An Act of Redemption (25 page)

“Count me in, too,” Cade says.

“And me, but on this guy’s dime,” Sarge says, jerking a thumb at Sawyer.

I laugh as tears sting my eyes, my heart overflowing with gratitude at their offer of support. I look over at Jaxson, waiting for his approval, desperately needing it.

A small smirk tilts his lips before he gives me what I want. “You know I have your back.”

A squeal of joy escapes me just before I stand up and rush over to them. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.” I start hugging and kissing them all.

Sarge takes hold of me in a strong hug and whispers in my ear, “You’re a good cookie, Anna. I wish I could help you out, if I had the money I would.”

His confession has my throat growing tight. “There are a lot of ways you can help that doesn’t involve money.”

“Then count me in.”

Backing up, I smile then look over to Jaxson before hurtling myself at him. He catches me with a laugh and hugs me close. “It’s a really good idea, kid, and I agree with Logan, you’re just the girl for the job.”

His comment prompts tears to stream down my face. “Thank you. Thank you all for always having my back.”

They smile back at me with pride and adoration, something I’ll always need from them. They’re like my second family, and I don’t know what I would do without their support.

“Always. Now let’s finish this pizza and talk more game plan,” Sawyer suggests.

I nod then take my seat back on Logan’s lap. As we finish the pizza we go over all of my ideas. The guys give me a lot of great suggestions that have me even more excited.

“Speaking of game plans, let’s talk about the gym here for a minute and the training,” Jaxson says. “It’s getting more and more demanding. I was thinking about asking Slade if he would come in a few days a week to help when he can. But after what he thinks he saw the other night,” he gestures to Logan, “I’m not sure what to think about him any more.”

Cade cuts in. “I asked Faith about him the other day when you told me about it. She said he has a fucked up past. He got into some shit before he moved out here with Katelyn but she says he’s changed. She refuses to believe he’s a part of anything illegal. She said he’s a good guy but sticks to himself and likes his privacy.”

“And what do you think?” Jaxson asks. “You’ve been around him more than us.”

“I don’t know what to think. We both aren’t the most talkative guys so even when I have seen him we didn’t spend time getting to know each other. He seems all right to me, and usually I’m a good judge of character, but who knows. I want to trust Red’s judgment, but she and Katelyn both love the guy and they see the good in everyone so…” He trails off with a shrug.

“I could have sworn it was him there, but who the hell knows? Maybe I am wrong?” Logan says, his voice holding uncertainty.

“Or maybe he’s just betting on the fights?” Sawyer suggests. “I know it’s illegal but it’s not like the guy is killing anyone.”

Cade shakes his head. “I don’t know. That doesn’t seem right either. Like Jaxson said before, he’s at the top of the industry and making a killing, he shouldn’t need the money.”

“I’ll bring his name up to Lewis. I won’t tell him why, I’ll just ask if he’s heard of him and see what he says.”

Jaxson nods. “Let me know what he says then we’ll go from there.” He looks at the others next to him. “On another note, let’s talk the fitness side of things. I know we originally started this gym for that reason and only planned to do some training for the fighters. But the fighting has exploded and the fitness part has been nothing but a bunch of women looking for dates, and I’m fucking sick of it.”

“I agree,” Cade says.

“It’s not that bad,” Sarge says in disagreement. “And beautiful women add to the atmosphere.”

“Bullshit it’s not that bad. Just look at how many throw themselves at him while we are in the middle of fucking training him,” Cade says, pointing at Logan.

My muscles tense as jealousy burns in my gut. It doesn’t surprise me but I still hate it, and I hate all the girls that are always at the fights, lifting their shirts and flashing the fighters. Just thinking about it makes me sick to my stomach.

As if sensing my thoughts, Logan’s hands tighten on my hips before he pulls me closer to him. Unfortunately, I have a harder time melting into him than usual.

“So what the hell are we going to do with the thousands of dollars worth of equipment we have?” Sawyer asks.

Cade shrugs. “Katelyn has mentioned to me before that she would like to come in twice a week to teach spin and yoga. Maybe we can let her do that. We can offer a few fitness classes through her.”

“Good idea,” Jaxson says. “Let’s do that. We’ll make sure the classes are scheduled when we aren’t training or running self-defense.”

