by Rina Gray
“You can’t be serious.”
“I’m kidding, Peaches. But it is nice to blow off some steam. You should try it one day.” He snapped his fingers. “Hey, maybe that’ll be our next thing.”
Folding her arms, she slumped back onto the sofa. “Or not. I’m not into sports. Or fighting.”
He stood and shook out the stiffness in his arms and legs. “If you change your mind, I’ll be at Urgo’s Body Shop. Seven o’clock.”
She stood and walked him to the door. “Don’t expect me, but good luck. I’d hate for someone to smash in the only thing you have going for you.”
“Ha, ha.” He turned and leaned against the doorframe so their bodies were only inches apart. He was drowning. Drowning in a pair of pretty brown eyes. Tense seconds became a minute, or was it more? He’d lost track of time.
Gasping, she jumped back. She shook her head and sank perfect white teeth into a pair of plump lips. She followed it up with a slow, innocent lick.
Damn, but he wanted to retrace the path of her tongue. Reaching for her shoulders, he pulled her closer. Their bodies now stood flush against each other. “Peaches—”
She pushed away from his chest. “See you on Monday.”
Clenching his jaw, he closed his eyes for patience. She isn’t ready.
Pushing off the frame, he stepped outside the open door. “Bye, Tiana.”
“Bye, Nathan.” She quickly closed the door.
“You can hide for a little while, Peaches,” he whispered. “But I’ll be back.”
• • •
“We’re losing!” Julia lamented, blowing her fiery red hair from her eyes.
Tiana washed her hands and glanced into the mirror, eyeing her intern pacing behind her, wringing pale hands.
“Julia. What did I tell you about impromptu bathroom meetings?”
She loved her intern to pieces, but the girl lived and breathed work. Julia often followed Tiana into the bathroom to discuss topics that could have been sent via email.
“Yes, I know, but it’s important. Mr. Lawson’s video about Jake being the everyday man is beating out our many-faces-of-Jake video.”
The back of Tiana’s neck bristled, and she stiffened her shoulders. Her video and Nathan’s were filmed nearly a month ago and launched last week. They still had eleven weeks left to battle it out, but the initial performance was outstanding.
“What are the stats?”
“Our videos are a combined twenty-two thousand and ten views behind his videos.”
“When did you last check the numbers?”
“Seven minutes ago.”
“All right. We can still rebound. I’ll send out an e-blast to a few of my blogger pals, but views aren’t everything. Engagement is important. How many comments do we have?”
“We are slightly above in the comments. Lots of women are commenting on the video with his nieces and nephews. We have eleven hundred and ten comments. Nathaniel has seven hundred and eight.”
Yes!
Tiana tried to channel Queen Elizabeth’s regal head nod. “Good. Keep me posted. But again, Julia, you could’ve emailed.”
The intern pouted and crossed her arms. “Mr. Lawson is always staring at you or looking over your shoulder. I don’t trust email as a safe form of communication anymore.”
Sighing, Tiana rubbed her wet hands under the air dryer. “Fine,” she yelled over the noise. “Send me a report on our numbers versus his, and I’ll review them at home.”
“You got it, boss!” Julia saluted and rushed out of the restroom.
Gripping the sink, Tiana leaned over and stared at herself in the mirror. Somehow, she and Nathan had become … something. And it blurred her defined lines of separating work life from personal life. Nathan is … Shit! I’m calling him Nathan? She paced in front of the mirror, willing herself to remember if she had said it out loud. The man was trying to worm himself into her life, and she was letting him. Stick to the plan and get this promotion. Put your education to good use and be a great example for Casey and Courtney.
She splashed water on her face and then patted it dry. “You can still be his friend but stay focused.”
Chapter Fifteen
Nathan strode into their office and plopped down two light-gray tickets on the edge of her desk.
Tiana pushed away from the keyboard, eyes drawn to his watchful expression. “I suppose these are tickets to the next adventure you have lined up for us.”
His eyes scanned her outfit. “That’s right.”
Tiana hid a smile. She’d known when she put on the fiery red pantsuit and her leopard-print heels, that Nathan would appreciate the bold pairing. Her bra and panties matched her shoes. Not that he’ll ever see me in my underwear … again.
