Hunks, Hammers, and Happily Ever Afters

by Cari Quinn

  “Well, he has a fight Friday night, so I’m not sure if he’ll be up to clubbing afterward,” Jenna said hesitantly, as if she’d realized something more was afoot than the surface conversation.

  “Good point. He may not be able to show off his moves after, if he’s iced up and in traction and all.” JC flashed me a winsome smile. “I’d be happy to take you though, Lily.”

  “Oh, would you now?” I muttered, smiling in spite of myself.

  Long before sex had entered the equation, JC had accompanied me to a few group-type dates. I’d always made sure everyone knew we were just friends, and since no one had ever seen us kiss or hold hands, eventually people had believed us.

  Everything was different now. So different.

  “Sure thing. It’d be like a public service, and you know how I like to serve my public.”

  Jenna groaned. “How do you put up with this pompous ass?”

  I was about to toss back a response in kind when an unreadable emotion flashed over JC’s face. I didn’t know what he was thinking, but I could tell Jenna’s comment had wounded him somehow. So I wasn’t going to pile on, no matter how tempting it was to tease him.

  “You’d be surprised. He’s actually kind of amazing. Kind of,” I stressed when both heads turned my way in surprise. “At times.”

  “Aw, she loves me.”

  It was my turn to struggle as he leaned over the desk to kiss the top of my head. Not that we hadn’t tossed the L word around before. We were good friends, and we had been for years. But this meant something else. Or it could, maybe.

  My stomach fluttered madly. Did I want JC to be in love with me? JC and Emerson?

  “Emerson won’t be in traction,” I added. “You know he’s going to win. He always wins.”

  “So we’ll go to the fight then hit the club with Sister Jenna and Mother Carly.”

  “And our guys.” Jenna poked him in the gut. “Who could kick your ass blindfolded, so hush.”

  The phone rang and I gripped the receiver, preparing to pick it up. Assuming these two ever stopped squabbling.

  He grinned. “Aye aye. See you later?” he said to me. “I’ll come get you at seven.”

  I started to argue. He’d been to my apartment before, but always when my dad was at work. My father had been making noises for a while about wanting to meet him, but I’d always changed the subject because I didn’t really see JC as a meet-the-parents type, even if we were just friends. After what had happened last weekend, I definitely wasn’t sure now was the right time for him to meet my father. But he was already waving and walking away, and Jenna had taken off in the other direction.

  All that was left for me to do was answer the phone.

  By six forty-five that evening, I’d given up pacing in front of my closet and moved to the front hall. Dad hadn’t made it home from work yet, and if he managed to stay gone just a little while longer—

  The sound of keys in the lock made me throw back my head and groan. God, why couldn’t I catch a break?

  The door opened and my father stood there in his uniform, his usual smile shifting into a scowl as he took in my outfit. It wasn’t even that revealing, all things considered. I’d paired a wine-red crushed velvet top with snug, super-short black shorts, adding in patterned tights so I wasn’t showing too much leg. The neckline of the top plunged to show off my cleavage, but otherwise I was covered. I’d also put on big hoop earrings and done my hair and makeup more dramatic than usual. Still, though, I was confident I’d probably be the most dressed woman at Purgatory.

  Except maybe Carly, on account of her maternity wear.

  “Where are you going dressed like that?” There was no missing the disapproval in his tone.

  “JC and I are—”

  “JC again, huh? At least normally Emerson is with you.” His bushy brows snapped low over eyes that were mirrors of my own. “But not tonight, hmm? He has that Lubino fight tonight. I’d wanted to talk to him about strategy.”

  “He’s been busy—”

  “I was harsh on him last weekend.” He rubbed his equally bushy mustache. “And you.”

  No, don’t give me that out. I don’t deserve it. Keep saying the things I need to hear.

  But I didn’t say any of that. I just nodded awkwardly. “I know it’s hard for you, since you’ve never met JC. He’s coming by to meet you before we go to the fight.”

  While probably wearing his torn-up jeans and a wifebeater, exactly the kind of look my father would never go for.

