Unexpected Forfeit

by Sapphire Knight

  I’ve been thinking about us moving in together since this weekend, too. But I don’t know the right way to approach her about it. I don’t want her to feel like I’m taking over her life even more so than I already have. We’re together a lot; I don’t think she feels like it’s too much, I just want to be certain before I put myself out there.

  I’d be happy knowing that, no matter what, I’d be coming home to her every night. Right now we both have our own apartments so it’s like there’s still that unspoken question of: Will I see you tonight? The way it stands now, we still have that option to go to our own places. We haven’t done that yet, always following each other to wherever the other is going, but I want the option gone altogether.

  She starts up the sidewalk to my apartment and I get overly excited watching her long shiny hair blow in the breeze. She’s pure beauty and doesn’t have a clue the effect she has on me. Before I have a chance to really think, I run to the kitchen, kicking the cheap wood panel on the side of the cabinet.

  “Fuck.” I hiss as my toe connects with the panel.

  It caves fairly easily; however, I think I may have broken a toe and my trainer’s going to be fucking pissed. Something always happens to me with my damn toes.

  I step back and kick in one of my lower cabinets as well.

  “Shit!”

  Definitely broke a damn toe. Fuck, that little bone hurts more than it should.

  I quickly dive down to the floor and open multiple cabinets when I hear her call my name. I have no idea why I decided to go this route, but screw it. I may as well come up with something.

  CHYNA

  “Jace?” I call out, entering the small living room. Everything looks normal.

  “I’ll find you!” I hear Jace mumble from the kitchen, banging around. Great, no telling what kind of mess he’s making in there. He’s normally fairly clean and organized, but if he’s searching for something it will look like a tornado went through.

  There’s another slam, then I find him on the kitchen floor. One side of the cabinet is smashed completely out and he has his head inside another cabinet.

  “Jace? What on earth are you doing? The property manager is going to flip their shit and you won’t see a penny of your deposit back.”

  He pulls his head out, dust coating his short, fuzzy hair that’s starting to grow a little longer with missed haircuts. I love having something to grip onto and run my fingers through now. I know he’ll shave it again when he fights, so I’m taking advantage of it while I can.

  He shushes me with his finger, then points at the cabinet, mouthing ‘mouse.’

  “Well with the banging and stuff I heard coming in, trust me, he knows you’re there.” I nod toward him and he huffs.

  He climbs to his feet, dusting his basketball shorts off as he stands. His sides still have deep purple and red splotches from the fresh bruises. He kicked ass during the fight, but Ramirez still got him a few good times.

  “Ugh, I can’t wait until those look better.” I nod to his side and he shrugs.

  “I’m okay, Kiki, don’t worry. But they’ll just get uglier; expect some green or yellow eventually.” He grins with his split lip. Even wearing the wounds of a tough fight, he’s still incredibly gorgeous.

  “I need to get out of this dump. I found a damn mouse in here when I was getting a clean kitchen towel.” He taps his foot, clearly irked.

  “Do you have someplace in mind?”

  I want to offer up my apartment so badly, but at the same time, I don’t want to come off as clingy or too needy. We spend pretty much all of our time together anyhow, minus my work schedule and sometimes when he goes to the gym.

  “Yeah, actually I was looking at a house near Lake Travis. What do you think?”

  “About you renting a house or the lake?”

  “I want to buy a place.”

  “Oh wow, that’s awesome. Well, I love Lake Travis, but the drive is further to my apartment.” I shrug, throwing out the biggest problem with it. I’m a little caught off guard. I had no idea he was planning on buying a house. I guess this mice issue was just what he needed to take that step.

  “You’ll miss me, Kiki?” he grins.

  “Of course I’ll miss you!”

  “Good. I want you to help me pick out the house.”

  “Okay, I will.”

  I’m flattered he trusts my opinion enough to help him find a new home. We’ve been seeing each other for around two months now and things are moving along sweetly. I’ve never been so in love with someone and it’s nice to not have that empty loneliness nagging at me inside anymore.

