Bound By Cage Box Set (Complete Series Books 1-4) : MMA Romance

by Brittany Crowley

  “When I heard Savvy, all I could think was it’s the same. I’m in the same situation, just with a different woman. I can’t go through that hurt again Ashlyn.”

  “I don’t need anything from you, neither does this baby. After it’s born I’ll have a paternity test and we’ll go from there. You have plenty of time to decide whether you want to be in this baby’s life. Just know that if you’re in, it’s 100%. This baby deserves that and so do I.”

  “Hold the hell up Ash. I told you that’s how I felt, not how I feel. The paternity never should have been a question. I know this baby is mine and I will be there for the both of you. The whole walk over I was thinking about how I feel. The conclusion…I’m fucking thrilled. We made this baby. We’re a family.”

  “I don’t want to give you mixed signals Josh. Just because we’re having a baby doesn’t mean anything for us. We will co parent and that’s where the line’s drawn. After the baby’s born we’ll figure out a schedule and visitation times.”

  Josh growls, like growls so loud that everyone starts staring. I drop my head into my hands and sigh.

  “If anything, this has shown me we’re meant to be. It’s kismet. I’m not giving up hope on us and I won’t be dictated as to when I can visit my child. You may not believe me, but every single day since that morning I left, there has been a gaping hole right here.” He bangs his fist on his chest over his heart. “And it only feels whole again when I’m with you. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I love you and I won’t give up on us.”

  “Upfront is the only way I’m going to be with you Josh. I’m so happy you want to be a part of this baby’s life and be there for me, but that’s it. There still isn’t and never will be an us again. I can get past the emotions but I can’t get past the fact that you left me for another woman. I’m sorry if that changes your mind at all, but that’s how it has to be.”

  “Nothing that ever happens between us will affect my relationship with my child. Let’s just get that part out of the way. I told you back home that I was going to fight for you and that’s what I intend to do still. You may think you’re safer closing your heart off to me, but I’m here to let you know that you can trust me with it. Hurting you was the biggest regret of my life and it will never happen again.”

  Why is it when I’m around Josh I just want him to hold me? I can already feel my walls starting to crack as I try to reinforce them.

  “Alright we’ve said what needs to be said. Let’s go back to being friends so this awkward conversation is over with and I can enjoy my freaking pancakes.”

  Laughing Josh picks up his coffee. I reach for my orange juice and take a healthy gulp. So good.

  After I wolf down my food leaving not one spec of a crumb behind, Josh asks me if I want to see the sights. I kind of do, but that’s definitely sending him the wrong message, so I tell him I’m going back to the hotel. When we get to my room I say my goodbyes and close the door. As I lean my back against it, I try to think about how I found myself here. At least everything’s good on the baby front. I don’t need to worry about this dark lingering secret hanging over my head anymore. I lay down in bed trying to fall asleep. Because of Josh’s little show last night, I barely slept. A nap will do me good.

  What feels like five minutes later there’s a knock at my door. I groan and roll out of bed and am not the least bit surprised when I find Josh on the other side.

  “Zander just texted saying a limo will be here to pick us up out front in two hours.”

  “What! Two hours? How the hell am I going to get ready that fast? It’s not enough time!”

  I go through my check list in my head of things I need to do. Shower, shave, hair, makeup, calm the fuck down.

  “Ash, you’ll have plenty of time.”

  “Are you a female? Did your dick somehow disappear since the last time I’ve seen it? Huh? You know nothing about how long it takes a woman to get ready for a classy event. Nothing!”

  “Alright, would it help if I told you that Savvy has a team arriving soon upstairs? She said to grab your dress and whatever else you need and head upstairs.”

  “I’m going to murder you and it will look like an accident Joshua Cage.”

  I grab all my stuff and run for the elevators. I say a quick hello to Dante, Zander’s personal bodyguard, and barge right in their suite. I should have knocked.

  I interrupt a mostly naked Savvy straddling Zander on the couch and it makes me want to gouge my eyes out. Not the half-naked Zander, but my sister from another mister. If I went my whole life without seeing how she rode cock, it would’ve been too soon.

