Fighting Fate (Fighting #7)

by J. B. Salsbury

  She’s dated some real winners in the past, but none of them have pulled a bullshit stunt like this. Clifford is a grade-A morally deprived piece of shit, and I’ll do everything in my power to keep him away from her.

  I channel my frustration into every hit as I dance around the heavy bag. I’d usually spar with Rex today, but Cameron called him in for an emergency meeting. My guess is they’re planning the trip to London. It didn’t take long after I passed on the opportunity for them to fill the spot with a fighter out of Chicago. He’s making a name for himself up there, has some fights under his belt with a small organization, and just signed with the UFL.

  I throw a combo to the bag, pushing back a wave of envy. He might have the dream career opportunity, but I got the dream girl. Besides, opportunities can be made. I plan on working hard to force open doors so that I’m able to provide Axelle with the life she deserves.

  She doesn’t know it yet, but that’s the direction I’m heading—white dress, church bells, house, cars, kids, a fucking dog—all of it.

  Feeling eyes on me, I grip the bag to keep it still and turn to find Blake glaring. Shit. Does he know about Axelle?

  I wipe sweat from my eyes with my forearm, which proves pointless because my forearm is just as sweaty. “Blake? What’s up?”

  He takes a couple of steps toward me, and it’s all I can do to not double-step back to keep distance between us. I give myself a mental high-five for standing my ground when he stops just a foot or so before me. “What. In the motherfuck. Is wrong with you?”

  “I…” have no idea what that could possibly mean. If he found out I’m in love with his daughter, would he ask me this in response? Probably not. “Don’t know?”

  “You don’t know.” He lifts his eyebrows as if that’s a question, and I’m completely lost on how to answer.

  My eyes wander around as if they’re desperately seeking guidance or possibly another fighter just in case whatever is simmering below Blake’s surface explodes all over me. “Did I do something wrong?”

  “Do something wrong?” He drops his gaze and shakes his head before he pins me with a glare. “You sure fucking did.” He tilts his head, those arms crossing at his chest and emphasizing his size. “Explain to me why you’re not going to be on a plane to motherfucking London with Rex day after tomorrow.”

  I exhale long and hard and run a hand through my hair, which is so damp with sweat it sticks out on all ends. “I know it seems like I’m passing up something huge, but—”

  “Nope.” He frowns. “It doesn’t seem like you’re passing up something huge. You are.”

  “Okay, I’m passing up something huge, but I have a plan, and in order to see that plan play out, I have to stay in Vegas and finish school.”

  His eyes widen as if I just told him chickens fly out of my ass. “One year, Killer. No one’s asking you to change the course of your life; it’s one fucking year.”

  “I realize that, but it’s an important year.”

  His eyes narrow. “Important how?”

  I’m in love with your daughter, and she’s finally given me a chance. There’s no way in hell now that I finally got her I’m going to leave her for a year!

  I rip my gloves off and sigh. “Listen. You’ll understand soon enough, okay? But please, for now, just trust that I’m making the best possible decision.”

  “I don’t get it. I thought MMA was your life. You’re walking away from a chance at making all your dreams a reality and quickly. You stay here; it could take years to get a fight.”

  “I’m willing to wait.” For Axelle, I’d wait forever.

  He blows out an exasperated breath. “Well, fuck.” He shrugs. “I hope you know what you’re doing, man.”

  The disappointment in his voice cramps my insides. These guys are my role models, and their approval means everything to me. Surely when Axelle and I tell him that we’re together and in a committed relationship, he’ll understand why I didn’t leave. He may disagree with it, but he’ll have to respect the fact that I love his daughter enough to put my entire future on hold to be near her.

