Fighting Dirty

by Sidney Halston

  Pressing her against the door, he pulled her shorts down and tossed them aside.

  “You’re not going to fold them neatly?”

  He made a noise deep in his throat he wasn’t even sure came from him.

  “Missed your taste,” he said as he kissed a trail down her neck, stopping at her breast.

  “Ow!” she yelped, and swatted his hand away from her breast. “Maybe let’s leave those alone for a bit.”

  “Sorry.” He stepped back, concerned.

  “No. Don’t stop. They’re sore, but everything’s good. As you were,” she pleaded, and when he didn’t respond she stomped her foot. “I’m pregnant, not sick, for Christ’s sake. You’d better start touching me or I’m going to finish up myself,” she said, bringing her hand down her body.

  “Don’t you dare,” he said as he pushed her arm behind her and pressed her further against the door, kissing down her body, careful not to touch her breasts. He stopped at her stomach and looked up at her. They were going to have a baby together. His mind was blown by this, and the thought that she was his in such an intimate way turned him on beyond measure. After his marriage failed he hadn’t thought having kids was in the cards for him, and now here he was…a father-to-be after the one and only crazy, irresponsible night he’d ever had. As he got to his knees he couldn’t help but fantasize about seeing the most beautiful, wildest woman he’d ever met round and swollen with his baby. He placed his hands on her belly and kissed her belly button.

  “I am so in love with you, Jamie Lynn.”

  “I love you too, Enzo,” she said.

  “You should call in sick from work right now because I’m going to make you come so many times, you won’t have the energy to go to work tomorrow.”

  “Promises, promises.” She threw his words from earlier back at him.

  He trailed wet nibbles down her thighs until he was exactly where he wanted to be. He hooked one of her legs over his shoulder and kissed the inside of her thigh and over her mound until she was writhing against his mouth. He parted her lips and began to suck and lick her clit until her thigh was shaking. “Stay still,” he said, but she couldn’t.

  “Oh God!” she screamed. He sucked harder and pushed two fingers inside her and began to work his mouth and fingers until her wetness ran down her leg and her pussy pulsed against his face. She cried out his name as she exploded in an orgasm that had her shivering on his tongue. He stood, and without letting her come down from her climax, he quickly slid his pants down, wrapped her leg around his hip, and pushed his cock inside her. It was still tight from her orgasm, and it felt too good—he wasn’t sure how long he’d last. He was careful not to push too hard against her chest, since her breasts were sore, but she seemed to have forgotten that fact because she kept yelling, “Harder!”

  If anyone walked by her apartment at that moment, the pounding against the front door would’ve been alarming. He continued to move inside her. “Harder. Deeper!” she yelled. He grabbed her other leg and pulled her up. “Hold on to me,” he said, bracing himself against the door as she hooked her legs around him and pushed faster and harder.

  “Come for me again, JL,” he said. “I need to feel you come again.”

  She bit down hard on his shoulder as he began to climax and the unexpected pain sent him completely over the edge. “I’m coming,” she yelled, following right behind his mind-numbing orgasm.

  They slid down the door and onto the floor, still connected. “Need a minute, sweetheart,” he said against her neck. She was sweaty and warm against him, and she was breathing deeply, trying to catch her breath. Then the breathing changed to something else. “What’s wrong?” he said with alarm. “Are you laughing?”

  She continued to shake with laughter.

  “You can’t laugh while my dick’s still inside you,” he protested.

  She took deep breaths, trying to control herself. “My boobs hurt.”

  He moved a little away, “And that’s funny, how?”

  “It just felt so good, and now I’m thinking—ow!” she said with a sour look on her face that still held a little grin. “Is this what’s going to happen for the next nine months?”

  “Maybe,” he said as he stood and helped her up. “I can ignore your ‘harder,’ ‘deeper,’ ‘faster’ and be more aware of your breasts if that helps.”

  “Are you saying this is my fault?” she giggled.

  “It is absolutely your fault. I was trying to be careful, but I am, after all, just a man. If the most beautiful, sexiest woman I’ve ever known says she wants it harder, I’m fucking going to give it to her harder.”