“Sounds like a plan to me,” Sawyer agrees.

Sarge, on the other hand, doesn’t seem as pleased about it but accepts it. “Well, Katelyn will probably need a hand, so make sure she knows that I’m here to help her out, too. I’ll be on call if any of them overheat and need mouth to mouth.”

I shake my head but can’t help the small smile that touches my lips. That man needs a date with a real nice lady. Once he’s back on his feet and not living at the gym any more, I’m going to help him do exactly that.

After some more talk of the gym we all get up to leave at the same time. Except for Sarge of course, he and Bandit retire to their cot and television.

The drive home is silent, probably because I can’t help but think about Cade’s comment back there.

Is it always the same girl hitting on him? Is it Sara? Or is it a bunch of them? Does it matter?

Ugh, no, it doesn’t, it sucks all the same. I know this, but for some reason, as we pull up to his apartment and get out of the truck, I can’t help but say: “So you’re creating quite the dating service at the gym, are you?” I try to act nonchalant about it but figure I probably sound as jealous as I feel.

Smooth, Anna, real smooth.

He grunts.

I glance over at him as we walk up the stairs. “Is that a yes?”

His eyes narrow in warning and it causes my stomach to do a little flip. “That means your comment doesn’t dignify a response because you know the answer.”

He’s right, I do, but I still can’t seem to help myself. “Hmmm, maybe,” I toss over my shoulder before walking into his apartment.

Just as I hear the door slam, Logan comes up behind me and pulls me back snug against him, one arm wrapping around my waist and the other across my chest. “What do you mean
maybe
? Do I need to remind you, Anna, who I belong to?” My heart kicks into overdrive and a delicious shiver travels through me at his husky voice in my ear. “Hmmm?” he asks again as I try to find my words. His teeth gently nip my earlobe, drawing a moan to escape me. “Answer me, baby. Do I need to remind you?”

Yes, he does, because if he doesn’t I might combust from the heat thrumming through me.

I nod, still having a hard time forming words through my dry throat.

A low growl rumbles in his chest and vibrates against my back. “I was hoping you would say that.” Bringing his hands to my shoulders, his fingers slip under the straps of my sundress and he begins sliding them slowly down my arms. “I will gladly remind you, and I’m going to make sure you never forget it.”

Oh god.

My breath locks in my throat at the promise, anticipation humming through me for what’s to come.

“Other than annoyance, do you know what I feel if a girl approaches me, Anna?” I shake my head. Leaning in, he brings his mouth to my ear. “Nothing. Absolutely fucking nothing. You know why?” he asks, pushing my dress down until it pools at my feet, leaving me in nothing but my pink lace thong. “Because they aren’t
my Anna
.”

His words have my heart flooding with warmth and all the jealousy I felt moments ago evaporates.

“Their eyes aren’t warm like yours. Their hair isn’t the right color or length,” he whispers, pressing a kiss to the side of my neck. “And their smiles don’t light up every dark place inside of me like yours does.”

I swallow hard, absorbing every word. Knowing that I do that to him means more than anything else in this world. He steps back and I hear the rustle of clothing before he comes up behind me once more, skin to skin. A fevered sigh escapes my lips as his heat envelops me.

Slowly, he begins running his hands up my rib cage until he reaches my swollen, aching breasts, tweaking my sensitive nipples between his fingers. “Logan.” I moan, loving the feel of his warm hands on my bare skin. Reaching up, I snake an arm around his neck, and melt back against him as he brings my body to life in the most beautiful way with his touch.

“My cock only gets hard for one girl, baby, and you’re it. Even when I first got out and hadn’t fucked in four years they didn’t appeal to me. Instead I would come home and stroke my cock, thinking about my girl—
my Anna
.”

His fingers pluck my nipples harder; the exquisite pain has my pussy throbbing with an intensity that borders pleasure and pain. With a whimper I thrust against his erection, seeking the relief I desperately crave.

His hand coasts down my stomach and stops just above the lace, his warm palm splaying on my lower abdomen. “One day this is going to be swollen with my baby.”

I suck in a sharp breath, my heart swelling at his words. “Yes.”

His hand slides down further. “Mine.” He growls, cupping me.

“Yours,” I agree on a whisper.

