She jumped up and held on tight. He had one arm around her waist and the other against the wall as he pushed inside her. Just as he had warned, it was fast, rough, and hard, but it was so good that when they came, they slid down to the floor, still attached.
“I love you, Tony.” Her eyes were pooled with tears. She gently touched his swollen eye and brushed his cheek. “You did it, honey. I’m so fucking proud of you.”
“We did it.” He cupped her face. “I couldn’t have done it without you. You pushed me. You made me believe in myself. You made people believe in me again. And I love you, but you already knew that. I’ve been saying it all along.”
When they finally emerged from the locker room, they were greeted by Rodrigo and the rest of the crew.
“Looks like you got the girl.” Rodrigo, bloodied and sore, shook Tony’s hand. “Lucky bastard.”
“And the heavyweight title!” Travis laughed. “Jeez, with you it’s always about a girl.”
“It must be the belt,” Enzo teased.
Francesca looked down at her gaudy belt buckle, which featured crystal-encrusted boxing gloves. She had wanted to fit in, but maybe it was too much. Whatever—it’s cute, she thought.
“No, it’s what’s below the belt,” Tony said jokingly before pulling her in closer and pressing his lips against hers.
Epilogue
FOUR MONTHS LATER…
“Honey, the real estate agent is on the phone,” Francesca yelled.
“Take a message or just make a decision without me. Class is about to start,” he yelled back from the other room.
Tony was surrounded by kids. They were all bowing in their little white karate uniforms. Within a month of the last fight, Tony held a press conference announcing his retirement, and at Slade and Francesca’s encouragement he’d begun teaching children’s karate, kickboxing, and jiu jitsu classes at WtF Academy. He was also helping Slade train a few big-name fighters who had started training at WtF. And just like that he’d changed careers. He couldn’t remember ever being happier.
“So remember, moms and dads, there won’t be classes for two weeks,” he said at the end of the session. The kids sighed and booed as they left.
When everyone was gone, he turned to Francesca. “So this time in two days you’ll be Mrs. Marino. I feel bad about leaving the kids.”
“Yeah, I know. But it’s only two weeks. Getting cold feet?”
“Never,” he said.
“The real estate agent emailed an offer for the house. You have to sign it later.”
“Okay, and I saw the envelope come in. Did you open it?”
“No, I’m nervous.”
“Don’t be, mi amor. Let’s go.” They walked into the office to open the envelope from the University of Tampa Law School together. As soon as Tony had won the fight and decided to retire, he’d encouraged her to apply to law school. She’d been anxious about the whole thing, but then she spoke with her father, who said that the only thing he cared about was her happiness; everything else would work itself out. So she’d applied, and now here she was, with the decision in her hand.
Tony opened it, read it, and smiled.
“You start school in three months!” he cheered.
She ripped the letter from his hand and looked at it. “Oh my God, I can’t believe it!” He picked her up and swung her around. “You sure that you and Slade can handle the gym without me?”
“Don’t worry—we’ve talked to Slade and he knows. He understands. We’ve got this.”
—
The wedding was beautiful. She didn’t have much family, but Tony had flown in the few she did have. All of his nieces were in the wedding party as well as Chrissy, who was her maid of honor. Also in attendance were Slade and Jessica, Jack, JL, Violet, Travis, and Cain, who was Tony’s best man. The wedding was a simple ceremony at the beach followed by a fun reception at a hotel.
As the hour grew late, most of the guests had left, except for their friends, who sat around drinking and laughing. “I can’t believe you got married before me,” Jessica said in mock dismay.
“I don’t know why you’re taking so long to plan your damn wedding,” Violet said.
Jessica sighed, and everyone laughed.
“What’s up with you, Cain?” JL asked. “You didn’t dance once.”
He shrugged.
“You think we can have words?” Chrissy teased.
“I gave a toast.”
“It was short,” Violet said.
“Not everyone needs to talk so much,” Cain said to Violet.
“You’re such a jerk, you know that?” Violet replied as everyone eyed them.