  She giggled against him as they walked to the bathroom for a shower. “It was amazing. I’ve never had against-the-wall sex.”

  “Really? That surprises me.”

  “Yep, really. It was fan-fucking-tastic!”

  “Our baby is going to have a dirty mouth—I can see it already,” he said as he helped her into the shower, where they talked and laughed until it was time for bed.

  —

  “I have to tell you something, Jamie Lynn.”

  JL was lying in bed slathering moisturizer on her stomach. She stopped and looked at him. “Let me guess, you don’t like cookies or moisturizer in bed?”

  He chuckled. “Cookies, no. Moisturizer’s okay. And anyway, it’s your bed, not mine.”

  “Yeah, I’ve been meaning to ask you. Are we living together now? And if so, I hope you know you got the raw end of the deal, because your house and your bed are much better.”

  “I sold my house,” he said, and she looked up, shocked. “My father fired me and revoked my trust fund when I left Brazil.”

  “What? Why?”

  “Because I chose you,” he said matter-of-factly.

  She dropped the bottle of lotion she had in her hand. “Why would you do that?”

  “Because I love you, Jamie Lynn.” He said it as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. “I’d choose you over and over again without blinking.”

  “But you didn’t even know if I’d take you back.”

  “Doesn’t matter. You’re worth the risk. I went back to Brazil to try to talk sense into my father and Marianna’s dad. Then I heard about your mother. My father warned me that if I left he’d take it all away. I didn’t even think twice—I hopped on a plane and came to find you. You needed me here and I needed to be here with you.”

  “Shit,” she said, looking at him in complete disbelief.

  “You still love me even if I’m not a billionaire?”

  Her mouth was even more agape. “You were a billionaire?”

  “I’ve had other offers, other deals; it’ll work out. I don’t want you to worry. But I do want to stay with you if you’re okay with that,” he said, kissing her shoulder.

  “So, let me understand. You knocked me up and now you’re unemployed and homeless? I’ve really made a mess out of your life, haven’t I?”

  “I’m quite the catch, aren’t I?” he teased. “Sweetheart, I don’t regret anything. Not one second with you. I’d do it all over again, except I’d tell you about the Walls from day one. I don’t need my parents’ money or approval. I only need you and our baby. I wasn’t lying when I said I would marry you someday.” Her eyes widened and she opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. “So I’m moving in, okay?”

  “Am I supposed to be your sugar mama now?”

  “Something like that.” He rolled her on top of him, getting all slippery from the lotion. “I take it back. No cookies, and only moderate amounts of lotion. You almost slid right off the bed, babe.” She giggled as he kissed her senseless.

  Chapter 22

  “You feel okay? You’ve been eating a lot of potato chips lately. We have to tell the doctor that. Maybe it’s a salt deficiency or—”

  “Would you calm down, Enzo?” JL said as she unsuccessfully tried to button her jeans. “You’re making me nervous.”

  “Sorry. Sorry. I’ve never been to an
ob-gyn before.”

  She laughed. “I should hope not.” She lay on her bed and sucked in her breath.

  “Stop doing that. You’re going to dent my baby’s head trying to squeeze into those jeans.”

  JL stood up, giving up on the jeans and settling for her trusty old yoga pants. “I don’t get it. I’ve met pregnant women before who didn’t show until well into their second trimester. I feel like a bloated whale less than two months into this pregnancy.”

  “No offense, sweetheart, but you haven’t stopped eating.”

  JL’s eyes opened wide. “Did you just call me fat?” She shoved him.

  “No, baby! That’s not what I meant. What I meant was that maybe if you—” He blew out a breath. “I don’t know what I meant. You look beautiful. I don’t know why your clothes don’t fit.”

  She eyed him suspiciously. “Good save, Pretty Boy.” She grabbed her purse. “Let’s hit it.”

