Sucker Punch (TKO #4) (10 page)

Chapter 18

Austin

I find it almost insane I just parked in the same spot I did the night of my fight. I see Lance’s truck and Garrett’s are already here, so I walk inside. I’m waiting for people to begin their gawking but I’m surprised when a few of them recognize me from my fight. Even my opponent from that night comes up to me and starts a conversation. This isn’t as bad as I thought it would be.

I spot Lance and he’s grinning from ear to ear. I roll my eyes, wondering what the hell he’s up to already.

“I know something you don’t know,” he says in a singsong voice.

“More Taylor Swift lyrics? Good for you,” I retort.

“You are funny. But seriously, I do know something you don’t know.”

“And what is that?”

“Your nurse friend is here.” He smirks.

“And how do you know this?”

“Because Raegan asked her to come and she rode with them. Garrett texted me to see if I remembered her name but I couldn’t. When I saw her, though, I instantly knew it was her.”

“Where is she?” I begin looking all over, trying to find her.

“She’s with Raegan and Hilary somewhere around here. I figured you would want a heads up so you wouldn’t be all surprised.”

“Thanks, man. Oh, and good luck tonight,” I tell him.

“Thank you,” he calls out as he walks to the dressing room.

I spot Garrett up ahead talking to Howard and I walk towards them. “Hey, Austin, I’m glad you came,” Howard greets me.

“Hey, guys.”

The arena is beginning to fill up and suddenly Blaize’s voice booms through the speakers. The line-up gets announced and damn, it’s going to be a good night. I wish Garrett good luck and begin walking over to where everyone is seated. I spot Paige in the crowd surrounded by Hilary and Raegan. She happens to turn and her eyes lock with mine. Her face blushes and I think it’s so damn cute. I make my way to them and give both Raegan and Hilary a hug. I lean down and kiss Paige’s cheek and her face is even more flushed.

“I didn’t know you were going to be here,” I tell her as I sit beside her.

“I didn’t know either until Raegan asked if I wanted to come along this afternoon.”

“How was your day?”

“It’s better now,” she replies with a smile. I sat with my left arm by her so I can hold her hand if I want to and hell yes, I want to. I pull her hand into mine and we sit back and watch as the action begins to unfold before our eyes.

Lance goes before Garrett. Paige’s small gasps fill my ears and I chuckle. I guess she’s actually concerned for the two men inside the ring. Little does she know, no one else really is. This is all sport for them. They could care less.

For the first time since I’ve been a part of the crew at Lou’s, I witness Lance lose his first fight. I replay it over and over in my head and I can’t seem to figure out what he did wrong. His opponent must have just had that upper edge. The disappointment and anger show in his face and I know now is not the time to go talk to him. He needs to blow off his steam and then he’ll be fine. Hilary excuses herself and goes straight to him. He probably wants to see her more than he wants to see me anyway.

“Did you see how pissed he was?” Raegan leans over to tell me.

“I know. I’ve never seen him lose before.”

“I’ve barely seen him lose. It just doesn’t happen.” She shakes her head in disbelief.

Garrett’s name is announced shortly after and Paige begins to tense up again as yet another fight starts. Unlike Lance, Garrett comes out victorious like usual. Raegan jumps to her feet, yelling in excitement. I do wish I could have seen her fight when she did.

Raegan waves for us to stand and follow her. We all meet outside the dressing room where Garrett has disappeared to. Lance is standing outside the door, still wearing a solemn look on his face.

I let go of Paige’s arm and walk over to him. “Hey, man, you did good out there.”

“Not good enough. I don’t know what the fuck happened. I had it, I swear I thought I did.” He shakes his head like he’s replaying the fight in his head.

“Think about it this way, at least you didn’t lose like a punk. You held your own.”

“You’re right about that. All I know is what happened tonight will not happen again.”

Paige steps up and sheepishly tells him, “I have no clue what I was really watching, but you were very good.”

“Thank you.” Lance smiles at her. “Well, I told Howard I was leaving a few minutes ago but I was waiting to see you guys. We’ll see y’all later.”

We tell him and Hilary bye as they walk off. “Yeah, he’s going to beat himself up all night. I feel bad for Hil.” Raegan laughs. “Thank God Garrett won because he’s pissy when he loses.”

“Something tells me I’d hate to see that.” I laugh.

“Yeah, he’s no fun. I leave him alone and let him be. Within a few minutes he’s normally fine. So, Paige, do you need a ride home or did you want to get a ride with Austin?”

Her eyes lock with mine and I instantly know the little matchmaking charade she’s trying to play. “I can give her a ride home.” I glance over at Paige to see her blushing. “If that’s okay with her.”