“Sorry.” Cain looked at his drink. “Sorry,” he repeated.
“Hey, Enzo, looks like you had fun, though,” Chrissy said.
He smiled. “Yeah, I hadn’t seen my family in a while. It was nice.”
“I think she was talking about the women you danced with,” Jack said.
“Yeah, that was fun too.” He smiled at JL, who turned her head.
“Those are my cousins, so behave.” Tony playfully smacked his shoulder.
“Just a dance, bro. Relax.” Enzo held his hands out.
They kept drinking and talking until it was time to go.
—
The ten days in Aruba were perfect. They made love during the night, slept in most days, ate fresh fruits and fish. It was heaven.
“I wonder if Jack and Chrissy’s crazy dog, Drogo, is terrorizing our cats,” Francesca mused aloud as they lounged in their hotel bed.
“Probably.” He laughed. “I hate that dog. Although Winston’s bigger than Drogo.”
“Everyone hates that dog. It only likes Chrissy.” She kissed her way down his chest. “I miss our cats.”
“I don’t.”
She slapped him on the chest. “Yes, you do. Don’t lie.”
“Maybe a little.”
She sat up, straddling him. “Do you think this was all too quick? I mean, you didn’t even propose.”
“I gave my man card to you in an arena full of spectators. Are you complaining?”
She trailed her fingers along his chest and said. “No! No. That was a good day, wasn’t it?”
He laced his fingers behind his head. “The best day. I was one happy Cubanito. I do recall you promising to do something for me if I won.”
She groaned. “I was wondering when you’d bring that up.”
“I’m calling it in right now.” He reached for her waist and lifted her close to his face, leaving her with no other choice but to grab on to the headboard or fall. He slid her panties to the side and moved his fingers over her slick pussy.
“I think I’ve corrupted you.”
“I think you have.”
“So, now that you’re corrupted, I hope you let me do all sorts of terrible things to your body.”
“The naughtier the better.”
“Hush and strip.”
She made as if to protest, but he crossed his arms and lifted an eyebrow. She let out a breath, as if it were the biggest undertaking in the world to strip. Once she was naked he signaled to the floor. “On your knees.”
She didn’t hesitate in getting on her knees. He pulled off his white linen pants, threw them aside, and palmed his cock. “Open up.” Since the day he’d asked her to surrender to him in the bedroom, she had. He never questioned her outside the bedroom, but once it was just the two of them, she’d learned to gladly relinquish all control. In return, he took care of all her needs, knowing her body better than she did herself. She licked her lips and opened her mouth as he inched the head of his penis closer. He gently slid it into her mouth as her tongue swirled around. “I know sucking me off makes you wet. I bet if I touch you right now you’d be dripping.”
She hummed around his cock as she continued to lick and suck. Not wanting to come in her mouth, he pulled out and lifted her up and onto the bed. “I didn’t get to finish,” she pouted.
“You will.�
�� He winked. “But I want to eat your pussy first.”
He pushed her down, spread her wide open, and began to feast. When she was about to lose it, he stopped. She leaned up on her elbows to see him palming himself, his eyes zeroed in on her pussy. “You’re killing me here, honey,” she told him, breathing hard.
He chuckled before moving closer and sliding inside her. Both moaned and held still for a second before he began to rock in and out. Long gone was the timid girl in the bedroom; Francesca gave as good as she got. He might have been in charge, but she’d learned a few moves in the last few months. She clenched her inner muscles, then brought her hands to her clit and began to rub. “Fuck, cariño. Keep touching yourself,” he grunted as he continued to move in and out, his eyes fixed on the way he disappeared inside her. When she couldn’t hold back anymore, she clenched so hard around him that he followed right behind, his body collapsing on top of her.
“I don’t think you’re getting this whole I’m-in-charge-in-the-bedroom thing. What the hell was that?”
“I’ve been practicing my Kegels. It’s good, right?”
He shook his head. His wife was beautiful, funny, sexy, and the most uncontrollable woman he’d ever met. He wouldn’t change her for the world.
