He disappeared behind the curtain in the stall. Patiently she waited for him to turn on the water and the steam to fill the tiny space. As the water vapor drifted to where she stood, she allowed a devilish smile to spread across her face. Jack probably thought he’d grab a quick shower, and then they’d hop the next flight back to the States. Little did he know, his most recent win was cause for celebration, and there was no better time to get the party started than right now.
Daniella locked the dressing room door and quickly removed her clothing. Normally a tired and sweaty guy wouldn’t appeal to her, but there was something about the musky scent of Jack that drew her to him. She peeled back the shower curtain and peeked inside.
She spied his round, firm ass.
“Want some company?” At the sound of her voice, soft and alluring, he turned around.
Jack must’ve caught her impish smile, because he met hers with his own. “Come on in.”
And she would, in her own time; however, she wanted to finish admiring his physique before she stepped in beside him. She gave herself permission to lazily take in the sight of his naked body. Her gaze began its journey by focusing on his muscular shoulders. Each finely developed muscle relaxed as he moved under the water. The spray glistened across his chest and ran down over his slender hips, past his already hardened cock. As she stood enjoying the view, Jack took a step forward. “Like the show?”
“Very much.” Her cheeks warmed.
He took the soap in one hand and ran it across his body; a task she’d hoped would have been reserved for her. His beefy muscles slick with soap begged for her touch.
Dampness coated her thighs. She was ready for him. Oh so ready.
Jack reached out his arms and swept her into them. “Show’s over,” he whispered.
She planted a single kiss to his lips, but the heavyweight wasn’t happy with just one kiss.
Riding high on post-fight adrenaline, he crushed his lips to hers, and teased her mouth with his tongue until she opened for him. He pushed his tongue to hers with force. And she accepted him willingly. He kissed her, harder and deeper than he’d ever kissed her before. Her connection to him felt so strong, so real. Her heart raced as she settled into the rhythm of their tongues dance. And it was then that he settled both hands on her hips. Right then, she knew he wanted her.
Suddenly their lips parted, and with one quick turn, he spun her around and she bent forward. Leaning against the shower wall, she opened her legs so he could take her from behind.
The warm water trickled over their bodies as Jack moved his hands to grip her hips. She placed her own hands against the wall, bracing herself as he entered. And oh, how he entered. So snug, so tight, filling her up completely. Jack rocked his strong hips, and the tightness of their confined space only heightened her arousal. It didn’t take long before he hit her sensitive spot.
“Oh, that feels amazing,” she purred.
He pumped into her, increasing speed with the motion. His hand rubbed her clitoris again and again, causing her moans to cry out louder than the shower’s spray, but she didn’t care who heard them. This was all about Jack. All for him. He won and they were together.
Jack moaned, and the sound of his deep, guttural groan told her he was moments away from coming. Knowing Jack like she did, all it would take was a little dirty talk to send him over the edge.
One of his hands reached for her clit. As he drove himself deeper into her, she started talking. “You fuck me so hard, baby. So hard and so good.” She let out an audible moan. “Give me more.”
His speed increased and his sounds grew louder. His fingers toyed with her clit, rubbing in time with their joined motion. He made her feel so damned good. Waves of heat rippled through her. It was as if she had caught fire, yet at the same time water ran over her body, preventing self-combustion.
“Come for me, baby,” Jack ordered.
She wanted to. Oh, he didn’t know how badly she wanted to. The sexy shower was supposed to be all for him, all about him. And here he was, putting her first.
“Come on, baby. Let me hear it,” he said, taunting her.
And with one quick thrust, Jack’s hand, the one that gripped her, squeezed her and he pumped himself into her harder, faster.
“Oh God,” she cried out. Her words encouraged him. He increased their rhythm, the motion that nearly caused her to lose control. Caught between the shower wall and Jack, oh sweet Jesus, she could hardly take much more. And with one deep swivel of his hips, she crested over the waves of desire and came for him.
He gripped her hips with both hands and followed her down the path of release. With a low groan, he emptied into her. Taking a step back, he released her, and she turned around to embrace him, chest touching chest.
“I love you,” she told him as her body went pliant in his arms.
“I love you, too,” he told her. “Let’s go home.”
And for the first time in a long time, Daniella Chambers felt nothing but bliss.
Chapter Thirty-five
Dani tried to sleep on the return flight from London, but she’d never been able to sleep on planes. Sleep simply escaped her. Either the noise of the engines kept her awake or the fear of crashing did. The weight of her new reality pressed down on her. At times it was too much to bear. There was so much she had to do.
When she didn’t tune out the world and give in to mental quietness, her mind replayed the last moments of the fight. Seeing Cortez hit the mat and the astonished expression on Jack’s face when he realized he’d won had sent her heart thumping.
A warm sensation flooded her. All they’d accomplished together amazed her.
World championship, here we come.
Throughout the flight, she stared out the window. The black night sky turned into early morning light. The plane moved through the clouds, taking her back to both problems and opportunities. She stretched in her chair. Her muscles ached. The flight was long, but she could hardly wait to see the guys. Jack won and now Stamina could change in a way that was good for them and their careers.
