by Amity Cross
His crude insults became fewer and far between as the fight went on until they stopped all together. As Fury lay on the flat on her back, thumping the mat with her fist, the only thing that I heard from the sidelines was my name on the lips of hundreds of people in the crowd.
Hammer was long gone and I’d won this round. Against Fury and against his psychological warfare.
As I helped Fury to her feet in a show of good sportsmanship, I knew that next time wouldn’t be so easy. Maybe next time it’d be Ash he’d go after and the thought stirred up another kind of fear in my belly.
But for now, I’d class this one as a win. No fear. A triumphant return to the cage. One bloody KO was enough to last me a lifetime.
Relief was an odd feeling.
I’d become so accustomed to carrying around tension in my body that I never understood how having that burden lifted could change so many things. I slept better, I enjoyed simple things, I was horny and that was a pretty good feeling.
Overcoming my fear of getting back in the cage and facing Hammer’s psychological warfare had brought back my focus with renewed fervor. I was going to be in that Championship bout no matter who or what got in my way.
Ash was pretty much living with me full-time while we were competing at The Underground and more often than not, I found myself amongst a pile of his stuff. I knew we threw our clothes about in fits of passion nine times out of ten, but I was forever picking up after him and right now he was downstairs in the shower out of the firing line. Bloody men.
Scooping up his discarded clothes, I hesitated when a card fell out of the pocket of his jeans and fluttered to the floor. It landed facedown, but it looked like a business card. Thinking nothing of it, I picked it up and flipped it over and did a double-take.
The AUFC logo was on the front with a guy’s name. Scott Grayson.
I sucked in a sharp breath. The name was familiar. He was an ‘official’ scout, enticing fighters into the league, paring them with sponsors and trainers for a cut of the pie.
It didn’t take a rocket scientist to understand that he’d approached Ash and my skin began to prickle. They wanted to take him back?
I’d seen the change in Maverick over the last few months, but I mustn’t be the only one. Of course I wasn’t the only one. He was a powerhouse.
The door opened and I jumped, holding the pile of clothes and card to my chest. Ash stepped into the room, his hair dripping from his shower.
“You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Maverick said, smiling at me in the way that always got my knickers a little damp. Why did he have to be so fucking handsome when I wanted to rip him a new one?
“What’s this?” I asked, holding the card so he could see.
“Where’d you get that?”
“It fell out of the pocket of your jeans.” I dumped his clothes on the bed as he stared at the card, his smile fading.
“Ren, I was going to tell you...”
“How long have you had it?”
“A week.”
“Ash,” I said, annoyance starting to bubble in my stomach like acid. If he was keeping something this big from me, were there other things he wasn’t telling me? “You promised me. You promised no more secrets…”
“I know Spitfire…”
“Then why didn’t you tell me? I’m not pissed off...at least I’m trying not to be.” I mean, it hurt that he didn’t tell me, but it felt like he was falling back into old habits.
“Ren, I wasn’t sure what I was going to do. It took me by surprise. I mean, fuck, I thought that was a door that was closed forever.”
I narrowed my eyes, not sure how I was supposed to react. “So, they really want you to compete again?”
He nodded, his lips thin. If he thought I was going to be pissed because I withdrew...
I sighed. “If going back to pro is what you want—”
He stepped forward and placed a hand over my mouth, stifling my complaints. My gaze locked with his and my heart did a little flip-flop.
“I don’t know what I want,” he murmured.
“Do you want to go back?” I whispered as his hand fell away.
“I don’t know,” he replied, cupping my face in his big paws. “The only thing I’m certain of is you. I’d follow you to hell and back.”
“I think we’ve already been there,” I said with a smile. “I’d like to go someplace else now.”
“You and me both Spitfire.”
“But—”
“No buts. We’ve got shit to do first.” He sighed, running his thumbs back and forth across my cheeks. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. It threw me Spitfire. I just...I didn’t know what to do.”
I pressed forward, wrapping my arms around his waist and his hands dropped away. “If it’s what you want, then I’m with you.”
He pressed his cheek against the top of my head, caging me against him with his thick arms. “Let’s worry about that later. I still want to smash this Championship. I owe it to you and Violet...”
“And to yourself,” I whispered.
“Yeah,” he agreed and I swore there was more sadness than anything in his voice. “One life changing decision at a time Spitfire. I don’t think I could take anymore than that.”
Fuck, it was getting so morose in here I had to say something to make him crack a smile. “How life changing would it be to pick up your dirty clothes every once in a while?”
Ash laughed and pinched me on the ass. “I think I can manage it.”
34
Ash
Standing by the side of the cage as Ren began her bout for the night, I couldn’t help my wandering eyes.
She was perfect. She fit me in every way I could think of. Firm tits, tight ass, snug pussy and when she fought…fuck, that got me hard every time. Trust me to fall for a fighter.
Ren was up against a fighter named Storm this time round. She had a good strike rate against this one and I wasn’t that worried. Spitfire had this in the bag as far as I was concerned.
It was a full house at The Underground tonight and being so close to the Championship, I wouldn’t expect anything less. The fights became longer and more aggressive as better fighters were paired up. This was the time that the real challenge began.
