by Piper Rayne
My body buzzes with anticipation, and I push away all my worries and fears so I can enjoy a night I’ll never forget. Not this time.
Chapter Twenty
“I gotta ask you a question and I want you to be upfront with me.”
Logan
I really hope I didn’t fall in the shower, hit my head, and this is all a dream. Crawling up the bed, careful not to put all my weight on Nikki, this feels like a dream come true. Especially since I’ve had to relive the memory of having her pressed to the glass in the hotel suite.
She winds her arms around my neck, her fingers fiddling with my wet hair, bringing me down so our lips meet. Her body is so soft and silky, it’s a struggle not to just slip inside her.
“Let me get a condom,” I murmur, breaking off the kiss, not wanting to get off her.
I reach into the nightstand where I put them since I’ve hoped she’d come into my bedroom at some point.
“Just so you know, I bought this box for us.” I grab the foil packet and rip it open.
She smiles and gets up on her knees and helps me roll it down my length. Talk about a sex goddess. Now she’s staring at me with those hooded eyes.
Our bodies collide and I run my hands down her spine to her ass, grabbing a handful in each hand. She yelps and her lips find mine, her tongue sliding into my mouth. I love the fact she can be domineering and bashful at the same time. When I stripped her down naked, a pink flush rushed through her body.
Easing her down on her back, I push up one thigh so her leg is bent, making room for my hips between her legs. She never takes her eyes off me as I push into her, inch by inch, and I’m rewarded with her nails digging into my shoulder blades.
“Are you okay?” I ask before I push in the final couple inches.
“Never better. Keep going.”
Once I’m fully encased inside her, I wait a second before I move so that I don’t embarrass myself and come in two seconds flat. I think about the tape I watched of Brett Rinaldo the other day, his footwork and his grappling skills. But Nikki’s soft pleas pull my attention back to her. I need to find the strength of my willpower right now.
I ease out of her and slide back in, circling my hips, and based on the fact that her eyes fall back in her head, she enjoys it. My gaze stays fixed on her, watching her reactions and her enjoyment as I thrust in and out, doing more of what I can see she loves.
She’s so beautiful underneath me. Her pink lips and rosy cheeks. Her eyes are what really drive me insane. She has no idea the amount of truth that projects from them, just like mine. Or maybe she masks it with some people. Right now, she’s scared but taking a chance on me and there’s no way I’m going to fuck this up.
“Please, Logan, don’t stop,” she says, panting for a breath.
I lower myself to my elbows on either side of her head. I kiss her, and soon we find a rhythm as though this isn’t our first time. It isn’t, but we were both too drunk to fully remember the events of that night. She praises my skills and I tell her how beautiful she is. Her hands run up and down my back then cling to my shoulders when I take small breaks to suck on her nipples.
By the time my orgasm hits, I shift her one leg up on my shoulder, driving deeper inside, and she combusts, her walls clenching around my dick. That’s endgame for me. I pump into her two more times before I still inside her, seeing total blackness for a moment as I spill inside the condom.
My eyes adjust and I lower my body, sliding out of her, and fall to my back, catching my breath for a moment. She shifts beside me and I worry that she’s going to get up and leave. Maybe this was all about sexual tension for her, and now that she’s had her release, she’s done. But I’m pleasantly surprised when she kisses me and says she’ll be right back. She walks into the bathroom, and I hear the toilet flush and the sink faucet turn on. I’m hyperaware of her movements when I should be enjoying that she’s giving me a shot.
Walking out of the master bathroom, she slides under the sheets. I excuse myself to get rid of the condom. On the way back, I grab the remote by the television.
“Are you hungry?” I ask.
She shakes her head, so I slide into the bed with her. She cuddles up to me, her wet hair on my shoulder, her soft body pressed to mine. Damn, this feels good.
“How about a movie then?”
She kisses my pec. “Perfect.”
I turn on some romantic comedy I assume she’ll enjoy and run my hand down her back, loving the feel of her soft tits pressed against my rib cage. A man could get used to this.
The next morning, my alarm goes off and I slam my hand on my phone to get it to stop. Nikki stirs in my arms, and I kiss her temple.
“Go back to sleep,” I whisper and slide out of bed.
I don’t have a lot of expectations for today’s workout. My body is sore from the workout Nikki gave me last night. The movie only lasted fifteen minutes before she was kissing my chest and one thing turned into another. We ended up back in the shower, then went down for a snack at two in the morning. I’m not sure how much sex we had the night of our wedding, but last night, I’m fairly sure we exceeded that.
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried about where her head will be with the sunrise, but I’m hoping it remains where it was last night and she’s finally crossed over that bridge of doubt.
After pulling on my track pants, a T-shirt, and a sweatshirt, I brush my teeth and grab my gym shoes, then quietly walk out of the bedroom. I should be home before she even wakes up.
Craig is already stretching outside when I open the front door.
“You’re late,” he says.
“Like, two minutes.” I sit on the porch stairs and put on my shoes.
“You’re never late.” He gives me a look that makes me think he somehow knows Nikki’s in my bed. Which makes no sense because he’s the one who doubted our marriage was real. “Wife keeping you up?”