“Let me guess … we’re going to a Broadway show?” Her lip twitched. No way in hell would he sit down for a stage play.
Nathan slid his tongue across his bottom lip. “Don’t think so, Peaches. Guess again.”
“A quiet evening of culture and introspection at the Museum of Modern Art?”
“No, but you’re getting warmer. Some may call what you’ll be watching a work of art.” Wiggling his eyebrows, he gave her a half smile.
Tiana full on smiled, liking their game. “We’re going to engage our olfactory systems at the Botanical Gardens.”
Nathan leaned against his desk and shook his head again. “You’re terrible at this game. Give up?”
“Yes, I give up.” Truth be told, she was excited to spend another day outside of work with Nathan. Fiete had kept them busy since they launched the campaigns online. She’d stay tense until they declared a winner.
“Those tickets are ringside seats for you and a friend to watch me fight.”
Tiana’s stomach dropped. Not what she had in mind. She’d much rather spend the evening doing the wild guesses she’d offered earlier.
The thought of someone punching his face in had once appealed to her, but now she kind of liked that face. Besides, boxing was messy and uncontrolled with gratuitous violence.
“I hope those tickets are refundable because there is no way I’m going to see you get your face smashed in.”
She shivered at the memory of one of her mother’s exes. He was big into boxing and even bigger into reenacting his moves on her mother. For one year straight, he would drive up their cable bill with pay-per-view fights, often forcing her mother and siblings to watch with him. “I … I just can’t do it, Nathan.”
“Why not, Peaches?”
“One of Katherine’s … men. He used to enjoy … ” She took a deep breath. “He competed in some amateur boxing league, and he was violent and took out his fighting skills and … and aggression on my mother.”
His nostrils flared, and he gripped his fist. “Did he ever touch you and the twins?”
She shook her head. “No. I made sure we were out of his way. I made Courtney and Casey go to bed early when he slept over.”
He nodded and took a seat in the chair in front of her desk. “I can understand why this would be terrorizing. The tickets are non refundable because the proceeds are going to the winner’s charity of choice but I’ll—”
“It’s for charity?”
“Yeah. I fight for a foundation that helps kids with cancer.”
She groaned and leaned back in her chair. Could this man get any nicer?
“Don’t worry about it, Peaches. I can see why attending a boxing match would be a trigger for you, and I can’t imagine what you and your family must’ve gone through.”
Massaging her temples, she thought through her options. She wanted to face her fear and be brave. She also wanted to support Nathan. “Is it violent? A lot of blood and gore?”
Nathan chuckled. “It’s not so violent where I can’t come into work. I can’t have an ugly mug for the clients.” He gave her a crooked smile, and her silly little heart fluttered.
“And besides, I’m the undefeated champion. No way is that kid taking my title.”
“You’re fighting a kid?”
“No, the guy is twenty-one.”
Huffing, Tiana jerked out of her seat and paced the floor. “That doesn’t make me feel better. He’s a decade younger and probably in better shape.”
Nathan narrowed those chocolate eyes. “Now you’re just being rude. I’ll be fine. Like I said, I’m the defending champ and want you to be there.”
“Why?” She stopped pacing and crossed her arms. “Why do you want me to be there?”
“Because I want you to try new things and I … I want you in my corner.”
Her heart trilled at his confession. Nathan wants me to be in his corner? Maybe the attraction she felt wasn’t totally one-sided. Actually, she knew he was attracted to her, but he was attracted to lots of women. Surely the horndog wouldn’t care who cheered him on.
“I’m still not sure that I want to see sweaty men beating each other uncontrollably. I don’t get why people want to see that type of violence.” Not to mention she’d seen violence every day in her old neighborhood. She didn’t need a reminder, even in a ring, that people were basically animals.
“You’re wrong, Tiana. Boxing takes discipline and control. There are rules and order. It’s an art and a dance. I think if you come to the match, you’ll see that. Look, I’m not going to force you to go, but the match is tomorrow night at seven o’clock. I hope to see you there.”
