Aedan was silent on the cab ride to his apartment. He knew Rosa wanted him to say something, but what? His mind was spinning, his emotions out of control. It had been a long time since he’d let himself get this upset over something somebody said, especially a bunch of spoiled bastards who should mean absolutely nothing to him.

Then the ex-boyfriend with the broken beer bottle. That was the end of his patience. The guy was in his face, going on about how Rosa was with him, how Aedan was nothing but a bad-boy toy who didn’t deserve her attention and would never be what she needed. Or afford what she needed. It wasn’t anything Aedan hadn’t heard before, but somehow, this time was different. Because of Rosa. He wanted to give her the things she needed. Those assholes... they knew nothing about real life.

On the street, it was different. Fighting on the street made sense. But there, with Rosa’s friends, he was trapped and everything spiraled out of his control. He was the target. Not even given a chance to prove his worth.

Rosa sat quietly beside him now, staring straight ahead, holding his hand. Her grip was firm, steadfast. And he wondered again how he’d ended up here, with this beautiful girl, in over his head. Way over his head. “Rosa...I...”

“It’s okay. Let’s get to your place.” She squeezed his hand and for a moment, it was okay, sitting in the dark cab with Rosa. With her, he didn’t feel like... Like everything her friends thought he was.

They pulled up and got out, and he let them into his apartment, tossing the keys on the table. “You want a beer? I’m going to have one.” He went to the kitchen, caught her nod, bringing back two bottles. She was sitting on the sagging sofa and he dropped down next to her, propping his feet on the coffee table. He took a long swallow of the cold beer. Domestic beer... wtf? “Rosa...I’m sorry. I lost control.”

He turned to her. She was watching him with a serious expression.

“You weren’t the only one. Thomas should never have done what he did. Aedan, I’m sorry, too.”

“What for? Like I said, you’ve nothing to apologize for.”

“No, but I should have said something to them. And I should’ve—”

“What? Known that I wouldn’t fit in with your friends?” He tipped the bottle back again. Domestic, my ass. Cold. Beer should only be cold.

He heard her draw a deep breath, heard the slam of her bottle on the coffee table. Here it comes, the kiss off. She’s out of here.

“Why do you leap to the worst conclusion in every scenario? No, that’s not what I’m sorry for! I’m sorry my friends are jerks. Not that I took you to a party. I’m not afraid of being seen with you, Aedan. Even if you try your hardest to put up all these walls between us, to make yourself unlovable, to try to drive me away. It doesn’t matter. Because I’m not leaving, until I decide I want to.”

Aedan was still. Waiting. “Why are you still here? Why?”

She reached out, running her fingers down his cheek. “Because under all that swagger and hard-ass exterior bullshit, behind all that tough-guy façade, there’s a really great guy. And I’m waiting patiently for him to meet himself, to finally figure out he’s worth knowing, that he’s worth loving.” She blinked, her eyes glistening but no tears fell. “Aedan, your parents threw you away. That doesn’t mean you’re worthless; it means they were. They had issues and you suffered because of them. You didn’t do anything to deserve that. But, it’s shaped who you are now. For wrong or right, good or bad. But at some point, you’re going to have to let someone in. You can’t go through life doing it all by yourself.” She leaned forward, kissing him softly. “Whatever anyone thinks, it doesn’t matter. What matters is being who you really are—not someone else you feel that you need to be to protect yourself from everything that haunts you.”

Aedan looked into her eyes and saw something he’d never seen in any woman’s eyes before; something that resembled love. Or at least genuine acceptance.

His mind was a mess, his emotions torn. Instinct told him to run, bolt. Or throw her out. His head—and maybe his heart—told him to listen to her. His body, the most predictable of the three, wanted her.

But that’s what got him into this situation in the first place.

“Rosa... I can’t. I don’t know how to do what you want. I can’t be the person you think I am.”

She shook her head. “No. Aedan. You already are. You have to trust me on this.”

Now Aedan slowly moved his head side to side. “I don’t trust anyone. Maybe Frank. But it’s business with him. But this is...different.”

