Fight for Me

by Bethany Bazile

  She snarled at me. As I reached the bathroom, a pillow hit me in the back of the head. I chuckled as I shut the door. My life must have been boring before she came back into it. I definitely didn’t remember it being this much fun.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Alexis

  A week later, Ryder left California and flew to Vegas for his fight. I let Ryder know I had to go home first and then I’d catch a flight and meet him there. This did not make him happy. He was sullen the entire last two days we were together.

  When I got home, David decided he wanted to join me and come see Ryder’s fight. I managed to talk Ryder into getting David a seat next to me but ended up waiting two extra days so David could juggle around his schedule. This didn’t make Ryder any more amicable toward David.

  To top it all off, there was a fog delay at the airport, so by the time we touched down in Vegas, it was a few short hours until show time. We rushed to the MGM, and I managed to get five minutes with Ryder before Ty kicked me out. Apparently, I would mess with his focus. We’d sat through a couple fights, but Ryder was the headline. I sat anxiously as the announcer prepared to call him out.

  The hunger and excitement for violence from the crowd was a thick energy, stifling the air. I felt edgy, a bundle of nerves had me teetering on the edge of fear, but I was also filled with anticipation. The other fighter was called to the stage.

  “Ladies and gentlemen… at six-one, two hundred thirty-eight pounds, Manny ‘the Maverick’ Jones.”

  He walked out with a large group amidst cheers and taunts. He wasn’t much bigger than Ryder, but he was cocky as hell, gesturing and posing for the crowd. The women were eating this shit up. He had inky black hair, and from my amazingly close seat, I saw the sparkle of hunger in his eyes as he winked and began bouncing around the cage.

  Ryder was brutal and fierce in the cage, but that didn’t stay my heart from palpitating as the announcer prepared to call him out. I had faith he’d win this fight, but I still feared he could get hurt. The last fight I’d been to he was unfocused, and I couldn’t watch when he got hit and started to bleed. The conversation I’d had with Jacob had been a distraction for me. My hands had shaken and my heart ached until the last second of that fight.

  “Ladies and gentlemen… at six-two, two hundred nineteen pounds, the reigning heavyweight champion… the one, the only… Ryder ‘the Hawk’ Hayes.”

  The crowd lit up, pandemonium ensued as people chanted, and female screams thundered across the arena. The noise factor shook the room. Ryder walked out in the middle of his team, totally aloof. He was focused and stone-faced. He didn’t posture or evoke attention; he just emanated strength.

  Jesus, he is a beautiful sight.

  His fight shorts clung to his muscular thighs and butt. No wonder the women were losing their minds. Those shorts and his fight gloves were all he had on. His light tan and tattoos accentuated the hard planes of his body. As he reached the cage, he angled his head to where he knew I’d be. He threw a seductive smile my way, winked, then bit down on his bottom lip.

  Fuck, he knew what that did to me. As if I weren’t bursting with enough emotions—I was aroused. Oh God… I was like all the screaming women in the room. I wanted to fuck the man—no—the beast who just jumped into the cage, ready to tear his opponent apart. There was a basic craving that built in a woman when confronted with a testosterone-filled fighting machine. I was experiencing it full blast, and I shifted in my seat in an attempt to quell the fire Ryder had started.

  Ryder began bouncing around on his bare feet, flexing his fingers, bobbing his head, and doing arm lunges. The bell rang. I flinched. I couldn’t tell who threw the first punch because their movements where so quick and jerky. They threw wild punches and powerful kicks. It was breathtaking and agonizing watching as two powerful men battled for domination. They fought dirty, unpredictably. I let out the breath I was holding when the round ended.

  The next round amped up my anxiety as they became more vicious. Maverick got a couple shots in on Ryder that made him stumble. I saw him shake it off. Then a wave of fury washed over him because he went feral. He threw a left hook, then a series of jabs that had his opponent pinned against the cage. Blood spattered, Maverick blocked his face with his hands, but Ryder continued to attack.

