T.K.O.: Total Knock Out

by Ana Layne

  The bar is crowded; people are dancing to that god-awful song Lance loves. A cold beer is placed in my hands and by the time the song is over, the bottle is empty. My gaze catches Lance on the dance floor. So this is why he wanted me out. Raegan is here.

  The lights on the floor hit her body the right way, and she glows like an angel. I hoped for a slow song but they played Joan Jett next and I was subjected to watching Raegan and Lance sing about how much they loved rock and roll. They were dancing on chairs, which was a picture worthy moment, but I was too busy laughing my ass off and being worried at the same time about what I was going to say to her. I missed her so damn much it hurt.

  Good lord, what am I going to do with these two? Everyone clapped for them afterward; she looked a little embarrassed but from where I stood, she looked amazing. I felt as if I had to remind myself to breathe while I walked toward her. Without giving myself a chance to second guess my actions, I wrap my arms around her waist, feeling her body instantly tense. I lean toward her neck, letting my breath linger there for a minute; she still doesn’t move.

  “I love you, Raegan.” Soon she’s crying against my chest, and I’m holding her.

  “I love you, too.” I wasn’t sure I would ever hear her say those words again. All my life I never believed a relationship would ever be worth it; when I met Raegan she changed all that. When she left me, I was torn in two. Now, I’m a new man.

  Before she kisses me, she begs for my forgiveness.

  How could I not forgive her? I pull her in close, holding her as if my life depended on it. When she asks if I’m ready to go, I don’t hesitate. I’ll thank Lance later.

  I want to show her how much I missed her. I don’t think I’ve ever sped so fast trying to get home.

  I scoop her back in my arms from the truck, her legs once again wrapped around my waist as we make our way inside the apartment. I kick the door shut; my hands are cupping that perfect ass as I carry her into the bedroom. I carefully lay her down before crushing my lips to hers. She sits up to take her shirt off. I lick my lips as I hover over her breasts, lowering myself to taste them. She arches her back, letting out a moan. She runs her fingers through my hair slowly, pulls harder when she gets a little more excited. Fuck. She’s gonna kill me before we even get started.

  Raegan reaches down trying to lower my pants but she gets frustrated and cups me from the outside. I groan, pulling them off as quickly as I can. Her skirt is off just as fast, and damn she’s just as wet as she was outside Joe’s. I can’t wait any longer; I need to be inside her. I need to feel what I’ve been missing. She doesn’t object as I get ready to bury myself inside her; she’s almost begging me to. I enter slowly; she gasps as she steadies her breathing. She begs me to go faster, harder, and once her legs are wrapped around my back, I thrust into her. I can feel her body tense as she comes; I’m right behind her, collapsing on her as we relax from our high.

  Lying next to her, I glance up at the ceiling, offering a silent prayer to God for this perfect moment. Raegan’s eyes are closed; the faintest smile is on her lips. I lean in and kiss the corner of her mouth, and she kisses me back. God, I love this woman.

  “Garrett, that was absolutely amazing, but we do need to talk.” Damn. I was hoping to avoid this conversation.

  “Whatever I did, Raegan, I’m so sorry, sweetheart. I should have never raised my voice at you like that. I wasn’t even thinking, you know I would never hurt you, right?”

  “I know that now. Whitney did a lot of talking for you these past two months. I was upset because you invaded my privacy by answering my phone. I would never do that to you and wait to tell you about it. When you raised your voice, all I saw were flashbacks of my dad. I will never be in that situation again. I should have trusted you but I was scared.”

  She was frightened of me? I grab her hand, pulling it into mine.

  “Raegan, I’m so sorry. I’d never do anything to hurt you in any way. If I could take that night back, I would do it in a damn heartbeat. I want to spend the rest of my life making up these past two months with you. I want to spend every day giving you everything you want and need. Being without you was hell. If I ever have to be without you again, I don’t think I can make it.”

  Raegan’s eyes are wet from tears that have yet to fall. I don’t want her shedding another tear. I kiss her forehead, letting my lips linger for just a moment longer.