  And he’ll know I’ll do whatever it takes to make a good life for us.

  ~~~

  I left the training center a little early to hit the grocery store and grab stuff for the weekend. I got Axelle to agree to spend the weekend with me, and there’s no way we’ll be leaving the bed.

  If I have my way, she’ll be in my arms for forty-eight straight hours. We’ll have to take breaks to eat, but showering will definitely be a joint experience.

  Just imagining her wet and wanting in my shower has me readjusting in my sweats. Last thing I need is to welcome her with a raging hard-on.

  I stack the few movies I rented neatly on my nightstand and check the top drawer and make sure the condoms I bought are available for easy access. Once I’m convinced everything is in place, I fall back on my bed and try to relax. I contemplate calling her to find out how close she is, but decide not to add pathetically desperate to her list of reasons why she shouldn’t be with me. Right above nerd and below socially awkward.

  By the time she finally knocks, I jump off the bed with so much force I hit the wall. Calm down. Breathe. I make myself walk at a controlled speed to the front door. When I open it, I’m struck right between the pecs by the most brilliant smile I’ve ever seen on her.

  “Hi.” It’s such a benign word, but the way she says it, the flash of lust in her eyes, makes me dizzy.

  “Hey.” We stare at each other, and my eyes rake over her short tee that shows off a healthy section of her slender belly. Her stylish gray sweatpants hang low on her hips and are rolled at the bottom, and she’s wearing flip-flops with bright red toenail polish tipping her gorgeous feet. “You look hot.”

  She laughs, but sobers quickly as her gaze zeroes in on my sweatpants. “So do you.”

  I contemplate trying to hide my semi-aroused dick, but figure it’ll be like this all weekend. The sooner she gets used to it, the better. “Come here.”

  She falls into my chest, and I slide her bag off her shoulder to the ground before scooping her into my arms. She wraps her legs around my hips, and I slam the door shut, making sure it’s locked before moving her to the small kitchen counter. Setting her there, I hold her face in my hands and cover her lips with mine.

  A long moan slides up her throat, and I eagerly swallow it as I continue to explore the soft heat of her mouth. She hooks her heels at my ass, pulling me deep into the apex of her thighs and locking me there.

  She tastes like bubblegum and mint, and that combined with her delicate scent make me damn near frenzied. I reach for the hem of her shirt and break the kiss long enough to pull it over her head. My eyes widen as I take in her neon yellow bra and her dark nipples that strain behind their lacey cage. “Never seen anything so sexy in my life.”

  She arches her back in offering, and I pull the lace down to pop one breast free before repeating the process on the other. Licking down her chest, I press kisses to the valley between them while gently massaging her full mounds. I nip across to her nipple and suck the hardened tip into my mouth. Forget eating. I could survive off her body alone. She writhes against me, gripping and pulling at my hair.

  “What is it?” I continue to suck at her. “You want my mouth?”

  “Yes, Kill, please…”

  I smile against her skin and kiss back up her neck to her lips. Her mouth is wet and hungry as she sucks my tongue and nips at my lips. I hook my hands under her ass and carry her to the bed. She kicks off her flip-flops. I waste no time and pull her sweats off her legs and—no panties.

  I gape at her and she giggles. “Surprise!”

  I pull my shirt off over my head with lightning speed, needing to feel the warmth of her naked flesh pressed against me. I fall between her legs, and she wraps me up completely so that her pulse thunders against my bare chest. I reach up to get into my bedside table drawer, but she rocks her hips up and rolls me to my back. “Not yet.
”

  “No?”

  She shakes her head and straddles me, her bare body on display above me. I almost orgasm right there.

  “No. There’s something I want to do first.” She kisses down my chest, and the silken strands of her hair brush along my ribs. The muscles in my abdomen flex as she runs her lips down, down, until she’s at the drawstring of my sweats. She pulls the tie with her teeth, and I groan and drop my head back. The visual of this woman between my legs, her eyes heavy with hunger, makes me feel like I’m gonna pass out.

