And Grace feared that she fell in that category. “And you can’t develop it either.”
Her fingers dipped into the waistband of his boxer-briefs, brushing against the faint hint of his pleasure trail leading down to a place she’d love to visit again. “How did you get started in boxing?”
“Well, my dad was sick. I sat by his side every day after school. My mom worked a lot to pay for all the hefty expenses his cancer brought on. We started watching boxing matches that he recorded and when he dozed off, I practiced the moves. Those moments with my dad were the best times. At some point he must’ve woke in time to see me practicing. He made my mom promise to put me into some real training. She followed through.”
She slid her hand farther in his boxers and wrapped her fingers around his length, casually stroking him. “Now you’re practically famous.”
He let his eyes drift shut. “How can we talk when you are doing that-” He cut his sentence short with a moan.
“You’re right,” she said. “I have something better to do right now. Besides, if we stop chatting now, we’ll have plenty to discuss when I call you from California.” She pulled his boxer-briefs down, revealing his erection. She kissed his abs, his pleasure trail, and then moved lower. Tracing her tongue from the base of his dick, she moved to the tip and sucked him in. Her panties dampened at the sound of him calling out her name.
*****
After a quick shower the next morning, Rally fingered some gel through his hair, washed the access off, and then slipped into his sports jacket. Needing a cup of coffee before his business meeting with his manager, he headed to the kitchen to find Fern cleaning up after Addison’s breakfast and Addison rolling a large ball over the hardwood floor. Fern glanced up at him and then returned to her duty.
He paused to kiss Addison on the head and told Fern, “Good morning.”
Fern didn’t look up again. Her shoulders were tense as she pushed the sponge over the counter. Moving to the sink to rinse the sponge, she said, “Morning.” Her voice stayed flat. “Meeting today? Or something else?”
“Meeting with Logan. He’s my manager. I think you met him once or twice.”
Fern shrugged and started on the dishes. “I forgot to make coffee this morning.”
“That’s okay. I will grab some on my way to Logan’s office.” Fern never forgot his coffee. The task of starting the brew each morning had never been in the job description, only something Fern had taken upon herself since the first full day of working. The nanny didn’t even drink coffee. She explained it was a way to make Rally’s day easier and to show appreciation for everything he did for her and Addison. Something must be wrong.
He glanced at the large clock on the kitchen wall. Shit. If he wanted to grab coffee-which he desperately needed-he had to leave now. “See you later,” he called out, grabbed his briefcase and headed out to the car parked in the garage. He needed to focus on his meeting with Logan as he drove through his neighborhood and then downtown Portland. Instead, his night with Grace replayed in his head. She was everything he could ask for in a woman. The problem was that he didn’t ask for anyone. He was given his princess in lieu of a partner. Now he wanted both and couldn’t entwine them.
But damn! Being with Grace was heaven. He’d stayed in her hotel room almost all night. They made love, talked about their lives, and then made love again. He practically told her everything about him except for Addison and Fern. He’d even expressed his deep grief of losing his father and then being able to finally be close to his over-worked mother. Grace provided him with kind words and a caring touch like no other woman-not even Stella Angeline-had ever given him. She, in turn, told him of not having a mother around and how that impacted her life but made the relationship with her father so much stronger, making her admire the man and want to walk in his footsteps career-wise. Rally knew he was in love with Grace. What would he do about it? If he had any sense, he’d let her go back to California without telling her how he’d fallen for her and only see her when it was convenient. But he missed her already and she wasn’t even gone yet.
He whipped through a coffee shop drive-thru, ordered an iced mocha. He preferred hot over cold but needed to slurp it down before he got to Logan’s office. After a long drink of the chocolaty coffee, he pulled his cell from his pocket before he had a chance to get out of the parking lot.
The ringing was replaced by Grace’s sweet voice saying, “Good morning, Rally.”
“Good morning to you, Grace.” He didn’t even try to fight the grin from spreading across his face. A warm sensation filled his chest as he pictured her face snuggled against him as she’d been only a few hours ago.
“You sound like you’re driving.”
“I am, but I had to call you. I miss you already, beautiful.”
“You could’ve slept over.” Her voice softened. “I would’ve loved it if you had.”
Sleeping all night with her sounded great, but seriously? That wasn’t in the cards. Not right now. “Me, too. Listen, are you doing Ajay’s pictures today?”
“I am getting ready to head out right now. Why?” Keys jingled in the background.
“Just wondering if I will see you later at the gym.” He needed to see her. Even if he was to training, having her at the gym brightened his day. He had to see her smiling face, the glisten of happiness in her eyes as she stole glances at him, and the way he seemed to grab her attention without even trying. Did she love him, too?
“I will be later. I figure I need one more person to feature.”
“I’ll hook you up with another boxer to interview. How does that sound?”
“Fantastic.”
He turned into Logan’s lot and found a spot up close to the building. “Hey, Grace? I got to go.”
