by Hilary Storm
"It's not up for discussion."
"Luke, this is too much."
"One week. One week and you'll be free from here and all the shit that's fucked up your life." She sits on the edge of the bed straight in front of me. I start to think about just pulling all the money from my account to give her, but I know she needs more. The money from this fight will give her plenty and I can keep my account mostly intact, and available for my own plan. Worst case scenario... I'll pull the money she needs and get her the fuck out of here.
"One week, Luke. That's me taking a whole week from you."
"You're not taking it all. I'm learning from Lou and I'll have a new skill. This is what needs to happen, Kimber."
"You say that like you're dreaming of becoming a professional fighter."
"You never know." My eyes fall to her lips then to her tits. What was I saying earlier about her stirring up feelings... well right now those feelings are all in my dick.
Chapter Seven
Kimber
The way he's looking at me is making me want him even more. He's all over the place and I'm positive that neither one of us want any type of relationship. I just lost a baby, he's obviously dealing with demons of his own. It was hard to walk away from him earlier. I wanted to wrap my arms around him and hold him through the battle he was fighting. His moods change so fast. One minute he looks like he could eat me alive, the next he wants to protect me, the next I've killed his dog and he's disgusted. I can't keep up with him.
Right now, he's hungry for me. The look in his eyes leads me to believe that he's not immune to what I'm feeling too. It's there. Not sure what it is... but something is there between us. It feels permanent, but who knows. I move from this position and try to put a stop to this... whatever this is.
The doctors told me to wait... but right now I want to straddle him right on a metal folding chair. It doesn't sound romantic, but I can guarantee that it would be hot as fuck. In the end that's all I would want from him anyway. Guys like Luke aren't forever. I've learned that in this industry. Of course I can't really think of any of the guys in this industry that have his heart. Or looks. Or tats. Or beard. It's longer than scruff, but not by much. He hasn't shaved it since I met him, but that hasn't really been that long. It seems to be growing fast though.
"It could happen. You could be the next prized fighter that everyone wants to go up against. You'd be famous." His face drops.
"Yeah that's not something I want."
"I wouldn't either. Too much pressure to be on top all the time." He moves to the kitchen area and starts moving pans around. He pulls out some chicken and salad stuff and starts to busy himself with cooking. I'm not going to let him avoid me every time I hit a nerve with him. I won't pry, but I'm not avoiding him either.
Finding a knife is easy. I begin to cut up the leaf lettuce and make a salad. He passes me a bowl and the cucumber. There are no words being said, but we flow easy in the kitchen together. This is the smallest area and for us to pull that off in this space, is surprising.
I turn on some music from my phone and set it down beside me. I'm used to playing something all the time. Silence is awkward and I try to prevent it at all costs in my day to day life. When Greg thought I was busy, he would usually leave me alone. Music seemed to help with that, not always, but most of the time.
"What kind of music do you like?" I need to find that easy conversation with him again.
"Who says I like music?"
"You have guitars."
"Those aren't mine." His short response tells me not to ask about them any further.
"I love music. It's helped me through some tough times in my life."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah. You know, having a mother that wants nothing to do with you and a father that tries to pimp you out to get the next best fighter. Just small stuff like that."
"Tell me he didn't succeed as a pimp." He turns to face me. Now this kitchen seems too small.
"I did date some to let him get closer so that he could talk business."
"Did he make you fuck them?" His eyes are full of intensity. His question came out with a slight growl and I watch as his chest begins to rise and fall faster than normal. I don't know how to answer this. My only option is to divert the attention from my past back to his.
"Whose guitars are those?" He doesn't answer. He stands there facing me, like he knows my answer. This sucks because I don't get to know his.
Have I been with some of the guys he had me work to get close to? Yes. Did my father say, you need to have sex with this guy? No. But he told me to keep them happy until the fight. These guys are intense and most need sex daily. I just learned to stay with the same guy for lengthy periods of time to keep my father from using me to get anyone new. You know.... stick with his prize possession and keep him satisfied. My father isn't stupid and would never use me if it meant going against his lead fighter.
He doesn't quit looking at me when I turn to finish chopping the rest of the vegetables for the salad. I can feel his eyes burn through me. Pretending that I don't feel it, I slide left to the sink and turn on the water. He moves in behind me and I feel all of him again. His tattoos come into view when he reaches around me to turn off the water. With one of his hands, he sweeps my hair off my neck and leans in close. I can feel his breath, but not his lips.
"That will never fucking happen to you again. I will make sure you are nowhere near this fucking place if it's the last thing I do. Don't try to talk me out of it again." He finishes his sentence with the slightest kiss on my neck, lets my hair fall, and pulls away from me.
I felt that kiss everywhere. The tips of my nipples perked with just his breath, his words sent a sensation all over my skin, and those fucking lips may as well have kissed my clit directly. That's where I felt it.
I rub my arms to calm the goose bumps he left behind. A quick glance behind me and I see that he's still watching me. This man is too much. Do I really think I can handle him in this one room apartment for six more days?
