by LL Dahlin
The Ultimate Takedown
Kick Ass Academy
Book # 1
by
L.L. Dahlin
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.
The Ultimate Takedown – Kick Ass Academy Book #1
COPYRIGHT © 2018 by L.L. Dahlin
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.
Published by L.L. Dahlin
Edited by Tanya Wamboldt
Cover Art by Karrie Jax
Publishing History
First Edition, 2018
Published in the United States of America
Dedication
For Tanya Wamboldt – Thank you for everything <3
Acknowledgements
The women who support me in this journey come from a wide range of experiences. Some I know from face to face interactions and others I’ve never met in person,
but my life is richer, fuller and more fulfilling because I know you. Thank you
My unbelievably helpful editor, Tanya Wamboldt, whose fixes and thoughtful incite helps to make my story richer. Hugs and thanks.
This list is woefully incomplete, because there are so many people to thank, and I appreciate each and every one of you. If you have purchased or were given a copy of this book, then consider yourself highly appreciated and a part of my journey.
Hugs, Love and Blessings to you all.
Chapter 1 – Cash
“I can’t believe that you’re doing this for me. It means the world to me, Cash.”
Charles ‘Cash’ Tucker had been the toughest and most popular MMA fighter around before he opened his now famous Kick Ass Academy. People used to come from all over the globe to see him fight but now they came from everywhere to take part in his 30 days to Kick Ass program. It was a success because the tough program had people in the best shape they’d ever been in, but it was real because the results varied from person to person and where they were on the spectrum of fitness and body agility. No one had been unhappy with their results yet, Cash considered that a plus. It had kept him out of the ring and something he had always strived to be…his own boss.
“Well you asked me to do it for you and I’ve never been able to tell you no. I’m just glad we are going to get a chance to be together for 30 days.” He didn’t give interviews…ever, but his half-sister, courtesy of his father, was starting a magazine and asked if she could go through his program and interview him. He’d go from never giving an interview to cover story and full editorial piece for his sister. Cash hadn’t had a lot to do with his family, but Karrie had found him when she turned 16 and her excitement that he was her brother had pierced the bubble he’d had around his feelings about family.
“Can you believe all this is really happening? My magazine is coming together and it’s already garnering so much buzz—”
Cash had been casually looking at the monitor of the club while he took the call from Karrie. He’d had a quasi one night stand at the club that had lasted all night. It was a night of firsts as he’d actually stayed the night snugged up with the man. When asked before if he had a type he’d said no but he wasn’t being honest. Although he wouldn’t say he fucked guys based on a particular type, it was more of what was ready to be devoured at the time he was ready to eat, the guy who’d walked through the doors made him feel like a kid on Christmas day. Ready, waiting and giddy as he waited for something he favored. The man last night had not only fucked up his one and done scenario but when he’d reached the lobby after walking out he sent his business card up to him with the valet. It looked like Myles had taken him up on his offer and was taking his time looking at the facility. Myles was a big man, not musclebound but on the thicker side. He’d probably mark ample or a little extra padding on a dating app if he were filling it out. Scholarly is the word Cash would use if he could only use one and for whatever reason watching him walk slowly around the place like he was mentally taking notes was revving up his engines. Was it the glasses, the short mustache/beard combination, or the fact the man had come to the gym in a sweater vest, plaid shirt and khaki pants? Fucking khakis. Cash wanted to do the guy again based on the outfit alone. Damn how long has it been? Less than twelve hours and his cock strained against his compression shorts under his sweats. He was going to have to take some time to get himself together, because he couldn’t afford to be this lusty at work.
Cash turned his attention back to the conversation he’d been having on the phone and realized he’d not been listening for a while. “Wait, Karrie, I was looking into a few things at the club and missed a lot of what you just said.”
“Well how long haven’t you been listening? I’ve been running my mouth at 100mph for about 5 minutes.” She always sounded pleasant and even with the knowledge that he’d been ignoring her for the last several minutes she was still pleasant.
“I think you were telling me that you were a publisher and I was saying that I was looking forward to spending 30 days with you.” Cash continued to follow the man he’d been with last night on the monitor but moved the camera back so he could take in the whole fighting floor instead of just zeroing in on this one guy.
“So you have room at your place?”
Cash frowned at the wording and thought back to what he’d agreed to when his sister asked him for this favor but he couldn’t really recall. “Of course I have room for you at my place. You know you’re welcome to stay with me anytime, but I thought that a 30 day stay would be difficult to pay for with all your putting into this magazine venture.”
“What I was saying that you totally blocked out was the fact that I’m not a reporter. I know you haven’t done any interviews in your long and successful career and I wanted to have one of the best sports journalist on my team. The man is brilliant and has many awards for journalism, but…” Karrie stopped.
