The Fighter Duet: Two Full-Length, Red-Hot New Adult Fighter Romances (6 page)

“Yeah!” My voice was maybe a bit too high. “I’m having fun. Thanks for taking me out tonight!”

She gave me a squeeze and started dancing with both hands over her head. I turned back to smile at Grif and caught his eyes moving over her body as well. I didn’t like the way he was checking her out, but at the same time, Mariska was a beautiful girl. Guys would be brain dead if they didn’t notice. I didn’t want to be with any brain dead guys. That made me laugh, and a third Tequila Sunrise magically appeared in my hand. I took a big gulp, and one of my favorite dance mixes came on. I jumped up and down squealing, only spilling my drink a little, when I noticed Pete was back.

He was so good-looking. He caught my friend’s hand, and I saw the way she blinked up at him. I wasn’t sure what number mojito she was on, but it looked like Pete might make it to third base tonight. Eight more beats, and he was leading her off to the side.

“It’s hot.” Grif’s loud voice jerked me back to where I was. He was lifting the front of his black tank and fanning it out in front of him, giving me a little peak at a nice six-pack. “Want to go down to the water and cool off?”

“Umm…” I scanned the club for Mariska. We had a standing deal never to leave any club without alerting each other. “I need to let my friend know where I am.”

He smiled with those perfect teeth. “We won’t be gone long. I doubt she’ll even miss us.”

He was probably right. I nodded, and took the large hand he offered me, following him out the back door and to the patio area. A wide staircase led straight down into the sand, and he tugged my hand, leading me toward the water.

We started walking south, away from the club and toward the dim lights of Bayville. I let out a little noise with my exhale. “Whew! That is the most fun I think I’ve ever had in this town.”

I laughed, but Grif was strangely quiet. We kept walking a little ways, listening to the sound of the surf rolling in gently tonight, the dull thud of bass thumping softer behind us. I paused and reached down to remove my black stilettoes. When I did, I noticed a smaller, thin man was following us at a distance. Something about the way he looked made my stomach clench, but I tried to cover.

“So you’re a salesman? What do you sell?” They were the only words I got out before he grabbed me by the shoulders and shoved me against the sand.

I tried to scream, but his mouth covered it. His hands were moving fast, ripping my skirt up and my panties down. Panic hit me hard, and all I could think to do was pull my knee up as fast as I could right into his groin.

He was late to block me, but I didn’t land a disabling strike. Still, it rolled him off long enough for me to pull my body to the side and crawl as fast as I could away from him.

“Let me GO!” I screamed, my voice ragged and hoarse.

He was right behind me, catching the back of my thigh and stopping my escape. I screamed again as loud and as long as I could, but we were too far from the club for anyone to hear me. Even if we were closer, I doubted anyone would notice over the loud thump of the dance music.

“Shut up, you little bitch.” He grabbed my mouth as he climbed up my body from behind. “Stop fighting and you just might enjoy yourself.”

His mouth was right at my ear, and I tried slamming my head back as hard as I could, going for his nose. He dodged the blow, and I only fell backwards onto his shoulder.

Shoving me forward, his thigh wedged between my legs, and my face jammed in the sand. I screamed again, trying not to inhale the grains that would choke me.

“STOP!” I screamed, but my voice cracked, and I sounded more like a child than a woman.

His fingers slid across my skin, and I screamed, pulling my knees under me and pushing my ass straight up, hoping to knock him off-balance. It didn’t work. He only held my waist against his erection. I could feel it straining to be inside me.

“Yeah, that’s right.” His voice was a low growl.

I was at the end of my rope. That little candle of happiness so recently lit inside me was crushed out.
How was this happening to me?
I started to cry, flailing my arms any way I could until he pinned them against my sides.

I screamed again, but my voice was almost gone. “You’ll be sorry!” I sobbed. “My big brother is military. He’ll track you down and rip your throat out. Then he’ll shove it up your ass.”

I struggled to twist against his arms, but he was too strong. A voice jolted me. It was the thin man who’d been following. “Grif, maybe you should let her go.”

He only paused, still holding my back against his chest in a vice grip. “Are fucking kidding me? Get the fuck out of here so I can nail this bitch.”

