Fighting to Forget

by J. B. Salsbury

  The heat of his hands falls to my outer thighs. “Just like that. Perfect, baby.”

  My knees wobble, my body aching for his intrusion. “Please.” I arch my back, offering myself to him.

  He hisses through is teeth. “Fuck, that’s beautiful.” He runs his knuckles between my legs. “So damn gorgeous and all fucking mine.”

  My breath comes in short gasps, writhing for him to touch me. “Show me.” I press back. “Prove to me I’m all yours.”

  I’m baiting him to play rough, challenging him. It’s something I’ve done before, getting him to let go, be himself, and do things to my body he has no reason to be ashamed of because it’s exactly what I want.

  Unrestrained and wild with passion.

  He pulls the crotch of my panties hard and releases them so they snap back against my sensitive flesh. “You’re pushing me, baby.”

  “Apparently not hard enough.” I turn my head into my arm to hide my smile.

  The air shifts behind me, and his breath is at my ear, his jean-clad hard-on pressed between my open legs. “I’ll give you hard.” His teeth scrape against my shoulder, igniting a furious swarm of butterflies in my belly and raising goose bumps on my skin.

  Another tug on my panties and the elastic snaps apart. The silky fabric falls down one leg and hangs around my ankle.

  The metallic sound of his zipper and the tear of a condom are my only warnings before the heat of him and the distinctive metal ball of his piercing presses against me. “Yes, finally . . .” It’s all I can say and everything I wanted: Rex against me, inside me, all around me, consuming me to the point that I could get lost in him forever.

  “Fast and hard?” There’s the tension of restraint in his voice, as if it’s all he can do to hold himself from slamming deep in one thrust.

  That won’t do.

  “If you think you can handle it.” I open my legs to step wider and grind against him.

  The deep rumble of his laughter has my stomach clenching.

  “From the feel of you”—he runs the tip along the seam between my legs—“I’d say you like eggin’ me on.”

  “Rex, please, just . . . I can’t take anymore. Stop teasing and take me.”

  His hand slides up my spine to my hair where he grabs a fist full. “Anything for you.” He braces his free hand against my hip and slams inside me.

  Overwhelmed with fullness and the power behind his domination, my arms shake to hold my weight.

  I’ve always been aware of Rex’s power over me. My entire life he’s owned everything from my thoughts to my will to survive. I lived through abusive parents and a mental institution all so I could see him again. But when he exercises his control over me, I finally feel safe, taken care of because I’m finally within the power of the one person who owns my heart.

  “You feel beautiful. So damn soft.” He pulls back and thrusts into me again. “Talk to me.”

  “More.”

  “Damn, Gia.” He leans forward and kisses my back. “You were fucking made for me, you know that?”

  “Yes.” I press back against him and his hand comes down in a quick slap against my ass. Stinging pleasure shoots straight between my legs. “Rex, I’m close.”

  He powers into me again. “I’m right there with you, Gia.”

  Yeah, he is. He always has been.

  We meet each other thrust for thrust. His hands alternate from gripping shows of domination to the stinging slaps that shoot straight to my core. My head swirls and my vision swims as ecstasy powers through me.

  Bright light flashes behind my eyes and bolts of pleasure fire through me. I whimper through the powerful release that consumes me. His fingers dig into my skin and he growls, falling into his orgasm right behind mine. Slowly coming back, my legs give out, but his arm wraps around my waist to hold me up.

  We’re breathing heavy, still connected, and he lifts my upper body where I sag back into his arms.

  “I fucking love you, Gia.”

  I smile through my exhaustion. Our lovemaking, as unconventional as it is, always sucks me dry and leaves me exhausted and sated. “I fucking love you too, Rex.”

  He pulls out and scoops me up in his arms. Kicking his jeans from his ankles so he can walk, he takes me to the bed and lays me down. He moves to my feet and slips off my shoes, rubbing each one until I’m nearly asleep.

  “It’s midnight.”

  I blink and force my eyes open. “Hmm?”

  His warm gaze meets mine, and a carefree smile lights his face. “It’s Christmas.”

  A spark of excitement wakes me and I sit up. “It’s Christmas.”

  He nods and jumps up to snag some clothes from his dresser, tossing me a shirt and pulling on a pair of flannel sleeping pants.

  I pull the shirt over my head. “Presents!”

  He grabs my hand and we race to the tree. I go for the gift I hid there earlier today, and he reaches for the one he shoved between branches. I sit on the ground, tucking my legs to the side, and he places a square box wrapped in gold paper and a red ribbon in my lap.

  Emotion crawls up my throat. “Did you wrap this?”

  He sits down beside me and runs a hand through his messy black hair. “Um, would it make it less meaningful if the answer’s no?”