• • •
Tapping her fingers to her lips, Tiana sighed at the image in the body-length mirror. She stared at her outfit, an all-black jumpsuit that tied at the waist. She twirled, rethinking the spiky black shoes and gold head chain with a sparkly jewel resting on the top of her forehead. A little over the top, given the venue, but what the hell? Maybe she would embarrass Nathan enough that he’d never ask her to go to another barbaric match again.
“You ready yet?” Mel yelled from the living room.
“Just about.” Well, physically she was ready but nowhere near mentally.
Dabbing some perfume behind her ears, she studied her image again. All right. Here goes.
• • •
A line wrapped around the brick entertainment center in the heart of Brooklyn. Tiana opened her small clutch and took out the two tickets Nathan had given her.
“Deep breaths, T,” Mel whispered in her ear. Her best friend knew her feelings about going to the match and had been more than happy to accompany her.
Mel pointed to another line that was much smaller. “That must be the VIP line, and VIP is written on our tickets. Let’s get you out of this cold weather. You’re shivering.”
Tiana didn’t realize she was shaking and tried to rub away the goose bumps that had formed along her forearm. The chilly forty-degree temperature didn’t have her shaking. No, she was out of her comfort zone. What if something happened to Nathan? She’d seen Million Dollar Baby. Some boxers were brutal and had no honor.
They moved through the VIP line quickly. Mel elbowed Tiana and gave her big eyes.
Oh, the tickets. Tiana tore at the perforated line, thrust the stubs to the doorman, and reluctantly stepped through the doorway.
Her roomie looked around and smiled. “This is gonna be awesome!”
Rolling her eyes, Tiana gulped a deep breath and took in the crowd. More diverse than she would have guessed. Young and old dressed from casual to corporate milled about the lobby. She was still a bit overdressed but not so much that people would stare.
Mel grabbed her arm and redirected them to a beverage kiosk. “Let’s get you a drink.”
Tiana nodded, knowing she wouldn’t get through this event without liquid courage. Leaning in, she waved to catch the attention of the bartender. “I’ll have a Cosmo and, oh, do you have freshly squeezed lime juice?”
The short, stocky bartender cocked his bald head. “Lady, this is a boxing match. We don’t have Cosmos.”
“Of course you don’t,” she mumbled under her breath. Mel laughed behind her.
“What do you have that’s close?”
“Vodka and cranberry juice.”
“Fine.” Tiana sighed as she grabbed her wallet. “Make it a double.” She stepped to the side as Mel placed an order. A group of teens with matching white shirts that read *TeamBeast Help Us Knock Out Cancer! caught her attention. She smiled, remembering the match was for charity. But who in the hell would call himself a beast?
Mel tapped Tiana’s shoulder. “Your drink, m’lady! I got us some Fireball shots, too.”
Tossing one back, Tiana shivered at the warmth that spread from her chest to her stomach.
“Let’s find our seats.” Mel scooped Tiana’s drink from the stand and handed it to her as they entered the arena.
“Good idea. Hopefully our seats are far away from the action.”
Mel sipped her drink and winced. “You do realize we have ringside seats?” She pointed to chairs taped with a sign that read “Peaches plus 1.” “Looks like we’re front and center. Sorry, T.” Her voice sounded sad, but her eyes danced with excitement. The sports junkie was in her element. But Tiana was out of hers, and her nerves were stretched tighter than a rubber band.
“This is going to be so much fun, you’ll see!” Mel shouted into Tiana’s ear and patted her leg after they were seated.
Tiana rolled her eyes. “Says the sports journalist.”
The announcer’s booming voice cut through her thoughts and amped the crowd. “Ladies and gents. The first fight for tonight. Mitch ‘Iron Jaw’ Jones versus Samuel ‘The Boss’ Drummond.” The bell rang, and the opponents proceeded to beat the crap out of each other. At least two hundred bloodthirsty spectators clapped, yelled, and screamed for their fighter.
Have we not evolved since the days of gladiators?
