by K J Ellis
“Isaak... Earth to Isaak?”
It's only when I see him waving his hand in front of my face that I look up from the mat I’m doing push ups on.
“What, sorry?” I push my legs underneath me and jump up onto my feet so I’m standing in an upright position.
“I said, someone is at the door. The bell is ringing off the hook.”
I raise my eyebrows in question as I haven’t heard anything myself.
I walk over to the gym wall where the screen is that shows me different areas of the grounds that surround my house, clicking the button a couple of times until I get to the camera showing me the front door.
The person standing there has my dick immediately standing to attention, until I notice just how panicked she looks and it doesn’t sit well with me.
“Fuck.”
“What’s up?” Owen asks, coming to stand by my side.
“Remme is here.” I push the speaker button as I talk to her. “I’m on my way, Rem…” I’m sprinting towards her before she’s even had the chance to speak. Bombing my way from the gym, leaving Owen to wonder what the hell is going on. I swing the door open with so much force I nearly take it off its hinges.
“About fucking time. They’re like a pack of wolves stalking their next prey.” She pushes past me and storms into the house. Peeking out around the door, I understand why she was acting frantic and in a panic. The paparazzi are out in full force. There’s at least twenty of them with cameras pointing their lenses in our direction.
Fuck. This is what I was hoping wouldn’t happen; I didn’t want this for Remme. She isn’t ready for any of this.
I dart back through the door, turning on my heels, and come face-to-face with a flustered-looking, yet still beautiful Remme.
“Are you okay?” I rush towards her, taking her into my arms with not much thought of my actions, as she lets me embrace her.
She pulls on my shoulders, bringing my bare chest that’s covered in a light sheen of sweat closer towards her. She holds onto me tightly, grabbing at any piece of skin or muscle she can get her hands on. She’s clearly having some sort of melt down, or panic attack, and it causes my protective instincts to kick in.
I feel myself wanting to protect her from my world as much as I can and for as long as I can, even if it was always inevitable in the end.
Her breathing starts to even out, and that’s when she must realise the heavy hold, she has on me.
She pulls away from me slightly, her hands now sitting on my lower abdominals. She finally looks up at me with her glazed eyes, and I find myself wanting to kiss her. I resist the urge as I know that’s not what she needs right now.
“I’m...I’m...sorry. I just panicked seeing them when I drove up to the driveway—all the flashing coming from the cameras and how close they were getting to my car. They’re like vultures, and it kinda made me freak out,” she softly whispers, dropping her head again now slightly embarrassed.
“Hey...look at me, Remme.” I lift her chin with my index finger so she has no choice but to lift her head. “I understand it’s new to you and that it was no doubt very daunting, but I can promise you this: I will never let them, or anyone else harm you, Remme.”
She just blinks at me, a single tear falling from her eye.
I wipe it away with the pad of my thumb.
I get the feeling this is some kind of turning point for her. I think she’s just realised that those fuckers out there come hand-in-hand with being with me.
I tilt my head down at an angle so my lips are mere inches from hers. “I need to tell you something, Sweetcheeks. I know you want to take this slow, but I can’t do that, slow isn’t in my DNA. I want more, so much more with you, and I’ll do anything and everything in my power to make that happen.” I hear the gasp of breath she inhales then I close the gap between us and lock her lips with mine.
She doesn't push me away or lean back from the kiss. In fact, it's the complete opposite. She slides her body closer to mine and wraps her hands around my neck, forcing us to entwine as one. We kiss each other as if the only air we need is from one another.
“Isaak, I’ve come to realise that if we are going to make this work, then I have to try to come around to your way of life. It’s going to be a huge shock to my system, but I’m willing to try...for you. I just need you to be patient with me. Not only that, but I am going to have to speak to work. As much I know it may affect my career, I’ll do it, to be with you,” she finally admits to me, and I couldn’t be more thrilled about this.