  “Oh, is he now?”

  “He is. He’d like to meet you.” Actually, I wasn’t sure of that at all, but it sounded good.

  JC was the kind of dude you’d sneak around with to have clandestine hookups. He made being bad seem like oh so much fun.

  “Is that so?” My dad took off the badge he’d pinned to his belt and tossed it on the table by the door.

  Even after all these years on the force, he was still a beat cop. They’d wanted him to go up for promotions so many times, but he’d threatened to quit if they tried to give him some kind of “office job”. He liked dealing with the public and the sights and sounds of the city. His city, he called it, and he didn’t feel like he could help police it from behind a desk.

  “Yes.” I tugged at my earring and tried to avoid glancing at my phone to check the time. JC was also notoriously late, something my father never tolerated. “He’ll be here soon.” I hoped.

  “And after the fight, he’ll be bringing you home?”

  “He’ll be bringing me home, but not until later. We’re going out to a dance club with some work friends. You know how I’ve been trying to make more friends at work, right? Well, the girls there asked me to come out with them. You remember Jenna and Carly—”

  “Carly?” He frowned. “Isn’t she the pregnant teenager?”

  I couldn’t help rolling my eyes. “Yes, she’s pregnant, and she’s a teenager, but she’s nineteen, Dad. She’s also happily married.”

  Considering my father had trouble with the concept that I could ever possibly date—though I didn’t give him much to worry about there most of the time—the idea that someone around my age could be married and a mother blew his mind.

  “A shotgun wedding no doubt.” He shook his head and loosened his collar. “What is a woman in her state going to a dance club for?”

  “Jeez, she’s pregnant, not dead.” I sighed and turned toward the living room. Pacing wasn’t going to make JC show up any faster.

  “Even so, I’m glad you’re staying on the right path. Too many temptations nowadays.”

  Luckily, the buzzer sounded before I could comment. “I’ll get it,” I said, skirting around him to rush to the door.

  I hit the intercom. “Hello?”

  “It’s me, babe. Can I come...in?” His low, sensual voice made all of my parts stand to attention. My nipples beaded, my pussy grew damp. And behind me, my father growled.

  Yeah, things were off to a rip-roaring start.

  “Sure,” I squeaked, clicking off and releasing the door before JC had a chance to make some other kind of double entendre.

  When I opened the door to him a moment later, I nearly lost my breath. Instead of seeing my funny, irreverent, sexy-as-hell construction worker best friend, I was staring at a handsome blond man with slicked-back hair and totally rocking a black suit. A suit.

  True, he’d skipped the tie and his shirt was dark, not white, but God, he’d even ditched his sneakers for sharp black shoes. He looked totally bad-ass. The kind of guy any father would be happy to let take out their daughter, if not for the predatory gleam in his golden eyes.

  “Good evening, Lily,” he said, taking my hand and bringing it to his lips. His gaze darted over me, only lingering for a second. “You look beautiful.”

  Before I could find my voice, he stepped into the foyer and produced a single red rose from behind his back. “For you,” he added, nudging the door shut.

  I took it from him and blinked, u
nable to say a single word. My father, however, was not similarly affected.

  “JC O’Connor, is it?”

  “Yes, sir. So nice to finally meet you, sir.” JC extended his hand.

  My father just gazed at it before lifting his gaze to JC’s. “What are your intentions when it comes to my daughter?”

  I nearly choked. Intentions? What was this, the nineteenth century? Not to mention, JC was my friend. As far as my father knew, he was only my friend. I didn’t get why he was pursuing this line of questioning.

  “JC, you don’t have to—”

  “I’m in love with her and would like your permission to...date her.” Hand still extended, JC shifted his focus to me. “If that works for her.”

  For the second time in as many minutes, my voice failed me. Was he serious?

  “I’m serious,” he added when no one spoke. “I’d like to be with you, Lily.”

  In my panicked brain, one thought kept circling. You’ve already been with me. I cupped a hand over my mouth to hold back my hysterical laughter as I realized both men were staring at me.

