The Heartbreaker (Fighting the Odds Book 1)

by Tricia Andersen

  They sat down along the wall and dug items out of the bags. Shin guards were pulled past their feet and strapped to their legs. Long strips of woven material were wrapped around their hands and wrists. Then they donned fingerless gloves. Headgear was tugged on over their ears and mouth guards popped into their mouths. Each man stood then strode to the center of the room.

  “Reese,” Lily called out in confusion.

  He glanced at her right before he slapped then fist bumped Buddy’s outstretched hand. The two men circled each other with their hands fisted and raised in front of their face.

  Lily gasped as Buddy threw at punch at Reese.

  Reese dipped his shoulder just enough for it to miss him, then countered with a jab of his own that connected with Buddy’s chin. He followed it with a cross to Buddy’s ribs.

  Buddy stumbled back a few steps but it didn’t stop Reese. He charged forward, throwing a few more punches before throwing a kick into his friend’s side. Retreating a few steps, Buddy threw a few shots of his own. Reese dropped beneath them, landing on one knee. Presiding his head against Buddy’s hip, he wrapped his arms around his legs and twisted dropping Buddy on the ground.

  Reese wasted no time gaining superior position, quickly sitting on Buddy’s stomach. He threw three solid punches at his friend’s face. In defense, Buddy rolled to his stomach and covered his head with his arms. Reese leaned forward to snake his arm against Buddy’s throat. Grasping the inside of his own elbow, he wrapped his other arm behind Buddy’s head and squeezed. Despite his struggle to get out of the choke, Buddy quickly tapped his hand against the mat.

  Reese slid off his friend’s back to sit on the mat. “Your jiu jitsu is rusty.”

  Buddy rubbed his neck. “In my defense, I haven’t rolled for seven years. I didn’t need to. My partner took off for Vegas.”

  Reese chuckled then looked over at Lily.

  She must have gaping at him like a fish flopping on the side of the lake. She had never seen anyone fight like that before. Actually, she had never seen anyone throw a punch before. And now everything was clear to her. He hadn’t been cleared for more rehab. He’s been cleared to compete. He’s going back to Las Vegas.

  “Lily?” Reese questioned concerned.

  She shook her head then smiled. “Sorry. Just trying to take it all in.”

  “Now you’ve seen what I do for a living. Ready to break up with me now?”

  “Of course not. It’s shocking. But it’s nothing to leave you for. How did you even get started in this?”

  “I had to fight to stay alive, Lily. That’s what happened when I lived with a father whose favorite pastime was beating me. Buddy’s cousin, Austin, toughened me up. He taught me how to take a punch. Then he taught me to throw one if I ever needed to. I think he did it to protect me from my dad. I really looked up to Austin. I mean I still do. He was the coolest guy I knew. I wanted to be him. When Buddy and I got old enough to drive, we drove to Cedar Rapids a couple times a week to take classes at a MMA gym there.”

  “Oh,” was all Lily could squeak out.

  “You don’t have to stay here and watch. I’ll catch up to you later. I’m sure this is not your thing.”

  Lily stared at him for several long moments before she spoke, “You spent hours in the library watching me. I’m sure that wasn’t your thing but it meant a lot to me. I’d like to stay and watch more, if you don’t mind.”

  Reese grinned. “I wouldn’t mind at all. I’d love it.”

  Lily giggled as he and Buddy squared off again. The next hour flew by as the two men fought each other. Lily watched them intently, scurrying out of their way if they got too close. When they took a brief break, she filled their water bottles.

  Reese accepted his while smothering her in a sweaty hug.

  Coach Gibbons poked his head in a couple of times to watch them battle, a strange grin of pride on his face. He met Lily’s questioning gaze with a chuckle. “I’m proud of these two. I wasn’t sure how they were going to turn out. They were constantly getting into trouble. They may not be making millions. Hell, some people consider what they do questionable. But they are following their dreams. They aren’t miserable tilling acres of soybeans or punching a clock at a plant. They’re happy and that’s what matters.”

  Lily smiled at Coach Gibbons as he winked at her, waved and slipped out the door.

