The Fight

by Alice Ward

  I retreated to my corner, breathing hard, but in better shape than she was. I had to seal the deal soon, though. I couldn’t afford to draw it out.

  Unlike boxing matches, which had a maximum of twelve rounds and an average of six, MMA fights had an incredibly strict maximum of five rounds total. And since I didn’t want this to end in a tie or a points-based win, I needed a memorable knockout or submission to live up to the hype built up around me.

  The downside of having fame was that the more people who knew my name, the more people there were to disappoint if I messed up.

  But I wasn’t going to mess up. It wasn’t even an option.

  This was my story, and I was going to beat it to a pulp with my own two hands.

  The bell shrieked. Round two.

  I advanced, but Kat came at me with a fire she didn’t display in the first round. Instead of just defending, she threw out blow after blow, interrupting my rhythm. She’d hung back to learn my tactics, like I usually did.

  I blocked her roundhouse and used the opportunity to back up several feet. Before she could fully recover, I ran at her as fast as I could given the short distance between us.

  But instead of hitting her dead-on, I purposefully slid just past her. She was so surprised by the move that she didn’t know how to retaliate.

  Perfect.

  I moved so fast I was barely able to see my own limbs. Slid my left foot back between hers, and leaned back, slapping my butt right into the meat at the back of her thigh. At the same time, I brought my arm around — chop — right above her boobs. The combination of opposite forces knocked her off her center of gravity.

  Then she was on the mat.

  The crowd screamed.

  I dropped down on her, to get into a mount.

  She sent out a kick that caught me right in the neck. I fell back, choking, nausea burning up my throat. My head bounced off the mat, and for a moment, the arena went foggy.

  Plenty of fighters didn’t get over such a blow. It would be understandable if I just stayed down and tried again next time.

  I blinked up at the lights as my name drifted through the haze. Lots of voices calling my name.

  One in particular called it in my dreams too.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  Caleb

  “Cherry!”

  I gripped the railing in front of me so hard that I was surprised when it didn’t buckle.

  There were so many delicate parts in the neck. Trachea, vocal cords, arteries.

  My entire chest went cold, then my limbs, fingers. I wanted nothing more than to protect Cherry from the onslaught.

  But it was too late. And I couldn’t anyway. This was her career, her dream, and I needed to believe in her. I knew that she was ready to make shockwaves in the fighting world, and if she was willing to accept all the beatings that came with that, then I needed to respect her strength and accept it too.

  Right.

  It wasn’t my nature to let those I loved be hurt. And I did love her. Although I still hadn’t said as much out loud. But between the training, the PR, and the interviews, I had yet to find a time that felt right.

  I’d had to have it just right. If there was one thing that Cherry deserved, it was a genuine confession worthy of her. So I didn’t rush it.

  And now she was lying on the mat not moving.

  I should have told her I love her.

  My heart about exploded when her chest rose, and she gasped for air.

  I watched her carefully, more concerned with each beat of my heart. I had never felt this way about another human being.

  Andre was shouting at her from outside the cage, but she wasn’t listening. Instead, her beautiful eyes slid toward me, the harsh lights of the arena reflecting off her hazel orbs.

  We made eye contact, and for the briefest of moments, the distance shrank until it was like we were the only ones in the arena. I could almost feel her breathing, feel her blood pound through her veins. God, I needed to get my hands on her.

  For all my planning, for all the ways I had imagined it going down, for all of my obsessing over the perfect moment, suddenly the words were coming out of my mouth without my permission.

  “I love you!”

  They hung in the air. Her eyes widened, her lips parted just slightly.

  Time stood still between us, a dozen different emotions flashing across her face.

  She was hurt, that was for certain, but there wasn’t a flicker of defeat in her eyes, only—

  Strength and burning hot determination raging over her expression when the referee screamed, “Nine!”

  She leaped to her feet.

  Cherry recovered, because of course she did, and managed to keep going until the end of the round. Once the bell sounded, however, she stumbled over to her corner and plopped on her stool.

  It seemed like the break only lasted three seconds and then the bell rang for the third round, and she was back into the fray.

  My shock was quickly forgotten as she went on the offensive. I was reminded of her first fight — the flurry of fists and kicks, never letting her opponent get a shot. Once more, I saw the same spark in her that interested me in the first place.

  The crowd was loving it, some even on their feet. But it was different for me now. I was watching the woman I loved put her health on the line to give them entertainment.

  Smack!

  Cherry’s foot connected with the back of her opponent’s leg. The woman went down, and Cherry Bomb jumped on top of her into a successful mount.

  They rolled across the floor, all limbs and muffled punches. A spray of blood. Whose blood? God, I’d be lucky if my heart survived this.

  Cherry was headbutted, and when she pulled back, trickles of red dribbled from her nose.

  I had to hook my feet into my chair and clamp my biceps to my sides in order to stay put as I watched Cherry take a blow directly to the neck.

  Jesus Christ.

  Think like a sponsor. Think like you’re only in this to win.

  It was the third round. There were only two rounds left, and both women were tiring. Cherry needed to get her opponent in a submission before—

  As if she read my mind, Cherry used her shoulder to get extra leverage on her opponent, and that leverage allowed her to lift the woman up just enough to get her into a four-corner choke.

