Redemption

by Tia Lewis

  "Are you ready with your orders?"

  I looked up to see the waiter hovering again, anxiously holding his pen above the pad. "Um sorry, I haven't decided yet."

  He frowned, obviously not too excited to hear that. "When might you be ready?"

  "When she is damn good and ready," Anthony replied in a low voice. "You know what? Actually, I think we have changed our minds." To my surprise, he rose from the chair, the waiter stumbling back as he realized how big Anthony had suddenly become. He reached out a hand to me, laughter in his eyes and I took it, feeling that spark yet again as he clasped his hand over mine. "Thanks for nothing," he said to the waiter as we walked away.

  I held my laughter until we were out of the place and in the car, the giggles escaping through my tightly sealed lips. "Well, I have to say, I think you scared the shit out of him."

  "He just wouldn't stop hovering," Anthony said as he gunned the engine and looked over at me. "I have a better thought in mind. You game?"

  "I'm all yours," I said, instantly regretting the words. His eyes flared, and I felt the swirl of heat starting to build in the pit of my stomach. That slow grin started on his lips, and I swallowed hard, forcing myself to calm down. Good lord, I was going to melt into this damn leather seat if he kept on with just that smoldering look. "Good," he finally said, turning back to getting us out of here.

  I leaned back on the headrest, wondering why he had to smell so good, look so sexy, and literally get me going with a damn look. Anthony, the fighter was serious trouble and I was scared of what I might do, what I wanted to do.

  He took us over to the seedier side of town, pulling in front of a nondescript building that gave no indication of what I was about to walk into. "Should I be concerned?" I asked, arching a brow.

  He chuckled and put the car in park. "Darling you are safer with me than with a gun tied to your lovely hip there."

  He called my hip lovely. I was thinking way too much into his words. I wasn't desperate for company, was I? Anthony climbed out of the car, and I took in a deep breath. I needed to keep myself together. He opened the door, and I climbed out, warming as he took my hand in his. "I know this date has been somewhat unconventional," he said, looking at me. "But I have to admit; I'm having fun."

  "Me too," I answered, squeezing his hand. After all, this was much better than a night on the couch, watching those sappy movies and eating Chinese takeout. Anthony didn't let go of my hand, instead leading me toward a door and pushing it open. I stepped inside with him right behind me, so close that I could feel the warmth of his breath on the back of my neck. Before me was a simple bar, with a few tables scattered around. There were pool tables near the back, and the music was being provided by a cover band in the far left corner, where much of the crowd was gathered. The bartender looked up and gave us a smile, waving us over. "Rampage, long time."

  "Rampage?" I asked as Anthony nudged me toward to the bar, where two stools were unoccupied.

  "It's my fight name," he replied as I slid onto the bar stool. "We all have them."

  It was then I noticed the multitude of pictures on the wall around the bar, all depicting a fighter in the cage, some with signatures on the glass. "Any of those yours?" I asked as Anthony slid on the stool next to me.

  The bartender chuckled. "Of course there's one for Rampage. You are sitting next to the one-time champion of the world."

  "Enough, Jim," Anthony said. "Get the lady a beer will you?"

  "And you Rampage?" Jim asked, eyeing him. "A beer?"

  "A cup of coffee," he answered. "And some of those wings you say you are famous for."

  "You got it," Jim said before disappearing behind a door.

  I turned toward Anthony. "Rampage?"

  He chuckled, looking down at his hands. "I was young and trying to prove myself. Went into a cage like I was on fire and damn near got my ass kicked. The other dude said that I was like a rampage in some interview and the name stuck."

  "Well it could be worse I guess," I said, trying to keep the conversation light. "He could have called you a pussy or something."

  Anthony looked up and gave me that grin once more. "You're right, it could be worse."

  Jim returned with the beer and the coffee, giving me a quick grin. "Watch out for this guy. He's a smooth talker."

  Anthony shook his head. "Don't listen to him. He likes to talk."

