Heavyweight Daddy: An Mpreg Romance

by Austin Bates

  "Not making me feel any better, Harris."

  "Sorry, sir. I'll keep you posted, sir," Van said, starting to smile.

  "In as little detail as possible, please. Now get the hell out of my office." Turning back to his computer, he glanced up as Van opened the door to the office. "And Harris? Good luck."

  "Thank you, sir."

  Chapter Six

  "Have a seat, Eli."

  Shuffling into Dean Talbot's office, Eli settled himself carefully into the visitor's chair. It never seemed quite sturdy enough to support him. The opulent office usually felt comfortable, but today it just made him feel out of place. There was a tablet on Talbot's desk, the lurid headlines about the late lunch already blasted across the news site that was open.

  "I'm sorry, sir."

  Talbot glanced at him, surprise making his bushy eyebrows twitch. "What are you sorry for?"

  "I didn't mean to cause a fuss," Eli said, curling in on himself. Boxing had always been so good to him, he tried to repay the organization by avoiding scandal.

  "That?" Talbot asked, gesturing at the tablet. "That's nothing. Getting a DUI? That's a fuss. Fistfights in bars? That's a fuss. This is just publicity." He leaned forward, lacing his fingers together on the desk and staring intently at Eli. "I'm not worried about this. I'm worried about you."

  Feeling his ears heat, Eli dropped his eyes to his hands where they twisted together in his lap. "I'm okay."

  "Are you? Because I remember Richard Blake, you know."

  Eli winced. Blake had been another mistake; a fellow boxer who had seemed perfect up until Eli had knocked him flat in the ring. "This isn't like that."

  "A charming and aggressive man who inserts himself into your life and won't take no for an answer?" Talbot sighed. "I'm not accusing you of anything. I just want you to know that, if this becomes an issue, I'll have him removed. No questions asked."

  "It won't be necessary," Eli said before he could even think about it. It wouldn't be. Van took no for an answer all the time. Sort of.

  Talbot looked at him for a long time, his brows furrowed. "Keep it in mind, son."

  "Thank you, sir," Eli said, getting to his feet.

  "Eli, just because you aren't breaking any of the organization's rules doesn't mean that there aren't rules against it on his end. I had a particularly enlightening conversation with Sgt. Harris's Captain earlier." Talbot waited for Eli to turn back before he continued, "This could hurt his career if you're not careful."

  Swallowing hard, Eli nodded. "There's nothing going on, sir," he said, but the unspoken 'yet' echoed in the air so loudly that they both had to have heard it. Turning on his heel, he hurried out before Talbot could call him back.

  He didn't want to think about the fact that none of this was going to be an issue simply because Van wasn't likely to come back after a day like that.

  #

  Eli woke up ten minutes before his alarm for no particular reason. He stared at the ceiling trying to ignore the erection tenting his sheets. He'd dreamed about Van again, and he was hoping this didn't become a pattern.

  Rolling out of bed when the alarm went off, he stalked into the bathroom to brush his teeth. The burn of the mint was just another irritation, and he slugged back his protein shake without looking at it.

  "You look like you're having a great day," Kim said as he stomped down the stairs. She was sitting in the big armchair with her stocking feet tucked up under her, a magazine on her lap. There was no one else in the room, and Eli had to remind himself that he wasn't expecting there to be. "If this is about those reporters from yesterday, I've pulled their passes."

  "It's not," Eli said, making an effort to keep his voice even. "It's nothing."

  Kim raised her eyebrow at him, sipping her coffee in silence.

  "It was one meal," he said. "Nobody is going to blame him for steering clear after a day like that."

  She flipped the page on her magazine, her eyes never leaving his face.

  "I think one of the reporters actually brained him with their camera."

  "Probably. They're not very careful with the victims, the vultures," she said, her voice as neutral as Switzerland.

  "Who wants to deal with a circus like that every time they go out? Nobody." Eli flopped onto the couch and crossed his arms, glaring at the wall so that he wouldn't have to meet her eyes.

  "And then there's the phone thing," Kim agreed.

  Sitting up abruptly, Eli turned his narrowed eyes on her. "What phone thing?"