“Yeah, that’s fine. I’m ready when you are, I guess. Thank you, Raegan, for inviting me tonight. I actually liked it.”

“It kinda flows through our veins around here. Anytime you want to come, you’re more than welcome. Austin knows when all the fights are and everything.”

“That sounds great.” Paige smiles.

“Tell Garrett I’ll see him later,” I tell Raegan as Paige and I walk out to my car.

Her hand is in mine and everything feels so damn right. My phone vibrates in my pocket and I pull it out to see a text from Ruston. He’s staying with Tamilyn tonight and he wanted to let me know I have the apartment to myself.

“Do you want to come back to my place for a little?” I ask her.

“Oh, uh, yeah, sounds great.” I look at her before driving off and she’s smiling. I take that as a good sign so I head home. I pull in and think about the big steps I’m taking by bringing someone home with me. The last person I brought here was Tamilyn and apparently things were happening I wasn’t aware of. This is like a clean slate.

“Do you want something to eat or drink?” I ask her as we step inside.

“No, thank you. I’m good right now,” she replies.

I watch as she runs her fingers through her ponytail. She’s so nervous and it’s cute. I wish I had both arms right now because I would scoop her up and kiss her. Instead, I lean forward and softly bring my lips to hers. She kisses me back gently before deepening the kiss. Man, I could get used to this. The kiss breaks and she’s struggling to catch her breath. Her eyes are still closed and my dick begins to throb in my pants. I grab her by the hand, letting my dick do all the thinking. We walk to my room and shut the door although I know Ruston won’t be coming home tonight. I lead Paige to my bed and sit beside her.

“This feels a little more personal than being inside the kitchen.” I chuckle.

“Yeah, you are right about that.” She’s still breathy and I can’t take it anymore. I need more of her.

In a moment of passion, our lips lock together while our hands frantically begin to explore one another. She reaches for my shirt and I raise my arm for her. She gets it off with no problem and I watch her jaw drop when she gazes at my chest.

I’m ripped, I work out, so I have no shame. She licks her lips, seeming to like what she sees, tattoos and all. I grab hold of the hem of her shirt and begin to raise it. This isn’t easy with one arm but I succeed.

I gaze at her hot pink bra, wanting it to come off. Then I reach for it and with the flick of my wrist, her breasts are bare and it’s my turn to lick my lips. Without another word, my mouth envelopes her breast as she lies back on my bed. It doesn’t take much to get me harder than I already am. Her moans fill my room and we haven’t even really gotten started yet.

“Do you want me, Paige?” I ask her as my hand moves down to the waist of her jeans. She nods her head and whimpers as I dip my hand inside her panties. “I didn’t hear you,” I taunt her as I tease her clit.

“Yes,” she moans, tossing her head back.

That’s all I need to know. I’ve never been much of a foreplay guy. It’s fun and all but I want Paige so bad right now, I may not make it through any form of foreplay. I slide my pants down and reach into my nightstand. Thankfully, I remembered to keep condoms nearby. Not like I’ve had use for them, but still. I try to remove her jeans, but it’s a little tougher than I thought. She helps slide them off and I take in her beautiful naked body. I notice a few stretch marks on her stomach but I think nothing of them. She’s absolutely beautiful to me.

I slide the condom onto my rigid cock and steady myself. “Are you sure you want this? I know it’s happened so fast.”

“I want you Austin, please,” she says softly.

Slowly I slide inside her while I steady myself with my arm. She’s so tight and wet, I may not last long. Her body tightens around me as she loses control. She clings onto my side, steadying my body as I continue to make love to her. I hold on as long as I can before I come.

I gently kiss her lips and hold her tight. I want to ask her to stay the night with me so she doesn’t get any sort of idea this was just some sort of one night stand. That’s nowhere near what this is.

Before I go to the bathroom to clean up, I gaze into her eyes. “Will you stay here with me tonight?”

She smiles softly. “If you’re sure, yes.”

“Baby, I’m more than sure.” I kiss her on the nose and back away from her. I need to get this condom off.

“Then I’m all yours tonight.”

I lick my lips and feel my dick beginning to grow hard again. “And I’m all yours.”

Chapter 19

Paige

After a few rounds of mind-blowing sex and a good night’s sleep, I awake to the sound of my alarm going off. Oh fuck, I’m here at Austin’s, which isn’t the problem. I forgot I have to work this morning. Shit!

Austin grumbles a little in his sleep but soon opens his eyes. “Is everything okay?”

“I forgot I work this morning and my alarm just went off.” I jump out of bed and begin scrambling to get my clothes on. I can’t find my panties, but I’ll deal with that later. I can’t be late. My phone lies under my jeans on the floor. I silence the alarm and stick it into the back pocket of my jeans.