  Maverick surprised Ryder with a knee to the ribs, causing him to stagger back. As Maverick tried to step forward for another hit, Ryder caught his arm and dropped him in a swift move. Ryder twisted as they battled on the mat. Then he caught the fighter in an awkward choke hold. Ryder’s legs were wrapped around his neck. He tried to break free, but Ryder was too strong. Maverick began to turn red, trying repeatedly to get up, but Ryder had a triangle hold on his neck with his legs. Maverick tapped out, collapsing on the mat as soon as Ryder released him. The crowd roared. Everyone surged to their feet. Cameras flashed. I was caught up in the swell of victorious energy.

  The celebration was full force in the arena. Gone was the stoic Ryder who had walked out earlier. He was enthusiastically jumping around the cage in triumph. He climbed the gate, pointing and gesturing at the fans. Then his eye caught mine. He pointed at me, winked, and mouthed, “You’re next.”

  Yes, I am.

  If he wanted to conquer my body, I’d let him. He could pin me down and pound me anytime he wanted. He was running on pure adrenaline, on unrestrained animal-like stamina, and I couldn’t wait for him to exhaust himself on me—in me. The air sizzled between us as he continued eyeing me and climbed off the gate.

  In the next few minutes, he was announced the winner, and he did a few short interviews, all the while throwing me subtle glances with sexual undertones. The intimate way he watched me caused liquid heat to form between my legs. Oh yeah, he was definitely on the prowl. I shuddered, crossing my arms over my breasts to conceal my hardened nipples.

  When we got to the back, it seemed the party had already begun. Ryder had a private locker room, but there were so many people in there I was sure it was more crowded than the shared locker room. Ryder stood up on the bench, chanting, spurring everyone up in the testosterone-filled room. He must’ve grabbed a quick shower before I got back here because all the blood splatter was gone. Soon as he hopped down, he grabbed my arm and pulled me into a kiss so intense I forgot where we were and who was watching. His jaw moved forcefully, demanding everything from me. And I gave it to him. His tongue slid against mine, hot and delicious. His mouth seduced my senses. I was wet and hot all over. I couldn’t suppress my moans as he pushed me up against a locker, his hand massaging my ass, his erection pressed up against me.

  “Fuck, I need you,” he breathed against my lips. I groaned as if his words had just stroked me. A week of pent-up sexual frustration that could not be pacified by phone sex was about to explode. So as he groped me in front of his entire team, I knew he wouldn’t wait until we got back to his room.

  Ryder grabbed my hand pulled me down a short hallway and into an empty room. Maybe it was a closet because it was full of equipment.

  “I got to have you, baby,” he said, licking and sucking on my neck like he hadn’t eaten all week. And he hadn’t eaten me all week. I missed letting him feed on me. The hunger turned him into a beast. His intensity was like nothing I’d ever experienced. His hands were in my hair, at my hip, then up my shirt.

  I slid my hands into his tight shorts, finding him hot and hard, wrapped my hand around his smooth length of steel, and stroked him. He bit harder on my neck, thrusting into my curled fingers. He pulled my bra and shirt down, exposing my breasts, then plucked my nipples. I was beyond aroused. I was inflamed, wound up within an inch of detonation. He pushed his hands into my jeans, brushing his fingers over my sex, and shivered.

  He shivered?

  Imagine how I felt with him dipping his fingers into my slick heat. With one gentle touch over my clit, I was on the brink of coming.

  “Fuck, you’re so wet,” he grunted. He drove a finger into my pussy. I mewled. My legs trembled as
he added another finger, fucking me at a hurried pace. I thrashed. He held me with his free hand to keep me steady.

  He pushed his fingers in and out, deep and hard, the ball of his palm rubbing against my clit. The friction was exquisite. My hips moved against his hand as I searched for the beautiful ending. My breath caught and then I cried out as I came. My body pulsed to life as he growled, rubbing his erection against my leg.

  He kissed me hungrily, greedily, with so much passion it only strengthened my need for him.

