Sugar Fighter

by Charity Parkerson

  Sugar Fighter

  Sugar Daddies Book #1

  Charity Parkerson

  The scanning, uploading, and distributing of this book via the internet or via any other means without the permission of the copyright owner is illegal and punishable by law. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Brief passages may be quoted for review purposes if credit is given to the copyright holder. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated. Any resemblances to person(s) living or dead, is completely coincidental. All items contained within this novel are products of the author’s imagination.

  --Warning: This book is intended for readers over the age of 18.

  Copyright © 2018 Charity Parkerson

  Editor: Hercules Editing and Consultants

  ISBN: 978-1-946099-33-4

  All rights reserved.

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  Introduction

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  About the Author

  Introduction

  Zeke is the older man. The richer man. The man who plans to give Korey the world.

  As MMA’s Light Heavyweight champion, Zeke’s million-dollar matches and multi-million-dollar sponsorships have given him the freedom to do whatever he likes. It pleases him to spoil Korey. Before Zeke’s best friend Charlie was deployed two years ago, he made Zeke swear he’d care for his brother Korey if anything happened to him. When Charlie is killed by a roadside bomb, Zeke takes the young college student in, determined to give him everything he requires to succeed. He never expects to end up hoping he can keep Korey under more than his roof. He needs Korey beneath him.

  If Korey had been in his right mind after Charlie’s death, he would’ve turned down Zeke’s offer. By the time he realizes his mistake, he’s already addicted to Zeke’s powerful presence. He never meant to end up dependent on the man’s smiles and hot glances. The money, Korey could live without. The man has him hooked. There’s only one problem—neither man wants to cross the line from friends to lovers, ruining what they have.

  Sugar Fighter is a short introduction to a new series by Charity Parkerson, Sugar Daddies. This series will feature male/male May/December romances where the men are hot, rich, naughty, and don’t like to be told no.

  One

  Sweat glistened on Zeke’s skin. A bead rolled down his back. Korey’s mouth watered. This was Korey’s favorite time of day. It was supposed to be his study time. In a way, it was, except instead of cramming for his next exam, Korey memorized every inch of Zeke’s body. A snort escaped him. Luckily, the sound of Zeke’s fists, knees, and feet hitting the punching bag drowned out the noise. Korey already knew every detail of Zeke’s body. He could probably sketch the man from memory alone. In the dark. Blindfolded. Zeke was Korey’s roommate. Well, roommate might be a stretch, considering Zeke had millions while Korey was broke as shit. Still, they lived together. Korey chose not to dwell on the semantics of their arrangement.

  Each day, after his final class, Korey came here to catch a ride home with Zeke. He had a car, but if he chose to use it, he would miss this. Every day, Korey sat in the same spot, book in hand and longing for what he could never have. Zeke Armstrong was the Light Heavyweight MMA champion. He had fourteen years on Korey, more money than Korey could ever dream of having, and no obvious interest in anything beyond fighting. Korey was nobody. He was a college student whose brother found him a place stay in a state where he knew no one. Living with Zeke was heaven and hell. Korey wanted him. It would never happen. Zeke’s hard muscles bunched and rolled with each move he made. Korey caught himself keeping time with Zeke’s blows. Punch. One. Two. Kick. Three. Four. Knees. Five. Six. Reverse.

  Zeke turned, catching him staring. Light blue eyes flashed with good humor. Korey’s stomach muscles clenched with desire at the sight. Zeke’s sexy lips turned up in one corner. “Aren’t you supposed to be studying?”

  Korey swallowed past the lust crushing his windpipe. “Don’t worry. I’m still acing everything.”

  “Damn right, you are,” Zeke said, wiping the sweat from his forehead. “I expect it to stay that way.” Zeke motioned a tape-wrapped hand Korey’s way as he switched his focus to his usual sparring partner, Maverick, who was working out nearby. “This kid will cure cancer someday.”