  Not long after Reese and Buddy slumped on the floor on either side of her. Peeling their pads, gloves and wraps off, they stuffed the items into their bags. Each of them tossed a sweaty hand wrap on Lily to tease her, laughing as she squirmed away from the damp fabric.

  Reese zipped his bag closed and took Lily’s hand.

  Together, they followed Buddy through the dark hallways to the front door of the school then walked with him back to their house.

  Chapter Twelve

  Without a word, Buddy darted for the bathroom and shut the door behind him as soon as they stepped into the house. The sound of spraying water wafted from beneath the crack under the door.

  Reese shrugged. “Guess I’m showering second.”

  Lily giggled. “Guess so.” She softly kissed Reese, the feel of his lips on hers making her tremble. She braced herself against his chest. She didn’t want to sink into him, to open her mouth and invite his tongue in to play. He just lost his father. The grief was tearing him apart. The last thing he needed was his girlfriend throwing herself at him.

  She weaved her fingers in his hair as he pried her lips apart with his, deepening the kiss. Wrapping his arms right around her, he molded her against the damp contours of his body. Lily moaned. It was hard to believe that only a few weeks ago she was a virgin. Now, all she could think about was having sex with this man. She’d never been so possessed by something in her life.

  The bathroom door opened. “Going to work,” Buddy barked out.

  Reese broke away. “Have a good day, sweetheart. Should I have supper on the table for you when you get home?”

  “No, thanks, smartass. But I do expect you up to rub my feet.”

  “Highly unlikely. Later.”

  “Later.”

  The front door hadn’t even slammed shut before Reese’s lips were smothering Lily’s once more.

  She melted into him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. She felt a knot twist deep in her core begging for his attention. By the ridge pressed against her belly, she could tell he felt the same.

  His eyes sparkled devilishly at her. “Ever had shower sex?”

  Lily cocked her head at him. “You know the answer to that. No.”

  “Want to try?”

  “Sure.”

  Reese pulled her t-shirt over her head and tossed it on the floor. Lily grasped the hem of his shirt and did the same for him. He caught her hands as she reached for his gym shorts. “Baby, if you pull those off there will be no shower sex. There will be right here sex. And I’m still all sweaty.”

  Lily hooked her fingers in the waistband of his shorts. “I’m all right with right here sex. Sweaty boy and all.”

  “But my shower—”

  “I’ll wash you later.”

  He took his hands off hers. “Deal.”

  Lily pushed his shorts and compressions to the floor leaving him naked. She took a moment to let her eyes wander over him. Looking at him nearly sent her over the edge.

  “Done admiring the view?” Reese purred.

  “Sure,” Lily stammered.

  “Good. Because my view is blocked by a pair of shorts. I want them off.” He closed the distance between them and dropped to his knees. Popping the button on her shorts, he nudged them to her ankles. Lily grasped his head, gasping as he tasted the soft flesh of her inner thigh. His fingers gently rubbed her nub before slipping deep inside her.

  Lily’s knees buckled at his touch. Reese grinned as he held her up, his mouth continuing to roam. She whimpered as she dug her fingers into his hair, her body trembling as his fingers picked up tempo.

  He gazed up at
her with a wicked grin. “Want me to stop?”

  Lily couldn’t speak a coherent word. The sight of him kneeling between her legs, the steady rhythm of his fingers shattered her into pieces.

  He dragged his thumb lazily across her nub. “Come for me baby.” Reese’s lips replaced his thumb. He teased her with his tongue, the rumble of his voice encouraging her release to jolt through her. The fire that blazed through her as she peaked nearly knocked her off her feet. She could barely feel Reese’s hands steady her as the pleasure tore through her.

  Lily was still shaking like a leaf when Reese picked her up and laid her on the bed. Another cry escaped her lips as he filled her, thrusting deep. The feel of his damp skin against her, his cock driving deep into her sent her over the edge again. She dug her heels into his sculpted butt as she rode one hot wave after the other. As she came back to her senses, she could hear him groan and pant. He buried his fingers into her hips as his thrusts grew faster. He softly cursed as he released.

