he penetrated her and moved within, thrusting.

An essence of calm washed through her. Every sense was heightened. The ebb of his cologne teased her nose, the feel of his warmth, the sound of their bodies, and the sight of him over her…it all came together like a symphony.

Collapsing into a heap, Kendle and Graham curled in close to one another. A laugh. A sound he hadn’t heard before. The most beautiful, angelic noise he’d heard in ages-- Kendle laughed.

“That felt amazing,” she said, her gaze rolling up toward him. “I’ve never…” she stopped, feeling almost foolish. He knew of her past.

“I want to make you feel amazing over and over again, if you’ll let me.”

“Why me?” She couldn’t help but ask. She was once a street mongrel, her self-worth had been so low she had to scrape it off of the ground.

“Why not you?”

She let a small smile spread across her lips. “Do it again. Make me feel good again.”

Graham laughed. “I’ll need a moment. I’m not as young as I once was.”

“I’ll keep you young,” she smiled.

“That you will.”

**

Kendle stopped by the Executive Suites to see her sister. “How are you making out?”

“I’m good. How are things with Graham?”

Kendle smiled. “Good. I think I love him. I’ve never loved a man before, not like this.”

“He’s good to you. You deserve someone to treat you well.”

“Have you given any thought to…”

Cree’s hand went up. “One day at a time, okay? I’ll get there, but don’t rush me.”

Kendle pulled her sister into an embrace. “I’m so happy you’re inside. What made you come in?”

“Graham said it would free you from your guilt. You’re not responsible, Kendle. You can’t blame yourself. It’s time to make a better life. I’m okay. Graham will be good for you.”

Kendle lowered her head. “He is good for me.” She nodded. “Okay, one day at a time. I’m glad you’re inside.”

“I have a lock,” she said, “and hot water.”

“It’s the little things, huh?”

“It really is.”

THE END

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What’s next? Look for “Shattered Puppet” which continues Cree’s story
, book two in the “Rag Doll” series. Book three tells Crystal’s tale, “Crystal, Girl”. Both will be out in early 2014. Thank you again for taking the time to choose an Ava Catori title.

If you liked this, you might also enjoy: “Tough to Love (Saving Avery)”

Hardened from past hurts, can Avery West and Steel Brickman find the strength to heal one another? Steel’s intensity is overbearing and strong, crushing Avery’s ability to breathe. Avery’s wall is so thick – it seems almost impenetrable. Tangled in a mess of pain and desire, the two must learn to trust one another to find their own salvation.

Avery is broken and needs saving. Professional football player, Steel Brickman, is a white knight ready to save the day, but once the rescue is complete his interest wanes. Can Avery keep his focus on her, and help them get beyond their relationship struggles?

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