Ground & Pound

by Emily Minton

  Chapter Ten

  Kane

  I notice the time and look at the kids training. “Okay, boys that’s enough for today.”

  A few mumbles reach my ears as I reach over and stick my gear back in the gym bag. “Don’t worry. I’ll be back next month.”

  I’ve been coming to Bright Futures for nearly two years now. It’s a group home for teenage boys. My publicist thought it would be good for my image if I did something for the community, and he found Bright Futures. Some of the boys and I put a new roof on the place and did a few repairs to the inside. I ended up really liking working with the kids, so I started teaching a MMA class once a month.

  Tossing my bag over to the corner, I watch as Emmy walks into Bright Futures carrying a plastic bag. This is her first time here, and I hope she likes it as much as I do. If we’re gonna have any kind of future together, she’ll have to spend some time volunteering, too. I doubt she’ll have a problem with it.

  My eyes land on Trey and Ozzy, following closely behind her. Both are carrying a large pot. Walking over to them, I ask, “Whatcha’ got?

  “Emmy made chili for the kids,” Trey says, walking toward the kitchen.

  My brow cocks as I look down at my woman. “You didn’t have to cook. I always order pizza after class.”

  “If you’d rather have pizza, I can take the chili home and eat it my damn self,” she says, placing a hand on her hip.

  She can be sweet as hell sometimes, but every once in a while, I get a glimpse of that fire I found so interesting the first night we met. “No, babe. I want your chili.”

  “Well, then, shut your mouth and grab a bowl.” She lifts the grocery bag she is carrying in her hand. “Here, I don’t know where to put this.”

  Grabbing the bag, I lead her to the kitchen and start passing out Styrofoam bowls. As soon as that’s done, I fill my own bowl and take a place at the table beside Emmy, Ozzy, and Trey. “You guys should have come for the class.”

  Trey smirks at his sister before answering. “I was going to, but Emmy sent me and Ozzy to pick up stuff from the grocery store.”

  Taking a bite of Emmy’s chili, I can’t keep a groan from slipping out. My woman can cook. “This is amazing,” I say, shooting her a wink.

  “Thank you.” A blush covers her face. “It’s one of the few things I can cook.”

  Trey lets out a bark of laughter. “Don’t let her lie to you. Her cooking is the bomb.” He barely gets the sentence out before shoveling more food into his mouth.

  "I don’t doubt it. This is good," Ozzy says, putting another spoonful of chili into his mouth.

  "You should try her homemade chicken noodle soup. It’s my favorite," Trey adds, crunching crackers into his bowl. “She doesn’t make it unless I’m sick, though. Sometimes, I fake it just to get her soup.”

  I laugh when Emmy looks at him with shock written all over her face. “You do not. I can tell when you’re faking.”

  “You just keep right on thinking that.” Trey gives her a wink before taking a bite of his chili.

  Taking a bite of my own, I have to agree with him. “If it’s better than this, I think I might be getting sick soon.”

  "You’re gonna have to marry her, so we can eat like this every night,” Ozzy says, still shoveling his chili in. “Mom is an amazing cook, but all her meals come with lectures.”

  The word ‘marry’ would have sent a chill down my spine before I met Emmy. Now, it doesn’t scare me as much. I’m not stupid enough to think we’re anywhere near ready for that yet, but I have a feeling it’s in our future.

  “If you marry Emmy, I’ll get to tell everyone you’re my brother-in-law.” Trey sounds more like a kid than the adult he always claims to be. “All the girls want me now that they know you’re dating my sister. They’d be throwing themselves at me if we were family.”

  “Welcome to my world, bro,” Ozzy says with a laugh.

  I let out a chuckle, setting my empty bowl on the table. “I’ll let you know before I ask her to marry me, so you can be prepared.”

  “Just shut up,” Emmy says, looking at me. “Quit getting his hopes up. Before you know it, he’ll be telling everyone we’re planning our wedding. Just so you know, that isn’t happening.”