  My father called me when we were in Vegas and with all of the excitement, I didn’t pay him much attention. It was good to hang up with my dad and not feel sad or bitter inside. Instead I just held Jace tightly and thanked the universe for putting him in my path. The snuggling evolved into naked fun time with him, so the night got even better in my opinion. Good lord, the man knows how to hit every one of my hot spots.

  “When are you wanting to find this new place to buy?”

  He wrinkles his brow, giving him a more boyish look and it makes my heart flutter with how adorable he looks. “Is tomorrow too soon?” His eyes light up and instead of dulling that sparkle, I vow silently to call into work so I can accompany him on his new found mission of house hunting.

  “Tomorrow is good,” I smile and once he’s close enough, I pull his big body into mine.

  A musty smell hits me and I wrinkle my nose as I pull away. “We can discuss this while you shower though, you stink.”

  He sniffs his arm and cocks his eyebrow. “There’s no way you’re gawking at me again when I shower. I’ve gotten used to us showering together and I love it, but babe, you staring at me makes me suck in my stomach the entire time.”

  I burst out laughing at his admission. “I knew it! That’s why I asked you last time if you were cutting more weight, your abs looked insane.”

  “No, Kiki, I was flexing the entire time.”

  It makes me giggle more; I love it that I have that effect on him.

  “So, what if I took off all of my clothes so you can look at me, too?”

  His eyes grow wide and he flashes a dimple with his excited grin. “Yeah, babe. Why don’t you just hop in?”

  “Nope. I’m making a list of things we need to find the perfect place. I’m just throwing in a bonus and doing it naked.”

  “God, I love you.”

  “I love you, Jace.” I respond softly and kiss his cheek as I grab a small notebook and pen, heading toward his bathroom. I’m going to find the best damn house I can for him.

  JACE

  I pay special attention all day while we’re house hunting. I pay no mind to the actual houses, but to how Chyna responds to them. I know exactly which places she doesn’t care for and which top two are her favorites. She doesn’t know it yet, but I’m going to buy her favorite house then ask her to move in with me.

  “I think that realtor got whiplash from all the staring at you she did.” Chyna rolls her eyes and takes a bite of her frozen yogurt. We stopped on the way back to her apartment to pick up some frozen yogurt after our busy day of shuffling through empty houses.

  “What? No way, she was busy telling you what each house offered, not looking at me.”

  “Jace, how did you not notice it? She was staring at you the entire time; I don’t think she even knew I was there! Surely you had to see it.”

  “Nope, sure didn’t.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because, Kiki, I was too busy staring at you to even notice what color of hair she had.”

  Chyna grows quiet with a soft smile on her face. She’s crazy to think I noticed that lady looking at me. The other chick was nowhere on my radar—just Chyna.

  I had watched her earlier as she would clap silently, excited about a big kitchen. She did it three times. I smiled at her gasping twice at the size of a walk-in closet and then again when I saw her eyes grow wide at t
he sparkling blue in-ground pool.

  I decided that I’m taking the house that made Chyna put her hand over her heart. I don’t think she even realized that she did it.

  She had walked into what used to be a nursery. The walls are tastefully painted to what was probably a little boy’s, sailor themed room. She had looked around the space with such warmth, I couldn’t help myself but to imagine her in there someday with our own son singing him a lullaby or tickling him until he squealed happily.

  Once I saw her reaction, I knew I could use some of the contract money I landed from the fight to have a pool put in to make her eyes light up. I’m contacting the contractor to build her a large closet, to make her gasp with ideas. Then we can update the kitchen how she wants it to look, so I can watch her clap her hands in excitement again.

  I want her to love the whole house, making it a home to spend her future there with me.

  I finish my frozen yogurt and Chyna grabs my hand, silently pulling me to her bedroom. I would almost think she’s upset, but she’s still wearing that cute little smile on her face so it keeps me relaxed.

