“Nope. I met someone from town. She’s a bar owner and the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. You’d really like her.”
“Now I’m intrigued. A bar owner. You got yourself a blue-collar girl?” She laughs like she told the funniest joke.
“Watch it, Shelly. I won’t have you disrespecting her.” She’s one of my oldest friends, but I won’t have anyone talking negatively about my girl.
“Wow, so I guess it’s serious. I was joking around, Zander. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you have more than a one-night stand with someone outside our industry. What happened to not getting involved with anyone so close to your big fight?”
“I wasn’t planning on it, but there’s something there. The moment I laid eyes on her, I knew she was different. Look at us, we’re together for 15 minutes, and I’m gonna have my man card revoked. Enough with the girl talk. Let’s go get some lunch. I’m fucking starving.”
“You’ve always had a way with words. Just know that I’m happy for you. We all hope to find something like that one day, especially knowing it’s a long shot with how our lives are. I can’t wait to meet her.”
Once we get to the restaurant, we’re swarmed by paparazzi from the second we exit the car. Dante, my bodyguard, jumps out of the car to help fend them off. I should have known she would have tipped them off. Shelly loves making a splash in the tabloids because it keeps her on top. I just wish she wouldn’t do it with me, especially now. The last thing I need is for Savvy to open up a magazine and see this on the front cover.
In the middle of the swarm, Shelly jumps into my arms and plants a kiss on my lips. I plant a fake smile on my lips and start carrying her into the restaurant. What I really want to do is drop her to the ground and shoot her a glare, letting her know that in no way, shape, or form is this acceptable. Sure, I’ve put up with it because I’ve always been single, but I just finished telling her I was in a fucking relationship. Fear creeps into my mind when I think about Savvy seeing the scene that just played out somewhere on the internet.
We quickly make our way into the restaurant with the help of Dante and are ushered over to one of the best tables. Once we sit down, I can’t bite my tongue any longer.
“What the hell, Shelly? The second I finish telling you I’m seeing someone, you fucking maul me in front of all the photographers and kiss me. What’s wrong with you?”
At least she looks ashamed. “I’m so sorry, Zander. I tipped them off before I saw you in the car, and it’s force of habit to cause a scene in front of them. I bet they don’t even end up on the cover of a tabloid. It’s not like similar pictures of us haven’t been around before.”
“This isn’t a game. Don’t do that shit again. You are one of my best friends, but if you can’t respect my relationship, we’re not going to be able to meet up anymore. I’m serious. Savvy means a lot to me, and I won’t ruin that over you causing a stir just to get noticed.”
Tears begin to form in her eyes, alerting me that she feels horrible. Sometimes, when you’ve been dealing with all this shit as long as we have, you don’t think like a normal person anymore. She doesn’t look at kissing as anything worse than shaking hands. We’ve had this discussion before where she admitted kissing is part of the job for her, no emotion involved.
“I’m truly sorry, Zander. If something happens, I promise to talk to her for you and set the story straight.”
“I appreciate it, but I can handle my own relationship. No more publicity stunts with me. That part of my life is over now. I need to focus on my career and my new relationship.”
I lean over and give her a hug and kiss on the cheek, letting her know all is forgiven. The waiter comes up to us, and we finally place our order. I wish I could eat what I want; I’m so hungry, and a salad and plate of fish won’t do a thing for me. The only thing that stops me from ordering a big, juicy steak and mashed potatoes is the fact that I need to be in the best physical shape I can possibly be in for the fight.
“So, why haven’t I heard about her until now? How long have you been together?”
“I actually just met her recently.”
“What? You’re this crazy over a girl you just met? She must be something special.”
“What can I say? When you know, you know.”
We chit chat for the next hour before my phone starts blowing up with messages from my manager, telling me it’s time to get to another interview. Well, it was fun while it lasted. We head back outside to the car, and this time, we keep our heads down and don’t give the paps anything to use on us.
I promise to call her next time we’re in the same city again when I drop her off at the hotel, and then I head toward my next round of radio interviews. I don’t mind them so much because I’m not on camera and don’t have to make sure I’m always conveying the right facial expression. That shit can get exhausting.
It’s nearly midnight as I wait to be called for my interview on one of the more popular late-night talk shows. I was hoping to be hopping on a private plane back home by now, but this interview came up at the last minute. I actually love doing this show because I’m great friends with the host. We always have a blast when I stop by, and he makes me play some stupid game that makes me look like an idiot. I want to shoot Savvy a text, but I forgot my phone back at my hotel when I quickly stopped in between interviews. I’ll just have to call her in the morning.
An assistant pops his head into the dressing room to let me know I have to start making my way to the set.
Walking out to thunderous applause, I wave to all the fans in the audience. I truly love my fans. I wouldn’t be where I am if they hadn’t been with me every step of the way. I give my buddy a hug and sit in the chair next to his desk. The interview is going great. I’m trash talking Alverez and discussing the fight. I’m in shock when he asks me if there is anyone special in my life. I give a standard response, knowing that I can’t out my relationship, especially on this show because it’s so popular.
