Fighting Love: The Complete Series

by Ash, Nikki

  GetHooked: Ahh… so you finally reeled in a fish?

  Looking4Love: More like an old, smelly boot! He seemed sweet when I first met him, but now he’s just nasty. His attitude, his comments. Just gross!

  I chuckle, and the guys glance my way, reminding me where I am. One of the dancers comes over and gives me a flirtatious smile. She’s got fake blonde hair, fat tits, and lips that are meant for giving head. She’s the complete opposite of Mila in every way, and it scares the shit out of me when I look at her and she does absolutely nothing for me.

  “Can I give you a lap dance?”

  “Sure.”

  I set my phone down so she can straddle my lap and hopefully take my mind off Mila. Taking a pull of my Heineken, I try to focus on the woman in front of me: on her ass and tits and hips that are swaying seductively to the music. But for some reason, my mind keeps going back to the brown-haired, hazel-eyed woman stuck on a shitty date.

  Chapter Seven

  Mila

  “How is the new job going?” Charlie asks as she hands me a large bottle of red paint to pour into a smaller, squeezable bottle.

  “It’s going good. I’m loving the set schedule, and I still get to go to the hospital a couple days a week to assist in delivering the babies. Mostly, though, I see the pregnant patients, and I must admit, pregnant women are a lot nicer than the ones in labor.”

  Charlie giggles. “I bet!”

  “Plus, I’m loving the fact that I get to be home with Alec every night.”

  “That’s awesome. I’m so happy for you. Speaking of Alec, did he end up going with his dad tonight?” Charlie looks around, realizing my kid isn’t in the studio complaining.

  “No, he’s next door with Mason.” I roll my eyes, and she grins.

  Before Alec and I could even make it to the front of the art studio, he saw Mason and asked if he could hang out with him. Mason said he didn’t mind, so I let him go. Emma is finishing up a kids’ class where they’re all painting their version of Mickey’s Fun Wheel from the Disneyland Resort, and once they’re done we’re going to go grab some dinner.

  “I told him I’d go over to get him when the class is over, but Mason said he’d bring him over in a little while.” We continue to fill more bottles while we talk about her upcoming wedding, her new house, and where we want to eat dinner. When we hear someone call out Charlie’s name, we both look over at the cute guy walking our way. He has shaggy brown hair and brown eyes. He’s dressed in a suit, complete with a dark navy blue tie.

  “Hey, Evan. The class is almost done.” Charlie points toward one of the little boys who waves our way.

  “I don’t think we’ve met.” Evan turns his attention to me. “I’m Evan Gander.” He puts his hand out to shake mine.

  “I’m Mila Sterling.” I shake his hand back, noticing he has a cute dimpled smile.

  “It’s nice to meet you. Do you have a child in class?”

  “No, my child is next door, fighting.” I laugh, and Evan keeps his smile, but now it looks forced. I could be wrong, but I don’t think Evan is pro-fighting.

  “Yes, I saw the gym next door.”

  We’re both silent for a beat when I see Alec running toward me. “And speaking of which…” I open my arms so Alec can give me a hug when he gets over to me. “This is my son, Alec.”

  “Mom! We forgot to ask dad about me signing up. We need to remember. Where’s your phone?” He puts his hand out and I hand it to him, stifling a laugh. Even at only eight years old, my kid knows me too well. If it’s not in my calendar, I can’t be held accountable for not remembering.

  “Okay, Mom, I put it in and set the alarm.” Alec hands me back my phone, and that’s when I notice Mason is here with him. He’s standing next to Evan and it’s like day and night. Evan, in his business suit, and Mason, in his grey hoodie and sweats. Evan’s clean shaven and Mason’s sporting scruff that I want to rub my hands up and down. What the hell? No, I don’t! Mason is a player. I don’t want to rub my hands anywhere on him.

  “Thanks for hanging out with him,” I say.

  “No problem.”

  The class ends and Lexi and Georgia come running over—Georgia, to show Charlie her pictures, and Lexi, to give Mason a hug.

  Evan’s son comes to the back as well to show his dad his picture. “Good job, son. Are you hungry?”

  “Yes!” Brant yells before running off to play with the kids.

  “We’re all going to grab a burger at Burger Lounge. You’re welcome to join us.” Charlie smiles mischievously and it doesn’t take a brain surgeon to realize she’s trying to set me up.

  Evan smiles at Charlie but directs his response to me. “Unfortunately, it’s a school night, and Brant’s bedtime is at eight o’clock so we’re going to eat dinner at home, but maybe you and I could go out some time. If you’re single that is.” He flashes me a hundred mega-watt smile.