  "Talk yes, but it keeps you coming back for more," he laughed, disappearing through the swinging door. I took a sip of my beer and watched as Anthony took a sip of his coffee without adding any cream or sugar. He caught me looking at him and set the mug down gently on the scarred bar top. "What?"

  "I just never seen anyone drink coffee in a bar before," I said gently. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. I had just made him uncomfortable again. "You don't have to say anything," I added quickly. It wasn't my place to know his personal business.

  "I gave up drinking over a year ago," he finally said, looking down at the mug, his expression pensive.

  "Good for you," I said as Jim reappeared with two baskets of wings. "Hey Jim, I'll take one of those coffees please."

  Jim looked at me like I was crazy, but he took the beer and poured a cup of coffee, sliding the sugar toward me. I gave him a grateful smile and dumped some sugar into the cup, stirring it with the provided spoon.

  "You didn't have to do that."

  I looked up and gave Anthony a smile. "Yes, I did." I wasn't going to drink in front of a recovering alcoholic or at least that was what I was perceiving he was saying. Why he had brought me to a bar was beyond me, but I could support his decision.

  Chapter Nine

  Anthony

  She had ordered coffee. Of all the things that would have made me like her more, I hadn't expected the rush of tenderness when she had asked Jim to get her a cup as well. The coffee was horrible, but she had enjoyed it and the wings like they were back at that expensive ass restaurant. It wasn't the date I had hoped for, but Hannah seemed to be having a blast, and that was all that mattered. I didn't know why I had brought her to the bar, the place I had spent a great deal of my time after my knee injury. Jim was an old fighter, one of the first in the world of cage fighting and I enjoyed my time here, though my visits had been infrequent over the last year. Still, I was glad I had come tonight and brought Hannah.

  We walked out of the bar together, and I helped her into the car, feeling light on my feet for the first time in forever. I had also done the right thing by asking Hannah out tonight.

  "Well," she said as I pulled away from the curb and headed back toward the gym where her car was parked. "Those had to be the best wings I have ever had."

  "I'm glad you didn't tell Jim that," I chuckled. "His head would be too big to fit through the door then."

  She laughed, and I felt parts of me warm to her laughter. Of the many things I liked about Hannah, her laugh was one of my favorites. Gina had rarely laughed, or it was so unmemorable I couldn't remember that she had. "I'll send over some cookies then," she finally said. "In thanks."

  I grinned, mainly because I couldn't wipe the damn thing off of my face around her as I pulled the car behind hers and shut off the engine, not wanting to end the night. I had enjoyed her company. Hannah cleared her throat, and I wondered what move I should make. I didn't want to turn her off to me, but hell, I wanted to kiss her, taste her. My body wanted me to do a hell of a lot more, but I wasn't going to push it with Hannah. I wanted to take this slow, savor this time with her and see where it took us.

  Instead, I reached over and touched her arm, getting her to look at me. "I really enjoyed tonight."

  "I did as well," she said, her lips parting. I stared at them, my pulse thrumming. I could kiss her, just once to see what it would be like. One kiss wasn't going to hurt anything. Without thinking any longer, I leaned over and pressed my lips against hers, my hand sliding just under her jaw line and caressing the sensitive skin there. She gasped against my lips, and I swept in, tasting her
for the first time. Damn sparks exploded behind my eyelids as her smell swirled around my senses, her lips moving against mine, her tongue touching mine. Hannah, the baker, was an excellent kisser, and I couldn't help but wonder what else she did well.

  No, I didn't want to push this tonight. Though my damn body was on fire to carry this further, I couldn't. I mean, I could, but I didn't want to. I didn't want this to be a night of good sex and then fizzle out. It had been a long time since I had even considered dating, or fucking, any woman and I didn't want to screw this up. Reluctantly, I ended the kiss, feeling too damn happy looking into Hannah's passion hazed eyes.

  She blushed and looked away, the interior temperature of the car at least ten degrees hotter. "I, um, do you want to come up for more coffee?"

  Her voice shook as she said it and I wanted to, hell I wanted to badly. But I couldn't. "Thanks, but I'll pass tonight."