“Hey.”
I glanced up at Hamish, who’d appeared beside me. He was having a great season sitting in third place, but due to me and Hammer he didn’t even have a shot at the Championship this round. Even if he won all of his remaining fights, he wasn’t getting close to second. Still, the Irish fighter took it in his stride. He was sitting pretty on a couple of million bucks, so who was he to complain?
I grunted and turned my attention back on the cage where Ren and Storm were grappling. He obviously wanted to talk to me about something. It wasn’t often he sought me out, though I knew he was there keeping his end of the bargain. Watching our backs just as I watched his.
“Don’t think I didn’t see what passed between you and Hammer the other week,” Hamish said without looking at me. He was sure of himself, the cocky bastard.
“If you know what’s good for you, you’ll shut your fuckin’ mouth,” I snarled, watching Ren land a punch right into Storm’s ribs.
“Does she know?”
I started grinding my teeth together, holding back the words I wanted to spit out at him. It was none of his fuckin’ business. What had he done for me lately? Stopped me from punching Hammer’s head right off of his shoulders. I didn’t owe Hamish ’The Goblin’ any explanation.
He took my silence as an admission. “She’s goin’ to rip your balls off if she finds out.”
I turned to stare at him this time, just incase he didn’t understand my warning. “I reckon that’s my problem to deal with.”
“On your own?” Hamish raised an eyebrow.
“You want to be BFF’s or somethin’?” I muttered.
“Hey, you’re uptight, but I reckon we get along well enough.” He winked and I found myself wanting to kno
ck his head off as well.
He watched me as I watched Ren and it pissed me off more than it should. What the fuck was he looking for? A threesome? I didn’t share.
Finally, he spat it out. “I see what you have with Reign and I can’t say that I’m not jealous, because I am.”
I glanced at him and didn’t understand the look on his face.
“Do right by her, mate,” he said. “You don’t know how lucky you are.”
He clapped a hand on my shoulder before backing away. It wasn’t until he’d gone that I realized the fight was over and Ren was exiting the cage. I couldn’t begin to even speculate what had gotten up Hamish’s ass. Maybe he just wanted a woman of his own. What the fuck did I know? I hardly knew the guy.
Ren stood in front of me and her hand came to rest on my chest, snapping me out of my daze.
“Everything good?” she asked, gazing up at me. She was high on adrenaline, her pretty brown eyes sparkling.
No, no it wasn’t good, but I couldn’t tell her that. I pulled her into my arms, not giving a crap about the sweat that coated her body, and lowered my lips to her ear.
“I’m going to take you back to Beat and I’m going to bend you over the kitchen table and sink my cock into your sweet little pussy, balls deep.” I felt her body tighten as she gasped. “Then I’m going to press my finger in your ass. You know what that will do?”
“Tighten me around your cock,” she replied, whispering in my ear.
“Fuck,” I cursed, my balls beginning to throb.
She trembled against me and murmured, “Where’s this coming from?”
Pressing my cock against her belly, I said, “Where do you think?”
“You’re wicked, Maverick.”
“And fuckin’ hot for your screams, so get your stuff before I strip you in front of all these people.” She clutched my shirt, her lips brushing against my neck. “Or would you like that?” It was a distraction, a selfish fuckin’ distraction.
She pulled back so she could look up at me and I saw the desire that I felt for her mirrored in her gaze.
“I don’t like to share,” she murmured. “Give me ten minutes.”
I lifted my hand and brushed my fingers across her lips, the way her body responded to mine mainlining right into my cock.
“I’ll be waiting.”
As the next few weeks went by and mine and Ren’s points kept ticking over, everything felt like it was on track.
There was no doubt that both of us would be toeing the line in the Championship. It wasn’t the one I would’ve liked for her to win, but I had to support her. It was what she wanted after all. She wanted to get her strength back and face her fears and in true Spitfire style, she got back up on her feet time and time again and kicked everything in the balls.
I lay next to Ren, the early morning light filtering through the window overhead. She was sound asleep, her chest rising and falling with each breath. She was so fuckin’ beautiful when she slept; she curled up into this tight ball, hugging the doona to her chest. Her hair was tangled on the pillow behind her and I found myself combing my fingers through it.
Our usual routine was staying up late to train after getting back from The Underground, fucking until we fell asleep and then getting up early to do more of the same. But this morning I didn’t want to wake her. It was a tough schedule to keep up with, even for the super motivated Ren. I could see how tired she’d been getting and she needed her strength.
I had an overabundance of energy and that pretty much came from my emotions, which were haywire most of the time. I’d seemed to have gotten a handle on my anger a while ago now and I was glad I’d kicked the meds and gone the natural route. That’d worked for me and then some.
It was then that I realized what I wanted to do if I got through this Championship in one piece.
Ren must’ve already been waking and when she felt my body tensing, she stirred against me and moaned. Fuck, she was sexy when she made those sounds. When her voice was husky from sleep, it made my cock begin to wake up as well.
She moved against me, rolling over to face me. Her arm snaked over my stomach and her cheek came to rest over the word rebirth on my chest.
