Chapter 25
“Dammit!” Carter cries out, slapping the mat. “How the hell did you do that?”
I chuckle, letting go of his leg and rolling to my back out of breath. “No master teaches everything they know.”
“How am I supposed to be the best if you won’t teach me this shit?” he says, lying on his back.
I blink to the ceiling. “Stop your whining. You’ll learn it over time. I didn’t know it all when I stepped into the cage.”
“You looked like you did,” he replies.
Of course, he nudges my ego. “To the untrained eye. Now that you have some training, go look up some of my old fights. Man, I was like a virgin.” I laugh. “So fucking sloppy, no knowledge other than what I watched, and I bucked when I should’ve pressed harder.”
We stand to our feet and I shove his shoulder. “You win twice, neither one of them leaving the second round and you’re feeling undeserving? What’s with you? Not getting your ego stroked enough?”
He drops his head back and laughs. “Oh, I fucking deserve it. But you reamed my ass after this last one.”
“You were fucking sloppy. You might as well have closed your eyes and flailed your damn arms. Hell yes, I’m going to chew your ass out. You didn’t set your sights unless those fuckers were at the back of your eyelids,” I argue. “That knock out was a lucky punch and you know it.”
He looks past me. “I was out of my league.”
I don’t waste a second and knock him upside the head. “Confidence, dickwad.”
His eyes narrow. “Don’t act like I wasn’t. They’re pushing my fights closer and closer and matching me up with more experienced fighters. It’s only been six months and I’m staring at my third and final bout to have you back in the pros.”
A low chuckle rumbles from my throat. “That’s because they know who your coach is. They know you have the best and I’m not fucking around. I’m not taking my time. I’m overwhelming you, inundating you with all the training very fucking quickly.”
“Why’d you pick me?” he says matter-of-factly.
“I saw it before you did. You’ve got it in you. Now quit being a pussy. Your next fight is two weeks out. Focus on the end result, calculate it, envision the win, and you’ll beat the fuck out of the motherfucker.”
After another thirty minutes of grappling, I put him on the heavy bag. My coaches kicked my ass before a fight. It’s only fair I return the favor. Besides, it never failed me.
The door to the gym pulls open and in walks my beautiful wife, striding confidently in a flowery skirt with a white shirt under a black blazer. Professional and fucking gorgeous. I’ve hit the damn jackpot and I knew it from the beginning.
“Hey.” She smiles, stretching to kiss my jaw.
I bend, taking in her perfume. “You’re a distraction.”
Her eyes pin me with warmth.
Carter steps out from behind the bag and wraps his arms around her shoulders, kissing her cheek. “Hey, Whitney. You look awfully good.”
She jams her hands on her hips, granting him a playful glare. “Are you flirting with me in front of my husband?”
He looks to me before settling his gaze back on her. “Of course.” He chuckles.
She rolls her eyes and leans into me. “I need to talk to you.”
“Dog house material there,” Carter states. “I’ll go check on the front.” He throws his thumb over his shoulder and then strolls off, disappearing behind the door.
“I’ve got a problem.” Those words tense my body. She shifts uncomfortably and gazes sadly, pursing her lips. “I won’t make it to the next fight.”
“And why’s this?”
“Candice has a luncheon the same day of the Smiths’ wedding. It’s overlapping.”
I grunt. “It’ll be the first fight you’ve missed since we’ve been together.”
“I’ve never missed yours,” she reminds me.
I inhale. “It’ll be the first time I have to spend time away from you.”
She titters. “You’re a big boy. You’ll be okay,” she says, her tone facetious.
I give her a pointed look pulling her body against mine. “It’s not me I’m worried about.” I run my hand over her shoulders, down her body, and grip her hip. “I won’t be lying next to your beautiful naked body.” I drag my tongue across her lips. “You’re going to be all alone in a big empty bed.” I squeeze her ass. “Have no one to wash that sexy back of yours when you shower.” I feather kisses up her jawline. “I won’t be able to watch you sleep.”
Her eyelids are heavy and her lips stretch into a lazy smile. “Sounds like you’re going to miss me.”
I take to her mouth, devouring her, our tongues dancing together. When I pull back, she’s breathless, slowly opening her eyes to me. My fucking dick is itching to feel her. “I am,” I admit.
She locks her arms around my neck and stares at me with dreamy eyes. “Softy.”
I flex my hips and show her just how opposite I am. “Only to you, Mrs. Hayes.”
Two weeks go by like a fucking flash when you spend all your damn time drilling techniques and practice into someone’s head. Fuck. I push open the room door, toss my bag to the couch, and stroll into the bedroom falling face first into the bed.
Carter and I flew out to Missouri today leaving behind my wife…
That feeling hurt like hell.
I cussed the whole time to the airport.
My weakness now holds my strength, way more than I expected. It’s paralyzing as fuck.
With her by my side, I can conquer the world. I’m a fucking pussy.