by Jayne Blue
Zane let go of the violence in his heart toward Trent and focused on Valerie. He wasn’t going to fuck up this relationship or his night because of wanting to dismantle that Trent asshole. Zane had big plans, and they did not include doing time for assault.
Valerie walked up to him and put her arms around him.
“I have a surprise for you.” She said and kissed him. Her sweet lips on his melted away the million things he was thinking. Her soft skin, the sweet smell, it was easy to forget the rest of the world with her in his arms.
“What’s that?” He kissed her as she tried to talk.
“Dinner, I’m making you dinner at my place.”
“Can you be naked during this dinner making process?”
“I wouldn’t want to injure myself. Dinner requires burners and stuff. That could be dangerous. Let’s maybe shoot for after dinner?” He nudged her chin with his lips. The idea of driving the ten minutes to her place seemed a lifetime when she was here right now in his arms.
“I wouldn’t want anything to mar that perfect skin, so that seems reasonable.”
“Zane Diggs. I consulted with the staff here and bought actual food that you’re supposed to eat. If we don’t get there, it will go to waste, and the entire MMA community will hate me for ruining your life.”
He cut her off with a kiss again, and she leaned back so he could get at that gorgeous spot on her neck, just under her earlobe. She sighed, and he did think maybe they wouldn’t make it to her place.
“Zane.” She straightened her spine and held him off. Valerie laid that sexy as hell smile on him, and he knew that he’d go wherever she led.
“Okay, your place. I’ll follow you over. Though it may kill me to wait the ten minutes to get you naked, but I have to admit I do want to see what you consider a good dinner.”
“Always so sure you’re going to get me naked.” Valerie stepped back again, and Zane respected her space. If one thing was clear from the short time they’d been together, it was that they couldn’t keep their hands off each other and that the only way to get out of this office and to her place was to physically separate. It was the damnedest thing, this pull she had on him. It was powerful, and he didn’t mind it one bit.
He followed her to her apartment at the manse and went up to her rooms without saying a word.
“It’s a perfect night for you to hang here, with me, Aunt Susan, Uncle Meyer, even Jan is out of town. No interruptions.” Valerie winked, and he wondered again how he’d make it through dinner.
It was easy being with her, the last year had been about holding tight to balance, walking a fine line between intensity in the gym and calm outside of it.
It was different with Valerie. With her, he could relax, and at the same time, she challenged him.
“Have a seat. I have worked with Knox and Coach Hawking, so I know exactly the protein, the starch, and the veggies you need to make 170 on the dot!”
“That’s impressive. No other girlfriend I’ve ever had or my family ever gave a damn about me making weight.”
“Well, I do. You’ve fed me lunch for weeks! I’m trying to get this exactly right since it’s a pre-fight night dinner.” Part of him wanted to forget dinner and kiss her breathless but only part. What most people didn’t understand about his sport was that athletes had to pair the ultimate in physical conditioning with food down to the ounce. He had to be 170 or less but not too much less or his opponent could outmuscle him.
Even his family used to ignore it, eat potato chips in front of him, bake cookies, whatever, not thinking that it was something Zane needed to tightly control.
“So, this cooking thing. I thought you were undomesticated.”
“I’m a mess. Jan came in and showed me, so I didn’t serve you shoe leather on a plate.”
“I’m sure it’s awesome.” He dug in, and it actually was awesome. It touched him how much she’d worked to make this just right. Even with her head in the construction plans and trying to keep up with her uncle’s projects she’d been thoughtful in the most amazing way.
“Well?”
“Best meal ever. You did great babe.” She smiled from ear to ear. It was gorgeous. He wondered what it would take to always keep her smiling. Would he be able to do that?
Most days Valerie explained this project detail or that construction dilemma from her whirlwind life as they unwound. After all, describing his training wasn’t exactly exciting. But today, she was the one asking questions and wanting to hear what was in store for the fight.
