Leveled

by TC Matson

  “Sunshine, stop,” I interrupt her again.

  She rolls her wet eyes to me. “What if that was me?”

  I swallow the glass shards in my tight throat. “I don’t know what I would’ve done if it were you. I’m sure I’d be in jail for murdering everyone in a ten-foot radius.” I tuck my finger under her chin and pull her face to mine. “Paige, it was unexpected. No one saw it coming and Ryker trusted his brother with her. Adam’s like my brother and I trust you to him. Somewhere something got tangled up. Miscommunicated. I wouldn’t let you get hurt, Paige. I wouldn’t.”

  She moves, cuddling back into my side. “She looked so bad when she was asking questions. I didn’t know what to tell her.” She wipes her cheek.

  “You handled it well. I watched you. You shifted the conversation to something better. The injuries on the outside will heal and she’ll be just as pretty as she was. She’ll be okay, Sunshine. You have her number now. You can call and talk to her anytime. Although I did almost ripped your phone out your hands when you gave Ryker your number.” I chuckle.

  She gulps. “You didn’t mind, did you? I didn’t think about it.”

  Kissing the top of her head, I say, “I know you were doing it for Whitney. You two seem to have a lot in common.”

  She pushes up to look at me. “Oh yeah?”

  I arch a brow. “You’re both with hot-headed fighters. You both deal with our flaws, our tempers, and our circumstances.”

  She blinks away. “Yeah. I guess.”

  “You know when you went for your breather, he apologized for stooping so low?” I tell her.

  Her eyes widen. “You didn’t…lose your temper?”

  I shake my head. “I took it without replying. Wrong time for me to act out on my anger.”

  She kisses my chest and pats it. “You’re a good man, Levi Stiles.”

  I chuckle, pulling her closer into me. “All thanks to you, Mrs. Stiles.”

  It’s an honest reply. She makes me better.

  I’m not interested in having her moan my name tonight. Instead, I want to hold her. I’m fighting off the same images flashing behind my eyes as she’s is experiencing.

  What if that was Paige? I’d lose my mind, snapping into the unknown, diving head first into a demented stage of anger without a way to pull me back out and into reality. I’d be fucked without her.

  I kiss the side of her head again. “I love you,” I whisper. “I’ve got you. You’re safe. Sleep, baby.”

  Chapter 12

  Two months after Whitney’s attack…

  “Do what?” I squeak, not believing for one second I just heard Levi right.

  He tightens his mouth, glaring at me with as much disbelief and opens the car door for me to get in. I study him as he walks around the front and then slides in and starts it.

  That’s it. Levi has lost his mind. He’s been hit too many times in the head and is now suffering from some damage that’s caused him to go bonkers.

  “I—”

  “I might hate the motherfucker,” he interrupts, “but I wouldn’t have done a damn thing differently,” he says, keeping his view on the road.

  I suck a breath. “You’re being serious?”

  “Yeah.” I don’t think he believes what he’s saying.

  I rest my head back and close my eyes. “How do you know you won’t lose your temper and, since you’re on his turf, get hurt?”

  An evil chuckle fills the car’s cab. “Turf? Like we’ve got a damn turf war outside of the cage?” He shakes his head. “I’m willing to chance it.”

  “Levi. I don’t think you going to Ryker is a smart idea.”

  His jaw ticks. “You heard Matt. They’re punishing him for being a man. How screwed up is that? They actually expected him to fight even though his girl was half dead. You saw her. I work for these heartless sonsofbitches. I may not give two shits about Ryker as a fighter, but as a man…” He trails off, not liking that taste in his mouth. “He’s got a few days to make a decision. I think if he and I showed up and had a sit down with the head honchos, maybe—”

  “Why you?” I cut him off. “What do you bring to his table?”

  He peers at me from the corners of his eyes. “The same reason you think it’s a horrible idea. We’re rivals. We’re not just competitors paid to act like we don’t like each other. We both genuinely despise one another. We’ve been at war since the beginning, never a nice thing to say and always ready to rip each other apart. Imagine their surprise when we’re shoulder to shoulder challenging them.”

