by Alta Hensley
Then, all of a sudden, just as I was about to accept that this was the way things were going to go and there wasn’t a damn thing I could do about it, Mateo completely switched everything around by yanking me upright toward him and pressing his body up against mine. As we kissed, I wrapped my arms and legs automatically around him, claiming him as my own. I held him as close as I possibly could, melding our bodies together.
Mateo moved himself into a standing position with me still wrapped around him, and he moved us over to the wall behind him, pressing my hot, sweaty body up against it, causing me to squeal out in surprise. Not one to be deterred by my moment of cold shock, Mateo used my distraction to slip himself inside of me, filling me up once more.
“Yes,” I gasped while he groaned. As he moved, thrusting hard into my – once again, helpless – body, I clawed at his neck and back, digging my nails in just to keep myself upright. This spurred him on even more, and soon he was driving into me so hard and fast, I feared I might lose my mind.
The small warm knot of pleasure that already coiled its way around in my stomach, grew and grew until it became an all-consuming crashing sensation, devouring me whole. Everything about my world became only about him, and what he was doing to me and my body. The orgasm shattered through me, breaking my body apart until I couldn’t feel anything else but bliss. If this wasn’t right, if this wasn’t true love, then I honestly didn’t know what was.
Did I think that things would end up this way, the day I made the rash decision to go to his house to convince him to come back to boxing? Of course not, but there was definitely a powerful spark inside of me the first time I laid eyes on him. I didn’t know what it meant then. I had no idea how significant it was going to be, but now I couldn’t be happier that everything had turned out the way it had.
Once my walls had finished contracting around him, and I was starting to get my breath, I pushed Mateo back a little, trying to indicate that it was my turn to make things good for him. He might want to be exactly where he was right now, but I needed things too, and this was just one of them.
“Get onto the bed,” I commanded as I slid down to hit the floor. Mateo shot me a look, and for a second I feared that he might be about to argue with me, but fortunately he seemed to get the sense that there was no point.
I watched intently as he clambered back onto the sheets and crossed his arms above his head, giving me a view of every delicious inch of him. Those muscles, that toned stomach, that gorgeous face… I loved every damn thing about him.
Once he was in position, I moved my way over him until I could sit up and angle myself onto him. I wanted to ride him in this way. I wanted him to see everything of me. I wanted him to know I was completely open to him and I was in this for the long haul. And from the way he groaned out in pure passion as I rode him to completion, it was a gesture that was clearly much appreciated.
Mateo panted as we lay next to one another on the bed. “You really are incredible. I honestly never knew love could feel this way.”
My heart swelled with pride and love at his words. We were finally, after all this time, on the same page, and it felt like it had been a long time coming. We were together now, happy, in love, and I could only see good things from here on out.
“So, what now?” I turned to ask him, feeling more excited than nervous. This might be a huge conversation that we were going to have, but I was no longer scared it wouldn’t turn out the way I so desperately wanted it to. “Where do we go from here?”
Mateo paused thoughtfully for a moment, causing me to giggle. I’m sure that he was only doing this to tease me, which helped ease the tension. “I think that we should live together,” he finally said. “I know that might be a little fast, but after everything we’ve been through, this just feels right. Don’t you think? I mean… I know I don’t want to be apart from you for any longer. I don’t want to go back to the house I shared with my dad, so I would need to find a new place anyway, so…”
My heart beat faster, already knowing what it wanted, but my brain took a little longer to catch up. It just wanted to be rational, and to make the smart choice. But then again, in all honesty, there really was only one answer possible.
“Of course.” I grinned at him, taking him into my arms. “That sounds like a wonderful plan. I’m done fucking around.”
“Julep,” he said as he flipped me over and swatted my ass. “That filthy mouth of yours is going to land you in a lot of trouble once we are living together.”
I chuckled and wiggled my ass for more. “I’m counting on it.”
24
Mateo & Julep
“The three toughest fighters I ever fought were Sugar Ray Robinson, Sugar Ray Robinson and Sugar Ray Robinson. I fought Sugar so many times, I’m surprised I’m not diabetic.”
– Jake LaMotta
It took me and Julep a while to settle on a house we were both happy with, but we finally succeeded in finding exactly what we both wanted. It was a spacious open plan with big windows to let in plenty of sunlight, and had a fair-sized garden It was near enough to Shamrocks so that we could get to the gym easily, but far enough away to maintain the distance that we both sometimes needed. Much as we both loved that place, it was nice to occasionally just be us. It was nice to have our own little safe space where we could block out the rest of the world.
Training with Danny and Julep had kicked up a notch, and it was really taking it out of me, so returning home each day to be alone with my one shining beacon was the main thing currently holding me together.
“Hey, sweetheart.” I wrapped my arms around Julep from behind once I entered the kitchen… our kitchen. It didn’t take long for me to see there was something bothering her. She felt stiff and intense, like there were troubles flowing through her brain and then every inch of her body. “What’s wrong?”
