by Tia Lewis
"Great," I muttered, looking up at the cage as Larry tended to Anthony's cut. "Only eighty more minutes to go." What thrill did they see in doing this?
"He's fine, look," Lillian said. I watched as Anthony stood on his own two feet, shaking off whatever pain he was experiencing. Truthfully, other than the cut on his face he looked no worse for wear, but I could only imagine what type of pain was coursing through his body. The other fighter had attempted to attack his bad knee, getting in one good kick before the bell had sounded and now I was worried that he had done some damage to it.
The bell sounded, and I got to my feet, praying that this would be over soon. Anthony dodged what looked like a finishing blow and swept the guy off of his feet, getting him on the ground with his hand trapped against his chest. I bit my lip as I saw the strain on Anthony's face to hold him in that hold, the tension that he was putting on the other guy's arm had to be hurting them both, his legs wrapped around the other guy's body. "He's gonna tap," I heard Lillian say as the other fighter started to squirm against the pressure, clearly looking for a way out. Then it happened. He tapped out.
The referee rushed in to break up the hold as I threw myself at Lillian, screaming along with the rest of the crowd. Anthony had done it. He had beat the odds and won the match against someone that no one expected him to beat. "He did it!" Lillian yelled, hugging me back hard as we danced at our seats. "Oh god, that was exciting. I can't wait to see the next one!"
I hoped there wasn't another one. Anthony got to his feet, and I watched as both Benji and Larry attacked him, hoisting him up in the air as the crowd went crazy. My heart was overflowing with love and happiness for him, so glad that he had proven himself to, well, himself. Everyone else had already believed in him.
"And your winner is, Rampage Anthony Jones!" the announcer said, holding up Anthony's arm before the two fighters embraced. I waited with bated breath as the cage door opened and Anthony climbed out, his face looking as if it had been through a meat grinder but to me, he was alive and well and perhaps was the sexiest man on the planet at the moment. His eyes found me, and I gave him a thumb's up, hoping that he could see how proud I was of him all over my face. Benji hurried over and helped me over the railing, following behind the crew that was with Anthony as we made our way back to the locker room, the crowd's cheers following behind us.
"He did it," Benji was saying, his arm wrapped around mine as we entered the locker room. "The fucker did it."
I laughed as we turned the corner, stopping as Larry held up his hand. "He needs a moment."
Anthony was nowhere in sight, but I totally understood. It was a lot of relief he had just experienced, not to mention the harshness of the match itself. "Is he okay?" I asked, more concerned about his wellbeing at the moment."
Larry nodded. "He's fine. Hell, he's had a lot worse fights than that. Might not be able to climb out of the bed tomorrow, but he'll be okay."
Anthony rounded the corner, pressing a towel up against his cheek and I felt my heart lurch at the sight of his handsome face, his eyes red and not from the fight itself. He looked over at us, giving us a half smile though his lip was nearly split in two. "Well, how bad was it?"
"Dude you killed it," Benji answered, walking over to embrace his friend. "I'm so fucking proud of you. You proved everyone wrong, including me. Before you know it, you will be at the top of the game again."
"Yeah, well," Anthony started, swallowing hard. "I'm done."
"Done?" Larry echoed, surprise filling his face. "Why the hell did you go through with the match tonight just to quit all over again?"
"To prove that I could do it," he answered, looking over at me. "And now it's done. Besides, I have other things in mind to occupy my time."
Benji chuckled and slapped him on the back before winking at me. "Well, I can't say I don't blame you. I'm gonna get over to the gym and start the party up. You're coming right?"
"We'll be there," I said, my eyes on Anthony.
"Hell," Larry muttered, throwing the towel he was holding on the bench. "I need a drink."
The two men walked out, and I waited until the door closed before I walked over to Anthony, taking in his injuries. "How do you really feel?"
"Like I've been run over," he admitted, dabbing at the cut. "My face feels like it has been drug over the asphalt and my knee is fucking killing me. You will be able to draw a map with my bruises in the morning."
"Sounds like fun," I teased, scared to touch him. I'd never seen him after a fight, still jacked up on the high of winning but looked like death warmed over. "What can I do?"
