by Dover, L. P.
Once I started down the road, I reached for the hand laying in her lap and squeezed it. “Did Cole tell you?” I asked, glancing over at her. “You can tell me if he did.”
“Actually, no,” she replied, shaking her head. “He didn’t tell me, but I kind of figured it out on my own.”
How the hell could she do that? She wasn’t even around me during that time. “How could you figure something like that out?”
“It was in the video that went viral,” she stated. “It was the one where you and that other fighter started battling it out and then Gabriella and the other female finished. The way you two looked at each other wasn’t just a ‘friends’ look . . . it was much deeper.”
It had to be a female thing to notice something like that because no one else ever made any comments about it. “It’s not like that anymore,” I admitted honestly, staring straight at her. “What we had is over. We’re just friends now.” I hadn’t even talked to Gabriella since I’d been with Kacey.
“That video was shot just over a month ago,” Kacey stated adamantly. “You’re trying to tell me feelings just disappear?”
“A lot has changed in a month, Kacey. Look how far you and I’ve come in just the last week. There’s nothing going on. Besides, we were never even exclusive.”
She nodded, clearly uncertain by the rigidity in her body.
“How did you know about that video anyway?”
“Google will give you everything,” she replied. “All I had to do was type in your name and voilà. My only concern is that she’ll be at the fights with you. I just want to make sure I don’t have to worry about something happening between you two when I’m not around.”
“Nothing’s going to happen,” I promised her, tapping her on the chin to get her attention. “She’s moved on and so have I. I’m happy where I’m at . . . with you. It was a mutual understanding to end things. What I need from you is to trust me. Can you do that?”
“I do,” she murmured wholeheartedly. “Nobody likes to get their heart broken. I guess I’ve spent a lot of my time guarding mine.”
Bringing her hand up to my lips, I kissed it gently and locked my gaze onto hers, hoping to erase the doubt on her face. “I don’t want to get hurt either, but it’s a risk you take when you let people in. I can’t promise I’m not going to do stupid shit and piss you off, but I can promise I will always be honest and straightforward. If there’s something you want to know, I’ll tell you the truth.”
Her face instantly lit up, a mischievous smirk splaying across her lips. “So if I ask you anything, you’ll tell me the truth?” she inquired curiously.
“Yes, but I’m warning you. Be mindful of the questions, because you might not want to hear the answers.”
Turning her body completely toward me, she grinned and rubbed her hands together. “I think I can handle that. All right, let’s see . . . were you in love with Gabriella?”
Of course it had to be about her. In all seriousness, I looked her in the eyes and answered, “No, I was never in love with her. She’s a good friend and I care about her, but that’s as far as it goes.”
Furrowing her brows, she stared at me for a moment before nodding her head, hopefully satisfied with my response. I was beginning to think I should’ve given her a five question limit.
“Have you slept with anyone since you met me?” she asked.
“No. Have you?”
Deep down, I knew she hadn’t because she wasn’t like that—she wasn’t like me. Hell, I used to love fucking different women almost every night, or at least three times a week. I could get anyone I wanted, but I had yet to fully get the one I truly wanted.
“Hey, these aren’t my questions. I don’t have to answer that,” she teased. “But since you’re answering mine, I’ll at least be nice enough to answer one of yours. No, I haven’t slept with anyone since you met me. In fact, I haven’t had sex in almost two years.”
Two years? Hot damn, that was a long time. “Why? Is it because you were taking care of your grandmother?”
“Yes, it was mostly that, and also I’ve never been the type of girl to give it up to just anyone. I don’t even want to know how many people you’ve been with.”
Ouch. In her eyes I could see that dealing with my past wasn’t going to be easy. “So, I’m assuming that’s not your next question?” I asked hesitantly.
“Oh, God no,” she shrieked. “I prefer to be ignorant on those details. Besides, it’s not about our pasts, or the things we can’t change. We have to look forward, right? I mean, what if there was something about me you couldn’t change? What if I had a family member who was basically the spawn of evil?”
