by Zara Teleg
So this is what she teaches at Fluid, I thought. I wondered if her students could keep this pace. Flipping her body, her stomach was face down in the middle of the swing as the song concluded. She extended her arms behind her, reaching for her feet and resting them on her head, staying perfectly still.
Lord was curled up on a pile of pillows in the sun and watched her enter the cabin. I shut my eyes, pretending to sleep. I could feel her looking at me. My eyes almost opened at the sound of her tripping. I bit the inside of my lip to keep from smiling.
Squeaky pipes came to life as the shower turned on. Padding back into the kitchen, she tiptoed around. Seconds later, the aroma of coffee woke the rest of my body.
It was a painful experience knowing that one room away, fully naked under the spray of water, was the most desirable body I had ever seen. The ache I felt intensified, I wanted to join her, claim her, make her mine. Fuck, she was like a siren calling to me and tempting me in ways no woman had. How could I feel so possessive over someone I just met? I wanted to kill Joker for putting his hands on her.
Why was she out at night by herself, dressed in that tiny little outfit? She needed to be more careful. If she were mine, that shit wouldn’t happen.
A loud shriek echoed through the house. I jumped on my feet, shuffled through my pants, which were on the floor, and retrieved my gun. Lord barked frantically at Juliet’s scream.
Juliet, dripping wet, sprinted from the bathroom, gripping a towel around her with one hand and holding out a paper towel with the other. “Oh, my God! Oh, my God! oh, my God! Get the door!” she shrieked.
Nearly slamming into her, I pointed my gun in the direction she ran from, flung the door open, and she tossed the paper towel to the ground.
My heart pounded as my eyes followed where the paper towel had landed. Out of it came the biggest, hairiest, most terrifying-looking spider. My eyes met hers through the veil of colorful wet hair.
I shook my head, relieved the intruder was the eight-legged kind. I started to walk out the door to do the manly thing, grab a boot and crush the invader.
“No!” she cried, tugging my arm and pulling me back. “I didn’t just rescue him from the shower to have you stomp him dead under your boot!”
“What?” I say shaking my head in confusion. “Him?”
“Don’t look at me like that.” Her finger pointed in my face. “He didn’t do anything wrong but wander into my shower.” She used her body to block the door, staying there until he scurried into the garden. “Go find your family, little guy.”
“Little guy?” My eyebrows drew together. “Juliet that was the biggest fucking spider I have ever seen.”
She tightened her towel, probably realizing that she was naked underneath. “I try not to kill anything that is not trying to kill me!” Her words were soft as she brushed past me, practically running to her room.
I busted up laughing. This girl, every minute that passed, I wanted her more.
Chapter Nine
Rage
Robotically, I performed my arm workout standing in front of the wall of mirrors in The Pit’s free-weights room. I curled the heavy weights; each time my biceps bulged, my veins filled with blood, making them appear even more substantial. To any passerby, I was working out in front of the mirror like anyone else.
The truth was, I had been getting here earlier this week, hoping to run into Juliet. I didn’t want to go to Fluid and ask her out. I am not the type to seek a woman out, at least I hadn’t had any desire or need to seek one out ‘til now. I was here early again for the third time this week. I used the mirror to check out who was in the gym. Hopefully, I would catch a glimpse of Juliet and we could talk.
Ever since that almost kiss, all I had thought about was Juliet. I wanted her. I needed her. I had to have more of her. Maybe if we finished what we started, I would be able to get this woman out of my system.
She had me so twisted up, I even got hell from Colt for breaking the rules. Ledge and I had paid Joker a little visit before he left town. I just couldn’t let it go. I regretted nothing. It had been more than fair, three of those loser scumbags against the two of us. It had made me happy to see his busted up, black and blue nose from the head-butt she had given him. Even after finishing what I started with Joker, it didn’t satisfy me. Assholes like him never learned.
Colt had asked me to ride up later tonight to the Stained Souls’ brewery, Black Rock Microbrew, to drop off some paperwork to Tiny, the brother who ran the place. I had promised Colt I would deliver them personally. Black Water, a great band, would to be playing there tonight on the deck, and I was planning on inviting Juliet to come and make the trip with me. Judging by her taste in music, I thought Juliet would love them.
