The Fighter's Stubborn Lover (The Burton Brothers Series Book 2) (7 page)

There was something decadent about sitting outside in a hot tub, while a light snow fell around her. Avery soaked for an hour. The steam was great for her lungs, opening them up so she felt as if she could breathe without effort.

Her muscles relaxed and while she was still aware of her body in ways she hadn’t been before, she felt rejuvenated. When her fingertips started to prune, she climbed out. Mason had made sure to guarantee her privacy by hanging an out of order sign on the gate that led into the fenced around the hot tub room. The redwood fencing gave her some privacy, except from the hawks soaring overhead. She wrapped herself in the large bath towel Mason had left.

She’d brought jeans and a bulky fisherman’s sweater in a deep red with her. Pulling down her hair, she brushed it out, then pulled on socks and sneakers.

Heading out into the gym, she stopped when the gym door opened. Dustin walked in. He stopped in front of her, a sheepish grin on his face and his head ducked. With his hair tousled and shorter than she’d ever seen it, he looked even younger than he was.

She put a fist on her hip and parted her lips, but Dustin held up a hand. “Before you get started, Mason’s already reamed me a new one. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have bailed like that.”

She lifted her chin. “When did you see Mason?”

Dustin nodded to door. “Caught up with him on the run—about halfway along the trail. He told me to come in here and apologize, and then I’m supposed to head out and do the trail twice more.”

A smiled tugged at her. “Punishment?”

“No—me trying to make up for a missing half a day of training.”

“Dustin, can we—?“

“Sorry, sis.” He started to back up, hands in front of him. “I’ve got that run to do. We’ll talk later.”

“But, Dustin…” She let the words fade into a frustrated sigh as Dustin turned and jogged out of the gym, giving her another wave and a stiff smile.

Shoulders slumping, Avery shook her head. An apology was better than nothing, but how was she ever going to talk to him if Dustin wasn’t going to stay still?

Heading outside, she started for the cabin where she was staying, but she heard Mason call out, “Hey, you see Dustin?”

She threw her arms wide. “For all of two seconds!” She watched Mason walk over to her. Despite the snow on the ground, he had on light sweats and a tight top that outlined his muscles. She was all too aware how those toned arms felt under her touch, how that chest had hovered over her last night. Her mouth dried.

Mason stopped in front of her, his eyebrows lifted high over his blue-gray eyes. “Forget what you want—you just to listen to him. And tell him how you feel without blame getting into it.”

Avery crossed her arms. “And how do I do that when he won’t hang around long enough for me to say two words? Or when you send him off to run all over these mountains?”

Mason grinned. “You could go running with him.”

“And have him leave me in his dust? Or leave me so breathless I can’t talk. Thanks, but I’ll pass.”

Mason held up his hands. “Okay, okay. When he gets back I promise I’ll be a voice of calm—I’ll referee you two. Will that work?”

Dropping her arms, Avery let out a breath. “I guess maybe I looked like I was going to punch him.”

“Oh, that he could deal with. I think it’s your tears he’s worried about. He said as much this morning.”

Cheeks hot, she stared at him. “What else did he say? You didn’t tell him…I mean, you didn’t say we…”

Mason shook his head. “Relax. I’m not looking for a fight with your brother. And we still haven’t settled anything between us.”

Avery lifted her chin. “Yes, we did.”

He shook his head. “No, we did not. There’s more going on here than a one-night stand. But I’m not going to argue about that on an empty stomach. Breakfast is waiting in the lodge—and that means coffee, too.” He tucked her arm into his and started walking.

With no choice but to hurry to keep up with him, Avery glared at Mason. “Are you always this imposing, or are you just this way after a run?”

Glancing at her, he shook his head. “Angel, you have no idea yet just how bossy I can be. I’m used to whipping fighters into shape, remember.”

“Meaning a little ol’ girl like me should be no problem?”

He shook his head. “Meaning those fighters were training for me being able to take you on. Now how about a truce until we get some food in us. Then you and I can have a chat, and you can take on your brother, and smack him up aside of the head if you need to get him to listen. And if you have any energy left I’ll see if I can think of some better ways for you to spend it.”

Avery pulled her hair back with one hand. “In your dreams. Told you—one time deal.”

“Yes, you did tell me. And I’m telling you that you have no idea yet what happens when I set my mind on something. And there is nothing…” He paused and grinned at her. “Well, almost nothing that I like better than a good fight.”

When Mason finally got Dustin to sit down in his cabin, Avery took one glance at Dustin’s face and knew he wasn’t going to listen. He sat with his mouth tight and his hands on his knees. He looked as if he was going to face his execution. Mason made coffee and pulled out the pecan pie and cut everyone a slice. Dustin left his on the plate on the coffee table and Avery picked at the pecans on hers.