I think I’m in the clear until he pulls up two pictures from earlier of me and Shelly. I begin to panic when I see the one of her in my arms, kissing me on the lips. Motherfucker! I school my expression as fast as I can and brush the encounter off. I finish the interview as fast as possible and call him an asshole as I head to the back. I don’t know why he’d bring up something like that. He knows I don’t like to talk about my personal life. I understand this is his job, but he could have at least given me some warning. Sometimes this industry changes people, and they stab you in the back.
I leave the set as fast as I can. I really wish I had my phone. There is no way I can be sure that Savvy saw this interview, but if she did, I don’t stand a chance. She’s already skeptical of this part of my life, and I know this won’t help in the least. I rush to get back to my hotel and dial her number the second I find my cell phone. It goes to voicemail after one ring. I think that answers if she saw the interview. Trying a few more times with the same result, I decide to shoot off a couple texts to her.
This better not have cost me my relationship. I finally find someone perfect for me, and I blow it with a stupid interview. She isn’t used to this life, and I couldn’t even warn her about my answers because I didn’t have my phone on me. There is no way I’m falling asleep anytime soon, so I decide to head down to the hotel gym for a while.
The whole time I’m taking my frustrations out on the punching bag, I pray she’ll hear me out when I get home.
CHAPTER 8
My door closing wakes me from my sleep. Ashlyn must have woken up and left my room. I roll over, and the night before suddenly comes back to me, and I’m left feeling like an idiot. I knew it would eventually end, I just thought it would start a little bit first. I shake my head with new resolve. I’m not this pathetic, naïve woman pining after a man who doesn’t want her. Fuck him! I don’t need him or his delectable kisses. I grab my phone, and I’m surprised to see six missed calls from Zander, along with numerous texts and voicemails.
&nbs
p; I delete them all without reading or listening to them. He’s not worth my time anymore. I get up and head out to the kitchen to grab some Diet Pepsi, my caffeine of choice.
Ashlyn bounces into the kitchen dressed in her running clothes, singing to herself. “Great, you’re up. Get your ass in gear so we can go for our run, seeing as we missed the past few days. We open today, so we have to head out now.”
I finish my soda and roll my eyes before heading to my bedroom and changing. A run is probably just what I need right now to clear my head. I walk outside and find Ashlyn stretching, so I join her. Soon enough, we’re off on our run. I make her change up our route, not wanting to run by Zander’s gym just in case he’s back already.
We get home 45 minutes later, and I’m a panting, sweaty mess. “You would think I’d somehow get used to this, seeing as we run four days a week, but I don’t. I hate running,” I say, laughing between my heaving breaths.
I look up at Ashlyn and see she’s barely winded. “I hate you,” I mumble as we walk through the front door.
“So, have you thought about what you’re going to say to Zander yet? I mean, you can’t avoid him forever. He is our new building buddy.”
“I don’t want to talk about it. Thinking about coming face to face with him again gives me anxiety. Let’s just get ready and head into work, please.”
I check my phone when I get into my room. I notice I have a missed call from my dad and a couple more text messages from Zander. For someone who basically said I was nothing for everyone to see on national television, he sure is being persistent. I head for the shower to wash the sweat off me.
I’m coming back into my room when my phone goes off. I think it must be my dad, so I answer without looking at the screen.
“Hey Dad, sorry, I noticed you called. I was about to call you back.”
I’m shocked when I’m met with a relieved sigh and a whispered, “Savvy.” Why the hell didn’t I look at the screen when I answered? This is just my luck to be blindsided by a conversation that I definitely would have put off indefinitely, or at least until I psyched myself up a bit.
“What do you want, Zander?” I try to sound agitated instead of how I really feel: hurt.
“Savvy, you need to let me explain. I should have filled you in before I went in for the interview. My…”
I cut him off.
“No, you don’t have to explain anything to me. I saw the pictures of you guys together, so there is no denying it. And the fact that I don’t even qualify as a distraction to you? Message received loud and clear, asshole. I’m just glad I found out about the real you before I fell even harder.” As I say the last word, a sob works its way up my throat before I can stop it. I should have never said that I fell for him, but I can’t help it. I have known him for a short while, but I know what I felt for him was different. I thought we were different.
“Everything I said on TV was a lie, Savvy. You have to believe me. Please give me five minutes to explain everything to you. Please.” The way he says please has my heart pounding.
I think about it for a minute before replying. “I’m heading into work soon. Can you meet me before we open at noon?” He’s acting the complete opposite of what I thought. Would someone seem this worried over someone who doesn’t matter to them?
“I’ll be there. I just got home from my flight, so I’ll head over soon. And Savvy,” the way he says my name makes me shiver, “thanks for giving me a chance to explain. Most women would have written me off already.”
“You know I’m not most women,” I say before hanging up.
As I sit on my bed, I think about the mess my life has become. Nope, not a mess, I decide. My life will not be considered a mess, and the world will not end over guy troubles.
“Everything was so much easier when I only relied on my B.O.B.,” I say to myself.
