Redemption

by Tia Lewis

  Instead I reached out and pulled him back toward me, my lips searching out his. He growled, and his hand went into my hair, angling my head just right before his tongue swept in and all was lost. Screw the perfect lips I had done tonight or the fact that he was messing up my hair. His other hand gripped my hip, and he pulled me close, feeling the need that was clearly there as he pressed his body into mine. We were going to be good together, damn good.

  He ended the kiss, resting his forehead against mine as he caught his breath while I tried to figure out how to move on rubbery legs. That and how I could entice him to skip this whole fight thing and just come inside. We weren't going to find this heat at any fight. "You kill me," he finally forced out, his hand massaging the back of my head lightly. "I swore I was going to keep my hands off of you, yet here we are."

  "What's wrong with that?" I asked softly, puzzled that he would think that he had to do such a thing.

  He drew in a ragged breath and moved away down the stairs, causing me to feel the coldness immediately float around my body at the removal of his hands. Well. Either Anthony was fighting something crazy, or I was reading him all wrong, and I doubted it was that. So what was it?

  Well, I wasn't giving up. I wanted Anthony, badly.

  He looked up, and I gave him a smile, walking down the stairs like we hadn't shared the hottest kiss on earth just minutes ago. Like a gentleman, he opened the car door, and I slid in, taking in a breath as he slid into the driver's seat and we were off, the spicy scent of his cologne filling the interior. "So this fight," I said after a few moments. "What should I expect?"

  A grin slid onto his face as he stared straight ahead. "A lot of wrestling on the ground probably. These two guys are good at the takedowns and like to use them a lot."

  "A lot of half-naked men wrestling on the ground, got it," I teased.

  Anthony laughed and reached over, clasping my hand in his and interlacing our fingers together. "Exactly. There's another reason we are going tonight, though."

  "Oh, are there going to be women doing it as well?"

  "No," he chuckled, his thumb rubbing circles on the back of my hand. "One of the guys, well, I'm going to fight him in a few weeks."

  I said nothing, my blood freezing in my body. Sure I knew he was a fighter, or had been a fighter in his past, but I thought he was done. A thousand questions ran through my mind, as well as worry for Anthony. I had seen the pictures of what could happen, heard in the news of fighters dropping dead because of a concussion they sustained in the ring or the cage. That couldn't happen to Anthony.

  "Hey, you okay?"

  I looked over and realized we were in a parking lot, Anthony looking at me with some concern. "Um, yeah I'm fine."

  "Great, let's go," he said, giving my hand a squeeze before opening the door. I did the same, stepping out and not feeling as excited as I was before I found out that Anthony was going back into the cage. Nevertheless, I followed him to the building, where he extracted two tickets from his back pocket and handed it over to the man standing at the door.

  "Like the Rampage needs tickets," the man replied, giving Anthony a wide smile. "I hear you're getting back into it. It's about damn time."

  "Thanks," Anthony replied, reaching for my hand. We walked down a narrow hall until the room opened up and there were people everywhere, with a large black cage in the middle of the room. Anthony's hand tightened on mine as we stopped near the cage, the glee on his face, unlike anything I had ever seen before. It was then that I realized that Anthony lived for this fighting, much like I lived for my bakery. Except unless I blew up the bakery or poisoned myself, I was pretty safe in my profession. But Anthony, oh no, I didn't think I could do this.

  Anthony led me over to our seats before we were stopped by a short guy in a ridiculous purple suit. "Rampage. I heard you were coming tonight. Scoping out the competition?"

  "You know it," Anthony said, shaking his hand. "Good to see you, Tim."

  "You too," Tim replied with a wide smile. "But it's useless for you to be scoping out my guy. He's going to kick your ass and quickly. We have a championship to go after."

  I felt Anthony's hand tighten on mine, that easy grin still on his face but the tension evident in his body. "Don't worry. He won't be standing for long."

  Tim looked at him before busting out into laughter, clapping Anthony on his shoulder. "Same ol' Rampage! Glad to see you haven't lost your sense of humor. Enjoy the fight. We'll see each other soon."

