Her Tattooed Fighter

by Jenika Snow

  “Yo, douche hole.” He stopped and looked at Taylor who came jogging up to him.

  “Fuck you.” London grinned at the other fighter.

  “Hey, overheard you talking to Sunny.” Taylor, with his black Mohawk tipped neon blue, and his pierced eyebrow and lip, stared at him like he expected some kind of response.

  “Okay? And?” London crossed his arms over his chest and stared at him. Taylor looked back at the closed office door, and then looked back at London. It was there, written on Taylor’s expression, that the other guy knew he was hard-up for Sunny.

  “Nothin’, man, just heard you asking her to come over tonight.”

  “That’s not a problem, is it?” He didn’t say it with an attitude, because really he probably should have asked Taylor first, given the fact it was his house, but all he had been thinking about was seeing more of Sunny.

  “Nah. It’s just—” Taylor ran his hand over the shaved part of his head. “I just hope you know what you’re doing.”

  London clenched his jaw, not about to get another lecture like he did from Mack concerning Sunny. “Don’t go there.” Taylor held his hands up in front of him and shook his head.

  “No harm, dude. Just hope you know what the fuck you’re doing.” Taylor shook his head and made his way past London and to the mats. London turned around and stared at his retreating form. He was pissed at himself because he couldn’t just walk away from Sunny, and he was pissed that everyone kept bringing it up to him that he didn’t know what the fuck he was dealing with. He knew the repercussions if he actually acted upon the dirty fucking images he wanted to do to her, but here he was, doing exactly what he shouldn’t do.

  “Shit. What are you doing?” He could behave around her and keep his baser desires as just urges … right?

  “Come on, Romeo.” Taylor called out from the mats and took on a boxer’s stance. His grin was wide, and London flipped him off. Taylor pouted. “Don’t be like that, honey.” London stalked toward him, about to kick his ass, even if he was teasing him. “All right, glad to get a reaction out of ya.” Taylor held his fists up and wagged his brows. “Means you’ll be a good opponent.” He bounced on the balls of his feet just as London stopped in front of him.

  “You’re asking for your ass kicked,” London growled out, knowing that a good fight was exactly what he needed to let off this sudden arousal and anger. Taylor laughed and dropped his hands. London cracked his knuckles, and then rolled his neck on his shoulders. “How ‘bout we tape up, and then we can do this?” Taylor’s grin grew, which had London smirking as well, but not from being happy. He had a lot of juice to burn off, especially before tonight. If Sunny did end up coming he would have to be on his best fucking behavior.

  ****

  Sunny really couldn’t believe she was doing this. She pulled her car to a stop in front of Taylor’s two story house and cut the engine. The sound of her Toyota cooling filled the suddenly silent interior. She had tried to talk herself out of this too many times to count since London had invited her, but she always came up with the same decision: she would be going to the party. How bad was it that she had tried to look for something to dissuade her from going after London, because that was exactly what she was doing. He was thirty, and she had told herself that an eight year age gap was a big deal. But of course it wasn’t. Pulling her thoughts back to the present, she stared at the house. All of the lights were on, and she could hear heavy rap music playing through the open windows. How none of his neighbors called the cops on a clear noise disturbance was beyond her, but maybe they were afraid, especially considering how many MMA fighters were inside. She stayed in the car for far longer than what was probably normal, but then again she was nervous as hell. If she was just going to hang out with guys she considered her friends, then why did she feel guilty for lying to her dad about where she was going tonight?

  Because even though you’re an adult he would have scolded you, and told you guys that hung out at the center were too hardcore for his little girl.

  She rolled her eyes at her internal monologue, but it was the truth. Mack and her father were far too protective of her, even if she was a grown-ass adult. The reality was she could take care of herself, and their worry wasn’t warranted. She took self-defense classes, was unofficially trained by some of the guys at the center, and wasn’t this delicate little flower that everyone liked to believe.