As she turned to face me, handing me a letter that I could already see had been redirected from my old address, I could see that her face was ashen. As soon as I noticed the postage marking, that had Cuba written across it, I knew exactly why Julep was so upset.
“A letter from my dad?” I asked her as my hand began to tremble. “We haven’t heard from him since he left. I wonder what this is about.”
I wasn’t sure I was ready to face dealing with the fact my father wasn’t here yet. I had almost tricked myself into believing he was just on an extended vacation. Reading about him actually living there was going to be hard. I had come to terms with his decision… to an extent, but that didn’t make losing him any easier. In fact, if anything, it got a little bit more difficult every day as the pretend vacation I had him taking was slowly changing to a permanent situation.
I took a deep breath, before glancing down at the envelope in my hand. It was written in my dad’s handwriting, which was something of a relief. But at the same time, the knot in my stomach wasn’t loosening one bit. “I don’t want to open it,” I admitted.
“I think you have to,” Julep said seriously. “I mean, you have to know what it says.”
I tore the envelope open with trembling fingers, desperate to now see the words inside—like ripping off the band aid.
“He sent some pictures too,” I said softly as I looked through them. He was clearly still sick, skinnier, paler, but also happy on the streets of Cuba. He appeared calm, at peace, and rested. It hit me then that this really was the perfect way for his life to come to an end.
“He looks content,” Julep murmured, flicking through the photos I handed to her.
Since Julep was just as anxious as I was to know what was in the letter, I read it out loud.
Dear Mateo,
I hope by now your anger has passed, and you know exactly why I did what I did. I’m sorry that I hurt you, but I feel like this was the best thing for all of us. The sun here is calming my pain. The wonderful atmosphere is making me happy… as did watching you win that match in Vegas. I’m so incredibly proud of you. You really have carved out a positive future fo
r yourself.
I’m sorry that you have to find out this way, but if this letter has been sent out to you, it means that I’ve passed away. I’ve made very good friends with one of the nurses here, and she promised to send this as soon as my time came. I didn’t want you to not know. I would also love it if you and Julep came to Cuba to scatter my ashes. I know that’s a lot to ask, but I’m sure that you would love it here. See your roots first hand. If you can’t, then please respond to the address below and my friend will do it for me.”
I stood there staring at the letter in disbelief.
A punch to the gut.
A complete knock out.
Not a single cheer from the crowd.
“We need to go. I can make all the arrangements,” Julep said as tears ran down her face. “Don’t worry about a thing.”
I looked at the woman, seeing that she was willing to do absolutely anything for me. I nodded in agreement, but it was right then at that moment I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. The connection. The love. The fact that she would stop everything for me…
“It’s lovely here,” I said quietly to Julep as we walked down the streets of Cuba. “I can see why Dad wanted to come back here, and why he wanted us to come here too.”
We only landed a few hours before, but I was anxious to get my father’s ashes scattered. There was a weight heavily sitting on my shoulders, and I knew that once I got the closure, I’d feel like I could breathe fully again. Everything was good now. My entire life was in a good place, and as soon as scattering the ashes and saying my final goodbye was done, I’d be able to move forward.
We had been to the hospital, met the nurse who looked after my dad during his dying hours, and she told us some lovely stories about how much he enjoyed his time there. She had this wonderful impression of him. One that I felt summed up his disposition accurately.
“Is here a good spot?” Julep asked me as we finally reached a creek with a large tree by the bank. “This is where the nurse said he liked to spend hours of his day.”
“I can imagine Dad here.” I smiled brightly through the tears I fought to hold back. “This is such a calm and peaceful place. Just like his character.” I pulled out the urn of ashes, and gave it a small kiss. “Well, Dad,” I began. “I guess this is it. Thank you for everything you did for me. Thank you for taking me in and looking after me when no one else would.” Fuck it. I couldn’t hold back the tears spilling down my face now. “Thank you for pushing me in the right direction. Thank you for encouraging me when times were tough, and for believing in me when the rest of the world hated who I was and everything I stood for.” This was much harder than I thought it was going to be. Thank God I had Julep there, stroking my arm, giving me the love I so desperately needed. “You were right about so much, and I was too arrogant to listen… but not anymore. I’m listening. I promise you, I’m listening. I love you, Dad. Goodbye.”
I was getting too choked up to say any more. I took the urn and scattered his ashes in the way that he wanted. I was devastated but there was a happiness too. A gratefulness for his life, and that weight of mine lifting. But I knew for a fact I would miss him for the rest of my life.
“That was lovely,” Julep said, kissing me lightly on the cheek. “Cisco will be proud of you wherever he is watching down on us.” With that, she took my hand and we stared out at the creek, both losing ourselves in our own personal thoughts.
Thinking.
Dreaming.
Believing in what could be one day.
My father gave me the courage to fight and win.