Cash wasn’t sure he wanted to know what was really going on but he was hip deep in the shit so he’d better get the full story. “But, what?”
“He’s expensive as hell. I couldn’t afford him, but I know that he will bring a lot of readers to the magazine.”,
Cash didn’t like where this was going. He thought that he was doing a solid for his sister. They’d get to spend the allotted 30 days together while he got her in Kick Ass shape. He was going to do it himself and had marked off time for the next month to spend doing it. Usually there were trainers that had gone through his rigorous teachings and they did the training. You could do it with a group of 10, that was the cheaper way to go, or individually, which was a bit pricier. “So this guy, what, shook you down for an interview?”
“I wouldn’t say he did all that, but he was in talks with a bigger magazine and when asked who the person, living or dead, he most wanted to interview he said that place of honor goes to you, Charles “Cash” Tucker. A friend of mine was in on the conversation and knew that I was just starting out. He told me about it and then I asked you.”
Cash sat back in his chair trying not to feel all the ugly feelings that were going through him. A dirty rag. That’s what he felt like. Used for what he could bring to the table. Of course his sister wasn’t going to spend 30 days with him and he hadn’t asked enough questions when he’d accepted her request. He’d been hungrier for family than he thought, and he’d been played because of that ne
ed.
“Cash?”
He realized he’d gone silent but he was actually sick to his stomach that he’d been used and hadn’t seen this coming. “I’m still here, but I’m regretting telling you I’d do you this favor. I’m not into telling people my story and I don’t know how much I’m going to share but I promised you help with your magazine and I’ll give it.”
“I’m sorry. Let me make it up to yo—”
“Don’t even worry about it, Karrie. I’ll wait for your reporter and make sure you get what you need.” He hung up the phone and put it on the table in front of him. Cash could almost feel the walls he’d let down for Karrie building back up but faster and with steel instead of bricks. Pushing away from his desk he leaned back in the comfortable chair his assistant Maddox thought he’d like. The man did his best to keep him in comfort no matter how hard he fought against it. He directed his attention back to the monitor to look at something else he couldn’t have but he couldn’t find the hot, thick scholar anywhere.
He sat up in the chair and changed the view of the monitor. Maybe he’d moved to the boxing arena. Nope, he wasn’t there. He went back to the wide view of the main hall and roved the camera around the room. Nothing. “Fuck.”
The knock on the door wasn’t wanted even though Cash should probably get his mind on something business like. He’d struck out in his family life and eye fucks at this point and it was early in the morning, so he should get to a meeting or find out what the fuck was going on in his business life. “Come in.”
Maddox Slatington wasn’t a man you’d think of being the executive assistant to a rough and rowdy MMA club owner. The man had a grace and elegance that not many guys in this establishment possessed, but he could hold his own with any crowd. The man wasn’t as soft as he looked and could hand down a substantial ass whoopin’ if necessary. He’d given himself the name executive assistant because he felt secretary or manager wasn’t good enough for all the work he put into this place…and he was correct. The man was his right hand and sometimes both hands because he was so competent.
The door opened and Maddox let himself in and closed the door behind him like someone was chasing him. Then he just stood there.
“What?” Cash wasn’t feeling like playing any type of guessing game and it looked like the man was poised to play ‘Guess who’s out there’.
“Okay, so I’m just going to put this out there. I’m sure it’s a mistake but M. Aaron O’Rourke is at my desk.” Maddox’s eyes were big like they were when he was impressed with something or some-fucking-one.
“I’m guessing he’s a reporter.”
“No. He’s not A reporter…he is THE reporter. Like he has awards and prestige and—” Maddox stopped talking and pulled himself together. “As impressed as I’ve been with his reporting of sports figures in the gay community it’s hard for me to wrap my mind around him lying to get a story.”
Cash took a deep breath as he tried to steady himself and look for his scheduling book. “What did he say?”
“This story is a wild one. He says that he’s here to do the 30 day Kick Ass Challenge with you, stay at your place and write an article about you, but get this…he says he’s putting it in a new magazine that your sister is publishing. Your sister? Where did he get that crock?” Maddox’s face would have been funny if all of that wasn’t true.
“That story is a wild one, but like most things that are totally unbelievable, this one is the absolute truth.” Cash couldn’t remember a time when he’d seen the capable and unshakable Maddox stunned silent so he should write this one in the record book.
“No…shit.” Maddox leaned against the wall and stared for a few seconds before he shook his head slightly and pushing off to stand straight.
“Nope. None at all.” Cash stood up and walked to the front of his desk. “Send him in.”
The man nodded, opened the door and called loudly down the hall. “Cash will see you now Mr. O’Rourke.”