  I couldn’t believe it!

  The crowd was equally excited about the development and went absolutely wild.

  Kat tried to get free, but there was only so much movement she could make in the hold.

  With only fifteen seconds left of the round, it was over.

  Cherry won!

  The referee separated the two, checking on the felled opponent as was required. Once he got her to her feet, he brought both women to the middle and raised Cherry’s arm.

  “And the winner is… Cherry Bomb!”

  I let out one of the loudest whoops I’d ever issued in my life, fist-pumping the air. She had done it!

  Despite everything stacked against her, Cherry had pulled out her first victory in a pursed fight.

  I vaulted over the gating used to section off the cage area, bolting straight toward her. Security made a move to stop me, but a quick shout and gesture from Andre halted them.

  Cherry caught my movement too and practically dove into the cage, clinging to the chain link like the wild woman she was.

  I jumped up, hooking the toe of my shoe between the platform and the fencing, grabbing on to the wire with my hands just above hers.

  She grinned, her beautiful eyes sparkling up at me, then pressed her face to the metal.

  Before I could think better of it, I crashed my lips into hers. She tasted of sweat and blood, but I didn’t care, could only thank my lucky stars that she was kissing me back when I’d put her through so much.

  There were oohs and ahhs from the crowd, and out of the corner of my eye, a camera came in for a close-up. I was certain my father absolutely wouldn’t like this, but tha
t was a problem I’d deal with in the future.

  She smiled, but there was a distance in her eyes. And before I could say anything, her outro music started to play.

  “I’ll see you in the back. Enjoy your exit.” I leaped down as if my heart weren’t climbing up my throat. I watched her make her way back to the prep room, screaming fans reaching out to try to touch her and Cherry making as many high-fives as possible.

  I exited the arena, surrounded by cheering fans, but all I could think about was having Cherry in my arms. If she would have me.

  When I entered the prep room, Andre was there with her. I clasped hands with him as Cherry turned to look at me, her cheeks flushed pink. Despite the already surfacing bruises, she looked so alive, so full of triumph, that adrenaline coursed through me.

  My gaze shot to Andre, and I must have looked like a man on a mission because he said his congrats and made a quick exit.

  Swallowing, I tried to think of something that wouldn’t make me sound like a complete tool. She deserved the truth, the way her eyes searched mine told me she needed the truth.

  “Cherry, I know I’ve been an utter ass. I want to apologize and promise I’ll make it up to you if you’ll let me.”

  “I love you too,” Cherry gasped breathlessly, responding to my whispered admission when she was down. “I think I have ever since you walked into my prep room after the underground fight.”

  My emotions reacted, rising up in a wave that was overwhelming. Happiness, shock, disbelief. It was only after a full second of just staring at her face that I realized she was waiting for me to say something.

  “Well then, the feeling was mutual. I’m sorry I spent so much time denying it.”

  She shook her head, tears rising into her eyes. I caught one as it streaked down her cheek. “What is it?”

  More tears joined the first, like a dam had broken within her, and suddenly, everything was rushing out in a deluge. “It’s everything! The way you saw something in me from the moment we met. The way you provided all these things my family and I needed. I know it’s to make sure I’m fighting fit, but it’s so much more than that. You’re so kind. Too kind.”

  I snorted. “Kind? I’m far from that. And I had to make sure you were taken care of, you and your family. I’d have done more if I thought you’d let me get away with it.” Slowly, I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her into an embrace. With her warm frame pressed along mine, I finally began to relax. The knowledge that she loved me too began to sink in, combating the feeling that I was going crazy. “I’ve only given you what you deserved. And I’ve only touched the tip of the iceberg.”

  Cherry blinked, and I could tell that she wasn’t sure she could accept more. I didn’t want to have that discussion with her now, so as she stared up at me with wide eyes, I leaned forward and pressed my mouth to hers with all of the passion built up in my body.

  I pulled her closer, my need of the past weeks spiking. I wanted to feel all of her pressed against me, under me, but I needed to hold back, knew she was probably already sore from the fight. I didn’t want to be careful. I wanted to devour her until she was a trembling, screaming puddle.

  But then she ripped off my suit jacket and attacked the buttons of my shirt, saying, “Stop being so damn careful. I want you.”

  Her words seared through me, melting any self-control I’d been clinging on to, and I crashed my lips into hers, whispering, “I want you,” over and over as I lifted her, her arms going around my neck, her legs around my hips. Until I was standing with her wrapped around me.

  She traced the outline of my lips with her tongue, but I gathered what was left of my caution and pulled back to look down at her. “Are you sure?” My voice was barely above a husky growl, she drove me so wild.

  “Yes,” she whispered heatedly. “Absolutely. Please. I need you. Need this.”

  She threw her head back and moaned as I pressed my hard, throbbing cock against her center.

  We were a torrid mess of limbs and ragged breathing as we stripped each other of clothing, laughed about the condoms in her bag she’d stashed there as a hope. I wasn’t quite sure how we got there, but eventually we were skin to skin, her legs wrapped around my waist once more as I held her, pressing her against the wall.

