Fighting Love (Love to the Extreme) (14 page)

going to give it to her, whether he liked it or not. He’d also thought some time apart would help

him get better control over his raging lust for her. Yeah. Wrong. As soon as she’d come out of the

house last night, he’d wanted to pounce. Which had presented the perfect opportunity for him to

prove once again that he could control himself around her.

Which he had. Barely. But the important point was he had. If he could practically have his face

planted between her beautiful thighs and not ravish her, he was pretty damn sure he could kiss

her without turning into a sex-crazed fiend. The last thing he wanted was to be that man with her

—the man only seeking physical pleasure for him and his partner. The physical. No feeling, no

emotion, just raw lust.

He was capable of more than merely fucking. He had to be. For Julie, he had to be able to

make love.

Especially after watching her dance with the asshole. Closely. Thighs touching. The man’s arms

wrapped around her waist, his hands resting exactly where Tommy’s had been a few hours before.

He wanted her back in his embrace, with her arms wrapped tightly around his neck, her body

pressed to his, just as she was holding Brody now. And why shouldn’t he? She had promised him a

dance.

After placing his wineglass on a nearby table, he strode across the dance floor and tapped

Brody on the shoulder. The other man glanced back. When his eyes connected with Tommy’s,

amusement immediately brightened the man’s gaze. God, Tommy seriously loathed this asshole.

“Hey, man. What brings you by?” Brody said, tugging Julie to his side and under his arm.

The show of possessiveness boiled Tommy’s blood, and he curled his fingers into fists.

“Julie promised me a dance,” he said, relieved that his voice sounded normal and not coated in

hostility. He glanced past Brody to his best friend. Wide eyes gazed up at him and she stole his

breath for the second time today. “Isn’t that right, Julie?” This time there was a huskiness to his

tone he couldn’t hide.

Her brows lifted, but he held out his hand. When she sent Brody a questioning glance, as if

asking permission, Tommy clenched his teeth. Patience. The asshole wouldn’t be around much

longer. Not if he had anything to say about it. Which he did.

“Go dance with your friend.” The other man kissed her on the cheek and Tommy about cold-

cocked him. “I’ll grab us some drinks while I wait for you.” Then he sauntered off, like he didn’t

have a goddamn care in the world. Like another man wasn’t trying to swoop in and take his girl.

Confident fucker, wasn’t he?

They’d see how long that lasted.

As another slow song started to play, Julie slipped her hand in his and Tommy tugged her

close, wrapping one arm around her waist until he had her pressed against the full length of his

body. Unlike before, when she’d relaxed into him, she seemed to strain away from him now.

Leaning back, he frowned down at her. “What’s the matter with you?”

The smile she gave him was also strained—like, bared-teeth strained. “Nothing. I’m fine.”

Earlier at the house, she’d seemed happy to be in his arms, might have even accepted his kiss.

Now it was as if, were he to release her, she would bolt in the opposite direction. What the hell

had happened?

The rest of the dance didn’t go any better. She refused to look at him, her attention on

anything and everything but him. When he’d ask her a question, all she gave him was a short

answer, an “Uh huh” or “Mmm.” When the song was over, she patted him on the biceps and with

that same strained smile, said, “Thanks for that dance, Tommy. I’m going to find Brody now.”

And she strutted away, those hips swaying side to side, in search of another man.

Jealous fury made Tommy suck a breath through his teeth. That had been a disaster. What

was up with her 180-degree switcheroo? Was it because Brody was here? That seemed logical…

But it didn’t matter, he told himself. She may be out with the asshole right now, but she’d end

the night with Tommy.

…

A bald head grabbed his attention. Nerves hit his stomach as he spotted his former coach

grabbing a drink from the bar. He’d been keeping his eye out for Mike all afternoon, but he hadn’t

been at the ceremony. Tommy had worried that maybe he wouldn’t be here at all. Now that he’d

spotted Mike, he made a beeline over to him.

Still a towering combination of muscle and intimidation, the other man had on a pair of khaki

slacks and a white button-down shirt he’d left unfastened around the wide expanse of his neck.

Tommy guessed this was as dressed up as Mike was willing to get. His old coach’s eyes narrowed

when he saw Tommy approach.

That wasn’t a good sign.

“Mike.” Tommy held out his hand, which the other man took.

“Tommy. Good to see you.”

“Listen, I’m going to cut to the chase here and not waste your time. I’d like to apologize for my

shitty behavior after I won the title.”

“And the night you lost the title?” Mike asked, his expression unreadable.

Rage immediately erupted within Tommy as the punk kid’s jeering circled in his head.

Threatening to get Julie alone…to hurt her. “Sorry. I won’t apologize for that.”

A grim smile curved one corner of Mike’s mouth and he nodded. “That’s what I thought. And

just for the record? Nobody expects you to apologize for that. In fact, most of us were stunned he

didn’t end up hospitalized when we found out what he’d said.”

“He’s just lucky he crumbled after the first punch and his friends decided to jump in to keep me

busy.”

“I owe you an apology, too, Tommy. Had I known that the brawl was over what that asshole

said about Julie, my reaction would’ve been different. But you never said anything, so I just

assumed it was another one of your out-of-control moments.”

“Which is why I didn’t defend my actions. If it hadn’t been over that, it would’ve been over

something else, Mike. We both know that. Something needed to happen to knock me back on

track.”

Eyes narrowed, Mike rubbed the top of his bald head. “Mac told me you’ve been training with

him. He also mentioned you might be interested in returning to the cage.”

“Interested? Definitely. Is it a possibility? That depends on you and Ethan.”

