by L. S. Scott
Truly, Madly, Deeply
Book 2
Back in Black
By L.S. Scott
Copyright pending
Chapter One
Round two ended almost as quickly as it began. “Daammnn! Who is this guy,” Nicholas Cain leaned over and asked his friend and business partner, Damon.
“Blaine Black, why, you interested in him?”
“Maybe,” Nick answered as he watched Blaine’s opponent being carried out of the ring.
“He’s just a brawler Nick, no wrestling, no martial arts, nothing,” Damon informed.
“Yeah but look at him,” Nick watched as Blaine stood alone in his corner, stone faced, waiting for victim, or opponent number two. “He’s a killer, man.”
“You think so,” Damon questioned, watching Blaine as he began to pace.
“Yeah. I think so. If he wins this thing, I want him. He’s got instinct and strength, skill can be taught.”
After watching Blaine rip through every opponent that entered the ring, there was no doubt in Nick’s mind that Blaine Black was the perfect fighter to add to his new gym’s stable of fighters. He might even be the one to put Tehas Terrors on the map. He waited patiently outside the dressing rooms for the champ of the night to emerge, debating on the best way to approach him. When the door finally opened, Blaine stepped out and drilled him with a suspicious, icy stare.
“Um, hello Mr. Black, I’m Nick Cain,” Nick said apprehensively, extending his hand.
Blaine looked down at his hand and back to his face with a lazy disinterested blink.
Nick dropped his hand. “That was some great fighting out there.”
“What do you want,” Blaine finally spoke.
“I have a gym. I’m putting together a stable of fighters. I think you would be a perfect fit.”
“Not interested,” Blaine growled and began to walk down the dark hall toward the half lit exit sign.
“Look it’s a great gym, great trainers. We’ll pay you to train, to fight, even if you don’t win. Housing, nutrition, it’s all covered. All you have to do is fight.”
Blaine kept walking.
“Look, at least let me buy you a beer,” Nick said, grabbing Blaine by the arm.
Blaine stopped and snarled at Nick’s hand on his arm. “Sorry,” Nick apologized, raising his hands in surrender.
Blaine took a deep breath. “Whiskey,” he said flatly.
“Sure, sure, whiskey it is,” Nick agreed, smiling.
At the dark corner dive aptly named The Hole, Nick and Blaine took a seat at the bar and ordered the first round. Nick smiled politely at the busty bartender who was more interested in the bad boy vibe that practically vibrated off of Blaine. Blaine looked right through her, barely lifting his chin in acknowledgement.
“So, where you from Blaine,” Nick asked.
“Not here,” Blaine answered vaguely, as if that’s a question he was trying to answer for himself, and New Mexico was just the latest location he had scratched off of his list of possibilities.
“Well, I’m from Houston, that’s where the gym’s located, just in case you’re interested,” Nick smiled as he took a drink.
“If I was, interested, what would it involve?”
“Just like I said. You train, you fight. We foot the bill.”
Blaine watched as the flirty bartender told her male counterpart that she was taking a break. Before leaving the bar, she turned and tipped her head to the side at Blaine before walking toward a back exit sign. Blaine downed the last of his drink.
“I’ll be right back,” he said to Nick. Nick watched as he followed the blonde, who he seemed to be totally disinterested in, out the back exit. Nick shook his head, smiled and ordered another round.
Michelle, the bartender turned at the sound of the door slamming. She took a long draw of her cigarette then flicked it behind her. She blew a cloud of smoke into the air as she walked slowly toward Blaine standing at the door. Her smile was triumphant; as if she knew all along he wanted her.
“What’s your name,” she purred, letting her fingers trail down the contours of his muscular arms.
“Jack,” he lied.
“Hi, Jack. I’m Michelle,” she replied, snaking her hands up his chest and around his neck.