He gave me a grin. "You can kiss me for starters."
I wrinkled my nose, looking at his busted lip. "How about a kiss on your good cheek?"
"I'll take it," he said softly. I leaned over and kissed him gently on his cheek, tasting the saltiness of his skin on my lips. "Congrats. You were pretty awesome in there. I am so proud of you."
"I fucking love you so damn much," he answered, his hand reaching up to entangle in my hair. "Do you know that?"
My heart stuttered in my chest as I looked into his stormy gray eyes, feeling the emotion radiating off of him. "Yeah, I do."
After a well-deserved shower and change, Anthony and I drove over to the party at the gym, walking in hand in hand to the cheer of all of his friends gathered in the space upstairs. I clutched at his hand as he was congratulated over and over, scared that if I let him go, I would wake up from this dream.
"To the champ!" Benji said, lifting his beer in the air. "We are so proud of you, Tony. I'm glad to see that all of my hard work didn't go to waste."
Anthony grinned and lifted his water bottle. "No, it didn't. Thanks for all your help."
The group cheered as they took their drinks before Anthony pulled me out of the room and down the hall. "Where are we going?" I asked as he opened a door and tugged me into the room, shutting it soundly behind him.
"I want some time alone with you," he answered, his wolfish grin causing parts of me to melt into the floor.
"B-but this is your party," I stammered, pressing up against a desk as he advanced on me. "They will know we are gone."
"I don't care," he said, reaching me, his arms on either side of me, locking me between the desk and his hard body. "It's not every day I fall in love with a woman and win a match. Let me bask in this glory just a little longer."
"Anthony," I said softly, my expression softening.
He gave me a soft smile, leaning down to press a kiss against my forehead. "As much as I hate this, I won't be able to kiss properly for days." He then put one of his hands on my breast, squeezing it gently through my clothes. "But there's nothing wrong with my hands."
"N-no," I answered, my breath leaving my body. "There isn't."
"As long as we are on the same page," he said, his hand snaking under my shirt and finding my bra covered breasts. I hissed as he squeezed my nipple gently, a warm sensation flowing through me at his touch. "I want you," he breathed into my ear, his breath tickling the loose hair there. "Can I have you, Hannah?"
"Yes," I breathed as his hand wandered down my stomach and undid my jeans, sliding the zipper down. "Take me, Anthony."
His hands gripped my waist, and he lowered me to the floor, his body covering mine. "It's hard not to kiss you, Hannah," he said, his hands working on getting my jeans off of my hips. "I want to kiss you all over your fucking body."
All I could get out was a grunt as his fingers brushed over my panties, arching into his touch. I needed him to touch me. I needed him to love me.
He growled, and I felt his finger hook my panties and push them aside, touching me. "You're so fucking wet," he said, his finger flicking over the swollen nub. I cried out, not caring if anyone heard me. One touch and I nearly came undone. He applied pressure, and I lost it, sobbing as the orgasm crashed over me. I was vaguely aware of Anthony working at his own jeans, shoving them down. "Gorgeous," he said. I looked up to see him staring at me, his cock in hi
s hand as he stroked it. Normally, I would have blushed at the scene, but the heat, the need was too much. "I need you," I said.
"I need you, too," he answered, reaching for his jeans and extracting a condom. "And I am going to have you."
He slid it on and then slid into me, filling me to the core. "Yes," I hissed, grabbing at his shoulders and hoping that I wasn't hurting him.
He grunted and started a slow rhythm with his hips, the pressure building inside as I writhed underneath him, wanting more. "Tell me," he said, his voice breathless as he rose over me, driving into me. "Tell me."
I knew what he wanted. "I love you," I said, panting as the orgasm overtook me. "I love you."
He growled and increased the speed, causing me to fall apart before he stiffened, a hoarse shout following.
I lay there, the scratchy carpet at my back, my fingers still clutching his shoulders as I tried to figure out what had just happened. Of all things that he should have been doing tonight, this probably wasn't one of them.
"Fuck," he said, extricating himself from me and standing on his legs, wobbling some as he tried to remove the used condom. "I'm not going to be able to walk for a week."