  “I love you, Garrett. I’m as sure of that as the sky is blue. I wanted to talk to you so many times but I was a coward. I was scared you wouldn’t want me back or that you had moved on. I couldn’t put myself through that. The last time I needed space, he moved on.” She’s talking about her ex; I see the pain in her eyes. It’s easy to read but she quickly pushes it away.

  “Raegan, there was no moving on. There was only you. If I couldn’t have you, I didn’t want anyone else. No one could ever make me feel the way I feel when I’m with you. He was stupid to move on like he did, I would never do that. You hear me? Never.”

  “I’m so sorry I called him that night.” Her cheeks flush. “Nothing happened, Garrett, I swear on my life. I was drunk and fucking stupid. He’s in love, I’m happy for him. She wasn’t there, that’s the only reason I stayed the night to sleep it off. I was embarrassed of myself. I love you, Garrett. I only love you. I’m so sorry.”

  “It’s okay, Raegan, I swear. I believe you. I wish you hadn’t called him but we can’t change that. We’re here together now, that’s the past.”

  “Does this mean you think we could have a second chance?” The nervous expression on her face is enough to hurt me again but she should already know the answer to that question.

  “I’ve never wanted anything more in my life, Raegan.”

  I run my fingers through her hair before kissing her temple and pulling her into me.

  The next morning I sneak out of bed while she’s peacefully sleeping. I want to do something special for her. I whip up some pancake batter and fry some bacon. I half expected the smell of the bacon to wake her, but she’s still asleep. I grab a coffee cup, filling it with hot, dark liquid before setting it on the table. I can’t help but grin as I think of being able to walk into the bedroom and wake her up. Before everything fell apart, she was with me every night. Pieces of her were all over in this apartment. Now I want to officially ask her to move in with me.

  She’s lightly snoring when I walk back into the room. The covers are around her waist, her bare chest facing down on the mattress. I sit beside her, planting a kiss on her shoulder. She stirs only a little, groaning before grabbing the covers and attempting to throw them over her head. I catch them, laughing as I pull them away.

  “Wake up, baby. I cooked breakfast for you.”

  The mention of food has her lifting her head out of curiosity. “What’d you cook?” she asks groggily.

  “I heated up some pop tarts for you. You like strawberry, right?”

  Her head shot up, her eyes widening.

  “You better be kidding.” She laughed, then slowly got up, grabbing one of my shirts off the floor. She looked perfect in it; I’m almost one hundred percent positive we aren’t leaving the house at all today.

  Her eyes light up when she sees the pancakes and bacon on the table. I can’t help but laugh when she turns around glaring at me for lying to her. Her attempt to punch me in the arm fails when I catch her hand, pulling her into my chest.

  “I’m sorry, I couldn’t help it. Sit down and eat.” I pull her chair out for her, then sit across from her, handing her a plate. As we eat in almost complete silence I’m growing more anxious as I consider asking her to officially move in with me. I hope it doesn’t send her running. The thing is, I think she’s done with running now that she’s back with me.

  Chapter 36

  Raegan

  Last night with Garrett was amazing. I didn’t expect the sex, although it was definitely the best added bonus. Talking to him was nowhere near as bad as I had imagined it would be. So much relief
washed over me to have that behind me.

  At breakfast, I pop a piece of bacon into my mouth, savoring every little bit. Any man who can fry bacon this well is a keeper in my book. He’s studying his coffee a little too hard. His knuckles are almost white from holding onto the cup.

  “Hey, you all right?”

  He startles at the sound of my voice, then glances up at me. “Never been better. I wanted to ask you something, Raegan. I’ve…I thought about this and I want you to officially move in with me. I don’t want to spend another moment in this apartment without you. These past two months were miserable. I’m determined to do whatever I need to make sure you never leave me again. I want to keep you happy and I want nothing more than to see your beautiful face every night when I fall asleep and every morning when I wake up.” He pauses, trying to read my expression. “That is…only if you want to.”

