Tap Out (Fight It Out MMA Series Book 2)

by Terra Kelly

  I stepped up beside him. “You did your research.”

  “Hoping you would say yes.”

  “Then who needs these?” I reached down to grab the stack of bikinis and tossed them up in the air.

  Fourteen

  We stepped out of the car, and I looked around; there were a ton of people enjoying the same thing I was about to enjoy. I decided to take myself out of my comfort zone for the day. I did enjoy being naked, but in front of hundreds of people was a whole different story. A little portion of my mind tried to remind myself they would never see me again. Plus, why not try something new?

  There was a long walkway with wooden planks that led to the beach. As we stepped off the last step, we were greeted with a sign that read, Naturists May Be Seen Beyond This Point.

  “I believe we are the naturists.” I grabbed the bottom of my T-shirt and tugged it off the moment I passed the sign. There was a secluded beach a few yards away with several people sunbathing or swimming. I slid my shorts off and tucked them inside my bag. “Is it me or are we the youngest people here?”

  “You know, I always wondered if it was true,” he started to say.

  “What was true?”

  “Most people I see in images for nudist colonies are pretty old and very out of shape.”

  “Oh my goodness, the images were right.” I threw Brooks’s T-shirt and shorts in my bag and looped my arm into his. “Well, we will be the most athletic here for sure.”

  He leaned down and kissed me. “I can’t believe you agreed to come.”

  “I can’t believe it myself.”

  There was a small secluded area away from everyone, so I threw out my towel and plopped down. I could feel the sand already starting to creep up in my naughty bits. I brushed it off where I could and then quickly applied some sun block.

  “Are you Charlie Hill?” this older woman, maybe in her eighties, said. She stepped right in front of the sun, blocking the light shining in my eyes. And yes, she was buck naked—of course she was.

  “Um, who’s asking?” I attempted to cover myself and then remembered where I was.

  “My husband watched the Liverpool fight the other night.”

  “Oh.” Of all the places I could meet a fan. “That’s awesome. Thank you for the support.” I really didn’t know what else to say at the moment.

  “I look forward to seeing you win the flyweight championship belt.” The woman reached down and shook my hand. “It’s time someone new had it.”

  “That’s very kind of you to say.”

  She turned, prepared to leave. “Is your boyfriend really the Brooks Moore?”

  Brooks had decided to jump into the water the moment we arrived. He was currently standing knee-deep waving for me to join him. “Um, yeah, it is.”

  “Wow,” she said with a dreamy expression. “No one will believe me when I tell them who I met today at Studland Beach.”

  “Oh, bummer.” I hopped up and started to head toward Brooks. “It was wonderful meeting you.” The lady had the biggest grin on her face. The moment my feet hit the water, I felt a chill run up my spine, but as I waded closer to Brooks, the feeling eased up and the water felt warmer.

  “Was that someone you knew?” Brooks grabbed my hand and kissed my temple.

  “A fan of not only me but also you.”

  “Well lucky us, meeting fans at a nude beach.”

  I shook my head at the thought and sank my body below the surface of the water. As I lifted my head up, I could see our towels and someone standing next to our stuff. “Um, who’s that?”

  “Who’s who?” He was wading around my body and flicking water at me every so often.

  I waited to say anything and watched them. The woman threw out her towel and started to strip out of her clothes. “Never mind. Just me getting protective of our stuff.”

  Brooks moved closer and placed his hands on my hips. “It’s a public place, sunshine.”

  “I know,” I said, throwing my arms around his neck. “So you finally convinced me to go to a nude beach. You happy now?”

  “Very,” he said, lifting me into his arms below the surface of the water. “Think anyone would know if we just happen to have sex in the ocean?”

  “They probably would be able to venture a guess by the looks on our faces.”

  “Let’s find out.”

  I rested my head back against the seat. “My boobs may be burnt.” I placed my hands over my T-shirt, and I could feel the warmth of the burn radiating through the cotton material. “This is all your fault.”