  She pushes me so that I sit on the edge of her bed and turns the alarm radio on low. Aerosmith belts out the lyrics of ‘Crazy’ and it seems pretty damn fitting, because I am undoubtedly crazy for this woman.

  Instead of coming to me right away, she slowly sways her hips, pulling first her flowery, silk-like, short-sleeve shirt from her body, exposing a white lace bra. Her hips continue to sway as she easily pushes the black almost knee length fitted skirt from her hips, down to the floor. She looked so sexy dressed all nice and professional but to have her here in front of me in only a matching set of lace bra and thong, I have to say this overrides the sexy dressy look.

  She’s fucking perfection to look at, making me swallow and catch my breath every single time I see her like this. Two months and she still takes my breath away; I can only imagine how her beauty will grow on me in the future.

  She keeps swaying her hips, turning until her back is to me. She bends, spreading her legs out and touching her toes. A sound escapes me, something close to a growl and the alpha in me demands that I rip the delicate lace. Every nerve in my body wants me to jump up and take her from behind like this.

  Instead, I sit still, staying where she sat me down. I control the show majority of the time, so I’ll be patient and let her show me what she wants.

  She stands back up, shaking her hips slightly as she pushes the thong off. Her bare ass is perfectly on display for me. I can’t help myself as I reach over, squeezing my granite-like cock in my jeans.

  She reaches up, unclasping the delicate lace bra, letting it fall to the floor and continues her soft sway—back and forth, back and forth.

  Eventually she turns, facing me, and just like always, it’s like I’m seeing her for the first time. Her tits—perky and begging to be bitten and squeezed. Her thighs—touching so you only see a little of her plump pussy lips, my favorite spot to be. Her long, straight hair drapes down her back, calling to me to pull it, or run my fingers through it softly. I love doing both.

  She licks her lips, approaching me and I squeeze my cock again, staying silent for her.

  Chyna takes my hand, pulling me to stand, and gently undresses me until only my socks are left. Once I’m to her liking, she drops to the floor, spreading her knees to help her find comfort. Her petite hands run up my thighs, lightly digging her nails in as she goes, has me clenching my stomach in anticipation.

  She lightly blows her warm breath all over my cock and balls, while running her nails up and down my stomach to around the one place I want her to touch the most, but she doesn’t. She holds out, teasing me for moments that feel like a sweet, torturous lifetime.

  Eventually she bends, slipping my cock into her mouth as deeply as possible without making her choke, and I finally stop holding back. I thread my fingers in her shiny locks and expel the grunt that was dying to come out.

  “Fuck, Kiki,” I utter in a whisper and she hums, rewarding me further.

  She sucks me, bobbing her head to the music’s beat.

  “God, baby, you’re so good to me. That mouth is sinful, making me want more. Let me taste you?”

  She pulls back and I help her to her feet.

  “Jace,” she mumbles softly, “I want you to make love to me.”

  Her gaze meets mine and for the first time since the beginning, she looks unsure. It’s like she’s finally surrendering the rest of her soul to me. I hope that’s the case, because I will happily take it, guard it, and cherish it daily.

  “Okay, Chyna,” I nod, pulling her body to mine. I lift her up, wrapping her legs around my waist.

  My cock seeks out her entrance, securely sheathing itself deep in her. The entire time, I stare into her eyes, walking her over to the wall; I rest her back against it.

  My body stills, and I use my right hand to hold her cheek in my palm, “I love you so much, Chyna, with everything that I am. You own me, baby.” I whisper the words close to her mouth, just loud enough so she can hear them and at the same time she can taste my words as my breath flutters over her delicious lips.

  She swallows deeply and I pull my cock out some, and then seat it fully inside her as she starts to speak.

  “I-I love you so much, too. It scares me how much at this point. Please promise you’ll stay.”

  I lean in, tenderly nudging my nose with hers. “Kiki, no one will ever keep me away from you. Forever baby, I’m yours forever.”