  The exquisite feeling him throbbing inside of her sent one last aftershock through Lily.

  He collapsed against her burying his face into the curve of her neck. They laid on the bed knotted up with each other for nearly half an hour. Finally, Reese lifted himself up. “How about that shower?

  “Sounds great,” Lily agreed.

  Reese bounced off the bed then pulled Lily up after him. They raced each other to the bathroom. When the shower sprayed out a hot stream of water, they stepped inside.

  Once Lily closed the glass door behind her, she felt Reese’s lips on her shoulder. “I thought we were washing up?” she teased.

  “When I see you naked, I need to kiss the bare skin I see,” Reese defended.

  Lily giggled as she picked up the soap. Turning towards him, she lathered it and scrubbed Reese with her hands. He groaned as she rubbed his chest leaving a trail of suds.

  “Lilybug, you might be seeing that shower sex after all.”

  His warning didn’t stop her. She ran her hand up and down his arms and across his back. She spent extra attention on his butt before kneeling at his feet to wash his legs. Gazing up at him, she could see the lust in his eyes. She stood carefully under the shower stream then lathered her hands one more time. “One last place to wash,” she cooed. He hissed as she wrapped her hand around his cock. An evil smile graced her lips. “You forgot something.” She rolled the condom off him and opened the shower door enough to toss it in the trash. She gently squeezed his cock as she washed him feeling him grow hard in her hand. Slowly, she stroked her hand up and down listening to him moan as he braced himself against the wet walls.

  Lily barely pulled her hand away before Reese scooped her in his arms and pinned her against the wall. He wrapped her slippery legs around his waist as he rocked his hips up filling her in one thrust. He grunted with each deep, fast thrust. Lily clung to him as Reese dipped his head to find a nipple and nip at it with his teeth. She arched hard against the shower wall as pleasure ripped through her once again. She held him tight as he groaned, finishing with a few hard, fast strokes.

  He slipped from her and set her on her feet then pulled her close. “That was amazing,” he crooned.

  “That it was,” she breathed out heavily.

  They finished washing then stepped out to dry themselves. Reese gave her a pair of sweats and a t-shirt. “I’ll be right back.”

  Lily barely pulled the t-shirt over her head when she heard the front door close. Confused, she finished dressing. Where could he have gone to? She wandered down the hall and plopped on the couch, gazing around the room. Buddy lived in one of the big century-old homes in Braden but he certainly gave it the touch of a twenty-seven year old guy. Iowa Hawkeye prints and posters hung all over the white painted walls. Extra neon beer signs from the bar illumined the walls in soft colors.

  She laid down on the couch while she waited. She deeply inhaled the scent from the t-shirt, loving the mix of sport deodorant and sweat that was the man she loved. Her eyes grew heavy. Lily blinked hard to push sleep from eyes. Her senses dulled as she drifted to sleep.

  She wasn’t sure if the hand that shook her woke her first or if it was the delicious aroma of pizza. Her eyes snapped open to find Reese kneeling beside her, a couple pizza boxes balancing on his knee. “Wore you out, didn’t I?” He grinned

  “A little bit.” Lily pushed herself up to sit. “You went for pizza?”

  “Yep. Buddy got them ready for us. I thought we’d cuddle on the couch tonight. I want to show you something.”

  He stood and crossed the living room to the kitchen. Coming back with a couple of plates, he stopped at the TV to slip a disk into the DVD. Once he settled on the couch beside her, he flipped the TV on.

  “What are we watching?” Lily asked.

  “You got a taste of what I do for a living. I just thought it might be time for a full immersion. See what you’re getting yourself into.” Reese flipped ahead on the DVD until he found the spot he was looking for. As the disk started playing, he scooped a couple slices of pizza onto Lily’s plate and handed it to her. Taking his own plate, he sat back, tucked her against him, and started eating.

  Lily watched the screen entranced as the music played and Reese and his coaches made their way to the octagon. Not long after, another man and his team came out of the back of the arena too. Each man stepped into the octagon. After a few instructions from the official, the two men shook hands and backed into their corners. A few moments later, the referee yelled, “Fight!”