“I’d wait forever for you, Remme,” I simply state. I hold her against me with one hand on her hip and the other hand holding her chin up high so she can look me in the eye and really see me and understand what I'm going to say next. “Whatever happens, we can sort it... together.”
“I appreciate that, Isaak, but this is my mess, and I will deal with the consequences of my actions. It wouldn’t be fair to drag you into it all; you have enough to deal with right now. And now, I’ve got to deal with the wolves outside at some point.” She runs her hands down the front of her legs, like she is ridding her palms of sweat and it’s only then I really notice what she’s wearing.
Looking at her from head to toe whilst she’s busy freaking out—it’s not the right time but I can’t help myself—I see her hair is tied up high on the top of her head in one of these loose messy buns, a black bikini licks at her skin underneath a very see-through wrap-around sarong dress. It shows off all her curves and her voluptuous, yet perky, breasts that just so happen to be peeking out of their confinements.
In short, she looks hot as fuck and all mine.
No wonder the cameras outside were having a field day with her. I dread to think what will be printed about her turning up at mine dressed like this.
I realise I’m still to answer her, so I snap myself out of imagining all the dirty thoughts I have running rapidly through my mind.
“I’m here for you, Remme. Whatever you need me to do, I’ll do it.” I stare back into her eyes. “I just know I need you around me, Sweetcheeks.” I tell her honestly.
“I want that too, Isaak—more than you'll ever know. I’ve never done this before. I don’t make a habit of pursuing my patients, just so you know.” She smiles softly up at me.
“That, Rem, is good to know. Just the thought of you being intimate with another man, having them touching you, pleasuring you. Fuck, it makes me wanna put their heads through a wall. Considering I’m a boxer, I’m not a violent person, honest, but when it comes to you...I’d do just about anything to make you happy and feel safe,” I say, never taking my eyes off her so she can see how murderous it makes me.
“I don’t know, Bruiser... I kinda like the fact that you would take on the world for me. Makes me feel less vulnerable and guarded. You don’t know how much that turns me on.” Her smile widens with every word she pronounces.
“God, don’t say things like that when Owen is in my house,” I growl at her.
“That’s a shame,” she says looking around. “Where is the foul-mouthed, Owen?”
I tilt my head back, a small laugh escaping. “In the gym. And just so you know, this is new to me, too. I don’t do relationships—never have. Shit, I never thought I would, but for you I’m willing to try. I’m not going to stand here and promise you sunshine and rainbows, that I can’t do. I respect you too much to lie to you. I can’t promise you that I won’t fuck this up. I know I’m bound to, somehow, someway, no matter how unintentionally it may be, but I’ll never stop trying to prove to you that I’m worthy of your love.”
“That, Isaak, is a promise within a promise, but I like the sound of that.”
“Good, and whatever is thrown our way, we will most certainly conquer it.” I seal my promise to Remme with an all-consuming kiss.
This is a turning point in my life, as much as it is for Remme. The path I’ve made for myself is starting to look a lot clearer—with Remme now seemingl
y along for the ride, maybe even a bit brighter.
There might just be sunshine and rainbows after all.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Remme
I don’t know why Isaak waited until today to tell me how he really feels instead of agreeing with me yesterday, but I’m so glad we’ve finally found some common ground where we’re concerned. I know we’ve only known each other a few weeks, but I suppose when you know, you know, and I knew there was something about Isaak the moment I saw him.
It wasn’t just his handsome roguish looks, or his absolutely droolworthy, toned and chiselled body or even his cheeky flirtiness… It was his eyes. They held me captive, so much so, I felt myself drowning in them and unable to come up for air.
Turns out, he’s the air I needed to breathe.
“Jesus, do you mind. Some of us don’t like PDA, so for the love of all things holy, put the girl down.”
I break away from the most passionate and meaningful kiss I’ve ever had in my lifetime and turn my head in the direction of where the voice has come from.
“Owen, isn’t it time you were going?” Isaak asks, but I get the feeling that’s him telling Owen to politely fuck off.