I’d seen her leave the gym after training with Leo twice over the past two weeks. Since they trained early, I got my butt up, determined to talk to her today. I hadn’t seen her here since the incident with Joker, so I was hoping she hadn’t cancelled her training with Leo today.
It looked like my timing was perfect. There she was, training with Leo. I watched Leo use his drill sergeant tactics to draw out everything she had as a fighter. Woman or man, Leo didn’t care. You trained with him, your ass was going to have to work, hard. She was no different.
Juliet’s sweat-coated body was sexy as hell, accentuating her lean muscles. Her sports bra was athletic style and kept her large breasts in place. Her yoga pants hugged her curves but gave her mobility to perform high kicks.
I kept looking in the mirrors, waiting to see her leave the locker room. I had to keep reminding myself to switch circuits, so I wasn’t standing here like a fool doing a thousand curls.
I repeatedly hit the speed bag while surveilling the locker room exit. A voice from my past called out, “So, it’s true! You are back in town.” Arrogance laced his tone. I hated that voice. It belonged to none other than Richard—Dick, as I preferred to call him—Ramsey.
He and his brother, Deacon, were the developers who owned a whole lot of Sugar Maple now. Both of them had been total assholes growing up. They’d flaunted daddy’s money and thought they were better than everyone else. Richard had been a lumbering but lanky shithead whom I’d had more than a few run-ins with at school. I’d always ended up suspended, but his daddy had always gotten him out of everything. I think Ramsey Stadium at the high school had been a bribe to get those two shitheads out of trouble.
I turned to answer Dick, who was no longer a lanky guy but a well-developed muscular man. He must have hit the juice hard to gain that much size. His black gym pants had some stupid designer logo, and he wore no shirt to show off his chest and muscled arms. He still was not quite my size, but close.
“Dick.”
“Alexander.” No one had called me that since high school.
“What the hell are you doing here? Don’t you have a private gym in your home?”
His face turned into a devilish grin, “Can’t fight with the best unless you train with the best, and Leo will only train me here.”
I rolled my eyes. “I didn’t think you’d want your pretty boy ass kicked in a ring.”
Changing to the heavy bag, I pounded at it, wishing it was his face.
“Since training with Leo over the past three years, I’m defending champ on this circuit,” he touted. “I guess you need to catch up on things around here. Since you left and Leo no longer competes, this is my octagon now.” He was holding a towel around his neck; his hands were wrapped, prepared for his session.
I stopped my assault on the bag, finally looking him in the eye. “Is that right?” I scoffed. “Well, then, I guess we’ll see if you keep that title in July when I compete in the Firecracker Fights.”
I enjoyed watching the drop wash over his face. “Wha…? I-I thought you retired.” Grimacing like he had eaten something sour, he shook his head like I was lying.
“Nope, you thought wrong,” I retorted, enjoying the confused look on his face. I resumed my rhythm on the bag. “
I guess you need to catch up on things around here,” I said before stopping the bag with my glove and leveling my eyes with his.
“I—” I started, but our attention was caught by Juliet leaving the locker room. Fuck, she was more beautiful every time I saw her.
Before I even had a chance to approach her to ask about tonight, Dick made a beeline toward her. Her eyes caught mine. She quickly looked away and turned her attention to the douche.
She smiled and nodded at what he was saying. I strained to hear but couldn’t over the music in the gym. Why the fuck was she smiling at him? My jaw ticked as he walked away giving me a smug look. Asshole.
The look on my face as he talked to her must have said it all. As she turned to walk away, he made a point to blatantly check out her ass, then looked at me.
I was going to kill this asshole. She threw her bag on her back as she walked away from him and toward the door.
“Hey, Juliet,” I called out and jogged toward her.
She stood against the wall close to the exit. “Hi, Rage.”
I loved the way my name rolled off her tongue. Her green eyes stared at me, I almost lost the words. Daggers penetrated my back from across the room as Dick watched.
