No Safeword: Matte - Happily Ever After (Safewords) (10 page)

But he missed her. He missed holding her, loving her, kissing her. The kisses they exchanged now were pecks, not true kisses, but he didn’t dare lean her head back to give her the kind of kiss she needed. Or rather, the kind of kiss he needed to give her.

Masterson had taken his strong, competent, Samantha away from him, and no matter how pissed he was about it, the bastard was dead and Ethan could do nothing to him.

When Ethan returned to their room he found Sam and Tom watching a bout on TV, with Sam jabbering on a million miles a minute as she pointed out intricate details of the man’s fighting style. It took Ethan a few seconds to realize she’d used the HDMI cable, and was going over the videos she’d downloaded to her laptop. She was in bed, leaning against the padded headboard while Tom sat in a nearby chair.

She’d dressed while Ethan was gone, and looked ultra-sexy in her jeans and lavender short-sleeve, clingy sweater.

Ethan liked Tom, and knew he and Sam didn’t see each other romantically, but it still bugged him to find the man in their hotel room. And having Sam just glance at Ethan and give him a quick smile before continuing her sentence with barely a pause didn’t help.

“Don’t you usually go over this with me around, since I’m the main coach when he’s in the cage?”

Sam paused the video and nodded, “Yeah, but I wanted to run something by him before we get started. Frisco will be here in a few minutes and we can all go over it together.”

Ethan propped the two bagged chairs and one folding chair he’d bought against the wall, and stepped around so he could see the TV as Sam continued her running commentary. It didn’t take Ethan long to see why she wanted to talk to Tom ahead of time, as Tom was about to fight his former teacher’s star pupil.

Frisco had likely been out late the night before and would come in asking for caffeine, so Ethan started a pot of coffee as he listened to his wife.

“Will your teacher tell him what your weak points are? And if he does, do they all still apply?” Sam asked Tom. “You aren’t the same fighter, you’ve grown and improved, so can we take advantage of something he may think is a problem area?”

Sam never failed to impress Ethan with her strategies, and he marveled as he listened now. It didn’t even bother him that she’d helped Tom beat him, and it would be him competing for the national title if things had gone differently. Tom had beat him fair and square, and deserved the spot.

It
did
bother Ethan that he was better than a lot of the people here, but he was planning to enter the local rounds when they started again in a few months, and hoped to make it to the regionals, and then eventually the nationals next year.

Francisco entered with his usual flair, fawning over Sam and making sure she was okay before accepting a cup of coffee from Ethan and settling down to business as they all watched videos and listened to Sam.

By the time they went to breakfast, Ethan felt confident Tom could win both of his bouts today, and looked forward to doing the same thing the next morning to figure out how he could win his final fight — the one that would give him the national title.

Ethan walked Sam back to the hotel room after breakfast and gave her a quick peck on the lips. “Call me when you get ready to leave, and either I or Francisco will come get you. You have your ID badge?”

He lifted the chair she’d liked best — one of the bagged ones — and reminded her to lock the door behind him.

* * * *

Sam closed and locked the door, and let her smile fade. She was exhausted, though she hadn’t wanted to admit it to the men. How could she be so tired from doing nothing but standing and sitting around all day yesterday?

She set her cell phone to wake her in an hour and a half, took her sling off, slid into bed fully clothed, and fell asleep as her head hit the pillow.

The alarm was an unwelcome intrusion into her dreams, and it took longer than normal for her to realize it wasn’t part of her dream. As she finally woke to the reality of the hotel room, she wanted to toss the pain meds down the toilet. She hadn’t taken one since the night before, but she was still
off
, and hated the way they made her feel.

At least
, she told herself, trying to find a bright side,
you don’t have to worry about becoming addicted to them.

Tom had put her hair in a ponytail that morning, but it needed serious help again, and no one was here to pull it back for her. It was nearly impossible to do anything with her hair one-handed, and she had to lecture herself about not having a pity-party in order to keep her tears at bay. In the end, she plugged the straightener in and managed to make it look halfway decent while down. She’d ask Francisco or Ethan to pull it back for her once she got to the arena.