  I needed to taste him. I wanted to feel his pleasure pulsing against my tongue. I dropped to my knees. I pulled out his cock, the muscles of his thighs tensing as he reached for my hair. I put my lips on the head, sucking it gently into my mouth. He hissed, his grip tightening in my loose locks. I slid my lips halfway down, then slowly dragged back. He tasted like sweat, smelled masculine, and felt virile. But to me, he smelled of victory and tasted like a champion, and I wanted to make the champ succumb to me. To knock him off balance and taste his strength on my tongue.

  “Take it all,” he demanded, tired of my teasing him. I pulled him back into my mouth, taking him deeper into my throat. He groaned when I pulled away, sucking on the head and rolling my tongue over his piercing. If his hold on my hair got any tighter, I’d lose some strands. When I tried to suck him back in my mouth, he tugged my hair, holding my head back, and glared at me.

  “Open up, Lexi.”

  I fluttered my lashes as I looked up at him and licked the drop of liquid at the tip of him. He let out a guttural sound, then pushed his cock slowly into my mouth. He moved his hips, guiding his dick in and out as I licked the smooth skin underneath.

  “This is what you want, right? You want me to fuck your mouth?”

  I moaned. My pussy clenched as he took my mouth more aggressively. I pushed him to take charge, and it was turning me on. He kept a steady rhythm until he was pushing in so deeply his pubic hair tickled my nose. Then he paused, grunted, and his dick jerked in my mouth. I grabbed him by his clenched butt cheeks and took him as deep as I could. He threw back his head and came against my tongue, panting my name. He tasted salty on my tongue as I continued licking him through his orgasm, causing him to mutter incoherently.

  The king had come. And I felt like his conqueror.

  ~*~*~

  Ryder was running late for his press conference. He stepped into a pair of gym shorts, threw on a T-shirt with a bunch of sponsors’ logos on it, and then pulled on a UFC hat. He hooked his arm over my shoulder, and we rushed down the hall. “There’s a car waiting outside that will take you to the house.”

  “What house? I thought you were staying here.”

  “I was staying here, but now that the fight’s over, I want to get away from all the publicity. I rented a house for the weekend. Ty’s throwing a small after-party there tonight. After that, we’ll have it all to ourselves.”

  “All right, I’ll see you there.” I leaned in and kissed him.

  “When you get back to the room, don’t get all prettied up for the after-party,” he said. “I’ll only get you dirty again.” He dropped a kiss on my lips, then left me standing in front of the bay of elevators as he raced down the hall.

  The doors slid open the instant I pressed the button. I stepped into the empty car and pressed the button to the second floor so I could exit through the lobby. I leaned against the back wall as the doors began to slide shut. Before they shut, someone held the door and stepped in. Not just anyone. It was Leah, and she had backup. Ryder’s mom stepped in behind her, and as the doors slid shut this time, I felt trapped. They’d effectively made me their prisoner.

  Julia reached back and hit the emergency stop button, and I shook my head. “We have nothing to talk about.”

  “But we do, Lexi,” Leah said. “There’s something you need to know.”

  “Whatever plan you two have concocted to break me and Ryder apart won’t work.”

  “Listen, Alexis.” Julia said my name like it was filth. I should’ve been offended, but I knew where her hate stemmed from.

  “We both know I don’t like you, but this isn’t about how I feel. I won’t let my son ruin his life just to be with you.”

  “And how am I ruining his life?” I crossed my arms and hardened my expression. She looked back at Leah and nodded her head.

  “Tell her.”

  I glanced at Leah nervously twisting her hands and tapping her feet.

  “I’m pregnant,” Leah heaved. I glanced at her, grimacing at her outlandish outburst. It was so abrupt I felt like she vomited the words at me.

  “Is this the best you can do, Leah? Because it’s really sad.”

  “It’s true,” she shouted, stepping around Julia. “Ryder doesn’t want you to know. He’d do anything not to stain your precious relationship.”

  “If you two are done wasting my time, I need to get ready for a party.”

  “You don’t believe me?” She narrowed her eyes angrily. “He’s so desperate to keep you he paid me to get rid of it.”

  “What? Are you insane? Ryder would never do that.” I turned a sharp eye to Julia. “And you’re his mother. How could you believe this?”