They said goodbye before he disconnected his call and slid his phone into the pocket of his slacks. After taking his time driving from the coffee shop to the large glass-front building, he was running late. He took long strides to the front door, pulled it open, and hurried to the elevator. Luckily for him, one jab of the button made the doors open. No waiting for the box to come for him. He stepped inside and wished the next part went fast. A minute later, he hurried down the third floor hallway and through the door marked ‘Logan Miles’. A fresh faced secretary stopped biting the end of her pen as he approached her desk.
“I’m Rally Brewer. I have a meeting with Mr. Miles.”
She pointed the pen at the conference room’s door. “He’s waiting for you.”
He didn’t waste a second getting to the room. The last thing he wanted was to make his manager mad. Logan was the fifth manager and the best Rally had yet. He didn’t want to lose his representation. Logan half rose from his chair in greeting. He slipped into a chair with Logan at the head of the large, granite table.
“It’s good to see you,” Rally said, shaking his manager’s hand.
“Sorry we’re not in my office. I’m remodeling right now and it took longer than expected.”
Rally shrugged, the sports jacket preventing him from fully performing the simple action. “Not even worried about it. I wouldn’t care if we met in the bathroom as long as you have contracts for me to sign.”
Logan pulled a stack of papers held together by a paperclip from a file folder and set them in front of Rally. With a pen in hand, Logan pointed the tip of the pen at the details of the contracts. “So this event came through. We have twenty-four hours to decide. You’ll be doing a fight in Encino, California next month. Here’s the numbers.” He pointed the tip at the amount of money Rally would get for doing the match. Thirty grand wasn’t anything to turn away from.
He shrugged. “Sounds good.” He wasn’t sure how far Encino was from Grace’s home, but he’d find a way to see her. Maybe then they could find a way to stay the night together. Fern and Addison always traveled with him, but Fern took care of Addison most of the time while they were at the hotel to help keep his secret under wraps.
Logan handed the
pen over for Rally to use to sign on the dotted lines. Deal was done on that fight and he’d hopefully be able to see Grace while in California.
Another stack of papers were put in front of him. A pay-per-view event. One million payoff. He signed that contract, too, and turned down the third offer that would interfere with Addison’s second birthday party in August. Besides, he didn’t want to be in Arizona in the summer.
“I think that’s it,” Logan stood. “Your schedule is full for the rest of the year.”
“I’m off to the gym then. Training time to make the big bucks for us.” And time to see Grace. Maybe she was done with Ajay and was waiting for Rally.
Chapter Eight
Grace ignored the vibrating phone in her jean’s pocket. She didn’t have to look at the display to know who it was. That asshole boss of hers. She was here with the boxers, trying to get pictures of Ajay and figure out what the heck she planned on doing about her job. Yes, she’d always wanted to work for the same magazine as her father but had been hired as an assistant instead of a journalist even though she’d gotten the required education to be offered the desired position. She should’ve known better to stay working for Ray, but pride and her goals kept her there. The more she thought about it, the more pissed she became.
She pointed the camera at Ajay as he posed against the ropes of the ring. Her plan had been to show him outside of the gym, but he decided not to go that route. Having to do this his way to keep him featured, she settled for gym shots of him. Felix had given the fighters a break for her to take the pictures. Somehow she’d made a friend with the trainer.
She took several shots of Ajay. “Very nice,” she said to the boxer.
“Got something you can use?” Big blue eyes under dark lashes stared at her.
“Sure did. You look great. Let’s do some action shots.” Those were her least favorite but didn’t want to have a bunch of pictures of Ajay lounging somewhere. She followed him to the punching bag and took some photos of him in various punching poses.
A door opened and then closed behind her. Nothing new. This place was hopping in the morning and Grace eventually grew tired of checking for Rally to come through the door about thirty minutes ago.
“Turn sideways, Ajay,” she instructed.
Ajay followed her instructions, tilting his face toward the ceiling.
Strong hands circled her waist and pulled her against a large, bulky chest. Rally’s warmth enveloped her. “You’re beautiful,” he whispered against her ear.
“Aren’t you afraid to have your gym mates see us?”
“No way. They’ll just be jealous.”
She laughed. “Why’s that?”
His lips found the curve of her neck. “Because I have the sexiest woman on earth.”
Ajay whirled around and frowned. “Stop taking up my time, Rally. Do that on your own.” The handsome boxer grabbed a white towel and draped it over his shoulders, the ends slung down against his chest. Knowing a great pose when she saw one, she raised the camera. One was with his hands on his hips, his face turned down. Another with him looking directly at the lense.
Rally chuckled as he let go of her. “Have fun with pretty boy while I change.” She lowered the camera enough to watch Rally walk away, his broad shoulders fitting snugly in the black sports jacket. The slacks hugged his toned ass.
“Hey,” Ajay said. “Let’s finish up. I have to get training.”
“Absolutely.” She took a few more shots. Going to Ajay, she said, “I really like the last set of pictures.”
“Thanks. Can’t wait to see them. So you have everything you need for my feature?”
“Sure do.” Except a publication to put them in. The decision still wasn’t made which way to go with her career even though Rally had given his consent for a limited interview. Part of the holdup was leaving this place. Once finished with the articles, she wouldn’t have a reason to stay. Not having Rally’s interview let her procrastinate in going back to California. “I’ll email you the final article before it goes to print.”