  Leaning toward her, I place my lips against her ear. “Keep telling yourself that.” She shivers against my mouth. After having her, I know there is no way I am willing to give her up.

  “What makes you so sure I’d say yes?” She arches her eyebrow at me, as if she is challenging me.

  Wrong move, I think with a smile. “You already said yes, over and over last night.”

  Emmy

  Walking out of the club, I look for Kane’s truck. A smile spreads across my face when I see it sitting in its usual spot. He’s been picking me up nearly every night for the last two weeks, but he never comes in the club. He says if he did and saw the men watching me, he’d go crazy. I hate knowing that it bothers him so much, but what else can I do?

  I know he doesn’t like me working here, but I have no other choice. The money I make here is the only thing keeping me and Trey off the streets. I’ve been secretly looking for another job, but there’s just not much out there right now. What is available pays minimum wage, so that’s not an option for me. With rent, food, and Trey’s tuition, I have to pull in major dough just to keep our heads above water. Trey gets a little money from grants and things, but it isn’t nearly enough to pay tuition. He could drown himself in loans, but my mom always said they would never let that happen to him, and since they aren’t here, I feel like I need to honor that.

  Kane has offered multiple times to give me some bullshit job at the gym, but I don’t want a handout from him. I want to be able to make it on my own. I think a part of me is also scared that our relationship won’t work out. If I let him take care of me now, I’ll get screwed over and be right back where I started when we end.

  I’ve barely taken a step, when a large hand wraps around my arm. “Where you going, Little Miss Sunshine?”

  I instinctively pull back and whip my head around to see Jason only inches from me. “I’m done for the night.”

  He shakes his head then leans down, blowing his whiskey-laced breath right in my face. “Crystal called in sick. I need you to take her spot.” His eyes trail down my body, and I try to shrink away from his as best as I can.

  My man is waiting for me, but even if he wasn’t, that wouldn’t happen. Crystal is scheduled for the last dance of the night, and the crowd is always rowdy then. The tips are amazing, but there’s no guarantee you’ll get off the stage without being attacked by some drunk asswipe. I’ve never felt safe being the last girl, not since that one night a year ago.

  As the song began to wind down, I was thanking God. There was a small group of guys up front who had been a little too close for comfort all night. With each girl, and each song, they just got drunker and more out of control. Most clubs probably would have kicked them out by then, but not here. The guys basically needed to hump us for Jason to do anything to them.

  I did my signature spin and suddenly felt a hand grip my ankle. Before I knew what was happening, I was being pulled across the stage. I didn’t react early enough to grab onto the pole, and was dragged off the stage.

  Two large hands grabbed my arms, picking me up and sitting me on the lap of one of the guys. His erection pressed into my ass, and I started screaming for help. The one holding me down laughed as another one of his friends came to stand in front of me.

  “You look like you could be fun to play with,” he slurred. His hand reached for me, but I kicked a foot out and hit him right in the dick, sending him crumbling to the floor.

  I started to thrash, fighting to get up, but it was useless. The guy holding me down was just so much stronger than me. Finally, after what felt like forever, Jason showed up with the bouncer, and they pulled me away from the assholes.

  I told him that night I would never again be the last girl on stage. “I can
’t do it tonight,” I reply, stepping away from him.

  He tightens his grip on my arm, pulling me flush against him. “I wasn’t asking. Now, get your ass back in there and get ready to go on stage.”

  Before I can say anything, Jason is being jerked away from me, and Kane’s voice hits my ears. “Don’t ever touch her again.”

  He moves me behind him protectively, and my hands move to rest on his sides. I can feel his deep, labored breathing, and know he is trying to keep his cool.

  “This doesn’t concern you.” Jason is staring at Kane, not looking the least bit scared. My mouth opens in shock, seeing him pretend to be fearless, when I know he is about ready to piss his pants.

  Kane’s eyes narrow as his body shudders with anger. “This is my woman. Everything concerning her is my business.”

  “She’s my employee. This is my club. You need to leave,” Jason counters, losing a bit of his bravado.

