No Safeword: Matte - Happily Ever After (Safewords)

by Candace Blevins

  When she could breathe again, she looked towards him and said, “Thank you, and I’m sorry.”

  “We have different needs during training,” he said without stopping his crunches. “You’re free to give yourself as many orgasms as you want between now and the fights, just don’t let anyone else give you any without talking to me.”

  “You have to know I’d never—”

  “Yes,” he interrupted. “I know you wouldn’t without my saying it’s okay, which is why I’m telling you to let me know if you need more than you can give yourself, so I can work something out.”

  “I don’t want anyone but you.”

  “Happy to hear it. You’ll still let me know.” He stopped long enough to glare at her as he hung upside down. “It’s an order, Samantha. Not a suggestion.”

  She sighed. “Okay. I’ll let you know.” He didn’t look away from her until she added, “Sir.”

  He nodded and went back to his crunches. “Why don’t you put your clothes back on and let the guys know it’s safe to return.”

  * * * *

  Sam had arranged to be gone from work for most of the final two weeks, but needed to be in court two days.

  Miguel followed her to the courthouse to watch her in action at work, which actually made Sam feel better about being there without a gun, which was silly since he didn’t have one, either.

  She’d long ago realized the panic she felt every time she stepped out of the courthouse door on a sunny day wasn’t rooted in logic, so she just went with it.

  After all, she felt no panic when it was raining, and bullets travelled just as fast in the rain as the sun.

  When she stepped outside the courtroom into the beautiful atrium, she was taken aback by a large man who began shouting at her about “ruining fighting”.

  “Bitches like you spoil it for everyone. We don’t want to see pussies fighting!”

  Luckily, one of the bailiffs came to her rescue and interceded before she needed to do anything.

  She’d walked out with her client, but Miguel had come to her when the man began shouting, close enough he could intercede, but not so close he escalated the situation. Her opinion of him went up, and she made a mental note to tell him later.

  “I apologize,” she said to her client. “Are you okay?”

  He laughed and brushed it off. “No problem. I loved watching you kick Clemente’s ass, and look forward to seeing you fight Karen Johansen.” His face glowed with happiness as he added, “And I love you for convincing the judge my son needs the stability I can provide.”

  Sam nodded. “We’re both trusting you’ll be fair to your ex. I know she’s flighty and undependable, but she’s his mom and your son needs her in his life, too.”

  “I know. I’m glad they have a good relationship, but he needs someone to stay on him about school, and she didn’t even make him go unless he wanted to.”

  Miguel stood to the side until Sam split with her client, and he fell in beside her. “I’ve had my fair share of men just walk up to me and swing with no warning.” He shook his head. “As well-known fighters, lots of people will want a go at you and Ethan. If they can say they took one of you out, they get huge bragging rights. Never mind you were just walking to dinner and not expecting a punch to the face by the person strolling nonchalantly by from the other direction.”

  Sam looked at him in question and he said, “Just wanted you to know it isn’t only the women who have to deal with crazies. The men do, too.”

  “Ethan hasn’t. Or, if he has, he hasn’t told me about it.”

  “Just wait until he holds the title. It may not happen as often with him because he’s so damned scary looking, but it’s bound to happen at least once.”

  Sam sighed and changed the subject. “Thanks for the way you handled yourself, by the way. You inserted yourself close enough to help if needed, but not so close you escalated the situation. I’m impressed.”

  He looked embarrassed, as if he didn’t know how to respond, so she said, “I have about thirty minutes to an hour of paperwork before I’m yours to torture again. Do you want to get something to eat while you wait? Or you can go on back to the house and I’ll meet you there?”

  He considered it and said, “If I went to the house I’d just go online while I waited for you, and I can do that on my cellphone from your office, if you don’t mind my hanging out. Then we can ride our bikes back to the house together, and maybe make a few uphill detours on the way.”

  Sam took a breath and prepared to step from the cool courthouse to the baking heat outside, and almost growled as she saw a camera crew on the sidewalk. She didn’t know for sure they were there for her, but they’d situated themselves right where she’d need to walk to get back to her office.

  “If I had to guess, I’d say they want the attorney version of you on camera.” Miguel smiled. “And you are hot, with your smart looking suit and your hair up all prim and proper. And don’t get me started on those delicious heels.”

  This was the Miguel who’d pissed her off so frequently while Ethan was training, and she realized it was his public face. She glared at him, then smiled. “I think I’m figuring you out.”

  She stepped sideways out of the flow of traffic and scanned the media until she recognized someone. “Yeah, looks like they’re here for me. The big dude, isn’t he a sports reporter?”

  Miguel nodded and she turned to go back inside, but he stopped her. “They aren’t here to attack you. Media attention is good. Ethan had a talk with me this morning and explained you’re a little jumpy when you leave the courthouse, and why, and I realize this’ll be hard, but just chill out and talk to them. Okay?”

  Sam took a breath, realized he was right, and nodded.

  “Another breath. Find your center.”

  She smiled. “I’m good. Come on.”

  Most of the questions were easy — What are you doing to prepare for the fight? When will you leave for Vegas? Why is your coach with you in court?