I screamed again, but his large hand covered my mouth. “Stop screaming, pixie. I just want a little of your sugar.”

My voice was now a whimper broken by sobs. “Please stop. Please.” I’d done everything I knew to do, and I’d lost. He was going to take what he wanted, and there was no way I could stop him.

He jerked my thighs open, and my head dropped forward, eyes closed. Every muscle in my body braced for his invasion. Just then I heard the faint squeak of feet on damp sand. A loud
CRACK!
was right at my ear, and my attacker’s grip loosened.

Another
CRACK!
and his fingers roughly jerked my arms as he dropped to the sand, flat on his back. I fell forward on my hands and knees, shaking. It was dark, but I could make out a slim male figure standing over Grif, breathing fast.

I kept crawling until I was several feet away before I turned to look. The thin man was nowhere to be seen, but the new guy was fixed in the spot where he stood. His fists clenched and unclenched, over and over, and a low sound like growling whispered through his lips with each labored breath. It was as if an internal battle was playing out in front of me.

Carefully, I helped myself rise on wobbly legs. My shoes were lost in the darkness along with my panties, and my dress was torn. I took a few, hesitant steps toward the man standing over my attacker. I was only holding on by a thread and ready to run as hard as I could back to Mariska.

“Thank you,” I managed, my voice broken.

My words seemed to break the spell, and the guy staggered back. He turned to me, but I could barely see his face between my tears and the dim light.

“Are you okay?” His voice was as shaken as mine.

I nodded, unable to stop trembling. “You… you saved me.”

He was taller than me, and he had on knee-length shorts and a white tee that caught the light. He rubbed his stomach and leaned forward slightly. Then he coughed and took a deep breath, digging in his pocket.

“Do you need to call your brother?”

Confusion was my first response. “I don’t have a brother.” Then I remembered my failed last attempt at escape. “That was a bluff.”

He took a careful step toward me. “I need to go. Is there anyone you can call?”

The asshole in the sand groaned. “
Shit
,” my savior whispered under his breath. “Can you make it back—”

Just then I heard my name being yelled from the direction of the bar. I looked up to see Mariska in the distance heading our way fast, and behind her was what had to be Pete. Turning to the guy, our eyes met, and I had the strangest urge to rush forward and hide in his arms. I didn’t even know who he was, and he was clearly unglued over what had happened here. Maybe I was in shock, but I wished he would touch me, hold me. He saved my life.

“Those are my friends,” I said quietly. “I’ll be okay now.”

He nodded. “Good.” His hand went up, palm facing me as he backed away. “Go to them.”

“What’s your name?” I asked, but my voice was lost in the pounding of the surf and the swirl of the ocean breeze around us as he ran, leaving me there on the shore alone.

Slowly, I turned toward Mariska, but I jumped when I saw the thin man had returned. He was helping a moaning Grif onto his knees and glaring at me.

“Stupid bitch!” he spat. “You set him up, you fuckin’ cock tease. I watched you dancing with him, rubbing your ass all over his dick. Was that your boyfriend?”

Shudders racked my chest, and I didn’t even answer.
This wasn’t my fault!
For a moment, all I could do was blink at him like an idiot. Then I started running away from them, in the direction of Mariska and Pete.
Bastard, horrible fucking bastard.
I just wanted to get away as fast as my legs would carry me.

When I finally reached my friends, I collapsed into Mariska’s arms. “Take me home,” I cried against her shoulder. “I need to go home.”

Her body was tense as she held me, stroking my back. “Kenny! What happened? I couldn’t find you!”

Pete was with us then, and I felt his warm hand on my arm. “Are you okay?”

I didn’t want to talk about it with anybody. Clearly Grif had planned the whole thing from the start, even down to his witness and alibi. It wouldn’t matter what I said, they’d claim I started it all. Now I just wanted to go home and crawl beneath my covers.

“Y-yeah.” I said, pulling myself together as hard as I could. “I-I had an accident. I was running, and I… I fell. I tripped on the sand.”

Mariska gasped. “Oh! Your dress is torn! Are you bleeding?”

I lifted the ends of my dress. “My heel got caught in it. I had to take my shoes off. I-I think I’ll be okay.”