I laughed, I couldn’t help it. “The spawn of evil? That’s probably a little extreme don’t you think?”
“I wish it was, but unfortunately it’s true.” Nervously, she fiddled with her fingers. “I just wouldn’t want you to think badly of me because of my family. You wouldn’t would you?”
“No,” I exclaimed incredulously. Why would she even think that? “I don’t care what other people in your family do. It’s you I care about.” Turning into my driveway, I shut off my truck and reached for her hands.
Almost instantly, that seemed to appease her. She breathed a sigh of relief, her fingers relaxing in my grasp.
“I have one more question for you,” she murmured, leaning her head against the seat and biting her lip provocatively. Her skin tight green T-shirt hung so close to her skin I could see her nipples peeking through the fabric. I wanted to taste them, to roll my tongue around them and make them pucker more. I wanted to taste all of her.
“What’s the question?” I growled low, watching her tongue slide across her lips.
Slowly, she moved forward and stopped only an inch away from me, her mouth so achingly close. It killed me to keep my calm, to not pick her up, carry her into my house, throw her on my bed, and just fuck her like I’d been dying to do since the day I met her. I had never wanted someone so bad and not be able to have them.
“I’m ready for you, Tyler. Are you ready for me?”
Grasping the back of her neck, I brought her closer and gently nipped her bottom lip making her gasp. “You have no fucking idea.”
AS SOON AS Tyler pulled into the garage and we got out of his truck, it was like we couldn’t get back to each other fast enough. He wrapped his arms around my waist and lifted me up, kissing his way down my neck to the tops of my breasts.
With my legs around his waist, he carried me inside and slammed the door, ripping my shirt off before we could even get to the stairs. Giggling, I looked down at the tattered garment on the ground and then up to him, his gaze was raw.
“I’ll get you another one,” he assured me.
Leaning me against the wall, Tyler lifted my bra and cupped my breast in his hand, shifting me up so he could suck my nipple between his teeth. Closing my eyes, I moaned and held him close, my insides tightening. I could feel the blood rushing to the spot between my legs that ached to feel Tyler’s touch. Only one gentle stroke and I would be completely lost and at his mercy.
“Tyler,” I breathed, arching my back.
Chuckling, he reached around behind my back and unclasped my bra, letting it fall to the floor. He stood back and looked up and down my body as I straddled him. His cock getting harder between my legs.
“You are so beautiful, Kacey,” he murmured, sliding a strand of my hair off my forehead. “I promise to go slow with you tonight. I don’t want to hurt you.”
From the feel of him below, it didn’t take a genius to figure out he meant he didn’t want to hurt me physically. No matter how turned on I was, I knew it would hurt once I had sex again. It had been too long.
“I know you won’t,” I answered him softly. “I’ll be okay.”
Slowly, he leaned forward and placed his forehead to mine, breathing me in. He was a dangerous man in the ring, yet so gentle in his touches. His hands were used to hit and fight, but with me they caresse
d and smoothed away my fears.
My God, I was falling for him. I shouldn’t have let it happen, but I couldn’t fight it.
Carrying me up the stairs, I couldn’t even see anything in his house because it was so dark. It didn’t matter because the only place I wanted to see was his bedroom.
“If it gets to be too much, just tell me to stop,” he whispered.
I nodded, understanding his concern, but really wanting this to happen. Plucking at his shirt, I demanded, “Off, please.”
He smirked and lifted one arm. I promptly tugged his shirt over his head and he let it fall to the floor. I ran my hands over his tattoos and inspected his body as he opened a door and turned on the light, carrying me into his room, and lying me down gently on his king-size bed.
Starting at my lips, he trailed his finger down my neck, in between my breasts, on to my shorts where he slid them down my legs and tossed them to the side. His hands were warm as he ran them up my legs to spread them, caressing my thighs. I watched him slink along like a tiger, all sleek muscle and predatory eyes as he took me in, laying completely open to him.