  But, when someone asked, “Will your husband threaten Karen Johansen like he did Jose Clemente?” she saw red.

  Miguel stepped forward and said, “Ethan Levi recanted his statement about Clemente, and as far as I know, he will once again trust the league to be sure it’s a clean fight.”

  Sam touched Miguel’s arm and he stepped back. She looked into the cameras and said, “Karen has always fought clean and has given no indication she’ll treat this fight any different. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some paperwork to prepare and file.”

  * * * *

  Training grew more intense each day until it was finally time for them to leave for Vegas.

  They were making use of every moment of their time before they left, so Miguel was sitting in the chair in her room as she went in and out of her closet, piling the things on the bed she intended to pack.

  “We’ll continue to train once we arrive, as we did before,” Miguel told her, “but with the media and other distractions it’ll just be a matter of keeping what you’ve gained and not acquiring new skills or reflexes.”

  “Yeah, I remember how it was the last time. Do you think Dave will want to send us out on dates again, for media attention? Should I pack evening wear?”

  “Maybe. Jerrod and I might decide the two of you need a night off. Especially the final couple of nights.”

  “How weird has this been? The two of you working together and training us at the same time?”

  He shook his head. “I’m not sure it would work with any other couple, but the two of you are solid enough, and driven enough, it’s been a great experience.”

  “I’m not sure it would’ve worked with two prima donna coaches, either. The two of you have worked together, as a team. Jerrod has helped me almost as much as you, and I think you’ve helped Ethan a great deal as well.”

  Her coach smiled. “It almost feels like cheating. You’re cross-training, in a way. I’ve prepared you for your weight class, but you know how to fight the oth
er, also. You practically slaughtered Clemente. If Karen Johansen hasn’t prepared for your specific skillset she’ll be in a world of hurt, too.”

  Sam nodded, but didn’t point out Karen was smart and had likely prepared well. She only asked, “And Ethan?”

  “Same thing. He has more speed and agility than any other heavyweight I’ve seen at this level, but he also has raw punching power and strength. I believe there’s every chance we’re about to see a husband and wife both holding titles at the same time.”

  Miguel followed her into her closet when she went in and stayed a while. She was looking through her evening clothes, deciding what might make the most feminine impact, when Miguel said, “What’s this?”

  She turned as he straightened, standing near her work clothes with the stainless cane in his hand. If it was just a steel wand she could have made something up, but the black handle kind of gave it away.

  “Looks like a steel rod with a handle.”

  “No shit. Why’s it in your closet?”

  “None of your business. Please put it back where you found it.”

  “Is this a joke thing, or does Ethan use it on you?”

  Sam ignored him and went back to looking through her dressy clothes.

  She pulled out the custom dress Jacob had made her. “Is this too skimpy?”

  “I want an answer.”

  She looked at the dress, decided it was too much, and put it back.

  Miguel went to her bedroom door and yelled downstairs. “Ethan, can you come to your wife’s closet, please?”

  “That was a mistake,” she told him when he stepped back to the door of her closet.

  “Why?”

  “Ethan won’t appreciate you meddling.”

  “Maybe he’ll at least give me an answer.”

  Sam turned, pissed. “And why the hell is it any of your fucking business?”

  “Because I’ve grown to care about you,” he said, lifting the cane as one would evidence in a courtroom, “and I want to make sure no one is hitting you with a stainless steel cane!”

  “I appreciate your care and concern for my wife,” Ethan said from the doorway, his voice deep and calm, “but I’m wondering why you jumped to the conclusion I’d be the one using it on her, and not the other way around?”

  Miguel looked from Ethan, to Sam, and back so many times he looked as if he were watching a tennis match. He finally looked at Sam and said, “So, you’re…” He looked to Ethan, “and you’re…”

  Shaking his head, he sat on the bench. “Never in a million years would I have put the power exchange going that way.” He looked to Sam. “I apologize. How horribly sexist of me.” He looked to Ethan and back to Sam. “You know you can’t use this at full strength though, right? It can do a lot of damage, even on a big guy like him.”

  Ethan laughed. “I didn’t say we’re in a power exchange relationship at all, just pointed out you had no basis for your initial assumption. Now, can you please drop this, and never bring it up again? The subject makes Sam uncomfortable.”

  Miguel didn’t look as if he were ready to drop it, and Ethan said, “Have either of us ever given you the idea our relationship is unhealthy? You’ve lived under the same roof as us for months. You’ve seen us get along, argue, get on each other’s nerves, and work together. Can you tell me a single time you worried for my wife’s safety? Or mine?”

  Miguel stood, walked to the door, and turned. “If either of you ever need to talk about…anything. I’m available. I just want to make sure everyone’s safe.”

  “Thank you again for caring about my wife’s safety.”

  He left, and Sam watched as Ethan closed their bedroom door and turned some music on their bedroom speakers.

  “Why did you want him to think I’m the Domme and you’re my submissive?”

  “Because I was uncomfortable with him having the idea you’re submissive.”

  “Why?”

