Awakened (The Fighter Series Book 3)

by TC Matson

  Sorry you were late. Hope you didn’t get in trouble. Lunch is on me. Have a great day. Adam

  I laugh under my breath pulling out a sub sandwich and a chocolate chip cookie. I look at all the sweet gestures sitting before me and that swelling in my chest tugs again. All this for me.

  “How’d your—”

  Startled, I jerk around to Emily setting her sights on the items on my desk. “Looks like you’ve been doing something right. What’s the occasion?”

  “I was late for work,” I snort.

  “You’re pretty lucky, you know that?”

  “I’m starting to figure this out.” I sit in my chair admiring the red, yellow, and white flowers.

  She leans her perfectly shaped hip on the corner of my desk and crosses her arms. “I was coming to see how your meeting went. I’ve never seen you so bent out of shape.”

  “It went well.”

  “You’ve never not been ready for a meeting.”

  I cock a brow. “What are you insinuating?”

  “Oh nothing.” She shrugs sounding dismissingly. “Just that you were late.”

  She’s full of it. “Uh, huh?” I answer calmly.

  “You like him a lot, don’t you?” She finally gets to her point she’s been digging at.

  “I like him. He’s…” I twirl my hand in the air hoping for the right word to come to me, but it doesn’t so I settle on. “Fun.”

  She purses her lips, unhappy I didn’t divulge more. “Fun? Oh, I’m sure.” She chuckles, pushing to her feet and heading out of the office. “I’ll talk to you later. I have a meeting I’m completely ready for.” Her voice is drenched with sarcasm.

  I glance back at the flowers and grab my phone.

  Me: Thank you for lunch and the flowers. It’s sweet.

  Adam: Glad you like them. Sorry again for you being late.

  Me: Wasn’t your fault.

  Adam: I’m partly responsible.

  Me: I made everything on time.

  Adam: Good. Text ya later

  Today flew by and before I knew it, it was time to go home. The whole ride home, I had it in my mind to take a hot bath—soak in some bubbles and relax. I set my flowers down on the kitchen counter and waste no time making my hot-bath daydream come true. I’ve thought about it all day and every once in a while, Adam would creep into the hot water with me. He’s my fantasy come true at my fingertips.

  My phone chimes and I dry my hands before picking it up.

  Adam: Still thinking of me?

  Me: How’d you know?

  Adam: Spidey senses.

  I beam.

  Me: Can your spidey senses tell you what I’m doing?

  Adam: Hopefully you’re naked thinking of me.

  Me: When did you find out about this super power?

  Adam: Was I right?

  Me: Yes. I’m in the tub and reading your texts.

  Adam: Wishing I was there washing you?

  Me: I won’t share all my fantasies with you.

  Adam: So you fantasize about me? Glad to have done something right for you.

  Damn. I walked right into that one.

  Adam: Can I see you Friday?

  My heart sinks with broken anticipation. I was hoping to see him before then. Slowly, he’s becoming my addiction and I’m needing more of it.

  I sigh.

  Me: Sounds good.

  Adam: I’ll be there at 7. Talk to you later.

  He always ends conversations very quickly, whether text or voice. When he’s done, he’s done.

  I hope that isn’t the same for everything. When he’s done with me, will it be quick like ripping a Band-Aid off, or painful like getting hit by a car?

  I take a deep breath and slide back into the hot, steamy water.

  Chapter 11

  I haven’t called or texted Kelsie since Wednesday night. I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I needed to gather my thoughts because there’s something twisting in my chest that I haven’t felt in years, and it’s cross-firing my cylinders. I needed to empty my thoughts. Reset my brain. And get myself back in check.

  Unfortunately, none of that fucking worked. She’s still the very fucking thing crowding my mind.

  She’s beaming from ear to ear when she pulls the door open, her hazel eyes lighting up. “Hey.”

  “You ready?”

  “I didn’t know what to wear. Is this okay?” She points to herself.

  She’s in tight ass skinny jeans with a loose tan shirt and flip-flops—simple and classy. I smile. “You’re good.”