—
It was their last day in Aruba, “Shit, look. I just got a text from Slade. Cain’s gone. He left. Won’t be back for months.”
“Where the hell did he go?”
Francesca was typing into her phone. “Slade says he’s going somewhere in the Middle East.”
“Fuck. That doesn’t sound good.”
“Poor Violet.”
“She’ll be fine. They’re just friends,” Tony said.
Francesca laughed. “You think I’m blind when it comes to love? Honey, if you can’t tell that those two are in love, then you must’ve hit your head really hard in the last fight.”
“I don’t know about other people. All I know is that you had my heart before you even wanted it, mi amor.”
“Well, I’m glad I did, ’cause now that I have it, I’m never letting it go.”
For the first time in her life, she didn’t want to fight. She didn’t want to take over. It was the most breathtakingly fulfilling and beautiful experience of her life.
This book is dedicated to all the strong badass women out there. I’m lucky enough to be surrounded by them.
Acknowledgments
2014 was a year so full of highs, it’s hard to even begin showing my gratitude to those who’ve helped me along this roller coaster.
There is no one who can compare to my husband. Supportive doesn’t even begin to describe him. Any success that I have is because of you! Thank you so much for watching the kids, for reading my stories, for being my sounding board (and punching bag), for hearing my crazy nonsensical rants when I can’t figure out a plot issue, for just…being there. I love you! And my children, who will never be allowed to read this series, thank you for your patience when I’m not around. I think you three little people don’t quite understand why Mommy leaves at night to work and I’m worried what you think I’m actually doing at night. Hmm?
Again, and for the rest of my life, I have to thank Sarah E. Younger, my agent. She, too, is my sounding board and I couldn’t move this series along without her. Thank you for your support and for loving Drogo and, in turn, Against the Cage. Of course, my sweet and lovely editor, Junessa Viloria. You are so patient, and didn’t kill me when you received this book, which needed lots of TLC. Thank you for pushing me and helping me make it great. You make me a better writer and storyteller. So thank you!
The wonderful ladies of #ladieswritenight: Rachel, Anna, Tif, and especially, Violet, who helped me so much during the beta-reading process. I can’t wait to see all of your books on shelves. Love you guys! See you tonight, ladies!
Bloggers are so important in this industry. You all take time out of your busy lives, read our books, review them, and then help spread the word—all for the love of books and a good story. There are just too many bloggers to thank and I wish I could thank each and every one of you. You guys have been unbelievably supportive and I thank you all. I want to find you and hug each one of you.
A huge thanks to another wonderful beta-reader, Leisha (rolopolobookblog.com). Your comments are invaluable. And this time around I had the great luck of meeting Heather, my new beta. You were amazing! Thank you!
Toni Aleo. I have adored your books forever! The fact that you loved Against the Cage gave me validation that maybe it really was a good story. Thank you for your support and friendship. The authors I’ve met along the way: Laura Drewry and Cecy Robson—you guys rock!
I want to thank my family. My parents, who help me so much with my kids so that I have time to do the thousands of things I have to do every day, including meeting many deadlines. My dad, for being the person who inspired me to be such an avid reader. If I didn’t love to read as much as I do, I wouldn’t have the passion to write. A special thanks to Carolyn Fling and Barbara Williams, who I met during an author takeover on Twin Sisters Rockin’ Book Reviews blog. Tony got his Camaro, ladies! Thank you.
Oh…and I can’t forget my Starbucks ladies: Winny, Maria, Ilianet, and Mellissa. I would be asleep if it weren’t for you guys.
Last, but not least—my fans. I would write even if I didn’t make one single dollar. The fact that you read and love my books fuels my writing. To all the fans I’ve met through Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads, thank you!
