That was news to her, but she merely listened, and he named a few more things about himself that she already knew. He was taking this far better than she was, that much she could say.
“I also do fights if that’s going to worry you,” he said lastly, and Tabby held back a groan. She wasn’t sure how her brothers were going to react.
“Fights?” Loch asked. She wasn’t sure if her brother was intrigued or angry about that. She hated that she couldn’t read the man like she could the others.
“I started going to a local gym with a couple of friends of mine, so I had something to do with myself other than wallow in self-pity after the divorce and rehab. They have a boxing ring, so I learned how to fight. I mean, I knew a bit of it from high school and stuff, but not as much as I know now. So I do sanctioned fights within my weight class. Nothing seedy or underground like you’re probably thinking, but enough that it’s a way to blow off steam in a controlled setting. If you’re still here when my next bout is, you should come. I actually get Tabitha to come with me.”
Her brothers asked more questions about it, and she wanted to bang her head on the table. Of course, men smashing fists into one another would spark curiously in her brothers. They were all so testosterone-filled it was a wonder they could fit through the damn doorways when they walked into a room.
“I’ve got to say,” Dare started as the waitress cleaned up their plates, “I’m surprised you’re so open.”
She narrowed her eyes at her brother, but he just winked at her. Damn the man.
“I had to learn to be open in rehab and in my meets,” Alexander said simply. “I’m learning to be that way with my family, too, but it’s easier with strangers than it is with the people you let down.” Tabby squeezed his thigh again. She hated that he felt that way, but she’d stand by him as long as it helped.
“I get that,” Loch said softly. “I think we’re good,” he added, looking at Fox and Dare. “Nice to meet you, Alex.”
He looked at Tabby, and she raised her chin. “Tab—”
“Don’t ‘Tab’ me, Lochlan Collins. The three of you not only ganged up on me, but my boyfriend, as well. You’re lucky we’re in public.”
“Babe,” Alexander whispered. “It’s okay.”
She glared at him, too. “It most certainly is not.” She stood up, her chin still raised. “Now, go pay the check one of you because you owe us. And then I’m going to show you around my city before you go back to your hotel or wherever you’re staying. Because you’re sure as hell not staying with me. But I still want you to love Denver as much as I do. Now, hop to it, boys. Do not keep me waiting. Oh, and I’m going in Alexander’s car, and you guys can follow in mine and the rental. No arguing.”
She stomped away, ignoring the way the four of them smiled at her as she did so. Damn men and their damn high-handedness. It was a wonder she could love the lot of them.
By the time she and Alexander made it back to her place and the guys had dropped off her car, she was exhausted and stuffed. Her brothers could pack it away when they wanted to, and they’d felt the need to try out a few different places downtown. She’d joined in, and even Alexander had eaten alongside the guys. But now she was filled to the brim with decadent food and ready to burst.
“So…” she began as she toed off her shoes.
Alexander smiled softly at her as he tugged off his coat. “So.”
“That was unexpected.”
“I like your brothers. If that helps.”
She rolled her eyes. “I will never understand guys, but whatever. I’m glad you like them, and no one threw a punch. That has to count for something.”
He moved closer, sliding one hand around her waist and the other into her hair. “It counts.” He lowered his mouth to hers, and she moaned into him. “Want to go to bed?” he asked, sending shivers down her body.
She smiled softly. “I can’t do anything this week.” That had been an unwelcome surprise that morning in addition to her brothers and everything else.
He shrugged and kissed her temple. “Then I’ll hold you when you sleep. Need a heating pad or something?”
Hell, it was no wonder she loved this man.
“I’m good with just you holding me.” More than good, but she was afraid to say it.
He kissed her again. “Let’s get some sleep, babe.” He pulled her to the back of her house where her bedroom was, and she sighed into him. After the day she’d had, cuddling with him sounded like the perfect way to end the day.
She just hoped it kept up like this because if she had to let him go, she wasn’t sure she would be able to.
Chapter Twelve
“Your form is getting better and better.”
“Tell me again why we’re doing this in my living room and not at the gym?”
Alex grinned. “Because they’re setting up for the fight tonight, and I didn’t want to miss a lesson. Keep your elbows up.” She pouted at him but did as he asked. He had a feeling she only pouted because she knew it made him hard. He imagined those lips around his cock, and his brain went a little haywire.
“Like this?” she asked, her brows furrowed.
It had been a week since her brothers had come to town for two days before heading back to their busy lives. Things were…different now, but definitely better.
She wore a very sexy blue sports bra with crosses in the front that only made him want to bury his face between them and her breasts. Seriously, he loved her tits and couldn’t get enough of them, but he held back since he was teaching her how to protect herself. She also had on these black leggings that molded to her body like a second skin. They rose high and covered her belly button but left her mid-drift bare. They also had a blue stripe on the side and around the waist that matched the bra. He loved that she always matched, even when she wasn’t trying. That was just his Tabitha.
His Tabitha.
