Training Gia

by Nana Prah

  She screeched as he scooped her up into his lap. He held her against him as he nuzzled her neck.

  "You’re amazing.”

  She melted at the reverence in his voice and light in his eyes when he looked at her. As if he could see into her heart and understood that she longed for him. Needed him more each day.

  When she reached up and caressed his cheek, he held her hand in place, turned his head and grazed his soft lips against her palm. Her stomach quivered at his touch and she sighed with a deep contentment.

  “My first marriage happened while I was in college,” he said. “I met her in a business class during my senior year. Three months later, we were married.”

  “What happened?”

  “We were young and idealistic. Taking those vows snagged us into reality right quick. My mother tried to warn me, but I wouldn’t listen. Six months after the vows, we got divorced. She ended up marrying a plastic surgeon and having five children.”

  “What about the second wife?” She rubbed her tongue against her teeth. The word wife had never set them on edge before.

  The muscle in his jaw clenched and his eyes hardened. “She divorced me when I retired from the UFC.”

  That had disturbed her the most when she’d read it. He’d been out of the relationship for about six months. Her being a rebound kept pinging in her head.

  “She latched onto me a couple of years after I went pro. When she told me she was pregnant, I married her. Once again against the better judgment of my mother.”

  Gia’s hand flew to her mouth. Did he have a child? None of the articles had mentioned one and he never bragged about any.

  “A couple of weeks after our justice of the peace wedding, she informed me that she’d lost the baby. I was upset. I had accepted that I was going to be a father. I was determined to be present for the child, unlike mine. To provide for and love him or her.” He paused as if contemplating what could’ve been. “My ex-wife didn’t seem as troubled as I’d expected her to be which left me wondering if she’d been pregnant in the first place. She hadn’t displayed any of the popular symptoms like morning sickness or whatever. And she never showed me the pregnancy test or doctor’s report even though I’d asked to see them.”

  “But you married her anyway?”

  He shrugged. “It seemed the right thing to do at the time.”

  Gia swallowed hard and screwed up the courage to ask the question foremost on her mind. “Were you that head-over-heels in love with her?” Was she the love of your life? The one you will never get over? The woman you’ll one day return to because your heart never let her go?

  Collapsing against the back of the couch as if suddenly exhausted, he lolled his head until he met her eyes. “At the time I felt like everyone wanted a piece of me. She seemed genuine and supportive. A listening ear when I needed to vent. We were always together and she was comfortable to be with. It was an easy relationship, and that’s what I needed.”

  He hadn’t answered the question, and she didn’t have the nerve to ask it again.

  “A week after my doctor told me I’d risk permanent brain damage if I continued to fight and I agreed to retire, she filed for divorce.”

  They sat in silence as his story penetrated. Gia rested a hand against his arm and squeezed. “When you needed her most, she bailed. Probably got loads of your earnings, too.”

  Lips pressed together, he shook his head. “Nope. I had suspected her of cheating during our last year of marriage.”

  “Oh, shit!”

  “I had a private investigator get proof. That’s when my heart broke. Months later when she’d demanded a divorce, I was more than ready to give it to her. Our marriage was dead. I never asked her about the affairs, I just waited. Sex was no longer an option, and the trust I had in her was gone.”

  “Sounds like you didn’t want to work it out with her, so why didn’t you initiate the split?”

  He scrubbed a hand down his face. “I already had one failed marriage. I was trying to avoid the second fallout from becoming public even though I knew it was coming. I’m not always the best at letting go of things that aren’t good for me.”

  “Who is?” Gia mumbled.

  “She had the audacity to demand half of what I had earned while we’d been together and alimony on top of that. My lawyer revealed the pictures of her stepping out on me. She had no choice but to accept what I gave her.”

  Her nostrils flared in anger on his behalf. “Nothing.”

  He chuckled. “Vicious, aren’t you?”

  “Usually for others.”

  His finger slid down her cheek sending a delightful tingle along her spine. “You’re my beautiful warrior queen.”

  Her belly flipped. She had to stay on topic to keep from jumping on top of him, starting something she wouldn’t be able to finish. “Do you still speak to her?”

  He let out a grunt. “Not if I can help it.”

  “So, you never had children together?”

  The air from his deep sigh breezed along her skin. “My only regret.”

  Resting her head against his shoulder, she placed a hand over his chest where his heart beat steady. “You’ll make a fantastic father one day.”

  He kissed the top of her head. “What makes you think so?”

  “Just a feeling. God knows you aren’t the most patient person. Your children will be airborne the first and only time you say jump.”

  His laughter vibrated through her and she smiled.

  “What about you? Ever been married?”

  She shouldn’t be embarrassed about never having a long-term relationship, but it didn’t stop the heat from creeping into her face. “Not even close. I’ve dated a few guys, but it never got serious.”

  I think I was waiting for you.

  The unbidden thought shocked her enough to make her jump out of her seat. Sure, she liked him, but enough to want to spend the rest of her life with him? Was she in love? How would she know? She’d never been in love before. Touching the base of her neck, Gia cleared her throat. “I’m getting something to drink, do you want anything?”