Mike sucked on his teeth while he studied him. “I know I have a rep for being hot-headed and

just reacting. I did it to Dante, and I did it to you.” He pointed his finger at Tommy. “But in my

defense, you both had been screwing up and my patience was gone. Before I even think about

venturing down this road with you again, I need to know you are one hundred percent committed

to your career. No more of the crap you pulled.”

A flare of hope sparked in Tommy’s chest. “Mike, there is no one more painfully aware of their

part in fucking up their career. Trust me, it’s not happening again.”

“That’s good to know. So you want to come back?”

“Of course I do, but you remember I’m barred from the cage, right? You have a training facility

full of high-caliber fighters who are all slotted for matches. The chances of my getting back in are

almost nil.”

“I won’t lie. It won’t be easy. We all know why you punched Ethan’s son, but your reputation

was in the shitter even before that. You’re going to have to prove yourself. Show everyone this is what

you want. It’s as simple as that.”

“Do you think Ethan can overlook that last fight?”

“One thing I know about that man.” Mike lowered his voice and took a step closer. “Money talks. And

you had a lot of fans. Even before you won the championship, you sold out arenas. Ethan isn’t going to

forget that. He banned you in the heat of the moment. If we can show him you’ve changed, I think you

have a pretty good chance of getting back in.” Mike clapped him on the shoulder. “I’ve always known you

had the potential to be one of the greats in MMA, Tommy. One of the guys who still has loyal fans even

after retirement. You screwed up, but I think you’ve learned your lesson. So what do you say we start

kicking your ass again on Monday?”

Tommy smiled. “Sounds fucking fantastic.”

“Glad to have you back, man.”

Hell, yeah. A huge weight lifted from his shoulders. His career was back on track.

Now to get things on the right track with Julie.

…

Julie smiled up at Brody, who’d pulled her to a quiet alcove away from the group surrounding Dante

and Cait to watch the bride and groom cut the cake. The reception was winding down. After tossing the

garter and bouquet, the happy couple would leave to catch a late flight to Aruba, which Dante joked Caitlyn

would not see hide nor hair of once they landed. Cait blushed, but Julie noticed she didn’t contradict her

new husband’s prediction.

Another wave of envy hit Julie right where it hurt. The entire night had been a roller coaster of

emotions, starting with her encounter with Tommy at the house. That had pushed her to devote all her

attention to Brody, which hadn’t been difficult, since he hadn’t left her side, not even to hang with the many

other fighters in the building, who were grouped together talking shop as usual.

Unfortunately, the more time she spent with him, dancing and touching, the more she realized they

would never be more than friends. No matter how much she wanted to feel a spark with the man, she

didn’t. And she needed to let him know right away, before she ended up hurting him. She’d never forgive

herself if she did that, especially since she was allowing Tommy to believe there was more between her and

Brody than there really was. Which meant she was using Brody, and honestly, that made her feel sick.

“Cait’s about to throw the bouquet,” Brody said, nudging her forward. “Go out there and show those

women how it’s done.”

As she watched the single ladies gather on the dance floor, she bit her bottom lip. Should she? She’d

never participated in the tradition at other weddings. But just a little while ago, hadn’t she made a

determined vow to herself that she would marry and have a family? What better way to start looking toward

that future than by catching the symbol that said she’d be the next to do just that?

So she took her place beside a giggling woman who had to be in her very early twenties and most

definitely did not need to marry.

She caught Cait’s gaze, and Cait smiled and pointed at her before she turned around.

“One. Two. Three,” Cait counted excitedly.

The bouquet arched up. The young woman launched into the air, aiming for it like a heat-seeking

missile. Just as her hands closed around the handle of the daisy-laden bouquet, Julie nudged her with her

hip so she lost her grip. When the flowers tumbled from her fingertips, Julie grabbed a fistful of petals and

yanked them to her chest, holding them close as she bent over to protect them from the giggling horde who

tried to wrestle them away. Hands tugged at the bouquet, but Julie held on until everyone had given up.

She’d done it! She’d caught the bouquet!

Grinning, she glanced up, and her euphoria vanished in an instant.

Tommy was staring at her, frowning furiously.

Crap. Why did
he
have to be the first one she looked at? Why?

And why was he scowling at her like that?

She forced her gaze away and searched out Brody, who stood exactly where she’d left him, a

triumphant gleam in his eyes as he gazed back at her. Stunned by the softly possessive look, she swallowed.

Slowly she made her way to his side, letting out a little squeak when one of his arms shot forward, yanked

her to him, and gave her a tight hug. “Now that’s how a woman should catch the bouquet. In true MMA

style.”

As guilt flooded her chest, she stared up at him. She might as well come clean now rather than later.

“Brody, listen—”

“My turn,” he interrupted, releasing her and strutting out to the dance floor as Dante led Cait to a chair,

where she sat down. Dante slid his hands under Cait’s dress and waggled his brows, which made her throw

her head back and laugh, then he slowly slid the garter down her leg. After he’d balled it in his fist,

lingering long enough to give Cait a sweet kiss, he rose and twirled the garter above his head.

Her gaze slid to Tommy, who hadn’t moved to join the single men in the center of the dance floor.

Thank God. She really didn’t need him to be the one who caught the garter. Not that he appeared eager to

win the opportunity to slide the garter up her leg.

Brody, on the other hand, looked more than willing to catch the garter. She didn’t want him to, which

said a lot. They had to talk. Soon.

Dante used his fingers to slingshot the garter into the air. Julie followed the high upward arc and its fall

back down, directly in Brody’s direction. Breath held, she prayed for someone else to grab it.
Please,