  During our short twenty-minute ride, the hot topic was music and what kind we listen to. I found out she will listen to basically anything—from old classic country storming into new-aged rap and then everything in between. She’s a Patsy Cline and Michael Jackson fan all the way to some deep heavy metal bands I’d never heard of. You name it, more than likely she knows the music.

  I park just outside my garage. “We’re here.”

  “This is your house?” she asks hopping out of the truck. “It’s gorgeous. Nothing I would expect a bachelor to live in. Wait?” She turns pointing her finger to me. “You don’t live with your mom, do you? Because I’m not ready to meet parents.”

  My laugh explodes from deep inside. “No, Kelsie. This is mine. Been here since I was eighteen.”

  She glances around while I tow her to the door and push it open.

  “Adam…”

  My name falls from her lips in such a sensual exhale, and it sends a rush of emotion down my spine. I cooked a small meal before going to get her. It wasn’t the most ingenious plan I’ve had. I didn’t think it all the way through. After I cooked, I scrambled to find a way to keep everything fucking warm for at least an hour. I found two metal bowls that, personally, look like dog bowls and turned them upside down in hopes they’d work. I covered the salad with a paper towel and didn’t light the candles. I’m not a complete dumbass.

  And you’re probably wondering why I’m doing all this—going to the length I am. The answer is very clear—I have no fucking idea.

  “I hope it’s still warm,” I say pulling off the metal bowl. “And I hope you like fish.”

  “You didn’t have to do all this.” There’s a fondness in her eyes as she glances up to me.

  I don’t respond as I grab two beers out of the fridge and pour hers into a wine glass. “Did you know they make thousands of wines. Too many to fucking choose from. I know you like beer.” I chuckle at my dumbassness handing her the glass.

  She giggles. “I prefer beer over wine anyway.”

  I light the candle and sit across from her. “Bon appetite.”

  She closes her eyes, wrapping her lips around the fork, and slides it out of her mouth. My dick really likes the way her lips and face look right now.

  “This is so good,” she says.

  “I’m glad you like it.” I take a long pull from my beer.

  She studies me, watching me watch her as she chews. Her hazel eyes are slightly narrowed and honed in on me. I’m bracing inwardly. Fondness and curiosity can be cause for some fucked up conversations.

  “What are you trying to do?” she asks.

  “What do you mean?”

  She glances around my house and spreads her hands open. “All this.”

  I grin a little sinisterly. “I figured you’d like this.”

  She leans her elbows on the table. “I do.” Her lips tighten. “By that look, there’s something else.”

  The way she looks right now—playful, trying to be serious—it’s so fucking sexy.

  “We’ll get to that later.” I wink.

  “You go an awful long way just to have sex with me.”

  Poor thing couldn’t say that without a blush.

  I put my fork down on my plate and fold my hands. “Keep looking like that, and I’ll have my way with you now and our meal will get cold.”

  “Look like what?” she asks shyly.

  “Like you need to be fucked.”
/>   Her eyes flash wide and she swallows hard.

  I chuckle at her innocence.

  She blinks. “What if I do?” she says quietly.

  In an instant, I’m rounding the table, pulling her up by the arm, and gripping her waist tightly. “Don’t say things you don’t mean, Kelsie.”

  Her bottom lip quivers a bit as her eyes flick between my lips and eyes. “I don’t.”

  Maliciously, I chuckle. “You’re getting brave. It looks fucking sexy as hell on you. Fair warning, tonight will be different.”

  “H-how?” she stutters.

  I graze my tongue over her bottom lip. “Experimental for my inexperienced girl.”

  I grip her chin hard and take to her mouth. Forcefully, I shove my tongue as far as I can. She holds onto my forearms, but isn’t pulling back. I slide my hands heavily down her ribcage, over the curve of her tight little ass, and lift her into my arms. Instinctively, she wraps her legs around me and I take us to my room.

  I set her feet on the ground and grab her chin to look at me. Excitement dominates her irises. Her breathing is already heavy.

