by Nana Prah
His muscles bunched as the knuckles of his skin stretched from his grip on the steering wheel. “It was.” The car filled with a sadness that pressed onto her heart as he took a right-hand turn.
“Mama had called her to get me from the Y because I’d stayed longer than I was supposed to.” His voice flattened, lacking emotion as he related the memory. “She wanted me to get my homework done. I attended a preparatory school on a full scholarship. The school wasn’t the most diverse, so when I got the chance to hang out with people who looked like me, I took it. I didn’t want to leave my friends at the Y that evening, so I argued with my sister, telling her to let me stay another hour because it wasn’t fully dark yet.”
When his Adam’s apple bobbed before he turned to glance out his window, Gia gave into her need to comfort him and placed a hand on his shoulder.
“It’s okay. You don’t have to continue.”
He didn’t seem to have heard her as he refocused on the road. “Keisha wasn’t hearing it. She was even more protective than my mother sometimes. She threatened to embarrass me in front of my friends by dragging me out. I had no choice but to go. I wasn’t happy about it and let her know by ignoring her on the walk home.”
His voice cracked and he cleared his throat. “She refused to let me stay ahead of her, so we speed walked the whole way because of my temper.” He rubbed his nose with his thumb. “A couple of blocks from our apartment a car came tearing around the corner, and I heard a series of pops. The next thing I know Keisha pushes me down. Then there were more pops. I got to my feet cursing at her, but then noticed her sprawled face down on the pavement.”
Gia’s heart had never felt so heavy. So much pain for a boy to endure. Too much. Her fingers squeezed his shoulder, and he looked at her, eyes haunted and glimmering with moisture. “I rushed over and sat in the pool of blood pouring out of her while I shook her and shouted her name trying to turn her over, but my hands kept slipping. She never woke up.”
She covered her mouth. “Oh, God.”
“People came out from wherever they’d been and surrounded us. I fought as someone pried me away from her and tried to revive her. It was too late. The bullets had hit and stolen her life.” He pointed to his forehead, his heart, and his left shoulder. “All from the back.”
His sister had sacrificed her life for him. Her voice quivered. “Please, pull over.”
Without argument he did so at the first opportunity. Riding the wave of compassion overwhelming her, she undid her seatbelt, opened the door and stumbled out. She’d never run as fast as she did to get around his car. Yanking his side open she threw herself at him.
He undid his seatbelt and stepped out. His arms enclosed her and held tight.
“Keisha was still so young,” his voice hoarse with emotion as if it had happened recently instead of years ago. Gia understood how painful memories could drag a person kicking and screaming into the past.
“She died because of me. If I hadn’t stayed at the Y later than I was supposed to, or if I hadn’t argued with her, or rushed to get away…If she hadn’t tried to save me, she might be alive.”
Gia couldn’t define this connection between them which allowed him to be vulnerable with her, but she held him with all of her strength. Soothing him with her body. Her words. Her soul.
“It wasn’t your fault and you know it. You know it. In your heart you do.”
Her hand streamed over his muscular back and shoulders as he clung to her. They stood gathered in each other’s arms until he loosened his grip. When he pulled back, his eyes held the brunt of his anguish in their depths.
What wouldn’t she do to relieve him of his misery?
She touched a palm against the side of his face. “It wasn’t your fault.” She stretched onto her toes and pressed her lips against his. “It wasn’t your fault.” She kissed him again.
With the last kiss he took over and sucked on her bottom lip before slipping his tongue past her lips. She flexed her arms around his broad shoulders to drag herself closer as she moaned. She couldn’t get enough of his heat as she explored his mouth. Nothing had ever tasted as sweet. As intense. As earth-shattering.
Breathing became impossible so she stopped trying to and just fell into the rightness of the moment. Hadn’t she wanted this for the longest time? Since that near kiss they’d almost had, she’d dreamed about him. Fantasized about his large capable hands exploring her back and hips as he hardened against her.
Yearning speared into her belly as reality overtook her imagination. Ignited from head to toe as he caressed her ribs, she kissed him with a passion she’d never sought to express before.
She wanted more. All of him. To experience what it would be like to make love to such a powerful man who could hold her so gently. Gripping the back of his neck, she lost track of reality outside of Lamar as she became engulfed in his exotic spicy scent. Her escalating desire, the only thing that mattered.
His warm breath fanned her face when he ended the kiss.
Gulping in air, she’d gladly give up oxygen if he’d kiss her like that again. When the lightheadedness had passed, she memorized the planes of his hard body against hers. Drawing on her inner strength, she pulled out of his embrace.
“I’m sorry,” she breathed out. Liar. “I just wanted to comfort you.”
He displayed the sexy grin where only a corner of his lips lifted. Her body would overheat if he kept doing that.
“You did.”
“Good.” Her world had been tilted on every axis but the correct one, while he seemed cool and in control again. Hadn’t that been her objective? To ease his pain? She’d accomplished her mission, so why did she feel empty?
The kiss hadn’t affected him as it had her. Sure, he’d gotten aroused, but she didn’t doubt that any woman throwing herself at him could achieve the same feat.