  “Jesus Christ guys!” I turn around facing the opposite direction.

  “Sadly I was so close, yet now, so very far away.” Savvy says in a breathy moan.

  “Can you disappear for a quick second Ash? You’re making this uncomfortable and I have some business to tend to.” Oh, Zander thinks it’s getting uncomfortable now?

  “I’m going back downstairs to get ready. I’ll see you two in the limo.” I hear Savvy yell my name but I keep on going. What a whore! After what she pulled with me last night now she is going to pull this? I know these are my hormones talking when tears threaten to spill from my eyes.

  I walk through the door and slam it behind me. My backs against the wall and I’m standing right next to Dante. When I look over at him he gives me a chin lift. I speak fluent macho man so I hit him with one back.

  “Congrats on the baby Ash.”

  I’m taken aback when he talks. I don’t think I’ve ever heard him talk.

  “Thanks.” I draw out the word.

  “Why are you hanging out with me in the hallway, don’t you have to get ready? We leave in an hour and a half.”

  “Ugh, don’t remind me. I walked in on something and let’s just say it wasn’t pretty. I’m totally lying. Zander is gorgeous, but I didn’t need to see him being ridden like a stallion with my best friend doing the dirty work.” When I get a slight chuckle from Dante it’s a win in my book.

  A couple minutes pass when a flushed Savvy sprints out the door towards the elevator.

  “Turn around Sav, I’m right here!” I yell before she gets too far away.

  “Sorry Ash I was worried you went back downstairs. The glam squad should be here any second.”

  “You were sorry, yet not sorry enough that you had me waiting out here forever while you finished Zander off?” I cross my arms over my chest and narrow my eyes.

  She looks up at me shyly and I can’t contain my laughter. “Sav, you can get it in all you want with your husband, just give me some warning. That was like watching a train wreck.”

  Throwing her arm around my shoulders, Savvy leads me back into their suite.

  “What are you talking about, a train wreck? I have great technique and when I’m riding Zander I can get him to-”

  I cut her off. “La la la la! If sex is off the table for me I can’t hear about yours. These hormones are brutal and I don’t want to be in my room later, alone, fantasizing about your husband.”

  “Well you weren’t alone last night from what I hear. It’s doubtful you would fantasize about Zander when you know who is in your bed. Wait, did you make him sleep on the floor?”

  “No dear Savvy, he slept in bed with me. He was so drunk off of his ass I had to take pity on him. He came in, jumped in my bed and passed out. Do you know how hard it was sleeping next to perfection last night? Even though he pissed me the hell off beforehand I’m a woman and I only have so much will power.

  I notice Savvy has a weird look on her face. She moves her eyes between me and something behind me. Crap. I turn around and lock eyes with Josh.

  “Josh what the…? Warn me when you’re eavesdropping or just I don’t know, block your big ears.” Truthfully, I’m mortified he heard my admission because I know he’ll use it in his arsenal to win me back.

  “Sorry. I came up to check on when you girls would be ready. Zander wasn’t answering his ph
one.” He doesn’t look sorry at all as he gives me a sexy grin.

  “That would be because the married couple decided to get a quickie in on the couch before I arrived.”

  “Hey! Quick is not my style Ash.” Zander says as he enters the room.

  “Thank god.” Savvy exclaims.

  I roll my eyes as I grab my dress bag and tell Savvy to lead the way. We’re halfway up the stairs when I turn around and see Josh talking to Zander yet staring at my ass. When I’ve stopped my upward movements, he smiles at me and winks. I narrow my eyes and hit him with my best mean mug. Josh’s laughter fills the first floor causing me to squeeze my legs tightly together. No way, I cannot end up in bed with him again. My vagina has already forgiven him even if my heart hasn’t. Traitor.

  ***

  Savvy lets out a slow whistle. “Ash, you look scorching hot. No way will Josh be able to keep his hands to himself tonight.”

