Awakened (The Fighter Series Book 3)

by TC Matson

  Perry rounds me and shoves me backward, putting the distance needed between Levi and me. “Chill out!” he yells, glaring at the both of us.

  I clear my tightened throat and put my hands up. “I’m cool.”

  And before you get all defensive about your precious little Levi…brothers fight. Especially ones as close as him and me. It’s not a hateful-want-to-rearrange-your-face fight. We don’t want to cause serious damage—notice he didn’t beat me to a pulp. He just hit my trigger and he knew it. He was treading on thin ice before shit started. If you don’t ever think he and I have fought, you’ve thought wrong. And if you don’t think it will ever happen again, you’re largely mistaken.

  “I’m good,” he tells Harvey.

  “What the hell is wrong with you two?” Paige scolds us. “You haven’t seen each other in a few months and when you do, you’re fighting over a girl? I’m sorry, have I missed something?” She rocks back on her heel and jams her hand on her hip glowering at Levi.

  I look to Levi who glances back to me distressed.

  “Levi was helping me relieve some frustrations,” I say.

  “Doesn’t give you the right to hit him,” she bites back.

  “It got a little out of control,” Levi jumps in. “I pushed him too far.”

  “Why? Because you weren’t getting your way?” she asks Levi.

  She snaps her head at me hearing my chuckle and it only causes me to laugh harder. “Dude, mom’s mad.”

  Levi gives a hearty laugh.

  “Enough!” Harvey interrupts us. “We’ve got training to do instead of you two ladies pulling each other’s hair.” He checks his watch. “Cory will be here in less than an hour. Get your shit together. We’ve got more important things to focus on.”

  Yep. Just like that, our scuffle is over and forgotten about. Men don’t hold grudges. We get what we need off our chest and we move on. What’s done is done, and it’s all done now. We lick our wounds and move forward. Besides, after everything that just happened, I feel better.

  Just as predicted, in less than an hour, Cory blesses us with his shady presence. I can’t stand the manipulative bastard. He’s a short guy without any sculpture to his body, but he walks around like he’s ten feet tall and pressing six hundred pounds. He has this ridiculous hair style, messy as shit with no rhyme or reason. I sport the bedhead look, but at least mine looks good.

  Levi’s in the ring sparring with this wiry kid when Cory slaps me on the back. “Adam, how are you doing?”

  I don’t even look at him. “Good.”

  “I’m doing well too,” he says.

  Now, he has my attention. “I didn’t ask. Don’t care.”

  His eyes narrow into slits, but he doesn’t say anything to me. Instead, he directs his attention to his most valuable fighter. “Levi! I need a moment with all of you.”

  Levi slides out of the ring. “Rich boy flies all the way out here just so he can soak me in.”

  Levi has always given Cory a hard time. Always taking jabs at him. They each loathe the other but know they make each other’s paycheck. Levi is starting to not give a shit since we’ve had many other managers calling for him.

  Cory motions for Harvey and Perry. “You getting hyped up yet?” he asks Levi.

  He puffs out a breath. “You didn’t fly out here for that.”

  Cory tries to intimidate him with his stare but Levi laughs tapping his gloves.

  “I came out here to see how you looked, and if you were taking this seriously. Justin doesn’t think you’re worth worrying about, but I want to make sure you’re not sinking into that bullshit.”

  “I take every fight seriously,” Levi tells him.

  “It’ll be in Las Vegas. More people than you’re used to. You’re the main event.”

  “As I should be,” Levi boasts.

  “There will be an event two weeks prior to the fight. Dress to impress and don’t disappoint me. Justin will be there, so don’t think about losing your wicked temper and getting booted out before the fight can even start.”

  “I’m glad you think so highly of me,” Levi jests.

  “I know how you are.” Cory’s tone is stoic.

  “I’m a big boy. I’ll behave.”

  “The event is plus one. Who will you be taking?” he asks.

  Levi tugs Paige into his side.

  Cory despises Paige. The only reason I can think of is she’s good all the way down to her bones. She hates drama and looks out for Levi almost as well as I do.