  The drive to the doctor took forever, and she was nervous and anxious, but he looked even worse, which in a morbid way made her feel better. He was going to be a great father and, she hoped, husband one day. It had been about a week since he told her he was unemployed and disinherited, but he only seemed concerned about her health. They sat in the reception area filling out forms, his leg bobbing up and down as they waited not so patiently.

  “You excited about the fight tomorrow night?” she asked, trying to get his mind off things.

  “Yes,” was all he said.

  “You ready? I don’t want to have to go on a date with that Neanderthal.”

  “Yes.”

  “So I think I’ll wear my short red dress and no panties. Now that my boobs are bigger he’ll probably like me even more, right?”

  “Yes.”

  JL huffed and shoved him on the shoulder. “Lorenzo!”

  “What?” he said, rubbing his skin.

  “You haven’t heard a word I’ve said.”

  He took her hand. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. I’m nervous. I want everything to be perfect. I want you to be healthy and I want the baby to be healthy and—”

  “Don’t worry so much,” she said. “Remember that first date we had? You were acting like a lunatic who can’t relax and enjoy the moment, and you’re doing it again. Stop. Breathe.” She inhaled deeply and then gestured for him to do the same. “In and out. Come on. Do it. Life’s great, things are perfect.”

  “Yes. Life’s great, things are perfect.” He repeated her chant until he began to feel a little better.

  —

  Once she was called into the room and asked to change to the uncomfortable paper gown and the doctor had asked a few questions, it was time for the ultrasound. “Seriously? That thing is going inside of you?” Enzo gestured over to the ultrasound wand.

  “Dr. Willard already explained that I’m too early for a regular ultrasound. Relax. Remember: life’s great, things are perfect.”

  He took deep, slow breaths, repeating the mantra over and over, as the doctor came in and turned the lights off. Enzo stood by JL’s head and looked into the screen. There were a few moments of silence, and he found himself repeating her chant in his head: Life’s great, things are perfect.

  The doctor was tinkering with the screen, adjusting and measuring things, and then the noise changed to a fast thump. “Mommy and Daddy, this is the heartbeat of your baby.” Enzo’s eyes suddenly got moist, and he heard JL’s sniffle. He took her hand and kissed her knuckles.

  “It’s amazing,” Enzo said.

  “Told you. Life’s great, things are perfect.”

  The heartbeat sounded like a galloping horse. “Uh-oh…,” the doctor said, moving the wand around. Enzo’s heart stopped for a split second.

  “Mommy, Daddy, how would you feel about twins?” Dr. Willard announced as the sound of the two heartbeats intensified.

  Neither said anything. Not a word. Finally Enzo squeezed her hand. “Oh my God, baby, we’re having twins,” he said breathlessly, with a weak smile and a knot in his throat as the doctor turned the lights on and stepped out of the room so she could dress.

  JL still didn’t say anything, but her hands shook as she dressed. He cleared his throat, barely able to speak with so many emotions running through his head. “Sweetheart?”

  “Oh my God, twins? What are we going to do with twins?” She sounded slightly hysterical.

  “It’s okay.” He pulled her close and held her. “Life’s great, things are perfect, remember?”

  She pushed him away. “Oh, shut the fuck up!” She huffed out of the room, and he couldn’t help but double over in laughter. Life with Jamie Lynn would never be dull.

  —

  “Where are we going?” JL asked as they left the hospital.

  “It’s a surprise.”

  He parked by her wall. “I haven’t seen your painting in months and I know that it calms you. I texted Jonah and he is meeting us here with the crew. I want to see what you’ve done so far, and I want you to relax.”

  Her eyes shone brightly. “You’re the best. You really are. I’m sorry I freaked out there.”

  “It’s okay. It makes you human. The fact that you were so calm was freaking me out,” he admitted.

  He stepped back and looked at the wall she’d been working on. “Wow!” he gasped. “This is…this is…” He shook his head. “I’m amazed.” A replica of Degas’s Little Dancer at least twenty feet high stared back at him. Every single crease on the skirt, every single line around the eyes and lips, the pointed toe—everything had the precision of a professional artist. It was a breathtaking work of art. Behind it was what seemed to be hundreds of faces that couldn’t exactly be made out, watching the little dancer dance in an auditorium. “I didn’t realize you were almost done.”