  If anything hurt, she didn’t act like it. Every time I pulled away just enough to get a status check on her, she would hungrily pull me back for more. So I nipped her throat with my teeth. Who was I to refuse such a warrior princess?

  If she wanted me, I was more than happy to oblige. It had been that way since that night at my condo. Suddenly all my patience was gone, and I needed her more than ever.

  I shifted so that the wall was taking some of Cherry’s weight, and I could slide a hand between us. My fingers found her already wet and waiting for me.

  A gasp escaped her lips as I worked my fingers along her velvety skin. My digits slid over her folds, gently just passing that swelling bundle of nerves at the apex of her opening, then again, causing her to make the most beautiful sounds each time I barely missed that place.

  Once I had my fill of teasing her, I slid a finger inside, relishing how she clamped down on my fingers. I let her ride my hand, holding on to every sound, every quick intake of breath and storing it in my mind to remember forever.

  Her release rocketed over her, as wild and unfettered as she was, and I pressed myself against the slickness between her legs as I fucked her to completion with my fingers. My own aching need was almost uncontainable, but I wanted to wait until she was done, stretch out every single second of her orgasm. Then make her come again.

  “God, I love you,” I breathed as I watched her return to Earth. “I love you so much.”

  “Caleb, I love you.” Her hips bucked against mine, making me glide along her center until both of us gasped.

  My control snapped. I slid into her, hissing as I was thoroughly enveloped by her warm, clenching walls, seating myself deep in her.

  She cried out, neither one of us caring who heard as I pulled back then thrusted, hard, sweat beading on my brow.

  Cherry moaned, “More… more.”

  I wanted to give her everything. As I buried myself in her, I realized we fit together — not like puzzle pieces that were never meant to fit together — like two insatiable puzzle pieces, constantly finding solace in each other’s presence.

  Her nails dug into my back, little pin pricks of pain that enhanced the pleasure, urging me onward. A few more plunges and I could feel her tightening around me and she started making that now-familiar breathless keening sound she always let out when her orgasm was coming.

  I pulled her even tighter to me, then clenched her ass in my hands, moving her hips up and down, increasing the friction of Cherry’s warmth tightening over my length.

  “Yes, just like that,” she breathed, sinking down onto me ever farther. She gasped as she came, writhing on me in that oh-so-perfect way, and I could feel my end coming as my balls tightened and the pressure at the base of my cock increased. Every muscle in my body tensed and untensed rapidly until I emptied myself into her, and my whole being turned into gooey mush.

  Cherry settled against me, obviously just as drained as I was feeling. But I was also happy. So damn happy.

  “Is this what’s going to happen every time you win?” I asked, my fingers gently stroking her back.

  “I dunno,” she answered breathlessly. “I hope so.”

  “Well this is one habit that I certainly won’t object to.”

  “Good to know.” She chuckled softly as she pressed her forehead to the side of my neck.

  As I stood there, with her still wrapped around me, I knew that we were about to head into an incredibly stressful and exciting chapter of Cherry’s life.

  It wasn’t going to be easy for either of us, but whatever happened, I would be there beside her. I had found something worth fighting for.

  Who knew I would have found it at the illegal fight that night, and that it would’ve
come with a vicious right hook.

  EPILOGUE

  Cherry

  I paced nervously in the living room at the Good Samaritan, walking the ample space over and over again.

  Honey and her new friend, Isabella, sat on the floor playing Barbies.

  Isabella and Honey had met after I heard about the shelter Caleb had a hand in reopening. Mama and I had decided we were luckier than most, took some homecooked meals to the shelter, and that’s what began what ended up as a career move for my mother.

  “Would you relax,” Sage exclaimed, dodging me on his way to the kitchen from Mama’s office.

  Mama ran the shelter, and it was thriving, her thrifty ways taking what was donated and making it count.

  Sage stopped and turned back. “What do you even have to be nervous for?”

  “Caleb’s never late. It worries me.”

  Sage rolled his eyes. “You’re so sappy these days. What ever happened to my hard as rock sister?”

  Who would have thought that I could be tamed so easily? All my life, I had been certain that I was destined to be an independent, single woman who didn’t have time for a relationship.

  I didn’t mind being wrong.

  “You wouldn’t get it,” I tossed back and went to the front door, opening it so I could look through the glass of the storm door. Hell, I wasn’t even sure I got it myself. I was so in love with Caleb that I sometimes thought I would wake up and the whole thing would turn out to be a dream. A perfect dream.

  An entire year had passed since Caleb found his sister again, and I went pro. Since we professed our love against a wall after the fight.

  He’d been acting strange lately. That, combined with the nervous way he’d asked me to the cookout at the shelter, and the way Mama kept looking at me out of the corner of her eye with a barely suppressed grin had my stomach in knots. This cookout was to celebrate the groundbreaking of a second shelter, along with my third win. So why was it making me all sorts of nervous?

  Caleb’s car pulled up and my knees went weak. I contemplated sinking onto the couch until I got my bearings, but the next thing I knew, Honey and Isabella were grabbing my hands and pulling me outside.