  A beautiful smile lights her face and I hold her body tight against mine as I pump in and out of her wetness several times, not roughly, just strong enough to make sure she feels every last inch of me.

  She bites and nibbles along my neck and ear, the sensations spurring me on to go faster, but I can’t. She asked me to make love to her and I’m damn sure going to. I have no idea what that really entails, but hopefully she can feel the love I’m pouring out each time I kiss her swollen lips or each time I push myself into her completely.

  At this moment, my body becomes hers, along with hers becoming mine. We melt and mold together as each of our limbs clutch to the other like our lives depend on it.

  “Yes, Jace!” She screams eventually and I know it’s time, she’s felt it; she knows that my soul has mated with hers for life.

  I kiss her screams away and pump into her quicker as I chase my own release, wanting that blissful feeling she can easily bring to me.

  “I love you, Kiki,” I croak, hoarse from all of the emotion my body’s feeling. I clutch her to me tightly, burying my head into the crook of her neck as I thrust into her a few hard times, eventually my seed expelling deeply inside of her.

  After a beat I finally catch my breath and carry her back to the bed, doing my best not to slip free of her. I plan to make love to her a few more times. My baby gets what she wants.

  two weeks later…

  Jace ended up buying the house I like the most. I was secretly doing excited dances inside when he told me about it. I know it’s not my house, but I will happily hang out over there as much as he wants me to.

  He’s already got the contractor over there making changes and he’s been having me pick out stuff that I think will make his kitchen nicer. I’m excited to see the finished product. He’s been moving all of his stuff over there into the spare bedroom already.

  It’s definitely keeping us busy and I love helping, but I can’t stop having the thoughts creeping into my mind. What if he gets too busy for me, especially now that he lives farther away? We may not get to see each other as much anymore. It feels like we’ve been getting closer and closer, and I don’t want us to start growing apart.

  I park my car in the spot next to his at the old apartment. His Jeep isn’t here yet, but he’s supposed to be on his way after he’s done with his gym session. We’re supposed to move the rest of his stuff over today. He doesn’t have much, just some clothes and bath products.

  We moved what little furniture he had
already. He only comes here to get clothes and shower basically. I was right; the landlord lady was pissed about the hole in the cabinet. She rudely declared that she’s keeping his deposit, but I think he’s just so happy to be out of here that he doesn’t care. I don’t blame him one bit, I would be out of here, too, if I had a mice problem.

  I make the short walk up the sidewalk to the apartment. I can’t decide what color curtains would look best in Jace’s new living room. The walls are a nice shade of grey with white trim. I’m thinking either sheer white or black.

  When I glance up, I’m surprised to see the guy from the fight. I’d seen him like a month ago staring at me when I screamed at Jace and he got hit in the ribs a lot. Ugh that was a rough fight. This guy still looks the same. He’s thin, longer dark hair and blue eyes that could match Jace’s.

  I had told Jace about it and he was glad I stuck with Aria and Gavin. He said it could be anyone and he wouldn’t put it past the creep being there to support the other fighter.

  The guy’s standing outside, close to Jace’s apartment so I have to pass him in order to get to the front door.

  “Hello,” I acknowledge him politely and nod.

  He smirks and something about him gives me the creeps.

  “My brother around?” He replies and it clicks that this could be Jace’s older brother I was supposed to meet, hence the matching eye and hair color.

  “Are you here for Jace?”

  “Been waiting around all fucking morning.”

  “Oh, I didn’t know. He hasn’t texted me or I would have come by sooner. Are you taking over the apartment for the rest of the lease?”

  He looks at me confused so I clarify, “You know, since he moved out.”

  “Yeah, something like that.” He dismisses me and I walk to the front door.

  He’s definitely not as friendly as my flirty Jace, but maybe it’s just because I’m dating his brother. Jace did tell me before that his brother’s shady so who knows if he’s telling me the truth. I can’t wait until Jace is here though, it’ll make me feel much more comfortable. At least there’s nothing left here in case his brother’s really here to steal something.