“Hey,” she said sleepily.
“I’m not going back to pro,” I said and for the first time since we’d gone back to The Underground, some of the weight on my shoulders began to fade.
Her eyes began to open as she realized what I’d said. “What?”
“I don’t want it,” I replied. “I don’t want that life anymore.” Her legs threaded through mine as I reached up to stroke my hand through her hair.
“Then what are you going to do?”
I wasn’t ready to acknowledge that dream when it could still be snatched from me and I pressed my lips to her forehead. “I’m not sure,” I lied and my heart twisted. “I have to think about it some more.”
“Sure.” Her eyes closed as she began rubbing her hand across my abs. Up and down, going down more as she went.
If everything went south, if I didn’t make it to the other side, I had to make sure Ren and Violet were taken care of. The first chance I got, I’d have to go see a lawyer and the bank. Put the house in Violet’s name and make sure Ren had someplace to go.
Rolling onto my side, I slid my hand over Ren’s waist and pulled her against me. If I couldn’t be here, then I could at least make sure she never wanted for anything ever again.
Hooking a leg over my waist, Ren bit at my bottom lip before sliding her tongue against mine. She kissed me, igniting a fire in my heart and I rolled on top of her, settling between her legs. I didn’t have it in me to fuck this morning. Not hard, not punishing, not filled with the lust my body had for hers. No, this morning we’d take it slow and feel everything.
I felt the slickness of her pussy as I stroked the underside of my cock against her and moaned into her mouth, my breaths coming faster. She was always so fuckin’ wet, so ready for me to take her…so fuckin’ greedy for it.
I continued teasing my cock against her clit and I moved my mouth to her tits, sucking on a nipple, biting, licking, savoring her desperate moans, because if I was going to hell, then this moment, this desire between us was the thing that I would remember for eternity.
“Maverick,” she gasped, her voice pleading.
I heard her and without answering, I reached between our bodies and guided my cock against her opening. As I entered her, she clawed at my back, arching off the mattress, forcing me deep inside her body and I almost came undone. So warm, so wet...
I had to have her, I had to claim her…I began stroking, pulling out to the tip and filling her deep, driving her upwards with every thrust. Her hands raked down my back, her legs tightening as we rose, her hands finally grasping my ass, feeling my muscles flex as I fucked her pussy.
Her cries became more desperate as I kept up the steady pace, neither slowing nor increasing, driving her wild with want. I sucked at her neck, her lips, her breasts, curling my hands into her hair and tugging. I wanted to be closer, I wanted us to be one, but I was as close as I could get. Our bodies fit together perfectly. Her pussy clutched tightly around my cock…perfect.
I felt her tremble as her orgasm neared and my balls tightened. I groaned loudly against her neck as I held back, wanting to come in her as she milked my cock with her orgasm. It was the best way and I’d fill her hotter and harder, driving her pleasure even higher.
“Ash,” she moaned, her gaze meeting mine.
“I know,” I grunted, sinking my cock deep and holding.
“I’m so close…”
“I’m going to go hard and we’re coming together,” I said through a heavy breath.
She nodded, her fingernails biting into the skin of my ass.
I drew back and thrust hard, our skin slapping together and she cried out, throwing her head back. Her tits pressed hard against my chest as she arched underneath me, but I didn’t stop to savor. I needed to come inside her and she needed m
e to take her with me. I knew everything about her body and this I knew without a doubt.
I fucked her mercilessly, my cock pounding into her pussy, slapping against her clit and when she began to tighten, I erupted. The tension released from my balls and warmth spread through me as I thrust, our cries mingling together. I came so fucking hard, I wasn’t sure I’d ever come back down. Ren writhed underneath my touch, our bodies slick with sweat and hot to the touch.
I thrust one last time, the last of my orgasm spilling into her and she was perfect. Fuckin’ perfect.
I collapsed beside her, the musky scent of sex clinging to my skin, the sheets, everywhere. I came hard every time I fucked her, but that was…it was on a par with the first time I’d sunk my cock into her pussy.
“I think you broke me,” Ren said through her ragged breathing.
“Fuck...Spitfire,” I moaned as she curled her limbs around me.
“I love you,” she whispered, her breath hot against my cheek.
“I love you,” I replied, my eyes feeling heavy.
We lay together, basking in the afterglow, my entire body feeling satisfied and I tried to commit everything to memory. Her touch, her taste, the sound of her voice, the color of her hair, her eyes… my cock began to perk up again at the thought of sucking on her clit. I had to fuck her with my mouth before we went downstairs. I had to taste her.
I was about to tell her, when my phone began to ring. It was shrill in the silence and I groaned reaching for the annoying piece of shit.
“It’s Max,” I said, glancing at the screen. If he was calling, that could only mean one thing...
“The head referee?” Ren asked, peeling herself away from me.
I rolled off the bed and answered the call before it flipped over to voicemail. “Yeah?”
I felt Ren sitting up behind me, her gaze burning a hole in my back.
“Fuller? It’s Max from The Underground. Hope I didn’t catch you too early.”