  I shake my head, afraid to speak and give away how close I am to crying.

  “I mean you’ve seen my tree decorating skills. Present wrapping might have to wait ’til next year.”

  I start by sliding off the velvet ribbon, but excitement takes over halfway through, and I can’t get to the present fast enough. I rip through the paper, and even though Rex laughs at my impatience, I don’t care. I’ve gotta see what it is!

  Once I get down to the box, I rip off the lid and send it flying. My hand goes to my mouth as I stare at the gift.

  A single square diamond hangs from a silver chain. I move to touch it but recoil, afraid of tarnishing its beauty.

  He laughs. “It’s okay, Gia. You can touch it.” He takes the box from my hands and slips the necklace from it. “I didn’t know how big of a diamond I should get. I had to ask Raven. I hope that’s okay.” He moves behind me and I gather my hair to the side while he secures it around my neck. “I figure that’s what sisters are for, right?”

  Once it’s on, I hold the pendant to my chest, and tears flood my eyes and spill down my cheeks.

  He wipes them away. “Ah shit, baby. Don’t cry.” He leans in and kisses me soft and sweet.

  I sniff back my tears. “I love it. So much, Rex, I love it. And I love you.”

  “It’s unconventional, but um, usually when a man gives the woman he loves a diamond, it represents his intention to marry her.” He tilts his head and rubs the back of his neck then brings his eyes to mine. “That’s what this is, Gia. It’s my promise to you. When you’re ready, we’ll take that necklace to have it made into a ring, but until then, every time you feel that against your chest, you’ll know I’m yours and your mine. You have that as my vow.” He clasps my face between his hands. “I want to marry you and spend the rest of my life exploring you and loving you.”

  That’s all I’ve ever wanted, to be his. “Yes, Rex. I say yes. I’ll marry you.”

  He drops his head and blows out a long breath. “Thank you, God.”

  I throw myself into his arms and he holds me to him.

  How can I top this? “You should know you totally out-gifted me. My present to you is really lame compared to this.”

  He laughs and his arms convulse around me. “Impossible, baby.”

  I reach over and grab the box that’s wrapped in blue paper with white snowflakes printed on it. “Here. I actually wrapped it myself, so no laughing.” I sit up a little but stay in his lap as he rips through the paper.

  Pulling out the present by the single ribbon it’s attached to, he dangles the silver ornament before his eyes, reading the inscription.

  “Rex and Gia. First Christmas. Let this be our beginning.” He hugs me and k
isses the top of my head. “It’s perfect.” He eyes our crooked tree. “Where should we hang it?”

  We stand, walk around our tree to scope out the perfect spot, and decide on front and center.

  He throws his arm over my shoulder. “Our beginning. I like that.”

  He pulls something out of his pocket and points it at his stereo system. A remote clicks the music on and Nat King Cole’s voice fills the room singing “The Christmas Song.”

  He drops the remote on the couch and turns to me, holding out a hand. “May I have this dance?”

  A trickle of anxiety warms my stomach. “I um . . . I don’t know how to dance.”

  He smiles but pulls me to him. “Me neither.”

  I giggle and bury my face into his bare chest. The spicy smell of his skin soothes my nerves.

  “I figure we just hold on to each other and sway.”

  “Seems like everything always starts with that.” I peer up at him and he dips his chin. “Us, holding on to each other.”

  “That’s the way we started; in the dark, you were humming Christmas music while we held on tight.”

  “And here’s our new beginning.”

  “But this time, we’re never letting go.”

  ~The End~

  Coming October 2014

  The next book in the series is Fighting the Fall, Eve’s story.

  A man’s greatest enemy is failure.

  No one has been defeated more than Cameron Kyle. With his fighting career ripped from his grasp at the height of success, a child he wasn’t strong enough to save, and a marriage that even the brawn of a heavyweight couldn’t hold together, he’s locked inside the body and life of the loser he never saw himself to be. Angry, bitter, and frustrated, he takes on the position of CEO of the UFL, intent on righting wrongs, earning back his self-respect, and making sure he never makes the same mistakes again.

  Finished with being used by men, Eve Dawson swears she’ll never fall again. Every relationship from her past has been a feeble attempt to gain approval—unconditional love—all to fill the void left by the only man she ever wanted it from: her Dad. Swearing off men forever, she repels advances, making herself a challenge to even the most persistent suitors.

  Until she meets the one man who refuses to lose.

  But life has set them at odds. The fragile bond that they have is quickly shattered when the man who ended Cameron’s UFL career comes out of retirement for a rematch.

  A second chance. One fight. The outcome, ultimate success or possible death.

  Will he sacrifice her love, his life, all to gain back a lost reputation?