  “Oh, he will if he knows what’s good for him. The last thing I need are his hands on me right now. His big, strong, skilled fingers. Is it hot in here? I think Zander turned the heat on.”

  “Nope no heat, it’s the beginning of summer for crying out loud. I think you’re burning up due to a certain Cage brother.”

  “Keep your mouth closed when I’m talking to you! You have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  When I hear Savvy chuckle, I flip her the bird. I head over to the floor length mirror in the bathroom and stare at my reflection. The glam squad are miracle workers!

  “Jesus they’re good. You can’t even see the bags under my eyes.” I get really close and examining my makeup nodding my head in approval. The hair dresser made me do an up do because he said I had a sexy neck.

  Savvy wraps her arm around my shoulders as we stare at our reflections. Savvy looks gorgeous in a floor length purple gown. It’s light and airy and the way its draped makes her look like a Greek goddess. When she adds a kick ass necklace, it completes her look and accentuates the way her boobs look in a strapless dress.

  When we were choosing dresses back at home I was going to pick something with an empire waist. Savvy convinced me to scrap that idea and I’m glad she did. I look at my floor length red gown and goosebumps cover my arms. I’m not one to toot my own horn, but I look hot. My tits are practically pouring over the top. If they are this big already, I’m excited to see their growth by the end of this pregnancy. The dress hugs my body perfectly until it flares out at the knee. My little bump is only noticeable to those that know I’m pregnant. Otherwise I look like I ate a Big Mac for lunch.

  “We’re hot.” Savvy is looking at my tits in the mirror.

  “Hell yes we are. Now, stop looking at my cleavage and let’s get this show on the road.”

  We transfer the minimal things we can actually fit into our clutches, then head for the door. The guys will probably be angry we’re running late, but oh well. It takes time to beautify. We make our descent down the stairs as I’m expecting to hear shouts of annoyance about our lateness.

  When we get to the bottom I look over towards the guys and stop in my tracks. The look Josh is giving me screams sin and Zander’s face is a mirror image as he looks at Sav. Jay and Kyle opted to go out for the night, so it’s just the four of us. I really hope this doesn’t have a double date feel to it.

  Savvy clearly wasn’t paying attention because she runs right into me knocking me forward. Luckily there is an ottoman I flop on.

  “Jesus Savvy!” I yell upon impact.

  Strong arms swoop me up, then we’re on the move. He lifted me up so fast a boob popped out and I’m flashing the room as he walks me to the couch. Josh smells so good, but I push that thought to the side as I try to scramble and put my tit away.

  “Are you okay Ash? Does anything hurt… is the baby okay?”

  “I’m perfectly fine, barely fell. But thank you for giving the whole room a peep show.” I look around and notice Dante and another body guard standing in the corner of the room. Heat creeps up my face as I try to get up. Josh’s hand holds me down.

  “I think we should stay home.” If he didn’t look so concerned I’d smack him. I still might.

  “Are you insane? You just flashed the whole room my boob and now you want to keep me home?” He lets me up this time and everyone follows me out the door. When I get to the elevator I turn around and look at Savvy. She looks like she is going to puke.

  “Seriously, I’m okay. I promise. Can we please just have fun tonight? You know I have been dying for a night out.” That’s a lie because I’m already exhausted but they don’t need to know that. Did I mention the makeup artist got rid of the bags under my eyes?

  Zander’s the first to speak up. “Alright let’s do this. Guys she’ll tell us if something is wrong, right Ash?” He winks at me.

  “Savvy I’m stealing your husband!”

  “Get your own, bitch!”

  I laugh and look over at a still concerned Josh. When I mouth “I’m fine” I’m on the receiving end of his toothy grin.

  By the time we pull up to the benefit, we’re all laughing and joking around again. I’d like to say the fall is forgotten, but I know it’s not that simple with Josh. Before getting out, Zander looks at us in business mode.

  “Baby, did you explain the paparazzi situation to Ash?”