  Waiting for my answer.

  But God, I had so many questions. Did JC mean just me? Or did he mean Emerson too? I didn’t even know what that would look like, relationship-wise. It seemed like a setup rife for trouble. Even so, I couldn’t just be with JC and not Emerson.

  Not when I was in love with both of them.

  I squared my shoulders, that realization taking hold. It wasn’t just love between friends any longer. It might have changed before we’d been intimate or maybe after, but I’d stopped feeling platonic toward them and I needed to face that, not run because my daddy had issues.

  “Lily?” my dad prompted.

  “I’m in love with him too,” I whispered, gripping my purse tightly so it didn’t drop to the floor. My limbs had turned to water.

  JC’s face softened and he moved forward to take my elbows. “Really?”

  I nodded and held his gaze for a long moment while my pulse thudded in my ears. Then my gaze shifted to my dad.

  Though he wasn’t smiling, he also wasn’t frowning. He finally held out his hand to JC. “Nice to meet you.”

  JC’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he pumped my father’s hand. “Same here, sir.”

  “Have a good time tonight.” He shot me a pointed look. “Not too late, okay? Boyfriend or not, you’ll still abide by my rules while you’re living in this house.”

  Grinning, I rushed forward and leaned up on my tiptoes to kiss his cheek. “We won’t be too late, Daddy. Promise.”

  He grunted and disappeared into the living room.

  Taking a deep breath, I glanced at JC. “Ready?”

  He let out a long breath of his own and nodded to my rose. “Shouldn’t you stick that in water?”

  “I have another idea.” I pulled my snips from my purse—I always carried a pair—and nipped off part of the stem, then twisted the rose into my updo. “Does it look stupid?” I asked, shifting to try to see the back of my hair.

  JC cupped my shoulders and kissed my cheek. “It looks perfect. Just like you.”

  I smiled. I wasn’t perfect, not by a long shot, but I felt like it right now. “Ready?”

  “Oh yeah.” He opened the door and ushered me out. “Time to party.”

  CHAPTER TEN

  JC

  Nothing beat the vibe of fight night.

  I hadn’t been to many, just a few to cheer on Emerson, but man, the electricity in the air was unmatched. Add that to my girl’s energy as she waited for the fight to begin and I figured we were in for one heck of a night.

  Rap music blasted through the old warehouse where tonight’s match was being held, and the crowd surged forward with anticipation at the sight of Kim, the ring card girl. She held up the card announcing the first match, Emerson vs. Victor Lubino. In front of me, Lily had her hands clasped to her mouth like she was praying.

  “Hey, you okay?” I asked close to her ear.

  She nodded. “Just nervous. I’ve only been to a couple of these before. He hates me being here.”

  “What?” I shifted her toward me. “Why?”

  She wrinkled her nose and stood on her tiptoes to talk near my ear. “He doesn’t think it’s a safe environment for me.”

  “Him and your dad, man.” I shook my head. “They both get off on overprotecting you.”

  Her mouth tightened and for a second, I thought she might say something else. But she didn’t. She just turned back toward the ring.

  Emerson had been the one to fill me in about the scene in her apartment last weekend, not Lily. She’d just pretended like everything was okay. She’d gone to lunch with us, she’d smiled at our jokes, and yet she’d quietly begun to pull away. I’d sensed it and asked Emerson about what had happened, and he’d told me—reluctantly. Which was when I’d decided I couldn’t stand back and let them fumble their way through this. We’d just begun this crazy relationship, but I already knew I wanted it to last. I didn’t know if it’d last forever or just for a while. All I knew was I wasn’t anywhere near ready to let them go.

  So I’d taken the opportunity tonight to come clean to Mr. Matthews and Lily. Next I’d figure out how to handle Emerson. He was part of the equation too, even if he seemed as ready to bow out as Lily had after that awkwardness with Lily’s dad last weekend.

  I got it, I really did. They were both afraid of letting her old man down. Except I was missing part of the puzzle. Her dad was super overprotective because she was his only kid, and because he was a cop, but there had to be more. Clearly, I hadn’t been let in on the whole story.