  “What’s your gain, though? Why would you care if you hate him so badly?”

  We stop at a red light and he twists toward me. “As much as I despise the fucker, he’s good at what he does. I’d dare to say he’s my only competition. The association needs us both. Look around, Paige. You’re either team Leveler or team Striker, and that’s how it’s been for as long as I can remember. Our hatred pays us. Our feud pushes us to always stay on top. I’m untouchable and I got that way by bulldozing past him.”

  “There will be another team opponent in the pros, Levi. I think your idea is ludicrous.”

  He chuckles taking back off as the light turns green. “Good. Maybe it’ll stun those fucknuts up top, too.”

  We pull into the driveway and head into the house. He’s been quiet, sitting on the couch watching the sports channel when I join him.

  I think he’s crazy, but his crazy is what makes me love him. His hot and cold…I sigh. “When are we going?”

  The air crackles as the energy shifts and everything becomes charged like moments before lightning strikes. He snaps his head to me. “You’re not.”

  That most definitely was a growl.

  “Oh…”

  “When I see you two together, I think about you two together. Shit I don’t want to know the answer to. Fuck. That. I had to endure enough of it while we sat in that little ass hospital waiting room. I’m going in level headed. Murdering him won’t help him.”

  Chapter 13

  The other day, Matt spewed all of Ryker’s business and how the MMAT knuckleheads are denying him any chance to get into the pros because of what happened. That sparked something inside of me. Something manly. Something…fuck it. I can’t explain it, but even so, I object to their decision for him protecting what’s his. He’s a man, doing what men do, and for them to think it should be any differently, well that doesn’t settle well with me.

  Matt inadvertently, with much subtle coaxing, dropped everything I needed to know about Ryker’s gym. And here I am, checking my “cool” at the door and stepping into it with balls of steel. Who the hell knows where this will lead.

  His gym is clean but smells like a man runs it, or at least this part. Matt said it was a two-part deal and Ryker’s was the back. It’s full of every MMA fighter’s needs, kept up, and ready for use.

  Whitney’s arms are wrapped around his neck and I’m about to interrupt their sweet little precious moment with a flood of confusion.

  Ryker spots me and moves Whitney to his side, swelling up. “What the fuck are you doing here?” he snarls.

  Told you. Anger and turmoil splatter his face and I’m certain his pulse just picked the fuck up. He’s ready for war, except I’m not here for that.

  “Nice place you got here.” I glance around.

  I just tossed all my cards out on the table for Ryker. I’m keeping myself in check even through the animosity, through the bullshit he keeps spewing. We’re both stubborn as fuck. I get it. I’d be leery too if the situation was reversed and he stood in my gym offering help.

  Ryker takes a moment to sort through his thoughts. He needs it. It’s a fucked up situation. It also gives me time to recoup and settle my nerves.

  “What happens if they don’t take it?” Ryker says with his girl Whitney sitting beside him on the ring.

  She’s been trying to convince him to jump on board with me. I don’t have all the answers but a ‘fuck it, let’s try it’ plan is b
etter than lying down and being a bitch about it.

  “You coach. Word is coaches can call each other out and land some fun in the ring.” I smirk ‘cause I know I’m lighting the right fuse. No denying he wants a rematch. “Or you can lie down like a pussy and do nothing,” I add just because I’m an asshole.

  He shoves off the ring, puffing up his chest as he stalks to me. “I’ve got a ring right here. I can remind you who’ll lie down first.”

  Last I remember, I won while everyone watched. “And let the world miss it? Sounds like you’re more worried about a second loss than I thought.”

  “You won’t win again,” he replies and I almost burst with laughter. “Maybe we should settle our animosity.”

  This time I can’t hold it back and I laugh. “Are you wanting to be my friend now? Sounds like it.”

  “Says the man in my gym, trying to convince me to master a plan to get me back.”

  Having morals doesn’t make me anyone’s friend. I grin, biting back my remarks.