  She hooks her fingers inside and slides the cotton down. I lift my hips as the fabric feels like broken glass against my oversensitive skin. She backs off the bed to remove them completely, and I kick them free. Her eyes gaze down at me in appreciation, and I shift self-consciously, or maybe it’s eagerly, under the weight of her stare.

  She settles back between my legs and grips me in her hand. “This is gorgeous, so strong, proud.” She licks her lips. “You’re huge.”

  “Stop talking like that.” My voice shakes with barely concealed need. “You’ll give him a complex.”

  She bends down so her ass is high in the air and her lips touch the tip.

  “Holy—” I bite my lip against the overwhelming sensation.

  She slides me between her lips, down the length of her tongue, and to the back of her throat. I revel in every glorious inch. Her head bobs up and down between my legs, and her hair tickles my thighs, adding to the eroticism as her mouth is wrapped tightly around me.

  Her tongue licks, swirls, and presses as she pulls my orgasm to the surface. I grit my teeth and concentrate on anything and everything that’ll keep me from ending this too early, but it’s all in vain.

  It’s her mouth, her love. Fuck…it’s Axelle, who’s moaning while she pleasures me, and no amount of algebra or quantum physics equations could take my focus from that.

  I’m gonna blow.

  ~*~

  Axelle

  This is the most turned on I’ve ever been without being touched.

  His abdomen contracts viciously, the balls of muscle in his chest and belly popping up and straining. His hands grip my hair until I feel the sting of his restraint. All of these things just push me on.

  I grip him tighter and move faster against him. He brings his knees up, his heels pressing deep into the bed and his thick thighs surround my head. He thrusts along with me, keeping a quickened pace, and just when I think he’s about to peak, he reaches down and scoops me under my arms.

  “Whoa!”

  He drags me up his body, and when I’m settled over his hips, he reaches for his bedside table. He pulls out a condom and rips it open before handing it to me.

  “Put it on me. I need to be inside you.”

  I roll the latex on with shaky hands.

  “Hurry, baby.” His eyes are transfixed between my legs as I lower myself onto him.

  A hissed breath slides from my lips at being filled by him so completely it’s overwhelming.

  “Just…give me a sec.” His fingers dig into my hips, seating me so I don’t move.

  I lean forward and press kisses to his jaw, his throat, his collarbone, and the tension slowly leaves his muscles. Once he’s released me enough to move, I do exactly that.

  He cups my breasts, and I roll my hips against him. For once, I tower over him, having him under my control. He gives it to me, allowing me to set the pace. I drop my head back on a moan, and with a growl, he flips me to my back.

  With his knees on the outside of my thighs he forces my legs together. I gasp at the new position as it wraps me completely around his erection, forcing an added friction between my thighs.

  “Mmm… I love this.”

  He’s breathing heavily and kisses me. “Yeah?”

  “Don’t stop.”

  His motions become frantic as he pounds deep into me, every inch of him gliding against my most sensitive skin in a sleek caress. My upper thighs clench his length, and he circles his hips, once, twice…

  My back arches off the bed as an orgasm, so intense it makes stars flash behind my eyes, rips through me. I call out his name, fork my hands through his hair, and finally calm when he slams his lips to mine. I devour his mouth and tremble in his arms. His tongue glides along mine in languorous strokes as he coaxes me back down.

  “You okay?” he whispers against my lips.

  “Never better.” I grin, but it’s lazy as I’m drained of energy.

  He moves and maneuvers my legs apart then guides my foot up to his lower back. I follow with the other until my legs are locked tightly around him. “I love it like this, feeling you all around me.” He slides in deep and pulls almost all the way out then repeats it. “I can feel your heartbeat against my chest. Your thighs shake. It’s unbelievable, Ax.”

  “I love you.”

  He moans into my neck and quickens his pace until he’s powering into me. I tilt my hips, and he gasps just before he thrusts one last time and holds himself there. This man, this valiant and honorable man, lies limp in my arms and totally at my mercy.

  We kiss until his weight on me causes my legs to go numb. He rolls off and goes to the bathroom to get rid of the condom. I hop up to grab my sweats, but when he sees me, he scoops one arm around my waist and tosses me to the bed. “Oh no, no clothes.”

