The Fighter (The High Rise, Book 1)

by Harper Bentley

  “That Jake guy is so hot!” Dani said coming over to me, talking about one of the guys who works for Heath. “He asked me out!”

  “That’s awesome!” I replied, giving her a big smile, glad she’d found someone she was interested in.

  When the guys had been outside for almost thirty minutes, I grabbed Dani by the arm saying, “Let’s go see what they’re talking about. Maybe Jake is telling them all how hot you are!”

  “And Heath’s probably telling them how hot you are!” she added.

  Because men always talked about their women to other men, right? We were tipsy, what can I say?

  We went to the patio doors that were opened just a bit where she and I stood behind the curtain so the guys couldn’t see us. And that’s when all hell broke loose.

  Matt, the guy Heath worked out with in the weight room: Who was the diva who came in?

  Heath: Chastity Chastain, some actress Laney’s roommate works for.

  Jeff, a guy who worked for Heath: Did you see her tits? Goddamn, I know they had to be fake but they looked so fuckin’ real!

  Kale, a plumber who worked with Heath: My wife’s tits used to be that perky before she had our son. Hell, for all I know, they might have gotten their spring back in ‘em but she’s too fuckin’ busy to have sex anymore.

  Guys chuckling.

  Jake, Dani’s prospective date: Chastity Chastain, huh? Very nice tits. I’d like to motorboat those sons of bitches.

  Guys laughing all around.

  Jeff: Who out here wouldn’t like to have something like that?

  Guys all agreeing.

  Spider, a creepy guy who worked for Heath: Would you tap that?

  Guys talking simultaneously:

  Kale: Fuck yes, I would!

  Jeff: Hell yeah!

  Jake: I’d tap that bitch more than once!

  Matt: If the wife wouldn’t find out, I’d do her more than once!

  Heath: (laughs) Hell yeah!

  Wait, what?

  Dani and I looked at each other, jaws clenched and eyes big for different reasons.

  Hers because Jake had called Chastity a bitch, which I knew Dani would interpret it as he’s a disrespectful asshole and if he called one woman a bitch, what would keep him from calling her a bitch and I knew he was history.

  And me because I was shocked at my boyfriend’s saying he’d sleep with Chastity.

  I came out from behind the curtain and grabbed the patio door pulling it open with a bang. All the guys turned and looked at me before looking at Heath. Then they got the hell out of there, going inside being all polite and saying excuse me as they walked by. Jerks.

  Stepping out onto the patio, my hands went to my hips and I raised my eyebrows at Heath. “Something you wanna tell me?”

  He frowned and acted like he was trying to remember if he’d forgotten to tell me something. He next pursed his lips, shrugging and answering, “No.”

  I laughed sarcastically. “Really?”

  He shook his head, clueless.

  I mocked Spider’s creepy voice. “Would you tap that?” Next, I glared at Heath mocking him, laughing like he does then saying, “Hell yeah!”

  He narrowed his eyes at me and said, “Baby, that’s not what that meant.”

  Whatever. I went back inside, pulling the patio door closed on him and stomped off to my bedroom slamming my door. No one noticed me because the music was loud and they were busy getting refills anyway. Then suddenly my door banged open and Heath was standing in my doorway pissed.

  “What the fuck, Laney?” he bit out.

  “What the fuck? What the fuck?” I yelled back. “You stand out there telling the guys you work with that you wanna fuck Chastity and make me look like an idiot and you wanna know what the fuck? Yeah, so now every time they see me, they’ll laugh at me thinking I’m a dumbass for being with you because you’d rather be fucking Chastity? That’s what’s the fucking fuck!” I scream the last two words hopefully getting my point across.

  I then noticed the music in the living room had gotten louder, so I knew Dani had seen Heath go to my room and she’d pumped up the frickin’ volume so no one would hear us. Such a great friend.

  “That’s not what I fuckin’ meant! I was laughing at what Matt said and just agreeing with him!” Heath yelled back.

  “Why would you agree with him if he’s wanting to cheat on his wife!”