It shocked him how quickly he’d begun to think of her as his…and how dangerous that was. He wasn’t sure what would happen next, and that scared him, but he would go into the future with both feet firmly planted on the ground. He didn’t have another option.
“You’re doing really good, baby,” he said honestly.
“Really?” she beamed. “Probably not good enough for me to fight in the ring next to you,” she asked with a wink.
He winced. “I don’t know if I would want to see you fight another woman like that and end up with a black eye. I might have to hit someone then.”
She rolled her eyes. “But it’s okay if you do it?”
He sighed. “There’s no way for me to win this, is there?”
“Nope,” she said with a wide smile. “You’re a sexist pig, and I don’t know what I’m going to do with you.”
He thought about what he could be doing with her right then, and she punched him softly in the gut. “Hey,” he grumped. Her punches were getting harder over time.
“You’re thinking about sex, and that’s not what I meant.”
He licked his lips. “Baby, I’m always thinking about sex in some way. I’m a guy.”
“Well, I’m a woman, and I think about sex, too. It’s amazing how guys tend to forget that.”
He moved forward to take her in his arms, and she held up her hands, blocking him. “What? I’m just going to peel those leggings down your legs a little so they frame your butt, then I’m going to fuck you from behind with your legs pressed together so you’re all extra tight. What’s wrong with that?”
His cock filled at his words, and she let out a slow breath, her cheeks red. “Holy Jesus we need to try that, but not now. I’m sore from this morning.”
He winced. “Fuck, I’m sorry. I was too hard on you.” They’d had sex in the shower and then at the edge of the bed. He’d gone harder and faster than he had before, and now he’d fucking hurt her.
She immediately went to him and wrapped her arms around him. “Hey, I’m not complaining. But we had sex three times this morning, and three times last
night. It’s a record even for us. I just need some time to breathe before I ride you like a cowgirl tonight.”
He smiled despite himself and kissed her on the nose. “You want to ride me?”
She nodded. “Yep. I might even wear a little hat.”
He laughed and kissed her again. “That sounds like a plan.” He let out a breath and rubbed her back. “What do you say about taking a class with me?” He didn’t know where that came from, but he went with it.
She pulled back and watched his face. “What kind of class?”
“A self-defense class. I’ve taken one before, hence why I learned what I did so I could help you. But I think it would be better if you took a formal one. And I wouldn’t mind learning more, too. I might be a big guy, but I don’t carry a weapon with me when I’m out on the streets working.” He shrugged. This was more about her, and he had a feeling they both knew it, but he’d do anything he could to make her safe.
She bit into her lip. “I…I think that would be nice. I didn’t do one before because…well…I felt like I wasn’t ready. I mean, I probably should have been considering what happened, but for some reason, I only wanted to work with you. Even before you and I started dating. But after working with you and knowing you’ll be by my side, I don’t know…I just feel stronger. I feel stronger with you.”
He let out a breath, his mind whirling. “I’m not used to that, you know.” She frowned, and he continued. “I like it, don’t get me wrong. But Jess, well, she never let me be, you know? Never let me help her unless it was what she cornered me into. I’m not comparing you, I’m really not, but it’s more the fact that I feel like me when I’m with you.” He hadn’t meant to say all of that, but he was glad he had. He didn’t want there to be unspoken topics between them, even if he didn’t know where this was going. He just knew that if he kept not talking about his sobriety or his past with Jess, he’d fuck up things in the end.
Her eyes widened. She was probably pretty damned surprised he’d brought up Jess, but the two of them were doing better about focusing on the now without forgetting the past completely and thus making the same mistakes. At least, he hoped they were.
“I think I know,” she said after a moment.
“And since I’m being so open right now, I should probably mention that she called yesterday.”
“Seriously?” she asked, her voice heated.
“I didn’t take the call, and she didn’t leave a message. If she calls again, I don’t plan to answer. She honestly doesn’t need me or want to even talk to me. She just likes to be the center of attention, and once she realizes she’s not going to get that from me, she’ll be gone. She doesn’t need me,” he repeated. “And I don’t need her. I don’t know if I ever did.”
She met his gaze and let out a slow breath. “I need you,” she whispered, brushing her lips on his as she rose to her toes.
His body immediately relaxed. “I need you, too.”
They hadn’t talked about what they were beyond this, and maybe, just maybe, he could be strong enough for them to be more than they were now. Eventually.
Maybe he could find a way to love again, to be that vulnerable.
Because with Tabitha, he could see that happening.
And that scared him more than anything else in his life.
Later, they arrived at the gym, energy ramping through his body at the thought of the upcoming fight. Tabitha stood by his side, leaning into him as he bounced from foot to foot.
“You’re wired,” she said with a smile.
He winked down at her. “You know it.” He leaned down to whisper in her ear. “I’m probably going to be really wired tonight.”
She elbowed him in the ribs as Wes and Storm strode toward them. “Behave.”
“It’s like you don’t know me,” he said with a laugh as the twins stopped in front of them. Hell, he hadn’t realized he could have something like this in his life. Between Tabitha at his side and fucking laughing in public as he was, it was as if he were a different person than he’d been before everything happened. From the look in Wes and Storm’s eyes, he wasn’t alone.
