“Please Parker, take me. Rip my panties off and fuck me.” He rubs his hands up my thighs and pushes them apart. With one finger he crooks my panties to the side. Taking his other hand, he pinches my clit. Parker takes his time sliding my panties down my legs. After I step out of them he places them in his pocket.
“I think I’ll hold on to these.”
My phone begins vibrating. I am sure it is Royce wondering where I have disappeared to.
“Next time you’ll’ invite me in,” Parker says angrily.
And with that I am alone in the bathroom.
“Hell,” I whisper to myself and pick my phone up from the sink. “Hello,” I answer Royce’s call trying not to let him hear how shaky my voice is.
“Where are you, you okay?” Royce sounds panicked on the other end of the line.
“Sorry, I think the pasta upset my stomach. I started feeling queasy, but I think I am better now. I didn’t miss Kline’s fight did I?”
“No, you sure don’t want me to take you home?”
“Yeah,” I hang up with him after assuring him for the fifth time that I am fine. Lying to him causes me to feel horrible, and I feel like the worst date for almost fucking Parker Garrett in the bathroom of all places. But my body—my body is still craving for that man to march back in here and finish what he started.
I right myself and make my way back through the crowd and hope no one notices that I am now wearing one less article of clothing. I really liked those panties. I begin feeling angry. How dare Parker think he can follow me out on my date, showing up in the bathroom to attack my senses like that! I’m not some bathroom slut or plaything he can do as he wishes with anytime he pleases.
“You okay babe?” Royce gives me a gentle hug and swipes a finger across my cheek. “Don’t worry about Kline; he’s going to be fine.” I feel so angry and guilty. My brother’s impending win is the last thing I am thinking about. “Besides if he doesn’t win, it looks like he has a whole entourage ready to make sure he is nursed back into shape.” Royce points in my brother’s direction on the other side of the ring, and he looks like he is having the time of his life surrounded by a group of scantily clad dressed women. Good thing Tiffany isn’t here.
My phone vibrates and at this point I could rip someone’s arm off I am so frustrated.
Parker: Feeling tense?
Me: Never better, my date and I are having an awesome time thanks to you getting me warmed up. xx
There take that Parker! I bet he doesn’t feel so sure of himself now. I don’t have any intention on sleeping with Royce tonight, but Parker doesn’t need to know that.
My phone buzzes again.
Parker: Don’t make me carry you out of here caveman style over my shoulder
Me: Fuck off
I know I am playing with fire, but he just makes me so angry. I turn my phone completely off, and focus all of my attention to the center of the ring as my brother takes his corner. I take all the hurt and anger I am feeling towards Parker and channel it to my brother and hope my emotions fuel his fire to drop his opponent like his last girlfriend— precisely and skillfully like a ninja. I hope Kline takes him down before the guy knows what’s hit him.
**
My brother’s face looks beaten to a bloody pulp, he is staggering inside the cage like a drunk. I turn my head and bury it into Royce’s chest as Kline drops down on one knee. I know they won’t stop the fight, that’s not how these guys operate. The chant starts out low and barely audible, but I can hear people cheering Kline on, “TNT!”
Royce strokes my back while tears roll down my cheeks; I can’t watch my brother’s demise. But then I hear the MC announce winning by TKO fighting out of the red corner, Kline ‘TNT’ Evans.
“He won.” I look up at Royce questioningly.
“Your brother just put up one hell of a fight. People are going to be talking about his comeback for weeks.” I kiss Royce on the mouth I am so excited. I don’t waste anytime leaving his side and running towards the entrance of the cage as my brother makes his exit.
“I am so proud of you!” He picks me up getting blood on my arms and on my dress but right now I don’t even care. My brother just kicked the shit out of that guy. I look at his opponent lying in the center of the ring as his trainer brings him to. “How…I missed…I couldn’t watch.”
