The media swarm has died down some since my father had me choose one news channel to come and do an interview with Noah. Hopefully, now that it’s aired people will be able to see the sincerity of his answers and it will help the public have a positive perception of him.

MMA has always had a bad rap, although it’s better now than when my dad was fighting. I’ve heard numerous stories of his ‘glory days,’ and they don’t sound so glorious to me - more like barbaric. There weren’t any rules in place back then and it was like a free for all in the ring. Eye gouging, getting punched in the nuts and even fish-hooking were all normal occurrences.

Some days pass faster than others. Today isn’t one of those and with it being a Wednesday and knowing I need to work late hasn’t helped. Then again, it might have more to do with Noah than what day of the week it is. I haven’t felt like myself since he kissed me on Saturday night. I was in a funk all day yesterday. I barely left my bedroom and I didn’t even bother getting dressed. Moira called me to plan “the seduction scene,” and I claimed I had a migraine just so I could get off the phone.

She’s going to be mad at me, but I’m having second thoughts about using him for sex. I think it would only come back to bite me in the end. I’d end up getting in over my head, clouding everything with feelings and he’d wave goodbye, telling me not to let the door hit me in the ass on the way out.

Four years ago, he claimed to be in love with me and he walked away like I meant nothing. I don’t know what makes her think he’d ever get attached enough to care if we have sex a few times or one time only. He’d have to care about someone besides himself and I’m not sure deep-down Noah is capable of that. Sure, he used to tell me he loved me, but when push came to shove he chose fighting over me - and it’s worked out for him. If he wins this fight he’ll have everything he’s ever wanted. I hope his shiny title belt keeps him company on all those lonely nights. But, maybe he never gets lonely because he’s always with his favorite person - himself.

Sweat pours off me as my sneakers continue to pound repeatedly on the treadmill. Usually, running is something I enjoy and it’s not a struggle for me. Today, I’m feeling all three miles I’ve done. My quads are on fire and my breathing is labored, all due to the lack of working out for the past two weeks. I can’t let my new job interfere with my life. It’s not like I travel to the gym; I’m already here - convenient. There’s no excuse for skipping my workouts. No excuse - except Noah. I’ve been avoiding using the equipment because he’s here late most nights and I didn’t want to be near him. When I’m closed off in my office, I’m safe.

I walk an additional mile to cool down and grab my towel, wiping the sweat from my forehead. Glancing around, I don’t see any sign of Noah. Hopefully, he left while I was focused on my run.

Pushing open the door to the women’s locker room, I head for the showers, grabbing another towel on the way.

The steaming hot water works wonders on my shoulders. I’m wound tighter than a coiled spring these days. Being around Noah is taking a toll on me. It’s not easy to keep my outer facade controlled. I act indifferent toward him, but every time he’s within five feet of me all I can think about is what he looked like in a towel. And now that he kissed me - it’s a thousand times worse.

I dry off quickly and slick my wet hair into a ponytail, before throwing on some clean yoga pants and a tank top. I don’t bother with panties or a bra. Mine are soaked with sweat and I forgot to pack extra. It’s not like I need them anyway. I’m only going straight home to eat a half gallon of chocolate ice cream. Ben and Jerry’s should name a flavor, ‘eat my feelings,’ because that’s what I’m about to do.

Exiting the locker room, the lights are lowered in the main area of the gym. They’re on a timer and right now there are only emergency ones on. One mounted to the wall in each corner of the large space, they cast enough light to see clearly, but don’t waste power like the overhead lights on would.

“Ray,” a deep voice calls my name, surprising me. Shrieking with fright, I drop my backpack to the mats. My eyes quickly scan the space, landing on Noah where he sits straddling a weight bench.

“Dammit, Noah.” My hands land on my hips. “You scared me half to death,” I huff out. “What are you still doing here?” My heart stutters when I notice him walking my way. He pauses in front of me. My head tips back to meet his gaze.

“I don’t like you closing up late at night. This isn’t the best area and it would be easy for someone to catch you alone in here.” He smirks. “I think I just proved that.”

“Thanks for your concern, but it’s misplaced. I’m a big girl and I can handle myself just fine.”

“Look, I know your dad’s taught you a move or two, but a tiny thing like you is no match for a two hundred plus pound dude.”

