by Nana Prah
Laughter replaced her answer as he tickled her.
“Yes,” she said when she got her breath back.
“Good.” He pressed a quick kiss to her lips before crumpling onto the bed.
She slithered over him until her legs straddled his hips. “Trista wants me to do a demonstration of some of the self-defense moves that you taught me. I figured we could practice some grappling.”
Quicker than she could comprehend, he had her flipped over with her hands pinned above her head.
“Like this one?” he asked.
Rather than do the techniques he’d shown her to extract herself, she raised her upper body and sucked a sensitive area on the side of his neck. Possessing strong abdominal muscles served its purpose at times like these.
He moaned as he released her arms. “How about we practice later?”
His mouth on her breast had her in total agreement.
Would she ever get tired of his touch? Desperately needing him? Being with him? And then he proceeded to drive out everything but his pleasure infused caresses from her mind.
Chapter 26
Lamar would never have guessed the two came from the same gene pool. Gia, the sweetest person he’d ever encountered contrasted with Trista’s driven ways. The social media influencer knew what she wanted and how to get it without seeming to question herself. He respected that about her. Someone with millions of followers on various platforms had to be strong. Not only that, but Trista was true to her word. Better to have her for an ally than an enemy.
Lamar’s shoulders remained as tense as if he’d maxed out on pull-ups the previous day. Trista still didn’t know about the relationship between him and Gia. He hadn’t asked her to, but Gia had also stayed quiet about his return to the UFC. Her confidentiality was yet another thing for him to appreciate. The list was growing.
Getting involved with Gia had been a severe breach of contract with his professionalism, but he would’ve been better able to create a hurricane from his hands than to stop what had happened between them. Gia was his and he regretted nothing, especially since everything had worked out.
Now he was in the same room with the two of them as Trista commandeered his gym.
There would be no doubt about what he and Gia had been up to if he didn’t stop staring at her. She looked amazing in a pair of turquoise, peach and white patterned leggings that emphasized a luscious ass, and a form-fitting top with her upper back available for his touch.
He sidled up to her and bumped her shoulder. “You look great. Stop fidgeting.”
“I could kill Trista for exposing me like this.”
Grinning, he winked. “I want to shake her hand and give her an unlimited budget for your workout clothes.”
She slapped his arm. “Shut it, Pearce.”
At least she was smiling which put him at ease. He’d done more interviews than he could remember, but those were about his MMA career. This video would be personal because so much was at stake.
“Okay, we’re all set up,” Trista announced.
The mini session he went through with Trista went smoothly. Gia demonstrated the self-defense moves he’d taught her with fierceness and precision. She’d grown more confident in the past six weeks. He took pride in the fact that he’d been part of helping to stop the bullying at work.
At the end of the shoot, Trista came up to Lamar as her crew packed up.
“Can I talk to you for a minute?”
He flung a glance to Gia who stood with her brows raised at their interaction.
“We need to clear the payment,” Trista covered.
“Sure.” He led her to his office.
As soon as she stepped in and closed the door, her nostrils flared as her mouth tightened in rage.
“You asshole!” she screeched.
His muscles flexed as his defenses rose. Not that he would ever get physical, but his mouth could be as brutal as his fists. He’d been damn good at trash talking with his opponents.
“You slept with Gia.”
That had him stumbling back.
“It’s all over you two. The coy smiles, the lingering looks, small touches when you guys think no one is watching. I see everything,” she growled out.
He didn’t doubt it. Being with Gia had been so natural that he hadn’t even noticed they were doing the things she’d mentioned. Over his shock, he pulled back his shoulders, ready to defend their relationship.
“I knew something was going on with her. Knew it. Dammit, Pearce, you were supposed to train her, not get involved.”
“It wasn’t like we planned it.”
Her brow threatened to touch the ceiling. “Isn’t it? Married twice at the age of thirty-two. You don’t have the best reputation for sustaining relationships. My sister deserves stability and true love.”
The fight went out of him for a moment. Was it just a few weeks ago that he’d been in complete agreement with her? He’d have never considered himself to be someone who’d commit again. But things had changed and he was ready to give Gia everything she needed from him. And more if she’d allow it.
“You have no right to interfere. Gia is a grown woman who is capable of making her own decisions.”
“She’s vulnerable. That’s why I paid out the ass and basically blackmailed you to help her gain some confidence. I’m not a pimp. Sex wasn’t part of the bargain.”
“You need to step back with your mouth, Trista.”
She strutted up to him as if she met his six-foot two frame with equality instead of being all of five four, if that. “Or what, Lamar? What could you do to me? You’re already on the cusp of destroying my sister, there’s nothing left that would hurt.”
Pride refused to let him retreat so he glared down into her face. “Gia is fine. She likes being with me. It was a mutual decision to get involved.”
“What happens when you’re done with her? You’re going to break her heart. After everything she’s been through, she doesn’t deserve that.” She poked a manicured finger into his shoulder. “You fucked up.”
