“Oh fuck,” I muttered as an orgasm came on without warning. My hips bucked as I grinded against his face.
“Did you just come for me baby?” he asked, looking up at me as he took two fingers and plunged them into my soaking cunt.
I nodded. “That was amazing.”
“So. Goddamn. Hot,” he stated as he got to his feet.
My fingertips glided over the head of his dick as the slightest bit of pre-come escaped. Wrapping my leg around his sides, I positioned him right over my opening, but he stopped me from going further.
“Let me grab another condom,” he whispered into my ear as my head fell onto his shoulder.
“Don’t.” I stopped him before he could take one step away.
He grabbed the sides of my face. “You’ve been drinking. I don’t want you to regret any of this in the morning.”
I crushed my lips to his. “I’ve only been with two people ever, and I know I am clean. I trust you if you say I can.”
A low growl came from the back of his throat. “Are you sure?”
“Fuck me, Griff. Dammit!” I cried.
He filled me so quickly I gasped. He hooked his arm under my ass, pulling me up for him to get as deep as he could as he pumped harder and faster into me.
“Holy shit,” he whispered as his teeth sank down into the nape of my neck.
“Bite me harder,” I commanded, and he listened right away. My back arched as shivers ran up and down my spine.
“You like it rough, babe?” His words barely broke through my euphoria.
“Yes!” I cried as he bit down harder and sucked on my collarbone a little.
“Fuck, babe…I’m about to come.”
I put my hand on his chest, pushing him away. “I want to taste it.”
He set me down and I grabbed his dick, getting down onto my knees. I worked his shaft as I sucked on the tip, and his entire body started to shake as his fingers knotted into my hair. Right as his cock started to twitch in my hand, I took it into my mouth, letting hot come shoot into the back of my throat. Looking up, I locked my eyes with his as a love-drunk smile danced across his lips.
“That was fucking hot as hell.” He grabbed my upper arm to help me up.
I gargled some water, spitting it out next to the drain. “I’m glad you think so.” I gave him a satisfied smirk as I poured shampoo into my hand.
“Here, let me.” He grabbed my hand, smearing the soap onto his own. He massaged my head as the suds started to lather.
“Oh, crap. This is almost as amazing as the sex was.”
After Griffin and I washed each other, we toweled off and crawled into my bed. He tucked me into his side, holding me firmly against him.
“This was nothing like how I expected this day to go,” he admitted.
“Just the sex, or the whole thing?” I rolled over in his arms to look at him.
He brushed my wet hair behind my ear. “All of it turned out way better than I expected.”
Chapter 12
Griffin
Lying in my arms, Olive started to roll her fingers over my skin, tracing the delicate lines and light colors that made up the sleeve that covered my right arm. She rotated her head around to look up at me.
“What are the meanings behind this?”
Shifting to get more comfortable, I sighed. “I just thought they were cool.”
She narrowed her gaze. “That’s it? I thought people got ink because it painted a picture of their life story with tons of meaning and thought behind the artwork.”
I shrugged. “I’m sure I am not the norm when it comes to this.”
“I am coming to find out there is nothing normal about you at all.” She laced her fingers in mine.
“I seriously just thought it was badass to be a boxer with a sleeve of tattoos, and then it kind of escalated to all the rest that I have. I felt like it made me look the part and would help distract people from the giant scar running down my middle.”
“I get that.”
I took our interlocked hands, running the back of her hand down the top of my scar. “That’s the only mark on my body that actually means something to me, but it was getting hard when all the interviewers wanted to talk about was how I got it.”
Olive sat up, crossing her legs as she looked down at me. She rested her hand on my scar as I rolled my fingers over the soft skin of her inner thigh. “That does sound a little frustrating.”
I shrugged. “It’s just part of my life.”
“I like that you’re honest about it, not trying to feed me some bullshit sob story or something like that.”
“I’m just me.” I knotted my fingers into her hair to pull her down to me. Kissing her, I exhaled and said, “I’m always gonna be honest. There’s no point in lying, especially to you.”
Her head went to one side. “I appreciate that, and I promise you the same.”
The faint light from sunrise was starting to peek through the window in Olive’s room. Lying with her softly snoring in my arms, I couldn’t bear the thought of waking her up. Gingerly, I grabbed my phone from the nightstand to see that it was just before seven. I was supposed to be in the gym in less than an hour, but there was no way that was going to happen. I hated the thought of driving the two and a half hours back to Queens—not because I minded the drive, but because it meant I was going to be that far away from Olive.
I rattled off a quick text to my coach.
Me: Gonna take the morning off today.
Omar: Get your sorry ass out of bed. I am ringing your doorbell with coffee in hand.
Me: I’m outside of Albany.
Omar: What the fuck are you doing all the way up there?
Me: I’ll explain later.
Omar: I better see your ass jumping rope by noon today.
Me: I’ll be there.
“Morning.” Olive stretched and yawned, pulling the covers up over her bare chest.
I kissed her cheek. “Good morning, beautiful. How’d you sleep?”
“Too well. What time is it?”