  Looking at her phone she realized it was already after ten. She had sent London a text saying she was at the center late finishing up some last minute things, but he hadn’t replied. Maybe this was a bad idea? Sunny climbed out of the car and started making her way toward the house, but before she reached the porch steps the front door opened, and a brunette with the biggest breasts she had ever seen sauntered out. Another dark haired girl followed closely behind, and both of them took out cigarettes and lit them as they eyed Sunny distastefully. It wasn’t like she didn’t know girls were going to be here, because even if London had said it was the guys just hanging out, that also meant Chasers hanging around. She hated that little title they gave to the women that screwed fighters just to say they had.

  “Kind of overdressed for one of these gatherings, sweetheart,” the brunette with the monster breasts said in a bored tone, and blew out a cloud of cigarette smoke in her direction.

  Sunny eyed the other woman’s outfit, and then looked at her friend. They wore tops that were more like strips of elastic that barely restrained their tits, and their skirts were short enough that if they bent over there was no doubt in Sunny’s mind that their asses and vajayjays would come out and give everyone a wink. “It seems anyone with clothing on would be overdressed compared to you two.” She heard two pissed off gasps, but she didn’t stick around to hear what they might have said in retaliation. The house smelled like a mixture of alcohol and cheap perfume, presumably from the two girls who just left. The inside of Taylor’s house was exactly what she assumed a bachelor pad to be. The living room was to her left, and there was a huge flat screen TV and a leather sectional crammed in the room. There was a kitchen to the right, and all she could see was the table, which was piled high with chips, a half full plate of various meats, and enough beer and liquor to feed a horse and knock it out. The music was loud and obscene, but she was used to it, even liked most of it. Even over the harsh lyrics she could hear deep male laughter and curses ringing out. She made her way toward the voices.

  “Dude, she totally came on to me. I mean, I was all fucking sweaty and shit, just had a KO on Martinez, and she was all pushing me into the backroom, grinding her shit all over my cock, and well, what in the fuck was I supposed to do?” The closer she got, the clearer the conversation became, if one could even call boasting about getting a piece of ass that. If they weren’t talking about fighting they were talking about sex.

  “Man, she couldn’t have been as hot as the chick I fucked last night.” That was Taylor talking, and his cocky tone had her groaning in annoyance. They were all the same … men that only thought about getting laid. “Fuck, she was wet, too.” Sunny reached the end of the hallway and entered the room where the voices were coming from. A pool table was on one side of the room, a few couches, and even a mini bar stocked with liquor. Another flat screen TV hung from the wall, the volume muted, and a UFC fight playing. She immediately spotted Taylor, and let her eyes look at the other four guys. Jason, Mason, Matthew, and Nate all sat on the couch, and each of them had a girl on their laps, aside from Taylor. London had invited her, but he wasn’t anywhere to be seen.

  “Man, I got this killer BJ—” Jason stopped talking when he spotted her, and it seemed everything became deathly quiet. Wow, talk about being a mood killer.

  “Hey, Sunny Bear.” Taylor grinned broadly and lifted his hand in a wave. “Glad you could make it, but London said he didn’t think you’d show.” He set her back down and ruffled her hair. He was only three years older than she was, but he acted as if she was this little kid. They all did in fact.
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br />   “Really?” She knitted her brows in confusion. She was only a little over an hour late, and she had sent him a text saying she would be coming. Maybe he hadn’t gotten it? “Where is London anyway?”

  “Not sure. He headed down the hall with some chick…” He stopped talking and suddenly looked uncomfortable

  “Oh. Ok.” Her throat was suddenly dry, but she told herself that her reaction was unwarranted. London wasn’t hers, and being jealous about him having sex with some random girl was not her concern. She knew what type of guy he was, had overheard enough of the fighters talking to know they were all man-whores, but still, she had never been right in the thick of it, and that had a sour taste in her mouth. Maybe she should just leave, forget about coming out here because it really had been a bad idea? “I should just go.”