  “Because that’s what guys do when they’re drinking and talking about women!”

  Oh. My. God.

  Wrong thing to say.

  “So you’re telling me that you talk shit on me when you’re out drinking with the guys?”

  “That’s not what I said.”

  “That’s exactly what you said!” I was so angry by then because he didn’t actually deny that he talked shit about me! Drunken reasoning is the best.

  “No, it isn’t.”

  “You didn’t deny that you talk shit on me,” I made sure to point out.

  He frowned trying to remember what he’d said and I’d had enough.

  “Get out,” I said, pointing to the door.

  “No.”

  “Get the fuck out!” I hissed.

  He shook his head.

  “Fine! I’ll leave then!”

  I tried getting by him but he grabbed me by my upper arms, keeping me from going anywhere.

  “Let me go,” I bit out.

  “Goddamn it, Laney. Fucking shut up and listen to me!” he fired right back.

  “Shut up? Did you just tell me to shut up?”

  “You goddamned right I did.”

  I glowered up at him letting him see how mad I was.

  “I don’t talk shit about you.”

  “You just said all guys talk like that about women when they’re drinking,” I retort snottily.

  He bent down and got in my face. “I’m not all guys.”

  This made me roll my eyes. “Please leave.”

  “No.”

  “Oh, my fucking God! Can you just do one thing I ask?” I snap.

  He then turned me putting my back against my door slamming his lips against mine. His hand went to my jeans undoing them in no time then sliding his hand down inside my panties, I felt him brush over my clit before he drove a finger up inside me, making me cry out despite the fact that I was fighting for him to stop at the same time.

  “Stop!” I said, grabbing his forearm trying to pull his hand out.

  He didn’t stop and not being able to help myself, damn it, I quit trying to make him stop because it felt so good. Anyway, my line of thinking right then was, if we were breaking up and this was the last time we’d be together, I might as well get off good.

  My hands went to his jeans unbuttoning them and I reached in pulling his already rock hard cock out stroking it and making him groan.

  He pulled his hand out of my jeans pushing them down my hips and off, yanking my shirt up and over my head leaving me only in my bra. He next wrenched his shirt up over his head and off then shoved his own jeans down his legs before picking me up where I wrapped my legs around him and he literally impaled me on his dick making me dig my fingers in, scratching the shit out of his shoulders as I came hard, throwing my head back and screaming.

  He held onto my hips, lifting me then dropping me down onto his cock, fucking me so hard I gasped each time he pulled me down on him because he was going so deep.

  Then suddenly he stopped moving me, buried as far inside me as he could go making me pant out a whimper when his hand came up to clutch my chin making me look at him.

  “I told you I’d never say anything bad about you, Laney. Do you believe me?” he ground out.

  I looked back at him defiantly still holding onto my anger and not answering him.

  He lifted me then dropped me back on him forcefully making my breath catch. God!

  “You wanna know why I’d never say anything bad about you?” he growled lifting me once more before pulling me down on him. “Because I fucking love y
ou! That’s why!”

  He carried me to my bed putting a knee to it and moving across to the side that’s next to the wall, pinned my back against it then his hips started pistoning up into me hard and fast until he realized I was a freaking sobbing blubbering mess. Moving us away from the wall, he put my back to the bed, his large body covering mine as he started slowly sliding in and out of me.

  As he moved, resting on his forearms, his hands came up to hold my face and he used his thumbs to wipe my tears away. “I love you, Laney,” he whispered bending to touch his lips to mine.

  Through my tears I managed to say, “I love you too, Heath.”

  Then he was making love to me and it was amazing. Not that I hadn’t loved the first part of it. That was awesome too. But the last part allowed us to hold each other, keeping our eyes locked as we finally really made love.

  So, yes, things definitely were going great between us.

  Eighteen

  I’m in love with Laney.

  I’ve only been in love one other time before but feeling the way I do now, maybe it hadn’t been love that first time because it was nothing like this.

  All I know is this is awesome. Laney makes me feel like I’m ten-feet tall and bulletproof, as if I’m the only one she’ll ever need. And I fucking love that.