I stared at my reflection in the mirror, hoping that I looked okay. It was always hard to fancy up when I had tattoos all over and an appearance far from a distinguished gentleman no matter how nice of a suit I wore. Julep knew that I was taking her out for dinner, but she had no idea how special this night was going to be.
But I did.
It was all I could think about. I had been planning it for weeks, and I couldn’t think of any better place to do it than where I was from.
You’ll be fine. I tried my best to convince myself. You know that she’ll say yes.
I glanced over to the bathroom where she was taking a shower, and I took the time to practice my speech in my mind once more, in the way that I had been doing for weeks.
Julep, ever since you came into my life, you’ve shaken things up. You turned me from a quiet man who didn’t want anything to do with the rest of the world, into someone who lives up to my full potential. Without you, I never would have been able to take that step, and because of you believing in me, I’ll always be grateful. But of course, that isn’t the only reason I love you. You’re strong, powerful, sweet, caring, supportive, absolutely beautiful, and the most fun out of anyone I know. You are also probably the only person who could truly kick my ass in the ring if you wanted to. You’re my best friend, and I would love it if you would become more than that. I would love it if you would become my wife…
“Do I look okay?” Julep interrupted my fantasy by stepping out of the bathroom in the most heart-stopping, full-length, figure-hugging black dress that I had ever seen. She looked phenomenal. So much so, that I couldn’t even believe she felt the need to ask how she appeared.
“You look beautiful,” I answered before wrapping my arms around her. “Like the queen you are.”
Like the woman who was hopefully about to become my wife.
She pulled me in for a deep kiss, allowing the passion she had for me to flow from her mouth, and for a second I almost got distracted. I almost forgot about my plan to propose and nearly tossed her onto the bed to ravish her instead.
“Come on,” I murmured halfheartedly against her luscious lips. “We have to get to dinner. Our reservations are at seven-thirty.”
“Okay,” she said, pouting mockingly, placing her hands firmly on her hips. “But this dinner better be worth it. I can’t believe what I’m sacrificing for it.”
I smiled knowingly, fully in the knowledge that it would be. As she walked out the door, I wrapped my fingers around the ring box that was sitting in my suit jacket pocket, excited for her to see it. I had had a diamond ring designed just for her, and it was elegant, feminine, and unique, just like Julep Foley. It wasn’t anything like I had ever seen before, and I was pretty sure that she would appreciate that it wasn’t the norm. After all, there wasn’t anything about our relationship that had been typical.
I was nervous, but also confident that she wanted this as much as I did. I could also feel my father’s presence around me, supporting us both in our love.
I know that you approve of Julep, Dad. And I would love your strength tonight. I’m confident in our love, and in the fact that she’ll say yes. But I really don’t want to screw it up.
As if on cue, a warm shiver ran through me, which I was sure was my dad’s encouragement, giving me the power that I needed to get this done.
One year later…
I glanced down at my wedding ring so full of happiness, still feeling the magic from that special day every time I remembered how we said our vows. We had an intimate ceremony, just the two of us on a cliff over looking a small lake in Cuba with Cisco’s shadow watching over us. But then as we returned home, we realized that we needed to have another one, to allow our friends and family to share in our special day. It hadn’t seemed fair to keep them all out of something that without even knowing it, they’d been a part of.
Mateo had Teo from the gym as his best man, and I had Lola as my maid of honor. And although he grumbled at first, even Danny came around in the end. I think he finally saw how happy I truly was, and he couldn’t turn his nose up at that fact any longer. He was accepting of us now, almost pleased for us, and I couldn’t be happier that he saw Mateo for the champion I truly knew he would always be. To be honest, ever since I had become a married woman, my brother had been calmer around me, more respectful. It was as if his new feelings toward Mateo were finally reflecting on me. He knew I
made the best decision ever for Shamrocks by bringing Mateo to the gym. We no longer had arguing, screaming matches with one another. He no longer made disrespectful comments that used to drive me insane. It was as if there had been a brand new start for all of us. But the day that Mateo won the title of Heavyweight Champion with Danny and me standing on either side of him, Danny knew.
I had saved our father’s legacy by believing in one man. By not giving up.
By fighting for what I believed in.
By fighting the fight… no matter how filthy it got.
The End
HARD N’ DIRTY SERIES
Want more Hard n’ Dirty? Check out the other books in the HARD N’ DIRTY SERIES!
Getting Dirty by Aubrey Cara
Filthy Fight by Alta Hensley
Hard Wood by Tara Crescent
Blaze by Renee Rose
Hammered by Alexis Alvarez
Drilled by Ava Sinclair
Jacked Up by Jane Henry
Beauty & the Lumberjacks by Lee Savino
About Alta Hensley
Alta Hensley is a USA TODAY bestselling author of hot, dark and dirty romance. She is also an Amazon Top 100 bestselling author. Being a multi-published author in the romance genre, Alta is known for her dark, gritty alpha heroes, sometimes sweet love stories, hot eroticism, and engaging tales of the constant struggle between dominance and submission.
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