  Kane rushes forward, wrapping one large hand around Jason’s throat, and slams him into the brick building. “You ever put your hands on her again, I’ll make you my business, and I promise you’ll regret that.” Kane’s voice is hard, and I can hear how much he is struggling to hold on to the little control he has left. Jason tries to mumble something, but Kane gives his neck a crushing squeeze and tosses him to the ground. “Keep your fucking hands off my woman.”

  They stare at each other for what feels like forever, until Jason pushes himself off the ground and turns to go back inside the building. Kane turns to me, his eyes full of anger. “What the hell was that about?”

  “He wanted me to stay and cover for a girl who called out. I told him I couldn’t stay, and he didn’t want to take no for an answer.” I look away from him, uncomfortable with the fact that he had to come to my rescue once again.

  His hands cup my face as his forehead rests against mine. “Did he hurt you?”

  “No,” I say with a shake of my head, trying to calm my beating heart.

  “If he had, I would’ve killed that motherfucker.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Kane

  “Don’t swing unless you know you’re gonna connect,” I mutter through my mouth guard after Trey takes a wild swing. The kid has amazing raw power. If I can just fine-tune his aim and body control, he will be a pro.

  He nods, shuffling to his side. Staring me down, he tries to find the best angle to take me down. After three weeks of recuperating, he has been working his ass off. Trey’s here as soon as his classes end, rushes through his work, and then trains until the gym closes. I’m beginning to think he has something that few people do—natural talent. I see guys come in here who improve, but they have to work at it to get better. This kid not only wants it enough to work for it, but he has the natural ability to knock this out of the park.

  “Take his ass out, Trey,” my girl screams, drawing my attention. I laugh at the fact that she thinks her brother has a chance against me.

  Emmy is standing right beside the mat, watching her brother and me grapple. I cock my brow at her, letting her know that she should be rooting for me. She just smiles and shrugs, as if I should know what to expect from her by now.

  She is still wearing her workout gear that she wore for a training session. We’ve been meeting here nearly every day to work on self-defense. My eyes travel down her body, taking in each one of her curves. When I finally make my way back to her face, her full lips form a kiss and blow it at me. For a minute, I consider bowing out and pulling her into my office.

  Her smile is intoxicating. Even after spending so much time with her, I still want her as much as I did the first time I saw her. Hell, I want her more. She’s the only woman I’ve ever met who can make me laugh and make my dick hard at the same time. Emmy is as close to perfect as a woman can get, and I’m beginning to think she is perfect for me.

  She steps to the side, her eyes moving to her brother. Leaning forward just a bit, she gives me a perfect view of her chest. The momentary distraction costs me, allowing Trey to land a punch right to my chin. Of course, that draws an excited squeal from my girl’s mouth. My chin aches from the kid’s punch. I may be doing too good of a job with his training. Maybe I’ll have Ozzy start standing in as his punching bag from now on.

  “Way to go, bro,” she screams, jumping up and down in a way that makes her boobs bounce.

  My dick takes notice, and I realize it’s time to call it a day. I tap Trey on the shoulder. “Nice job. You’re a fast learner.”

  He smiles at me, spitting his mouth guard out. “It’s ‘cause you’re such a good coach.”

  The way he looks at me has me fighting back a smile. He has a look on his face identical to the way I used to look at my old coach, Nico. It’s like he’s trying to absorb my every word. I wouldn’t be the fighter I am today without Nico. I hope, someday, Trey feels the same way.

  “Can’t coach someone who doesn’t have talent,” I reply, walking over to Emmy. “Let me talk to you for a minute, troublemaker.”

  I lift a chin to Trey as I take Emmy’s hand and lead her to the locker room. As soon as we step inside, I look to make sure it’s empty. Finding it a ghost town, I grab a chair and wedge it under the doorknob.

  “What the hell are you doing?” she asks, her eyes moving from me to the chair.

  “I don’t want anyone walking in here and seeing your sweet ass,” I explain.