I pulled up my jeans, feeling strangely sated as I sat up, combing my fingers through my hair as Anthony pulled on his pants before looking at me. "But I can still fuck you for a week, maybe longer."
I laughed. "I sure hope so."
He reached down with his hand and helped me up, pulling me tight against him. I rested my head on his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heart under my cheek. "Are you really done?"
He sighed. "The guys were right. I don't need to fight anymore. Some of that has to do with meeting you. My future is going in a direction I never thought I would see it go."
I leaned back, searching his eyes. "Is it a way you want it to go?" The last thing I wanted to do was hold him back.
His hand found my hair and he smiled tenderly. "Yeah, this is the only way I want to go."
Epilogue
Anthony
A Few Weeks Later…
I watched the younger fighter dance around the cage, wondering if he was going to remember anything I had taught him yesterday. He was a cocky bastard, reminding me so much of how I was when I first started and I wondered if this was some kind of fate having its last laugh.
"What do you think?" Benji asked as he came to stand next to me. "Think you can whip him into shape?"
I watched as he sparred with another young fighter. "Yeah, I think he has potential. Has a mouth on him, but that can be easily fixed."
"Good," Benji said, crossing his arms over his chest. "How's Hannah?"
I grinned then. "She's fine." She had been this morning, when I had left her with a catlike smile on her face laying in my bed, complaining about how she never wanted to move again. The last few weeks with Hannah had been fucking unbelievable, and I couldn't believe that I had nearly given it all up because I was dumbass. I loved that woman to distraction, my damn chest tightening every morning when I woke up and saw her lying next to me. I was one lucky bastard.
"I heard she moved in."
"Damn chatty men around here," I said, though the grin was still on my face. "Yeah. She moved in, and I don't anticipate her ever moving out."
Benji chuckled, slapping me on the back. "So no regrets?"
I shook my head. I had no regrets, not with Hannah, not with giving up the cage. After my win, I had numerous calls from promoters, wanting to put me in more fights, but I had turned them all down. I was done with my fighting days, content with loving Hannah and mentoring young guys like the fighters in the ring. "You got this? I need to get Hannah."
"Yeah, go on," Benji said, turning his attention to the cage. "Have a good night."
I gave him a wave and walked out of the gym, turning my steps next door to the bakery. Pushing open the door, I walked into the familiar smells of cookies and icing, the smells I had gotten accustomed to since it came home every night on Hannah. Lillian gave me a look as I walked behind the display case, pointing to the office. "She's on the phone ordering some more damn pink fondant. I told her we could do white, but no, she wants pink. What did you do to her?"
"Nothing," I answered with a wink, walking to the office where she was just hanging up. For a moment I just admired her, wondering what I had done in my life to be so lucky to have someone like her. She looked up and gave me a tired smile. Hey."
"Hey, beautiful," I said, my hands in my pockets. "You ready to go?"
She nodded and grabbed her purse, clasping her hand in mine as we walked past Lillian. "The fondant will be here in the morning, Lil."
"I told you just to use white," Lillian fired back with a wave. "Good night, enjoy yourselves. See you in the morning."
We walked out into the cold air before I spun her around into my arms, brushing my lips over hers.
"Anthony!" she squealed, her hands clutching at my shoulders. "Someone is in a good mood tonight."
"I'm always in a good mood," I said. She gave me a look as she wrapped her arms around my neck. "I'm with you, aren't I?"
She leaned in and kissed me on the lips. "Your sweet words will only get you so far Rampage. I'm learning all of your tricks, one by one."
"I still have some up my sleeve," I said against her lips. "Marry me, Hannah."
She drew back, her eyes wide with surprise. "W-what?"
I swallowed hard, knowing that we hadn't been together all that long, but I was making the right moves. I couldn't live without her. I didn't want to live without her. "Marry me, make this official."
Her mouth worked but no words came out, and I started to be concerned. Maybe I was pushing her too much. I should have waited, but the thought had been floating around in my brain for a while now. She was the one, there was no doubt about it. "I don't know what to say," she finally said, tears glittering in her eyes. "Are you sure?"