  “You’ll need to talk, shy girl. No self-consciousness tonight. Open up and only feel. If it hurts, you tell me. Understood?”

  Her face wrenches up. “I’m not going to be tied up or any weird shit like that am I? I’m not—”

  “No.” I interrupt her. “I just want to fuck you so hard I’m on your mind for days.” I suck her bottom lip and bite softly.

  I strip her bare of all clothes and take in the sight of her. Naked. Gorgeous. Vulnerable.

  She stands with her hands to her side. Her nipples are rock hard and dominating her perfectly plump tits. Her chest is heaving as thrill sets in.

  Her eyes are latched on to me as I step out of my clothes like she’s engraving my body into her memory. “See what you do to me?” I pull her hand around my dick and squeeze.

  I step her backward, making her sit on the edge of the bed with my cock in her face. I rake my bottom lip with my teeth gliding the tip of my dick across her lips. Her eyes roll up to me and then, in the most glorified, sexy as shit moment, she takes me into her mouth.

  I suck in air as she sucks and glides, her tongue massaging the skin of my dick. She squeezes hard going down, and sucks firmly coming up.

  “Fuck yes,” I groan, snaking my hands through her hair. The warmth and pressure of her mouth constricts my nuts, and I start thrusting my hips.

  Slowly, I test my limits, unsure of how much she can handle. Each time, I shove more of myself in and each time I’m pleased by her performance. Her hand acts as a barrier, preventing me from entering too deeply.

  It feels so phenomenal that my nuts start to tighten. Refusing to end what just started, I push her back on the bed, flipping her to her stomach.

  I slide my condom on and then graze my tongue from the curve of her ass to the back of her neck. I lift her hips and push her face into the mattress, positioning my thick tip to her soaked pussy. I nudge in easily and she gasps.

  I clasp her arms behind her and pull, using them to help heave myself back into her. She mewls, arching her back. Drive after long drive, thrust after long thrust, I feel her muscles start to tighten around my cock. Several more pumps and I release her arms, gather her hair, and pull her chin toward the ceiling.

  She cries out, not in pain but from wicked pleasure. She bucks slightly when I slap her ass and then shoves herself backward into me. Her ass cheeks ripple against my hips.

  She fucking loves this.

  Feeling her muscles start tightening again, I cease, dragging my hands heavily down her back to her hips. She glistens with sweat, sucking in air when I flip her over. Her eyes are dilated and heavy, her breath short and ragged. I set back on my heels, position her legs over my shoulders and impale her again.

  I ram into her, watching her perfect tits bounce with every drive. Her eyes roll, back arches off the bed, and her mouth gapes, moaning in pleasure.

  I grip her mound and pinch her nipple until she winces—that’s when I know it’s enough pleasure. Now is when her orgasm slams into her, granting me the marvelous sight. She cries out, digging her nails into my forearms.

  She’s writhing as the tremors rock her, and it’s all so much for me. Bright white light blinds me, and I come hard, losing the tempo and bucking aimlessly like a damned virgin.

  “Fuck!” I growl, dropping to her side.

  Because she feels so damn good, I lost my fucking self.

  We both sound like we’ve run a marathon, our breaths are insanely fast. We lay here with no words. None need to be spoken. We’re both pretty fucking satisfied.

  Chapter 12

  “I’m thirsty. You?” I ask Kelsie while sliding into a pair of red gym shorts.

  She’s lying in the bed under the sheet, still hazy from the fucking she just received. Her body doesn’t know what to think. Her emotions are raw and on fire. I’ve been there. For some fucked up reason, I’m there now. You’d think with all my experience, fucking is just second nature.

  “Yeah,” she says quietly and sits up, holding the sheet around her.

  I bend placing a small kiss on her cheek. “Water or beer?”

  “Both,” she snorts

  Softly, I kiss her lips. A warm, fuzzy thrill radiates in me and scares the fuck out of me, sending me several steps back and clearing my throat.

  “Coming right up.” I stride out the door.

  “Hey, Adam?” Kelsie calls from my room.