My friend’s brows pulled together, and I was sure she didn’t believe me. “Where’s Grif?” She looked over my shoulder down the beach in the direction from which I’d come.

“He met an old friend.” My mind was flying, making up a story as fast as bits of information would come to me. “They were talking, catching up, and I heard you calling me. So I left. I really just want to go home now.”

Mariska and Pete both stood on the beach staring at me for a moment. A shudder rippled across my shoulders, but I took a slow breath and lifted my chin to look at them. I even managed a smile. “I think I had a little too much to drink tonight. Please take me home now. Please?”

My friend’s lips pressed together in a tight line, but she stepped to the side. “Sure. Of course!”

Pete turned and led us slowly back in the direction of the bar. His hands were in his pockets, and his shoulders were hunched. Mariska held my hand, our arms laced together, and I forced myself to walk, not to break down, to be strong for just a little while longer.

We made it to her car, and I waited in the passenger’s seat as she stood outside for a few moments talking to Pete. The roaring in my ears drowned out any conversation they might be having. My super-controlled breathing kept my back straight, my body from curling into a ball.

Conversation was minimal as we made the short drive back to my house. “Are you sure you’re okay?” Mariska asked softly.

I nodded too rapidly and smiled too big. “I’m great!” I said in a voice I knew was too high.

Her bottom lip pulled between her teeth. “I’m sorry I lost track of you. Pete… wanted to talk.”

I couldn’t even go there with her. “It’s okay.” I was hoarse from screaming and fighting, and at this point, I was running on will power alone. We were at my apartment, and I pulled my bag onto my lap.

“Thanks, Mare.” I reached for the handle, but she caught my arm.

“I know you’re not telling me something. If you want to take off tomorrow, I’ll tell Rook you’re sick. I can call your clients and reschedule or see if Tammy can take them?”

Blinking rapidly, I nodded. “I might do that. Thanks.”

Her grip relaxed on my arm, but I didn’t meet her eyes. “Thanks again,” I whispered, pulling the handle.

In less than two minutes, I was inside my apartment, dropping all of my things in a path leading from the door to my bedroom. My torn dress was quickly over my head, and I pushed naked between the cool sheets. I pulled my knees tight against my chest, wrapping my arms around them and hugging myself into a tight ball. Tears fell silently as my thoughts blurred, and it wasn’t long before shock gave way to sleep.

M
onday morning
, I’d been back at the club at seven, ready to do it all over again when Rook stopped me at the door.

“That your truck?” He pointed out the glass doors at my rusty old Ford.

“Yeah.” I squinted at him, unsure if he were accusing me of carjacking or yanking my chain. I couldn’t imagine a guy with his resources caring about the junker I used to get from Point A to Point B.

“Got some supplies stuck in Scranton. It’s worth it to me to get them here tomorrow if I can find someone willing to drive out there and load it all up by himself.” He looked at me. “Think you can handle a job like that?”

I stepped away, rubbing the back of my neck. “You need me to drive to Scranton?”

He reached into his front pocket and pulled out a thick fold of bills. I watched him unfold one, two, three. “Here’s money to cover your gas, food, hotel room.”

For a moment, I stared at the cash in my hand. An itch of warning pricked at the back of my neck. “You want receipts?”

“Nah, keep the change.” He slapped me on the back, and my conditioned response kicked in.

“I’ll bring you receipts and return the difference.”

Rook exhaled loudly. “Can’t you just take it and say thanks?”

“I’m no charity case.”

“Right.” His eyes narrowed. “And you’re still on probation here. Use whatever’s left to buy a new pair of jeans and eat something. I don’t want members thinking I hire vagrants.”

I started to reply, but he cut me off. “Do it, or you’re fired. And don’t leave without cleaning the locker rooms. I expect you on the road by ten.”

A quick glance at the clock said I had three hours. I’d be on the road in two.

* * *

M
y old Ford
managed the highway better than I expected. The mechanic who sold it to me was pretty scuzzy, but he guaranteed the engine checked out. Looked like he was honest. I made it to Gym Supply in four hours without any issues other than road fatigue.

The girl at the counter directed me around to the dock. She was a petite redhead in jeans and a maroon tee with Gym Supply across the front in white. “Yeah, we got your order.” She flipped pages back and forth on a loaded clipboard. “This driver’s strike has us all fucked up.”