“He had me sis, I didn’t know what I was going to do. I dropped down on my knee trying to catch my breath. I thought he was going to finish me, but I thought about you and mom. I couldn’t lose. I used everything I had in me. I swung myself around and landed a drop kick right square against his chin.”
I leave my brother to the crowd that is forming around him and find Royce leaning against the wall by the exit for me. “You need to get cleaned up. You can’t go into work looking like that.”
“Yeah, can we run by your place so I can freshen up? I have extra clothes in my bag.”
“Yeah, let’s go. It’s going to be a bitch to get out of this lot.”
Royce’s house hasn’t changed much since I was last here. It still looks like a frat house, but that’s mostly because he shares it with assholes one and two. Royce has the master bedroom with the private bath because it is his house. His friends and I use the term loosely, rent from him. Thankfully they aren’t home. The asshole duo could have been at the fights for all I know, not that I care to know.
“I’ll leave you to freshen up.” Royce looks at me longingly.
I’m so pumped up right now. I’d love to be able to feel the love I used to for him. Maybe with time I will. I inhale his scent in the bathroom. Royce has always smelled of sandalwood and soap. The smell is comforting to me. I sit my bag on top of the commode and strip of my dress, I hope it isn’t ruined. I take a wash rag from the linen closet washing my face and my arms. I probably should have taken a shower, but I am pressed for time if I don’t want to be late for work. I’m cutting it close as it is.
I shimmy into my yoga pants and tank top. At least my hair has held up. Sug should work in a salon. I apply some mascara and lip gloss. I don’t bother with anything more.
Royce is waiting patiently for me downstairs.
“It’s a good feeling to see you back here, with me. I wish things were different Brandi. If I hadn’t been such a prick we could be married right now.” He looks sad, and I can’t withstand that expression he is showing me right now.
“Royce, let’s not go there tonight. You don’t— you can’t know that. We will talk I promise, but I really need you to drive me to work.”
“Promises, promises.” He winks at me in an attempt to lighten the mood. The thought of being married terrifies me. Especially after watching my mom and Charlie all these years, if what they have is considered a happy marriage and love, I want no part of it.
The drive to work is quiet. Royce is in deep thought, and I allow myself to get lost in the scenery as we pass by all the flashing lights and neon signs. I take in the people walking the strip and find myself wondering what some of their stories are and how they ended up here.
Royce stops near the parking garage entrance. “Do you want me to give you a lift home later?”
“I’ll be okay. I’ll text you when I get home.” I lean across the console and give him a feather light peck on the lips.
“I love you Brandi, never doubt that.”
That’s the problem isn’t it? He dumped me and left me doubting all that we shared.
Chapter 5
I’m at the end of my shift and have just clocked out. I call for Jay to walk me to my car when I remember that I didn’t drive. “I’m sorry Jay. I forgot I didn’t drive myself. Can you call me a cab?”
“Yeah, sure thing. I’ll let you know when it’s here.”
“Thanks.” I slide down into the sofa in the break room to uncomplainingly wait for my ride. To pass the time I whip my phone out and check my messages. I already have a text from Royce. I told him I’d text him when I make it home. I shake my head.
/> Royce: I wish you were lying next to me.
He is being sweet. I’ll give him that, maybe I should surprise him and slip in bed beside him. The spare key he gave me still rests on my key ring. I never returned it when we broke-up. I’m fiddling with the key when Jay comes to let me know that there is a car waiting for me out front.
Outside of the club there is only Parker Garrett and a black Mercedes waiting for me. “Can I give you a ride?” Like I have a choice, I don’t suppose telling him no would suffice. Having a man, one you’ve been sleeping with drive you to your ex-boyfriends would be all kinds of wrong. Seeing Royce will have to wait. I know I need to end things with Parker now before I get in too deep. If I am going to really give Royce a fair chance, there is no time like the present to end things with Parker. Not that there is really anything for us to end.
He opens the passenger door for me and I reluctantly get in.
“Your date doesn’t keep good company.”