  I’m refreshing her drink. Pouring out the old, and in with the new. “Yeah.”

  “Two things. Where are my clothes?”

  I laugh. “At the end of the bed on the floor.”

  “Hmm…of course he’d know that,” she mumbles and I’m pretty sure I wasn’t supposed to hear it. “Second thing. Your phone won’t stop vibrating.”

  I chug half a beer and grab her glass to take it to her. But instead she’s managed to get dressed and almost to me when I turn.

  “When I say it won’t quit, I really mean it.” She sounds brittle and her hazel irises bear a deep hurt.

  Roxy’s name seems to be exceptionally large as she hands it to me. Without skipping a beat, I slide her to voicemail and take another sip of my beer. That’s when my phone dings alerting me to a text message.

  Levi: Call me.

  I tap the call button and walk a few steps away into the living room.

  “What’s up?” I ask when Levi answers.

  “Change of plans. Harvey and Perry are coming in Wednesday. And, dude, Cory’s bitch face is going to show up Friday with some things he wants to go over. Can you make it earlier?”

  That’s strange. I’m disappointed?

  “Yeah. I can make it.”

  “Good. Paige said you can stay here if you want.”

  I laugh. “And hear you two go at it all night. Nah. Hotel for me. But tell her I said thanks.”

  “Well, dinners will be at her place.”

  “She cooking?” I ask taking a peek at Kelsie.

  She’s staring at her beer with a bleak expression.

  “Yeah,” he answers.

  “Alright, I’ll holler at you later,” I say still watching her.

  “You going to fly or drive?” he asks before I can hang up.

  “I’ll even those plans out tomorrow,” I tell him and hang up. Kelsie doesn’t bother looking at me even when I step beside her. I can only imagine what her thoughts are. “It’s not wh—”

  “It doesn’t matter, right? You’re free to do as you please.”

  I’m set aback from the bitterness in her tone.

  “I’m ready to go home now, please,” she says softly.

  My brows knit together. “You haven’t eaten.”

  “I know.”

  I pull her into my chest. “Are you sure?” I say thick and low, hoping to change her mind. Hell, if only she knew what I have in store for her tonight.

  Surprisingly… “Yes,” exits her mouth.
>
  I observe her for a few long seconds. She’s not going to change her mind. The hard-set confidence in her eyes tells me that.

  “Let me grab a shirt.” I exhale frustrated.

  No words are exchanged as I drive her home. She’s been keeping her view out the window and not daring to look my way. When I pull up to her house, she hops out and starts up the sidewalk before I can round the hood.

  I rush to step in beside her and clench her hand. It’s clammy and lifeless—not her norm.

  “I had a good time tonight. Thanks.” She steps through the threshold leaving me on the porch.

  “As did I,” I reply.

  “Be careful on your way home,” she says quietly.

  I step into the house putting my foot against the door, you know, just in case she slams it in my face. “I don’t like this,” I admit. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. I’m just really tired.” Her voice wobbles just a fraction.

  Oh for fuck’s sake. There’s the infamous nothing. Nothing coming out of a woman’s mouth can mean anything. There are miles and miles of endlessness to that word. An infinity of interpretations.

  “I’m not stupid.”

  “I’m not insinuating you are,” she snaps with fire in her eyes.

  Anger looks hot on her.

  I clench her hand and run my thumb over her knuckles giving her a shit eating and very smug smirk. “You’re quite fascinating. You think I’ll fall for that bullshittery excuse?”

  She gasps and tries pulling her hand out of mine, but I won’t release it.

  I grin. “Kelsie, before you label me and accuse me, ask me. I have no reason to lie.”

  Her face scrunches in disgust.

  “Levi was on the other end of the line.” I pause allowing the silence to soak into her thoughts.

  She takes a deep breath. “Even if it wasn’t him, I can’t say a thing about it.”

  I tug her to me and kiss her tenderly. “I’m leaving town Wednesday and not going to be back until late Sunday.”

  I watch as dismay devastates her.

  “Oh,” she says despairingly.