She pivoted to return to the passenger’s side when he grasped her upper arm and pulled her to him. The lingering kiss to her lips was unexpected and so sweet that every inch of her skin tingled. Much too short to satisfy before he ended it.
“Thank you, Gia.” He pointed to his smooth scalp. “In here I know I’m not responsible. It took me years with my counselor’s and mother’s help to realize that everything happens for a reason.”
He frowned as he shook his head. “My mother was distraught, but she carried on and lived when I wanted to die. She made sure I didn’t. She molded me into becoming the man I am today, insisting that I do everything in my power to become someone great. To make sure Keisha’s death wasn’t in vain. Driving me away from the need to get revenge on faceless murderers. She drummed it into me that God has a plan for all of us and I believe her.”
He reached for her hand and placed it against his chest. His heart beat fast, matching the pulsing of her own in her ears. “I’m going to make it up to Keisha. To help create a better community.”
Gia gazed into his piercing dark eyes, wrapped in a haze of intimacy that tugged at her soul.
“How?”
“By building a protected haven where children can go to be safe.”
This man would be the death of her with the strength that lay within him. Such an expansive heart to want to help people he didn’t know in order to make their lives better.
“Right now we’re having setbacks, but one day the Keisha Pearce Community Center will be a place where children can become more than they would’ve otherwise.”
She swallowed the lump in her throat. “I can see it.” Anything this man set his mind to she had no doubt he’d do.
He inhaled a breath that raised his shoulders as he released her. “We need to get going, the guys are waiting.”
Gia summoned a smile and side stepped toward the front of the car when she wanted to slam into his chest and crazy glue herself to him.
They settled into the Tesla. He pulled out onto the road before reaching for her hand and interweaving them. When their gazes met, a sense of rightness settled into every cell of
her being.
The rest of the short ride to the gym was spent in silence while her heart tried to force its way out of her chest with its thundering beats. If she didn’t know better, she’d think she might be falling in love. Logic reminded her that empathy, rampant hormones, and a tremendous appreciation of the male form up close and personal was more likely in play.
As always, her scientific mind chose logic.
Chapter 13
Tears. Lamar’s eyes had burned with the unfamiliar sensation of them as he’d struggled to compose himself. He’d told the story numerous times in the past with detachment. Yet with Gia he’d been thrust back in time to when it had all happened. Her compassion didn’t resemble the pity that he’d experienced with others. Her tenderness and softly spoken words indicated that she cared about what he’d been through.
Where was the awkwardness his ego would’ve forced on him with any other person he’d revealed so much to? The depth of ease he felt about how much he’d exposed of himself placed her in a category he’d define as intimate.
Why her?
Because she’s different. Real.
Their searing kiss was proof enough. Even now with five of his students filling the backseats as he pulled into the venue in Plymouth, he wanted to gather her into his arms to see if the passion he’d experienced was real or if his emotions had heightened the encounter.
It should’ve never happened. Gia was a means to an end. A way of saving PCB Fitness’ reputation and making a tremendous impact on the lives of at-risk kids.
He couldn’t jeopardize it.
What would happen if they got together, though? The question pounded in the lust-filled portion of his brain. Maybe she’d understand why he’d had to train her. She was a levelheaded woman, but what if she got offended and decided to stop?
Trista would destroy him and the gym with a single video. He didn’t doubt that she had the power or inclination. The woman was fiercely protective of Gia and now he understood why. Gia deserved nothing but the best.
Given his less than stellar history with women, it wasn’t him. How did things get so complicated? They couldn’t get involved. Although they’d only known each other for three weeks, he considered them on their way to being friends. A sexy, super intelligent pal who knew how to work her ass off and make him laugh in the process. Something he’d been told by his mother he didn’t do enough.
Gia had the vehicle booming with uninhibited guffaws as she told jokes on the way to Plymouth. They needed the relaxed atmosphere she provided to help decrease their stress levels. They’d have enough time to intensify before their matches.
The van they’d rented pulled into the parking space next to his car. The competitors and a couple of the other coaches who piled out of the vehicle El had driven were tight-shouldered and stone-faced. Maybe next time they’d rent a bus so Gia could shower her charm on everyone.
Next time? He wouldn’t even think about the slip in thought.
“All right, guys. Let’s get you in, registered and weighed.”
They trooped towards the stadium. Gia ended up walking with Connor, whose face had paled and mouth turned downcast as he seemed to shrink into himself when he’d gotten out of the minivan.
“Is this your first fight?” Lamar heard Gia ask as he allowed the guys to go ahead of him.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“You know what?” Gia asked.
“What?”
“I would have pissed my pants at least twice on the way here, then told El to turn around and take me home. Since I don’t smell any urine from your direction, you have more courage than you think.”
Connor chuckled and Lamar turned to hide his grin.
“I’m pretty sure you’re going to do a great job. Your coaches wouldn’t have let you come to compete if they thought you’d embarrass them. They believe in you, so believe in yourself.”
“That’s what Lamar always says,” Connor’s voice sounded stronger.
Gia grunted. “He tells me the same thing. Right before he kicks my ass with those damn physical personal challenges he likes persecuting me with.”
Connor laughed outright.