“I know...” Rosa slid across the sofa, curling up to him, her head on his shoulder, her fingers wound through his. “Everyone in your life has let you down, not been worth your trust. I get that. But you have to admit what we feel... it’s different. You’ve told me things you’ve never told anyone. You trusted me the other night with those things. And I think you know I’m not judging you by your past. Your life is hard. Mine’s, well, complicated.” She sighed, her breath warm on his neck. “Just let us have a chance, okay? Just because something happens, like tonight, it doesn’t mean the end of whatever we have. We just need to figure it out together.”

Aedan shifted uncomfortably. “Like I said, this is hard. I don’t talk about this kind of stuff. Feelings, why I do things...”

She lifted her head, looking up at him. “It is hard. It can’t be easy. I’m not expecting anything with you to be easy.” Her voice was teasing, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth

He shook his head. “You’re not letting up on this, are you?”

“No, I’m not. You think you’re stubborn? You ain’t seen nothing yet.” She grinned wickedly.

Aedan laughed, despite himself, shaking his head. He’d obviously gotten himself into a lot more than he’d planned for. But he wasn’t sure any more that he minded.

Rosa shifted on the sofa, resting her head in his lap. “Let’s talk about something else. Tell me about fighting. Not like tonight. But in the gym. The good stuff, the stuff you like about it.” She looked up at him, trusting and calm.

He sighed. Time to get out of this rut...think of something else other than how I screwed up. Or that her heads on my lap, right by my cock... she just needs to turn her head. He shifted slightly and focused on what she’d asked. “I like the discipline: the daily routine, the challenges. Training’s hard. Very hard. Frank’s tough. He pushes me beyond what I think I can do, every single day. And then he wants more. But he knows how much I can take.”

“I think I like Frank.”

He smiled. “I bet you would. There’s a beauty in fighting. It’s not all blood and violence. A lot of it’s mental. There’s a rhythm. Timing’s important. Anticipating what your opponent’s going to do next and then beating him to the punch. Knowing what your own body is capable of, reaching your limits and then pushing past.” He looked out the grimy living room window, at the apartments across the alley; absently watching an elderly couple sit down to dinner. “You learn your own weaknesses, how to protect yourself, when to cover up, when to move. And you learn to control your fear. It’s always there, fear, to some extent. But you can’t let that fear control you, get the upper hand. If you do, then you’re up against two opponents in the ring instead of just one.” He was idly running his fingers through her hair, toying with the strands. He caught her smiling up at him. “What?”

“You. When you talk about fighting, you sound like you’re talking about the love of your life.”

Aedan snorted. “Maybe I am. It’s the only thing that I know how to do...but it’s more than that. There are rules, results, actions, and reactions. It’s exciting; I can’t deny there’s a huge rush getting into the ring, the intimacy of being in competition with one other guy.”

“If you didn’t fight, what do you think you’d be doing?”

“I’d be dead. Simple as that. I’d have joined a gang, lost my cool one too many times and somebody would’ve shot me. Or I’d have done the same as my mom...drugs, alcohol...something that would’ve taken me down.”

“How did you—”

Aedan put his finger to her lips, shaking his head. “Shhh.... Enough for now. I don’t talk this much, ever. You’re tougher than Frank. It’s wearing me out.” He wanted her now more than he could have thought possible, after everything that had happened. But not just for sex. There was an ache in his chest; if he could have named it, it would have been loneliness. He didn’t want to be alone. But it was only Rosa he wanted to be with. He took a breath and let it out again. “Stay with me tonight. Please.”

Rosa nodded. She sat up, and Aedan pulled her across his lap, settling her against his body. His fingers traced a line up her neck, along the angle of her jaw. “I want to take you to bed now. I’m sorry about tonight. How things got out of control.”

“I know.”

He held her for a moment, his lips meeting hers tentatively, moving slow at first before he deepened the kiss. The warmth of her body was intoxicating. He ran his hands over her soft skin, the curve of her torso and hips full and lush.

Rosa slid off his lap, holding out her hand. He took it and she led him to the bedroom. He was gentle with her, slowly undoing the buttons on her blouse, and she was equally gentle with him. There was no hurry, no rush to completion.

He held her a long time after he entered, kissing her face, watching her expression as he moved slowly inside her. There was no need for words; being together was enough for him, the feel of her body beneath his, her breasts against his chest. If he could, this was where he’d stay forever.