I smirk back at Isaak. The feeling I’m getting from these two whenever they are together is fresh and nice to see. You can tell they have a lot of respect for each other, despite the banter they always seem to have.
“By the looks of things, I’d say I’m coming, not going.” He throws a smirk and wink my way.
I thought I’d blush, but from the brief encounter I’ve already had with Owen, I know this is his way of getting under Isaak’s skin and not to cause me any embarrassment. It doesn’t stop me from smiling or burying my head into the groove of Isaak’s arm though.
I’m addicted to his scent just as much as I am him. It doesn't matter if he’s working out and all sweaty, or if he’s sitting doing nothing. The aroma surrounding him is pleasantly minty with a hint of spice. It’s refreshingly rich and intoxicating and purely Isaak. I don’t think I will ever get enough of it.
“Always a pleasure seeing a well-dressed, beautiful woman to brighten up my day,” I hear Owen continue. I don’t miss the rumble at the back of Isaak’s throat.
“If you don’t lift your Goddamn eyes so they’re level with mine, you’ll never see another woman’s body ever again, dickhead,” Isaak growls out, playful yet threatening.
“Touché Isaak, tou-fucking-ché, and way below the belt. You know I’d never survive that.”
Lifting my head from Isaak’s chest, I look back over at Owen. They’re both dressed the same: shorts no T-shirt. They’re just as ripped as each other. Owen’s definitely a fine specimen, very easy on the eyes that much I will admit, although he has nothing on Isaak. Isaak has tattoos and a very intense brooding roguish look I found myself falling for. Owen on the other hand is tattoo free and very clean looking. Too clean for me, even though I do get the feeling he’s wearing a mask and hiding behind his sarcastic and overly-cocky persona. What that is I don’t know yet, but I’m good at reading people. I’ll get it out of him in time.
I want to get to know him better, for myself but more so for Isaak. He truly loves this guy like a brother, and I want to get along with him, so I offer an olive branch to make up for the last time I saw him.
“Hi Owen, I’m Remme. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” I extend my hand out for him to shake.
“We’ve already met.” The confusion on his face is comical, but I explain my reasoning to him.
“I wanted to introduce myself properly this time. Our first encounter was… well, interesting to say the least,” I say with a shrug of my shoulder. “I think, since we’re going to be seeing a lot of each other, we should start again, and less of your flirting, if that’s what you call it.” I wink at him. It doesn’t bode well with Isaak, which in turns makes me laugh.
“What do you mean, if that’s what you call it? It works on everyone else but you.”
“Yeah, maybe. Or at least it works on the easy woman looking for a quick hook up, just like you. Maybe if you try getting to know them first, you would have everything you wanted whenever you wanted without going out looking for it. Did you ever think about that?” I have him stumped, that's for sure.
He thinks about it for a while, pondering the idea.
I glance quickly in Isaak’s direction. He’s got his arms crossed over his chest making the muscles bulge out more, and I just wanna lick every inch of him.
Owen speaks then, breaking the very lustful thoughts I’ve found myself thinking. “The idea of spending all my time with one woman terrifies me. Why would I do that when I can have...variety?” He seems happy with his answer.
Oh, it’s like that is it….
“You know, Owen, if you find the right girl...she’ll be willing to do anything to please you. She will fulfil all your wildest dreams and more. Clearly you haven’t found her yet, or you’d be with her right now and not chasing the easy pussy that you surround yourself with. I’ll leave you to think about that shall I?” I pat his bare shoulder as I walk past him and Isaak and head outside into the sunshine. It’s a lovely day and it’s stiflingly hot, so I choose to take advantage of this with Isaak’s workout session.
I have a feeling he’ll enjoy himself a little bit too much.
I chuck my wrap-around dress on the sun lounger that is closest to me and walk up to the edge of the swimming pool. Sitting down, I dip my toes into the refreshing water.