“Hey,” Wes said, his face intent. “You said you were okay if we showed up, and Harper gave us the details.”
Harper and Brody walked over as Wes spoke, and Harper winced. “Hope that was okay.”
Alex nodded, his arm around Tabitha settling him. “I’m glad you’re all here,” he said quickly. “Seriously.”
Storm studied his face. “Are you going to kick this guy’s ass? Because I don’t really want to spend my free evening here watching you get beat down.”
“Hey, be nice,” Jillian said as she slid in between Storm and Wes, hip-checking both twins as she did. “Hey, guys. Sorry, I had to take a call, and I forced the guys to head in without me.”
Wes scowled. “I still don’t think it was a good idea we left you alone out there.”
She waved them off, and Alex scowled with the guys. “I wasn’t alone. You were watching me the whole time.” She waved her finger at Wes. “Even more than Storm was since, apparently, you guys don’t trust me to take care of myself.”
Alex stiffened as Tabitha did the same. “That’s probably my fault,” she said softly. “I was attacked in the office a few weeks ago, and the guys are all on edge.”
Jillian’s eyes widened, and she turned to glare at Storm. “Why didn’t you tell me? Fuck.” She moved toward Tabitha and held out her hands. “I am so sorry. I just stepped in it big time. Are you okay? Did you talk to someone?”
Tabitha relaxed immediately at his side, and Alex figured out right then why Storm and Jillian were together. She was just that damn good of a person. Alex might not know the ins and outs of what they had going on, but if she cared about Tabitha like she was showing at the moment, he could count her as a friend.
“I’m fine,” Tabitha explained. “Really. Alexander over here is teaching me how to take care of myself, and the two of us are going to take a class together, too.”
Jillian smiled at him before turning back to Tabitha. “Good! That’s great to hear. What class is it? I could always use a refresher if you want another friend to join in.”
“We can all go if it’s a co-ed thing,” Storm put in. “That way, we all know what we’re doing.”
“Sounds like a plan to me,” Wes put in.
“I don’t mind joining if you guys want a crowd,” Brody added.
“Same here,” Harper said.
Alex looked down at Tabitha as she blinked back tears. He knew one of the main reasons she’d been hesitant about doing something like this in the past was because she hadn’t felt safe enough. Now, there would be an entire group of people she knew to surround her as she found her footing. He couldn’t ask for better friends or family right then.
“I think there’s space,” she said softly after a moment. “And, yes, I would love if you guys would join.”
“That’s perfect!” Jillian said, either oblivious or perfectly ignoring the tension. He had a feeling it was the latter, and he was happy for it. “I know most of the self-defense classes are for women, but I love the ones that cater to everyone. Just because you have a penis doesn’t mean you’re safe.”
The guys winced as Tabitha laughed with Jillian. At least she could find that funny.
“I need to go finish getting ready,” he said after they’d talked a bit more. “There are two fights before mine, and then I’m up. I want to be prepared.”
Tabitha went up on her toes and kissed him full on the mouth in front of everyone. “Win for me. Okay? Don’t forget about the hat.”
He groaned at that image and waved everyone off as they laughed. They might not know exactly what she was referencing, but he had a feeling they all had a good idea.
Brody and Harper went into the locker room with him since they were gym members and helped him set up. They would be ringside and in his corner during the bout, and Brody had the timeslot right after Alex’s. Harper was taking the nig
ht off since he had an early morning consultation, but hadn’t wanted to miss his two friends in the ring.
As Alex wrapped his hands, he focused on what he had to do that night. As much as he wanted to think about the warm woman he’d be sharing a bed with, he had to put her out of his mind for now. He’d make mistakes if he thought of her and not about what the other guy was doing. His adrenaline ramped up, but not as much as it had when he’d been waiting for the next drink.
And damned if he didn’t like it.
He didn’t need a drink that night, and he didn’t want one. A small part of him still craved one, but it wasn’t the main part. Steve, his sponsor, had said time and time again that just thinking that was progress, and Alex was going to hold him to it.
“You ready?” Brody asked, rolling his neck over his shoulders. “This guy likes to use his right more than his left, even though I’ve heard his trainer say over and over again to watch it. He doesn’t listen.”
Alex nodded, moving from foot to foot as he kept his body and mind on task. “Yeah, I’ve seen. This should be fun,” he said with a grin.
Harper rolled his eyes, but he saw the humor in them. The man totally agreed, even if he was trying to act all stoic.
“Let’s do this,” Alex said. With a fist bump to his crew, he made his way out of the dressing room at the sound of his name. This wasn’t some late-night pay-per-view boxing match, but it was fun anyway. He didn’t want to end up hurting himself so he couldn’t work, or end up in the hospital. He just wanted to do something he enjoyed without putting everything he’d worked for at risk. He wasn’t sure if he’d fight again or what came next, but first, he had to win this one.
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