  “What’s the saying? Keep your friends close but your enemies closer?” Ryker narrows his eyes.

  I hate the taste in my mouth. “Do I despise your worthless ass? Abso-fucking-lutely. But you’re my only real competition in the sport. I’ve taken a liking to you. You remind me of myself.”

  “You basically stated you don’t like yourself.”

  I nod because I handed him a compliment and hate myself for giving him the satisfaction. “I did. I can be a nasty motherfucker when I want.” I glance to Whitney whose brown eyes are full of hope and worry. It’s the same look Paige gives me when she wants me to succeed. “Besides, seems we both have some new shine in our lives.”

  “I’ll set the meeting up. I’m not happy about this, but it’s worth a fucking try.”

  I tip my chin. “No one says you have to be happy.”

  I leave, pushing out the door, and take a long and deep as hell breath. “What the hell am I doing?” I sigh, making my way to the car.

  I open the door to the hotel room. The sense of emptiness rattles my memories to the days when I used to travel alone, and I miss the hell out of Paige. Times have changed significantly. She’s no longer someone I yearn for and chase. Someone I only dream about.

  I grab my phone and call my wife.

  “How’d it go? Are you in jail? You didn’t fight, did you?” she rushes out in a panic.

  I belt out a laugh. “Take a breath, Sunshine. All went fine.”

  She sighs in relief and I can picture her sinking back into the couch. “Did he take the offer?”

  “Sounds like it. He’s got to set up the meeting and get back with me.”

  “When are you coming back home?” she asks.

  “Why? You missing me?”

  “Don’t act like that empty hotel room isn’t making you think of me,” she states with so much sass my dick twitches.

  “What are you wearing?” I ask dropping my voice low. I used to always try to get her to have phone sex with me while I traveled, but I could never get her to cross over.

  She hums and then softly giggles. “Oh no you don’t.”

  I hit the video call and hear her titter before switching it. Her hair is pulled back and she’s wearing… “Is that one of my shirts?”

  Her face crumples. “Nooo.”

  “You do miss me,” I say. “You wear it while playing with yourself?”

  “Levi,” her hiss titters.

  “So you were saying something about missing me and desperate to feel my dick. Go on. Continue.”

  She bites her lip. “I’m not doing that.”

  “It’s been a long time since I’ve had to beg for it,” I tell her.

  “Come home and you won’t have to beg.”

  “I love it when you talk dirty to me. What will you do to me?” I ask.

  She narrows her eyes. “I’m not falling for that.

  I pull my hard dick out and lower the camera for her to see me stroke it. “See what you’ve already started?”

  Her eyes are frantically darting around.

  “Will you start when I walk through the door?” I ask, my voice thick as I grasp my dick.

  “When you get home, you’ll see. You need to wait on me,” she says.

  I give her a pointed stare, lowering my brow. “Either I’m jacking off to your face right now, or I’ll be handling it in the shower.”

  Her teeth scrape her lip. “What will you be thinking of in the shower?”

  “Fucking you, bent over the couch…”

  Her green beauties glaze over. Yeah. My wife loves my dick. What’s not to love? It delivers exceptionally every damn time.

  “Sounds like you need to hurry home.”

  I chuckle, tucking him back under my shorts. “I’ll be there tomorrow afternoon.”

  “I’ll be home around three, after my shift.”

  I nod and then laugh. “I never thought I’d say this, but I miss this part of traveling. Watching you get all nervous and wound up.”

  “All for you to unwind, baby,” she purrs. “I’ve got to go. Holly wants me to go and help her pick out a birthday surprise for Matt. I love you.”

  “I love you,” I tell her and we hang up.

  Tossing my phone to the table, I look around me. I can’t believe this used to be my life—hotels and phone calls. Before Paige, the rooms would be full of women all very eager to have their way with me. Since Paige, if she doesn’t come with me, they’re empty and I’m always rocking a stiffy eager to have my way with her. If she’s here, well, I’m rocking into her with a stiffy, eager to hear her come for me.