“Damn right. Every fucking part of you belongs to me, just like I belong to you.” Gripping my hips he walks me forward, then bends me over the side of the couch.

Another moan escapes me as the cool leather greets my sensitive nipples. My erratic heart rate soars and anticipation shoots through me at the unknown.

“This okay, Anna?” he asks, his voice husky with arousal.

I don’t hesitate with my answer. “Yes, it’s more than okay.”

He trails his large, warm hand from the top of my spine down to the bottom, his lips following its path until I feel him kneel behind me. A low growl erupts from him as he cups my ass in his hands. “Jesus, you have the most beautiful ass I’ve ever seen. It’s fucking perfect, just like the rest of you.” My breathing accelerates as his finger traces the lace material of my thong. “The things I want to do to you,” he murmurs.

“Then do them,” I blurt out before I can think more of it.

I feel him tense behind me. “Be careful what you ask for, Anna, I only have so much control.”

“I can take anything you have to give me, just as long as it’s you,” I tell him truthfully.

“Oh, it will always, only be me, baby.” He plants a soft kiss to my lower back then moves between my legs, facing the most intimate part of me. I gasp in surprise as he nips the inside of my thigh sharply. He licks the bite, soothing the sting before he runs his nose down the center of my wet panties. My entire body trembles as he kisses the top of each thigh. “You smell so fucking good.” He growls. Gathering the material of my panties in one hand he tugs the lace to the side and blows gently on my pulsing clit.

“Oh god.” My knees weaken and I’m thankful for the sofa that’s beneath me. I squirm to bring his mouth where I desire him most.

“You want me to lick your pussy, Anna?”

“God yes.” I whimper desperately.

“Good, because I want that, too. I love eating your pussy, baby,” he croons just seconds before giving me what I want.

A pleasured cry slips past my lips as his tongue swipes through my aching flesh. My panties are eliminated as he fists the scrap of lace in his hands, giving it a hard yank before delving back in again. This time he pays special attention to my swollen nub, giving it the attention it craves.

“Logan, it’s so good.” I moan, pleasure flooding every part of my body. His hands move to the inside of my thighs and he pushes them further apart before plunging two fingers inside of me. “Ahhh!” I cry out at the delicious invasion, my hips moving to the rhythm of his tongue and fingers.

At the feeling of my impending orgasm, I begin riding his face faster. Just before I reach sweet bliss he slightly eases the pressure of his mouth and removes his fingers from me. A noise of disappointment leaves my throat.

Why on earth would he stop?

Before I can ask him he takes the same two fingers that were deep inside of me and runs them through my wet slit all the way to the crevice of my ass. I tense as he stops at my small puckered entrance, my heart jackhammering in my chest.

“Trust me, Anna,” he murmurs.

A small sliver of apprehension skitters down my spine. This is territory we have never stepped into before, but as nervous as I am, my curiosity is stronger.

Licking my dry lips, I nod then realize he can’t see me. “Yes,” I whisper.

His fingers drag back and forth through my wet flesh as he lubricates them with my arousal. “I’m going to make you feel good, baby, I promise.” He brings his mouth against me again, his skillful tongue easing my hesitancy. I feel him massage the tight hole with a wet finger before slowly sliding the tip of it inside of me.

“Oh god!” I still at the exquisite burn, a part of me craving more and the other part wanting to force him out.

“Relax, baby. Just breathe and let me in.”

Taking a deep breath I do what he says and force myself to relax. As I exhale he pushes in a little further, stretching me more than I thought possible. The painful pleasure is unlike anything I’ve ever felt before, like dousing gasoline to a fire. His tongue starts working my clit again and it’s exactly what I need. It isn’t long before the pleasure overrides the pain and I begin seeking more of his finger.

“That’s my girl, take my finger.” He hums in approval, the vibration of his words reverberating through my body. “One day soon it’s going to be my cock invading this tight ass of yours, Anna.”

Oh god.

My pussy clenches at the thought of him taking me that way. “Logan, please, I’m so close,” I plead, anxious for him to push me over the dark ledge I’m teetering on.

“Shh, I got you, baby.” He captures my bud between his lips and sucks with an intensity that has me detonating. A scream of pleasure rips from my throat as ecstasy rocks me to my core. I buck against his face, splintering into shards of divine pleasure, soaring to a new high I never want to come down from.