Chapter 6
Fuck. Me.
I’m straining against my slacks gawking at Whitney. She’s stunning and absolutely exquisite as fuck in a red silky dress. The fabric dips low between her tits, teasing me with the soft skin. It’s tight against her body with a slit up each of her enticing thighs. It’s playing an evil game of “drive Ryker fucking wild.”
Fuck. I’m in fucking trouble.
She’s looking out the limo window as we ride to the red-carpet event for the big fights, tapping the fingers of her right hand atop her knee.
I place my hand on top of hers to steady her nerves. “You fret about the very thing you do so well.”
She slides her gaze to me. “I’m used to organizing these things, not mingling in them.”
I twist to face her and drag my hand up her thigh so close I can feel the fabric of her thong. “If it makes you feel any better, I’m ready to leave.”
She swats my hand. “How do you always think about sex?”
“Have you seen you?”
“Have you seen you?” she counters.
I straighten and tug at my collar. “I hate these things.”
She straightens the stupid bow tie I have to wear. “You look edible.”
“Enough to feast on me now?” I flash a charming grin.
She scrunches her nose. “How about if you play nice all night, I’ll let you do whatever you’d like when we get back to the hotel?”
“I’ll have that anyway,” I say.
She gives me a pointed stare.
“I always play nice,” I say.
“Then you’ll have your way with this dress later.” She smiles.
I exhale, resting back in the seat. “Please don’t make me wear a tux at the wedding. Dress up however you’d like, but don’t make me wear one of these stupid things. Suit—I can handle. Naked—I can do. Gym shorts—count me happy. Anything but this fucking thing.”
Her eyes flare with happiness. “You’ve been thinking about the wedding?”
I grin. “I didn’t ask you to marry me for the hell of it, Whit. Besides, don’t act like you haven’t already started planning it.”
Unashamed that she has, the corner of her lips pull up even higher.
“You plan it and I’ll be there, but not in a fucking tuxedo.”
“We need to set a date,” she says.
“After my championship fight,” I tell her.
Her head tilts slightly. “That’s just around the corner. I assumed you wanted to wait a little while.”
I give her a pointed look. “I wanted to wait, or you?”
She shakes her head.
“Then plan it. Pick a day. I’ll have a long stretch between my champ fight and the next.”
She’s beaming. “Is there anything you want me to include? I know it’s normally all about the bride, but—”
“Just you.” I kiss her. “And no tuxedos. Do whatever you want, however you’d like. Just make sure it’s me you’re walking toward.”
“Who do you want to be the groomsmen?” she asks me.
“I want Jackson and Kyce beside me along with Matt. I want Gracie as the flower girl, and then my parents and yours there. After that, I don’t care who comes, or where we’re at.”
She kisses me very faintly so not to mess up her lipstick just as the limo pulls up to the entrance.
Paparazzi, sports reporters, and photographers line the velvet rope bordering the red carpet with their cameras, recorders, and microphones.
I hear Whitney take a deep breath just as I exhale. I hate these fucking vultures.
Lights strobe, flickering as the cameras click. I help Whit out of the car and they pick up in speed. We start in, her tucked into my side. I can feel her trembling, yet her smile is gorgeous.
Just as we step into the large room, Brian spots us. He and Melissa, his wife, approach us. “Aren’t you looking good.”
I smirk. “I look good all the time.” I shake his hand and then greet Melissa with a kiss on the cheek.
“Congratulations,” Melissa says. It causes enough confusion to rattle my brain and she giggles. “With your engagement. It’s all over the papers.”
I slide my view to Brian. “Have anything to do with you?”
“Publicity. The Striker settling down. The one who stole his heart.” He slaps my shoulder. “Many hearts broke that day. Tears flooded the streets.”
I groan, shifting on my feet. “Explains why Breakaway Sports has been trying to contact you,” I tell Whit.
“And here I was hoping they were impressed by my job with the Hills’ wedding,” she titters.
“Listen, man,” Brian starts and by his tone, I know he’s switching gears. “Parsons is here and we’re supposed to chat with him. Several mags are asking for pictures, including Breakaway. Are you going to behave?”