  "Oh, hadn't you heard?" she said, her eyes wide in surprise like he didn't know she would take over the world if it didn't mean dealing with so many people. "One of the reporters managed to get his phone number."

  Groaning, Eli raked his hand over his hair. It was too short to get a good grip on for a reason, but at times like this, it wasn't nearly as satisfying. "Shit, Kim. He'll be halfway to California by now."

  "Definitely," she said cheerfully.

  The only sound was the crinkle of her magazine. When she reached the end, she closed it with a sigh. "I suppose I'd better get to work," she said. "Gotta earn that paycheck somehow."

  Eli ignored her as she got up and passed behind him on her way to her room.

  "You should get down to the gym. Natalie will be pissed if you're any later," she said, patting him on the shoulder.

  She was almost in her room when Eli gave in to the question he'd been asking himself all day. "Hey, Kim? It wouldn't have worked out anyway, right?"

  Kim paused in the doorway, her blood red lips turned down at the corners. "I don't know, Eli. I'd like to think it will work out someday."

  "Me too," he said, staring at the wall as she closed the door quietly behind her.

  There was nothing to say that Van would have been any better than any of the other guys. Eli's gut twisted at the thought, screaming that Van was different, but he ignored it. It had said that before, and look what it had gotten him.

  Unable to justify putting it off any longer, Eli dragged himself to his feet and headed for the gym.

  "No. No, no, no. Who taught you that?" Natalie's voice floated down the hall as Eli approached.

  "My dad."

  Eli stumbled to a stop as Van's reply echoed in his ears.

  "This is all wrong. Tell me that this man isn't a professional."

  "Not a trainer. He's a musician."

  "What are you doing here?" Eli found himself in the doorway of the gym, his voice echoing in the air.

  Natalie glanced at him. "I'm showing this idiot how to not break his wrist the next time he throws a punch." Her eyes slid to the clock. "You're late."

  Van grinned at him, watching in bemusement as Natalie manhandled his elbow and made him go through the same motions several times. "I figured I'd meet you down here today since it's easier to change in the locker room." He punched the heavy bag, and Natalie groaned.

  "Not like that. God is testing me," she said, wrestling his hand back into position.

  "But... Your phone," Eli said, his head starting to pound.

  "Got a new one, and a new number," Van said with a shrug. "It's the same model as yours, actually. Lion had it couriered. He included a promo cover from his newest movie if you want it." He gestured toward a small duffel bag next to Natalie's.

  Eli shook his head slowly. He'd had guys try to impress him by claiming to be related to someone famous before, but this was the first time they'd gone so far with it. "I still don't believe you," he said, starting his stretches. "And you're making me look bad getting here so early."

  Laughing, Van winked at him. "Right. You look terrible," he said dryly. "But, hey, if you want to look good, how about a race? I win, you come to dinner with me."

  Exasperated, Eli just stared at Van for a moment. Didn't anything faze him? "What do I get if I win?"

  "Whatever you want," Van said licking his lips.

  "Focus, Donuts. Jesus, that was worse than the first one." Natalie tugged on her hair and shook her head. Looking
between the two of them, she groaned. "Kim was right. Look, I'm gonna post a sign that says no kissy faces in my gym. That goes for both of you."

  Eli started to smile, watching her pinch Van's side when he glanced over. "Yes, Natalie," he singsonged, dropping into push-up position. Maybe, just maybe, he might let Van win.

  Chapter Seven

  Van watched Eli dance around the ring, his fists a blur as he pummeled his opponent with one hit after another. This fight had been very different than the one against Alexei. The guy had come into the ring throwing curses and slurs and, instead of bumping gloves, had spit in Eli's face. Ten seconds after the bell rang, he'd been spitting blood from a mean right hook.

  The arena was just as loud, but Van had remembered his earplugs this time. When the ground-shaking cheer went up as the opponent fell to the mat, Van joined in, feeling absolutely no remorse for the guy's black and blue ribs.