"I wouldn't have asked you if I wasn't sure," I told her, my heart constricting in my chest. "Marry me, Hannah. Become Mrs. Rampage."
She laughed and threw herself at me, her arms wrapped tightly around my neck. "Yes, yes I will marry you."
The pressure in my chest eased as I pressed a kiss on her head, exhaling. Thank god. For a moment there I thought she was going to say no. "I don't have a ring yet."
She pulled back again, her eyes wet with tears. "I don't care. I can't believe this is happening."
I leaned down and kissed her tenderly, my heart about to bust out of my chest. "We'll go pick one out tomorrow." I hadn't planned to do it tonight, but the timing was right.
"Okay," she answered. "Wow. Mrs. Rampage. It does have a nice ring to it."
I laughed because she did that to me a lot. "See? That's one of the many reasons I want to marry you and take you out of the dating pool."
She leaned into me, giggling. "You sure know how to sweet-talk a woman, Anthony."
I grinned as I wrapped my arms around her, holding her tenderly against me. Of all the things I thought I would be doing, proposing to a woman who for some unknown reason had decided to love me was not one of them. My life had changed, my priorities had changed, all for the best. Hannah was the best part of me now, not my fighting, not my bum knee or even the gym anymore. Hannah had saved me from a dark place, and I would spend the rest of my life thanking her for doing just that.
"So," Hannah was saying as she released me and put her hand on her hip. "Does this mean I have to make my own wedding cake?"
I laughed and grabbed her hand, dragging her to the car. "No, we will get Lillian and the guys to make it."
Sneak Peak: Revived: Warrior Zone Fighters Book 2
Travis
I walked through the quiet gym, marveling at how loud this thing could be during the day but dead silent at night. The smell of rubber and sweat still hung heavily in the air, and I wondered if I needed to get the entire place cleaned again. The Zone was my life, the only life I had left now that I had turned my back on fighting. When I
had found out about some of the guys starting up a gym, I had plunked down my part in cash, wanting in. It was a chance to still be connected to the sport without actually fighting, as well as a place for me to start over. I needed a chance to start over.
"Trav. What are you still doing here?"
I looked over to see Benji walking toward me, already dressed in his street clothes. "We have an engagement party to make tonight."
I thought about Tony and Hannah, the baker from next door and how they had just gotten engaged a week prior. I was happy for Tony. He had really found something in Hannah, and all of us would be happy as hell to have a woman like her, present company excluded. I never wanted to go down that path again. "I'm not going."
"What?" Benji asked. "But you gotta. It's Tony and Hannah. Everyone is meeting up at Jim's."
I shook my head. I wasn't the partying type anymore. "Go on. Maybe I'll stop in later."
Benji looked at me then shrugged, clearly not too fucking worried about getting me to the party. "See you later then."
"See you," I said, rubbing a hand over my face. I was tired, though these days I rarely slept anyway. The nightmares were enough for me to only catch a few hours of sleep before I was due at the gym, where I was mainly in charge of the books. It was a safe profession.
I looked up at the cage, the familiar feelings of anticipation and adrenaline coming back in my mind. There was a time in my life that I fucking loved climbing in that cage, beating the shit out of the other guy and getting my hand raised high in the air. I had grown up fighting, taking in every move I could find to make myself nearly invincible. But that was all in the past, another time, another Travis. Now I struggled to get into the cage without throwing up.
With a sigh, I walked past the cage and shut off the rest of the lights, locking the door behind me as I stepped into the biting cold of the wind. The weather was turning freezing ass cold, the winter fast approaching. It would mean more time at the gym for those who were trying to get into the cuts for the first of the year, and while we weren't hurting for business at all, I didn't know how many new clients we could take on. All of us had our hands full as it was and Benji would have to drop off the first of the year to start training for the title. That meant his clients would be split between the rest of us and I doubted Tony would be doing much of anything that didn't involve Hannah. I would have to suck it up and step into the cage soon, or the guys would start wondering what the hell was wrong with me. I wasn't ready to tell anyone where I had been over the last two years or why. That was my fucking business, not anyone else's.