  He studied her for a moment. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine,” she fibbed. “Thirsty and tired. You’ve been keeping me up late these past couple of weeks.”

  His cocky half grin as he reached for her made her almost regret the comment. She stepped out of his attempt with a giggle.

  Her smile vanished as she walked to the kitchen. They only had one more week of workout sessions left. When they completed them, he’d get rid of her and find a new flavor of the week. After what he’d experienced with his ex-wife, she could see why he wouldn’t want to settle down. Even the most naïve person in the world would have trouble trusting anyone after that.

  Heart heavy at the loss she’d soon experience when he left her, she vowed to enjoy him for as long as she could.

  Chapter 23

  Gia swiped at the sweat dripping from her face with a towel after her session. She now held a new respect for battle ropes. Lamar had turned them into a cardiovascular workout, making her want to whip him with the thick cords as he pushed her to the point where she no longer felt her arms.

  He stood a few feet away interacting with one of the more persistent female gym members. Gia twisted the towel as the woman traced a finger down Lamar’s bare arm.

  If the hussy’s giggle became any higher-pitched, dogs would come stampeding into the gym.

  Lamar stepped out of her reach. Gia might have stalked over to smack the woman’s hand away if he hadn’t moved. She hauled in a deep breath. They were just hanging out, not in a committed relationship. She’d do well to remember that. He had every right to flirt with whoever he wanted. So did she. Although she’d look completely awkward if she attempted to flirt. It had never been her thing.

  The woman twirled a lock of her long, straight dark hair with one finger as she tilted her head and stuck out her ample bosom. “I was thinking…”

  Lamar got caugh
t in what Trista called her pause and snag.

  “What?”

  “How about if we go out and get something to eat—” starting from the sides of her breasts, she smoothed her hands down her body “—of course it would have to be healthy because I’ve worked hard to get this…tight.”

  The twit then proceeded to bat her fake mile-long eyelashes up at him.

  To his credit, Lamar didn’t take the bait as he shook his head. “Thanks for the offer, but I’m busy tonight. Have a great weekend.”

  He turned his back on her and headed towards Gia. She could have kissed him. Instead, she faked a cough and covered her mouth to hide her smirk. She walked by his side when he reached her.

  “Does that happen a lot?”

  An indent formed between his creased brows. “What?”

  Was he serious? She hitched a thumb in the direction of the bold female. “Being asked out by gorgeous women.”

  He shrugged without looking back. “Every once in a while.”

  “And do you ever say yes?”

  “I don’t get involved with clients. I lump members of the gym in the same category.”

  She stopped and placed both hands on her hips. “You’ve said that before, but here you are spending almost every night with me. If you haven’t noticed, I’m a client.” She hadn’t yelled, but she hadn’t whispered either.

  His expression became unreadable as his gaze darted around. “Let’s talk in my office.”

  The sudden stubborn streak that jealousy had brought out almost kept her feet planted rather than trudging behind him. Once in his office, he offered her a seat which she refused.

  “Gia, what’s going on?”

  Everything else in her life was moving along so well. Harrison had stopped attacking her and her coworkers’ attitudes had changed because of it. She’d been spending time with Lamar getting to know and like him more each day. Her life should be perfect. The truth of her distress slipped off her tongue. “Where do you go when you leave me at four in the morning?”

  He blinked several times as his fingers rose to touch the scar.

  She stalked over to him glaring at his hand. “Don’t you dare try to lie to me again, Lamar. I won’t have it. I’ve done nothing but be upfront and honest with you. I deserve the same respect.”

  She squinted into his eyes. “Either you tell me the truth, or I’m out of here.”

  The air between them would’ve taken effort to walk through during their stare-down. And then he did the unexpected. His bark of laughter startled her. Fuming beyond anything she’d ever experienced, she charged around him and stomped to the door.

  He grabbed her hand and stopped her from leaving. “I’m sorry.” The continued laughter didn’t indicate remorse. “It’s just that you’re magnificent.”

  “And that’s funny?”

  “Yeah. You can be savage. Sometimes when I least expect it, there it is. No one should ever take you for a doormat again. You’re the farthest thing from it. More like the door that will swing open and smack someone in the face as they’re attempting to sneak through.”

  Gia smiled at the analogy. Had she changed that much? She pulled her shoulders back. Yes, she’d returned to who she knew herself to be. Important. Worthy of the best life had to offer.

  All traces of amusement gone, she crossed her arms over her chest. “Well?”

  His massive shoulders rose with a deep inhale. “First off, I have nothing but respect for you.”

  Her heart thumped hard, but she attempted to maintain her determined pursed-lipped glower. Total failure, as her lips trembled into a grin.

  “I didn’t lie. I leave at that time because I go to work out.”

  “Why so early?”

  “Because I’m training to compete in a UFC match.”

  She rotated a finger inside her ear, obviously not having heard him correctly. “Did you say UFC match? As in fighting?”

  “Yes.”

  After what he’d gone through during his last match, he couldn’t be serious.