  “I’ll send my jet to get you.” He reaches into a satchel and hands Harvey a stack of DVDs. “These are of Justin’s past few fights. Study them.”

  Levi takes a pissed breath and a step toward Cory. “No faith in me? There’s no difference in the MMAT fighters and the pros. I’m just as damn good as them all.”

  Cory laughs from his throat. “There’s a huge difference. You’ve never fought anyone who’s fighting for over seven digits. Big money is at stake now. Bigger the ante, the harder they fight.”

  “Again, no faith in me? I’m fighting for the same fucking ante. I didn’t come all this way just to fuck up.”

  “He’ll be ready,” Harvey says uncrossing his arms. “Now, if you don’t mind, we have some more training to do.”

  Levi smirks smugly and slides his hand out of his glove, reaching for Cory to shake it. “Nice talk, boss, but I’ve got this. I’m determined to become number one.”

  Cory shakes it and then strolls back out the door without a word. That’s Cory. He’ll fly hours and spend thousands of dollars just to see what you’re doing. Rich, pretty, fucker.

  Chapter 15

  My weekend has been agonizingly uneventful. I’ve tried working to no avail. My mind is wrapped around one person, which has led me to understand that I need to call things off between Adam and me. I’ve started investing too much into him. My mind, my heart…I’ve tried convincing myself to stay just for the amazing sex, but who the hell am I kidding? There’s no possible way to keep my feelings out of it.

  Sarah came over last night for a few hours and preoccupied my thoughts. We drank wine and blabbed about everything under the moon. I got pretty dang tipsy, but Sarah on the other hand was downright plastered when she finally staggered home at two in the morning.

  But our late night has placed me in a lazy hold. I have not done a damn thing all day today, except hold the couch down. Well, I did manage a shower.

  I’m curled up watching a movie on Lifetime when there’s a knock on my door. I wasn’t expecting anyone, so I cautiously pull it open. Adam smiles wide and it stretches to his eyes. His black hat is on backward and he’s wearing a red t-shirt with gray gym shorts. I bite back a gasp as my heart leaps into my throat.

  “What are you doing here?” I ask.

  “I just got back into town,” he says.

  “Tonight’s not a good night for me,” I lie and it hurts.

  His eyes darken, dispersing the sexy smile into thin air. “Well, make it one.”

  He steps past me, entering my house and I sigh shutting the door.

  “Adam,” I exhale annoyed.

  He’s standing in the middle of my living room with his muscular arms at his side. He smirks. “I like my name on your lips.”

  I pinch the bridge of my nose. I know what I need to do. I take a deep breath, inflating my confidence. “I can’t do this any longer.”

  That freaking hurt.

  His brows knit and he tilts his head. “Why?”

  “Can we just leave it at that?” I plea.

  “No.” His tone straight-forward.

  I study him. His eyes are serious, honed in on me. The muscles in his jaw flex. My throat feels really dry, but I go ahead and plunge into my words. “You told me to keep my heart out of it. I tried, but I’m starting to feel more than I should.”

  His expression is unreadable. “You didn’t try hard enough,” he responds.

  Anger pulls at my heart and I cross my arms, rocking b
ack on my right heel. “You tell me to leave my heart out of it but you romance me. You send me shit. You take care of me. You do…” I trail off, raking my hand over my forehead and groaning in frustration. “How am I supposed to control my feelings?”

  I hold a shaky hand up when he takes a step toward me. “Stop. This is hard enough as it is. Please don’t make this any harder on me. I already feel like an idiot,” I tell him.

  A ghost of a smile appears on his lips and he dismisses my plea, closing the gap between us. My breath snags as he drags the back of his fingers down my cheek. I’m trembling on the inside from fear and desire. My heart is shattering inside me, knowing this is the end to it all. My mind is telling me to run. My body is begging to be touched.

  “I’m not leaving,” he says very matter-of-factly.

  “I can’t do this the way you want me to,” I admit.