  “My fault. How so?” He threw the keys into the ignition and started the car.

  “Well, it was your idea to go to a nude beach.”

  “And you seemed to be having way more fun than me.”

  I couldn’t argue; it was fun. “I may be bummed wearing a bikini tomorrow now.”

  “We can come back tomorrow if you want.”

  “Nah, I really want to go to Durdle Door tomorrow.” I closed my eyes, fighting to stay awake. As I drifted off, I could hear Brooks talking, but I didn’t have the energy to find out more.

  “Hey, sunshine,” Brooks whispered, and I felt his fingers brush down the side of my face.

  I moaned and stretched out my arms. “I’m sorry.”

  “For what, baby?”

  “I couldn’t keep my eyes open any longer.”

  He leaned over and kissed my cheek. “Come on, let’s get you inside. I bet Martha is making a killer dinner tonight.”

  We walked hand-in-hand through the front door. I noticed a couple at the counter checking in with Bill. I waved my hand in Bill’s direction before heading up the stairs to our room. As I ascended the first step, I heard the couple talking. They both seemed excited to be on holiday. I could totally relate; my vacation was more than needed. Plus, now Brooks and I could cross nude beach off our bucket list.

  Brooks pushed open the door, and I threw our beach bag on a little table. “I am going to take a quick shower before we head down to dinner. Care to join me?” I winked and started to pull my T-shirt up over my head. He surprised me by leaping forward and wrapping his arms around my waist. My body left the ground as he quickly carried me into the bathroom. “So that’s a yes I take it.”

  “Do you really think I would turn down a shower with my hot-as-fuck girlfriend?”

  “Well, when you say it that way.” I jumped down out of his arms and pushed his body toward the shower. “They may start to wonder about the commotion in our room, though.”

  “Or they may become insanely jealous.” Brooks reached over and turned on the water.

  “So,” I said and dropped to my knees, “are we going to be late for dinner?”

  Fifteen

  “Charlie and Brooks.” Martha stood up from her seat at the table. “I’m so glad you could join us.”

  “Sorry we’re late,” I said and pulled out a chair. “It was a long day at the beach. The sun wore me out.”

  “Oh, no worries, darling.” Martha touched her hand on mine. “We have two new guests who joined us this evening. This is Chris and Maggie.”

  “Nice to meet you, both.” I reached out my hand. They seemed quiet but did shake my hand. “Where are you both from?” I said and grabbed a napkin to place on my lap.

  “Liverpool,” Chris said and handed me a bowl full of steamed carrots.

  “Oh wow, we were just there.” I pointed to my two black eyes. “I was in an AFC fight there.”

  “I’m glad you said something.” Maggie sighed and reached for her fork.

  “Maybe I should make a public announcement whenever I see someone new.” I laughed and sat back in my chair. “Something like, ‘my boyfriend doesn’t beat me; I’m a fighter with AFC.’” Maggie’s face scrunched up. “Too direct?”

  “Just a little,” she said and took a drink of her water. “How about, ‘did you catch my Liverpool fight last week?’”

  “Start with a question. That’s intriguing.” I laughed and pla
ced my hand on Brooks’s thigh.

  Bill had left the room the moment we arrived, which seemed odd. Martha excused herself when Maggie and I were talking. The same people were at the table, well, except the new arrivals I was currently chatting it up with. I knew it wasn’t my business, but I never heard the bell go off for a new guest. So where did Bill and Martha go?

  I sat there talking all through dinner with the new guests. In the back of my mind, I was questioning the absence of the hotel owners. They seemed to enjoy eating with us yesterday, but maybe they didn’t eat with the guests that often. To take my mind off that distraction, I started asking Maggie and Chris about their jobs. Maggie shared that she worked at a bank as a teller. Chris told us he was in between jobs. He said something about how he was ready for a change but wasn’t sure what he wanted to do yet. They sounded like just your everyday individuals on a weekend getaway.