I stretched my arm on the wall above her, leaning into her space.
“I…uh…I have to make a run tonight, and I was wondering if you’d like to come. I’m going to—” Before I finished, her head was shaking no.
“I’m sorry, Rage, I already have plans. Maybe another time?”
“Yeah, sure. Another time.” I nodded. I rubbed the back of my neck, feeling like a rejected puppy. I’m a fierce fighter, but this girl had me wound up like a scared little boy.
“It was good to see you, Rage.” She shifted nervously and pushed the silver bar to open the door. Her head snapped up when Richard called out from across the gym, apparently, so everyone could hear, “Juliet, I’ll pick you up around seven. Be ready!” His evil grin was aimed directly at me.
What the fuck? Juliet was dating Dick Ramsey? Are you fucking kidding me?
Breathe, Rage. Leo wouldn’t like it if I kicked his ass right here. It wouldn’t be good for the gym. It would definitely be worth it, but I couldn’t do that to Leo. I ground my teeth, and flames flew out my nostrils as I turned to face the asshole. I gave him a death scowl, and he returned it with a shit-eating grin. “Fucking asshole,” I mumbled.
Couldn’t Juliet see what a giant dick he is? She put her head down and continued walking out the door, giving me a casual wave as the door closed behind her.
Juliet
This was my first time training with Leo since I’d been attacked by Joker. I wasn’t sure if or how much Leo knew about what happened that night. I scurried into the locker room before our session to be sure the makeup I had applied earlier was still camouflaging the bruises.
The lighting in The Pit locker room was not ideal for makeup application, but it was all I had. Blending out the edges, I could barely see the yellow skin that still had a purple hue. Satisfied with the quick job I did, I swept on one last coat of setting powder. Ivy would be proud. She had taught me how to do this a few days ago so I could return to Fluid without anyone asking questions. It was only my second time doing it myself. Unlike Ivy’s, my makeup experience was limited at best.
When Leo greeted me, it was obvious that he knew what had happened. The MC was worse than girls sometimes with the way they gossiped.
“How are you, killer? I heard you sent Joker back to the meet with a broken nose. Everyone thought him and Rage just got into it, but Hawk told me what really went down and how you handled yourself.” He rested a hand on my shoulder, guiding me to the heavy bag. “I’m proud of you, girl. Not a lot of men or women would be able to take down a man like Joker.”
I beamed with pride. Hearing someone say they were proud of me made me feel pretty special. His words made me smile, and also a bit sad because I missed my parents who had always told me they were proud of me and cheered me on my entire life.
“All you, Leo.” I winked. His hand then came up to my makeup-covered cheek. His smile was replaced with agitation, and his brows drew together as his finger gently touched the skin. Maybe my makeup job was not as good as I thought.
“That motherfucker,” he said in a low growl. “Rage fucked him up, but I think he should’ve fucking taken his nuts for this.”
I pulled my face from his gentle hold. “What do you mean? Rage just hit him a few times before Hawk dragged him away,” I said, confused.
“Forget I said this, but,” he looked around to make sure no one was listening, “Rage came back after he stayed with you, tracked him down before he left town, gave him a chance to be sober, and then fought him. He beat the living shit out of the bastard. Well-deserved, in my book.” He looked around again. Gossips, they were such gossips.
“He beat him like you were his girl or his family. Ever since he was sent away, he’s taken anger management and has been pretty good with keeping his temper. But Joker was not going to get away with hurting you. Rage was legit pissed. I would have been too if I had known what happened before they left. I’m not supposed to share club business, but seeing your face, I thought you should know.” He looked at the area again, and my hand instinctively covered it.”
“Don’t say I told you. You got me?” He pointed his finger at me to make sure I understood. I nodded in complete shock as the words sank in and my brain tried to compute everything he had said.
Rage had gone back after spending the night with me. He’d beaten Joker like I was his girl? His family? I felt a connection to him after the short time we had spent together, but I didn’t expect to hear that.
“Sure, Leo,” I promised, twisting my fingers over my lips as if I was locking them. “I won’t say a word.”