She rose on her toes and reached to kiss him. His large hand caught her by the throat, holding her gently in place. He tilted her head to the side and lowered his face to her neck. Her back arched in response to his breath in her ear. The smell of cheap perfume and cigarettes turned his stomach. Without saying a word, he placed his hands on her shoulders and urged her to her knees. She looked up at him, her mouth open, and her chest heaving so hard her tits almost popped out of the tight top she was wearing.
Blaine stared commandingly into her eyes as he undid his belt and jeans. Michelle unconsciously licked her lips in anticipation. It was Blaine who wore the triumphant smile then. The look on his face was a mix of victorious, disgusted superiority as she pulled his boxer briefs down and took him straight into her mouth. He knotted his hands in her hair and pumped in and out of her mouth, pushing in as deep as he could go and holding her in place until she pushed against him, gagging and gasping for air. Her mouth watered and dripped down her chin, she moaned and squeezed her eyes shut, but every time he let up, she came back for more like she was cock starved.
A low rumble vibrated his chest as his balls tightened. With one hand tangled in the back of her peroxide blonde hair, he held her in place, her lips around his tip, as he jacked-off into her mouth. She coughed and sputtered as he squirted into the back of her throat faster than she could swallow. When he was done, he pulled up his pants and gently lifted her to her feet.
He slid the shirt that she wore unbuttoned over her tank top off her shoulders. With it, he wiped her mouth, cleaning away the mess he had made and the smeared lipstick. Again she tried to kiss him and again he dodged her lips, leaning down to whisper in her ear.
“Kissing you would be like drinking my come from an ashtray,” he slurred. The next sound Michelle heard was the door slamming behind him as he went inside and left her standing alone in the alley.
Blaine swaggered back to the bar, when he reached Nick’s side he lifted his glass, “To Houston,” he said with a wicked grin.
“To Houston,” Nick said with a celebratory smile.
Chapter Two
“Where are we going Connor,” Natalie asked, smiling curiously as she looked out the car window.
“I told you, it’s a surprise.”
“Are we almost there,” she whined.
“Yes,” he answered, clicking on his blinker.
He turned into the driveway of a gorgeous property, drove under a large stone arch and up a long tree lined drive.
“Wow, this place is pretty,” Natalie said wide eyed.
“You think so,” he asked, seemingly unconvinced.
He parked in the circle drive, got out and rounded the car. Natalie jumped out and met him half way, too excited to wait for him to open her door. He took her by the hand.
“This way,” he said, pulling her gently behind him away from the house and toward the large white barn.
“Connor, did you buy me a horse,” she quizzed.
“You have a horse,” he reminded as they walked through the open doors of the large barn.
The stalls were all open and empty except for one. When the mare heard their voices she swung her gray nose over the stall door and nickered, begging for attention.
“Ghost,” Natalie called out, hurrying to the stall. She kissed and nuzzled the mare’s nose. “Are we boarding her here now,” she asked confused. “Why? The other stable is nice and the owners are so sweet.”
> “I just thought you would want her here, with you,” he said softly with a nervous smile.
Natalie blinked once, twice before her eyes widened and her mouth fell open.
“Oh my God, Connor. Are you serious? We’re moving, here?” Her voice rose with excitement as each word left her lips.
“Yes. I think it’s time we have a proper home. Four years of living in a hotel is enough, don’t you think,” he answered.
She threw herself into his arms. He lifted her as he pressed his lips to hers and set her back on her feet.
“Come on, you’ve got to check out the house.”
He unlocked the door and opened it but tugged on her hand before she could step inside.
“Wait,” he said.
He turned her to face him, cupped her face in his hands and kissed her soft and lovingly before sweeping her off her feet and carrying her across the threshold for the first time. She threw her head back and laughed.
They toured the house from room to room; the grand entry, the parlor, the dining room, the den, all beautifully decorated and furnished in cream and sage. The massive, beautiful kitchen had cream farm house cabinets with granite countertops and an apron front sink. There were claw foot tubs, walk in showers and beautiful cream marble in all three bathrooms. There was an office, three spare bedrooms, a wine cellar, and a home gym. Rich wood and rock walls mixed with the light airy color scheme to form the perfect balance of masculine and feminine.