  I watched as Tim walked off, whistling before Anthony drew in a breath and pointed me to my seat, plopping down in his while rubbing a hand over his face. I didn't say anything, allowing him the moment to gather himself. After a moment, he looked up at me. "Sorry. We are a thirsty lot in this business."

  "Hey, I understand," I said with a shrug. "You've never been to a baking competition. They tend to get quite bloodthirsty themselves."

  He chuckled, and I felt some of the tension ease off of him. "Are you really getting back into that thing?" I asked softly.

  "Yeah," he said, his lips flattening into a line. "I have to. Fighting is my life, Hannah. It's all I know and this time away from it has been hell. The gym, it's not enough."

  I tried to relate, thinking that if I couldn't bake or create every day I probably would go crazy as well. Everyone had their own idea of happiness and mine was creating beautiful cakes and other sweet things to bring a smile to my customer's face. But Anthony. He chose to avoid getting his face punched in. It just wasn't the same. Plus, now I was worried why he got out of it, to begin with. Was he risking his life getting back into that cage?

  The seats started to fill, and our attention was shifted toward the cage, the lights dimming and loud music blasting from the speakers. "That's my opponent," he shouted into my ear as the crowd erupted. I watched as a young fighter climbed into the cage, bouncing around and throwing a few punches in the air. "Jose Fernado, number three fighter in the lightweight division. He's on the fast track to becoming champion."

  "And you are going to fight him?" I shouted back as the opponent walked out to the same cheers. I mean Anthony was in great shape, but there was something about the way this guy bounced around the cage that worried me. Could Anthony do that?

  There were some announcements before the fight started, both fighters feeling out each other with a few jabs or kicks. Anthony's hand left mine, and his arm snaked around my waist, pulling me as close as the armrest would allow, his lips brushing my ear and causing me to shiver inwardly. "I am, and I am going to kick his ass. Don't you worry. See his weakness?"

  I looked at the fighters as they danced around the cage, not really touching each other at all. "No, I don't."

  Anthony's breath tickled the fine hairs around my ear as he leaned closer. "It's his legs." He sounded excited, and I tried to follow, not really noticing anything particular about Jose's legs other than they were pretty ripped in my opinion. "He keeps them too far apart," Anthony continued. "Any smart fighter would step in between them and take him down."

  "You might want to keep that in mind when you are fighting him," I answered. Anthony chuckled and squeezed my waist. "You sound worried."

  "I am worried," I found myself saying as the fighters started to land some punches and kicks on each other. My mouth was dry, my heart was hammering in my ears as I watched, my stomach slightly queasy as I tried to picture Anthony in the cage, being taken down to the mat, his face pressed against the other guy's knee or elbow. No, I didn't like this at all when Anthony was involved.

  "Don't be. I can take care of myself."

  I let that comment go as the action in the cage really started to heat up or at least I thought it was by the roar of the crowd. Hell, I had no idea what was going on and not quite sure if I liked it now that I knew Anthony was going back into the cage.

  Just when it looked like the other guy's arm was about to snap under pressure, Jose was able to get the win, the referee holding up his arms in victory as the crowd went craz
y. Thank god it was over. The crowd started to disperse when Anthony looked over at me. "Well, what did you think?"

  I didn't want to offend him or let on that I was super concerned with him doing this. It wasn't my place to be worried, right? "Um, it was different."

  "I'll take it," he said as we started down the stairs and out into the crowded hall. "It takes some getting used to."

  "Rampage!"

  Anthony turned around to find a man jogging toward him, looking more like a college kid than anything else. "Trent."

  Trent reached us and shook Anthony's hand, a grin on his face. "Rampage. I heard some good news the other day. Are you really getting back into the cage?"

  "I am," Anthony grinned as I stood close by. "Less than a month."

  "That's great, man. You were one of the best," Trent answered. "Let me piece together a story for you. Why don't you come to New York next week? Trip's on me."

  Anthony turned toward me. "Trent this is Hannah. Hannah, this is Trent. He runs the only MMA magazine available."