I shake my head, finish tying my gym shoes, and jog in place. “This isn’t yoga, let’s go.”
“You’re going to be the one with a Charlie horse.” He laughs, and we start on the trail he’s mapped out for us. “So…” He elbows me.
I glance over. “What?”
“I don’t want details, but last night I woke up in the middle of the night and your kitchen light was on. I saw two shadows.”
“You fucking Peeping Tom,” I say, and he laughs.
“I wasn’t peeking in. I just happened to see. When I saw someone crouch down and then the other’s head tilt back, I had the decency to go back to bed.”
“How considerate of you,” I say dryly.
There’s no way I can hide the smile that breaks free from just the memory of having Nikki to myself last night.
Craig pushes me in the shoulder, and I lose my footing for a moment. “You son of a bitch. You took my advice, and it worked.”
“Technically no. I tried the whole let it go thing, but after the retirement center, we ended up in a fight.” Maybe I should’ve given her more space, but I feel like I did the right thing.
“I love that. When you’re all heated and angry and you just go after one another.” Craig jogs to the right up a trail we haven’t been on before.
“It didn’t happen quite like that. Where the hell are we going?”
“I took this trail the other day and it adds another mile, which you need now that we’re getting closer to the fight.” He pats my stomach and sprints ahead of me.
“I want to take her on a date,” I say. “But I have no idea what we could even do around here.”
“I’m sure she’s done everything this place has to offer.”
I nod. “Exactly. And I don’t want it to be cliché.”
“You need to fly her out of here then. Go somewhere just the two of you. Without Vince finding out. He keeps calling and asking what the situation is up here.”
I shake my head. “If he’s so concerned, then why doesn’t he just come up here and see for himself what’s going on?�
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He slows to a steady jog when we hit downtown. “I gotta ask you a question and I want you to be upfront with me.” The good humor from earlier is gone.
I slow my pace, wondering what’s concerning Craig. “What’s up?”
He glances over then away before looking me in the eye. “I know we touched on this before but do you think Rinaldo is your last fight? Are you retiring?”
I stop and throw my head back to catch my breath. Walking, I debate my answer, but I owe Craig the truth. “I’m not sure. I’m getting older, man. Every injury is harder to recover from. I’m sick of the strict diet and training regimen. I want to live a normal life, but at the same time, what the fuck will I do if I retire?”
“I’m pretty sure you don’t even have to work.”
Craig’s right. If I lived a normal life, I’d be good to go with the money I have in the bank, but that’s not what I meant.
“Fighting is everything to me. I’ve always been a fighter. I can’t imagine it not being a part of my life.”
“Then why are you considering retirement?”
Truth is, besides everything else, I also want a wife and a family. I want to settle down. I’m just not sure now is the right time. “Because I can’t do it forever and there are other things I want out of life too. Maybe it’s time to start down a different path. Maybe that’s what this situation with Nikki is all about. Besides, like I said before—no one wants to go out while they’re not on top.”
“You’re still on top.” Craig begins our run again as we head back toward the house.
“Right now.”
“And Nikki? What does she think of this?”
I glance at him from the side of my eye. “I’ve never talked to her about it.”
He nods. “Don’t you think you should?”
Craig’s right. Nikki has a say in this too.
“No matter what, I wouldn’t leave you high and dry,” I say. “I’d give you notice, and I’d definitely find you someone to work with.”
Craig waves me off. “I’m a big boy. There’re lots of guys to work with. But you asked about Vince, and I’m hearing rumors about him trying to score a new fighter. He’s spreading buzz, Log. Buzz that you’re out after this fight.”
Once again, my feet fall to a stop along the pavement. I always knew I was replaceable, but I figured Vince would wait to replace me until I said I was done.
“You know what they say about you never having won while dating someone.”
I nod.
“Vince thinks you might give it all up for her.”
I say nothing. We walk back toward the house and stop to stretch. Whether I like it or not, going into the fight with Nikki on my arm could be setting me up to retire a loser. Decisions have to be made before I step into that ring.
Chapter Twenty-One
“Make a wish, Nik.”
Nikki
“I didn’t think I’d need my hiking boots for a date.” Nor did I think I would be out of breath hiking up a trail. This is not my type of date, but I won’t ruin it. Logan was so excited when he messaged from the gym earlier, telling me what to wear.
“Just a little farther and you can take them off,” he says. “I do like the view though.”
I look over my shoulder to see his attention on my ass. “I think it’s a little early for my ass to be in your face so long.”
Waking up in Logan’s bed this morning felt good. Smelling him on the pillowcase, remembering his body pressed to mine. His hands exploring my body the night before. I could kick myself for not taking this step sooner.
“Hate to break it to you, but I’ve been staring at your ass since we met.”
I wiggle my ass and he comes up behind me, pressing both hands to my ass cheeks. “If you keep doing that, we’ll never make it to wherever you’re leading me.”
“We could make a quick pit stop,” he says.