Jack slept in the seat beside her. Surprisingly, this time he didn’t balk at taking the middle seat. Exhausted, he dropped in the chair, fastened his seat belt, and closed his eyes. In minutes, sleep took him. She couldn’t help but feel a bit jealous of Jack’s slumber.
From time to time, she turned her head and checked on Shakes napping in the aisle seat. The trip had taken its toll on him both physically and emotionally. Her heart filled with concern for his health. Preparing Jack for a championship fight meant more work, dedication, and longer hours from all of them.
She hoped Shakes still had enough fire coursing through his blood to get them through to the next match. She needed him, not only for his expertise, but for his paternal guidance.
In fact, she needed all of them to be their best. But first she needed to bring her best to her guys.
To advance Mike’s career and bring positive PR to Stamina, she’d have to place him on a card. Quickly. Other middleweights had starting making names for themselves, earning too much media hype, the kind of attention that Mike deserved.
She’d neglected poor Trevor, which meant that now an evaluation of his training schedule and a complete overhaul of his diet sat squarely on her shoulders. Then there was Bulldog. She hadn’t spoken to Julian since they’d left for London.
She’d been a crap manager. Too focused on Jack and their relationship. No wonder Clarke thought she’d sign. He probably assumed she didn’t know what she was doing. And if she stood outside her situation looking in, it seemed that she didn’t.
Her mind floated over each task, not touching on one long enough to properly develop an action plan. When the announcement sounded through the cabin to prepare for landing, a heaviness settled over her. Like it or not, touching down meant putting other wheels in motion. Each person at Stamina faced a new destiny.
Dani and Jack escorted Shakes from the plane, through the terminal, and out to the sh
ort cab ride to Shakes’ house.
They spent most of the ride in silence with the exceptional blasts from the driver’s radio and the occasional swear he emitted in traffic.
Pulling into Shakes’s driveway, the taxi’s breaks squeaked. “Well I guess this is my stop. You did it, Dani. Be proud,” Shakes said. “I know your father would be.”
Dani leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you for everything.”
Shakes turned his gaze heavenward as if he were speaking to someone beyond the clouds. “That one was for you, R. L., but the next win is for Jack.”
Jack laughed.
The corners of her mouth rose into a smile.
“Your father was the best friend I could have ever asked for. I miss him. I didn’t know how much until Jack won.” He patted her hand, opened the car door, and climbed out of the vehicle. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
The old man deserved a day off. He shuffled along the walkway to his home. Daniella waited until he closed himself inside. Then, once she knew he was safe, she told the driver Stamina’s address.
“Ready, baby?” Jack asked.
She nodded.
Pulling away from the curb, Daniella let her gaze travel out the window. Part of her was happy to be back in Vegas. She never thought she’d miss the crowded streets, the noisy taxicabs or the tourists milling along the Strip. At eighteen, her plan was to finish college, and then talk to her dad about finding a place for her in boxing. Now ten years later, she’d found her place. She knew her father was looking down on her and approved. Molding her education as a sports therapist with a career as a manager and trainer, Daniella felt she had the best of both worlds. This new life suited her. She had flourished, and so would Stamina. It was as if this was her destiny, and who she was always meant to be.
The yellow cab slowed to a stop in front of Stamina. Daniella drew out a few bills from her wallet and handed money to the driver. Thanking him, they paid and slid out of their seats. The lights inside Stamina were illuminated.
Her pace sped up. Who was inside?
Jack pushed on the door and it swung wide.
“Hello?” she called out into the empty space.
Mike emerged from the back of the gym. “There you are. I’ve been waiting. How was your flight?”
Her mouth dropped open. “Mike, what are you doing here?”
“Jack called and told me where you kept the spare key. Congrats, champ.” Mike stuck out his hand to Jack. They shook. “The big win was all over ESPN.”
“Training for the world championship starts today,” Jack told him.
Mike nodded. “I’ve been working on the schedule for the fitness lessons. Jack said you’d take a red-eye and land early this morning. I wanted to have the paperwork ready for you to review.” He handed her a schedule.
The man literally was an angel. “Oh my goodness. This is wonderful. You didn’t have to do all this. Thank you.”
He shrugged off her gratitude.
“How’s your training been over the last few days?”
“I ran. Worked out. Was able to do everything except come in here and spar,” Mike answered.
She cast her glance at Jack.
It didn’t take long for Jack to pick up her vibe. “Feel like sparring a few rounds?”
“Absolutely.” Mike walked over to his gear. A duffel bag lay in the corner of the gym. “Meet you in ten.”
He left for the dressing room, leaving Daniella alone with Jack.
Jack’s hands eased around her waist and pulled her toward him. “We got this, baby. There’s nothing that’s going to stand in our way. The world championship is ours.”
She pressed a lingering kiss to his lips. “Now just because you won, don’t go around thinking I’m going to take it easy on you,” she teased. “I want to see you sweat.”
A sly grin rose on Jack’s mouth. “Here or at home?”
“Both.” She winked.
“Promise?” Now it was his turn to tease.
She batted her lashes. “I guess you’ll have to wait and see.”
He emitted a low, seductive laugh.