  “I knew I was forgetting something! Okay girl, do not give resting bitch face.” Savvy puts a polite smile on her lips and points to her face. “Literally keep your face like this for the duration of the red carpet. Believe me, you do not want to roll your eyes, yawn, sneeze or anything crazy that can be used against you.”

  “Oh, and Josh, make sure you can keep your hands where everyone can see them.”

  Josh holds his hands up jokingly as Zander rolls his eyes.

  “Are you ever going to get over that picture baby? It looked fine.” Zander’s trying to make her feel better but I remember that picture. Now I’m trying to keep the laugh that’s threatening to release from coming out.

  “Fine? It was fine? My eyes were rolled back in my head and my mouth was open. I looked like I was mid orgasm and your hand being out of view with the stupid ass grin on your face didn’t help. The head line read The Hitman’s Hands Strike Again!”

  Both guys are laughing as I’m still trying to keep it in. The day she came to my house with that article in hand was the best, she was in tears and I couldn’t keep it together to console her. The picture looked every bit what she described. The poor thing.

  “Okay I’ve got it, polite smile and Josh stays ten feet away. Nobody wants to talk to us simpletons anyways.”

  “Wait don’t you know…” Savvy doesn’t finish her thought as the door opens. Everyone starts sliding out when what she said a few minutes ago hits me.

  “Resting bitch face? Really Savvy? I do not suffer from RBF, right? You can’t do this to me the second before I walk my first red carpet!”

  “Like I said, just like this.” Savvy once again puts the polite smile back on her face.

  “You know you look like a stepford wife, right?”

  Savvy flips me off before exiting the limo as all hell breaks loose. You wouldn’t even know it was night with all the flashes lighting up the sky. I wish that bitch told me to look down or basically anywhere but at the cameras. Blind, unable to see anything I can’t even see where to follow Savvy and Zander.

  “Come on, I’ve got you.” Josh links my arm through his and starts to escort me down the red carpet.

  We’re not famous so we just need to make it to the end. Well at least I thought that was the case until Josh is asked to take a few pictures. I try to make myself scarce so he can do his thing, but Josh links his fingers through mine halting my movements.

  “Come on Ash.” That’s all he says before pulling my hand and somehow gracefully planting us in a pose. His hand is at the small of my back and we are facing towards each other, like we’re one of those married celebrity couples. I’m immediately annoyed. Why the hell would he
do this? Everyone’s going to think we’re together.

  Leaning down he whispers in my ear, “We’ll talk about this later.”

  “You better believe we’ll talk about this later jackass.”

  I plaster a smile on my face when I think about what Savvy said in the limo. It’s probably overkill and very toothy, but it’s better than looking like a pissed off girlfriend.

  The heat from his hand through my dress is doing all sorts of things to me, mostly making me wish I wore panties. Heat creeps up my face at the thought of being aroused in front of hundreds of cameras. It sucks that Josh still has this effect on me and it annoys me even more.

  We finish up and make our way past the photographers and almost make it past all the media tents when a few of them shout Josh’s name. What the hell is going on that I don’t know about? First the pictures, now the interviewers?

  “Josh Cage! Josh! Can we have a quick minute of your time?” Someone with a microphone asks.

  “Of course,” Josh says cool as a cucumber, like he does this every day of his life.

  “What are your thoughts on Matt Kingsley calling you out?”

  “It is what it is man. Matty’s a lot of talk.”

  “Do you plan on taking him up on his offer? Everyone wants Rampage back in the octagon.”

  “I don’t know man, we’ll see. Have a great night.”

  He ushers me to the end finally and I have nothing but questions in my head. Josh fights? When did this happen and how did I not know about it?

  “Ask me.” Josh states, jarring me from my thoughts.

  “When did you become a fighter? Surely you didn’t shoot to stardom when we weren’t…talking.”

  “You would be correct in that assumption. Technically, I’m still on the MMA roster, but a year ago, I took a beating and haven’t accepted a fight since. Zander keeps pushing me to accept, that way we can headline Vegas together in September. I’ve been busting my ass to get back into shape but I’m not sure it’s what I want anymore. With this baby on the way my priorities have shifted.”