  I watch as he swallows, pausing before he speaks. “Let’s try it your way then.”

  I narrow my eyes. Is he toying with me? “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  Beads of sweat have gathered along his forehead. He’s nervous as hell.

  “That feeling…the one that’s inside pulling at you. I feel it too.”

  “But you said—”

  “I didn’t follow my own rules,” he cuts in. “Look, I don’t know where this will go, but—”

  Realization shoves me in the chest and my eyes widen. “I can’t,” I blurt.

  “Yes you can.” He kisses me softly on the forehead. “We’ll figure it out.” He feathers kisses down my cheek and slides his lips across mine.

  I take to his kiss, running my fingers across the skin of his nape, pulling him into me. It’s been days since I’ve felt his touch and I’m soaking it all in. It’s the craving I’ve desired so very badly.

  “I’ve missed you.” I freeze at the words that ever so easily flowed from my mouth, unsure if I should’ve let him in that soon.

  “Feeling’s mutual.” He grins and falls to the couch, taking me with him.

  I’m straddling him and he grips my face, bringing my lips back to his. Our tongues sweep each other’s and he inhales my exhale. He drags his hand down my back and pushes my hips to rock against his erection.

  “Please tell me you’re not just saying all this to have sex with me,” I whisper.

  He nips my bottom lip and gazes up amorously. “Promise.”

  That was the word to release all frantic need. I toss his hat behind him, and pull his shirt over his head. I grind against his erection while nibbling on his neck and running my hands over the large, tight muscles of his chest. He winces once I wrap to his side.

  “Wrestling around with Levi,” he answers my worried eyes.

  He tosses my shirt and bra to the floor and I moan, dropping my head back as he laps between my breasts.

  He groans in displeasure pushing back into the couch. “I hate this talk, but we need to talk.

  I tense.

  “Are you okay with me not using a condom?

  “Not if I’m sharing you,” I answer coldly.

  He stands me up and slides my yoga pants down along with my panties. Awkwardly, he shimmies out of his shorts and strokes his dick.

  “Yes or no,” he asks.

  “I won’t if you’re doing it with someone else.”

  He grins looking up to me. A grumble resonates from his throat. “You’re gaining steam with your confidence.”

  He jerks me onto his lap and fills me in one swift movement, burying himself deeply.

  “Just you,” he says rocking my hips.

  There’s a whole new sensation. I can feel his skin and I feel more connected to him. I slide up and down, feeling the wonderful intensity ricocheting between us. He rolls my nipple between his thumb and forefinger, watching my breasts bounce.

  A vibrant zing starts to claw from deep within me. With a carnal fascination soaking his face, Adam clenches my hips, and begins driving upward into me—fiercely. I drop my head back moaning to the ceiling and then it slams me. Every inch tenses as satin flames burst from every corner of my body.

  “Ah!” I cry out, digging my fingers into his shoulders.

  He bucks wildly with his teeth clenched and then explodes, losing himself. He grabs my shoulders from behind and pulls me into him. I can feel him throbbing as I contract around him.

  “I craved you the whole time I was gone.” He kisses my chin. “Anticipation killed me.”

  “I like you craving me,” I say, breathless, resting my head against the top of his.

  He groans a chuckle.

  “Kelsie.”

  My name is in a distant, blurry fog. Kisses run across my cheeks and along the outer part of my ear.

  “Kelsie.”

  It’s there again, but closer. My eyes open and now I’m fully aware of my surroundings, grounded by the familiar scent of the sexy man behind me whispering my name.

  “Hmm?”

  “You’re going to be late for work if you don’t get up.”

  I roll to face him and am greeted by the sweetest set of eyes I’ve ever seen. “You make it hard to get up.”

  He grabs my hand and slides it over his dick. “Not for me.” He chuckles.

  I laugh.

  He rolls on top of me, pressing himself between my legs and resting his elbows beside my head, holding himself up. “I don’t know why you’re laughing. Do you know the severity of the situation?” he says playfully. “I’ll be hard until I see you again.”

