Breaking Beast (Pounding Hearts)

by Izzy Sweet

  * * *

  What the fuck is wrong with me, seriously? I just jacked off to the thought of some young, barely legal girl. Shit, I need to get laid badly. It must be the fact that I haven’t fucked in a week or so that has me so wound up tight.

  Looking over at Christy while she dozes, I shake my head. I need to get a grip on things if I don’t want to take advantage her. I can’t do something like that, I don’t think I could forgive myself.

  It takes me getting out of the car and shutting the door to wake Christy up.

  Popping up from the seat, she quickly opens the passenger door and jumps out. “Holy crap, did I sleep the whole way home?”

  “Yeah, the snoring was pretty bad. I wanted to gag you after a while because it was becoming a driving hazard.”

  Heading towards the door, I her hear her scoff at me. “I don’t snore, big head!”

  Opening the door, Muffin darts around me. Racing up to Christy, she stands there for a moment, her tail wagging. I watch her tail falter and then she scoots back to run after me.

  Laughing, I say, “She can smell the puke on your breath. You need to bathe and freshen your shit up.”

  Christy’s face turns bright red as she stomps past me. I hear quite a few dirty words about me and the size of my head as she passes. I would warn her about Dale tomorrow but I think she needs to learn that on her own.

  Yelling at her back, I say, “Come back when you’re done. We need to eat dinner and talk about your diet. I bet Dale said you’re too skinny.”

  “Argh! I am not a bean pole or a runt, dammit!” I hear her shout as she disappears deeper into the house.

  “Yeah, but put about ten to fifteen pounds on your ass and you’re going to be fucking sex-on-a-stick,” I mutter to myself.

  She’s got six weeks to get ready. She’s going to need all the help she can get.

  * * *

  Over the meal, I can’t help but catch myself staring at the freshly bathed girl. She’s wearing a baggy pair of sweatpants with an old t-shirt and her hair is twisted up inside of a towel.

  I don’t think I have seen something as sexy as she is right now in a long time.

  It’s not revealing or anything, she just looks so fresh, clean and beautiful. No makeup, no push-up bras, no nothing. Just natural her.

  Fuck, I’m going to be in so much trouble.

  We finish up with me showing her a small chart of what we should be putting into her to get her weight up, and what to use to build her body in a natural way. We could use weight gainers but I don’t trust things like that. So we’re going with proteins and fats, trying to stay away from the carbs. She needs to be eating the right stuff.

  “So what do I do about lunches? I mean, what am I supposed to do about those?”

  “We make your lunches on your days off and get them ready for the week ahead. This is where being inventive comes into effect. You’re going to kill me and yourself if you eat bland-ass chicken breast the whole time.”

  “I mean, maybe a couple days, but yeah… it can’t be fried?”

  “Sometimes, but not every time, it would screw with your diet too much. No, we need to use spices, grills, hot sauces, and curries. Just about everything can be made to taste good if you know what to spice it with.”

  “Okay, I think I can do that… but how expensive is this going to be? I…”

  She stops talking and I can see she has shit going on that she isn’t ready to talk about yet. I want to start prying but I think right now I need her to trust me before she goes into that.

  “I got us on that, I’m in training too. It’s not that much work to add you into the meal planning for food. You, Muffin and I aren’t going to be an issue. I just need to add to whatever I make for myself.”

  At the sound of her name, my beautiful baby comes up to my leg and rests her head on my leg.

  Looking down to her, I say, “Hey, princess. How’s my beautiful girl doing, huh?”

  She gives me those big sad eyes as she sniffs with her nose. She knows how to work me, I swear.

  Grabbing the steak bone off my plate, I hold it down for her to take. Grabbing it, she walks over to her kitchen mat and lies down to gnaw on it.

  Turning back to focus on Christy, I see she is laughing quietly at me. “She’s got you so whipped!”

  Nodding my head, I say, “Yeah, she’s my furry daughter.”

  Shaking her head, she looks down at the chart we’ve been looking at. “So… I can’t pay you for this Alex… I mean, I can fork over most of my checks, but… they aren’t much.”