  My fork was almost to my mouth when I heard a loud crash. I sat up in my seat. “What was that?” Everyone at the table seemed concerned by their expressions.

  Martha ran into the room. “Sorry about the noise. I dropped several pans off a shelf.”

  “Do you need any help?” I said and moved my chair back a few inches.

  “No,” Martha said a little too quickly. “I mean, no, we’re fine.” Then she turned and headed into the direction of the kitchen.

  I leaned over to whisper in Brooks’s ear. “Did you notice how she was shaking?”

  “Yeah, and that didn’t sound like pans falling.”

  I grabbed his hand and started laughing. “Who are we Jonathan and Jennifer from Hart to Hart?”

  Then he laughed. “You do realize you just picked an eighties detective show?”

  “Yeah, so, it was good.” I pushed at his arm. “Don’t judge.”

  “Did anyone tell you how cute you are?”

  “Not today.”

  “Weirdest dinner award goes to—” Brooks closed the door and took two steps closer to me.

  “Rudds of Lulworth Hotel,” I whispered in between laughing.

  “Ding, ding, ding.” He shook his head and wrapped his arms around my waist. “What the hell just happened down there?”

  He was right; everything about dinner tonight was extremely bizarre. The kind spirit I noticed in Martha and Bill just twenty-four hours ago seemed to have dissipated. Now they both looked on edge and shaken. How did the owners of the most beautiful hotel turn from happy to looking terrified?

  “I’m sure we’re overreacting.” I moved my hands up his chest.

  “Too many murder mystery movies at night.”

  “Maybe we should take up watching Hallmark movies instead.”

  He leaned in and kissed my nose. “Sounds boring to me.”

  I turned his body and forced him onto the bed. “Bite your tongue.”

  “How about I bite yours?”

  “Oh.” I turned my head to the side. “Tempting.” Brooks did a perfect grappling move and flipped me onto my back. “What is this cloth-like material that is separating us?” I fisted my hands around the hem of his shirt and pulled it up over his head.

  “What is it with you and clothes?”

  “I have no idea what you mean.”

  Brooks splayed his hand over my abdomen and inched it down below the waistband of my shorts. “This trip has you wanting to be in the nude all the time.”

  “Not all the time,” I said and rolled my eyes. “Just around you.” I tried to wiggle away from him, but he held me in place. “I mean, I could wear clothes all day long if that’s what you prefer?”

  “Hush,” he said and bent down to capture my lips.

  I pushed my head away. “Did you just hush me?”

  “Yup, and I will do it again if you don’t stop talking soon.” Then he surprised me by sliding his hand farther down to the juncture in between my thighs. I could feel one finger had finally found the pleasure spot.

  “Brooks,” I breathed.

  “That I like.” He chuckled and pushed another finger deep inside me. My body bucked up. “Do you like this, Charlie?”

  I knew he was enjoying this a little too much the moment he started inching down my body. Then his mouth landed on the one spot that was sure to take me over the edge. I ground out, “Yes.” I didn’t have the ability to say anything more at the moment.

  I sighed and rested my head on his chest. “You know what else is happening on this trip?”

  Brooks pulled me closer to his body and wrapped his arms around me. “What’s that?”

  “A lot of sex.”

  “Well, we are on vacation.” I kissed his chest and lightly sucked on his nipple to tease him. “Charlie don’t start something you can’t finish.”

  I lifted my head up to face him. “Who said I couldn’t finish?”

  We were snuggled together so tightly I felt like I was being swaddled. I’m not sure if he dozed off, but I must’ve at some point. Then later in the night, I woke to the sound of our door handle jiggling. I immediately sat up in bed and noticed Brooks was gone. Then his large frame was tip-toeing through the door. It was official; I did watch too many murder mystery shows.

  “Where were you?”