  Can she handle being cast aside again?

  Or will they continue Fighting the Fall?

  Acknowledgments

  First, I want to thank God who helped me through the difficult subject of this story.

  Thank you to my husband and daughters who are my biggest inspiration and the first loves of my life.

  Thank you to my mom, child and family therapist Gale West, who was an endless source for research, encouragement, and support. The topics we had to discuss only increased my admiration for you and all that you do. I love you, Mom.

  Heartfelt thanks to my brother, Bo Davis, for always believing in me and reading all my books, even though they’re romance. I love you, bro.

  Thank you to my dad, Rob Davis, for pimping my books to everyone who’ll stop long enough to listen. And thank you for being proud of me. I love you, Dad.

  Thank you to my awesome stepparents, Rebecca Davis and Jim West. You guys mean so much to me, and I love you both dearly. Thank you for your encouragement and support.

  To my dear friend Evelyn Johnson, thank you for your endless support and help. I don’t know what I’d do without you.

  Thank you to my friend and critique partner, Cristin Harber. You’ve secured a place in my heart forever. I adore you.

  A heartfelt thank you to the fabulous Michael Stokes, who is an absolute artistic genius and gentleman, I appreciate your talent and am honored to have your photo on my cover.

  Alex Minsky, words could never do justice to how proud I am of your service, your story, and your victory. You encapsulate what it means to be a hero, taking what life hands you and making the best of it. It’s a privilege to have you on the cover. Thank you.

  To all my amazing crit buddies and friends who helped bring Rex to life. Claudia “Dia” Handel, Racquel “Rocky” Reck, Sharon “SFAM” Cermak, and Nicola “Nic” Layouni. You’ve all contributed your time, effort, energy, and compassion to this story. I’m forever grateful for your support and love you each to pieces.

  Thank you to Amanda “PIMA” Simpson at Pixel Mischief Designs. You’ve become so much more than a graphic designing and marketing genius. You’re a cherished friend.

  Thank you to Theresa Wegand for editing my story and working your magic—and for dealing with all my tabs.

  To all the authors who inspire me and have taken the time to advise and encourage—Elizabeth Reyes, Kristen Ashley, Maya Banks, and Jaci Burton—your humility and grace set you above the rest. Thank you.

  A huge thank you to the girls in The Fighting Group on Facebook: Toshia Yadao, Suzy Wilhare, Sue Anderson, Stacey Bodenstab, Erin Thompson, Nina Kneblik, Maja Dujak, Jessica Longoria, Ami Cross, Robin Anderson, Audrey Thunder, Ronda Brimeyer, Mimi Reyes, Leslie Krom, Melissa Viro, Nathalie Hinkle, Michelle Reed, D Kristin Godfrey, and all the girls who tirelessly pimp out the UFL boys. I will never be able to thank you enough. Your support and friendship mean the world to me. I’d be nothing without each and every one of you.

  Thank you to the wonderful nurses who helped me with my research: Kelly Harper, Maja Dujak, and Jenny Fisher.

  Thank you to all the amazing bloggers who’ve supported my books through reviews, author spotlights, and character takeovers. You guys ROCK!

  Fighting to Forget Playlist

  “Taking Over Me” by Evanescence

  “Goodbye” by Secondhand Serenade

  “Kiss You To Death” by Alkaline Trio

  “Suppose” by Secondhand Serenade

  “Serenity” by Godsmack

  “Dead Memories” by Slipknot

  “Lost it All” by Avenged Sevenfold

  “The Christmas Song” by Nat King Cole

  “Bring Me to Life” by Evanescence

  “Say Something” by A Great Big World

  “Remember Me” by Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

  “Grim Goodbye” by Red jumpsuit Apparatus

  “Demons” by Imagine Dragons

  “Monster” by Eminem

  “Save You” by Simple Plan

  About the Author

  JB Salsbury, USA Today Best Selling author of the Fighting series, lives in Phoenix, Arizona, with her husband and two kids. She spends the majority of her day as a domestic engineer. But while she works through her daily chores, a world of battling alphas, budding romance, and impossible obstacles claws away at her subconscious, begging to be released to the page.

  Her love of good storytelling led her to earn a degree in Media Communications. With her journalistic background, writing has always been at the forefront, and her love of romance prompted her to sink her free time into novel writing.

  Fighting for Flight, Fighting to Forgive, and Fighting to Forget are the first three novels in the MMA romance series. Fighting the Fall is due to be released in October 2014.

  For more information on the series or just to say hello, visit JB on her website, Facebook, or Goodreads page.

  http://www.jbsalsbury.com/

  https://www.facebook.com/JBSalsburybooks

  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6888697.Jamie_Salsbury

 

 

 
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