Luke
I'm going to fucking kill her father. This is so fucked up. The sad thing is, she was almost out and those fuckers stopped her. I have to get her out of here. Just when I think I know enough details for me to do what needs to be done, I see another reason to add to the long list. My focus is dead on with getting her out of here. I've never been more determined to do anything in my life.
I watch her. I know I made her feel me. Fuck. I made me feel her.
She moves slowly, no doubt trying to figure out what to do or say to me. I'm so mind fucked I don't really know what I'm doing from one second to the next. One minute I'm missing Lilly, the next I want to fuck Kimber up against the kitchen sink. That is exactly why I can't do a damned thing with Kimber even though she lights a match to my fucking dick with just a simple lick of her lips, or even riding against me on the bike. Shit... at this rate I'm going to need another shower, but this time I'll have to rub one out just to get this shit out of my system.
"Salad is ready."
We both stand and eat with just the sound of her music playing between us. If I continue to be like this, it's going to be a long few days.
"We need to leave about 4:30 in the morning." Talk about something... anything that will keep us out of this type of silence.
"Oh. You want me to go with you?"
"Yes. I told you that I want you with me until you can drive the fuck away from here and be safe."
"Oh. Okay. I guess I'd better get to bed soon then. I'm not really a morning person and that is really freaking early."
"Gotta get to work on this training. Lou wants me there so he can show me a few things, leave me there for a few hours, then come back after he works at the gym with some of the other guys."
"I need to think of something for me to do all day."
"You'll think of something." She walks up to me and takes my plate, just as I finish the last bite.
"Let me get this."
"Kimber,
you don't have to serve me."
"I'm headed to the sink to clean mine, so I may as well do yours at the same time. It's not like we both need to stand there and do the dishes." I don't argue with her this time, but I'll be damned if I let her fall into a servant role with me like those other fuckers would demand.
We both slide under the sheets. She makes sure she's on the edge of her side of the bed. I lay sprawled out on my side, with my hands behind my head. A few lights from the window shine through on the ceiling and I stare up until my eyes finally start to feel heavy.
"Luke."
"Yes."
"I really can't thank you enough for everything you've done for me."
"It's nothing, really."
"You don't understand. It's everything to me." My eyes open wide with her words. I know it means a lot to her. Hell, it means a lot to me and I've only seen a glimpse of her life.
"I know. Try to get some sleep." She rolls toward me and pulls the pillow in some sort of cuddle hold as she lays on her stomach. Her leg is bent and her knee is touching my leg. Why the fuck does her knee touching me turn me on?
Again, I find myself staring at the lights on the ceiling. It takes about an hour for me to get my mind to shut down enough to let my eye lids close.
It's about that time that I hear it start. Squeak. Thump. Squeak thump. Moan. Thump thump thump thump thump thump thump.
"YOU'VE GOT TO BE FUCKING KIDDING ME." Her laughter explodes in the room and mine follows. Apparently my neighbor is 'so fucking huge' and he knows how to 'give it' to her. Fucker can last forever too. I was about three seconds from banging back when they finally stopped. If I hear 'Oh God' one more time, I'll have to put a pillow over my head.
"Was it as good for you as it was for me?" I'm glad she's making a joke of the situation, because this shit is even more awkward than the fucking hairy guy from earlier.
"It was not as good for me as it was for that guy. I really need to move."
"I think it's funny. Do you hear that often?"
"No. Only one other time in six months."
"Well that's promising. Poor guy doesn't have a great sex life then." I don't tell her that he's doing better than I am.
My dick is standing tall and I swear it's edging its way toward Kimber. How much more can I take today? Frustrated as all get out, I get out of bed and head straight for the shower. I need to take care of this shit now.
Chapter Eight
Kimber
I hear the water turn on for the shower and I can tell he's needing to cool off. He seems so tense and I'm not sure why he's so frustrated, but I can probably guess. Tonight has been full of sexual innuendos and distractions.
I run my hands over the spot he kissed on my neck. It shouldn't still tingle when I slide my fingers across it, but it does. Imagine what he could do to me if he actually let the intensity break free. I'm afraid the heat from that encounter would scorch me forever.
The water shuts off and I roll over to face the wall. This night has been so long, and the alarm will go off before we know it. At this rate, it may be better to stay awake and sleep when we return. Luke's training will be intense today and he'll be dragging ass tonight.
I don't bother shutting my eyes when he slides into the bed. He can't see them at this angle anyway. He takes a deep breath and it's only a couple of minutes before his breathing changes and I can tell he's sleeping.
The sound of the alarm sends him straight out of bed. I wipe the sleep from my eyes and try to focus on him. He's wearing only boxer briefs and my eyes move straight to his tight ass. When he turns, I get to see the side view of a giant bulge. He freezes in a side pose and I let my eyes wander up his body until mine meet his. The cocky look on his face shows I'm fucking busted, again.
"Like what you see?"
"How many times are you going to ask me that?"