  One look at the elated expression on my face and his grip on the coffee mug loosens. I know I belong in his arms; I think I knew that from the beginning but I fought it, scared of what could happen. Although he’s not holding the mug in a death grip anymore, he’s still just watching me, waiting for my response.

  “I’d love to, Garrett.” I jump from my chair.

  “Where are you going?”

  “I’m going to text Whitney. She’s going to be so excited!”

  Garrett starts cleaning up the mess; I want to go help him, but instead I continue with my mission.

  I hurriedly type,

  Omg, omg! Guess what?

  Whitney’s reply comes in almost immediately.

  I’m dying here…what?

  I may have run into Garrett last night and we may have made up and he may have asked me to move in with him!

  SHUT UP!

  I KNOW!

  Told you everything would work out.

  The happiness I feel inside spreads across my face before I close the message out. Garrett has a fight tonight, but of course we’re all going to be at Lou’s most of the day. With my jeans and my favorite t-shirt on, I flash my sexy boyfriend a smirk as I make my way into the living room.

  “I’m ready when you are.”

  “Then let’s go, babe.” We ride hand in hand the whole way there until he decides to rest it on my thigh. There’s a slight tingle I can’t ignore and I try not to let him hear me moan. But he knows; he knows it all because that hand is cupping my jeans in just the right spot and it’s not fair. He grins seductively, knowing what he’s done. Just as soon as we pull up at Lou’s, he cups my chin, pulling my face toward his. A brief kiss later, I’m definitely more frustrated sexually than I was before. But I’ve never been happier.

  Lance jumps off the weight bench as soon as we walk in, pulling Garrett to the side to brag about his latest conquest. Gag. It works out well, because I want to talk to Howard. I poke my head in the office to find him and Whitney hanging out. She smiles, and when she stands up to hug me her belly is nice and round. I touch her belly, talking to the baby, before straightening up and clearing my throat.

  “Howard, I just wanted to talk to you for a second.” Whitney looks hesitant about whether she needs to leave or not. “Whitney, you don’t have to go anywhere, it’ll just take a minute.”

  “What you got, Raegan? You aren’t scheduled for tonight if that’s what you were wondering.” Howard was accustomed to me trying to get in on any fight I could during the last two months. It was the only thing that kept my head on straight.

  “No, I know that.” I shook my head, then added, “I wanted to tell you I won’t be fighting anymore.” Suddenly all eyes were on me and Whitney starts grinning like she knew something I didn’t know.

  “Oh. My. God. Are you—”

  “Oh God, no, Whitney!” I exclaim, aghast. “I’m not pregnant! Jeez.” I raise my eyebrow, frowning, then turn back to Howard. “I’ve just given this some thought lately. I finished what I came to start and I am grateful for the opportunity you gave me. If you guys let me, I still want to be here and practice, I just don’t need to fight anymore. My ribs tend to hurt more than I can handle from time to time and I don’t need to injure them worse. I love ya’ll like my family. Hell, ya’ll are my family.”

  Whitney was damn near crying, hormones no doubt, while Howard stood there nodding his head fully approving of everything I said. “That first day when you sat down in this office, I told you if you didn’t want to fight you were always welcome here. I mean that now. I’ll make the call so you don’t get scheduled anymore. I’m assuming you’ve talked this over with Garrett?”

  I glanced out to see him and Lance laughing over something. He has no idea about this but I know deep down he will be happy. It’s what he wanted, and now it’s what I want.

  “No, I’m going to tell him tonight after his fight. I just wanted to discuss it with you first and make sure everything was okay.”

  “Come here.” Howard pulls me in for a hug and I laugh. My arms barely fit around him. Whitney jumps in, making sure she wipes her snotty nose on his shirt. He glares at her before planting a kiss on her forehead.

  I walk out of the office like nothing happened, and so did Whitney and Howard. I couldn’t wait to see the look on Garrett’s face tonight.