  "Nice to meet you, Hannah," Trent said, shaking my hand. "Have you ever been to New York?"

  I shook my head no. It had always been a dream of mine to go to the Big Apple, but I couldn't afford to be away from the bakery, and all of my funds had sunk into making my business a success. There was rarely enough time to vacation.

  "There Tony. Hannah needs to come to New York, and you are the person to take her," Trent said with a satisfied smile. "Don't turn me down."

  Anthony rubbed a hand over his hair. "I'll think about it."

  Trent said goodbye, and we walked out of the building toward the car before Anthony spun me around by grabbing my arm. "Well?"

  "Well, what?"

  "Do you want to go to New York?" he asked, tucking a stray hair behind my ear.

  Was he serious? New York? With him? This was a serious step in our relationship or whatever we had going on here. "You're joking right?" I asked softly. There was no way he wanted to take me.

  Anthony's expression changed. "Why would you ask that, Hannah? I'm not joking. I want you to come to New York with me."

  I wrapped my arms around his neck, excitement building. "I, yes I will go to New York with you." I just hoped that Lillian could watch the bakery for a day or two. Once I told her why I had no doubt that she would.

  He grinned and brushed his lips over mine. I was going to New York with Anthony. Oh god, I was going on an overnight trip with my hot as hell fighter.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Anthony

  I pulled the car up to Hannah's apartment building, my nerves sitting on go. After the fight tonight, I couldn't wait to get back in the cage and blow Jose up, figuring out some of his weaknesses that would give me the advantage. I knew Jose and knew that he would be studying my old tapes, noting that my knee was going to be my biggest weakness. I would have to protect it the best I could if I wanted to win that match.

  And then the whole conversation with Trent. That was completely unexpected, but with my article, I could promote the gym, give it the national attention it sorely needed. This was the perfect way to do that, and Trent was a standup guy in his writing. He wouldn't screw me over. No, this was not only going to thrust this fight in the limelight, but also the gym and the thought of both were too good to pass down.

  "Well, I guess I will see you tomorrow," Hannah was saying as I threw the car in park and left it running, turning toward her. And Hannah was going with me. That was enough to send me over the edge. I was going to have Hannah to myself, without the bakery or the gym hanging over our heads for at least a night. The temptation was too great. Trent would hook us up, treat us like royalty and I couldn't wait to show Hannah New York.

  I reached out and touched her cheek with my fingers. "Thank you for going with me tonight."

  "You're welcome," she smiled. "It was, um, fun."

  I exploded into laughter. "Yeah right, but thanks for going anyway. I'll make it up to you in New York."

  "I can't believe we are going," she said, excitement evident in her voice.

  "We will leave on Monday," I told her. Monday was just two days away. I had to tell the guys, and she had to take care of the bakery.

  "I better start packing," she teased as my hand cupped the back of her neck.

  "Just bring you," I answered, reaching over to kiss her lips. She sighed, and I deepened my kiss, growling as she delved her fingers into my hair, her lips eagerly seeking out mine. I kissed her with all the pent-up sexual frustration I was suddenly carrying around, knowing that New York was going to be a game changer in our relationship. I had no intentions of getting two rooms, and I suspected Hannah probably already knew that. Hell, I thought she wanted it, given the way she was kissing me right now.

  Reluctantly I pulled away, resting my forehead against hers. "We will finish this in New York."

  "F-finish what?" she breathed, her hands like a death grip on my neck.

  I pulled away to look into her eyes, giving her a grin. "This, whatever it is between us. If you don't want that, tell me now." I wasn't playing games, I wasn't going to pretend that I didn't want her. I wanted to be up front and truthful with her of what I wanted to do on this trip and wasn't going to settle for anything else.

  Hannah swallowed hard. "I want whatever you're offering."

  "Good," I answered.

  She released me and reached for the door handle, looking back at me with a gleam in her eyes. "But first, you have to go to the competition tomorrow."

  The Next Day…

  I walked into the convention center with an excited Hannah on my arm, telling myself I was doing this for a good cause. She had been a good sport at going to the fight last night with me, and I had already promised to go to the competition with her so here I was, feeling like I was losing my manhood with every step.