“My date is none of your business; however, he can’t be too bad if your company represents him. Unless you’re telling me that you’re bad news too. You’re just upset that I didn’t cancel my plans for you. I’m not your beck and call girl.”
“If you want to be a cage girl in my company then you won’t see Royce anymore. I gave him the same choice six months ago. I guess you know what he chose.” He smirks.
What a bastard. How could he put Royce in that spot? And Royce chose his career over me. That hurts.
“I’ve wanted you since the first night I saw you at the fights. Why do you think I keep coming back? I’m an important man Brandi. I don’t have to give you a choice you know. I need to get close to you…to touch you… to have you. I want you to be mine.”
“if you cared about me you wouldn’t be giving me an ultimatum. We had sex one time. Yeah, while it was great, I deserve better than this, from you…from anyone.”
Parker reaches across the car and tangles his fingers in my hair before pulling me in for the kiss of all kisses. His tongue swipes across the bottom of my lip, he moans an, “Mmm,” against my mouth before pushing his tongue into my mouth and claiming me as his. I answer his claim and our tongues dance in a tango.
“Stop,” I pant and sag against the door as I fumble for the door handle. “I can’t Parker.
“You make me crazy Brandi. All day I think about you and ways to get close to you. But my life it’s not one I’d wish on anyone. You are so beautiful, if anything ever happened to you…”
“Parker I’m not sure I follow where you are going with this.”
“I’ve done things…bad things to get what I want. I’ve hurt people…”
“I’m sure it can’t be that bad Parker. But you aren’t ready to tell me and that’s okay. I want to work for your company, but not so much that I am willing to make a deal with you when it comes to my love life. I’m not with Royce, but I’m sure you know that already. I’m not a friend with benefits type of girl. I don’t go around sleeping with a different man every night.”
“Who said anything about being friends Brandi. I want you as my lover and mine only. I don’t like to share. I assumed you understood that after our fun in the bathroom. It’s different with you. I don’t go around fucking my friends. I tell you what, when you are ready to grow up, come see me.”
Come see him when I grow up…Who does he think he is dismissing me like a child? I’ll show him a child… After collecting myself and my emotions I remove myself from his car and he speeds off in to the distance.
Kline’s truck is here and the lights are on inside the apartment. I really hope he is alone, but the sound of numerous voices tells me he is celebrating his win. Is it wrong that I don’t want to join in on the celebration? Maybe I would be more in the celebrating mood if I knew Kline was finished taking on Charlie’s troubles. A good sister would suck it up and join the party, but tonight I am feeling selfish. Instead of celebrating, I opt out of joining Kline and his buddies for beer and jello shots. Driving myself straight into Royce’s arms to confront him about what Parker told me.
Just as I thought my key still works and the security alarm pin is the same. I enter the six-digit code in and walk upstairs to slip in bed with Royce. When I reach the top of the stairs I am just in time to hear the faint moans of a woman crying out with an, “oh yes.” This isn’t my night. I turn too quickly on my heel and take a roll down the stairs. “Fuck,” escapes my lips a little too loudly. My plan to make a quiet escape without Royce knowing I caught him, and leaving with my dignity is an epic failure. That quick turn has cost me greatly; I can only hope I haven’t injured myself too greatly.
Karma must be paying me back for all the times I have ever done wrong in my life, because my right ankle cannot bear my weight right now, and to add to my humiliation Brad is standing at the top of the stairs in his boxers.
He turns the light on that is centered over the middle of the stairway. “Brandi is that you?”
“Yeah,” I croak hobbling to the couch in the living room.
Royce comes running down the stairs wiping sleep from his eyes. It comforts me to no end to know that the moan I was hearing wasn’t coming from his room. I am a perfect example of what happens when you assume things. “Babe, not that I’m not glad to see you, but what are you doing?”
“I changed my mind. I was going to surprise you and I heard a woman, and I…”
“You thought I had someone over?” Royce is kneeling in front of me and he takes my hands. “I told you I want us to work. I need you to trust me. Brad’s girlfriend Kelsey is staying over.”