“So, what do we know about Quinton Terry? I read up. He can take a punch. Is this going to be a problem? How good’s your grappling?” Zane laughed.
“How’s my grappling? Two-time state champ here! What’s this? You’re an MMA expert now?” He was amazed.
“I just want to know. I want to support you. You’ve listened to me sweat it out over building inspection reports and late plumbing contractors and vandals on the job sites and well, everything. So. The punch?”
“He can take a punch. I’ve been working on loading up a complete arsenal of ass-kicking to bring Friday night.”
“Good. That’s good.” Zane explained some of his training techniques and Valerie listened with complete attention.
“What about the deal after? If you win. How does that work?”
“That’s your uncle all the way. Sam Bosque, my agent, will work with your uncle on improving this signing deal I have, then she handles expanding that to product endorsements. That’s where the money can get huge even before I have a belt. Being a popular contender could help me sign some decent deals.”
“And that that movie star Craddock Flynn better watch out.”
“Well, it is how he started, and he’s like the next Rock these days.”
“You’d be great on the big screen.”
“Yeah? We’ll get a chance to find out I hope!”
They talked, laughed, and shared their day. This moment, this night, it was better than all the nights that came before. Valerie was a woman Zane could see his whole life unfold with, his dreams, her dreams. It was all on the other side of tomorrow night. He could see it.
They did the dishes together, and when the last one was in the drying rack, Valerie took his hand and walked him into the pristine bedroom of her apartment.
“Pretty nice in here. You sure I’m not too rough for it?” He was used to a sleeping bag and rickety old mattresses until very recently.
“You’re just right for it.” He kissed her forehead, the tip of her nose, and her luscious mouth, oh that mouth. They sank into each other, swayed back and forth together, and he made quick work of taking off every stitch of her clothes.
Most of their times together were a frenzy. They were a race car careening nearly off the track, desperate to get to the finish line. Tonight, he took his time. Zane worshipped every inch of Valerie’s skin. He put the car in low gear and teased every sigh out of her, he watched as Valerie gave in to the way he could make her feel. He took his time memorizing every downy blonde hair on her skin.
Her breasts seemed almost as white as the sheets, his rough hands cupped them softly, but then his mouth found the rosebud nipples and pulled them hard into him.
She cried out, and the slow adoration between them heated up like someone had turned up the flame on a burner.
Valerie’s smooth legs were wrapped around him, and he felt her body fit to his like they were made for each other. Maybe they were.
He sank into her body. It fired all his senses, made him crazy, and calmed him at the same time.
They moved together. Her hips, his, her mouth, his tongue, all the parts of them were one. And then without planning or even a thought that he would say the words, he did it.
“I love you, Valerie.” She opened her eyes and looked deep into his.
“I love you too, Zane.” They held each other’s gaze, and he moved into her harder, and deeper than before. She opened to him, and they hit the peak of pleasure togeth
er, as one.
It was better than any drug he’d ever had or would.
Chapter Thirteen
Valerie
* * *
Valerie checked herself one more time in the mirror. She wore a red dress with a slight bit of shimmer. Uncle Meyer and Aunt Susan turned it out for the fights, and she was hoping to do the same. Uncle Meyer had his tux, and Aunt Susan always wore some chic designer label. Her day to day life wasn’t glamorous; she spent most of her time in her uncle’s office or stepping over hazards at the job sites. But fight night was different. Fight night was Uncle Meyer’s Oscars.
She and Zane had made a big step last night. Love. She loved him.
It wasn’t a surprise to her that she felt that way. But it was a surprise that he did. She’d worried in the beginning that maybe Trent was right. Maybe Zane Diggs would turn out to be playing her, using her until he was bored? Instead, a powerful physical pull had deepened into something that Valerie envisioned could last, for a while, maybe even forever.
She’d arranged to travel to the fight with her aunt and uncle. It wasn’t Vegas yet, but it was Detroit. And it was big.