  Maybe something to do with Lily’s upbringing? Or her mom? I knew Mrs. Matthews had been dead for a long time. Lily had mentioned that shortly after we’d met, and from the way she’d hesitated to tell me much about her home life, I had a feeling there was something about the way her mom had passed that made it difficult for her to speak about it. Even more difficult than usual. I just didn’t know what.

  The opening bell rang and Emerson came out swinging. I wasn’t a huge MMA fan, but I knew a couple moves and combinations. One thing I definitely knew within about a minute was that we’d be hitting the club early tonight, because Emerson was wiping the mat with this dude.

  He started with a series of short-armed punches to the jaw, just hammering Lubino’s head back again and again until I practically had a sympathy headache. Lubino tried to get some of his own back, and it just wasn’t happening. Emerson had him against the ropes. When punches to the jaw weren’t enough, he started whaling on his torso, peppering him with blows. Every time Lubino tried to counter with a kick or a jab, Emerson just knocked him back.

  The first round was no contest. Emerson by a landslide.

  The guys retreated to their corners and Lily turned to look at me, her face flushed with excitement. “He’s amazing, isn’t he?”

  “He sure is.” I kissed her forehead. “What say you we visit him in the locker room after this, make sure he’s ready to come to the club with us?”

  “Yeah.” Smiling broadly, she turned back toward the octagon, bouncing a little as the new round was called.

  I slid my arms around her waist and tucked my smile against her neck. Perhaps telling her I was in love with her had encouraged her to stop pulling back, or maybe part of it was that I’d told her dad too. Either way, her enthusiasm tonight seemed like a good sign.

  Now if we could work on that guy currently dancing around the ring, we might actually get somewhere.

  Emerson handled Lubino the same way in the second round as he had in the first. This time, he led off with a kick to the chest, knocking Lubino back against the ropes. He sneaked past his opponent’s core, delivering a painful punch to the ribs that had the crowd gasping and screaming. From there, it only took a few more uppercuts and a particularly nasty combination that tied up Lubino’s legs and sent him slamming forward onto the mat to have the man tapping out.

  I grinned and shouted with th
e rest of the crowd as Emerson was declared the winner. Lily turned to me and I picked her up, giving her the height advantage to pump her fists and scream her little heart out.

  Somehow he heard her over the melee. He glanced her way, surprise giving way to pleasure as she blew him a kiss. His gaze fell to me and we nodded at each other. Our version of blowing a kiss, I guess.

  I’d blow him in other ways later, if he’d finally get on board the damn train.

  Once Emerson headed back to the locker room and preparations for the next fight began, I set Lily down and bent to whisper in her ear. “Ready for that visit or should we wait a few minutes?”

  She grinned. “Let’s go now.”

  We made our way through the throng of eager people already jonesing for the next match. We finally pushed through the double doors that sectioned off the fight area and stepped into the hall to get our bearings. It took a few minutes for us to follow the winding hallway to where rap music continued to blare from inside the makeshift locker room. This place had once been some kind of factory, and these had once served as facilities for those employees who worked such long shifts that taking showers while on the job wasn’t uncommon. I’d needed a shower a time or two while doing my job, so I definitely understood.

  Lily peered up at me. “Should we knock?”

  “Nah. He’s gotta know we’ll be coming.” I pushed open the door, half expecting the other guys who’d be fighting next to be prancing around flexing their abs or whatever the hell fighters did to get ready for a bout. Instead Emerson stood alone, rooting through a gym bag with his towel around his neck.

  He was naked. And Christ, did he have a fine ass.

  At the sound of the door swinging, he turned to face us, his defensive posture relaxing as he realized it was just us. And while Lily rushed forward and complimented him on his masterful performance, I stared hungrily at his cock. I couldn’t help it. The damn thing was as gorgeous when it wasn’t erect as when it was.

  Well, almost.

  “What’re you doing here?” He hugged her and gazed at me over her shoulder. I didn’t change my expression. It was about time he got the picture.