I hear Owen and Isaak talking as Owen grabs his bag and the rest of his clothes before leaving.
Isaak has gone quiet—too quiet. Looking over my shoulder, I see him bent over at the waist and biting his knuckles. At first, I panic, thinking he’s in pain, so I run over to him as quickly as possible without slipping on the wet tiles surrounding the pool. When I get to him, he stands back up and grabs me around my waist, flinging me over his shoulder.
“You’re a little minx, you know that Sweetcheeks? How am I meant to concentrate when you’re parading around my garden half fucking naked?”
“Hey, you have work to do. You can look but can’t touch,” I say playfully smacking his back.
“You’re mine now, Remme. Don’t ever tell me I can’t touch what is mine.” I feel a sting on my backside from where he spanks me, letting out moan of my own. Oh, I swear I’ve just climaxed in my bikini bottoms from his dominating nature coming out to play, and hot damn, if I don’t want to explore and let him dominate me a little bit more…
“Do your laps and I might let you touch... Might,” I tease him.
He starts walking towards the pool. “You sure about that?”
Now he’s the one that’s teasing. I love seeing this side of him—makes me want to bring it out of him some more.
“Yes, I’m sure. I still have a job to do, Isaak. I need to make you better, so that you can fight again.” The blood is now rushing to my head, as well as other places. “You want all this, then the quicker you do your session, the quicker you get your extracurricular activities done.”
“Oh, you wanna play that game, Sweetcheeks. You’re on.” No sooner are the words out of his mouth, I am being thrown through the air. I hit the water with a splash, sinking to the bottom. I push up off the floor of the pool with my feet and resurface, gulping for air.
“How’s the water?”
I can hear him laughing from the side of me, but I can’t see from all the water that’s in my eyes. “You absolute arsehole.”
“You won’t let me get you wet, so the pool can instead.”
I get the water from out of my eyes just as I see Isaak dive into the pool, effortlessly for someone with a back injury.
Playtime is over. I’m here for business not pleasure. That comes later.
Isaak’s emerges from the water in front of me, the little droplets of water raining down his face and shoulders not helping my current state of mind at all.
“Come
on, Bruiser. I’ll do the laps with you.” I place a single kiss on his lips and swim across the other side of the pool to start the laps. I don’t miss the unsatisfied groan that leaves the back of his throat from the separation of our lips.
We start off really well, but fifty laps into the session, Isaak’s hands start to wander and he begins to grope me whenever I’m near him, so I choose to get out and watch from the side line instead. I decide it’s his punishment. Denying him any closeness or touching of me seems to get the job done more efficiently.
“Come on, Isaak, ten more lengths and you can call it a day,” I call out from the side of the pool.
“I would have done the sixty lengths by now if you weren’t distracting me,” he says as he lifts his head from out the water after completing another lap.
“Unintentional, I promise. I’m just basking in the sun while I can. Keep going—you’re almost done.”
He does as I’ve instructed without kicking up a fuss too much. He completes the last length of the pool in next to no time, but then he disappears out of sight. I can see the silhouette of his body moving under the little ripples of the water. He reaches my legs that are dangling in the water without coming up for air once. I feel his hands snake up my calves slowly before he grabs them both and pulls me into the pool gently. This time, I manage to keep my head above the water as he catches me into his awaiting arms.
“Can I get what’s mine now?” he asks seductively.
“Absolutely. What you waiting for, Bruiser?” I wrap my arms around his neck as he places his around my waist. He moves us a little bit to the right, to where it’s not as deep so he can touch the floor and keep us afloat.
The water is resting just under his pecs, making my breasts bob up and down in the water around us.
“You have a fucking beautiful body, Remme, and it’s all mine. To do with what I want, when I want. Do you understand that?” His deep voice growls leaving no room for argument.
“Hhmm, one hundred percent,” I say breathlessly. Being in close proximity to him has me agreeing to anything he asks of me. Do I even care? No, I really don’t.