“Just about seven.”
She groaned. “I have to open the shop.”
I rubbed my sleepy eyes before pulling her closer to me. “Not yet.”
She shook her head. “No. I have to get up. Otis is going to start crying and will wake Shaw up. That’s the last thing we want.”
I reluctantly let go as she shoved up from the bed, yanking her Otters shirt over her head.
“Do you want me to sneak out?” It hurt that Olive didn’t want her roommate to know I was there.
She spun around to look at me, one foot in her bathroom. “That’s not it at all. Shaw is just a jerk if he gets woken up, and I am in no mood to deal with a flaming diva this early in the morning. You get to leave, I have to live with him.”
I relaxed a little against her headboard as she disappeared into her bathroom for a few seconds. Making her way back into the room, she handed me two Advil and a cup of water.
“Thanks.”
“We drank a lot of whiskey and beer last night on empty stomachs. Not smart.” She rubbed her temple.
I chugged down the water and medicine. “Totally worth the hangover.”
She leaned into me, kissing me quickly. “I totally agree.”
“So, what now?” I asked.
She shrugged. “I don’t know. Are you still down for the hockey game?”
I ran my hand over my face as a yawn took over. “Yeah, of course. I have a fight tomorrow in Jersey and other than gym time, I am free as a bird.”
“That’s exciting.”
“Do you want to come? I could get you and Shaw tickets for the fight.”
She bit her lip. “I have never been to a boxing match before.”
“Then you’re definitely coming. I really won’t take no for an answer.”
She pursed her lips. “Sounds good to me.”
“I know it’s a bit of a hike. I can get you guys a hotel room close to the arena so you don’t have
to drive back late.”
She chewed on her lip. “I have Otis, and I can’t leave him for that long, but thank you.”
My phone started ringing. “Nope,” I said under my breath as I rejected the call from Omar.
“Do you need to get that?” She pulled away from me.
I shook my head. “It’s just my coach. He knows I am going to be in late. He’s just trying to bust my balls some more.”
She held out her hand. “Gimme.”
I put my phone in her hand, she dialed a number, and then her phone started vibrating on the nightstand next to her.
“Now we have each other’s numbers.” Otis started whimpering on the other side of the closed bedroom door. “Gah.” Olive trudged over, letting her dog into the room.
The giant pup hopped into the bed, lying down right in the middle next to me. He stared at me as I sat there, not knowing what to do. “Does this mean he likes me?”
Liv pulled a pair of jeans out of her drawer then looked over her shoulder. “He’s making sure he is between us. He gets possessive when there is a guy close to me that he doesn’t know. He would have wedged himself between us all night if I had let him in here.”
“Gotcha.” I stretched and then grabbed my pants from the floor. “I guess I should head out and let you start your day.”
She bounced over to me, wrapping her arms around me. “Is it bad that I don’t want to let you leave?”
“Not in the slightest, because I am dreading riding away from you.” I rested my head on hers as she pressed her ear against my chest.
“At least I will see you tomorrow.”
“Exactly.”
Chapter 13
Olive
Early morning light was peeking through the open garage door. Otis was chomping on a rawhide bone next to me. It was my favorite time of the day to work, the world just seemed so peaceful in those fleeting waking hours. As I started to take a shot alternator out of a Silverado, Shaw made his way down the stairs into the shop.
“So?” He leaned against the truck, yawning as I cursed at the stubborn bolts. “How’d it go with Griffin?”
I grabbed the rag next to me, wiping my hands. I couldn’t help the wide grin that took over my entire face. “It went.” I pulled my lips together as I tried to leave it at that.
“No, no, no, missy.” He waggled his finger at me. “I need all the details.”
My stomach started to growl. “How about we head over to Pete’s for breakfast and I’ll fill you in on all the glorious details.”
“Perfect. I’m starving too and a milkshake sounds devine.”
We walked out the garage door. Pulling it down, I looked over at Otis, who was lying next to the Mach 1, looking at me. “Be a good boy. We’ll bring you back something tasty.”
“You know he’s a dog and cannot understand you,” Shaw teased, following me over to my car.
“You take that back. Otis totally understands me.” I barked back at him.
We took seats in a corner booth and ordered our coffee, milkshakes, bacon, and eggs right away. Our server brought us our coffee and I could have kissed her.
“Little hungover there, Liv?” Shaw asked as he watched me breath in the steam floating up from the mug.
“Whiskey gets me every time,” I complain before taking a nice, long sip of the dark java.
“I’m waiting.” He tapped his index finger on the table.
“He’s amazing,” I started, trying to decide where to actually start my recollection. “We fucked against the Mustang.”
Shaw’s eyes got wide. “Now that is hot as hell.”
“Mmmmmhmmmmm.” My face got hot instantly as I recalled just how hot it had been.
“He must have a damn perfect body.”
I nodded in agreement. “Muscles for days.”
“Now, the most important question: how was his penis?” Shaw probed under his breath.
I chuckled a little. “It was the most beautiful dick I have ever seen.”