“Famous last words, Noah,” I warn him as I step in and quickly raise a knee up in toward his stomach. He’s ready for me and catches my leg by the thigh, spinning me around and pushing me up against the mirror. I end up with my cheek pressed to the cold wall and my arms behind my back, both hands in one of his large, calloused ones. “What are you going to do now?” he taunts.

I slip one of my wrists loose trying to free up my arms and shoot a quick heel in the general direction of his groin.  

He anticipates my every defense and shuts me down. Pressing his chest to my back, his lips brush the bottom of my ear. “Nice try, Ray, but you’re at my mercy.” His voice is a husky whisper that brings up memories of us in bed together on prom night. He caresses my neck with the tip of his nose, drawing a line from the curve of my shoulder all the way up to just below my jaw. His lips trail over my skin until he gently bites on my earlobe, making me shiver.

Oh god.

My entire body tingles, each nerve ending responding to his touch. I’m burning up.

His free hand slips around my waist, edging under my top, his palm a hot caress over my skin as it climbs. Cupping one of my breasts, he squeezes. I moan and arch into his hand, reflexively pressing my ass back into him. He groans and tugs on my taut nipple. “What would you do in this scenario?” he asks, his voice low and gravelly in my ear.

“I’d tell him to fuck me any way he wanted,” I say, lost in the pleasure he’s driving my body toward.  

A feral sound leaves him and his hands loosen their hold on me. Before I even know what’s going on he has my pants tugged down past my knees. His palm comes down on my ass with a resounding slap. I gasp. No one has ever slapped my naked ass before. “Put your hands on the mirror, Ray,” he orders. I do as he tells me and having him command me is fucking hot. He slaps my delicate skin once more. “No one’s going to fuck you, but me.”

Watching his reflection, I take in his hungry gaze as he stares down at my ass. He bends over and I lose sight of him for a moment, but I hear clothing shifting. He returns behind me and I feel the press of his hard cock between my cheeks. He grinds against me and lifts my top, exposing my breasts for his touch. Both hands cup my tits while his lips and tongue tease the delicate skin on my neck.

Wishing I could see his cock, I wiggle my hips, teasing him - teasing me.

“Fuck, Ray. That ass of yours is a lethal weapon.” He slides one hand down my stomach, his fingers keep moving, sliding through my wet slit until he thrusts two inside me. “Your body is perfect. You’re everything I’ve always imagined.”

I moan, rocking against his hand. His thumb circles my clit, slowly. So. Fucking. Slow. I think he might drive me mad.

“I want to fuck you so hard, Ray. Tell me you want me to,” he growls out.

“Yes. Yes. Yes,” I chant.

His fingers slip from me, gripping his thick cock in his hand. He slides his length back and forth along my slit and then to my clit, pausing to rub the engorged flesh with the head.

“Fuck, me. Please,” I beg.

He enters me with one hard thrust. “I love it when you beg for my cock,” he growls.   

I gasp at the sensation of him inside me. He’s bigger than I remembered.

“Fuck, Ray. You feel amazing.”

I close my eyes as he starts to move his hips. “Open your eyes,” he orders in a gruff voice. My eyes snap open at his command.

“Look at how fucking hot we are together.”

I watch as he moves his hips, with slow, long strokes at first. I watch as one of his hands dip down so his fingers can dance over my clit. My head falls back against his chest. He tugs on my pony tail with his other hand, maneuvering my head over my shoulder so he can take my lips in a heated kiss. Our tongues rub together and we moan into each other’s mouths as he picks up the pace of his thrusts.

He releases the hold on my hair, gripping my hip, then tears his mouth from mine as he slams into me hard and fast. Watching his reflection in the mirror, I notice his eyes staring at my ass then moving to my tits which bounce with each thrust of his hips. He’s right. We look hot and watching adds an unexpected element of excitement.

He strums my clit faster. I can feel my release getting closer. My fingers claw, fighting for purchase on the reflective, smooth surface.  

“Are you going to come for me?” His breaths are harsh in the silence of the empty gym. “Give it to me, Ray,” he grits out through clenched teeth. “I want it all.” He pinches my clit between his thumb and index finger and it sends me crashing into my orgasm. His hips jerk a few more times and he comes calling my name.