  As the crowd surged, Van managed to plant his feet, grinning up at the ring. Eli let the announcer wave his hand around in the air, but his eyes scanned the crowd. He was covered in sweat and other fluids, and Van couldn't help the stray thought that he probably looked a lot like that after sex. Stomping down on it, he waved. Eli zeroed in on him, smiling enough to make the shadow of his dimples show, his chest heaving.

  Van fought his way through the crowd as the security team led Eli away, greeting MacMillan and Preston as they turned back over-eager fans at the door to the staff hallways. It was too loud to actually say anything, but MacMillan let him through with a single eloquent eye roll.

  Eli hadn't made it far. He'd pulled on a shirt but still had a towel slung over his shoulders. Natalie, walking beside him, rolled her eyes, but didn't stop as he turned at the sound of the door opening.

  "Van," he said, his eyes lighting up. "I didn't see you at the meet and greet."

  "Blame the punk who decided to go luggage shopping at McCarran and then take a taxi down the Strip. The paperwork is like three inches thick whenever the airport is involved." He'd been so surly that Miller had finally kicked him out of the station with orders not to come back. Ever. He was pretty sure she was joking because she sure as hell wasn't going to do all his paperwork from now on.

  Eli frowned. "I hope everyone got their luggage back. It sucks to get that stuff lost." He bit his lip, making it flush red.

  Van caught himself as he leaned forward, his eyes on that plump lip. "Yeah, we got it all back to them." Stomping on the urge to kiss the indentation left by those white teeth, he clapped Eli on the back. "Where are we going to dinner tonight? I'm in the mood for seafood."

  "The Rio," Eli said immediately. "There's a great seafood buffet there." He grabbed Van's hand and lifted it up so he could see his watch. "If we hurry, we'll have plenty of time to eat before they stop putting things out."

  Pulse jumping at the hot, soft feel of those big fingers on his wrist, Van swallowed hard. "Sounds great, Champ."

  "Natalie asked about you today," Eli said as they headed toward the casino floor. "She even used your name."

  "I don't believe you," Van said with a laugh, ignoring the way the air felt cold as Eli let go of him to open the door.

  "Okay, so she said 'that useless lump'," Eli said, grinning over his shoulder, "but at least she didn't call you Donuts."

  "Quite the promotion," Van said, dryly. There was a small crowd of people waiting as they stepped out into the crazy noise of the slot machines. "You want to meet me by the valet in a couple minutes?" He was getting used to how much Eli loved to interact with his fans.

  Looking from the crowd to Van, Eli hesitated. "No," he said, finally, "I'll just be a minute."

  Raising an eyebrow, Van motioned to a nearby patch of blank wall; something of an oddity in Vegas. "I'll wait here, then."

  Eli nodded.

  Van watched him smile for picture after picture, signing posters and random objects with equal delight. After a few minutes, he noticed Eli throwing glances at him over his shoulder and waved. Eli flushed and turned his attention back to the pumped up twenty-something in front of him but, a minute later, his eyes slid back to Van. Pulling out his phone, Van skimmed through his emails, hoping that Eli wouldn't think he was trying to rush him.

  "Sorry, guys. I have another appointment. I'll be back out tomorrow for the press conference, and I hope to see all of you then."

  Looking up from his phone in surprise, Van raised an eyebrow at Eli as the boxer slipped away from the fans and sauntered over.

  Eli rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm hungry," he said.

  Something warm settled in the pit of Van's stomach, and he smiled, tucking his phone away. "Off to the Rio then." He caught Eli by the elbow, his fingers curling at the sensation of warm skin under his hand as they walked to the elevator. It felt like a victory when Eli didn't pull away.

  The Rio was off the Strip by a few blocks and, though Van offered to drive, Eli insisted that they use the car provided for him by the casino.

  "Why waste your gas sitting in traffic," he'd said, and Van couldn't disagree.

  The buffet wasn't as crowded as some of the restaurants in the big casinos would be, but it was still Vegas. They were in line for all of a minute before someone recognized Eli, pulling out their phone and asking for a picture.

  Van smiled as the hostess fell all over herself getting them to the front of the line. He had to hide a laugh behind his hand as Eli looked genuinely disappointed to have missed a chance to talk to his fans. When both their stomachs growled though, he smiled sheepishly and let Van lead the way to a table near the back.