Wetting her lips, she said, “Dustin, could you at least try to understand my point of view?”

“What point is that?” Dustin leaned forward. “The one where you think I’m just like Edward? Well, I’m not. I’m not heading underground, and you haven’t even watched me train or practice. I’m good. Really good! So why do you keep thinking I’m going to get pounded? You don’t even know if I can fight.”

“That’s just the point, isn’t it? We don’t know—we never know about the future. But fighting—you’re just putting yourself in danger, aren’t you?”

“Hold on. Time out.” Mason glanced from Avery to Dustin. “Let’s keep this to how each of you feels. Dustin you start. Have you explained to your sister why you want to fight? What it means to you?”

Dustin nodded and threw himself back in his chair. “Oh, you mean like everything? I’ve tried. She doesn’t seem to care.”

Avery’s eyes stung. “Now you’re fighting dirty. I’m here because I do care.”

“Well, I wish you’d care less, then!” Dustin’s mouth pulled into an even more stubborn line.

Mason stepped between them, his pie on his plate and his fork hovering in the air. “Okay, Time out again. Avery, your turn. I want you to think about something for a moment. You see fighting as very dangerous, but what if Dustin took up riding a motorcycle?”

Crossing her arms, Avery shook her head. “You wear helmets for that. And leathers. And that’s beside the point since he doesn’t ride a motorcycle—and other drivers aren’t generally trying to hit you!”

“Uh…” Dustin scrubbed a hand over his shaved head. “I’ve been riding for the last few months. And helmets don’t always protect you.”

She stared at him, her hands clenched tight around her pie plate and fork. “Where did you get a motorcycle?”

“From Beck. Mason’s brother.” Dustin rubbed the back of his neck. “He’s been letting me borrow his to get around. It’s easier to park and uses a lot less gas.”

Stomach knotting and chest tight, Avery shook her head. “Do you want to die? Is that what this is about?”

Dustin pushed to his feet. “No, what I’d like to do is live my own damn life! Every time I try you pull me back. Oh, Dustin, I’m so afraid. Oh, Dustin, you’re so young. Oh, Dustin…well, I’m tired of hearing it. That’s why I split.”

Avery pulled in a breath. She brushed at her eyes. Her chest tightened even more and she put down the pie. “Dustin, I wish you would think about your own future—about where you’ll be in ten years, assuming you survive.”

“You mean I might end up like Mason?” Dustin waved at Mason.

Mason held up his fork. “Hey, watch it.”

Ignoring him, Dustin focused on his sister. “Might end up a trainer maybe? Or one of best fighters around?”

Avery narrowed her eyes. “What if I make you a deal?”

Wary now, Dustin glanced from Avery to Mason. With a shrug, Mason stepped back. Avery pressed her palms against her thighs. This was a huge risk, but she had to do something. Talking with Dustin wasn’t getting her anywhere. “What deal?” Dustin asked.

“How about I spend a week here watching you train? I’ll…I’ll learn everything I can about this sport you seem to love so much. And if I can do that for you, then will you do one thing for me?”

Dustin crossed his arms over his chest. He’d gotten so muscular that his T-shirt barely fit. “Stop fighting?” he asked.

She shook her head. “No. No , I can see that’s not going to happen. But…but I think, if you promise you’ll listen to Mason, and that you’ll never fight in those underground fights, or get into a match that is going to be too much for you, and—”

“Great, you want me to—”

“Hold on.” Mason stepped up and put a hand on Dustin’s shoulder. “Your sister is trying to meet you half way here.”

“Oh, yeah, by telling me what I can and can’t do.”

“Come on, Dustin. You know you have no interest in anything but the MMA and official fights. That’s an easy one to promise, right?”

Reluctantly, Dustin nodded.

Mason let out a breath. This wasn’t going to be easy, but he thought he could see a bridge between these two now. “Great. Good. And I like that part about promising to listen to me about picking fights.” He grinned and slapped Dustin’s arm. “That’s what a trainer is for, right?”

“Okay.” Dustin grumbled the word, but he nodded.

“As to the rest, I think that’s enough for now. The main thing is to keep talking. Avery, if you get worried, will you come talk to me first, not Dustin? He needs to concentrate on training right now.”

She bit her lower lip, but she nodded.

“And Dustin, if you start feeling hounded, will you agree not to just bail on us and cut and run? That’s the reaction of a kid, not a fighter. And I don’t want to see it again. Got it?”

Dustin nodded and a blush stained his cheeks. “Yeah, sorry, I was just feeling—”

“Save the excuses.” Mason waved at his pie. “Now eat up. That’s the last dessert you’re having until after your fight.”

Avery sucked in a sharp breathe. Mason turned to her, but she was already on her feet and heading to her bedroom with a muttered and breathless, “Excuse me.”