  I wave my hand dismissively. “Fuck that shit, don’t worry about it. I don’t need the money.”

  Looking at me with suspicion, she asks, “Do you expect a different kind of payment?”

  I know exactly what she means and if she wasn’t so deadly serious I would probably have to crack a joke or something.

  “No, I don’t. Though… if I’m not home, you have to help with Muffin. That sound good?”

  “Seriously? Like what?”

  “Feed her or let her outside to use the bathroom.”

  Nodding her head, she looks to where Muffin is happily destroying the large steak bone I just gave her. She’s not a girly-girl, my Muffin, she’s all brute just like her daddy.

  Standing up from the table, I start gathering up the dishes. “Let’s get these cleaned up and then we can get you set up for lunch tomorrow. How many hours are you working right now?”

  It’s not much longer before I am kicked back in my room, watching TV. Legs kicked up on the bed, Muffin is stretched out beside me. Ruffling her ears, I faintly hear the TV from Christy’s room.

  It’s odd hearing someone else in the house… but it’s also kind of comforting in a weird way. I’ve never had someone else live with me before.

  Chapter Nine

  Christy

  It’s been a hell of a day but I’m having the hardest time falling asleep. The conversation Alex and I had over dinner keeps running through my head.

  He was planning and talking about everything like he’s expecting me to stay here for the long-term. Already planning on what I’m going to eat for the next couple of weeks and everything, like he’s given it a lot of thought.

  I was only planning on taking advantage of his hospitality for a couple of days…

  I tried to point it out to him but he just brushed me off. He told me not to worry about it, but I can’t help but worry about it. He’s giving me so much and for what? Because that’s what fighters do? They help each other? If I was a guy, would he be doing the same for me?

  I’m not so sure.

  I think he’s doing it because I’m a chick and he thinks I need to be taken care of. In his eyes I’m some lost little girl, like orphan Annie or something. But I’m not a little girl, I’m a woman, dammit. I can take care of myself.

  And I contemplate telling him that. My fingers wrap around the door knob and I’m so close to opening it.

  I should march into his room and tell him I’m leaving tomorrow. Nicole will be back from her dad’s. She’ll text me as soon as she gets to her mom’s and gets her phone back.

  But why kick a gift horse in its mouth? Because my pride is hurt? He’s practically handing me that prize purse up on a golden platter, and he’s not even asking for a cut.

  My fingers unwrap from the door knob.

  Would it be so bad to stay here for a few weeks and help him take care of his dog?

  I could save up most of my pay and chip in on the grocery bill. If he does ask me to leave, well, I’ll have a little cushion to fall back on.

  And I’m safe here. If I leave for Nicole’s, in a couple of weeks when she has to stay with her dad again, I’ll be back at square one.

  I should stay, I decide. I should take advantage of his hospitality, and when I win that fight I’ll figure out a way to repay him. Whether it’s a cut of the purse or something else.

  My mind made up, I climb into bed. Sinking into the soft mattr
ess, I tuck the fluffy comforter around me and stare up at the ceiling. Now that I have a plan, now that I’m safe, I can finally close my eyes.

  I can finally sleep.

  * * *

  Once again, I wake up to a big wet tongue licking my cheek.

  “Muffin,” I groan, trying to roll away from her kiss.

  I could have sworn I closed both of my doors last night. Ugh.

  Grabbing a pillow, I use it to cover my head but then she just noses her way under it.

  Dammit.

  Licking whatever she can reach, her tongue drags across my nose and narrowly misses my lips.

  “Okay,” I grumble and sit up, tossing the pillow to the side. “I’m up. I’m up.”

  Muffin barks and wags her tail excitedly from side to side. She’s looks so happy to see me I can’t even stay mad.

  “Good morning, Muffin,” I sigh and give her a pat on the head and a scratch behind her ears. “Just give me a minute to get dressed.”

  She licks my hand before I roll out of bed. Feet hitting the floor, I stand and immediately regret it. Every muscle in my body seems to cry out at once. I feel achy and sore all over, like my body is one big bruise.