“I know. I’m sorry it was wrong of me to assume.” I twist my ankle. It’s feeling stiff, and the laces of my shoe is feeling tight, it’s pinching my skin. A hiss of discomfort leaves my lips as Royce turns his attention to my swelling ankle.
He turns on the side table lamp and inspects my aching foot. “I think you just twisted it, but if you want me to take you to the emergency room I will.”
“I just want to lie next to you. Can we just go to bed?”
“Yeah but you better let me get some ice on that ankle.”
I still want to say something about what Parker told me, but Royce talked me into taking a prescription painkiller and it is knocking me off my ass.
**
“I really like waking up with you in my bed. I may not let you out of it.” Royce has his head lying on my breasts. It does feel right being here with him. Nothing happened last night other than him giving me a rough time for suspecting the worst of him.
“Well, I do have the next three days off.”
“Don’t tempt me to hold you here. Trust me I want to but I have training all week. You could stay here though, if Kline is still throwing a rager. Or you could stay because you want to. It would be really nice to come home to you waiting for me.”
My ankle feels so stiff; it hurts to stretch. I let out a low whimper. “That’s it. I’m taking today off so I can take care of you.”
“I’ll be fine really. But I appreciate the offer. It is tempting, but I don’t want you missing out on your workouts because I am a big baby.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.” He rolls over on top of me supporting his weight with his knees planted on each side of me.
“At least let me treat you to breakfast and a shower.” He kisses up my throat to the corner of my mouth rubbing his stubble against my jaw.
“Deal.”
Nothing has really changed between us. There is still so much we need to talk about, but being here with him feels so right.
**
Royce is standing behind me in the shower. I can tell he is trying so hard to restrain himself by being on his best behavior. I agreed to allow him to help me shower only if we stay in our underwear. The heat from the shower isn’t the only thing making it hot in here, the heat radiating off his body is making it hard for me not to turn around and delve my tongue in his mouth. The temptation to run my fingers through his hai
r and let him do all the things he used to is hard to resist.
Royce closes the gap between us and the touch of his flesh to mine sets me ablaze with want. The flame is flickering between my thighs as he kisses the back of my neck so lightly it is barely a whisper. His hands skillfully wash my arms in such a way I am about to crack and let him have me. The water runs over me, each drop is like needles, my skin is so sensitive. My breasts have grown heavy and his muscles are hard —tense. Yet he remains calm and restraining from what he wants.
“How’s your foot,” I nearly jump at his deep husky voice laced with desire. My head is swimming with images of him pressing me against the cool tile of the shower wall, his smell envelopes me in a blanket. The steam is blinding me. I can’t fight the urge to have him any longer. I’m so hungry for his love.
“Royce,” I whisper his name hoarsely. “Please Royce, I want you.”
“What happened to slow?” He wraps his muscular arms around my waist. My head falls back against his chest, his mouth closes over mine. Royce reaches behind him without stopping our kiss to turn the water off. He lets me go only to sweep me off my feet. Carrying me dripping wet to his bed. Looking down at me with a warm smile he says, “You are so beautiful it almost hurts to look at you. To think I ever let you go. I can’t walk away from you again Bran.”
Royce really does love me, doesn’t he? I know now that I want him. What girl could walk away when he puts it into words that tell his intentions and show his true devotion? Slow and sweet, he takes his time showing me just how deeply he loves me. Royce worships my body with his hands and his greedy mouth. His fingers tease at my clit as his tongue circles my nipple.
He slides own the bed, kissing the insides of each thigh, rubbing me with the stubble that has taken over his face. His beard scrapes against my skin creating friction that has me squirming under the weight of his palm splayed across my hip bone. He looks so rugged and hungry right now. His muscles tense under my heated touch. I rake my nails down his back as he teases my pussy with a few short licks.
Dirty Love (Fighting Dirty Series Book 1) Page 6