  “But how are we going to make something to eat?”

  “Naked.” He pulls the covers back on the bed and motions for me to crawl beneath them.

  I do. “Is that safe?”

  He hits me with a questioning smirk. “Why wouldn’t it be?”

  I shrug. “Oh, you know, fire and private parts.”

  He frowns and crawls into bed to pull me into his arms. “Good point. Guess we’ll have to make sandwiches.”

  “I can live with that.”

  “Now that we managed to knock off some of the sexual tension so our brains can work properly, wanna watch a movie?”

  I giggle and nuzzle deeper into his chest. “Sure, what do you have?”

  He pulls three DVD cases off the bedside table, and my eyes are glued to the way the muscles in his side stretch and tense with the movement. He leans back against the pillows, pulls me back to his chest, and holds them up one at a time. “Jurassic World, The Martian, or Terminator Genisys.” He fans them out for me to choose.

  “Hmm… I’m going to go with Jurassic World.”

  “Good choice. It’s hard to say no to a dino flick.”

  “More like it’s hard to say no to a Chris Pratt flick.”

  “Hey! No lusting after other guys in my bed.” He tickles me and I scream for mercy.

  He moves to the DVD player that sits on his dresser just below the flat screen. His wide back and full round ass are like a playground for my eyes as they dance over every sculpted mound. When he turns around to head back to the bed, I blush at his brazen nakedness. He crawls under the covers and pulls me into his side.

  “You know, for someone who doesn’t have a lot of experience being naked around women, you sure are comfortable strutting around in front of me.” I’ve often wondered if Killian’s sexual experience was more than he shared. I’ve never been with a virgin before him, so I can’t be sure, but he certainly doesn’t move like an inexperienced man.

  He points the remote at the screen to get the movie started. “Does my openness bother you?”

  Flashes of his bare body assault my mind. “No. Just surprising, that’s all.”

  He hits play and drops the remote at his side. “I guess it’s because you’re my best friend, Ax. That and I don’t have body issues. There’s nothing on me I wouldn’t be proud to show off to the right girl.”

  I peer up at him. “Well, aren’t we arrogant.”

  He kisses the top of my head. “Not arrogant, just honest. I’ll always be honest with you.”

  Honesty is something I know very little about, and the mention of it triggers a flicker of panic. “Promise?”

  He pulls my chin, his eyes
scarily serious. “I promise to give you everything; in all things, you’ll always come first.” He takes my hand resting on his chest and makes an X over his heart with my finger and kisses my knuckles. “Cross my heart.”

  I melt deeper into him, and to avoid bursting into tears at the meaning behind his confession, I focus on the screen. Two young boys, brothers I think, are on a boat on their way to get eaten by dinosaurs.

  “You’d think they’d have learned their lesson from the first three movies,” he mumbles, settling in as his hand holds mine to his chest.

  “Right? But then we wouldn’t get to watch Chris Pratt in a tight shirt, chasing dinosaurs.”

  He gasps and rolls on top of me. “What did I say about lusting over other men while in my bed?”

  I chew my lip and pretend to remember. “Hmm… I’m pretty sure you said it was encouraged.”

  He buries his face in my neck. “You’re a horrible listener.”

  The heat of his breath sends goose bumps down my arms.

  “And you’re a jealous boyfriend.”

  He nuzzles against me and moans. “Fuck yeah, I am.” He nips at my skin. “And don’t you forget it.” He drops his weight between my legs and kisses my throat tenderly, his lips barely a ghost against my skin.

  I run my fingers through his hair, holding him to my neck in a firm request.

  He chuckles. “You like that, huh?”

  I moan and arch my back. The sheet falls below my breasts, and they meet the firm warm planes of his pecs. “Don’t stop.”

  “Thought you wanted to watch Chris What’s-his-name?” He smiles against my ear before kissing a path down between my breasts.

  “Who?”

  Another deep chuckle vibrates against my skin. How is it that the simplest things he does can be so sensual?

  He continues his path downward, kissing, nipping, and licking my skin until he settles between my legs.

  I’m pretty sure Chris Pratt saves thousands of tourists from being annihilated by dinosaurs, but lost in Killian, I don’t watch a single second of it.