  I stalk over to her, only one thing occupying my every thought. Grabbing her hand, I pull her toward the shower stall, while tugging my shirt over my head and kicking the shoes from my feet. Looking up, I notice she’s still completely dressed. “Strip. Now.”

  She looks at me with a smart ass smile on her face. “Yes, master.”

  “I like that. While I’m pounding your pussy, I want you to call me master,” I say, feeling my cock twitch at the thought. As much shit as she gives in everyday life, she submits to me completely during sex, and it’s sexy as hell.

  She lets out a snort before pushing her pants to the floor. “Your head’s big enough already. You don’t need me saying anything else to make it swell.”

  After she pulls her shirt over her head, I reach out and grab her hand. Bringing it to my cock, I smile at her. “This is the only head you make swell.”

  She laughs, pulling her hand away and taking off her bra. She walks around me to get in the shower, her hand trailing over my skin. When I see her naked ass, the thought of a condom hits my mind.

  “Wait a minute. I need to get a condom.” Running my gaze down her naked body, I murmur, “Hell, we may need two.”

  She leans into me, whispering in my ear, “I’m on the pill, so you don’t have to wear one unless you want.”

  My mind goes into overdrive. Just the thought has me hard as a nail. “Are you sure?”

  “Never would have mentioned it, if I wasn’t okay. I trust you completely. Plus, I’ve been thinking about how your bare cock would feel.” Her hand skims over my dick, slowly stroking it.

  “I’ve never gone bareback with anyone else,” I tell her, not really wanting to think about her ever being with someone else. “Plus, I get tested every time I fight, so I’m clean.”

  “Okay.” She brushes a kiss over my lips. “I guess this will be a first for both of us.”

  Her hand reaches around, giving my ass a squeeze, and I laugh. My girl is wild, and I love it. Not willing to wait a minute more, I drag her into the shower. After pulling the curtain closed, I push her naked body against the cold tile wall. “If I caught one of the guys in here, they’d be out on their ass.”

  She leans in, using her tongue to circle my nipple. “That’s why it’s good to be the owner. They can’t do anything to you but be jealous.”

  “They’re already jealous. If they caught us doing this, they’d hate me. Plus, I’d cut their eyes out,” I add, reaching over to turn the water on.

  As soon as the warm water hits my body, I lean down to kiss Emmy. Her hand snakes down to stroke my already hard cock, then give
s it a tight squeeze right on the head. “That feels so good.”

  Her long fingernails scrape my skin, mixing pain with pleasure and making me moan. “That feels even better.”

  “If you think that feels good, I’m about to blow your mind,” she says, sliding down to her knees.

  Leaving one hand wrapped around the base of my cock, her warm mouth surrounds the tip and moves lower, pulling another low moan from deep within me. “Hell yeah.”

  She adds just a little suction, her tongue caressing up and down the length of my cock. Taking me down deep, my tip presses into her throat. Unable to stop myself, I push forward, forcing her to take me even deeper. “Swallow me, baby.”

  Her throat contracts around my cock, pulling me in even deeper. The feeling of being so deep in her mouth already has me on the edge. Knowing I can’t take much more, I pull away from her mouth, grab her under the arms to pull her off her knees, and push her against the wall.

  She pouts at me, looking as if I took her candy away. “I wasn’t done.”

  “I want in that sweet pussy of yours. If you keep sucking me off, I’ll be done before you’ve even started,” I explain, raising her off her feet. “I wouldn’t get to take you without a barrier between us.”

  “I just want you inside me,” she whispers.

  I cup her pussy with one hand, finding her soaking wet. “You’re so ready, baby. I can’t wait to sink down deep inside you.”

  I force my hips between her spread legs. “Wrap your legs around me.”

  She follows my order, giving me complete control. Her tongue works my neck as she whispers, “I need you, Kane.”

  “You got me, Emmy. You’ve had me since the first damn night.” Rubbing my cock against her wet pussy, not waiting for permission, I slam into her.