  "So where should I start?" Van asked as they set their ticket down on a small table near the meat carving station. The room was huge and colorful as befit the carnival theme, but excellent design kept it from being too loud despite the number of people. The smell of the roasting meat and spices made his mouth water as he scanned the different stations.

  "Grab the seafood first. You want to get it while it's fresh." Eli smiled at a couple of people who pointed their phones his direction but headed for the buffet line with single-minded concentration.

  After working out with Eli for the last couple weeks, Van had come to understand exactly how many calories the man burned a day. Even so, when he got back to the table after filling his plate with sushi and crab legs, he burst out laughing. Glancing up from a pile of crab almost a full foot tall, Eli gave him a shy smile.

  "It's my favorite," he said, a tiny note of defensiveness threading through his voice.

  "No, no. I think it's awesome. Me, I'm gonna be going back up there in like ten minutes," Van said gesturing at the packed buffet, "and who knows if they'll have any of my favorites left. You're doing it smart."

  Looking pleased, Eli nudged the plate at him. "We can share if you want."

  "I might take you up on that." Van watched Eli break apart his crab bare handed, admiring the flex of his muscles under the nice button-up. He was surprisingly skilled at getting the shell off without destroying the delicate meat inside. It made Van wonder what other fine motor skills Eli would be exceptionally good at.

  The last few weeks, they'd fallen into a pattern. Van flirted and Eli let him. Occasionally, Eli would flirt back just enough to keep him from getting discouraged. Natalie usually interrupted them at that point. Once it had been Kim who'd stared at them with wide eyes and then backed out of the room, her face lighting up scarlet. All he'd been doing was describing the best way to cook a steak. Although, Van hadn't actually been using the word steak at the time, so maybe she hadn't realized it.

  Although Eli was definitely attracted to him, Van didn't feel like the flirtation was going anywhere. He was okay with that though. Eli's reactions stoked his ego, and Van was too old to worry about getting laid all the time. Or so he kept telling himself.

  "You have to try this," Eli said, breaking into Van's thoughts. He was holding out a piece of crab, his brow furrowed in concern as he scanned Van's face.

  Forcing his lips into a smile,
Van reached for the scrap of meat, butter practically dripping off it. Eli pulled his hand back out of reach. "It'll fall apart if you try and take it," he said, his eyes sliding away. "Just open your mouth."

  Eyebrows raised, Van considered the blush darkening Eli's ears and obediently leaned forward, his lips parted. The press had been better about leaving them alone the last few weeks, or they'd become less newsworthy, but with all the phones and cameras pointed their way, that looked like it was about to change. Van couldn't bring himself to care.

  Eli swallowed hard, his eyes caught on Van's lips. Shaking himself, he slipped the crab into Van's mouth. "It's really good," he said.

  Van closed his lips on the tip of Eli's finger, smirking a little as he noted his breath caught. "Yeah," he said after a second, pulling back and leaving Eli's hand hanging in space. "It's delicious."

  Pupils blown wide, Eli grabbed another piece of crab off his plate and cracked into it without looking. "You can have some more. If you want," he said, his hand shaking a little as he held up another piece.

  "You first," Van said, smiling broadly as he held up a piece of sushi. "I can't have you going hungry."

  At first, it looked like Eli might balk, his shoulders going tense. Slowly, like glaciers forming valleys and rivers carving canyons, he leaned forward and took the piece of fish between his teeth, careful not to touch Van's fingers. It was only a little disappointing because he immediately thrust the crab forward, pressing his fingers to Van's lips eagerly.

  Van flicked his tongue across the pad of Eli's finger as he took the morsel, smirking as Eli stared. "Yum." He picked up another piece of sushi and held it out. "How's the sushi?"

  Eli swallowed hard, his eyes flicking to Van's nearly empty plate. "Almost gone," he said, his voice hoarse.

  "I can get more," Van said, and then remembered something he'd spotted on the way in. "Or we can skip straight to dessert."

  "Crab first," Eli said, taking the sushi delicately in his teeth. This time Van chased after him to stroke his finger across Eli's lip.