  Today is going to be so much fun.

  Stiffly, I shuffle over to the bathroom and take care of my morning business. After pulling on some shorts and a t-shirt, I’m half tempted to just skip my morning run. But if I don’t loosen myself up, tonight I won’t last five minutes with Dale.

  Muffin barks at me impatiently and paces in front of the door.

  “Just a second,” I tell her, digging a bottle of Advil out of my backpack. Tossing back a couple of pills, I walk into the bathroom and rinse them down straight from the faucet.

  “Alright, let’s go,” I tell Muffin and wipe my mouth off with the back of my hand before opening the door.

  Like yesterday, Muffin races down the stairs ahead of me. This time though I don’t even try to keep up with her. My thighs are so sore, each step down is its own special kind of torture.

  “Good morning,” Alex greets me as I walk stiffly into the kitchen.

  Standing in front of the island, he looks so refreshed and well-rested I can’t help but resent him a little for it.

  “Good morning,” I nod at him.

  Eyes twinkling, he’s practically laughing at me as I stiffly shuffle towards the back door.

  “Want to sit this one out?” he asks, coming up behind me.

  My pride pricked, I sharply shake my head.

  “Want some Advil?”

  “I just tossed a couple back.”

  “Smart girl.”

  I cringe, there’s that stupid girl word again.

  “I’ll be okay once I warm up,” I growl. “Old man.”

  Alex laughs and I yank the door open. Muffin squeezes out ahead of me. Walking out, I’m half tempted to slam the door on his big head but he grabs it and holds it open.

  Muffin barks excitedly and darts forward.

  I step to the side and start my stretches. Taking a deep breath, I exhale as I bend forward and touch my toes. The door clicks as it shuts and I look up.

  “You don’t have to wait on me,” I tell Alex. “I’ll catch up in a minute.”

  Alex’s eyes slide to the side, looking at Muffin. “It’s no problem.”

  Straightening, I snort and bend my right leg. Grabbing it, I take another breath then pull it up. Already, I can feel myself loosening up and my muscles relaxing.

  “What?” Alex asks, looking back at me and crossing his arms over his chest.

  “You’re such a gentleman,” I say teasingly, balancing on one leg.

  Alex snorts and shakes his head. “I am not a gentleman.”

  Lifting my chin up, I feel my spine straightening as I smirk up at him. “Are too.”

  “Am not,” Alex grumbles as I drop my right leg.

  Shrugging, I say, “If you say so,” and bend my left leg. Grabbing my foot, I lift my chin into the air.

  “Would a gentleman do this?” Alex asks before stepping forward and giving me a little push.

  Knocked off balance, I cry out but catch myself at the last moment. Before I can retaliate, Alex laughs and takes off running.

  I can’t just let him get away with that.

  “Hey!” I yell out, chasing after him. “You’re going to pay for that, Old Man!”

  “Bring it, Runt!” he yells out and speeds off.

  Muffin yaps happily, looking between us, but ultimately she decides to catch up with him.

  With the two of them so far ahead of me it gives me a target to focus on. I drop my chin and pump my knees as fast as I can, but Alex runs twice as fast as he did yesterday and I seriously struggle to catch up to them.

  Even the dog is beating me, and I’m not sure if it’s because they were taking it easy on me yesterday or if today I just suck ass.

  About halfway through the lap, Alex seems to take pity on me and his pace slows.

  Coming up beside him, Alex glances over at me with some concern and asks, “Are you okay?”

  I know I must look like a hot mess. I’m breathing loudly and I’m already drenched in sweat. I also know I’m going to regret pushing myself this hard tonight when Dale gets his hands on me, but I just can’t let Alex win. It goes against every one of my instincts.

  Rolling my eyes, I reach over and give him a little shove.

  He stumbles and yells out. “Fuck!”

  I laugh and run ahead of him. “Payback is a bitch!”