But passion built, spiraling upward, taking them along. He felt her shifting beneath him, her cries growing sharper, louder. At the end, she raked her nails across his back, her body arching up beneath him.

He was amazed by the transformation that came over her, her body’s response to his. It made his heart swell. Watching her, knowing he could give her this much pleasure, made him feel invincible, powerful...and scared as hell.

He pushed the fear out of his mind, watching her come back from wherever she’d gone. Wherever he’d sent her.

“Aedan...” She pulled his face to hers, kissing him deeply. “You’re like a god.”

He looked down, basking in her smile. He was still poised on the edge of his release and she began slowly rocking her hips against him, pulling him closer, her body moving so seductively beneath him.

Aedan buried his face in her neck, the softness of her skin against his cheek, her scent filling his nose. He held her as he came, wrapping his body around hers, his sounds and cries coming against her skin as she kissed his shoulder.

He held her a long time, not wanting to break the spell.

She finally wiggled beneath him and he pulled back, looking down at her.

“You’re squishing me.” She was grinning at him. “I’d like to stay like this, but I need to breath.”

“Sorry.” He moved just enough for her to free an arm, keeping her close to him.

“You’re not going to let me go, are you?” She shifted once more, pulling the sheet over her shoulder.

“Uh-uh...” he murmured against her neck, sleep creeping up on him. “Not tonight.”

If she made a reply, he didn’t hear it. He only knew somewhere on some level he was at peace. And then he was asleep.

* * *

THE ROOM WAS BRIGHT when Aedan woke. He rolled over, reaching for Rosa, finding empty space, just the lingering scent of her perfume on the pillow.

“Shit...” I knew this was too good to be true... He punched his pillow, sinking dejectedly back into the mattress. He should just go the gym. Punch a couple guys—

“Hey, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you.”

Aedan rolled over.

Rosa stood in the bedroom doorway, wearing one of his t-shirts. She had a cup of what he hoped was coffee, although he wasn’t sure exactly where she would’ve found that in his kitchen. There was a coffee maker...

“No, I- You didn’t.” He couldn’t find the words to tell her he thought she’d left. And he certainly couldn’t explain the joy rushing through him at realizing she was still there.

She gingerly climbed into bed, watching the brimming cup of something hot as she settled against the headboard. “You okay? You look a little dazed.” She smiled down at him over the edge of her cup.

He reached out, sliding his hand over her bare leg. The t-shirt ended above her knees, riding up just enough to expose an expanse of smooth ivory skin.

“I’m not sure. I...” He closed his eyes. In a fit of full disclosure he decided to tell her what he had thought. “I thought you’d left.” He kept his eyes closed, afraid of the look on her pretty face. Scorn, pity...something he didn’t want to see.

She was quiet far too long.

There was movement beside him and he opened one eye. Rosa had set her coffee cup on the floor and was sliding down in the bed, turning to face him. She met his eyes and there was no pity or scorn, just her honest gaze. “Aedan, I told you, I’m not going anywhere.” She touched his cheek with her fingertips. “I know it’s not your nature, but you can trust me. Okay?”

He pulled her to him, kissing her gently, one hand sliding beneath the t-shirt, holding her hip. She rolled on top of him, kicking the covers away from his body.

He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close, their kiss deepening. The weight of her breasts against his chest, covered by the soft fabric of the shirt, was amazing to wake up to first thing in the morning. He could handle it every day.

Rosa grabbed the hem of his shirt, pulling it up over her body.

“No, leave it. I want to see you in my shirt...”

She grinned down at him. “And then what are you going to do with the shirt?”

He shook his head. “Not telling.”

She laughed, leaning down to kiss him. “You’re a strange one, Aedan.” She sat back, resting her body on his hips. His cock was pressed against her inner thigh, and he flexed his hips upward, sliding himself along that smooth skin. She moved slightly, raising her body, shifting her weight. She reached between them, touching him gently. Then hesitated. “I’ve never been here before...” She looked down at him, that blush he loved creeping up her cheeks, her hair falling across her face.

“You’ve been here for the past couple nights, actually.” He grinned, teasing her.