"How many times are you going to look at me like that?" Point made. I guess I deserve that. Truth is.... my answer is 'every chance I get', but I won’t say that out loud. He grabs his bulge with his right hand and walks to the bathroom.
Did he just do that?
After laying there a few minutes, I decide it's time to crawl my ass out of this bed. This has to be the most uncomfortable bed that I've ever slept in, but I'm just so tired that it feels better than getting up. Sitting on the edge of the bed, with my arms in the air in a full stretch, he walks into the room. His eyes fall to my boobs and I drop my stretch instantly, trying to gauge his mood.
"We need to leave in five minutes." Direct and to the point. He's all business now and I won't do anything to tip his mood in a worse direction. I hurry to put my clothes back on and use a wash rag to brush my teeth.
I have to get my stuff today. Having nothing makes me feel like I'm on the run. Wait... I am. Well at least I will be soon. This will take some getting used to, but it will be better than having to watch over my shoulder for Greg to make his next appearance.
He opens the door to the apartment and I follow him out, all the way down to his motorcycle. It never gets old straddling this machine up against him. I pull myself tight against his back and enjoy his warmth along with the heat from the bike. It's entirely too early for my ass to be up in the morning, but I knew it was a lost point trying to argue with him about staying behind.
He parks his bike on the side of the barn that isn't visible from the street. Lou is waiting for us in the gym.
"Son, are you ready to focus today?"
"I'm all focus."
"I'm going to hold you to that."
I grab my bag from my Jeep and then purposely move out of their way. Hitting some cardio to help kill time is about my only option. The elliptical is the machine that's the most out of the way. Lou's gym isn't huge, but he has at least one of everything in here. He uses the gym for fighters who need to stay focused or for when we have two fighters that will match up in a fight soon. It allows him to pull them in one at a time and keep everyone from seeing any progress. We've also been known to have some private fights here. Those usually turn into a huge ordeal, with parking being a major problem.
I catch a glimpse of them when I break for water. Lou has him running through his warm up routine. It's impossible not to watch him. I haven't seen him move like that and he's caught me in a trance. Seeing this isn't going to help me battle my attraction for him. To make it worse, it's like he can feel me watching because I don't get to stare very long before he turns to catch me. That damn shit-eating grin lights something in me again.
Climbing back on the machine, I attempt to turn my attention into my own workout. At this rate, this day is going to take forever. I'm pretty sure I can't stay on this elliptical all day.
Luke
"Much better." So far this is going a lot better than yesterday. It's easier to focus when I know she's safe. There's one door into this place and you'd have to pass by me to get to her in here.
I continue to block him every time he tries to connect. It's really not so bad if you really watch his face and body language.
"Like a damn natural." He comes at me one last time with fast repeated hits before walking away. I'll take his complement and tuck it away. There's no time to feel completely confident in this.
"I want you on the punching bag for cardio and I'm going to have Kimber show you all of the circuits that I put my fighters through. She knows the specifics and then you'll be able to do them on your own. After she shows you the full round, do three more sets. I'll be back in a couple of hours to wear your ass out even more." His fingers go to his mouth and he lets out a whistle that gains her attention. Fuck. Seeing her in tight yoga pants and a sports bra, sweating everywhere, is not supposed to turn me on. Focus, Luke.
"Run him through the circuits. Hold back on the heavy bag burpees for today, but work him like you would one of our experienced guys. No holding back on him, he doesn't have time for that."
"Sure thing, Lou."
"I'll see you two in a few hours."
I
try not to look at her. What was I saying about being able to focus better with her in here? Well, throw those thoughts out the fucking window.
"I guess we should get started."
"Yeah. That's a good idea."
"Follow me. I'll do these with you the first set, then you're on your own." Oh, I follow her. Follow that ass across the gym. I'm such a dick for this.
"Station one is five minutes. We will rotate from doing fifteen of each push ups, jumping jacks, and bench dips until the time is up." She hands me a set of push up handles and grabs a set for herself after setting the timer. I notice her grab the remote and the music begins to blare through the whole building. Now this is more like it. Time to get into beast mode.
That theory worked through the pushups, but the instant we started jumping jacks.... I couldn't keep my eyes off her. Her hair, even though most of it is pulled up, is falling over one of her eyes. Her tits are bouncing just enough that I have the urge to fucking take my finger and release them from that material holding them so tight. I'm going to hell for this shit.
She counts them out and then we both hit the bench for dips. I choose to do the rest of them without facing her. This is the best way to get through this.
"Okay. Get a set of twenty-fives and fifteen pound free weights for the burpees. We've got five minutes on station two as well. Do ten burpees with each of the weights, then ten with no weights." She has to yell over the music. She squats, shoots her legs back and lands in a pushup before I have a chance to get my weights. Why in the fuck does she have to do this shit with me? To prove she's even sexier than I thought she was? Well it's working.
After five minutes of that shit, my heart rate is definitely up and it's time to stay serious. She shoves us right into station three.
"Five minutes again, ten each. Keep moving. Fast high knees." She's just a second ahead of me and I find myself chasing her movements.