  “Oh, um…sure. Yeah, I’m single.” I can’t believe I just said yes to another guy.

  Evan pulls out his phone. “Great. What’s your number?”

  Just as I finish giving him my number, one of the kids starts crying. We stop and find the crying child. It’s Brant, Evan’s son. “Brant, what’s wrong?” Evan bends to speak to him.

  “Georgia knocked me on the ground,” Brant whimpers, and Georgia frowns.

  “I didn’t mean to. We were playing tag. I was tagging him.”

  “It’s okay,” Evan says to Georgia, but his voice says it’s anything but. Then to his son, he says, “We’ve talked about this. Games that include violence aren’t okay.”

  “Really?” Mason scoffs. “It was tag.”

  Evan stands. “I choose to teach my son that placing his hands on anybody else is not okay, no matter what the reason.”

  “Okay, boys.” Charlie stands between them. “It’s time to close the place up, and I’m starving. Georgia, say sorry to Brant.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Does he need any ice or a Band-Aid?” I ask.

  Evan says no, then adds, “I’ll call you.”

  And for some reason, his words come out as more like a threat than a promise.

  Chapter Eight

  Mason

  “Oh! Hey Mason! What are you doing here?” I’m standing in the doorway to Mila’s townhome. Her usually curly hair is straightened, and her face is makeup free. My gaze continues south. She’s wearing a short, tight black dress. The straps are thin, and her breasts are full, spilling out of the top just enough to make it sexy and classy and not trashy.

  “Mason.” She snaps her fingers and my eyes shoot back up without finishing my perusal of her sexy as fuck MILF body. “What are you doing here?”

  She lets me in and turns to head back down the hallway, calling out, “I’m running late for my date!” I watch as her perfect round ass sways in that dress. The material is thin enough that I’m able to see the outline of her thong. Her fuck-me heels click-clack against the tile and all I can picture is her under me with those heels still on.

  “You should take a picture, it’ll last longer.” I swing my head toward the voice to find Charlie sitting on the couch. “If you like her, why don’t you just ask her out?”

  “You know my rule. I don’t do moms, and that mom”—I point down the now-empty hallway—“she doesn’t do anyone.”

  Charlie rolls her eyes. “Georgia is in our room watching a movie, and Tristan should be here soon with Lexi. Thank you for watching the girls. Ashley had offered, but then Kaden surprised her with a night away to the beach, and I didn’t want her to feel guilty for not being able to watch them.”

  “No worries.” I lean against the wall. “It’s Valentine’s Day, which means I’m staying in.”

  Mila walks back into the living room, putting an earring into her ear. “Poor Mason, are you afraid all the lonely women will be pouring their hearts out and require romance before letting you between their legs?”

  Her face is now filled with makeup. Not overdone like so
me women do, but enough to know she’s going out. My eyes wander down her face, taking in her plump shiny lips. They’re light pink and kissable. I imagine the lip-gloss is sweet, just like her.

  “Mason!” Mila screeches. “Stop staring at me like I’m a piece of meat!”

  I smirk, imagining Mila splayed out in my bed, her legs spread wide open while I feast on her like she’s my last meal.

  “I wouldn’t call you a piece of meat. More like a piece of mouthwatering fruit.” I bridge the small gap between us. “Mmm…like a strawberry. I bet one bite into your sweet cunt and I would be addicted to your taste.”

  There’s a knock on the door, and Mila moves away from me. “Well…” She gulps loudly. “It looks like you’ll need to find yourself some other fruit to bite into because this strawberry has a date tonight.” She swings the door open, and standing in the doorway is the anti-touch jackass from the other night at the art studio.

  She says good night, and they’re both out the door as quick as he came in.

  “What a prick.” I sit on the couch next to Charlie.

  “He’s okay.” She shrugs. “He’s a good dad and makes a good living. A little stuffy, maybe…”

  “He told his son tag was too violent. He’s a pussy.”

  “Hey! Don’t be hating on pussies. They’re tougher than you think. Just ask Betty White.” I grab the remote and click on the television, giving her a side-eye. “You know…because they can take a pounding.” She cracks up laughing at her joke and I shake my head.

  The door opens and in walks Tristan. Charlie stands and meets him by the door, throwing her arms around him in a hug, still laughing.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “You’re fiancée thinks she’s a comedian.”

  “Uncle Mason!” Lexi squeals when she sees me. “I brought so many movies to watch and stuff to color with. Where’s Georgia?”

  “She’s in our room, sweet girl,” Charlie says, grabbing her and giving her a hug hello before letting her go so she can run upstairs and find Georgia.

  “Thanks for watching them, man,” Tristan says.