  Taylor opened his mouth to say something, but she turned, suddenly feeling so foolish and not really knowing why. But when she should have been able to walk right down the hall she slammed right into a very hard wall of what felt like steel. But the scent that invaded her nose told her this was very much a man she was pressed up again, and the one that she was currently trying to run from.

  Chapter Four

  Sunny placed her hands on the chest in front of her, and slowly trailed her eyes up the stark white tee, which did nothing to hide the bulging muscles, and into London’s face. He regarded her silently with his blue eyes. His blond hair was a short and messy around his head, but it looked so damn good on him. “I’m sorry.” Why had she just said that? Shit, she needed to keep her damn mouth shut.

  The corner of his mouth kicked up. “Hey, Sunny.” And just hearing him say her name had her wet and aroused, and so damn frustrated.

  “London.” The whiney voice that came from behind him was familiar. Sunny dropped her hands from his chest and took a step back. He clenched his jaw and looked over his shoulder. “I thought we were going to go somewhere a little more private?” The brunette with the mountain breasts sidled up to him and ran her hand over his chest. Heat covered Sunny’s face. The girl she had left out on the porch, the one with the barely there clothing, snapped her eyes to Sunny, and a bitchy smile covered her perfectly painted lips. “Baby, you promised.”

  God, her voice was like nails on a chalkboard. Sunny looked into London’s face again, saw him watching her intently, and felt the weight of the situation settle on her shoulders. She had been a fool to think she could come here tonight on the pretense that this was just a friendship. It was awkward and uncomfortable having his lifestyle thrust right in her face, but she had no one to blame but herself.

  “I didn’t think you were coming.” His voice was deep, and when he pushed the brunette’s hands off of him and moved toward her Sunny took one step back. There was still conversation right behind her, so fortunately the guys weren’t watching this weird exchange. Her reaction, and the jealousy over this encounter, was ludicrous, because really, what did she think was going to happen between them? Did she think they would share some kind of intimate moment tonight, reveal how they cared so much for each other? Yeah, she was living in a dream world.

  “London.” There was that whiney ass voice again.

  “Missy, cut the shit.” London speared the dark haired girl with a scathing look, but Sunny had to give the girl credit for not backing down. That look alone could send lesser men to their knees, but she just pushed her chest out and flared her nostrils.

  “Fine.” She slid her gaze over to Sunny. “If you want something out of the bargain bin, then have at it.” The cut of her words was superficial, and Sunny gave her no reaction. She had heard plenty, and if this bitch thought she was going to intimidate her then all that silicone in her chest went up to her brain.

  “Just get the fuck out of here, Missy.” London sounded tired and exasperated. Missy huffed something else out and turned to go back to where the other guys were. “I’m sorry about her.” Sunny stared at him. She was angry at herself for how she felt, how she let him make her feel, and how she had actually come over here when deep down she had known better. He pulled out his phone, and his brows furrowed. “Shit, battery’s dead and didn’t even realize.”

  He put his phone back in his pocket and looked at her. It was then, as she watched the subtle movements in him, that she realized London was drunk. His eyes were glossy, and he kept leaning to the side slightly. How had she missed that initially? Oh, yeah, because she had gone all girly just seeing him, and all brain activity had left her.

  “Uh.” She didn’t know what to say. She had never see London intoxicated, because normally all the guys were on strict diets and regimens for when they trained.

  “I’m glad you came.”

  “Seems like I might have been about to interrupt something.” Clamping her mouth shut, she immediately regretted saying anything. This wasn’t her business, and London certainly wasn’t either. Her jealousy was unjust, and she felt like a bitch. For several long seconds he didn’t say anything. “Listen, I’m sorry. That really isn’t my business, and I should never have said that.” She offered him a smile, but he looked uncomfortable, and that was a sight she had never seen from London. He always seemed so in charge, so sure of the situation, but he almost looked like being around her was painful.

  “You want something to drink?” He changed the conversation smoothly, and she was thankful. Really she should have just kept right on walking down the hallway and out the front door, but instead she was letting her body dictate her next move.