BY SIDNEY HALSTON
Against the Cage
Full Contact
Below the Belt
PHOTO: GABRIEL ESCUDERO
SIDNEY HALSTON lives her life by one simple rule: “Just do it.” And that’s exactly what she did. At the age of thirty, having never written anything other than a legal brief, she picked up a pen for the first time to pursue her dream of becoming an author. That first stroke sealed the deal, and she fell in love with writing. Halston lives in South Florida with her husband and children.
sidneyhalston.com
Facebook.com/SidneyHalston
@SidneyHalston
The Editor’s Corner
February is the month for romance, especially at Loveswept…because this month we have a little something for everyone.
Sure to please fans of erotic romance, Lea Griffith’s All or Nothing series returns to the deepest places of longing and obsession—don’t miss More. In USA Today bestselling author Sidney Halston’s latest sizzling MMA romance, Below the Belt, a former title contender turns the tables on his knockout trainer with a lesson in seduction. New York Times bestselling author Tracy Wolff is back with another Ethan Frost novel, featuring the irresistible leading man from the New York Times bestsellers Ruined and Addicted in Exposed. USA Today bestselling author Sawyer Bennett hits the ice with the story of a playboy athlete whose winning ways lead him to a beautiful woman with a lot to lose. You don’t have to love hockey to enjoy Garrett, the next book in Sawyer’s Cold Fury Hockey series. Another of our Loveswept USA Today bestselling authors, Mira Lyn Kelly, cranks up the heat for two lifelong friends whose most secret longings come true in every delectable way in Touch & Go. And later in the month, in Lavinia Kent’s luscious, erotic historical romance, a free spirit learns her true desires from a master of the heart, of the body—and of the sweetest discipline. Check out Bound by Bliss. Ashlyn Macnamara finishes up this month of romance with a blazing hot novel, What a Lady Requires, the story of mismatched newlyweds who discover a simmering connection.
Be our Valentine this month and every month—read Loveswept.
~Happy Romance!
Gina Wachtel
Associate Publisher
Read on for a sneak peek of the next book in the Worth the Fight series:
Laid Out
by Sidney Halston
Available from Loveswept
Prologue
As usual, it was a hot morning at Fort Sam Houston army base in San Antonio, Texas. Violet Chan
ning was supposed to be on the other side of the base in ten minutes to see off her father and two best friends, but she had overslept. In her school uniform, she ran across the pavement, through the mess hall, jumping over the small hedges, using the back doors of buildings as shortcuts. By the time she saw the airplane hangar, her knee was scraped, she was winded, her face was beet red, and her unruly hair was plastered against her face.
Violet swung open the heavy door and saw families parting with their loved ones as her father barked commands to others nearby. He wore his army blue best: medals and badges decorated either side of his chest, his beret perfectly situated on his bald head, his spine perfectly straight. Violet’s abrupt entrance had him shaking his head and his eyes narrowed on her disheveled appearance. He handed a clipboard to another man and sternly walked over to her. At the far left side, Cain Sorensen, one of her best friends, was hugging his mother goodbye as she wiped tears away from her eyes while his father, a retired army sergeant first class, stood close, devoid of emotion. On the other side, Jeremy Edwards, her other best friend, was saying goodbye to his mother and father, both of whom sobbed. It was Cain and Jeremy’s first deployment, even though they, too, came from military families.
Violet ran her hands down her plaid skirt and tried to tame her hair as her father neared. “You’re late, Violet Elizabeth.”
“I’m sorry, Daddy. I overslept. I ran here as fast as I could.”
“If you dropped a few pounds you’d be less winded. It’d be for your own good.” He reached down and pulled a leaf from Violet’s hair, studying it before tossing it into a nearby garbage can. “I gave June instructions on your dietary needs while I’m gone. I’ll be back soon. June will be home by the time you return from school this afternoon.”
Violet looked down at the floor. “Yes, Daddy.”
“See you soon, Violet.” He bent down, placed both hands on her shoulders and kissed the top of her head before turning his attention back to the man holding his clipboard. She wanted to yell, I love you, Daddy, even though you think I’m too fat. Please come home safely, my big, blubbery behind needs you. But, that was not the way of the Channings. So, she swallowed back her emotions and tried again to tame her hair.
Below the Belt Page 27