I look at the leaves and twigs. Just because I live in Alaska doesn’t mean I’m at one with nature. I’m thinking Logan missed the mark on that one. Especially since it’s nearing dusk, which means soon the sun will go down. I have no idea how we’ll get out of here alive. But I’m trying to be optimistic and not show my crazy controlling side so early in this… whatever this is between us.
We break through the tree line and into a clearing. There’s a lake surrounded by mountains, and I stare at the sky that’s just starting to get the softest hues of pink and orange mixed in with the blue. It’s breathtaking.
“Congratulations, you made it,” Logan says and drops the bag he’s carrying.
I drop the backpack he gave me and sit down, staring up. “You do know the sun is going to go down and the animals will come out?”
He opens his large backpack and pulls out a small tent. “Good thing your brother is great at directions.”
“Adam?” I ask, assuming it had to be him.
He smiles and nods. “Gave me the map and told me where to go. He said we’re most likely safe here.”
“Most likely isn’t very reassuring.”
He chuckles and unfolds the tent. “Let’s see if we can follow directions together.” He holds up the stakes.
Yeah, this is not my forte. “I hate to break this to you after we’ve made it this far, but I’m guessing Adam didn’t tell you I’m not really an adventurist. I don’t usually partake in the outdoor adventures most Alaskans enjoy.”
He laughs and hands me the tent poles. “Straighten these out. We need shelter just in case.”
My gut twists at the thought of sleeping out here all by ourselves. I mean, one bear, and we’re both done. “Do you have a gun?”
He looks up at me from under his dark eyelashes and nods.
“Do you know how to use a gun?”
“No. But Adam gave me a quick lesson.”
I stare blankly in disbelief. One of us will end up being shot before any bear most likely.
“I’m kidding.” He takes a pole from my hand. “I know how to use one, but I am borrowing one from your brother.”
“Give me more specifics. When did you use a gun last?” I hand him another pole and he slides it through the canvas slot.
“Trust me. You’re safe. I’m your husband.” He winks, and my stomach flips. It still feels surreal that I’ll be able to sleep with this man tonight because he is indeed my husband.
“Speaking of…” I broach the subject that needs to be addressed.
“Let’s wait to have that conversation until everything is set up, okay?”
I nod and we continue to put the tent up. Our first successful mission as a team. The fact it’s standing is a great sign we can work together. We’re losing more and more sunlight and the darker it becomes outside, the more scared I become.
Next, he digs a spot for a fire and starts one as if he’s not an MMA fighter but a survivalist.
“Where did you learn all this?” I ask.
He stops teepeeing the twigs he picked up around the perimeter and looks at me. “I’m not a city boy.”
“But you’re not an Alaskan boy either. Didn’t you say you grew up in Indiana?” I ask, bringing my legs to my chest.
“If you must know, I was a Boy Scout. Only for a short period, but—” He stops speaking.
“You’re holding back on me,” I say.
He shrugs. “It’s embarrassing.”
My stomach goes berserk with the shy smile that forms on his face over the flames. “Now you have to tell me.”
He sits back on his ankles, adjusting the fire so it won’t go out. “Then let’s play a game. I tell you something, you tell me something.”
“I don’t really believe in secrets.” I shrug. “So I’m game, but you’re going first.”
He sighs and nods. “I was in the middle of earning my forestry badge when my dad left us.”
“Daddy issues too, huh?”
He shakes his head. “Not really. My mom filled in as best she could. But some of the boys started picking on me, so I
quit. My mom still made me earn every badge myself, with her help. She said my dad wasn’t going to ruin something I enjoyed so much, that we didn’t need him anyway.”
I smile, thinking of Pauline. She’s such an awesome mom. I haven’t seen her much since the soccer game, but she’s still in town.
“I’ve barely been able to see her,” I say.
He laughs. “She’s having the time of her life in Sunrise Bay. She’s never met a stranger. Anyway, that’s how I know how to do this stuff. It’s embarrassing.”
“I think it’s sweet. Why would you be embarrassed?”
He comes over and sits next to me, poking the fire with a long stick. “Because my mom forced me to earn the badges. I didn’t even earn them all until I was eighteen. You can imagine how hard I hid that from any of my friends. I never would’ve heard the end of it.”
I lay my head on his shoulder. “I think it’s respectable and sexy.”
He cocks an eyebrow, and I can’t help the laugh that sneaks out. “Sexy?”
“Well, maybe not sexy. But I think it says a lot about you.”
His lips fall to the top of my head and I close my eyes briefly at the contact. “Your turn. Tell me something embarrassing.”
I rack my brain to think of something to tell him. “I don’t have a lot of embarrassing stories. At least, not ones you don’t already know.”
His eyebrows shoot up. “Really?”
“Honest.” I hold up my hand. “The only one I can really think of is that I was on this date once and during the date, we were talking about vacations and I opened my phone to show him a picture from a whale-watching tour I’d done. As I showed it to him, Molly messaged me that he’d approached her two weeks before. She screenshot a picture of him and wrote douche over the top and drew a penis coming out of his mouth.”
Logan laughs. “Tell me you didn’t look me up?”
I look away from the fire and shake my head. “Just the other night, but I only searched your name and the word marriage.”