  “That’s an extreme way of getting out of telling the truth, Lamar. If you’re living with someone, just tell me. I’ll never talk to you again, but it would be better than ridiculous lies.”

  He went to his desk, opened a drawer and pulled out a paper. He held up the flyer and pointed to himself and his scheduled opponent set to fight in three months.

  She read the poster as carefully as if it were a research document. Then she looked up at him. “Oh, hell fucking no!”

  Lamar had braced for such a reaction. At least from his friends and family. Gia’s outburst touched him somewhere deep in his chest. The way she was blistering his ears with a diatribe about his risk of permanent injury and how he was too intelligent to become a vegetable revealed how much she cared.

  After pacing the room with her hands waving in all directions as she harangued him about his choices, she whirled around. “What did El and Suarez say?” Then she narrowed her eyes and her voice came out low and threatening. “What did your mother say?”

  He swallowed hard. “Nothing.”

  “Lamar?”

  How did she manage to sound exactly like the woman who had raised him? “I haven’t told her yet. You’re the first person who knows.”

  “Huh. Call her and tell her now.”

  He slashed a hand in the air. “Now you’re overstepping yourself.” He’d gotten a hint of leaked rumors about his come-back, but they hadn’t blown up enough to reach his people. The news would officially be released next week. He’d let them know before the media shot it out. He owed them that respect.

  She rounded her mouth to speak, then clamped it shut. A few seconds passed before she tried again. “I see.”

  Not good. “It’s just that for my whole career, she’s worried about me. I don’t want to give her extra stress.”

  “So, discovering after the match that her son is brain-dead because he wasn’t wise enough to know that he shouldn’t have fought in the first place won’t stress her out?”

  She took a step closer. “Why are you doing this, Lamar?”

  The rasp of his hand down the stubble on his cheeks filled the dead quiet in the room. “Fighting is all I know. It’s what I’m good at, and it’s what’s driven me for years. The chance of sustaining brain damage is only forty percent if I get hit in the exact same location. In any other place it’s the same risk as it’s always been.” He sighed. “I don’t play safe, Gia. I never have. I wouldn’t have become a UFC champion if I had.”

  “But you’re rich and famous. You could do anything with your life. Why jeopardize it?”

  His explanation was beyond her reasoning, but he’d try. “It’s not about the money. Have you ever had anything that you loved with so much devotion that you thought about it all the time? Incorporated it into every waking moment? Something that you were exceptional at not only because it came naturally, but because you trained yourself with thousands of hours of practice and the discipline it took in mind and body to be the best?”

  Her gaze shifted away from his. She didn’t get it even though she lived it with her own career. She had been willing to sacrifice her dignity to do a job she enjoyed. Very few people in his life had ever understood his drive. It took someone just as dedicated to fathom his decision.

  “Won’t you reconsider, for m…um, your mother? She doesn’t deserve to lose two children in one lifetime.”

  The low blow hit hard enough to steal his breath for a moment. “I would never do anything to hurt her,” his voice came out raspy.

  When she went to speak again, he held up a hand to stop her before she said something they’d both regret. His heart twisted in disappointment at her lack of ability to understand his mission. “When Keisha died, my mother taught me how to live again. If she wanted life to be risk-free for me, she wouldn’t have allowed me to go after what I wanted. She helped pay for my initial training back in the day and came to every single one of my matches when she wasn’t working. An
nette Pearce will understand my decision to return. Probably more than anyone I know. She may initially cuss me out, but she’ll accept it. She believes in me and understands that my decisions are intentional. There’s nothing random about me, Gia.”

  She rubbed her hands against her arms as if chilled and bowed her head.

  It had weighed on him during the months he’d taken off from intensive training. What he’d been most pissed about during that time was his choice to retire having been removed from him. The pressure from his friends and family had been insistent once they’d learned about the increased risk of brain damage. He had done it for them. Such a mistake. He now had to rectify it.

  Life wouldn’t be so cruel as to take away his greatest love, his career, the one thing he was most passionate about. He couldn’t let that last match be the one he was remembered for. He recognized that ego played a role in his decision. So did everything he had ever worked for. Not trying wasn’t in his nature. He had more fight in him. “You keep thinking I’m going to get knocked out again. It won’t happen.”

  Her dark eyes pleaded. “How do you know, Lamar? You had no idea that it would happen during your last fight. There’s no guarantee it won’t occur again. I know you’re tough and determined, but forty percent is a huge statistic to bet your life against. Is it worth it?”

  They stood at a stalemate. He wasn’t going to change his mind and it seemed neither would she. Where did that leave them? She had one more week of training to complete the contract, but he didn’t care as much about that as he did what the disagreement would do to their budding relationship. He’d fallen in love with her. Would his decision to fight destroy what they had?

  The answer came when she closed the distance, wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head against his chest. “I understand that it’s important to you. I do. You mean so much to so many people. They’d be inconsolable if you got hurt to the point of not being who you are anymore. Even worse if you died.”

  Did she include herself in the statement or was it reserved for others? He rubbed her back and kept his voice low, so he wouldn’t scare her away. “I’ll be fine. I’ve been training hard and I’m ready. I promise. This is what I do.”