  I watched as her shoulders slump a little and felt like the biggest ass. She thought I didn't want to spend time with her. Well, I would be rectifying that immediately. "There's a fight in a few days. You wanna go?"

  She looked up, surprised. "A fight?"

  I shrugged. "I thought you might want to see what the hype was all about. It won't be me in the cage, but it's supposed to be a damn good one." Actually, I was going to scout out my competition for my own match, but I wasn't going to tell her that. I wasn't sure yet how she was going to react to me getting back in the cage.

  She looked at me and grinned. "Okay, I will but only if you go to a baking competition with me. There's one at the convention center next weekend and Lillian was going to go, but she has a hot date, so I am stuck with an extra ticket."

  A baking competition. The guys would have a fucking field day if they found out, but Hannah was looking at me with such hope in her eyes that I couldn't say no. "Um, sure."

  "Great," she said, giving me a winning smile that made me feel like I had just won a million dollars. "I'll see you then, Anthony. Thank you for a very interesting date tonight."

  "No, thank you," I said as she climbed out of the car and shut the door, watching as she walked over to her car and gave me a little wave before she climbed in. Of all the things that used to give me pleasure at the end of the day, this simple date with an extraordinary woman had given me the most pleasure I had felt in my miserable life in quite a while.

  I gunned the engine and pulled away from the curb, heading toward my apartment, thinking about the last time I had this kind of high. It had been right after my championship win, after my hand had been held up high in the cage and handed the belt that I had been craving all of my life. Gina had been there, hugging and kissing all over me, Larry not looking quite as old and hugging everyone in sight. Everyone wanted a piece of me that night and weeks afterward, the interviews and articles coming in abundance. At that time, I had thought my life was perfect, nothing could have been better. Now looking back at that time, I wanted it back. I wanted to feel that thrill of excitement flow through my veins. I wanted to feel that relief of knowing I still had it, that I could still hang with the big boys. I wanted to see the appreciative glances my way. About the only thing I wanted to change was the woman that would be at my side that night. I wanted the woman that had surprised the hell out of me tonight beside me at my fight. The thought both excited and scared the hell out of me.

  Turning into the parking garage, I parked the car and walked up to my apartment, needing the extra time to clear my head. The gym had done us all good in terms of funds, where I was able to afford a pretty decent apartment in a secure building on the 'good' side of town. But it was the view I loved the most, the Chicago skyline twinkling for miles around from my living room view. It was far more than I would have expected back in the day, living in that small dump of a house that had the leaky roof and rodents that would steal your food if you weren't watching carefully. Even if I never set foot back inside the cage, I could afford to stay in this place for the rest of my life. It was home, though I had never questioned what home should look like until tonight, while was spending time with Hannah. She could easily make a man question his priorities in life and what he was missing out on.

  With a sigh, I walked over to the fridge and pulled out a bottle of water, taking a few sips from it to quench my thirst. Something told me that my baker was going to be trouble.

  Chapter Ten

  Hannah

  "Whoa, that was the weirdest date ever, but at least you got to kiss him. How was he by the way?"

  I looked at Lillian, stirring my margarita with my straw, a grin on my face. "A girl never kisses and tells." We were at one of the bars near the bakery, catching up after a long day of making a zillion cupcakes for a local school who wanted to surprise all of their students with one. Now I had yellow smiley cupcakes all over my bakery in boxes waiting to be picked up in the morning, and we hoped never to see that much yellow icing again. My fingers were still stained with yellow even after numerous washings today.

  "Unless her friend is desperate for some action and nosey as hell," Lillian remarked, settling back in her chair. "Go ahead, he was awful, wasn't he? A guy as sexy as he is, has to have something wrong with him."

  I shook my head, looking down so she couldn't see the faint blush on my cheeks. There was nothing about Anthony that was bad, nothing whatsoever. Actually, I could appreciate the fact that the man had flaws and was willing to share them. While I was with James, he never did anything wrong according to him, nor was there any part of him that was flawed. It had made me feel less of a person knowing that I was dating a perfect man who could see all of my flaws and never failed to point them out to me as he uncovered them.