  “Because Ryder hasn’t been himself since you came into his life. He’s turning into David. He’ll do anything to be with you. Show her,” Julia said.

  “Fine.” She pulled a piece of paper out her the pocket of her jeans and unfolded it. She held it up in front of my face, and there it was. A copy of a check deposited into Leah’s account for twenty thousand dollars. “I knew I shouldn’t have cashed it if I wasn’t going to go through with it, but I changed my mind.”

  I didn’t want to believe. I’d convinced myself I was so sure in our love I wouldn’t doubt anything. But as I stared at Ryder’s signature and the distinct way the last three letters faded away, I felt my conviction fade, also.

  “He’s chosen you over Leah, over me, even over his own child. You need to put a stop to this before you cost him everyone who loves him.”

  I nodded, but just to get them to back off. Julia finally relented after a few moments of silently staring me down. She pressed a button, and the elevator car began moving again. When the doors slid open, I rushed past them so I wasn’t sure if they exited.

  I was hurrying through the lobby when someone grabbed me by the arm and spun me around.

  “Are you all right, Lexi?” David asked, looking concerned.

  “I’m fine.” I tried to pull away, but he tightened his hold.

  “You look flushed, shaky. You know you can talk to me, right?”

  “I know, David, but I’m fine. I just have to get to the house and relax.”

  “What house? I thought you and Ryder were staying here.”

  “No, he rented a house. There’s a party tonight if you want to come.”

  “Ryder might not like you extending invitations to me.”

  “It’ll be fine. Just try to come.”

  “All right, sweetie, I’ll try.” He pulled me in and hugged me, kissing the top of my head. “We only worry because we love you.”

  “I know. I love you, too.” I leaned back and looked at him. “I hope you know that.”

  “I do.”

  “I got to go. I’ll text you the address when I get there.” I pulled away, waved one final time, and walked out to find my driver.

  The house was massive, and it appeared the party had begun. The driveway was full, so the driver parked across the street and took my bags in for me. I pulled out my phone and texted the address to David. As I crossed the street, I heard a car screech, and I leapt out of its way. Texting while crossing the street was pretty stupid.

  This was no house. It was a huge, three-story mansion. As I stepped through the entrance, the music coming from the back yard blared. The driver came down the steps and gave me directions to my room. I climbed the stairs to the third floor, went down a long hallway and through the double doors that led into our room.

  The scene was def
initely set for romance. My feet sank into deep red carpets, and I saw a cozy seating area just in front of a large terrace, and the bed…

  The dark-gray headboard ran nearly up to the ceiling, and it had matching bedding adorned with a bunch of pillows. I went straight for the terrace and pulled open the French doors. I walked to the edge and peered over. The small after-party Ryder advised me about had over fifty people already. The pool was right beneath me, and I watched people lingering around it as I stood there, but I was too high for anyone to notice me.

  I wanted to be excited about Ryder’s victory and celebrate with everyone else, but that tiny grain of doubt about Leah had taken root. I went back into the room and threw myself on the bed. I wasn’t going to be able to do anything until I talked to Ryder.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Ryder

  It was after midnight when I pulled up to the house. Ty’s party was in full swing, but all I wanted to do was go upstairs with Lexi and lock everyone else out. I’d made the right decision renting this place for the weekend. I loved to fight, but the public side of being the champion got tiring.

  If we’d stayed at the hotel, the press would’ve followed every step we took out of the room. As much as I wanted the world to know Lexi was mine, I didn’t want them digging into her past. If the media found out about Alec and her subsequent suicide attempt, they would turn her tragedy into entertainment news. I knew we couldn’t keep it under wraps forever, but I wanted to protect Lexi for as long as possible.

  I pushed open the door to our room and found Lexi lying on the bed. I smiled as I turned the lock on the door. I dropped my bag, then pulled my shirt over my head. I was sure she’d be ready to join the party, but it seemed like she was waiting on me. I might just let her convince me to skip it.

  I climbed on the bed, and Lexi startled as I crawled over her. She must’ve been deep in thought to not have heard me come in. She smiled meekly at me, a little nervously, too. I covered her with my body and began kissing her.