  The fight was over in two rounds. Reese ruled the fight on his feet and the one on the ground. What Lily noticed was that his sparring with Buddy was nothing like this fight. It was easy to see that Reese took it easy on his best friend.

  When the video was over, she could hear Reese sigh. “So, what are your thoughts?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Lily, I know this has to bother you. You were raised in a home that was against violence. It can’t be easy to watch me commit violence for a living. I just need to know if it’s a deal breaker.”

  Lily cupped Reese’s chin in her hand and forced him to look at her. “Reese, I love you. Yes, I can’t deny it bothers me. But I’m getting used to it. Actually, I’m starting to like it. And truthfully, you look sexy all sweaty like that.”

  She noticed his cheeks tinge pink as he smiled at her shyly. She hugged him to her. “Have any more videos?” she asked.

  “Of course. Mind if we watch this whole video? It won’t be just my fight.”

  “Sure.”

  Reese jumped up to switch the disks while Lily filled their plates with more pizza. She pulled her phone from her pocket as she felt it vibrate. “Hello?”

  “Lily?” a male voice asked.

  “Who is this?”

  “It’s Adam.”

  “How are you, Adam?”

  “I’m—well, not the best. My mom passed last night. My aunts are with me but…I just feel alone.”

  “Oh, Adam. I’m so sorry.”

  “It’s all right. I just wanted to call. I know you barely know me. But since you’re my sister, I just wanted to talk.”

  “Of course. I understand. How about I come see you in a couple of days? We can spend some time together.”

  “That would be great.”

  “Wonderful. Let me check my schedule and I’ll text you. All right?”

  “Sure. I look forward to seeing you.”

  “Me too. Talk to you later.”

  “Bye.”

  Lily ended the call and set the phone on the end table. She met Reese’s questioning gaze. She shrugged. “It was Adam. His mom passed away.”

  “Oh, that’s too bad,” Reese replied.

  “I’m going to visit him in a couple of days.”

  “Maybe if I’m not working, I’ll go with you.”

  Lily smiled. “That would be nice.”

  Reese settled on the couch with her again, and pulled her into his arms. She cradled his head on her
chest. Their pizza went untouched. She wasn’t sure how long she watched the fights. She stayed awake long enough to see Reese’s fight, a sleepy smile spreading across her face when he won. It wasn’t long though before the steady beat of Reese’s heartbeat lulled her to sleep.

  ~* * * *~

  Lily woke up to the morning sun, still snuggled in Reese’s arms on the couch. The empty pair of shoes in the doorway announced that Buddy was already home and in bed. She glanced up from where her head rested on Reese’s chest and met his eyes.

  “Good morning, Lilybug,” he greeted.

  “Good morning,” she cooed. She sat up and immediately felt her stomach lurch. She placed a hand over her mouth. The last thing she needed to do was throw up in front of Reese.

  “Are you all right?” Reese asked, concerned.

  “I am. I’m sure it’s just stress.” Lily forced a smile on her face.

  “Maybe you should go lay down in my bed.”

  “I’ll be all right. We’re getting back to work on the library. I need to get going.”

  “Please take care of yourself.” Reese brushed her hair from her face as he gazed into her eyes. “You’re my world. Literally. If anything happens to you, I have no reason to go on.”

  “I love you, Reese.” She kissed him then stood. On the way to his bedroom, she had to stop and lean against the wall. Everything started to spin as her stomach churned. After a few deep breaths, she continued to his room to dress. She started to pull his t-shirt over her head but stopped. She would be spending the whole day without him. Wearing his shirt would make him feel close. Plus, his scent woven into the fabric was intoxicating. She pulled off the sweats and tugged on her shorts, then slipped from the bedroom.

  Reese met her at the door. He pulled her into his arms. “Nice shirt.”

  “Thanks. Mind if I borrow it?”

  “Not at all. Should we meet at Buddy’s tonight for supper?”

  The thought of food made Lily sick but she couldn’t let him know that. “Absolutely.”