The blush deepened. “No. I mean. Here...” She reached down, hands on his chest. “On top, I mean.”

“Well I’m glad to be your first, Rosa.”

Her smile deepened, dimples evident. “Me too.”

Her fingers wrapped around him and he watched her face as he slid into her, as she accepted him, his hands resting lightly on her hips. She closed her eyes, lips parted, making a sound that started out as a sigh but ended as a moan.

She put her full weight on him, spreading her legs just a bit wider, accepting all of him into her body. There was another hesitation and then she rocked her hips forward, just slightly, moving him slowly inside her, rubbing herself against his body.

“Oh...wow.” She looked down at him, her eyes wide. “That feels...so good.”

Aedan let her do as she pleased, move however she wanted. He watched her face, the obvious pleasure she was getting out of being in control of this experience. His kept his hands on her hips, feeling them shift and move as she rose and shifted, settling back onto him, sliding him deep inside.

The shirt she’d chosen was an older shirt, thin and loose, and Aedan watched as her nipples became erect, poking against the fabric. It had only been half in jest that he’d asked her to keep the shirt on, but now he was glad he did. He slid his hands over the shirt, up over her full breasts, rubbing his palms over her hard nipples. Rosa moaned lightly, putting her hands over Aedan’s, pressing them against her body.

“Aedan...” Her voice was low. Needy.

“What? What do you want?”

She leaned forward onto his chest, her face above his. “I want this to go on forever...never end. Can you make that happen?” She buried her face in his neck, nuzzling him as she brought her body down on his, again and again, faster and faster. He could feel her breath against his skin, her lips pressed against his neck.

He gripped her hips, rotating his into her, pushing her down onto his body, thrusting upward in time with her movements. There was a breathless moment where she ground forward before she began shuddering against him, as her orgasm broke.

Aedan held her, letting her take her pleasure.

Slowly she took her head away from his neck, looking down on him. Her eyes were soft in the bright light, looking down into his.“I like this. Very much.” She ran her finger down his nose. “But what about you?” She pulled a frown. “You’re not...finished.”

He shook his head. “Not by a long shot.”

In one fluid move he rolled over, taking her with him. He shifted his weight, settling between her legs, the feeling at once familiar and exciting. His body was moving on its own, and as much as he wanted to prolong this, he was past the point of holding back.

He thrust hard several times, his face buried in Rosa’s neck. He felt her hands on his back, sliding down over his hips, her fingers pressed against him.

“Aedan...let me watch you.”

He raised his head, looking down at her, her face flushed with arousal, with satiation. He closed his eyes again, his head back, as his hips drove forward into her.

“Watch? Like before?” His breathing was loud, words coming out in gasps.

“No, your face. I want to watch your face when you come.” Her fingers were tracing the lines of his cheeks, his nose, running across his lips. “Please?”

He nodded, not trusting his voice. He braced his arms beside her face, holding her gaze.

When his orgasm broke she was watching him, her eyes flicking over his face, seemingly taking in every detail, every shift in his expression. He struggled to keep his eyes open, to watch her watching him, but in the end everything was too intense; his pleasure, her gaze. He felt naked and vulnerable and buried his face in her shoulder, his cries muffled against her body.

She held him for a long time, letting him slowly shift his weight from her, curl beside her, finally pull her body against his. Her fingers were stroking his damp hair, playing over the nape of his neck.

He finally rolled onto his back, one arm over his head. She shifted, propping her head on her hand, looking down at him. Her fingers were tracing patterns on his chest and it took him a moment to realize he didn’t care if those patterns included the line of his scar. He frowned, momentarily taken back by that realization.

“What’re you thinking?”

He turned his head, smiling at her. “You sure do ask a lot of questions. Is this how all girls are, or just you?”

She laughed, tweaking a nipple in the process. “I like to know things about people...especially people I like. Or guys I’ve slept with. And please don’t try to tell me you were wondering what’s for breakfast, because that look wasn’t about eggs and hash browns.”

Aedan shook his head. “No, not breakfast.” He sighed. “I’m not good with words, or telling someone how I feel...or why I’m feeling it. Emotions and all that... It’s not something I’m very good at dealing with.” He held her hand. “You should know that by now, Rosa. It’s hard. I’m trying, but sometimes you’re asking too much from me, or you’re asking it too soon.”