“I always do,” I reply.
“Good. Now, you’ll really have to control yourself. Levi’s here with Nick. Coach is here with his fighter. Nick has a fight the same night.”
Immediately, my blood begins to boil. I clench my jaw. “Why do you do this shit to me?”
He shakes his head. “It’s the game, Ryker. You know you’ll have run-ins. I can’t control who has fights or where they are.”
Whitney leans against my arm and pats it. “He’ll be fine.”
“I need a drink,” I say, tipping my chin to Brian. “I’ll find Parsons afterward.”
I clutch Whit’s hand and make a beeline to the bar ordering her a Cosmo and me a rum and coke.
“I hate fucking mingling. Let’s find Parsons and get this shit over with. I’m ready to get you back to the hotel before I fucking blow the whole night.”
Her eyes gleam. “My thong matches my dress.”
It stops my stride, gluing my feet to the floor. I twist to face her. “Oh really?”
“Behave and you’ll see. Maybe I’ll let you take it off with your teeth.”
“Can we keep the heels on?” I ask, playing her game.
“You’ll be able to do as you please.”
Her sweet provocativeness turns me the fuck on. My eyes flare with desire. I scrape my teeth along my bottom lip. “You’re undoubtedly devilish under your halo.”
Her lips quirk up, but she turns her attention, tugging my hand and kick-starting my feet again.
I spot Parsons surrounded by a group of men flanking his side.
I do not want to do this.
Brian always has a way of placing me in the same room with the very people I do not need to exchange words with. I talk with my fists. Not my mouth.
Jared Parsons is just as tall as I am, not quite as buff, and looks just as miserable as I feel. He smiles when he spots me and stretches out his hand for me to shake.
“Ryker. How are you?” he asks like we’ve been friends for years.
I take his hand. “Good. And you?”
“If I could find a way out of this tuxedo, I’d be better.” He chuckles. “This is my wife, Katherine.”
He pulls her gently into his side and smiles proudly. She’s pretty, like the girl-next-door pretty. Her hair is black with auburn streaks littered throughout it shaping around her slender face. Her smile is large, flaunting her white teeth and reaching to her brown eyes.
I shake her hand and introduce them to Whit.
“I’m fucking stoked for our fight, man. I’ve looked up to you since getting in the game. Worked hard as hell to get through the ranks so I could get my chance with you in the octagon before you moved into the pros,” Jared beams.
Surprise moves through my chest. “Oh yeah? Why me?”
Pictures are being taken of us—from our left, our right, behind him, and behind me. I loathe knowing there isn’t a private moment…ever.
“I’ve always enjoyed watching you. I relate to your fighting style. You’re aggressive, determined, and unconventional. Not mundane and expected like these other guys who are scared to try expanding their techniques. They rest comfortably under their security blankets. You’re explosive, but patient.”
“I believe you should always wait before you pounce. Even lions stalk their prey before springing into action.”
He grins. “After the commissioner opened up the professionals for us little leagues, your demeanor changed. You showed everyone what patience and determination can get you. We had a fight the same night years ago. You were the main event. I was four fights in, so there was no way you knew who the hell I was. But I knew you and I watched. You’re an influential guy.”
What the fuck do I say to that?
He slaps my shoulder. “When you get to the pros, dude, you’re gonna knock heads off and dominate the heavy weights.”
I furrow my brows in confusion. “You’re already banking on losing?”
“I’m not banking on shit. There’s always a possibility. You’ve been in this longer than I have. You’ve got triple the experience I have and you’ve got more riding on this fight than ever, which will make you more aggressive. If you do win, I can promise you’ll know I was in that ring with you before the winning bell. There will be a reminder for days after.”
I’m completely caught the fuck off guard. “I’ve never walked into a fight thinking I’ve already lost it before it began.”
His smile stretches. “I haven’t lost it, but I haven’t won yet, either. It’s good to stay balanced.”
I scratch my fucking head. “If you don’t envision the outcome you want, you don’t have a goal set. If you don’t aim high, you won’t ever get where you want to go.”