She took her time with her make-up, adjusted her clothes, donned her sling, texted Ethan she was leaving the hotel and would see him soon, and headed downstairs. She didn’t need anyone to come get her, as they were staying in a nice enough hotel she’d be able to count on the doorman to hail a cab.

“Chica, you seem to be holding up better today. You want dessert, since you’re still awake?”

“No, I’m good Frisco. Ethan’s chair idea made all the difference.” She leaned into her husband’s warm strength, glad they were sitting in a booth tonight. She’d missed his touch, but didn’t know what to do to make him stop treating her like a friend instead of his wife and submissive. She wasn’t ready for sex, but she needed intimacy.

“When will you be able to start working out again?” asked Tom.

“When I’ve healed more, apparently. I’m glad I don’t have to be so careful with my lungs, but I can’t wait to start pushing myself. I feel as if I’m in a holding pattern, and I don’t like it.” Changing the subject, she looked at his plate and said, “Okay, two steaks, one huge salad, and two orders of shrimp. Are you done, or do you want dessert?”

Laughing, he tossed his napkin on the table. “I think I’m done, and I’d say it’s time for you to turn in. Are you sure you aren’t pushing yourself too hard?”

“Positive. I have some videos of tomorrow’s opponent already downloaded, as I had a feeling it would come down to the two of you. Do you want to go over them tonight, or wait until tomorrow?”

Tom looked to Ethan before answering. “Why don’t I get you to put them on a thumb drive so I can go over them by myself tonight, and then we can break them down together tomorrow morning?”

Sam looked up to Ethan and back to Tom. “He isn’t my keeper, you know. If I was too tired to go over them tonight, I wouldn’t have offered. I didn’t have the energy last night, and told you we’d have to do it this morning, right?”

Looking a little sheepish, Tom answered, “Sorry. It’s just that he knows you so well, and I don’t want you to push yourself too hard on my account.”

Tom only stayed in their room long enough to go through the videos once, and said he’d take the thumb drive back to his room and go over them more, and they could talk again tomorrow morning.

When he was gone, Sam looked to Ethan and said, “I’d like to get a shower before bed. I sponged off this morning but I need more this evening.”

She’d been taking baths at home, as she could keep her shoulder dry in the tub without bothering with a waterproof bandage. A shower was one more step towards getting back to normal.

Ethan smiled and caressed her cheek. “Will you let me help with the waterproof bandage?”

Relieved he didn’t make her ask, she nodded and asked, “Can you help me get my hair into a twist, too, maybe? I don’t want to mess with washing it.”

She hated asking, and so far she’d had her hairdresser wash her hair twice a week. Ethan had washed and dried it a few times, but she preferred to just pay someone to do it, rather than depending on him. She hated feeling so helpless.

When she stepped out of the shower Ethan was waiting with a towel, and he dried her and held her pajamas out.

“No, I think I’ll sleep without them, tonight.”

Ethan looked momentarily speechless, but quickly turned away to fold her pajamas and put them into the suitcase, his back to her as he said, “Whatever you want.”

“Oh, c’mon Ethan! Last night didn’t really count as our first night sleeping together because I crashed before you came to bed. I’m tired tonight, but not exhausted, and I want to cuddle and be…I don’t know.
Intimate
. I don’t think I can handle sex, but I miss you holding me, and stroking me, and
kissing
me.”

“I miss you, too, but I won’t take a chance on hurting you. You still have to be on your back, on your wedge. I think we’re both going to just have to be happy playing footsies while we sleep.” He finally turned so she could see his face. “I loved having your cold feet on me last night, and feeling like I could do something to keep you warm.”

“When I stepped away yesterday to handle a phone call? It was the medical supply place.” She smiled. “I let them in to pick up the bed. I’ll be sleeping in our bed when we get back.”

“I thought this was only for a few nights?”