  “Because…” He hesitated, lifted his arms, started to say something, stopped, and finally said, “Some men think submissive women should submit to everyone, and you don’t submit to anyone but me.” He considered his words and added, “Or someone I tell you to submit to.” He shook his head and shrugged. “The point is, I haven’t discussed kink with him, I don’t know his opinions on the subject, and he can be kind of a jerk sometimes.”

  “You’re okay with him thinking you submit to me?”

  “It’s preferable to him possibly seeing you in a different light. I don’t know the dynamic we’ll have once we arrive in Vegas, but I know you’ll have your own training area, and I’ll have mine, and Dave is trying to get us close to each other.”

  “But it may be me and Miguel and my people in one area, and you and your people in another.”

  He nodded and she said, “I’ll be fine without you watching over me.”

  “But I might not be okay if I can’t watch over you.”

  Sam fell into his arms, careful to keep it snuggly and platonic, but she needed the connection.

  He rubbed her back and ruffled her hair. “I love you. Thanks for letting me take care of you, even when it rubs you the wrong way.”

  Sam dropped her voice and took on an announcer’s voice. “Introducing, Ethaaaaannnnn the Cavemaaaaan Leviiiiiii!”

  Ethan laughed and popped her on the ass. “You and your big mouth.”

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  The first thing on the agenda upon arrival at the hotel was a security meeting.

  “We’ve rented this entire section,” Tyler told them. “Only our group should be in this hallway, and only our room keys will bring the elevator here. Hotel security will have someone at the bottom of the elevator making sure everyone in the group is headed to the same floor. Our security is in charge once you arrive.”

  A large, blond man stepped forward. “I’m Nathan, and Tyler and I will be in charge of security. Normally, we’d only have one person running things, but since Tyler will be Sam’s shadow we needed someone in command while he’s with her.”

  “Who should we go to for a problem, then?” Dave asked.

  “We’ll each have our own cellphone,” Tyler said, “but we’ll also have another we’ll pass back and forth. Whoever is handling security on the floor will have that cellphone. Your handout has the number, please put it in your phones and place it on your main screen so you can get to it quickly, if necessary.”

  “Ethan and Sam each have someone assigned to them,” Nathan added. “They will notify their person before stepping onto the elevator.” He glared at them. “Even if you’re together. Sam has already learned the hard way that fighting skills don’t help against a gun.”

  Sam looked to Tyler and he shook his head. “Even if you happened to have a gun, we’re trained to handle the situation without having to shoot…and if we’re forced to pull the trigger, our backgrounds help us stay out of trouble. If you have to shoot? You may still be sitting in jail on fight night.”

  Nathan smiled at Sam and then looked back to the group as a whole. “Everyone staying in a room on this floor has been vetted. If you want to bring a guest to your room, please notify Tyler or I so we can meet them as they get off the elevator and talk to them. No offense to your friends, but we need to stay on top of who’s on the floor.”

  Sam smiled at Ethan and said, “Mr. Caveman orders room service around the clock sometimes. Do we have to let you know about that?”

  “A quick phone call is appreciated. If you don’t call us, we’ll call you when the kitchen notifies us.” Tyler leaned against the wall and added, “We prefer voice calls because it’s too easy to spoof texts.”

  “Also,” Nathan added, “if there’s a problem and you can’t tell us, we’ll need you to either call us John, or insert the word Chattanooga into the sentence. If for some reason you need to tell me about something in Chattanooga, then just say ‘back home’ or ‘our hometown’.”

  Tyler emphasized the two keywords. “Again, John, or Chattanooga. If
we hear either of those words we’ll assume you’re in trouble and need rescuing, but can’t tell us.”

  “Is this much security really necessary?” Sam asked. “It seems like overkill.”

  “Remember the guy at the courthouse?” Miguel asked. “He’s not the only one angry with you. We hope it’s overkill but we aren’t taking any chances.”

  * * * *

  Sam had been prepared mentally to see Jose Clemente in the training area, but she hadn’t expected the fight organizers to put her training area between Clemente and Ethan.

  It did no good to try to ignore him because the media kept bringing up his presence.

  And he continually referred to her as “the cunt”.

  A few days in she’d had about all she could take, and as he walked by and called her a “fucking cunt,” she stopped, turned, looked him dead in the eye, and said, “Yeah, and I kicked your ass, so what does that make you?”

  Miguel got a kick out of her response, but Tyler put his hand on her back and ushered her out of the training area. “Do you think maybe you can keep from taunting him into a fight?”

  Miguel chuckled and said, “If it becomes necessary for you to help her kick his ass, I’ll gladly jump in and help, too.”

  Sam shook her head. “He isn’t going to take a swing at me outside of a sanctioned fight. He wants the title back and won’t do anything to risk a sanction.”

  Tyler shook his head. “Don’t be so sure. His ego’s taking a beating, and having to watch you practice every day isn’t helping.”

  Ethan stepped outside and asked what happened. Miguel filled him in and Ethan said, “It’s late, so we won’t change today, but tomorrow I’ll set up in your spot, and you can take mine.”

  Miguel shook his head. “You have to stay in your assigned area.”

  Ethan’s face looked a little scary, even to Sam, as he said, “If the promoters want to make a big deal about it then I’ll create a stink they won’t appreciate one bit. Sam and I are swapping tomorrow.”