  I had to admit, the entire place was crawling with people, rows upon rows of baked goods for people to ooh and ahh over. From the most elaborate cakes to the smallest cookie, everything was up for judging. "So what's the point of this thing?" I asked as we walked through a candy archway, my hand in hers.

  "Just like your championships, we have ours," she responded. "Plus these are the perfect places to see new baking ideas and bakeware from all around the world. Besides, who wouldn't want to compete for one hundred thousand?"

  A 100k? Hell, that was more than some fights paid out. "Why aren't you participating?"

  She gave a little laugh. "You're joking right?"

  I spun her around, taking her into my arms in the midst of the crowd. "So, did you not make my birthday cake? Am I dating the wrong baker?"

  "No," she breathed, something lighting in her eyes. "It's just, this is a national competition. What I do, well, it's not even close to some of this."

  "But you could do it," I answered, wondering what made her think she didn't belong with this group of yahoos. She did fucking excellent work.

  "I-I could," she stammered, surprise on her face. "Do you really think I'm good enough for a competition?"

  I pulled her close. "Babe, you would wipe the floor with these ass wipes."

  She laughed and my heart lurched in my chest as she hugged me tight. "Maybe I will compete next year then."

  I hugged her back, wondering who had destroyed her in the past. Was it that asshole that I caught in the bakery that night? Had he torn her down to where she didn't think she was good enough? Suddenly I wanted to punch his fucking face in. He didn't deserve her. Hell, I didn't either, but for some reason, I was the lucky bastard who had her right now. My arms tightened around her. I wasn't going to let her go, not without a fight. She was the best damn thing that had happened to me in a long time.

  She pulled back, her cheeks flushed as she grabbed my hand. "Come on, let's go test some frosting."

  "Test frosting?" I asked as I allowed her to pull me along. I wasn't a big sweets eater, though I did enjoy a good chocolate chip cookie every now and again. Hannah pulled me over to a booth
where a woman was dipping a gold colored frosting in small cups, handing one to Hannah with a smile. "It's peach," she said as Hannah dipped her finger in and held it up to my mouth. I grinned. So she wanted me to taste the frosting that way? Taking her finger, I swirled my tongue around it, taking my sweet time sucking it off of her finger and watching as her cheeks pinken once more. There were other areas I would like to have frosting on her.

  She pulled her finger out of my mouth and cleared her throat. "H-how was it?"

  "Perfect," I said, my eyes on her. The sweet taste of the frosting barely registered to me as I watched her breath catch. We were going to have the best fucking time in New York. I just had to hold out that long.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Hannah

  "Are you sure you are going to be okay here by yourself? I can cancel this trip you know."

  Lillian looked at me like I had lost my damn mind. "You're crazy. That's the only nice word I can think of right now."

  I sighed and propped my elbows up on the counter. "I'm sorry. I just, am I making the right decision?" Anthony was everything and more that I could have hoped to find in a great guy, even if he had his baggage. Heck, I had my own baggage. But this was a huge step in this budding relationship and what if after he slept with me, he was done? It would be heartbreak all over again. I didn't think he was that type of guy, but that nagging feeling was still in the back of my mind.

  Lillian walked over to the display case, a softening expression on her face. "Listen. I know you are scared about this trip, but Anthony, he seems like a decent guy. I think it's time for you to let loose and enjoy yourself, Hannah. You've worked hard, and every girl needs a little fun."

  She was right, of course, but I didn't want to tell her that. It was way past time that I focused on myself and not the bakery, which was doing just fine by the way. After James, I had thrown myself into my work, never wanting to go through that heartbreak ever again, yet here I was, about to put myself out there with Anthony. My body heated just thinking about him, my nerves tingling with anticipation. I couldn't believe that he wanted me to go on this trip with him, to begin with, and I had packed enough clothes to last a month, not knowing exactly what I would be expected to do or where we would go on this overnight trip. My sexiest underthings were also packed, after I had knocked the dust off of them. Now I had to just wait and see.