  It’s the third week of April and we’ve got it worked out that we’ll take off next Friday to leave for Big Bear, not having to return until the second Sunday. Ten days alone with Laney. I can’t wait.

  And if everything goes as planned, I’ll be finished with fighting having found a way to get to Kyle’s records and delete Aaron from them because I recently found out that Jake is a computer guru and only works construction for me as a hobby because he said he gets bored. He runs his own business out of his home doing anything from PC repairs to routing, and from what he’s told me, he’ll soon be giving Cisco and other core routing businesses a run for their money as he makes his name known.

  On Monday, I filled him in on everything asking if there was any way he could help me out and he said he was sure he could which had me so fucking relieved. When I offered to pay him for it, he told me to keep my money but he wanted to be set up with Dani. I’d laughed and told him he’d better just take my money, but he refused asking if I’d just put in a good word for him with her to which I agreed but told him not to hold his breath.

  It’s Friday and Laney and I are having dinner with her folks tonight. Jake’s going to meet me at my apartment before I leave to see what he can do. And, hell, by the time I get home, I might be a free man.

  Thinking that has me smiling as I walk to my truck to get some blueprints when I get a text.

  Laney: Is this the handsome project manager who’s working on the convenience store going in on Seventh Street downtown?

  Me: Only if this is the fuckhot goddess who leases apartments to old biddies who are never satisfied

  Laney: That’s me but you’re the one who’s fuckhot ;) So how’s it going?”

  Me: Would be better if I had you bent over a sawhorse

  Laney: Sounds comfy

  Me: Or on a ladder… hm… that would work, you in front of me and up a rung where you can squat down on my dick…

  Laney: Ohhh… squat… stop trying to seduce me with your pretty words

  Me: Woman, I’ll seduce you and you’ll like it

  Laney: Just as long as I end up getting to squat on your big dick

  Me: You say the nicest things xx

  Laney: xo

  Me: We still good for tonight?

  Laney: Yep. Mom’s excited to meet you and Dad’s cleaning his shotgun

  Me: I’ll make sure to wear my bulletproof vest then

  Laney: You’d make a bigger impression if you wore a full suit of armor. Chainmail at the very least. Dad loves Medieval stuff

  Me: You’ll have to drive then ‘cause the helmet might hinder my vision

  Laney: Can do but only if you’re packing your big sword

  Me: Baby, I’m always packing my big sword

  Laney: Ooohh, you’re so Noble (ha ha). My knight in shining armor <3

  Me: Just call me Sir Thrustalot, Lady Comealot

  Laney: I’m cracking up right now jsyk. And if the FBI was monitoring this conversation I’m sure they’ve signed off by now

  Me: Their loss

  Laney: Will you be home by six?

  Me: Yes, ma’am

  Laney: Can we leave by six-thirty?

  Me: Your wish is my command

  Laney: I’m screenshotting that for future reference

  Me: I’ll claim I was drunk

  Laney: Drunk on love :P

  Me: With you, always

  Laney: God, I love you <3 See you at six xoxo

  Me: Love you too x

  As I grab the prints, I find I’m a bit nervous about dinner tonight. Of course I want Laney’s parents to like me but my main concern is what will happen if I find out her dad’s involved in all the bullshit with her uncle.

  I’m hoping he’s just as oblivious as Laney is.

  “It’s nice to meet you, sir,” I say, shaking Curtis Kyle’s hand when he meets us at the door.

  “Likewise,” he replies. “Come on in you two.”

  “Hi, Dad,” Laney says, hugging him as he bends to give her a peck on the cheek.

  “Hi, Button. Your drive go okay? I know traffic’s crazy this time of evening, especially on a Friday. I told Meredith we should’ve had you over for a late dinner.” He leads us into the living room and I raise an eyebrow at Laney at his calling her Button.

  “I’ll explain later,” she whispers.