Sliding off the bed, he glanced around his room, pursing his lips. This gave me a chance to look around. His room wasn’t what I expected. The walls were painted a dark gray with framed black and white abstract photos on his walls, and his bed was perfectly made, covered with a black comforter and gray sheets. It was all dark and masculine, just like Tyler, but the paintings gave his room an edgy yet sensual feel.
Tyler turned off the overhead light, covering us in nothing but darkness. Then he opened his balcony door wide, letting the wind blow, the sheer, white gossamer curtains flowing inside his room. The moon was positioned just right, basking the room in a soft, gentle glow.
It was all so perfect.
“You didn’t take me as the kind of guy to like art?” I mentioned, pointing to the paintings on his walls.
Smirking, he lowered his shorts to the floor and slowly climbed back on the bed. Biting my lip, I spread my legs as he slowly crawled up my body. He rested off to the side, his thick length pressing into my thigh as he turned me to him.
“Most people don’t know the real me, Kacey. But with you . . . I want you to see all sides of me . . . I need you to.”
“Well, I’m very pleased you showed me the real Tyler. I love this side of you,” I murmured wholeheartedly.
Spreading my legs with his knee, he smiled down at me and covered my body with his, leaning on his elbows to keep his full weight off of me. I was small underneath his body, utterly at his mercy. It was an archaic feeling, but I wanted him to take me, to claim me for his own—leave his mark on me.
“I love the way you look when you’re happy, it’s breathtaking the way your face glows,” he claimed, brushing his fingers down my cheek. “However, your eyes are what I love the most.”
“Why is that?” I asked, kissing his fingers as be brushed them over my lips.
He looked deeply into my eyes. “When I look at you, I see that light, beckoning me closer. It’s that light I’ve been so afraid will burn out if you let me in, but the more time I’ve spent with you, it’s only gotten brighter. I’m addicted to it . . . to you. These days I can’t seem to think of anything else.”
I felt the same way.
“And once you make love to me it’ll only get worse,” I admitted tenderly. “Is that a risk you’re willing to take?”
He lowered his lips to mine and I closed my eyes, loving the way my lips tingled every time they touched his. “Yes,” he answered. “I’d risk just about anything for you.”
Looking at him, I smiled and wrapped my legs around his waist, feeling his cock jump in anticipation as I rubbed against it. “Then make love to me. I’m ready to take the risk.”
Ever so gently, Tyler unhooked my legs and slid his hand up the inside of my thigh, opening my legs further. Lowering his head, he flicked his tongue across my clit. I gasped.
When he chuckled, his breath fanned across my body making it even more sensitive. I’d only had one guy go down on me in my lifetime and it actually sucked, but Tyler . . . his tongue worked wonders. Every time he pushed his tongue inside of me, he rolled it around, tasting me while nuzzling my bud with his nose, keeping me stimulated.
“Tyler,” I moaned, fisting my hands in his hair. I was so close.
“That’s right, beautiful. Let me make you come.”
I screamed out his name as the force of my release had me arching off the bed, my hands still tangled in his hair. Slowly, I released my hands and brought them to my chest, where my heart thumped wildly. That was the best orgasm I’d had in years.
“I think you’re ready now,” he claimed, licking his lips.
Reaching over to his bedside table, he pulled out a condom and opened it up. Before he could slide it down his length, I lowered my hand and wrapped it around him. I hadn’t told him I was on the pill, but it was probably for the best right now. As I glided my hand up and down his cock, Tyler pushed his length through my hand, biting his lip as he watched me. I loved seeing that wild, primal look in his eyes.
“Mmm . . . that feels so good, beautiful.”
The more I rubbed him, the more he trembled and started losing control.
“That’s enough, Kacey. I’m a little too worked up to be played with.”
“Next time, then,” I teased.
Slipping on the condom, he lowered himself onto my body and bit my lip, tugging on it. “I look forward to it.”
He rocked his hips against mine and his arousal moved between my legs, rubbing along the slit, getting nice and wet. Then, the tip found its mark, pushing inside, stretching me. Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes and felt a tender kiss before he slowly pressed in the rest of the way. The pain of it made my eyes water, but it was a good pain. In fact, I needed more.