  “Yeah, sure.” She offered him another smile and felt relief when he reciprocated the act. She followed him into the kitchen and couldn’t help but stare at the way his back muscles moved underneath his thin t-shirt. They ended up in the kitchen, and he grabbed a couple of beers from the fridge, took a bottle opener to the cap of one of them, and handed it to her. He opened his own beer and moved a few feet away from her to lean against the counter. He was quiet as he drank deeply form his bottle and stared at her over the rim.

  “You’re looking nice tonight, Sunny.” He held the bottle loosely between two of his fingers, and the way he let his eyes travel up and down her body was like he was actually reaching out and stroking her. God, he was blatantly checking her out.

  “Thank you?” She could have kicked her own ass. God, had she actually just said thank you in the form of a question? By the lopsided smile he gave her she knew she was blushing. It wasn’t like she was wearing provocative clothes. She had come straight from the facility, and her shorts and tank would have been considered modest given the attire of the other females hanging around. His chuckle was low and had tingles starting between her thighs. She clenched her legs together, but dammit, he caught the act. His eyes dipped to the said area, and his expression took on a hazy, half-lidded quality. He swallowed, and his Adam’s apple moved up and down from the action.

  What in the hell was happening? This was the first time London had shown a sexual interest in her, clearly because he had been drinking, yet she couldn’t put a stop to this … whatever this was. She took a long drink from her beer, tasting the bitter, hoppy flavor, and needing more. She felt unhinged, but needed to remind herself that he had most likely just been about to have sex with some chick moments before. , But she also placated herself by reasoning that she couldn’t go solely on what Missy said. Maybe she had just been saying that to get a rise out of her? Yeah, most likely not, but it certainly made Sunny feel better, especially when she thought about all the things London would have been doing with the other girl if Sunny hadn’t come here tonight.

  Neither of them said anything for what seemed like a very long time, and Sunny found herself continuously drinking her beer until it was empty only minutes later. London smirked at her, turned to the fridge to grab another, and lifted it up in question. She really shouldn’t, but she was feeling weird being around him, especially with the way he kept looking at her with this intense lust playing across his face.

  He’s drunk, Sunny, and not thinking clearl
y. You really need to stop this from going any further. She tried in vain to see reason, because things could get out of hand very quickly, and she wasn’t about to be one of London’s one-night fucks. He handed her the new beer, but instead of leaning against the counter again he moved closer to her. She found herself pressed against the island and unable to do much of anything but watch his approach. When he was close enough that she could smell the sweet scent of his breath, one that smelled like hard liquor, she closed her eyes and forced herself not to moan. That scent shouldn’t have been arousing, but God it was, so freaking much. She opened her eyes just in time to see him reach out. Everything stilled inside of her, but he didn’t touch her, and instead grabbed for something right behind her. Their chests brushed together, and she felt the hardness of his muscles move along her softness. Her pulse beat in her ears, drowning out all other sounds. When he pulled back his cheek brushed along hers, and the smell of his cologne hit her hard. But he didn’t move back right away and instead inhaled deeply right at the base of her throat. The day old stubble that graced his cheek felt so sinfully good along the edge of her jaw. He took a step back, not a big one because he was still so very close to her, but enough that she could see he had grabbed a bottle opener. He grabbed her beer out of her hand, popped the cap, and handed it back to her, all the while never breaking eye contact. Their fingers brushed together when she took it from him, and her mouth went dry at the heated look he gave her.

  The sound of foul lyrics beating through the speakers didn’t deter what she was feeling. She wanted London, and unless she was grossly mistaken, he wanted her as well, intoxicated or not. She brought her beer to her mouth and swallowed half of it quickly. Sunny wasn’t much of a drinker, but having sucked down the first beer, half of the second, and the heady sensation of him so close, and of the incredible scent that surrounded him had Sunny feeling drunk. He kept staring at her, and she licked her lips and said, “What?” Her voice was low, breathy, and she prayed he couldn’t tell the effect he was having on her, but given the way he watched her told her London knew. He knew exactly where this situation was going.