“Originally, yes, but I talked to the doctor’s PA Thursday morning, told her how often I’d been taking my one hundred yard walks per day, and she had a talk with him and called me back to say as long as I keep up the same level of activity, I should be okay on the wedge.”

Ethan finally walked to her, gently pulled her to him with one arm, and stroked her cheek with his other hand. “Baby steps, Sam. One step at a time, and then one day you’ll be back to normal. Right?”

“That’s the plan,” Sam said with a sigh.

Sam soon learned Ethan had been correct. Cuddling was impossible with her on the wedge and him beside her on the flat part of the bed. Maybe if they had a couple of wedges next to each other, but then Ethan would be stuck on his back, and he preferred to sleep on his side.

They finally ended up with Ethan’s body kind of sideways, so Sam could rest her legs over his thighs. He snuggled his arm beside her, and she rested her hand on his forearm.

It wasn’t cuddling, but they were touching, and it would have to be good enough.

* * * *

Sam and Ethan were organizing the items they’d need ringside when a man in a suit asked to speak with Ethan privately. Sam waved him away and went over the checklist on her own as she wondered what the guy wanted. She could see Frisco warming Tom up a few dozen feet away, and figured if there was a problem with the final fight he’d have asked to speak to Tom.

Ethan had been gone close to ten minutes when Sam started to get concerned. She’d organized everything, so there was nothing to do but sit and watch Frisco and Tom, and wonder what the stranger was talking to Ethan about.

When Ethan finally returned, he was alone, and he only came to Sam long enough to grab a set of pads before joining Tom and Frisco.

Left with nothing to do but watch the three men, she had to work to keep from getting pissed all over again. It killed her to have to sit when she’d just as soon be out there with pads on, coaching Tom through a warm up that would help him win the fight.

But
, she reminded herself,
I was damned lucky the bullet didn’t travel a few millimeters higher, or I’d be dead
.

This was temporary, and Masterson was dead permanently.

Sam’s phone vibrated and she checked it to see a text message from Cassie letting her know they were here, and checking to see how Tom was doing. She spent a few minutes texting with her friend, and was surprised when Frisco stepped to her and said, “Chica, if you’re up to it, why don’t you pair up with Ethan ringside and I’ll sit off to the side.”

“We’d planned on you and Ethan. I don’t want to take your spot.”

“It’s not about that.” He touched her good shoulder and leaned towards her so he could lower his voice. “If you’re close, you can talk strategy to him easier. You weren’t up to it Friday, and we were still trying to take it easy on you last night to make sure you’d make it through today.” He shrugged and gave her shoulder a small squeeze. “You look like you’re holding up pretty good, so if you’re up to it then Tom will be better off with you than me. We all know you’re the go-to girl for strategy.”

Sam had Ethan run an ace bandage around her sling and body to better stabilize her arm, and then she and Ethan worked as a team to support Tom during his fight. Things got hairy for a while, and Sam wasn’t sure he’d be able to pull it off, but he found a second wind in the final few minutes and managed a knockout twelve seconds before the bell. Which was a good thing, because when she reviewed the tape later, Sam realized the judges would’ve likely awarded the win to the other guy if it’d come down to a decision.

Sam worked with the press for a little while after the fight, but texted Cassie to see if she could take her back to the hotel, as it looked like Tom was likely to be in interviews for the next couple of hours.

She kissed Ethan goodbye as she left with a half dozen of their friends. “I just need to lay down for an hour or so. Let us know when you’re leaving and we can meet the two of you at whatever restaurant Tom chooses.”

Sam managed a two-hour nap before Cassie woke her to see if she felt up to eating with them.

She was tired, but starving, and opted to ride to the restaurant with them for food.

Ethan and Tom were seated when they arrived, and Ethan had a chair snugged up against his and waiting for her, so she’d be leaning against him with her good side.

“You look tired,” he said as she took her seat. “I told Cassie I could bring you something back.”