Daniella anchored her arms around his neck, relishing her closeness to him. “Since you’re in such an agreeable mood, follow me.” She took his hand and led him to her office.
“A quickie?” He squeezed her hand.
“Ha, ha.” Once inside her office, she gestured to a chair. “Have a seat. There’s something I want to talk to you about.”
His face drew down. The dog. He had really thought they were going to get it on with Mike in the gym.
Men.
Daniella sat down behind her desk. She placed her elbows on the desk and folded her arms in front of her. “I’m going to contact the IBO and file a report against Clarke. He spiked your water bottle and now he tried to fix the judges in his favor. The man is a disgrace to the sport. Something needs to be done. If the IBO does nothing, I’ll take my case to the WBO. If the WBO does nothing, we’ll find someone who will.”
Jack listened. His forehead creased, and he lifted his hand to rub his chin. “Divulging the details about the spiked bottle puts my word against his. There’s no proof.”
“It doesn’t change the fact of what he did. Those accusations, along with ones that he bought off the judges, which can be proven, are a start to get Clarke kicked out of boxing.”
A sparkle shined in Jack’s blue eyes. “If anyone can take on the IBO and get them to take action, you can. You have my full support.”
In a second she knew what she loved about Jack. Aside from his ripped muscles and the kisses that sent her skin ablaze, his attitude about boxing seemed healthier. His head was filled with the positive energy, a spirit she knew he’d had all along. He had only needed to find it. She knew that his fire was a direct result of the weeks they spent in the cabin. His newly found vigor was a mix of determination and heart. He wasn’t standing by and letting his career swirl down the drain or allowing Clarke to continue his dirty business anymore. Not without a fight.
He glanced at her across the desk. “How can I help?”
“With the world championship.”
Jack smiled. “Book me for the title fight, baby. I’m ready.”
Daniella nearly leapt across the desk. She grabbed Jack’s neck and hugged him. He laughed. She released him, almost speechless, almost tearful; she couldn’t name the range of emotions flooding her. “I’ll call Sokoloff’s people now.”
Visibly pleased, Jack said, “Mike’s coming. I better give you your office back.”
He looked into her eyes. “Before I go, I wanted to tell you something.”
His face looked serious, as if he kept something to himself. Something bad.
“What is it?”
“Thank you.”
Her heart squeezed. She blinked, trying to hold back tears. She was, after all, his manager.
“I couldn’t have beaten Cortez without you. I won’t win the world championship without you. Thank you for everything you did in Tahoe, in London, and from here on out. Thank you.”
Wordlessly, she crushed her lips to his. She delighted in his skin touching hers. Drawing in the sweet smell of him, she simply couldn’t wait to take him home.
Mike knocked on the door, interrupting them. “Let’s go, lover boy.”
His face flushed with warmth. She pulled herself from Jack’s grasp. Then together they stepped toward the door, Jack flanking her. Anticipation coursed through her veins. The time had come for Stamina gym, for the woman who led the team and the boxers to propel themselves into the forefront of the boxing world. Not only did they kick ass, but they took names. They were a force. No more would they be threatened, beaten, or intimidated.
No. Together, they were Stamina.
And they were back.
Chapter Thirty-six
Jack yanked his locker door open. The tiny squeak, the sound of metal against metal pierced his ears and his heart. He was home. From the second Dani had walked i
nto his apartment, she’d been right. Stamina was as much a part of him as he was of it. Just a gym? No. The tang of sweat that permeated the air smelled stronger to him than morning coffee.
And Jack loved coffee.
He changed his clothes. Putting on his sparring gear, Jack laced up his boxing shoes, then took the fourteen-ounce gloves from his locker.
Behind him, Mike called out, “Dude, my grandma dresses faster than you.”
Jack grinned. Whatever source of tension that had resided between him and Mike had disappeared. Bros didn’t apologize. They didn’t need to. True brothers communicated love and respect by falling back into old routines and habits. It appeared the trash talk was back, and all was well.
“She might dress faster than me, but you box like her,” Jack retorted.
Mike howled with laughter.
Verbal sparring was just as important as throwing punches. Nothing about boxing was ever truly fair. Yes, fighters followed rules and judges were impartial, but screwing with your opponent’s head was equally part of the game. And together, they worked as much on psyching each other out as they did on throwing a straight right hand.
Jack started to whistle and move even slower. He strolled away from his locker and sauntered toward Mike. Making his way to the ring, Mike glanced at the clock in the corner of the gym.
Jack laughed under his breath. He shouldn’t have gotten so much glee from throwing Mike off his schedule. Seriously, the dude needed to lighten up.
“You got somewhere to be?” Jack gave a toothy grin. “Is it time for baby’s nap?”
Mike’s jaw dropped at the unexpected insult.
Revving him up was the one way to get the best out of Mike. Sure, as a sparring partner he couldn’t have asked for better. But from here on out, Jack was training for the world championship, and he needed Mike to bring the heat.
Mike flexed his biceps, showing off one muscle, then the other. “Don’t worry about it, big man. While you were off sightseeing in England, we prepared to kick your ass.”
“You and your girl scout troop?” Jack shot back his new nickname for Mike’s biceps.
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