He shakes his head, muffling a chuckle. “I aim high. Always. I’ll own the fucking MMAT and the MMAP, fighting my way all the way to the top and through whoever. But just because I’m not an egotistical walking dickhead doesn’t mean I’m not as determined as you are.”
It’s about time Mr. Polite took a jab. I grin. “Good. But you realize that has us sitting here with the same dream?”
“We’ll own the bitch together.” He glances to Whit. “Congratulations on the engagement.”
Whitney beams. “Thank you.”
Jared squeezes Katherine’s waist and kisses her cheek. “I snatched her up our junior year of high school, stole her heart, and have been married four years.”
Katherine giggles. “He bulldozed me in the cafeteria. It was his way of picking me up…literally.”
Jared looks to her. “I was done lurking in the corners watching your sexy ass strut all through the school without knowing who I was. It was time I had you.”
She laughs and kisses him. “You’ve got me.”
Jared shifts his view back to me. “Listen, man. It was great to finally meet you. We’ve got to meet up with my manager and I’m ready to get the fuck out of here.” He shoves his hand into mine. “May the better fighter win.” His smile is large and meaningful.
I watch a bit dazed as he walks off before glancing at Whit. “What the fuck was that?” I ask her in disbelief.
She snickers. “He was awfully polite. Are you able to fight a man like that?”
“Who walks into a fight expecting to lose it?” I ask, flabbergasted.
“I don’t think he’s expecting to lose. He’s a realist.” She rocks back on her heel. “It’s a breath of fresh air from all you macho, alpha assholes.” Her tone is deeply twisted with sarcasm.
I order another drink and take a large swallow of it. Whit pushes her hair off her shoulder exposing the soft skin of her neck.
I bend to her ear. “I’m going to nibble on this all night.” I straighten and watch her expression as I tug her diamond earrings.
A tremble runs down her spine. I smirk at how she always reacts to my touch.
Dipping my head back to her ear, I run my hand down the smooth soft skin of her back. “I want this to glisten with sweat and arch off the bed as I deliver you a shattering orgasm. And then after I’m done, I need it bare and against my chest.”
Her breath hitches. “Ryker, not—”
“My name will be breathier than that and there’ll be much more begging,” I add.
Just then, flashing red catches my attention and I look up. Strutting her sluttastic ass our way, is none other than the worthless gold-digger, Allison.
“Fuck,” I sigh, standing straight and hating my dick is hard for Whit.
She doesn’t acknowledge Whit as she approaches, raping me with her eyes. “Ryker,” she purrs. “Have you heard the good news?”
“That you’re no longer with the MMAT?”
She doesn’t react. “I’m your ring girl for your fight with Parsons.” She licks her lips.
“Thank fuck I don’t care,” I say, my tone abrasive.
“It’s been a while since you’ve seen me half naked. Maybe one day you can see all of me.”
I exhale an annoyed breath. “I’ve never paid you any attention, Allison. I don’t enjoy what’s easy for everyone else.” I pull Whit tighter into my side. “I savor precious gems. Not coal.”
I swear to fuck she doesn’t flinch. “One night with me and you’ll forget about your fake diamond.”
“You’re such a beautiful woman, but your personality is the color of shit. Do you know what they call you around here? If I had that type of reputation, I’d make damn sure I showed everyone just how wrong they are. You’re way too pretty to be acting with such disgust. Learn to respect yourself and others. Have some dignity and then watch what type of man you attract. You’ll be loved, not used,” Whit says restraining her anger. She’s so mad, her ears are turning red.
They share a hostile stare.
Allison flips her hair and rolls her eyes. “I think you’re jealous and worried he’ll come home with me.”
Whitney puffs a chuckle. “You are the least of my worries.”
It’s as if Allison saw it as a challenge. She starts past us and stops at my side, running her paw down my arm. “When you’re ready for a real—”
I snatch her wrist, interrupting whatever disgusting filth is about to spew from her lips. “Don’t you ever touch me again,” I growl deeply to make sure my point is very fucking clear. “You better remember I know all your scandalous secrets, and I can make sure you’re replaced.”
She sneers, yanking her hand from me. “You don’t have the balls,” she hisses.