Her phone vibrated again. What was Ray’s problem? She didn’t need his crap right now. Pulling out the phone, she confirmed it was him and connected the call. “Ray.” His name burned her tongue like acid.
“Ready to declare defeat and pack up your office?” He tsked his tongue against his teeth. “You might as well give up, Grace.”
Her heartbeat pounded in her ears. Red formed in her vision as she clenched her fist. How dare he treat her like this? She never once deserved any of it. “You know, Ray. I’m tired of you bullying me. Maybe I have the story. Maybe I don’t. Does it really matter to you if I do?”
“Not really because I knew you couldn’t get that article on Rally Brewer. I only hired you as a favor for your father to thank him for his years of dedication to me. Now that I had my fun with you, you’re fired.”
The hand holding her phone to her ear trembled. She crossed her other arm over her chest. “It figures. You had it out for me since the beginning.”
His laughter roared over the line, making her pull the phone from her ear. When it finally died away, he said, “You’re the stupid one for staying. You have two days to clean out your desk.”
“What?” Her voice rose, grabbing people’s attention from nearby.
“Two days.”
“But I’m in Oregon. How the hell am I going to drive back there in two days? I need to finish up here first.”
Rally came out of the locker room and headed straight to the stretching area. She wanted more time with him and had planned on enjoying every free moment she had left. Now she’d have to head back to her hotel, pack, and wouldn’t be able to give Rally a proper goodbye. Her heart broke in her chest over the reality of leaving him. The time had finally caught up with her.
Ray gave an exaggerated sigh. “Fine. Three days. Be in these doors by closing on Friday.” The line went dead.
She slowly lowered her phone from her ear and let it dangle in her hand. Fired. That son of a bitch just fired her. After all she’d done for him. Years of busting her butt to make him see her worth and now this? She should’ve been smarter when it came to working for Ray. How was she able to stay at that magazine so long? She’d have to call Dad and let him know once she went back to her hotel. Now with three days to get to the office, she’d be able to get the last article written. Calculating the hours that it took to drive from Portland to her town, she figured she could leave in the morning and make it there on time.
“Hey,” Rally said, grabbing her attention. “Are you okay?”
She shook her head. “Just got fired. I have until Friday to clean out my office. That means I have to go home tomorrow.”
He pulled her to his chest for a hug. “I’m sorry. Do you still need that article?”
“I guess I don’t need one from you now. I’d love to finish the set of Bachelors in Boxing, though.”
Taking a step back, he said, “Let me introduce you to one more person. Be right back.” He jogged over to the stretching area and talked to a tall, dark brown haired guy. A head nod and some pointing before Rally came back. “Justin will find you on his break.”
“Sounds perfect.” A headache started at her right temple. Certainly not a good time to get a migraine.
Rally put a hand on her shoulder. “You’re so tense. Come with me. I will help you relax.” Taking her hand, he led her over to the stinky tub of boxing gloves. He put a tight fitting glove on one of her hands and then another. “Squeeze your fist. How does it feel?”
“Snug.”
“But you’re comfortable in them?”
She shrugged. “Enough. What are we going to do?”
“Relieve some anger. Boxing works wonders for that.” Putting his hands on her waist, he turned her toward the bag and stepped back. “Punch it.”
She eyed the large leather bag that was almost as tall as she was. Would it hurt even though she
had huge padded gloves on? Her fist moved to th
e bag and made contact. Rally chuckled behind
her.
“What?” she asked, turning slightly to give him a glare.
“That wasn’t a hit.” He had his hands on his hips, watching her.
“Yes, it was,” she said, turning her back again. “My glove made contact with the leather. That means it was a hit.”
“Fine. Not a very good one. Try it again with a little more force.”
She hit the bag again and rocked back on her heels as soon as her fist made contact. This time he groaned. “What?” she asked. “I hit it harder just like you said.”
“Keep your body still. How can you put force behind your punch if you’re moving backward? Let me show you.” He took her place at the bag and pretended to hit it. “I don’t gloves on, so I can’t do it hard, but you’ll get the idea. See? My feet are planted.”
She playfully shoved him to the side. “Fine. Let me try it again.”
They switched spots, giving her the position to slam her fist into the bag with even more force this time. To her surprise the impact didn’t hurt her hand and the bag actually moved this time. Another small, deep chuckle sounded behind her. She knew her feet were still. She pretended that they were cemented to the floor.
Putting her gloved hands on her hips, she asked, “What now?”
He roared with laughter. “Your feet.”
“Nope. I didn’t move my feet this time. Not even a centimeter.”
“Oh yes you did.” He pointed to the floor where he stood. “I was right here, watching you.”
“Good thing you don’t plan on being a trainer. You suck.” She laughed this time, but the sound died away as his hands made contact with her hips.
“Oh yeah? Let me show you how it’s done.” His words were laced with his hot breath against her ear. His feet blocked her heels from moving backward. “Hit the bag.”
She shot her fist toward the bag harder than before. Her body tried to move back but his strong stance prevented the action from being fulfilled. “Like that?”
Passionate Kisses 2 Boxed Set: Love in Bloom Page 22
