by Nikki Ash
My mind goes back to when I first saw her walking to the end of the line at the club. I knew I had to have her in my arms. The way she smiled shyly made me want her to smile like that at me. I didn’t even notice who she was smiling at because I couldn’t take my eyes off her. The way her beautiful curves shown through the tight yet modest little black number she had on, leaving everything yet nothing to the imagination. It was a tug-of-war between sexy and innocent. She doesn’t even realize how banging her body is.
When I watched her dancing on the bottom floor, the way she moved like she has no idea how fucking sexy everything about her is was a complete turn on. And when I got closer and her brown eyes connected with mine, I knew I was done for. I would give this girl anything she wanted. I wasn’t looking for love. Only here for a UFC conference for a few more days, I was just looking for a hook-up, someone to help me forget about all the stress of my real life but this girl could never be a simple fuck. She is meant to be cherished, adored, and loved completely, something I am not capable of. It isn’t in my DNA.
I look back down at her and see she is still snoring softly with her backside rubbing up against my dick. I groan softly at the feel of her perfect ass up against me and reluctantly get up to take a piss.
While in the bathroom I decide, a quick shower is necessary. Then I put back on my clothes from last night because let’s face it, I don’t have any other clothes here with me, and if I don’t put something more on I am going to be tempted to take hers off. The truth is I never stay the night with a female. Staying leads to commitment and commitment isn’t something I will ever be able to give, and I don’t want to lead anyone on.
Looking at her still sleeping perfection, I order room service for breakfast. Unsure of what she eats, I order a little of everything and give them my credit card to cover the bill.
I pull out my phone and check for any messages. There are a few texts from Kaden reminding me of when our flight leaves and asking if I got laid. I ignore those. There’s one text from my mom congratulating me on my win. A little late mom, that was almost a week ago! She is probably drinking, again. The last text is from my dad, asking if we need anyone to come by to help with the move. I text him back quickly to let him know it is all taken care of and I will see him in a couple days at the new training center. Just thinking about my dad puts me in a foul mood.
I shake off the aggravation I feel brewing from just the little contact I had with him and I put my phone back into my pocket. I notice Liz starting to stir awake as she begins to stretch her legs and pull her arms over her head. The sheet that was wrapped around her entire body starts to move downward.
By the way, she is totally a bed and sheet-hogger.
Under the sheets, she is wearing a cute light pink tank top with her nipples poking through the thin material and tiny cotton polka dotted matching shorts. Everything about her screams innocence. Her eyes come into focus and after a second, a small shy smile spreads across her face and I would like to think she is remembering last night.
“I ordered us breakfast. It should be here any minute.”
“Oh, thank you.”
She gets up to use the bathroom and while she is in there the food arrives. The guy wheels the cart inside and I reach into my wallet to tip him before he leaves. Grabbing everything from the cart, I move it all out onto the outside terrace so we can eat enjoy the Miami ocean breeze.
We enjoy breakfast in companionable silence. It is insane how comfortable I am around this girl, like I could just stay here in this fake cocoon forever with her. I can’t remember a time I felt like this around a woman. Usually, I am out the door before the sun comes up. I only have until tomorrow but I think I would really enjoy spending some more time with her. I decide to bring it up figuring the worst she says is no.
“I was wondering…” At the same time, she says, “Do you think…” We both look at each other and laugh.
Like I said, it’s just so damn comfortable with her.
“Go ahead, you first,” she says smiling.
“Well, I was wondering if you might want to spend the day with me. My flight leaves early tomorrow morning but I would love to spend what time I have left here with you.”
Her face falters for a split second and if I weren’t staring at her, I wouldn’t have even noticed. She immediately catches it and gives me a wide smile.
“Yes, I would love to spend today with you.”
I’m not sure if her fallen smile was unsureness me about wanting to spend the day with me or because I said I am leaving tomorrow. I am obviously hoping for the latter but either way she is on board for spending the day with me so I’ll take it.
In another world, this would be the start of something new and beautiful but this girl is just starting out in life. Having just graduated she has her whole life ahead of her and she definitely doesn’t need to be bogged down by the drama that is my life. From the little I know of her, I can already tell she is the whole package and deserves the whole happily ever after bullshit all women want.
I can’t give her the happily ever after but I can give her today. When we part ways, I will be moving forward toward advancing my pro career as a UFC fighter in Vegas and Liz will have the entire world at her fingertips. With the grueling training days, there’s no room for anything but fighting. I have worked my entire life to get here and with all these recent wins under my belt I can finally see the light.
Fighting is all I have.
When I leave here I will be going back into the devil’s lair. I spent the last four years away but in order to advance my career, I have finally come to my senses and made a deal with the devil himself. My dad might as well not even be my dad. He is the owner of one of the most elite UFC training facilities and has decided to open one up in Las Vegas. I have been training at a smaller facility in Colorado for the last few years but now with my recent wins my current trainer isn’t pushing me the way I need him to in order to advance my career and that’s where my dad comes in. Kaden is a huge trainer at one of my dad’s gyms and my best friend.
My dad has transferred Kaden to the Las Vegas location and I will be moving to Vegas to train at my dad’s facility with him. Bentley and Caleb have decided to make the move as well. I know it is the right move but the thought of being this close to my parents again is making me sick to my stomach.