  The rest of the lap I manage to stay in front of Alex but I suspect it’s only because he’s letting me do it. By the time I see his house on the horizon, I’m so pooped I’m ready to pass out right then and there.

  My pace slows a little early to a fast walk and once again I have to put my hands on my thighs and bend forward to catch my breath.

  When I glance up, I get an eyeful of Alex’s ripped, glistening abdomen as he uses his shirt to wipe the sweat off of his face.

  I can’t look away. My eyes flow over each bulging ridge, tracing all of his lines and grooves. I zoom in on the waistband of his shorts. I want to pull it down. I want to see what he’s packing.

  I don’t look away fast enough. His shirt drops and I look up in surprise. His dark eyes catch mine and hold me.

  I was struggling to catch my breath and now I can’t breathe. My lungs freeze behind my ribs.

  We stare at each other and I don’t know what to say. Fuck. Should I apologize? He must think I’m such a pervert.

  “I’ve got to get ready for work,” I blurt out and run into the house.

  * * *

  I’m a coward. I could have apologized to Alex. I could have stuck around to see what he had to say. Instead, I ran away like a scaredy-cat. And now I’m scared to death to go back downstairs to face him at breakfast.

  How can I ever look him in the eye again?

  After a long, lukewarm shower, I’ve cooled myself down physically but I just can’t get the picture of him out of my head.

  There’s something about him that makes me feel both uneasy and tingling with excitement.

  When I think of his body, and all the skin I’ve yet to glimpse, I get this strange knot twisting deep in my stomach and I have the strongest urge to do something about it.

  But what?

  Fuck if I know. This is all virgin territory for me, both figuratively and literally.

  Digging my cellphone out of my backpack, I desperately check it, hoping there’s a text from Nicole, but I have zero messages. She must not be back from her dad’s yet.

  Dammit.

  If I don’t head downstairs soon I’m going to be late for work. I guess there’s nothing else to do but face the music. Packing all my stuff up, I sling my backpack over my shoulder and head down.

  Alex is in the kitchen, still cooking up breakfast. He nods at me from behind the stove as I walk in and points to a plate on the table. “That’s yours.”

  I pause for a moment, waiting
for him to remark on my ogling of him but he doesn’t mention it.

  I guess we’re just going to pretend it didn’t happen, and I’m totally good with that.

  Walking over to the table, I eye the plate and then shoot him a confused look. “That’s too much.”

  “I’m sure you can manage it,” he says, looking over at me before focusing back on his bacon.

  With a sigh, I drop down to my seat and rest my bag against the chair. Picking up my fork, I eye the pile of scrambled eggs he gave me.

  “Is this payback for pushing you earlier?” I ask, scooping up a bite.

  He shoots me a look and says, “No,” but there’s a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. “This is to help you start gaining.”

  “Mmmhmm,” I hum skeptically, scooping another bite into my mouth.

  After about four more bites, I’m completely stuffed but there’s still a pretty sizable pile on my plate.

  “How many eggs did you give me?” I ask.

  “Three,” he answers, layering bacon on a plate.

  Ugh. Two is usually my max.

  “There’s no way I can eat all of it,” I groan and push away my plate.

  “If you want to win that five grand in six weeks you’ll clean your plate.”

  I shoot him a dirty look but he’s not even looking my way. He’s right, of course, but that doesn’t make swallowing the eggs down any easier.

  Pulling my plate back, I dig back in.

  I finish off half the pile left on the plate before he sits down at the table to join me.

  “Bacon?” he asks, nudging the plate towards me.

  I shake my head and press my lips together. I wonder if I look as green as I feel.

  He laughs and crunches down on a crispy piece.

  Bite by bite, I finish off the pile. By the time I reach the bottom, I’m so full I feel like I’m going to pop.

  “You sure you don’t want any bacon?” he asks, waving a piece at me.

  Groaning, I lean back in my chair. “If I eat another bite I’m going to puke.”

  He makes a face and pulls the bacon back. “Save that shit for Dale.”

  “You don’t think he’s going to push me as hard today, do you?” I ask, seriously hoping not.