“Now,” he clapped his hands, “let’s get to work. Show me what you got!” He steadied the heavy bag and began calling out instructions.
For the entire workout, my mind replayed my conversation with Leo over and over in my head. A piece of me was happy not only because that asshole was made to pay, but also that Rage dished out the payback. Another piece was kind of excited that Rage cared enough to go after the asshole. Needless to say, I was distracted. I kept scanning the gym, hoping to see Rage.
Even as I showered and dressed, I couldn’t contain my smile. The idea of Rage defending my honor because he actually cared about me, even though he’d known me for such a brief time, was thrilling.
But my giddiness came to a complete halt when I overheard some women talking in the locker room. Some young college girls were changing and chatting about this super hot new guy at The Pit that they were determined to get to know. When they said Rage’s name, my ears tuned in.
A locker door slammed. A redhead I had never seen here before, wearing way too much makeup for the gym, sauntered over to them. She got right into their faces. She pushed her ample breasts up when her arms crossed, and her eyes narrowed. “You little bitches better not be talking about my Rage. If you even approach him or touch one fine hair on his hard body, you won’t be left with a single hair on either of your heads.” The woman’s long sharp red nail pointed from one girl to the other. Her face morphed, raging jealousy was written all over it. I acted like I wasn’t watching and kept myself partly hidden behind the small red metal door.
“You two little school girls got it?” she seethed. They both nodded before nearly running out of there.
My heart dropped to my stomach. I was wrong after all. How could I have been so stupid? Rage already had someone. I should have known. The man belonged to a damn motorcycle club and adoring groupies were never in short supply. And judging by her tattoos, I’d say this woman was probably popular with the club.
I continued to watch her as she changed. My suspicions were confirmed as she threw on a Stained Souls tank, covering her sports bra. The scrap of fabric was so tight, the material stretched the words across her enormous boobs, which spilled out from
the top. Her flat stomach was bare, and her tiny matching spandex shorts looked more like underwear. What the heck was she even doing here? Her attire was more for stripping than MMA workout.
I slammed the locker shut and entered the gym area. Disappointment filled me. Now I hoped I could get out of here unseen. I was hoping to avoid Rage and leave him to the red-haired bitch, who clearly thought she owned him. I thought I had caught a glimpse of him earlier while I was working out with Leo, but I wasn’t sure. I must have looked like a speed walker, trying to get out the door unnoticed.
I was halfway to the exit when I saw Rage talking to Richard. I nearly froze. How awkward. I tried to avoid the two, but Richard waved at me, getting my attention. He jogged over to me, wanting to confirm our date. I was glad that the music was loud enough that Rage probably couldn’t make out the conversation. A stupid part of me did not want him to know that Richard and I were dating. I don’t know why I cared, considering that woman from the locker room.
“Juliet, you’re running out of here pretty quick. I just wanted to make sure we’re still on for tonight? I know it’s been almost two weeks since we made plans. Are you still good?” Richard asked smiling a devilish grin.
I looked into his blue eyes; they were a dull color compared to Rage’s rich chocolate and gold eyes. His pale blond hair was gelled in place and looked like it would cut you if you touched it. No stubble on his perfectly clean-shaven jaw. He flaunted his sculpted body.
“Juliet, are we good?” He looked into my eyes, bringing me back to the conversation. “Oh, uh, yeah, we’re good.” I nodded.
“Great, I’ll pick you up tonight about seven.” He ran his finger down my arm. I shook off the goosebumps and watched as Rage stayed trained on us and started heading this way. “I gotta run, Richard, I’ll see you tonight.” I smiled up at him and turned away, quickening my pace toward the exit.
Inches from the door, my stomach lurched as Rage’s gruff voice called my name. “Juliet,” he said. The inflection made my legs weak. What was wrong with me? I was seeing Richard, and Rage had someone. Apparently, I needed to inform my traitorous body of those facts. Every time I’m around him, I felt my resolve weakening. My core heated, remembering the almost kiss and the way he nibbled at my neck. Oh, God.