I grin like a bastard. “Then you don’t know the animal you just stepped into the cage with.”
She blinks, lingering her stare, and then slowly saunters away.
“I hate she wastes her beauty with that ugly attitude,” Whitney sighs.
All of a sudden, the hair on the back of my fucking neck stands on end and prickles sting my entire body. I jerk my head up. Like a fucking magnet, I land directly on the object of my distain.
Disgruntled blue eyes are homed in, watching. His tuxedo is strangling him just as mine is me. He’s holding a glass in one hand, his wife in the other. She doesn’t seem to know his attention is on me over everyone’s heads.
My stare doesn’t falter. In fact, I smirk at the bastard.
“Ryker…” Whitney’s sweet concern bursts through the blackness that’s threatening the edges of my vision.
I grit my teeth, balling my fists at my sides. Levi always delivers an instant rage I only experience with him. He’s the fast track to my fury.
I despise the motherfucker. Whole-fucking-heartedly.
Whitney wraps her arms around my neck, snakes her fingers through the back of my hair, and rips my view from him to her sultry gaze. “All that talk in my ear, I’d hate for you to mess up and I have to help myself.”
I flash a grin. “Can I watch?”
“Not if you don’t keep your word.”
“I’m playing nice,” I say.
“You’re two seconds away from detonating. I can smell the smoke from the fuse.”
“I’m good,” I say, gripping her hips. “I’m ready to leave and indulge my fiancée.”
I blink back to Levi and smirk again. Then I clutch Whit’s hand to make our way back to Brian. We say our goodbyes and then step out into the warm, humidity-filled air Florida offers. I’m thankful the limo driver saw us as we were stepping out and quickly meets us at the entrance.
The moment I slide into the seat and shut the door, I take a quick glance to the partition to make sure it’s up. Then I grip her hips, pulling her to straddle me.
“All that talk, Miss Young, has me eager to feel you.” My tone is thick.
She presses her palms to my chest and drags them heavily over my shoulders. She takes my earlobe between her teeth and tugs before saying, “I wasn’t the one talking all the talk. I do believe it was you.”
I cup her face, bringing her lips close to mine. “I stand by my word.”
I trace my fingers down her neck, drawing a line between her tits, and then squeeze her breast over her dress. Her breath snags and she bites her lip. I flex my hips and heat flashes in her eyes.
“I’m going to control myself until the hotel,” I tell her.
Her lips pull up, seductively…challengingly. “Do you think you can?” She rocks her hips.
“Is this a challenge?” I ask coarsely.
She gyrates her hips again. I watch her without moving. Pressing her lips to my neck, she nips and laps at my skin, all the while continuing her torturous dance on my dick.
I let her play her game all the way to the hotel and when the limo stops, I’m all but about to bust out of my seams. I tow her to the elevator and hit the up arrow, shoving my hands into my pockets. We board and I’m against the back wall…watching her stand there.
When we enter the hotel room, I grab her hand and tug her into me. Her eyes are heavy with lust.
“I played by your rules all night. It’s my turn to reap my reward,” I whisper huskily. “Undress me.”
Slowly, she unties the stupid bow tie and tosses it to the side. She shoves my jacket off my shoulders and begins unbuttoning my shirt. I stand still, watching her shaky fingers, her chest rising and falling. She pushes my shirt off me, but I stop her from unhooking my pants. Those will wait until I am ready.
I back her against the wall, cage her face with my arms, and slowly kiss on her neck. She sighs, tipping her head to the side, granting me more access.
“Take your dress off,” I say, stepping back to watch her.
One strap at a time with her eyes latched to mine, she slips them off her shoulders. Silky red fabric falls to the floor and pools around her feet.
Bare except a crimson lacy thong and her strappy, sexy-as-fuck heels.
Oh yeah. What a beautiful sight.
I crook my finger, silently telling her to come to me. She does, but with every step she takes, I take one in the opposite direction. I may be the predator, but my prey is chasing me to the bedroom of our suite.
She gasps when I bend, sucking her nipple into my mouth. But I’m not touching her with my hands…yet.
“Touch me,” she begs softly.
I don’t.