  But with Anthony, I felt beautiful. His heated looks, the way he had kissed me that had curled my toes, I couldn't help but feel as if he really wanted me, flaws and all.

  "So, since you won't kiss and tell," Lillian continued. "At least tell me you are going to see him again."

  "I am," I answered, taking a long draw of my drink. "He's taking me to one of his fights."

  "Wow, really?" Lillian responded. "You think I can tag along?"

  I laughed and signaled for the check, wanting to get back to the bakery to do one last check before going home. That and I had hoped to pop into the gym to see if Anthony was there just to tell him how much I had enjoyed our date. Okay, maybe I was just going to use it as an excuse to see him again and make sure that I hadn't dreamed up the entire date. I mean, it was still a shock to me that I had went out with him in the first place, kissed him like I was running out of air, and dreamed about his flames on his back last night. What was a girl to do anyway?

  "Hannah."

  I turned and saw James baring down on us, his face flushed. "What are you doing here, James?" I asked.

  "I went to the bakery, and you weren't there," he said, like I should have been there waiting on him. "We have to talk."

  "James, I don't owe you anything," I said as the waitress brought me the tab. "And I certainly don't like the fact that you are constantly bothering me. We are done, through, finished."

  "I'm not giving up," he butted in, his eyes flaring with anger.

  "Well, you should," Lillian interrupted with a roll of her eyes. "Geez man, give it up will you?"

  "Who the hell are you?" he asked, giving her a look of disgust.

  "Leave her alone," I said. "And leave me alone."

  James's face turned red as he leaned in, his voice low. "You don't want to cross me, Hannah. Give up this foolishness and come back, where you belong."

  I felt the tears start to threaten my eyes as I turned away, giving him my back. I heard him stalk off before I drew a shaky breath. He wasn't going to give up and give me any peace. I didn't know how far he was going to go and it scared me.

  "Who was that?" Lillian asked. I sighed, wishing James would just let it go. He was still ruining my life, even after we had broken up. "He's my ex. He cheated on me, and I broke up with him a few months back. He just can't let go.
"

  "You need to call the cops, get a restraining order, something," Lillian remarked softly a moment later as I struggled with my composure. "He sounds dangerous, Hannah."

  "He won't hurt me," I stated, throwing some bills on the table, ready to get out of here. It was bad that I didn't even believe my words anymore. James had clearly lost his mind. "I'll see you in the morning."

  "Do you want me to walk you to the bakery?" Lillian asked as I turned to go. "I have my Taser on me."

  I laughed and gave her a grateful smile. "It's only a half a block. I'm fine Lil, see you."

  "Bye," she said. I walked out of the bar and down the street, keeping my eyes open for any sign of James lurking in the shadows. I hated having to look over my shoulder for him. Why couldn't he just leave me alone? Didn't he want to move on with his life, as well? Why would he want to attempt to get back with someone who didn't want him?

  Turning the corner, I spied the gym and the bakery up ahead, my mood lightening as I approached the buildings. It was just past nine pm, so the lights inside the gym were still ablaze. Was Anthony in there? After my run in with James, I wanted to see him now more than ever.

  As I approached the gym, Benji stepped out, grinning as he saw me coming down the sidewalk. "Hey, Hannah."

  "Hey, Benji," I said, stopping in front of the gym. "How's life treating you?"

  "Pretty good," he said, crossing his arms over his chest. "So you and Anthony huh? The man came in with a grin on his face this morning. First time in a long while I've seen him smile like that."

  I blushed, hoping that I was the reason for his smile. He was for mine this morning. "Maybe he had a really good cup of coffee."

  Benji laughed. "You are something else, Hannah. Hell, I wished I would have asked you out first."

  "I, thanks, I think," I said, flattered that I had another hot fighter panting around me. But I only had eyes for one right now. "Is Anthony inside?"