He relinquished power by taking a step back and dialing down his fury. “No, I didn’t. Gia may be the best thing that has ever happened to me.”
Trista grunted. “Of course she is. She’s the best thing that ever happens to anyone. I wanted more for her. Or do you think I always blackmail people to get my way?” She held up a hand to hold back his answer. “I don’t. My sister is the only reason I’d ever do something so ethically out of character for me.”
She gave him a ferocious look that should’ve been able to scorch his eyeballs out. “I would do anything to protect her.”
So would he. “I have no intention of hurting Gia. Just like any other relationship, we’re going to see how things go. Until you get to know me, don’t judge me or my motives. I’m sure Gia would be highly impressed by your contribution to this whole situation, so stay out of our business.”
Their contest of wills ended with a knock.
He stalked around Trista, not daring to turn his back on her and opened the door. Gia stood on the other side.
She looked between him and Trista, her lips tightening into a deep frown. “What’s going on?”
“I suggested that he start a self-defense class for women,” Trista answered. “What he taught you was impressive.”
As if she didn’t believe the artful lie, Gia ping-ponged her gaze, assessing them both.
Trista’s smile seemed genuine. “Come on, sis. We have to get to that spa appointment.” She looked at him with her back to Gia and the smile disappeared. “Goodbye, Lamar. It’s been nice working with you. We’ll see you online. Take care.”
She flounced out of the room leaving Gia behind.
“What was that really about, Lamar?”
He swept his fingers over his brow, his scar raised along the smooth skin. “What she said. Your sister can be very insistent.”
The muscle at her jaw clenched as she tapped her foot.
“Let’s g
o, Gia, our pedicures are waiting,” Trista called from down the hallway saving him from whatever she’d been about to blast him with.
“I’ll pick you up tonight at six.”
She nodded, but her lips remained tight as she left.
He ran a hand over his scalp and gripped the back of his neck. What had he gotten himself into? Why hadn’t he been up front and honest with Gia from the beginning? The reasons ricocheted back to him.
Reputation. Saving inner city youth. Risk of losing her.
Currently, two out of three were safe, unless Trista got vindictive and didn’t post the video, or worse, bad mouthed the gym. The third was still in the air.
If Trista had her way, he and Gia would never be together.
He didn’t doubt that she wanted the best for her sister. He was it. Everything would work out. He and Gia belonged together.
Chapter 27
The chair massaging Gia’s back and the pedicurist who’d worked hard for her money for the past forty-five minutes, brought no relaxation. A quick glance to the left revealed Trista with her eyes closed and a contented smile on her face.
What had she and Lamar been discussing that had made the air in the office too dense to walk into? Trista’s continuous babbling in the car on the way to the salon had made it impossible for her to ask. She wasn’t one hundred percent sure she wanted to know.
She still hadn’t told Trista about her involvement with Lamar. Her sister had hated the few men Gia dated, claiming they hadn’t been good enough for her. Trista being more adept when it came to men, Gia had always taken her sister’s advice and either let herself be dumped or stopped seeing the guy. As her sister had predicted, most had eventually ended up proving themselves to be some sort of jerk.
That was before Lamar. She needed Trista to like him. To verify that he was as good a person as she’d experienced him to be so far. What would she do if her sister didn’t approve? Keep him because her heart longed to be with him? Or yield to Trista’s intuition about people?
She was living in a world of daydreams. Lamar hadn’t declared having feelings for her. Although, there were times when she could sense their emotional connection, it could all be in her imagination.
Courage. After working so hard to obtain some, she may as well apply it. “Trista?”
“Hmmm.”
“I heard your raised voices coming from Lamar’s office before I knocked. What were you arguing about?”
Trista shook her head with her bottom lip poked out. “Nothing. We had a small difference of opinion.”
“About what? I’m fed up with being lied to, so if you please, little sister,” she paused to narrow her eyes, “tell me the truth.”
As if taking the severity in Gia’s voice personally, the woman doing her nails leapt to her feet. “Please come with me, and I’ll put you under the dryer so they’ll dry faster.”
Gia gave the pedicurist a polite smile before looking down at her bright red toenails. Not a color she’d ever gone for, it now appropriately reflected the rising anger toward her sister.
They hobbled in their slippers to the tables they were led to and sat. The aestheticians set up the machines over their toes and then scampered away.
Gia glared at Trista and waited.
“You’ve changed so much over the past month and a half.” Trista reached over and squeezed Gia’s arm and then giggled. “Look at these guns. You’re physically and mentally stronger now. All I’ve ever wanted was the best for you and here you are enjoying life again. You even took care of business at work.” Trista pouted. “Why didn’t you tell me about your boss bullying you before last week? I thought you were having a hard time with the promotion. If I’d known, I would’ve gone in and kicked his ass from—”
Gia flung up a hand. “Trista.”
“Just know that I still might pay him a little visit.”
“There’s no need. Sanjana is excellent at helping to control the situation. All thanks to Lamar by the way.” She was now doing a job she loved in an environment conducive to her being comfortable.