  ***

  I sit on Garrett’s lap in the back room waiting for his fight to begin; it was my turn to tease him. He had to grab my hand once or twice to make me stop. Every time he placed my hand back on his chest, I would run it back down just to hear him moan.

  He was up in about twenty minutes; we could hear Blaize’s voice booming through the speakers. I prayed he wouldn’t spoil my secret; every time he spoke my nerves were on edge. Twenty minutes meant we could live dangerously if we wanted to. Unfortunately, Garrett placed a kiss on my neck before helping me stand.

  “I need to get out there, babe. You going to be up front by Howard?”

  “You know it. Good luck.”

  “Thank you.” He kissed my lips lightly before grabbing my hand and squeezing it.

  Howard approaches us as soon as we step out of the room. He pulls Garrett toward him to finish prepping him. I looked for Whitney only to be told she didn’t come tonight. Damn, I was looking forward to having someone to talk to while Howard yelled at the ring. I took my place beside Howard as Garrett stepped into the ring. I watched his flawless body move around, blocking punch after punch from his opponent.

  Garrett only got taken down once; after that he refused to fall. He landed a nice punch across the guy’s jaw. His attempt to bring him down failed the first time and they were back to shuffling around. In a flash, I spot some ink on his inner bicep the next time he throws a punch. I can’t see what it says but I don’t remember him ever having a tattoo. That’s something I’m pretty sure I’d have seen by now. As I peer at his arm, trying to read the tattoo, I almost miss when he pins the guy to the mat, winning the match.

  Lance asks if we want to go celebrate tonight, but I had a different agenda. I hated to be the one to tell him no, but Garrett didn’t seem to mind. Once we were home and he showered, he met me on the couch, pulling me to his side.

  “Have you always had a tattoo?” I pry.

  “No.” He appears surprised by my question. “I got it about a month and a half ago.”

  “Can I see it?” He lifted the sleeve of his shirt to reveal several symbols. “What’s it mean?”

  “Well, I never told you this before but my family is Jewish. This means destiny in Hebrew. You are my destiny. If I couldn’t have you with me physically, this would keep you with me no matter what. I never thought I’d want at tattoo, but you changed that.”

  “I like it. Now it’s like you have two of me, can you handle that?” His arm tightened around me as I prepared to tell him what I’d been practicing over and over again in my head since I talked to Howard and Whitney in the office.

  “Well, I’m glad you like it. Oh shit, I don’t know about two of you, though, I may go crazy. I love you. There’s no one else in this world I could pos
sibly love more than I love you. You’re everything to me, Raegan.”

  I scoff jokingly. “I love you too. I want to tell you something.”

  He stares at me intently. I’m confident and I feel good about this decision. Love is about compromise; he asked me to quit before, and I wasn’t ready. I am now.

  “I’ve given this some thought, just to let you know. I never thought I would be able to do anything I’ve done in these last few months, but I’ve proven myself and it brought me to you. I’ve decided I’m done fighting. Howard already knows, I wanted to be the one to tell you tonight. I worry enough about you. You don’t need to be worried about me, too.”

  His expression was unreadable at first; he just stared at me, maybe wondering if I was serious.

  “Are you sure, Raegan? Promise me this isn’t solely because of me. I will support you one hundred percent if you decide you want to keep fighting, I want you to know that.”

  “I promise,” I assure him. “I only started to get out of my house and now I’m here with you. Yes, I like doing it, but do I need to? No. I just want to be with you.”

  A grin crawls across his lips as he sweeps them across mine, igniting a thousand sparks in my chest.

  As our kiss deepens, I think about the time I compared us to Barbie and Ken in my mind. I can’t help but chuckle mid-kiss. He pulls away, looking somewhat amused.

  “What’s so funny, babe?”

  “Oh nothing.” I moan into his mouth, continuing our kiss.

  This cheap plastic Barbie has definitely found her hot sexy Ken. She isn’t just swooning over him anymore and she’s not plastic. She’s found her happy ending, because Barbie always gets Ken. The shoe, er…gloves fit. Perfectly.

  Chapter 37

  Raegan