“Driver’s strike?” I didn’t like the sound of that. I wasn’t looking to cross any picket lines.
Shit
.

Reading my expression, she quickly added. “It’s not our guys, it’s a union thing. We’re not in the loop, but our drivers are taking off to help where they’re striking. Lou won’t stop ‘em, but it’s fucking up everything.” Brown eyes flickered across my shoulders. “Looks like you can load it yourself. I’m Paige, by the way.”

She checked me out, allowing her eyes to linger as they drifted below my beltline. I couldn’t help feeling that white-hot singe of desire. She was a pretty girl with a nice rack, and I hadn’t been laid in ages. The heat rose to my chest, the old opportunistic urge. I was sure Paige knew where we could go, unwrap those gorgeous tits, shimmy down those jeans. I’d wrap that red hair around my fist and give her the ride of her life. From the look of her, it wouldn’t take much to have her screaming my name.

Clearing my throat, I stepped back. “Yeah, I can handle it.”

“Follow me, then.” She led the way, and I looked around, distracting my mind from the bounce of her round ass.
Shit
. “Here’s the order. If you pull your truck around, you can use the dolly.”

She stood waiting, eyebrow cocked at me. The hint of a smile was on her lips. Several cardboard boxes were wrapped together with plastic. I wasn’t sure they would all fit, but I hadn’t known what to expect.

“You got a canvas or something I can use to cover it? We can send it back with our next delivery.”

“Help yourself to whatever you see.” She put one hand on her hip, as if that included her.

Holding my eyes away, I nodded. That wasn’t me anymore. I’d buried that part of myself along with the guy I used to be. “Thanks. I’ll be back to load up in the morning.”

This was an overnight delivery trip, not a one-night stand, although I couldn’t help glancing back. She stood there on the dock, hand on her hip, that little grin on her mouth. Lust was blazing in her eyes, hitting me straight in the gut.

When I was starving, it was easy to focus on food. Now that I was eating somewhat regularly, that old, primal hunger gnawed at my insides. From the dark recesses of my past, the feel of my cheek against the soft curve of a full breast flashed like lightening. I remembered holding lush handfuls, heavy between my fingers… My mouth clamping down hard on a tight nipple.

With a growl, I shook my head, climbing into the cab and starting the engine. I wasn’t doing any of that, and I wasn’t fucking up this job. I’d return in the morning to bust my ass hauling boxes, forget these stupid memories, and then head back to Toms River.

* * *

E
arly Tuesday afternoon
I rolled into the Jungle Gym lot. Rook had given me the key, and I went around to unload right at the garage. Moving a load of heavy boxes, driving four hours, and moving them all again had me exhausted and ready to call it a day.

Truck empty, I headed to Wal-Mart to find a pair of jeans. If this money was an advance on my paycheck, I might as well use it to get a few new shirts and a little more to eat.

Dinner was half a rotisserie chicken. I could’ve eaten the whole buttery, greasy bird, but I wasn’t flush yet. I’d save the other half for tomorrow’s dinner. In the freezer was a package of pulled pork and some cheap ground beef. A supply of buns, mustard, and cheese, and I’d make it to payday. My one splurge was a burner phone and the cheapest package of minutes—just for emergencies.

Showered and with my belly full, I stretched. My muscles ached in a good way from exertion they hadn’t felt in months, and I picked up the giant paperback I’d been reading. Even if it was pretty dry, I’d started to care what would happen next to the French kid.

I read for almost an hour, but my skin itched, and my chest burned. That fucking hunger was back, and none of Doc’s mantras made it go away. What I felt was deeper than that. Time for Plan B—a walk on the shore. Hopefully, the wind and the waves and the fresh salt air would clear my head.

At the water’s edge, I turned north, moving fast. Longing roiled deep in my stomach, and my pace quickened. Closing my eyes, I was surrounded by a curtain of dark hair, and slim hands kneading the muscles in my shoulders. Soft lips feathered my ear with husky whimpers begging for more, and I stopped walking. I pushed my hands against my head, growling deep, but it didn’t stop the faceless memories tormenting me. I remembered warm thighs circling my waist, and the squeeze of a hot, wet opening pulsing around my dick.