Sitting down, Mason shoveled in a forkful of pie. It tasted like dust. He should know better than to try and eat with all this drama going on, but maybe he’d patched a few things up between Dustin and Avery. Now he just had to worry about himself and Avery.

The chair squeaked as Dustin sat down and Mason glanced at him. Dustin picked up his fork and pie, but he nodded toward where Avery had disappeared down the hall. “Okay, so what’s really going on between you and my sister?”

Mason blinked. “Uh…excuse me?”

Rolling his eyes, Dustin shoveled in a folk of pie and talked around the pecans. “Come on. You’ve only been teaching me to read moves and looks for how long? And how can I not miss you watching Avery like she’s better than Marguerite’s pie. And Avery asking me to listen to you? That is like a major change.”

Mason frowned. “Do you mind?”

“Mind what? You stepping in? I say amen! It’s about time she got someone so she could stop worrying about me. I can’t wait to see how you handle that.” Dustin grinned.

“Handle is a good word—and I’m not sure she’s got me. Yet. She seems to think she can do casual.”

Dustin finished his pie and nodded. “Because you’re a fighter, she’s backing off?”

“Got it in one.”

Dustin grinned. “Well, I don’t have to tell you that if you hurt my sister, you and I will end up in the ring together.”

“And I don’t have to tell you I can still whup your ass. Hurting Avery is about as low on my list as anything. Convincing her that there’s a ‘we’ in this, that’s another story. And I don’t have to tell you I don’t want to see you hurting your sister, either. Try to make this deal of hers work out, okay.”

Dustin stood. “And training?”

“We leave Monday for Utah. Avery can come with and then I’m going to stick Alice on her.”

“Terry Ander’s daughter? That should be fun. Hey, that could work—Alice can show Avery that not every girl in this world faints when a guy gets hit. Think maybe Alice could show my sister a few moves even?”

“Don’t push your luck. In the meantime, you’ve got today and tomorrow to fine tune your moves. Tavvy has a copy of Shamus’s last fight and I’ve already given him my take on the guy’s weaknesses. Watch the fight a hundred times and make your own notes. Spend tomorrow working Tavvy on escape plans and ways to answer to that hard strike Shamus likes to pull out. Now go train.”

“Don’t have to tell me twice.” Dustin left.

Mason sat back on the couch and shook his head. What the hell had he gotten himself into—between Avery and Dustin he seemed to be way over his head in things he hadn’t planned on starting.

And then Avery stepped back into the room and all he could think about was how beautiful she was with the sun glinting on that hair of hers. Her face seemed too pale and he stood up and headed over to her.

“Did he head back to the gym?” she asked.

“Yeah. You okay?” He touched her cheek.

Avery hugged her arms tight. “My chest was getting tight so I went to use my inhaler.”

Grabbing her hand, he pulled her down next to him on the couch and put his arms around her. “Nerves making your asthma act up?”

“More like the cold.” She pushed against him, but he wasn’t letting go.

He curled one strand of hair around his fingers. “Look, we leave for Utah Monday morning. You’ll come with us so you really can watch Dustin train—I’ll tell you more about fighting than you ever wanted to know, but when you know more you’re going to start to see just how good a fighter Dustin is.”

She shuddered and gave in, clinging to him. “What if I can’t stand seeing him get hit?”

“Well, just think every time that maybe someone else is doing your job of pounding sense into him.”

She gave a shaky laugh. “The only pounding I ever wanted to do was a verbal one.”

“Yeah, well your brother has a thicker head than that. He also has a fight is a couple of weeks away. We have plenty of room at the house, and you can have your choice of your own room. But I’d rather have you in mine.”

Pulling back, she untangled herself from his arms. “I’m not getting involved with a fighter. Last night was just last night. Or does this mean you’re giving up the sport?”

Mason cupped a hand around her jaw. “You really think we can hang out and ignore this…this whatever we have going? I don’t know where it’s going, but I think we need to see if there’s more than just a fling here. What have you got to lose?”

“It’s more like what I might gain. I have Dustin to worry about…and if I had you…” She broke off and shook her head. “I’ll come to Utah. I’ve already promised Dustin I’ll watch him train. But…that’s it.”

Mason kissed her forehead. “I guess that answers the question about bedrooms. But if you’re going to hang around the gym, I need to make sure you’re not going to be a distraction for every fighter there.”

She smiled. “Meaning what? Baggy clothing and a hood over my head?”

“Don’t think I haven’t thought about that. Pull out those god-awful pants and sweats you had on last night. You’re going to put them to use.”

Avery sat up and saluted him. “Yes, sir.”

He gave a laugh. “Well, if we can keep that attitude going, we might get somewhere.”