  “Yeah, pretty much,” she said, looking up at her masterpiece. “You really like it?”

  “Like it?” He took out his phone and began to photograph it. “You need to be doing this for a living. This is spectacular, sweetheart.”

  “God, this pregnancy is making me a girly mess,” she said, wiping tears away. “Last week I even got the balls to do the top. I was nervous, but I did it.”

  “You are so brave. I’m so damn proud.” He eyed the platform that still hung on the top of the wall. “Although I’m glad I didn’t know you were getting on that contraption. I’d have had a heart attack. Is that even safe?”

  “Safe enough.”

  While they waited for her friends, he held her close as they stood across the street looking up at the dancer painted by his little pixie, who he vowed would be his wife within the week.

  —

  “Remember how nervous you were yesterday at the doctor?” JL said as she paced around the locker room watching Cain tape up Enzo’s hands. “That’s me now. I might throw up.”

  “Why?” he asked. “Because of the fight?”

  “Yes, because of the fight!” She continued to pace. “You cannot get hurt, Enzo. We are having two—two!—babies. I need you. You have to be safe. I cannot do this alone.”

  “Two?” Travis said from across the room. “Twins? Why am I always the last to find this shit out?”

  “Congrats, man,” Cain said.

  “I called you yesterday, but you didn’t answer,” JL said to Travis.

  “Oh, that’s right.” Travis was jumping up and down, warming up. “I meant to call you back. I was helping Penny with inventory.”

  “You’re working at the Pier?”

  “No, but I was there and there were boxes of liquor that needed to be carried back and counted and she was alone with the customers.”

  “You’ve never once helped me,” JL whined.

  “I don’t want to sleep with you.”

  “Ew!” JL said. “Are you still trying to get that poor girl to go out with you?”

  “She’s going to go out with me. Just a matter of time, darlin’.”

  “Bless your arrogant little heart,” JL said with a giggle.

  “So
…twins, huh?” Travis pulled JL into a hug. “I’m sorry for giving you a hard time about things. You’re going to be a great mom.”

  “Thanks, Trav,” she said with a sniffle. “Wonder what Mom would’ve thought.”

  “Who knows? Guess it would’ve depended on whether she was sober or not.” He wiped the tear under her eye.

  “Sorry,” she sniffled. “Damn hormones are making me cry all the time.”

  “You doing okay?”

  “I think so. Day by day, right?”

  “Day by day.” He kissed her cheek and went back to warming up.

  —

  Most of WtF Academy’s amateur fighters were competing, and the rest of the guys and their wives were all there supporting the team. “Huddle in, guys. Got some news,” Slade said as he walked into the room, followed by Tony and Francesca. Cain, Travis, and Enzo came closer. “A few months ago Tony got a call from his agent asking if he was interested in doing a reality TV show. The producer got to talking about possibly doing a show based on the Academy. She’s here today. I don’t want to put more pressure on you and I know this is just a small local fight, but this could be a lot of money for everyone involved. A lot! So give them a show they won’t forget, okay?”

  Travis whooped and hollered, Cain shrugged, and Enzo decided at that moment that this would be his first and final fight. He still loved the sport and felt passionate about it, but this couldn’t be his priority. He would continue training and sparring with the guys, but he wouldn’t continue to harass Slade and Tony about taking him pro. A few months ago he’d never thought he would love something more than fighting, but that was before he found out he was going to be a father. He loved jiujitsu, but he loved Jamie Lynn more. He wanted a happy life with his girl and babies. Having Jamie Lynn worried was not at all worth it anymore. He cleared his mind of the producer and every other worry that could possibly alter his concentration and began to warm up.

  —

  “Are you nervous?” JL asked Enzo.

  “A little,” he said. “Are you still nervous?” His eyebrows drew together. She was biting her nails and looking jittery.

  “A little.” She rolled her eyes, “I mean, I wouldn’t want you to mess up that pretty face of yours.”