  “Hi!” Laney’s mom says coming into the living room and walking immediately to me. “I’m Meredith Kyle. It’s so nice to finally meet you, Heath!” I hold out my hand but she chides, “I’m a hugger! Come here!” She wraps her arms around me and gives me a squeeze which makes me chuckle. She’s an older version of Laney and just as sweet as can be. I like her immediately.

  “Hi, honey. I’m so glad you could make it,” she now states hugging Laney. “Would you like something to drink?” she asks looking at me then Laney.

  “I’ll take wine,” Laney says.

  “You like scotch, son?” Curtis asks me.

  “I do,” I answer.

  “Come with me,” he orders.

  I turn to Laney and she giggles, tiptoeing up to give me a kiss then she whispers, “Be careful. That’s where he keeps the gun safe.” She snorts before following her mom to the kitchen.

  I follow Curtis into the den and over to a bar. “Rocks or neat?”

  “Well, it depends on what you’ve got, Curtis” I state. “If you’ve got Johnnie Walker, I’ll take it neat but if it’s Laphroaig, rocks.”

  He looks at me nodding in approval then pulls two tumblers down from the cabinet. “Laphroaig it is.” He gets ice cubes out of a bucket then pours our drinks asking, “So you’re in construction?”

  “Yes. I’m a project manager for London-Thomas and manage a crew of twenty.”

  He hands me my drink. “You have a degree?”

  “Yes, sir, from Cal State in business management. I’m hoping to get my master’s in civil engineering in the next two years.”

  He looks impressed. “Have a seat,” he directs walking over to a sitting area consisting of a leather couch and chair, end tables and a coffee table that all face a huge TV. He sits in the chair and I take the couch and after taking a sip of his whisky, he looks at me for a moment. “How’d you and Laney meet?”

  I tell him about how we met on the elevator after leaving the weight room and that we live on the same floor.

  “You’re a big guy. You a boxer or something?”

  Ah. Here we go. I should soon know the truth. “I used to be in an MMA club in college. Nothing fancy, just a bunch of guys getting together to beat the shit out of each other.” I chuckle.

  “MMA. That’s that newfangled thing where you box and kick, right?”

  Hu
h. This is promising. “Yes.”

  “My brother Edward runs some kind of boxing-MMA thing in the basement on weekends. I think the money goes to charity. You might see about getting involved,” he suggests which tells me right there he’s clueless. “Have you met Laney’s uncle yet? He’s my half-brother. Twenty years my junior. Kind of a halfwit if you ask me, but our father, God rest his soul, made me promise to involve him in the family business.” He shakes his head before taking a drink.

  I’m more than elated that Curtis isn’t mixed up in everything which pretty much means Laney isn’t either. “I’ve met him a few times,” I share.

  He raises an eyebrow at me as if to prove his point that his brother’s an idiot and I snort.

  “You golf?” he inquires.

  “I have a few times. You don’t want to know what my handicap is, though. I’ll just say it’s not the best and leave it at that.”

  “We’ll have to play at the country club soon. Hell, I’ve been playing for years and I can’t get below a nine handicap. Played Clint Eastwood a few times which made me feel a helluva lot better, though.”

  Laney comes to the door. “Is Dad bragging to you about beating poor Clint Eastwood in golf when he’s like, what, eight-hundred years old?” She giggles walking into the room. Her dad and I stand and she goes to give him a kiss on the cheek before coming to me and holding my hand. “So, is Heath a good one or do I need to get your shotgun?”

  “He seems to be a keeper, Button. Especially since he sucks at golf worse than I do.” He chuckles then walks out of the den.

  I look down at Laney. “Button?”

  She rolls her eyes. “Dad said when I was born I had a cute, little button nose.”

  I smile and kiss the tip of her nose. “It is cute.”

  She blushes and murmurs, “Stop,” then takes my hand leading me into the dining room where I see the table’s set and everything’s ready.

  “You need any help?” Laney asks her mom who shakes her head.

  “Everyone go ahead and have a seat,” Meredith says. “I hope you like coq au vin, Heath.”

  I nod and she smiles before going back to the kitchen.