I’m wiping down the counter of the bar when there’s a knock on the entrance door. I look up, and my eyes meet the ones that have been haunting my dreams for the past two nights. Instead of the hunger that’s usually there, they look nervous, remorseful even.
I walk over to the door and unlock it. Once he’s inside, I usher him over to a booth in the corner so we have some privacy. I feel his warmth at my back as we walk. If I turned around, I know he would be right next to me, so close we’d practically be touching. We sit down, and he reaches across the table, taking my hands in his as we hear the door to the kitchen open. I look over to Ashlyn, and she gives Zander the universal I’ll be watching you sign with her fingers while she narrows her eyes at him. She slinks back into the kitchen, not one word spoken, and I try not to laugh. I love her so hard.
“Savvy, I’m so sorry you had to see that interview without me explaining things to you first. I forgot my phone at the fucking hotel, and I couldn’t tell you what was going on. I’ve told you Alverez, my opponent, tries to play mind games with who he’s going up against. To him, nothing is off limits, not even family or children. My manager found out that he’s been nosing around, trying to find my weakness to exploit. If he found out about you, he wouldn’t hold back, which would thrust you into the spotlight. I couldn’t do that to you, knowing you’re hesitant to even get to know that side of my life, and figured it would be easier for now…” he emphasizes, “to keep things between us private. I know it freaks you out, but I see us going somewhere, Savvy. I have never felt this way or had this kind of connection with anyone before. I’ve only known you for a few days, but you’ve dug your way into my heart. I’m not saying we have to keep our relationship a secret forever, just until my fight’s over. It’s not fair with how new our relationship is to ask you to be okay with your personal life being broadcast everywhere. Please tell me that you believe me. Say you’ll give me another chance, and I’ll try not to fuck up again.”
“I need you to tell me if you are still involved with Shelly Storms.”
“Honestly, she’s one of my best friends. The tabloids have spun it that we had this whirlwind affair, which is the furthest thing from the truth. When I was starting out on the fighting scene, she was a new model trying to make it. We went on one date and realized that romantically we had no chemistry, but we stayed friends. It’s nice to have someone to talk to who’s going through the same things. I met up with her in New York because I rarely get to see her these days, and we try to make a point of getting together when we’re in the same city.” He takes a deep breath. “Normally, she tips off photographers to wherever we’re going so that she can make a spectacle so her career stays relevant. I had just finished telling her about you in the car before she blindsided me in front of all the photographers. I told her off, and she swore to never do it again. I’m so sorry you had to see that, but just know it meant absolutely nothing. You’re the only woman in my life.”
I breathe a sigh of relief at his explanation. At least I know this relationship isn’t one-sided and that he feels the same way about me.
I look up at him and whisper, “Okay.”
He’s up and on my side of the booth before I even get the whole word out. He wraps his arms around me as he leans down and kisses me. It hasn’t been that long, but I’ve missed him. Just this morning, I thought this relationship was over, so to have him holding me, kissing me…it’s so surreal. I kiss him back with every ounce of emotion I’m feeling. He slides his tongue into my mouth, and as it starts to move with mine, he pulls back and whispers in my ear, “Is there somewhere more private we can go?”
I give him a little nudge, and he exits the booth as I follow him. Taking his hand, I pull him back to my office, thanking god that it’s on the other side of the bar. As I walk through the door, he slams it shut and pushes me up against it. Zander’s whole body is flush with mine as he devours my mouth.
His hands start to play with the hem of my tank top while he rubs slow circles on the bare skin of my stomach. Lifting my tank up over my breasts, he breaks the kiss to get it over my head. The look of hunger in his eyes as he takes me in m
akes between my thighs throb. Moving his hands lower, he cups my ass and lifts me up, forcing me to wrap my legs around his waist.
Walking me over to my desk, he sets me down and pushes me to lie back. He unclasps my bra in the back and slides it down my arms so my breasts are fully exposed. Leaning forward, he starts sucking on my nipple, and I gasp. I feel beyond aroused, and if he looked right now, my panties would be soaked.
“Your tits are fucking perfect,” he growls as he takes the other nipple in his mouth. Every time he sucks, it hits me straight in my core. I feel his hand start to work its way down to the button of my jeans, and before I know it, they are down around my ankles as he pulls them off. Laying on my desk in nothing but a black lace thong, I eagerly await in anticipation for what’s about to come.
Zander rubs his nose up along my jawline until he gets to my ear and says with a sexy growl, “Are you wet for me, baby? Do you have any idea how many times I’ve pictured you just like this, laid out and open for me?”
Throwing my hands into his hair, I pull him to me and kiss him with all of the want that is in me. I lower my hands to his pants, but he starts to shake his head and moves my hands away from where I want them to be so badly.
“I told you that when I saw you again I would worship every inch of this sexy body. I hope you’re ready to scream my name, baby.” He says this while slowly lowering his head down my stomach, kissing a path along the way. Hooking his hands under the band of my panties, he slides them down my legs until I’m left completely naked and wanting. He steps back and appraises my body with unbridled lust.
Bound By Cage Box Set (Complete Series Books 1-4) : MMA Romance Page 7