“Lie down on the bed,” I rasp.
Leaving her heels on, she slides back onto the bed. Just as she promised me, I use my teeth to remove her thong and then push her legs apart. “Show me.”
Her eyes bulge with worried uncertainty.
“Quit thinking and just do,” I tell her.
I watch her chest rise as she takes a breath of confidence and then slowly drags her hand down her silky skin, over her stomach, to her clit. As she begins to work it, a charge of excitement thunders through me. I’m on fire, blazing with the need to fuck her.
I tug her nipple. “Don’t stop,” I say climbing off the bed. I discard my pants and then settle back between her thighs. Watching her finger work herself, I begin stroking my dick and then press a finger into her.
She moans as she rocks against my hand. She’s watching me work my dick. I’m watching her work herself while I fuck her with my finger. Her walls begin to tighten, and her hips begin rocking faster. Her breath picks up.
“Stop,” I say, moving her hand away.
She writhes in displeasure being so close.
I pick up her right ankle and place kisses along her calf, up her thigh, and move over her hip. “You’re so fucking beautiful, Whit.”
Savoring her skin along her stomach, I make my way to her tits, kneading one and lapping the other. She squirms, her sighs filling our room.
But then, I move, placing my back to the headboard and pulling her onto my lap.
“I believe you were teasing me in the limo,” I say. “You challenged my control. I’m giving it to you…for a bit,” I add.
She lifts and then sinks onto my throbbing cock. Immediately, I hiss at her warmth engulfing me. She’s a delirious pleasure.
Bracing herself, she gyrates, rising and falling. I watch, rapt as my dick begins to shimmer with her slickness. I rake my hands over her shoulders as she drags me in and out of her. Her pace picks up. Her tits bounce in my face. She moans as she works me, riding me to the hilt in her provocative dance.
I lean her back and move her hand to her clit again. She circles it and drops her head back, grinding against me.
I grip the sheet beside me, letting her have her greedy way.
My cock slides in and out of her wet pussy, disappearing and reemerging with a sexy as fuck shine.
I can’t keep my fucking hands off her. Twisting hard, I pluck her nipple. She whimpers, working her hips faster. Her fingers become more hurried.
I snap, gripping her hips, and pumping into her. She’s scrambling for my mouth. It’s always sloppy, hard, and a downright fucking turn-on, especially when she moans into my mouth.
Aggressively, I flip her to her back, move her legs over my shoulders, and drive into her. She sucks in a breath, digging her nails into my arms. I move her hand back to her clit.
I drive, alternating kisses on both ankles. “So. Fucking. Sexy,” I grunt between my thrusts.
Pushing up and onto my feet, I lean forward, forcing her legs closer to her face, and grab the back of her neck, pumping earnestly into her.
Long, solid, hard strokes. They drive us both over the fucking edge.
“Ryker…” she whimpers.
I grin mischievously at her. “I told you my name would be sexier when it fell from your lips tonight.”
She slams her eyes shut, pushing her head further into the mattress and arching her back.
She’s a goddess. A beautiful goddess.
“I need to hear you, Whit,” I grunt. “Tell me who’s fucking you over the edge.”
“You,” she says way too quietly.
I shove forward unhappy with the response.
She gasps, crying out and scraping my shoulder blades with her nails. “You!”
Her body shudders and jerks as she pours into her spasms.
Frenzied by the response, I plunge savagely and explode into my own orgasm. Searing heat bursts through my veins, so torrid I feel desperate.
I drive fiercely…recklessly as blinding white heat forces me to slam my eyes shut, relinquishing the glorious view of her.
My body is trembling even after I slow, and I’m still unable to open my eyes. An unbearable feeling braids with my numbness. I drop face first into the pillow beside her.
“Are you okay?” she asks, her voice so fucking tender.
I nod.
What the fuck is wrong with me?
“You sure?” she asks.
I nod again.
I’m overwhelmed with…emotions? I’m drowning, submerged in a love defiant within my own body. My heart feels like it’s about to erupt. My lungs threaten my next breath will be my last.
What the fuck?
“I love you, Whitney,” I manage, mumbling into the pillow.