  He held up a plate with crackers, cheese, and grapes. “I was hungry.” The plate was over flowing, so he carefully set it down on the small nightstand by our bed. “Why? You okay?” He moved closer to my side and brushed his hand down my face. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

  “I woke up to the sound of the door handle moving around.” I moved my body onto his lap. “You basically scared the living shit out of me.”

  “You have nothing to be scared of, C. I will always protect you.”

  “Don’t make promises you can’t keep.” I knew that sounded harsh, but what if there was a time when he couldn’t save me.

  “This one I can keep.”

  I leaned over and grabbed a piece of cheese. “Now onto happier stories.” I pretended to give Brooks the cheese and then popped it into my mouth at the last second.

  “Hey, how is that fair?”

  “All is fair in love and war.”

  “Love?” His eyebrows inched up.

  “It’s a saying.”

  I wasn’t ready to tell him, but this trip was helping me to see love was involved.

  He was definitely the one.

  Sixteen

  Brooks threw the last of our bags into the back of the car. “We’re only going for the day, right?” He leaned against the side of the car, waiting for me.

  I was sitting on the porch, typing a message to Lily. “Who knows? We’re on vacation; anything can happen.” After I hit send on the text message, I hopped up and headed to the car. “Heck, maybe there will be an opportunity to sleep outside under the stars.”

  He pushed off the car and opened his door. “Not a chance.”

  “We’ll see.” I winked at him before sliding into the passenger seat.

  Durdle Door was only about thirty minutes from our hotel. On the map, I found a good portion of our drive was along the coast. I was excited for our day trip.

  “What did Lily have to say?” Brooks turned to look behind him before backing the car out.

  “They’re home. She said Julian is making her enjoy some time off for a few days.”

  “Good. She deserves it.”

  “She does.” I reached back and grabbed a small book off the seat. “I forgot to log our day yesterday.” As I clasped the seatbelt, I turned to the next blank page in my journal. “Do you remember what the weather was yesterday?”

  “Mid-eighties I think.”

  I loved adding the weather, what we did, and who we encountered on the trip. It created a clearer picture in my mind when I would look back in the older journals. My mom had bought me my first journal when I was nine. Ever since then, I loved entering everything and even added a few poems. There were so many boxes stored away packed full of my journals back in San Francisco.

  Right as I was about to writ
e about the fan that came up to me on the beach, I noticed a van fast approaching in the rearview mirror. “What the hell?”

  “He’s been on my ass for about a mile now.” Brooks shifted and pushed his foot down on the gas.

  “Can you pull off the road and let him go by?” Right as I said that, we felt our car jolt forward. “What the fuck?” I turned to see the van rearing up on us again. “Brooks, he’s about to hit us again.”

  The car we rented was small. I was worried the impact would jar something and make things worse. The GPS in the car showed we were about twenty minutes from our destination. I grabbed the paper map to look for any detours on the way. It showed green in every direction because there wasn’t much there. I pulled my phone out and noticed we had no service.

  “Any bars?” Brooks had his eyes glued to the road.

  “Nope.” I turned in my seat and watched as the fucker barreled into us again. When he hit our car this time, there was a sputter and several unusual sounds. “Um, Brooks?”

  “Hang on, baby.” He had to turn the wheel hard to the right to make it veer off to the side of the road. “Any service yet on your phone?”

  We had a backup phone I stored in the glove compartment. I looked down, expecting to see no service flashing by the little battery icon. “Wait, holy shit, there’s one bar.” With my eyes still on the van, I quickly dialed nine-nine-nine. I had checked before leaving the states what the emergency number was in the United Kingdom. “It’s ringing.” Suddenly the van sped off in the opposite direction. “Yes, we were just in a hit and run,” I said and spent the next few minutes reporting the accident. “Okay.” I hung up the phone. “They’re sending someone now. It could take about ten to fifteen minutes. My eyes were moving in all directions looking for the van. A part of me had a feeling it would pop out at any moment. As I looked in the rearview mirror for the millionth time my instincts were correct. “Brooks—” He was turning the key trying to start the car but it just stayed silent.