  Heat crawled up Korey’s cheeks. This was another reason he couldn’t stop fantasizing about Zeke. The man was freaking amazing. On the outside, Zeke was perfection. He was six-foot-four-inches of two-hundred-pound muscle. Blond hair and blue eyes with deep lines at the corners of his mouth when he smiled. Korey swore angels sighed when Zeke laughed. But, on the inside, Zeke was a million times all that. When Korey moved to California from Alabama to get his medical degree from Stanford, he’d known he was headed for the unknown. His original plan had been to live with his oldest brother, Charlie, who was a marine stationed in Palo Alto. Two weeks after Korey started school, Charlie was unexpectedly deployed. Three months later, Charlie had been killed by a roadside bomb. Zeke had shown up, said he’d promised to take care of Korey if anything happened to Charlie. Two years later, Zeke still kept that vow while never once making Korey feel unwelcome or like a leech. Of course, Korey fully intended to make it all up to Zeke someday. That was why he never gave less than his all. Korey owed the man everything.

  “You’ll need that medical degree if you keep hanging out with this guy,” Maverick said, pulling Korey’s focus his way. “An old man fighting past his prime needs a good doctor in his corner,” Maverick said, laughing as he pretended to hit Zeke in the ribs.

  Korey’s embarrassment fled. “Really? Who do you have lined up?”

  Maverick threw his head back and roared with laughter.

  Zeke tossed him a wink. “Let me grab my stuff and we’ll head home.”

  Korey nodded and focused on packing up his bag. He eyes needed something else to do other than watching Zeke walk away. Korey already worried his lust couldn’t be hidden any longer.

  Maverick claimed the empty chair at Korey’s side. “Are you coming to Vegas with Zeke this weekend for his match?”

  “I’m not sure,” Korey said, shoving his book in his bag. “We haven’t talked about it.” That sounded better than admitting Zeke hadn’t invited him.

  “You should go with me.”

  Korey froze halfway through zipping his backpack. Maverick wasn’t a bad-looking guy. His dark, perfectly styled hair, honey-colored eyes, and cut body were downright amazing. In fact, most people would probably kill for that invitation, but Korey wasn’t sure how to take it. Korey didn’t hide the fact he was gay, but he didn’t exactly flaunt it inside a fight club filled with straight guys.

  Korey kept his gaze locked on his hands as he finished zipping his bag. “Um. How do you mean?”

  Maverick’s tone changed when he answered, turning sultry. “I thought I could pick you up,” Maverick said, leaving no room for doubt of his intentions. “We could see the town afterward and you could stay with me.”

  Wow. Korey didn’t know what to say. Not only was he caught off guard, Maverick wasn’t Zeke. It was funny how Korey’s heart refused to give up the dream of Zeke, even when an equally amazing offer presented itself.

  “Or we could skip seeing the town,” Maverick said, amending his offer. “And you could just stay with me.”

  “The hell you say,” Zeke growled, appearing over Maverick’s shoulder. His expression was thunderous. Korey had never seen the man angry before.
He was now. There was a line between Zeke’s eyes, and they flashed with barely suppressed rage. “Korey isn’t ruining his life by getting mixed up with any of the no-good fuckers in this building.”

  Maverick’s usual good humor never slipped, not even beneath Zeke’s obvious fury. “Damn, Zeke. Tell me how you really feel. You should let the boy come out to play for at least one weekend.”

  Korey couldn’t stop switching his gaze between the two. He’d never heard Zeke give anything but praise for his fight family.

  Zeke didn’t take Maverick’s bait. “Let’s go, Korey.”

  Korey stood, intent on following Zeke to the door.

  Maverick grabbed his hand before he could get away. “Think about my offer. Here’s my number.” A scrap of paper appeared in the man’s free hand. Korey reached for it. Maverick’s thumb brushed Korey’s wrist. An unexpected spark traveled up Korey’s arm at the move. “Let me know.”

  “Let’s go, Korey,” Zeke called without looking back.

  Korey’s gaze moved between Zeke and Maverick. Maybe he would go. It was obvious Zeke thought Korey would level his life for a man. Korey wasn’t that stupid, but it was nice to be wanted. Zeke would never want him. Eventually, Korey would have to accept it.