“Close your eyes,” Connor instructed when they reached the last unopened door.
Natalie’s smile beamed. She bit her lip in excited anticipation and closed her eyes. Connor gazed at her beautiful face for a beat, his heart about to explode. He opened the door and led her inside carefully, closing the door behind them. He stepped back so he could see her reaction when she opened her eyes.
“Ok, open them.”
Natalie opened first one eye then the other. An awestruck expression overtook her gorgeous features. She covered her gaping mouth with her hand, turning her head slowly from side to side, scanning the room with her tear filled eyes. Soft lavender silk drapes hung from floor to ceiling beautifully against the cream walls. The large, tufted head board of the king size bed set in front of a feature wall covered with silk, cream and lavender wallpaper; flanked by low, cream colored antiqued dressers. A delicate crystal chandelier hung in the middle of the room. A large antiqued chest of drawers was topped with a brilliant bouquet of lavender. Natalie sat down on the plush lavender colored bench at the foot of the bed, over-come with emotion. Tears streamed down her face.
Connor kneeled in the floor at her feet. “I hope these are tears of joy,” he said in a crackling voice.
Natalie pressed her lips together and nodded, unable to speak past the lump in her throat.
Connor wiped the tears away with his thumb before leaning in to taste the tears on her lips. Her breath jerked through her body as she opened her mouth to his. His kiss was soft and sensuous. Their relationship had started as a series of angry, out of control bang sessions, now that they were together, he took time and care in the way he handled her.
He pulled her hair loose and let it fall across her shoulders as his fingers kneaded the silky strands. He pulled gently, tipping her head back. He sighed contentedly as he inhaled the intoxicating scent of her lavender perfume. Goosebumps rose on her skin as he trailed wet open mouthed kisses across her collarbone. His fingers flew through the buttons of her blousy dress and his lips made a slow descent. The air left her body on a gasp as he pulled the cup of her bra down and captured her hardened nipple, wrapping his tongue and lips around her. Her hands knotted in his hair as she pressed him to her chest. With his arms around her waist he stood. Her dress slid off her body as he brought her to her feet. He quickly rid her of her bra and panties and laid her on the fluffy cream comforter. His eyes drank in every drop of her as she lay beautifully naked and waiting for him to undress, her hands roaming her own body.
“Christ you’re beautiful,” he said enviously watching her hands caress the soft curve of her breast.
He breathed deep to control the urge to bury himself inside her and satisfy his own throbbing desire. With a long, toned leg she reached up and placed her pretty painted toes on his chest. His lips followed the contour of her leg like a road map to his final destination.
“Aaahhh,” she sighed as he closed his mouth over her, kissing there the same way he did her mouth; slow, deep and wet.
Natalie whimpered when he stopped short of her orgasm but moaned approvingly when his full, hard length quickly filled her. With his forehead pressed to hers, he set a slow, steady pace, savoring each long stroke through her wet warmth.
“Oh Connor,” she moaned on a breath against his lips.
He placed chaste kisses on her parted lips, first the top then the bottom before rising to look down on her as she came undone. Her bottom lip trembled before she caught it between her teeth, just before she opened wide to gasp then moan as her body tightened, her back arched and her thighs squeezed him. The quivering inside her pulled at him until he unraveled as well.
He hovered above her resting his weight on his elbows, a habit born out of the fear she would jump and run, and nuzzled against her.
“I love you Natalie,” he whispered.
She closed her eyes to the feel of his warm, soothing breath. “I love you too,” she breathed, stroking the back of his neck.