“I’ve worked my ass off in Michigan, and the fighters have bled to make Grand City the opening place to see up-and-comers. And then we set Detroit up to really launch them into the big time. They do great in Detroit it’s on to work in Vegas and The Garden.” Uncle Meyer was describing the circuit he’d put in place and it was making her nervous for Zane. She knew this was a big night and was confident he could do it. But still. It was a lot of pressure, and anything could happen.
“You look beautiful honey.” Her aunt had offered up this dress like she’d done before, and as usual, it was perfection.
“Thank you, you do too.” The three of them traveled by small jet from Grand City to Detroit, it was less thirty-minute flight in Uncle Meyer’s private jet. Zane and the fighters traveled by chartered bus. She wouldn’t see him today until he stepped into the ring. She was glad, in a way, she didn’t want to be a distraction or say something stupid. The next thing she said to him was going to be congratulations.
After they’d landed in Detroit her phone buzzed repeatedly. Trent.
“Excuse me.” Valerie hated to take a call in front of her aunt and uncle. She wanted them to know where her focus was for tonight. But Trent had messaged over and over. She dialed him up.
“Trent, what’s up?”
“I need you to come back home. I’m not feeling well, my mom, you know? And then my dad lost it again over my job search.”
“What? Trent? I’m sorry, you know that tonight’s the night of Zane’s fight?”
“What. Oh, Come on. Who the fuck cares about this loser? He’s going to dump you if he wins and if he loses, well, he’s going nowhere.”
She was livid. Trent was trying to emotionally blackmail her to feel guilty and worse she was tired of him berating Zane.
“Look, Trent, I’m sick of this. I love you. But you have to accept that Zane is in my life now or we can’t keep being friends like we were.” It was the bluntest she’d been with her childhood friend, but he was incredibly selfish and needy on a night that was in no way about him. Trent must have finally gotten the message because he backed off, slightly.
“We can. I’m sorry. I know. I’m sorry okay. I’m sorry.” Trent was losing his shit. Why hadn’t Valerie noticed? What was happening with him? She’d been so into herself that maybe she’d missed something important with Trent. His life was careening out of control in some way, and she’d been involved in her own survival. A twinge of guilt softened her towards Trent. She owed him some patience and support.
“Okay, okay, when I get back we’ll do lunch. Okay? Pull it together.”
“I will, I promise. I love you, girl. We’re family, you know that.”
She wanted off the phone, Trent was trying to pull her to him even from miles away. It never used to be like this.
“Bye Trent.” She ended the call. Trent was her past, she knew that now. Maybe that was what he understood before she did. He knew her life was fundamentally changed. That their paths were no longer going in the same direction.
They’d have to set this straight soon.
“That Trent? He’s too into you. He’s a creep.” Her Uncle Meyer, who was always distracted, or so she thought, clearly didn’t miss that Trent was a part of her life.
“I agree,” Aunt Susan chimed in.
“You’re right. I’m working on it. He’s gotten really clingy since my parents died.”
“Ugh, not a good look,” Uncle Meyer said.
“If that Trent’s bothering you please let us know. We’re here to help,” Aunt Susan said, and she had a look of worry in her eyes.
“No, it’s okay. He’s an old friend. But it’s time to move on. It’ll be fine. He’ll be fine.” She wanted to change the subject. The last thing Valerie wanted was the baggage of her old life interfering with the generous love she’d found in this one.
“So, let’s talk about the fight, big crowd?” She didn’t want her aunt and uncle to have to deal with this stuff with Trent. They’d done enough. She’d handle Trent, they didn’t have to save her yet again.
“Capacity, that’s the key. We got Zane and Quinton Terry to warm up the crowd. Then I’ve got Jessie Hoolihan. He’s defending his belt. He’s also a Grand City native, by the way, wife owns a flower shop. Anyway, he’s been a consistent star for the 21C these days. Your boy’s going to get a lot of exposure tonight.”