In my dad’s eyes, I am just a fighter that can potentially make money now that I have proven myself. My mom has been drunk since my dad caught her cheating and left her ten years ago. My dad was a fighter back in the day and rarely ever home. Since the day, he caught my mom cheating, he has drilled it into my head fighters shouldn’t be in relationships and they definitely shouldn’t be married.
According to him you can’t have both and be successful. Fighting isn’t a nine-to-five job. Some days I am in the gym for thirteen to fourteen hours whether it is to workout, train, or just to watch fights and learn about my opponent. I go home to eat and sleep and I am back at it again the next day.Watching what my parents went through years ago, I will never put a woman or myself in that position.
“So, what are you in Miami for?” Her question breaks me out of my thoughts. I look at her and realize she has no idea who I am. I am not in the top ranking yet in my weight class but since my wins recently and the fact that I am undefeated, people are starting to notice me when I am out in public. Women are definitely starting to notice me. It is nice to be around a girl who doesn’t just want me because I am a fighter.
“I am here for work.” I respond vaguely in hopes she won’t ask any more questions. She seems content with that answer so I quickly change the subject.
“You mentioned you graduated. What’s next for you?”
She thinks for a moment and replies just as vaguely.
“Kayla and I are moving in together.”
We finish up our breakfast and decide to start our day at the pool. While she is changing into her suit I run downstairs to the resort shop to purchase one
as well.
When I get to the resort shop I notice the cutest stuffed animals for sale that remind me of her counting sheep. None of them are farm animals but there are a few I think Liz might like. I grab one along with a swimsuit and head to check out.
When I get back up to the room, I knock since I don’t have a key and she answers the door in her bright blue two-piece polka dotted bikini that instantly has me hard. What is with this girl and polka dots and why the hell do they turn me on so much? I knew she had a hot body in that dress last night but now that it is all on display I am speechless.
After running my eyes over her body for the second time I decide I finally speak up so she doesn’t think I’m nuts just standing here staring at her.
“God damn, Liz. Are you sure you want to go to the pool in that? I hear skin cancer is on the rise. Maybe we should stay inside. I can think of a better use of our time up in this room where the UV rays won’t kill us,” I choke out while trying to adjust myself without making it look obvious.
It takes her a second to catch the meaning behind my words and then she starts to laugh, and not just any laugh. No, she is practically doubled over with tears rolling down her cheeks laughing at me. I didn’t think it was that funny. I was just trying to save her life…and my dick from remaining painfully hard all day.
“You are silly. Go get changed and we will head down to the pool. I hate the beach.” See. Fucking innocent.
“Wait a second.” I hand her the stuffed animal. “I saw this and thought of you. Something to remember our time together by.”
She stares at the flamingo. “Umm… ok, you are going to have to explain.”
“It’s a flamingo. You said you count animals. So, the next time you can’t sleep you can count flamingos and think of me.”
Her smile widens as she hugs the flamingo close to her and proceeds to give me a kiss on the cheek.
“Thank you, Coop.”
As I get changed in the bathroom, I almost consider taking a quick cold shower, but she knows I already took one earlier, and I really don’t want to have to explain that.
Fighting ‘round the Christmas Tree
(Excerpt from Chapter One)
Cooper
“No, Elsa! Stay away from the damn tree.” For the millionth time since we got this damned dog I am shooing her away from the Christmas tree. The Christmas tree that Liz insists we put up every year the day before Thanksgiving so we can decorate it on Thanksgiving. The Christmas tree she says she needs to look at during the month of December because it’s so pretty and is filled with so many memories. The Christmas tree that never has a single damn present under it because every year we leave the day after the kids get out of school for winter break and head to Breckenridge for two weeks to celebrate Christmas with our family and friends. The Christmas tree she makes me take down before we leave so it doesn’t die while we are away because god forbid the poor tree be brown and dead when we return home. Are you doing the math, here? Yep! That means this damn Christmas tree is up for two damn weeks! During which time, I spend countless hours yelling at the goddamn dog to stay away from the goddamn tree.
“Cooper, honey. Can you please stop yelling at the poor dog? You know she’s getting older. She is just trying to find a comfy spot to lay down.” Are you listening to this crap? The dog has been rolling around under the tree, knocking the ornaments off the branches since the first Christmas we got her. At least she will be staying at the dog daycare while we are away this year.
About the Author
Nikki Ash resides in South Florida where she is an English teacher and mom by day and a writer by night. When she’s not writing, you can find her with a book in her hand. From the Boxcar Children to Wuthering Heights to the latest Single Parent Romance, she has lived and breathed every type of book.
Reading is like breathing in, writing is like breathing out. - Pam Allyn
While reading and writing are her passions, her two children are her entire world. You can probably find them at a Disney park before you would find them at home on the weekends!
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Acknowledgments
The amazing thing about being an author is with each book, comes more people to say thank you to. I would like to thank my children for being my biggest supporters. I love you two more than life itself. Lisa, who has been on this journey with me from day one. Jessica, who started off as a reader and has become one of my best friends. The bloggers and authors who have shared and read and helped promote my books, but also have taught me so much along the way. My readers who have taken a chance on me! Thank you! Nikki Ash’s Fight Club (the reader group): You, ladies are amazing! It might be a small group but it’s without a doubt amazing! My beta readers and proofreaders, for caring about my books like they are your own. And my cover designer, who makes sure I am in love with each and every cover. If I forgot anyone, I’m sorry. I have the best people surrounding me and I am so thankful.