“You can go harder, Tyler. I promise I won’t break.”
“Are you sure?” he asked.
Capturing his face in my hands, I bit his lip and sucked on it as hard as I could. He growled low and gripped the edges of the pillow beneath my head. I loved that he was worried about me and it made me care about him more, but I really needed to feel the heat I knew he was restraining deep inside of him.
“Yes, now stop holding back.”
Almost immediately, his breathing picked up and his eyes darkened, the intensity building in the room. I shivered in response and gripped my legs tighter around his waist, rocking my hips hard against his. That was his undoing.
Fisting his hands in my hair, he pulled my head to the side and bit down on my neck, his thrusts growing deeper and faster. I screamed out in pleasure, but Tyler silenced me by closing his lips over mine. The harder he pushed his body into me, the closer I was to losing control. I could tell he was close. As soon as I started to clench down on him, he released my hair and brought his hands down to my face, keeping his eyes locked on mine.
Digging my nails into his skin, I rode wave after wave of pure bliss as the longest damn orgasm of my life rocked through my body. It only intensified when Tyler growled in my ear, biting down on my lobe as he too released, pulsating inside of me.
Breathing hard, he lifted up on his elbows and smiled down at me.
I smiled back. The night was everything I could’ve wanted and more.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
I was more than okay. However, looking down at his lips, he definitely wasn’t. His bottom lip was red and swollen. “I’m perfectly fine, but I can’t say the same about you,” I pointed out slyly, chuckling.
“What are you talking about?”
Biting my lip, I looked down at his and cringed. “I kind of left a mark on your lip. I hope it goes away before we go to the gym tomorrow.”
He didn’t seem to care by the grin on his face. “Is it bad?”
“Not really, but I’d hate for you to have to explain it to people.”
With a smirk, he tilted my head to the side and said, “Well, it can’
t be any worse than your neck. Looks like we’re even.”
Great, now everyone will know we did it. I guess it was bound to happen at some point.
IT WAS FRIDAY morning, the day after our first night together. I was a little sore, but I made sure to soak in his bathtub afterward. He made fun of me for walking funny this morning when I met him in his kitchen for breakfast. Needless to say, I’ve been consciously paying attention to the way I walked.
Since I didn’t have any clothes at Tyler’s house, and I couldn’t go to work with the same clothes from the night before, I had gotten him to take me home.
“I didn’t get the chance to ask you last night, but will you come with me to my fight tomorrow? I actually want to head out tonight. We’re going to Phoenix.”
Shit! What if my brother’s going to be there? I hadn’t looked at his schedule to see where he’d be fighting at.
“I don’t know,” I replied, dodging the question. “What if your father thinks I’m a distraction?”
Tyler scoffed. “Please, he knows better than to say that shit to me. Besides, even he’s noticed that I’ve been fighting better than I ever have.”
Which was true, but still . . . I had to check to make sure my brother wasn’t going to be there before I could give him an answer. Glancing down at the clock, my eyes went wide when I noticed it was closing in on eight o’ clock. Tyler always started training with his father at eight.
“Tyler, you need to be at the gym, like ten minutes ago. We can talk about your fight later. Right now, you need to go before I get fired.”
“No one’s going to fire you, Kacey,” he chuckled as he pulled into my driveway. “Are you sure you don’t want me to wait on you?”
“No, because I still want to take a quick shower and change clothes. I’ll be at the gym in thirty minutes, I promise.”
Grasping my chin, he kissed me. “Fine, I’ll see you later. And don’t think I haven’t noticed you avoided my question.” He lightly bopped me on the nose with his finger. “I expect an answer about Phoenix when you get there.”
Swallowing hard, I slid out of his truck, forcing a smile on my face. My secrets were going to be the death of me. Why couldn’t I just tell him the truth? I could explain why I never told him, or anyone for that matter, that Kyle was my brother. Surely, he would understand why I didn’t want to tell anyone that shit. I was ashamed.