  With his gaze locked on the road, Zeke raged. Fucking Maverick. He couldn’t believe that dick’s nerve. For two years, Korey had been showing up at Powerhouse Training after class. Everyone knew Korey belonged to him. Maybe “belonged” went too far, but the guys sure as fuck knew Korey was off limits. They didn’t mess with him, look at him, and they damn sure didn’t try to hook up with him. The problem was Korey was too pretty for his own good. His dark hair was always perfectly styled. The dude just looked like he put time in on his appearance. It didn’t help the guy had unusual gray eyes framed by long, dark lashes and perfect skin. He looked like a goddamn angel. Except for Korey’s lips. Those were made for sin. Zeke mentally swiped a hand over his thoughts, wiping them away. Korey was too young for the ideas he gave men. Fuck. He was too young for the way Zeke wanted him.

  “Are you okay?”

  Zeke tore his gaze away from the road long enough to glance Korey’s way. “Yeah. Why?”

  Korey shrugged. “I don’t know. Your jaw is flexing like you’re pissed.”

  The worry in Korey’s tone had Zeke counting to ten in his head. It wasn’t Korey’s fault he turned Zeke into a perv. If Charlie was still alive, he’d rightfully kick Zeke’s ass for the impure thoughts he had every second of the day about Korey. “I’m good. Just mentally preparing for the fight this weekend, I guess.” He flashed Korey a smile, hoping it didn’t look half as feral as it felt. “Sorry. What do you want for dinner?”

  Korey didn’t respond right away. When he finally spoke, his voice came out stilted, as if he worried he might say the wrong thing and set Zeke off again. “Would you tell me? If something was wrong, that is.”

  “Sure.” The lie rolled so damn easily from Zeke’s tongue it surprised even him.

  “Okay.”

  A long, loud litany of cursing rang out in Zeke’s head. Korey sounded sad. “We could order pizza,” he offered, hoping to lighten the mood.

  “You can’t have pizza for three more days.” The laughter in Korey’s voice had the pressure easing in Zeke’s chest. “I’ll make a deal with you, though. If you win, I’ll buy you the biggest pizza New York’s Second Home Pizzas sells.”

  At the mention of Zeke’s favorite pizza place, Zeke’s mood lightened even more. Korey knew him better than anyone. That was one of the reasons Zeke couldn’t understand how Korey hadn’t realized Zeke would trade everything he owned if Korey would act on the way he stared at him. Every day, Korey watched him train. Each day, it got a little harder to ignore the way the man’s gaze stroked his skin. It was addictive. No one made him feel as powerful. He needed to make Korey feel at least one-quarter of the happiness he did.

  “Did you want to go to Vegas with me? I hadn’t asked because I thought maybe you’d have better things to do than being stuck with me while I do all the pre-match shit they require.”

  Korey didn’t answer right away. When he responded, he spoke slowly, as if measuring each word. “I’d love to go if you want me there, and you’re not just asking because you don’t want me there with Maverick. Obviously, I don’t really know the guy, and you do, so I’m sure you have your reasons.” Korey released a low growl. The sound stirred Zeke’s cock. “I don’t know what I’m trying to say. It’s like you said, you’ll be busy with interviews and weigh-ins. If you don’t want me underfoot, I don’t want you to feel obligated to bring me along. You already do way too much for me.”

  Zeke knew Korey was uncomfortable with how dependent he was on Zeke. The thing was, it was all intentional on Zeke’s part. He’d purposely overtaken Korey’s life. Korey was the only person Zeke couldn’t live without. Since he couldn’t say that, he went with an alternative truth. “You’re my best friend, Korey. There’s never a moment I don’t want you around. I know you like going to my matches, but I don’t like making you feel obligated to be with me every time. It’s my job.”

  A soft, sexy laugh came from Korey’s side of the car, punching Zeke in the chest. “Now that we’ve established we’re not obligated to each other, I’d love to go with you.”

  Without thought, Zeke reached over and linked fingers with Korey. It wasn’t the first time they’d held hands. By nature, Zeke was a sensory driven person. He caught himself touching Korey more often than not. Korey accepted it, never seeming to take it to heart. The more Korey let him get away with, the more Zeke took. He imagined, one day soon, Korey would find himself tied to Zeke for life with no clue how it happened. Zeke would know. He planned it that way.

  Even though Zeke had a large house, it wasn’t big enough to share with Korey. There was no place he went where the man’s presence didn’t show itself. Of course, Zeke never tried getting away from him. If Korey made dinner, Zeke helped. If he studied, Zeke quizzed him. Chances were good, if they’d met under different circumstances, Zeke would’ve fucked the guy and never looked back. Instead, he fantasized but never touched. Lust had warped and transformed until Zeke had woken up one day completely owned by Korey.