  I squint, trying to keep a straight face. “That won’t be until this weekend. How will you ever survive?”

  He flinches, raising up to better see me. “Are you serious?”

  I try so hard not to laugh at his reaction, but I fail. I’m horrible at holding back laughs. “I hope not.”

  Relief cascades around him and I tilt my head, awed at the reaction.

  “Go get ready before I make you late again.” He pecks a kiss on me and pushes off.

  Admittedly, saying goodbye to him this morning was extremely difficult. Different from the rest of the times. I’m assuming it has everything to do with the sincerity and devotion. Most days, him being with someone else rested heavily on my mind, but now that I know it’s just me…dammit, there’s the pull again.

  I’ve floated since I left, delirious from the high of him. I wasn’t expecting his reaction but got the one I’ve been hoping for since we started seeing each other. Funny how things work. I go from not caring about seeing anyone because of the Prick to needing Adam in my life because I thirst so much for him.

  The drive to work lit a fire under my ass. I’ve not pressured Nick into signing our divorce papers in hopes that the time apart would make him give in. Now I have something pushing me and I’m ready to get on with my life.

  I scroll for his name and take a huge breath. I haven’t called him in months. I can’t freaking stand him.

  “I knew you’d come crawling back,” Nick answers.

  “Don’t get your hopes up,” I say disgusted. “When are you signing the papers?”

  Emily steps into my office quietly and starts to retreat out until I snap my fingers and point her to the chair. She watches me intensely taking her seat, resting her arms in her lap.

  “I’m not. You’re going to come back to me and we’re going to work this out,” Nick says.

  “You’re dreaming, Nick. I don’t want to be with you. I thought the divorce papers stated that loud and clear.”

  “Not signing them should show you how much I want you back,” he says.

  “Shows me how much of a controlling ass you are,” I snip.

  “Come on, Kel. Let’s have dinner.”

  I roll my eyes. “You’ve wasted enough of my life. Can’t we just be done?”

  “I’ve told you, I don’t want it done.”

  “Were you thinking about that when you cheated on me?”

  “That’s hearsay. I told you it wasn’t true,” he snaps.

  “I bet if I
confronted a few of them, they’d tell me different.”

  “Have dinner with me and we’ll discuss working things out.”

  I huff, frustrated, and the bastard chuckles. “If you don’t sign the papers, I’ll file a motion to set the case for a hearing. And in between those times, I’ll go to every one of your so-called friends and have them put it in writing their relationships with you.”

  “Why are you being such a bitch? When I married you, I vowed through thick and thin, Kelsie. Until death do us part.”

  “Did the preacher leave out the part where you keep your dick in your pants?”

  “You’re so pissed. You’re not over me. Just come back.”

  “It’s funny how you’re the one contesting the divorce when technically you’re at fault. Adultery is grounds for divorce. So is abuse, mentally or physically.”

  “I didn’t abuse you,” he yells and then clears his throat. “Besides, there’s no proof of any of that.”

  “Personal scars,” I scoff. “You can have my half of the house, Nick. I’ll sign it all over to you.”

  “You sound a little desperate. What’s the rush? Are you seeing someone?”

  “No. I am not. I just want to be done with this.”

  “Tsk-tsk, Kel. Lying gets you nowhere.”

  “It doesn’t? Please tell me how’d you know this?”

  He chuckles. “I’ve never lied to you.”

  “Just omitted, right?” I spit. “You realize the longer you drag this out, the longer you have to keep things with you and your girlfriend quiet?”

  “What girlfriend?” he asks.

  “The one you’re dating. I’m not stupid.”

  “Apparently, you are.”

  “I’ve been told you—”

  “Hearsay again, Kel. Do you have proof in your hands?”

  “Why are you doing this to me?” I cry out annoyed. “I’ll pay for everything. Just let me live my life.”

  “I am and will, but you’ll be with me.”

  “You don’t even care about me. We’re not in love any more. We’re not kids.”

  “There’s where you’re wrong. I do love you.”