“Anyway. I have no regrets about being the catalyst in helping you to get this far.” She tapped the center of her chest. “I get the best feeling knowing that you’re healthier and happier than you were six weeks ago. I’m so proud of everything you’ve accomplished.”
The speech brought on a flash of rage. Trista’s twitchy behavior when it came to certain questions, the half-truths that Lamar had given her, and the raised voices she’d heard in his office culminated into a smelly rat nearby.
“Trista Baxter, tell me what you’ve done right this minute.”
“I set up the ultimate training experience for you with one of the best in Boston.”
Gia slapped a hand over her mouth to keep from screaming. Her sister would drive her insane. “Why aren’t you giving me the whole truth?”
“What does it matter? You’re a more self-assured woman than I’ve ever seen you be. You glow with it.”
Trista patted her own shoulder. “All in a good day’s work, thank you very much.”
The broken promises of her parents came flying into her mind. How many times had they told her they wouldn’t return to their work in far off villages once they’d come home? It had always been a lie.
Unable to take her sister’s subterfuge anymore, she swore under her breath. Not giving a fig about her nails, she scooped up her sandals and stuffed her feet into them. Snatching her bag from the table sitting between them, she glowered at the one person she loved and trusted most in the world.
“When you’re ready to give me the truth, I’ll be at home.” Head held high, Gia pulled her shoulders back and stormed out the double glass doors. Why would her sister lie? She knew it was the one thing someone could do that would set her off. Her tolerance level for foolishness was pretty damn high, but she didn’t tolerate lying.
“Gia,” Trista called out as she trotted down the sidewalk.
Now she’d get some answers. She stopped, but didn’t turn.
Trista came around to face her. “I’m sorry. It was for your own good. Seeing you sink lower and lower, but not being willing to share your problems terrified me. All I did was ask him to train you.”
At Gia’s stony silence, Trista continued. “Lamar gained legendary status as a fighter. Even I’d heard of the ‘Phantom.’ I’d also heard about how hard a hit his reputation had taken when that false claim about him abusing his client broke.”
Trista sighed as she shuffled her feet. “He’s one of the best in the business and only takes people on by referral. The gym has other trainers, but I wanted more than your physical improvement. I needed you to become a harder woman when it came to whatever was going on.”
Trista swiped trembling fingers against her forehead. For a moment Gia felt compassion for her sister, but then shut it down. She had yet to hear what the younger woman had done.
“In my enthusiasm, I offered to feature PCB Fitness on my vlog. I knew I could offset his negative reputation and have people trusting him again.”
Gia plunked a fist on her hip. “Out with it.”
“I made them sign a contract stating that they wouldn’t tell you about the stipulations of the agreement.”
The beads of sweat making their way down Gia’s back had little to do with the mid-afternoon sun. “Which were?”
“That they couldn’t tell you about the contract or my involvement other than introducing you to the gym.” Trista kicked her toe against the pavement like she used to do as a child. The regressive action should’ve prepared Gia for just how bad the conversation was going to get. “You had to complete the full six weeks. If you didn’t, then I wouldn’t feature them.”
That didn’t sound too bad. It explained why Lamar had been adamant about coming to her workplace to make her exercise. His presence had served her well, so she hadn’t lost out there.
She clenched her hands to prepare for the worst of what Trista would deliver.
“You know how you have a tendency of falling in love with any man who gets close to you?”
She rolled her eyes at the exaggeration. Love was a strong term. Infatuated might be better, but that wasn’t the point to this conversation. “I do not.”
“I had to talk you down from stalking one of your professors because he smiled at you outside of the classroom once. You basically wanted to marry the banker who is always friendly because it’s his job. And I can’t believe I have to remind you about what happened with your now former dentist.”
Gia waved her hands to stop her sister from going further. “Those were isolated incidents that happened during the more immature times of my life. I haven’t imprinted on anyone like that in a while.”
Trista snickered. “Huh. How about every first date you’ve ever gone on? Every single one. Whether the date went well or not. You’d call me talking for hours about a guy after getting to know them on one date. After the second one you claimed to be in love. It hurt me when they ended up disappointing you. I didn’t want that to happen with Lamar.”
Gia wrapped her arms around her stomach to help settle the dread that had dropped. “What did you do, Trista?”
“I made him promise not to make a play for you.”
“Holy shit.” Fingers to her temples, she massaged to stave off a forming headache.
“He’s been married twice, and I heard that he’s dated a lot of women since he retired. I didn’t want him taking advantage of you, especially knowing that you’d more than likely be willing to get involved. You have no idea how many women throw themselves at him. I told him that if he attempted anything with you, I’d give them a less than stellar review.”
She gasped as a hot knife of pain sliced into her heart. Her sister had resorted to blackmail. This was not the virtuous woman that she’d helped to raise.
The humiliating ramifications of Trista’s actions caused a tightness in her throat. She shook her head as the words clawed their way out. “Oh, my goodness, Trista, you’ve gone too far.”