Valerie knew she had a lot to learn about the sport and she loved learning it from the best. The event was happening at Joe Louis Arena. It was an old venue, but Uncle Meyer loved it. They pulled in and again, Valerie was amazed at cameras flashing. Her uncle brought heat and attention, there was just no doubt about it.
She walked behind them and tried not to attract the same attention, but it was no use.
“Meyer and Susan! Meyer! Susan!” They were used to posing for pictures on the red carpet, and this time, they both drew her from behind them and placed her smack dab in the middle.
“What’s your name blondie?” One of the photographers yelled at her.
“A little respect? This is our niece, Valerie Colson.”
“Give us a smile Valerie.”
“It will be over in a second.” She heard her aunt whisper to her behind her own dazzling smile. Valerie did the same, and the photographers got their shots.
“They’re annoying, but it’s part of the deal. They help keep people interested in my fighters,” her uncle explained and after a few minutes, and near blindness, they were headed inside.
They were ringside, and the scope of Joe Louis Arena versus the one in Grand City had Valerie in awe. No question Zane Diggs was leveling up in a big way tonight.
There were several undercard fights, and mostly Aunt Susan explained things, pointed out observations to her husband and was just as comfortable here at ringside as she was at the Gala the other night. Valerie realized that Aunt Susan’s appeal, beyond how pretty she was, came from the inside out. And this was their element, their court. In a lot of ways, every fighter in the sport owed Uncle Meyer for what he did to set up the 21C.
After several fights were decided it was finally time for Zane’s contest and the crowd was hyped up. Valerie looked toward the spotlight. There he was, handsome, brutal, and magnetic. The light followed him. His charisma pulled it in. Valerie saw that it wasn’t just her reaction. The noise from the fans got noticeably louder. They chanted his name. And this was just the beginning of his career. She wondered what would happen to him, to them, as more people got on the Zane Train as one of the signs she saw in the crowd read.
The crowd closed on Valerie. Where there were spaces between seats, between rows before, now Valerie felt a press of humanity at her back and on both sides. Valerie’s chest got tight. She tried to take a deep breath and had trouble managing it. She strained to focus on Zane as he entered the ring. Dammit, why hadn’t she real
ized something like this could happen?
She wanted to enjoy this moment, but it was getting increasingly difficult to ignore her rising panic. She had no idea how to cope with it. The more she tried to suppress it and just be normal the worse it seemed to feel.
The air felt thick, and a spike of pain pierced her chest. She knew the announcer was telling the crowd about Zane’s accomplishments and his opponent’s.
She had to get out. That’s all she knew.
Zane’s big moment had arrived, and she was likely going to ruin it if Uncle Meyer had to deal with his niece freaking out.
Everyone was on their feet for the match, and she sank into her chair for fear she couldn’t stand. The whole thing made her feel buried, walled in.
There was a cold sweat above her lip.
While her Uncle focused on the ring, she needed to get out and get air. She didn’t want him or Zane to see her this way.
Valerie stood up, and Aunt Susan turned to say something to her. Aunt Susan’s face shifted immediately when she looked at Valerie.
“Honey, what is it?”
“I can’t breathe, I think I’m having a heart attack.”
“Come on.” She took Valerie’s hand. She said something to Uncle Meyer, and then Aunt Susan pushed them through the seats to the aisle. People were screaming for Zane and for Quinton Terry, but the sound was distant. She heard it through a wall that was enclosing her, suffocating her.
In less than a minute they were in the lobby, which was nearly empty, everyone else was inside enjoying the fight. Aunt Susan found them a bench.
“Sit here for a second.” Aunt Susan left her for a few seconds and reappeared with a bottle of water.
“I’m so sorry. I can’t understand this.” Valerie could barely get the sentence out. She still felt like she might die, that her chest might explode.
“All you have to do is breathe. You don’t need to explain or apologize. You also don’t need to rush it.”