“I know, but I’m more hungry than tired, and I’ll survive sitting up a few more hours. How’s Tom holding up?”

“Adrenaline is keeping him going for now. He has a room with a hot tub, and I have a feeling he’ll soak about fifteen minutes and fall into bed.”

“What was up with the man who pulled you away before the fight?”

Ethan’s eyes lit up, then sobered. “Long story, and one we’ll need to talk about in private.” He kissed her forehead and turned to talk to the waitress as she approached the table.

* * * * *

Sam let Ethan help her undress with no argument, which meant the day had exhausted her worse than she’d admit. He enjoyed having her pliable and submissive, but not because she was injured.

He changed her bandage, settled her on the wedge and propped pillows around her, and went to brush his teeth. She was asleep when he returned from the bathroom, but snuggled her legs into his in her slumber as he maneuvered next to her and slipped his legs under hers at an angle.

When he awoke the next morning she’d slid down the bed so her legs were over his thighs, and his arm was draped over her lower abdomen. He tried to untangle without waking her, but had barely moved an inch when her eyes drifted open and she gave him a lazy smile as she muttered sleepily, “I love waking up with you. I’ve missed this.”

Ethan adjusted so she wouldn’t feel his morning hard-on, and relaxed back into the bed to carefully snuggle against her. The last thing he wanted was for her to feel guilty about not taking care of him, and no way would he let her try to help him get off while she was hurt.

“How are you feeling this morning?” he asked as he ran his hand from her left hip down the outside of her left leg.

“Mmmm, I won’t know for sure until I move, but nothing hurts while laying still. How long do we have until we need to get up?”

“As much time as you want. Tom’s riding back with Frisco, so it’s just you and me this morning. I can order breakfast in bed if you don’t want to get up.”

Ethan gave a fake grunt as she lightly punched him in the shoulder with her good arm.

“I’m not laying in bed all day, and if we’re on our own for the day in Atlanta then you get to take me to IKEA.”

Ethan was about to jokingly complain about IKEA when Sam said, “Oh, you said you’d have to talk to me in private about the guy who pulled you away before the fight yesterday.”

“Ah, well.” Ethan wasn’t exactly sure how to bring it up, especially when he wasn’t sure how he felt about it yet, but he couldn’t keep it from her while he sorted through his feelings.

“He offered me a…” Sam didn’t interrupt while he considered the right wording. “He proposed I might want to skip the amateur bouts and head straight to the pros.”

Gentle fingers ran through his hair as Sam took a moment to respond. “And what did you tell him?”

“I told him I’d need some time to consider it.”

“You came very close to beating Tom, and he just won the national amateur title.”

“And if you’d been at my back instead of his…”

Sam chuckled and his heart skipped a beat as he remembered once again how close he’d come to never hearing her laugh again.

“If I’d helped you with strategy, maybe you’d have won?” she asked. “I think you give me too much credit.”

She was wrong about that, but he didn’t argue. “I like the idea of fighting professionally, but it’ll mean a lot of time away from home, so you have to be part of the decision.”

“Don’t you want the amateur title?”

He smiled. “Yeah, but I’d rather have the professional title, if I have a choice.”

“You’d need to research coaches and see if you can get someone good who isn’t already committed.”

That was his Sam, jumping straight to logistics once she realized he was seriously considering it. He’d known she’d support him, but to have her do it so quickly warmed his heart.

“No need.” He told her. “The man who pulled me aside is a manager, and he says one of the best coaches in the league wants to work with me. This coach and manager team have taken the past three winners all the way, and they’re schmoozing
me
.”

The fingers running through his hair stilled. “It almost sounds like you’ve already made up your mind.”

“Not completely,” he said as he realized she might be right. “But, yeah, I guess I’m leaning heavily towards it.”

“One of the best coaches wants to work with you, and he knows how to pick and train winners?” Sam smiled and shrugged her good shoulder. “We need to do our research to make sure they’re telling the truth, but if they are, and this is a direction you’re interested in…I don’t see how you can turn them down.”