Shaw slapped the top of the table. “Fucking fantastic! We all deserve beautiful penises in our lives.”
“Amen to that one, brother!” We both started laughing. “And, to top it all off, he’s a total giver.”
“Even better! So, is this going to turn into a thing?”
I shrugged. “It’s been one day, I have no idea. He invited us to his fight tomorrow night.”
“Fun! We’re going right?”
The server delivered the strawberry shakes. After taking a sip, I answered, “I want to, but it’s in Jersey and we have a business to run.”
“I’ll drive. You can sleep in the car on the way home. You said you want to get out of the house, and we’re fucking doing it.” Shaw was giddy as I agreed to the plan. “Can I bring Pat?”
I had no earthly clue who the hell that was. “Sure?” I raised an eyebrow at my best friend.
“The dude from the other night. His name is Patrick.”
I pulled my phone out to text Griffin, thankful to have a legitimate reason to message him. “Let me ask if he can get us three tickets.”
Me: Hey you.
It only took a few seconds for the typing bubbles to appear.
Griffin: I was just about to text you and let you know I just got home.
Me: I’m glad you made it home safely. I hope the drive wasn’t too bad.
Griffin: There was barely anyone on the road. It was kind of a nice, peaceful ride.
Me: I’m glad. So, I was just talking to Shaw about going tomorrow night and he asked if he could bring someone along. Would that be a problem?
Griffin: Not at all. I will leave three tickets at will call for you.
Me: Perfect. Thank you.
Griffin: Anything for you, love.
“That is a sight for sore eyes.” Shaw beamed across the table at me.
“What?” I glanced up from my phone.
He pointed at me. “That smile. It’s been elusive for God knows how long.”
“It’s been a while since I have felt like this,” I admitted to the both of us.
“Was it weird at all? You know, with the heart and everything?” I knew Shaw had been dying to ask that question since he’d woken up and seen Griffin leaving our place.
“Not at all. Being with him felt more right than I have ever felt with anyone before.”
Shaw raised his milkshake glass in the air. “Well then, cheers to that.”
Chapter 14
Griffin
I got to the gym without a minute to spare. I didn’t want to deal with Omar, but I knew he was going to be an ass no matter what so I bit the bullet and went right for his office in the back.
“Hey Coach.” I threw my gym bag down in the corner of the room as he ended a call.
“Griffin, nice of you to grace us with your presence.” He grunted as I took a seat.
“My fight’s tomorrow. It’s not like I am going to be sparing or lifting weights today.”
He gave me a onceover. “Why are your eyes bloodshot and puffy? You know how important it is to get good rest leading up to a challenge like this.”
I dismissed his concern with a wave of my hand. “Please. You know I’m as ready as I ever will be for tomorrow.”
He leaned back in his chair. “Weigh-in is at noon. You know the drill.”
“Carb load tonight, suck citrus in the morning, and then eat after I make weight,” I rattled off. “You act like I haven’t been around the block a time or a hundred.”
“You know it’s my job to keep an eye on your ass and keep you in line.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
“Where the heck were you yesterday and last night, by the way?” He took a swig out of his coffee mug, both of us knowing there was way more Irish in that cup than coffee.
“I went to go meet the daughter of the dude whose heart I have.” My tone was flat, for some reason I didn’t want to get into the details with Omar. The time I spent with Olive was so special, I didn’t want it to b
e tainted by judgement.
His eyes got wide. “You did what now? Have you lost your damn mind?”
“She’s really great. It was nice to meet her after all this time—and that reminds me, I need three tickets left at will call for tomorrow’s fight.”
He shook his head. “It’s a sold-out event. No can do.”
I shoved up from the seat. “Make it happen, and make them damn good seats.”
He threw his hands in the air. “I’m not promising anything.”
“Work your magic, Omar. I know you will figure something out.”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “Are you sure it’s a good idea?”
I grabbed my bag, taking the water bottle out of it. “What?”
He started to follow me out into the gym. “Having this broad come to your fight. We can’t have you distracted. It could ruin your shot at the title.”
“Don’t start. Everything is going to be fine. She’s coming, whether you like it or not.”
“All right, I just had to ask.”
After spending a few hours running on the treadmill and jumping rope, it was time to call it quits for the day. The evening before a fight, I had a routine: make spaghetti and meatballs and watch standup comedy.
As I took a seat on the couch with a huge bowl of pasta in hand, I turned on an old taping of Zach Galifianakis, Live at the Purple Onion. I was already laughing before he even finished telling the first joke. Even though I had seen his bits time after time, Zach had a direct connection to my funny bone.
My cell vibrated in my pocket with a message.
Omar: Tickets are ready and waiting.
Me: Thanks.
Omar: Still don’t know if this is a good idea or not, kid.
Me: I don’t care. It’s happening.
I got giddy and was thankful for an excuse to talk to Olive. I paused the show and dialed her number. I could hear my heart pounding in my ears as the ringing started.
“Hello?”
“Hey, it’s Griffin.”
“Hi! How’re you?” I could hear water running in the background.
The Shots On Goal Series Box Set Page 27