  “Do you want me to heat up one of these meal prep things while you shower?”

  Zeke lifted his arm and pretended to sniff. “Are you saying I stink?”

  Korey’s face remained blank, keeping his thoughts hidden. “Yes. I’m saying you stink.”

  Zeke knew Korey was joking. Korey would never say such a thing and mean it. He was too nice, which meant Korey was in the mood to tease. Zeke was his man. “I smell like cotton candy, babies, and chocolate. You’re the ripe one around here.”

  A smile stretched Korey’s lips, stealing Zeke’s breath. The man’s dimples were hot as hell. “Babies?”

  Zeke turned the water on in the sink. “You heard me. Babies—like baby powder and youth. You smell like a teenager’s bedroom. I’ll fix it,” Zeke said, pulling the spray nozzle from the sink, and spraying Korey’s chest.

  “Ah, man,” Korey yelled. “Is that how this is going down?” Korey grabbed a nearby half-filled glass of water leftover from that morning and tossed the contents in Zeke’s direction before Zeke could jump out of the way. His pants took the brunt of it.

  Zeke tossed the nozzle toward the sink and held his hands up. “Okay. Truce.” He knew from experience they could destroy a room in no time and they’d have to clean up their mess. Korey’s laughter made all water damage worthwhile.

  “Truce,” Korey agreed as he lifted his shirt up and over his head. Zeke ate the man alive with his gaze while Korey used the shirt to dry his face. Korey wasn’t exactly the opposite of what usually attracted Zeke, but he also wasn’t Zeke’s normal type. In the past, Zeke had only dated men with similar interests. Guys who lived for the gym. Korey had a runner’s body—slim and tight but not muscular. Zeke had never found anyone sexier. While distracted by all the fantasies of what
he could do to that body, Korey caught him off guard, snapping him with the shirt. He got a second shot in before Zeke snagged the shirt. A tug of war began, each refusing to give up their hold until their chests met. Zeke went hard. There was no slow stirring of desire. The instant their skin met, Zeke was on fire. Images of bending Korey over the counter and fucking him hard filled Zeke’s head. Korey’s smile fell. His gaze dropped to Zeke’s mouth. A flush touched his cheeks. Zeke shifted even closer. Korey leaned in. For a moment, they stood with their mouths an inch away from touching. Korey’s breaths fanned across Zeke’s face. His eyes fell closed. Zeke quickly stepped back. Reality crashed down on him. This was Charlie’s baby brother. He’d trusted Zeke to take care of him. Not use him as his live-in whore.

  “I need a shower.” Without a backward glance, Zeke headed for his room. He needed release before he fell on Korey with his dick out.

  Korey watched Zeke walk away. His muscles tensed as he fought the urge to chase after him. Sometimes, Korey thought he saw something in Zeke’s eyes. Those moments kept Korey hanging on when he should’ve found someone else long ago. His body ached. He felt empty without Zeke inside him. His lips tingled with the need to be kissed. Unquenched desire made him almost insane. Before Zeke, Korey hadn’t known a person could die a little every day from loving and craving someone unrequited. When they’d gotten home, he’d been starving. Now Korey felt sick.

  He headed for the shower. No amount of food would fill the ache in his gut. While waiting for the water to heat, Korey stripped. His reflection held him captive. He didn’t lack in confidence. If Zeke had been someone else, Korey might have thought he stood a chance. Unfortunately, Korey didn’t look like any of the men who worked out at Zeke’s gym. He couldn’t compete. The image of how Zeke had looked at him in the kitchen flared to life in Korey’s mind. He touched his lips. His eyes fell closed. Without thought, his hand slid lower. In his mind, it was Zeke’s hand traveling his skin. Korey’s breath stuttered from his lungs as his fingers encircled his cock. He let the lust overtake him. Fantasies filled his head. If Zeke ever gave him a chance, Korey wouldn’t know where to start. A thousand times he’d been on his knees for Zeke in his mind. Countless nights, Zeke’s hard cock filled Korey’s ass in his dreams. Chances were better than not they’d never be together. That knowledge didn’t stop Korey from stroking his dick with Zeke’s name on his lips.