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…
REVIEWS:
“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.”
Excerpt
Shaking his head, Denver
turned back to the bar—and almost bumped into Cherry Peyton. The time of the
night and so much dancing had left her bouncy blond hair a little messy, her
makeup a little smudged, her skin flushed and dewy.
She looked so damn hot, his
guts tightened.
One hand on the stool next to
him, she asked, “Mind if I join you?”
Struggling with himself,
Denver hesitated too long, causing her to retrench.
“Unless you’d rather I
didn’t?” Watching him with big dark eyes that now looked wounded, she let out a
breath. “You’re probably hoping to hook up, right? Stack and Miles already did,
so I didn’t want to get in their way.”
Yeah, until he’d gotten
preoccupied with watching her, that had been the plan. A one-night stand with a
nameless woman he’d never have to see again. Relieve some stress. Get his head
together.
Then walk away.
Man, had shit gone awry on
that plan.
And again, he’d hesitated too
long.
Twisting her mouth, she
nodded. “Got it.” She tucked her hair behind her ear with trembling fingers.
“Sorry I intruded. It won’t happen again.” Her cheeks were hot, her eyes glassy
as she turned away.
“Hey.” Before she’d taken a
full step, Denver gestured at the seat. “Suit yourself.”
Given the length of time it
had taken him to issue the invite, she should have been insulted. He half
expected her to tell him to go to hell.
Instead, after considering
him for several heartbeats, she slid that shapely ass up next to him.
“You’re staying in the hotel
across the street, too?”
Why did she ask about the
hotel? Looking at her lips, he said, “Yeah.”
“So am I.”
Damn, he didn’t need to know
that.
She blew a curl away from her
face. “I’m glad I decided not to drive back tonight.” Releasing a deep breath,
she closed her eyes. “I’m beat.”
Seeing Cherry rub her
temples, he asked, “Headache?”
“It’s so loud in here.”
Frowning, Denver stroked back
her soft hair and put his palm to her forehead. Damn it. “You’re hot.”
At first she froze, while the
rise and fall of her breasts gave away her deeper breathing.
Because of a simple touch?
How was he supposed to resist that? Slowly, he withdrew.
And she relaxed. “Thanks. I
think you’re hot, too.” She smiled at her jest. “Too much dancing, I guess.
It’s so noisy and warm and…I should probably turn in.”
Denver watched her slide back
off that barstool without commenting, without an offer to walk her over,
without…anything.
She hesitated, giving him
plenty of opportunity, and he saw the moment she gave up—probably on more than
tonight.
Maybe for good.
It’d be for the best, but
damn, the idea bothered him.
After a soft sigh, she said,
“Good night, Denver.”
He felt like a coward.
“Cherry.” Reaching out, he caught her wrist.
She turned, her gaze
searching his.
“Hang on.”
Her short, humorless laugh
cut him. “Why?”
Without meaning to, he rubbed
his thumb over her knuckles. Her hand was so small, delicate and soft.
There were a lot of rowdy
guys hanging around, adrenaline pumping from the fights, either from watching
or partaking, their discretion weakened by alcohol.
That excuse served as good as
any.
“I’ll walk you over.”
“You really don’t need to do
that. It’s just across the street.” She stared up at him. “Unless you want to.”
Yeah, he wanted that—and so
much more. They both knew it. The only question now was whether or not they’d
each follow through.
Reading Order
Holding Strong is
part of the Ultimate series.
The full series includes the following stories:
Hard
Knocks
No Limits
Holding Strong
Tough Love
Fighting Dirty
No Limits
Holding Strong
Tough Love
Fighting Dirty
Buy Links below
ABOUT LORI FOSTER:
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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