“But he knows what he’s doing,” Gia continued. “And for him to have faith in you means something. I’m sure you’re going to do a great job. No matter the outcome.”
Connor stood taller. “Yeah. Thanks, Gia. Thanks a lot.”
Lamar’s heart did a little dance. The woman grew more amazing with every encounter. Her nature was so personable that he couldn’t see anyone wanting to do anything but protect her.
Then what kind of bastard was disturbing her at work? He’d become lax about discovering what was going on. Now he’d double his efforts and see what he could do to help. She deserved it.
As they dealt with the paperwork in the registration area, Gia stepped up to Lamar with a huge grin lighting up her face. “This is so exciting. I can feel the energy and it’s sizzling.”
“Wait until the fights start. You may want to become an MMA fighter.”
She slapped his arm, snickering. “You’re nuts.”
“We’ll just have to see.”
They ceased the playful banter as a few of his fans ran up to him for a picture. The night would go on like that. He loved his supporters.
She pointed at him. “You see, I kind of didn’t want to believe how much of a superstar you actually are. Even retired, you’re still well known.”
He shrugged. “This is an MMA venue so there are bound to be fans.”
“So, if we were walking down the street together, this wouldn’t happen?”
“I didn’t say all that. But it wouldn’t occur as often.”
“Huh.”
Hands clasped in front of her, she gauged the large group of men and a few women waiting for instructions. “What happens now?”
He gestured to an area in the corner. “They get weighed in with their competitor to make sure they’re in the same category.”
“What if one isn’t?”
He held up both hands and extended his fingers. “There’s a ten-pound range so it’s pretty hard not to be. If there is, then either the opponent can choose to fight or the match is forfeited and the win goes to the person who made weight.”
They were called into a room to the left of the lobby area where they’d signed in. Lamar rested a possessive hand at her lower back to escort her to chairs in the third row and sat beside her. No one would dare attempt to flirt with her knowing she was with him. Not a way to treat a friend, but he couldn’t help it.
Recalling his days as a combatant, his adrenaline rose. He wouldn’t be using it to fight tonight, but his body ignored that knowledge and pumped him up with the same eagerness he knew was raging through all of the competitors.
Harold, one of his two featherweights, was announced and Lamar went to the front of the room with him. Harold stripped off his shirt and posed for the photographer in his shorts before stepping on the scale. He raised his arms and flexed his biceps as the official read his weight. “One eighteen.”
Harold’s rival went through the same dramatic routine. They recorded the guy’s weight at one hundred and seventeen pounds. The contenders then faced off for pictures before being dismissed.
Gia observed the weigh-ins without saying a word. Every once in a while, she glanced at her phone.
Curious, Lamar peeked at her screen to discover the weight classes with their ranges. The discovery of her interest pleased him to the point of his having to fight off a grin.
Her sensuous mouth rounded when the last pair of female fighters were weighed. They both came in at one hundred and fifteen pounds.
“Holy shit, they weigh a lot less than me, but appear...” She turned to him with eyes wide. “Much stronger.”
He didn’t think the comment needed a response. The human body had so much potential. He’d help her reach whatever goal she desired. Just as long as it made her happy.
Gia followed the guys around
like a loyal puppy taking everything in. Lamar had given her a black and red PCB Warriors T-shirt that matched the ones they all wore. She felt as if she belonged.
As soon as he’d handed her the shirt, she’d squealed and jumped on him with a hug before running to the restroom to change out of her blouse. Her heart had melted when Lamar had taken her garment and put it in his bag instead of having her carry it around all night. His thoughtfulness surprised her.
She hung out with the competitors, attempting to help them relax.
Lamar placed a hand on her lower back and the jolt from the contact made her jump.
“Are you okay?”
She attempted to slow her breathing. “I’m fine. You just startled me.”
The side eye he gave didn’t relay belief in her words. Had he felt the current surge between them, too?
“The first match is starting soon.”
“Good. I’m so keyed up.” She’d memorized the order of the guys’ fights. “Where am I sitting?”
“You’ll be at our table with El, Suarez, the coaches and a few supporters who were willing to pay more than the stand prices.”
“Wait. I didn’t give you money for a ticket. How much do I owe?”
He angled his head and gazed into her eyes for the longest time.
“Lamar?” She whispered as warmth settled into her belly.
Voices floated around them. Then they disappeared, leaving her alone with a potent attraction to the giant of a man as he inched closer. She lowered her lids in anticipation of a repeat of an amazing kiss the likes of which had scattered her mind earlier.
“Yo, Pearce.”
They sprang apart.
El, with his shining hazel green eyes and broad grin, clapped Lamar on the shoulder. “Coach the hell out of ’em, Phantom.”
She shook off the belly-flipping moment they’d just shared as curiosity got the better of her. She hadn’t been able to find the reason for his nickname anywhere on the internet. “Why do they call you Phantom?”
“His fight name,” Suarez said with a grin that would make most women want to cozy up to him and bat their lashes to keep his attention. “He used to disappear in the cage. One minute they’d be exchanging blows and the next he’d ghost and show up with his opponent on the mat. Once they hit the ground, they rarely got back up.”