Melanie proved they had not when she jumped out of her seat as the boxer in the royal blue shorts was punched to the ground. “I knew he was going down!” She bumped Tiana’s shoulder and laughed. “Iron Jaw, my ass!”
Tiana downed the rest of her cranberry and vodka. Should’ve asked for a triple.
Two fights later, the crowd was even more electric. The spectators were restless and energized as they began the chants for the Beast. Mel chimed in and nudged her elbow into Tiana’s side to join the cult.
Tiana shook her head. “I’m not yelling for some guy named the Beast. I don’t even know him and when in the hell is Nathan going to—”
The lights dimmed, cutting off the rant.
“Ladies and gentlemen. The moment you’ve been waiting for. Our headliner. Five knock-outs, twenty-two wins, and the undefeated champ, Nathan ‘The Beaaaaaaaaaaaaasssssst’ Lawson!”
Tiana spat out the ice cube she’d been sucking on. Turning to Mel, she saw her bestie’s mouth moving but couldn’t hear over the pandemonium. Then she frowned. More signs and cheers were from women than men.
Nathan plus groupies equals danger.
The goose bumps from earlier made another appearance, this time all over her body. She held her breath, waiting for Nathan to arrive.
Her eyes were drawn to a hooded figure punching the air with jabs, hooks, and uppercuts. Then someone lowered the rope around the ring, and the hero stepped onto the sea of blue mats as if he owned the place. The announcer introduced the Hawk, Nathan’s opponent, but she didn’t spare the other man a glance.
She had the sudden urge to throw back his hood and stare at his face. “Take it off. Take it off.” Tiana swung her head, making sure no one—mainly Mel—heard her. But it was impossible to hear over the yelling. Nathan lifted his hand, a signal for the crowd to calm, and then ripped off his black robe.
A whoosh of breath rushed from Tiana’s lungs. The black Adonis held her captive. The chestnut face she knew so well wore his signature gleaming goatee. The hair on his head sported so many waves she could get seasick.
He wore a cocky grin when the ring girl walked over and planted a kiss on his lips.
Tiana squeezed the empty plastic cup in her hand until it cracked.
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“We love you, Beast!” Mel yelled from beside her, breaking Tiana’s anger.
His attention snapped to Tiana. His eyes—goodness gracious, his chocolate eyes—focused on her. She drank him in like the cool and crisp Cosmos she so loved. The warm feeling that had settled in her stomach from the Fireball she’d slung back re-emerged and traveled straight to her core. Then the referee yelled for a clean fight and made the opponents slap gloves. With a swagger of a gazillionaire, Nathan backed into his corner.
The bell rang.
Chapter Sixteen
The ringing bell snatched the opponents’ attention and rendered Tiana frozen in her seat. Nathan bounced on his feet and raised his fists, protecting his chin and cheek. The Hawk attacked. His arm sliced the air, but his punch didn’t land. Ducking, Nathan then countered with a right hook to the stomach and a swift uppercut. The punch to the chin jarred his opponent, and the spiky-haired fighter jerked his body and grunted.
“Kick his ass, Beast!” Mel yelled and pumped her fist in the air.
“Shushhh!” Tiana grabbed her friend’s arm and squeezed. Mel was going to get them kicked out.
“Girl, this isn’t the opera. You can clap, jump, and scream if you want.”
Shaking her head, Tiana focused on the match then wished she hadn’t. The Hawk landed a blow to Nathan’s side, causing him to stumble.
Tiana jumped from her seat. “C’mon. Don’t let him hurt you!” Warmth flooded her cheeks at her involuntary outburst.
“There you go, T. Cheer for your man!”
Nathan’s eyes briefly left his opponent and zeroed in on Tiana. Time slowed, and the heavy ba-dump of her heart replaced the roar from the crowd. His chocolate eyes caressed her skin, and his razor-sharp smile boasted his imminent victory. It was oddly comforting and she couldn’t block the smile that grew from her heart.
He refocused barely in time to avoid the Hawk’s fist. Nathan sidestepped and slammed a fist into his rival’s face. He hit him again, driving the man into the corner. From her seat, she could only see Nathan’s back muscles contract and flex as he pummeled the Hawk against the ropes.