“Okay.” Seemingly undaunted, she went on, though she switched questions. “What do you do for work? I mean, for money?”

“I do whatever I can. Nothing illegal, ever. But I have a construction company that has me clean buildings at night, after the crews have gone home. Sometimes I do deliveries for them, if they have a truck for me to drive. Or I get odd jobs through the newspaper or online.”

“How do you do that and train? How do you find the time?” There was a faint frown on her face.

“I don’t. Or I don’t work as much. Frank has me training for a really big match coming up. There’s gonna be professional scouts there and if I do well, I could get picked for a bigger match, something professional. There’s a lot of money involved in those matches.”

“Is that what you want? To get paid to fight?”

“Yeah. It’s why I do this. If I can get into the pros, I can make money. It’d be hard work, but to make money doing something I love... Who wouldn’t want that?” He turned his head, looking at her. “Isn’t there something you’d want to do, to get paid to do, that you loved? What do you love to do, Rosa? What gets you all excited?”

“You do. But I can’t pay you for that.” She shook her head as she blushed. “But truthfully, I really don’t know. I don’t have your passion for anything.” She lay back on the pillow and it was Aedan’s turn to prop his head on his hand, watching her. “My mother has charities. Or...I think my mother has charities. I’m not really certain sometimes what she does. My dad has his business and I know he loves that beyond all distraction. Sometimes I think he loves that more than me.” She sighed. “I know that sounds pathetic. He loves me. I don’t mean to imply he doesn’t. But it’s in this distracted kind of way. I’m pretty sure he equates spending money with how much you love someone.”

She was quiet for a minute, lost in thought. Aedan waited, not sure what to say, but thinking she had something else she wanted to share.

“But you know, for all the things that he buys me, he doesn’t really buy my mother that much stuff. I mean, he buys her a new car when she wants one, or takes her on trips. But it’s when she wants it, not because it’s his idea.” She turned to Aedan. “I think my mother’s having an affair and my father doesn’t care.”

Aedan blinked. “Why? How do you know? Or are you just guessing?”

“I just have a feeling. Actually, the whole thing made sense the morning you’d bought me breakfast, after our first night here.” She smiled briefly before her voice because serious. “She was gone when I got home. It was still early though, for our house. Far earlier than I’d usually be awake. Sophie seemed to know something...and Sophie knows everything. My dad was still on his business trip and...well, she was gone. I’ve a feeling she hadn’t known I was out until Sophie told her.” She sat up, hugging her knees. “You know, I’m not really surprised. You’d think I would be. But my mother is...different.” She shrugged. “In what way?”

“I don’t understand her and I know she doesn’t understand me. But she’s my mom and I do love her. It’s just...hard sometimes.”

Aedan pulled her down next to him. “Well, you know, whatever I can do. I’m not much for talking, but I’ll listen.” He kissed her forehead. “But you did say something about breakfast and...well, you made me very hungry.”

Rosa laughed. “You’re predictable, Aedan. I like that. Where’s breakfast going to be today? Same as last time or something new? Do you have to go to the gym today? Do you train on weekends?”

“Slow down!” Aedan protested, chuckling. “One thing at a time. I was thinking shower first. Then breakfast; different diner. Then, if you want, I can take you to the gym. I’m not scheduled to train today. Frank gives me time off occasionally. You can see where I spend my days, meet some of the other guys. And Frank, if he’s there.”

Rosa pursed her lips. “I like that plan.” She leaned over, kissing Aedan before sliding out of bed. “Do I get to take your shirt off before we take a shower?” she asked as she moved toward the bathroom. “Or do I have to wear it there too?”

Aedan scrambled off the bed, catching her around the waist before she got away, making her squeal with laughter. “Off. Now.” His voice was gruff, his smile charming. “No clothes in the shower.” He reached for the hem, pulling it over her head and sending her hair cascading over her face. Aedan brushed it back, and then he held her a moment, their bodies pressed together, before kissing her. She was still laughing and he could feel her lips beneath his, curved into a smile.