Austin jumps up just as quickly sliding on a pair of basketball shorts and a t-shirt. “I’ll get you home. I won’t let you be late. I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s not your fault. I wasn’t thinking last night. I was so caught up in being with you, which was great, by the way.” I walk over and kiss his cheek.

“You’re amazing, Paige.” He winks as he grabs his keys and wallet.

We’re in the car in a matter of seconds, heading back to my apartment. As soon as Austin pulls into the parking lot, I glance at my dying phone. I have enough time to freshen up a little and change before I have to leave. I’m about to get out of his car when I notice a truck sitting on the other side of my mine.
You’ve got to be kidding me.
What the fuck is Brendan doing here?

“Give me a sec,” I tell Austin as I jump out of the car.

Brendan is getting out of his truck and is walking my way. His hands are in his pocket and his brown eyes look angry. He’s wearing a baseball hat on his head. Same typical Brendan.

“What are you doing here?” I ask him.

“Why are you just getting home? Where’s the kid?” He begins looking around.

I’m praying Austin doesn’t get out of the car right now. This could be bad. “She’s with her grandparents, and why do you care?”

“I came to tell you I’ve got a lawyer to take care of all this shit. So you can leave me alone and we can live our lives.”

“You came here to tell me that? You’re a piece of shit, Brendan. She’s a person, you asshole.” I thrust my finger at him.

“Paige, is everything all right?” I turn to see Austin standing beside me. His eyes are looking much like they did on the night of our date. I don’t need a replay of that between these two.

“Yeah, he was just leaving.” I turn to Brendan, glaring.

“You’re kidding me, right? Wow, Paige. Does he know about—?”

“Get the fuck out of here, Brendan. Now.” My gosh, he’s trying to ruin everything that’s finally going good in my life right now.

“I’ll take that as a no. Just remember what I said. I’m serious and it will be done.”

“I know it will. I don’t need your threats. I have to go to work. Don’t show up at my home again.”

“Yeah, you need to go wipe the slut off of your face.” Brendan grins before he turns to walk away.

“What the fuck did you just say?” Austin’s temper flares. He’s beginning to walk towards Brendan, but I grab his arm and stare at him with pleading eyes.

“Oh man, don’t worry. I’m not fighting you over her. Been there, done that. She’s all yours.” Brendan smirks as he heads to his truck and gets in. He drives off, leaving us just standing there.

My blood pressure has to be through the damn roof right now. I’m sure Austin has a thousand questions and I’m waiting for them. “Who was that?”

Yep, there’s question number one. “An ex. No one you need to be concerned with.”

“What was he talking about? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, Austin, I promise. He just likes to run his mouth, okay? I’m sorry he ruined our morning.” I crush my lips to his, hoping he’ll forget any other questions he had.

“I don’t want you to be late. Text me later, okay? You sure you’re all right?” I at least admire him for being so thoughtful.

“I will, and I promise you I’m all right.”

He gives me one more kiss before I have to run inside and change to get ready for work. As I shut the door, I’m able to breathe. I really need to call a lawyer on my lunch break and get this ball rolling in my court so I can be done with Brendan and his not-so-pleasant surprise visits. He absolutely infuriates me.

***

“Brendan did what?” Nora asks, all wide eyed. We’re talking over lunch. I was running a little behind so we couldn’t chat this morning.

“Yeah, you heard right. Completely ruined my morning.”

“So the sex was good?” She grins.

“Nor, it was amazing. I’m getting real feelings for him and that scares me,” I say as I take a bite of a chip.

“You haven’t had feelings for anyone since Brendan, have you? Hell, have you slept with anyone since?”

I shake my head no to each question. Her eyes bug open. I swear they may fall out of the sockets. “You haven’t had sex in four years? My gosh, no wonder it was amazing!”

“Can you not yell out my sex life?” I deadpan.

“I’m sorry. I’m just so happy you’re finally getting some. So what was the most amazing part?”

“Nosy ass. Like I would tell you. That’s for me to know and you to never know.” I grin as I finish the last of my chips.

“That’s fair. See, things are looking up for you. Now you just need to let him meet Darla.”

My smile fades and I stare at her. “Not yet. I’m not ready.”

“I know. Let’s get back to work. We’ll talk later.”

Before I put it away, I check my phone one last time. I was able to charge it a little on the way here so it’s not as close to dead as it was. I see a message from Austin; it must have just come through.

Austin: I can’t stop thinking of last night.

Paige: We have something in common then.

Austin: I hope you’re having a good day. Sorry for almost making you late.

Paige: Don’t be, it was worth it. I have to get back to work. I’ll text you later.

Austin: Okay baby.

I love when he calls me baby. I know that’s such a typical nickname but it makes me smile and my heart flutters, so you know what? He can call me baby all he wants.