“Fuck,” I hissed under my breath. I pulled off my shirt and shoved my shorts down, stepping out of them and running straight into the water. It was ice cold as I dropped to my knees, plunging my head under the surface and holding my breath until those tormenting memories drowned in the heat of my wake.

Control came seeping back with the bitter cold making its way to my bones, and I waded to shore. Dripping wet, I went to where I’d left my clothes. I was at a pretty deserted section of beach, although I could see in the distance, maybe a half-mile away, one of those bars that fronted on the ocean. Rubbing my hands fast over my torso, I managed to get most of the water off me before stepping into my shorts. I held my shirt for a few minutes, letting the air dry my body a bit longer.

It was a warm night, even though the water was frigid. My calm restored, I listened to the quiet sounds of evening—broken at once by a scream.

My body went on alert as adrenaline shot through my veins. The scream cut off, but it came from the direction of the bar. Slowly I took a few steps when I heard it again—definitely a female scream.

Jamming my shirt over my head and jogging toward the noise, I could barely make out the shape of a man behind a smaller form of a woman with long hair. She was pushing and throwing her arms all around, but he caught them, pinning them against her sides.

Another man was approaching them, so I slowed my pace, waiting. I wasn’t about to let what seemed to be happening happen, but at the same time, if someone else could intervene and help her, that would be for the best.

“My brother’s military,” I heard her scream. The sound of her ragged voice fanned the rage building in my torso. “He’ll rip your throat out and shove it up your ass.”

My jaw was tight, and my fists clenched shut as I waited, hoping the skinny guy could help her. I barely heard him say something that sounded like “Let her go,” but the dick holding her shouted, “Go away so I can fuck her.”

She screamed again, and rage flooded my vision. Skinny backed off, but I charged forward. In less than ten paces, my clenched fist made contact with the fucker’s jaw and a satisfying
CRACK!
ricocheted down my arm. He flew back, but his hold on the girl’s arms kept him upright. A left hook, another satisfying connecting punch, and he fell back, flat on the sand.

Abuser, fucking worthless abuser
. It took all of my willpower to control the fury blazing in my chest. I stood over him, envisioning myself beating him repeatedly. My days in the ring were in the front of my mind, and I knew every hit I’d lay on him. High-volume punching. I’d smash him over and over until there was nothing left of his head but a bloody pulp.

Breath pumped in and out of me like a bellows, and I fought to stop the red, to find the mantra. Nothing was coming. Until her voice, clear as a bell, cut through the noise.

She said something. I didn’t know what it was, but the sound of her turned me. I took a wobbly step away from the body lying on the sand in front of me to her. She was beautiful, broken and pale in the moonlight. Long, dark hair draped over her shoulders, and her dress was torn. She cautiously reached for me, and I wanted to gather her in my arms and hold her.

I couldn’t do that. She was hurt, and I didn’t even know who she was.

“Are you okay?” My voice shook. That was a close one.

She nodded, shaking as well. “Y-you saved me.”

I could see her working hard to pull herself together. She was so small, but I could tell she was strong. I remembered what she’d said, or rather screamed, and I dug for the burner phone in my pocket.

“Do you want to call your brother?”

She seemed confused then I saw her remember. “That was a bluff.”

Her shoulders trembled hard, and again, I wanted to ask if I could hold her. I took one step toward her, but the fucker on the ground made a noise. “Shit,” I whispered, anger mixed with relief. He was coming around, and I needed to go. “Is there anyone you can call?”

As much as I couldn’t be found here, I couldn’t leave her by herself. Voices yelled from the direction of the bar, and she looked back over her shoulder.

“Those are my friends.” It was all I needed to hear. I told her something like goodbye and took off running back in the direction of my apartment.

She’d be okay. Her friends would take care of her. Halfway back, I realized I never asked her name. I didn’t know who she was. A beautiful creature, rescued on the beach, and I’d never see her again. The devastation of that thought broke my run.

Staggering to a walk, I looked back over my shoulder. She’d be gone when I got there if I ran back, and even if she wasn’t, an angel as beautiful as that? She deserved so much better than a broken down sinner like me, regardless of what I’d just done on the beach. I had to let her go.