Cash was trying to be a good sport but betrayal was churning in his gut like acid. He closed his eyes to center himself. It was a method that he’d not used since he was fighting in the ring but if he could just gather all the emotions that ran in his system and focus them he could concentrate. It was what made him one of the most lethal and successful MMA fighters of all time. His focus was legendary. The plan was to quickly meet this guy and then find Myles. Maybe they could work out some of this frustration.
The clearing of a throat is what made Cash decide to wrap up the centering method and greet his guest. Oh fuck no.
“Hello Cash. I’m Myles O’Rourke.” The man stood with his hand out like he wanted to shake hands like the gentleman he appeared to be. This was the reason he couldn’t find Mr. Intelligent on the monitor. It was because he’d been on his way into the office. That hadn’t even crossed Cash’s mind, that the hot guy he’d met at a club as he celebrated bringing in the new year and cuddled with until the early morning would be a reporter, or that he was the reporter that Karrie had sent to him? It felt like a set up and anger at this whole situation threatened to make him lose it.
He looked at the man’s hand. Cash knew from first hand experience that they weren’t as rough as his hands were but they weren’t soft either. They were huge like mitts and he could remember what they felt like when he wrapped them around his cock. Whatever the appearance of his hand, he didn’t feel like shaking it, so he settled with a nod. “I heard you strong-armed my sister into an interview.” His voice felt tight and with all the shit swirling around inside of him it was hard for him to release his clenched fists. That’s not how he was going to solve this dilemma, but he really wanted to punch something.
“I can see how you would think that, but she is hoping for a hugely successful debut for her magazine and one with you on the cover would make that a sure thing. I think she wanted to make sure the article was the best it could be, and I also think she wanted a big name reporter to be tied to her project.”
This was the problem with fucking with the smart ones, they always found a way to make their shit sound good. “You didn’t feel like telling me this last night when we conveniently met at the club?” He stared at Myles while he asked him the questions so he could check his gut for bullshit. If the man had a tell, Myles would find it.
“If you recall I tried to tell you a little about me twice, but someone was so tied to his one and done routine he didn’t want to hear it.” The man’s clear whisky brown eyes were steady and seemingly honest. The stare down went on for a few minutes neither of them seemed to want to break contact first. Myles tried to search his brain for a memory of this man trying to explain himself last night. He looked away from the earnest eyes so he could concentrate. The potency of this dude hadn’t waned yet and having that swirl around with all the other shit going on inside him was treacherous to his mental well being.
Fuck. He was right. “You go by the name of Aaron?” Cash would have remembered if his assistant would have said Myles.
“It’s my writing name. Friends call me Myles.” The man narrowed his eyes like he thought Cash was going to fight the title, but then straightened his face and looked over at Maddox.
Cash had forgotten that they had company. It didn’t matter because Maddox knew everything that went on around there whether he’d told him or not. It was going to be impossible for the man to let go what he heard between them, but he hoped he’d wait until he wasn’t ready to snap someone in two.
“Look. I’m getting the feeling that you aren’t as into this as I’ve been led to believe.” Myles looked at Maddox and then back at Cash in a way that made him think the man was looking at his options in case something bad went down. “It’s no biggie. I can let your sister know you’ve changed your mind. Since I know that you’ve never done an interview I understand if you’ve had a change of heart.”
For whatever reason Cash wasn’t expecting that. This man looked like he commanded a room and the people in it. Not that he was in any dang
er of bowing down to this man any more than he had last night, but he could see how others would. Maddox looked like he would have been on his knees before the guy if he snapped his fingers. That shouldn’t have pissed him off but just the thought of it made him have to shake his head to clear it.
“Have a seat, Myles.” Cash moved to sit in his comfortable chair and hoped he could quiet the lustful attraction he was having to someone he should stay far-the fuck away from. “Thanks for bringing him in, Maddox. I’ll let you know if we need anything.”
Maddox nodded his head as he walked toward the door, Cash saw the look of incredibility on his face. When the door closed quietly behind him the silence was deafening with intensity. Cash slapped his hands on the desk and Myles watched him like he was going to add this to his article. Damn it.
“Let’s cut the shit. I hear you’re a big time reporter and you’ve always wanted to write my story, but you come in here full of niceties and what-ever-you-want-to do bullshit after having my cock down your throat last night. What’s the real story?”
The man’s mouth quirked up on one side and he leaned back in his chair. “The real story is you. You’re an enigma. You appeared out of nowhere, took MMA by storm, kicked ass, took names for about 4 years and then dropped out. Everyone wanted to know why.” Myles shook his head and squinted his eyes. “I mean, who does that?”
“Apparently me.”
“Right. You.” Myles rubbed his hands together. “You couldn’t be found for about 18 months and then you pop up with Kick Ass Academy. This place has solid reviews from men and women alike. People talk about the cleanliness of the facility, the politeness of the staff and the results people get from staying with the program are phenomenal, but there is still something missing.”