Cuddled under Connor’s arm, Natalie stared up at the crystal chandelier. It brought back memories of home, lying in Tiffany’s bed, staring up at her ceiling. Her chest tightened as memories of Jaron inevitably crept in. She closed her eyes and buried her face in Connor’s neck, breathing in his soft spice to pull her back to the present.
“What’s on your mind,” he asked.
“How much I don’t deserve you,” her voice cracked as the lump in her throat grew.
“Oh, baby, you deserve so much more than just me. You deserve true happiness and I will do whatever it takes to give you that,” he kissed the top of her head.
“I am happy,” she said.
“Good,” he said closing his eyes and pulling her tight against him, knowing full well she was trying to convince herself as much as him.
Chapter Three
“So, how long you been fighting,” Nick asked, trying to make small talk with his new friend as they sat waiting for their flight to take off.
“Just a couple months in the cage,” Blaine answered.
“Hmph. You look so familiar, like someone I know, I just can’t figure out who.” Nick mused aloud.
“Yeah, I know the feeling,” Blaine said, concentrating on the peppermint he was fumbling between his fingers. Nick cast a discreet sideways glance and saw the dulled eyes of a lost soul.
Before any more conversation could continue, Blaine popped the mint in his mouth and his ear buds in his ears, leaned back and closed his eyes until the plane arrived at its destination.
“You’re not much of a talker huh,” Nick asked as the two made the commute from the airport to the Cain family ranch outside of Houston.
“No,” Blaine answered working his bottom lip under his thumb as he watched the white fence posts fly by out the window.
“Good, then it’s not just me. You ever been to Texas,” Nick asked, unable to fight his affable nature.
“Yeah, a long time ago, I think,” Blaine mumbled.
Nick looked over at his travel mate with confusion but shrugged it off; sure that Blaine wouldn’t elaborate if he asked.
“Where’s the gym,” Blaine quizzed.
“It’s downtown. I thought we’d spend the evening at the ranch, get some rest, some good food, get an early start in the morning; if that’s ok with you.”
Blaine answered with a nod.
Blaine paced around the rooms of the guest house. He had somewhere to go, something he had to find, the fact that he had no idea where or what was almost enough to drive him insane. He started to think
that coming to Houston, agreeing to train and fight, stay in one place, was a mistake. He would never find what he was looking for standing still. He leaned against the kitchen sink with his head hanging between his shoulders, if he could only make sense of the fragmented dreams he had night after night. He lifted his head to look out the kitchen window. In the distance, horses grazed in the pasture. A head spinning flash of two people riding horses on a trail appeared as clear as a movie scene. His own features he could clearly see, only the smile on his face and the look in his eyes, was not the same as the dull, tormented expression he saw every time he looked in the mirror. He closed his eyes and willed her to turn around so he could see the face of the one he was smiling at, but as quick as it came it was gone; another piece of the fucked up puzzle, that no matter how he twisted and turned, it didn’t seem to fit anywhere.
“Knock, knock,” Nick called from the open French doors. “You hungry,” he asked as Blaine strolled through the room to meet him.
“I could eat.”
Nick smiled and shook his head. “Alright then, let’s eat.”
The two sat at a long, rustic dining table on a covered patio near the pool and ate a manly meal of steak and potatoes. Nick let most of the meal go by in silence, watching Blaine eat as if it were a mission, never looking up from his plate. He couldn’t explain why, but he believed in this guy. He knew that he was the one that could bring real attention to his gym, if he could get through to him. He had a feeling that Blaine Black did not play well with others and his introduction to structured training was going to be interesting at best, a train wreck at worst. Even though he thought better of it, he made another effort to get some insight.
“I noticed you got some pretty severe scars. Some kind of accident?”
Blaine stopped his assault on his dinner plate. After a weird silence he looked up. Nick waited, thinking the look in Blaine’s eyes was as tortured as the sound of Kurt Cobain’s voice. Tortured, that was the only way to describe it. Nick suspected it was what drove him to fight and what enabled him to win, over much larger and much better fighters.