  I sigh, resting my head on the back of the couch. My dick throbs to feel her. It’s been a week…no fucking thanks to Mother Nature. Moving my shorts, I pull my dick back out and fist it, stroking it from base to tip and back down.

  Images of Paige bent over the couch, her smooth naked skin glistening from sweat, her hair wrapped around my hand, flash behind my eyes. I pump harder. Her ass bouncing off my hips as my rock hard cock sinks into her. The way she pants for me, her mouth parted, her bottom lip a little swollen from biting her moans back.

  The pressure builds, rising and falling, spreading from my stomach, through my nuts to my thighs.

  She comes for me, crying out my name, her pussy constricting my dick, her body shuddering.

  My dick pulses and I grip it tighter, quickening my pace, pumping and imagining Paige’s eyes. Those damn eyes. Full of wild bliss.

  I grit my teeth and hiss as I barrel into my climax, nutting so hard, my body cross-fires and seizes as I stroke like a fucking seventeen-year-old virgin.

  Dropping my arms to the side, I blink up to the ceiling.

  Empty hotel room. Nut on my stomach…

  I burst out laughing still a little breathless. “Alone and jacking off. Hello, old life.”

  Me: You were fucking amazing.

  Paige: No you didn’t?

  Me: I’ll show you what you were doing when I get home.

  Chapter 14

  I pull into the driveway and make my way into the house. Paige won’t be home for another forty-five minutes, so I take a shower, determined to get the plane germs off me.

  My phone’s ringing as I dry off, and when I snatch it up, it’s the last person I care to think about.

  “Yeah?” I answer, still not happy about this ordeal.

  “The meet is in Vegas in two days,” Ryker grumbles into the phone.

  “Damn they fucking move fast,” I say. “I’ll meet you at the coffee shop in LAS.”

  “Why the fuck are you doing this for me, man?” Ryker asks.

  “Same reason why you’re willing to try it.”

  “Yeah? Why do you want me back in the league?”

  “How else will I kick your ass in front of the world…again,” I add for extra pleasure.

  “I’ll see you in the cage again. You can bet your life fucking savings,” he growls.

  “Can’t get there without being in the pr
oooos,” I say slowly, drawing it out. “Besides, I may fucking despise you, but man to man, I respect what you did.”

  “I’ll see you at your dainty coffee shop,” he gruffs and then hangs up.

  Grabbing a water out of the fridge, I see Paige’s coffee cup and breakfast bowl sitting in the sink, so I wash them, dry them, and put them away.

  Hell yeah, I just heard you moan my name.

  Studies show if the man helps out with household chores, the man gets more sex. Now wait a minute, before you go and get your panties in a twist, I’m about to tell you the sexiest thing you’ve ever heard besides my name—even taking sex out of the equation, men should help. Paige isn’t the only one eating or drinking in this house. Yes, those were her dishes, but what about the other times she’s washed mine?

  Now, I’d love to use Paige as what I eat off daily. Trust me, I won’t grumble when I have to do those dishes, but us husbands, we don’t need an excuse to pick up a rag or slap on an apron to dance our frilly asses around. We should just do it. But it’s no damn secret if you wield a dish towel it’s instant irresistibility, which will garner you some straight-up “happy wife” sex.

  Go ahead, ladies. Highlight this and show your husbands—Levi approves.

  Paige pushes through the door and drops her purse on the table before wrapping her arms around my neck.

  “I’ve missed you,” she says into the crook of my neck.

  “Had I known you’d miss me this much, I would’ve left a long time ago.”

  She swats my chest and stretches to kiss me, except, I’ve got other plans. I pull away.

  “I beat you home. Therefore, I’m starting the moment you walk through the door.”

  A sexy ass smile quirks her lips. “Oh, yeah?”

  I dip my head and gently bite her neck, backing her up until her back hits the door. “My starting point,” I tell her, tugging her shirt over her head.

  “Safe to say you missed me?” she breathes.

  I flick my view to her and then unsnap her bra allowing her gorgeous tits to be set free. I cup them, kneading them, and nip her bottom lip.