  “Yes, thank you. Mila said she should be home early, so once she gets back, you can take off,” Charlie adds.

  I give them a two-finger salute as they head upstairs to say bye to the girls. Once they’re gone, I make three bowls of popcorn and the girls make a pillow and blanket bed on the ground to watch Beauty and the Beast.

  We’re about halfway through the movie when I pull up the Plenty of Fish app and message Mila. We chat every day. About our day, the weather, our favorite foods, colors, books, where we want to travel. I should feel bad that she has no clue it’s me but it’s not like I’m asking her out. It started off to see what was going on in her head but now I look forward to our conversations.

  GetHooked: Happy Valentine’s Day!

  Looking4Love: Next year I’m going to put together an anti-Valentine’s Day party.

  Hmm… interesting. Guess her date with jackass isn’t going well.

  GetHooked: No date or bad date?

  Looking4Love: Bad date. I should’ve known. He’s not my type.

  GetHooked: And what is your type?

  This is the first time I’ve asked her anything dating related.

  Looking4Love: Tall and muscular, so I feel protected. He has to be funny because I love to laugh. Sweet but not boring. Passionate. And NOT a vegan! I like meat!

  I choke on my popcorn at her response. I know what she meant, but I have to fuck with her.

  GetHooked: Small dick?

  Looking4Love: OMG! No!

  Looking4Love: He’s a vegan! He doesn’t LIKE meat.

  Looking4Love: He took me to a restaurant that has no meat!

  GetHooked: I have meat… and I’m willing to share ;)

  Looking4Love: I haven’t even seen your face. I don’t even know your name. I don’t think you sharing your meat with me is the next step.

  GetHooked: I promise it’s not vegan.

  Looking4Love: I’m getting off now. He asked to take me to a movie, but I told him I’m not feeling well.

  GetHooked: I wouldn’t feel well either if I wanted a big juicy piece of meat and only got tofu.

  Looking4Love: OMG! Good night!

  Chapter Nine

  Mila

  I look at the clock on the dashboard and see I haven’t even been gone for two hours. Evan drops me back off at home and doesn’t bother to say he’ll call me. We both know he won’t be, and even if he did, I wouldn’t be answering. The date was a disaster and will not be repeated. I unlock the door and step into the house to find Georgia and Lexi wrapped up in pillows and blankets, passed out on the floor. Mason is lounging on the couch, one of his arms over his head causing his shirt to drift up and show his delicious abs.

  “You’re home early.” He sits up and pauses the movie before standing.

  “Date sucked.”

  “That’s too bad,” Mason says, his tone indicating that he doesn’t really think it’s bad at all. I go to my room to change out of my dress and into a pair of cotton shorts and a shirt. When I come out, Mason is taking one girl at a time up to Georgia’s room. Since my house is only three bedrooms, Charlie and Georgia are sharing the third bedroom upstairs. It has a connecting bathroom and a small sitting area. They’ll be moving out in a couple of weeks, and I still need to find someone to rent the room to.

  Once he’s put both girls to bed, he comes back down to the living room and leans against the wall. When he notices my long face, he says, “That guy was a dick. I wouldn’t let a bad date with him get you down.”

  “It’s not him.” I shake my head and take a deep breath.

  “Then what is it?”

  I almost consider telling Mason what’s going on with me but then I remember who I’m talking to. The king of players. He would never understand. After all, everything I’m looking for in a relationship are all of the very same things Mason repels.

  “It’s nothing a pint of Ben and Jerry’s chocolate fudge brownie won’t cure.” I grab the ice cream from the freezer then sit on the sofa, grabbing my throw blanket from the back. “You’re more than welcome to go. I got the girls covered.” I click off the Disney movie and search for something to watch.

  When I stop on the movie Valentine’s Day, Mason chuckles. “That movie’s hilarious.” He sits on the sofa next to me. I almost ask him what he’s doing but then I wonder if maybe he’s not leaving because he has nowhere to go. Tristan and Charlie are planning to spend the night at Tristan’s condo, which is why Mason came over here to watch the girls.

  Without thinking, I offer Mason a spoonful of my brownie covered ice cream and he grins, opening his mouth.

  “That’s some good shit.” He snatches the spoon from me and takes another bite.

  “Hell yes, it is. It’s a staple in my house.”

  “I’d have to spend an extra two hours a day on the treadmill if Tristan kept this at our place.”

  “Oh!” I slap his chest playfully. “Now you’re ruining it. I pretend like it’s good for me, so I can eat it guilt-free.”

  Mason chuckles, sticking the spoon into the container and giving himself another bite.

  “And how do you convince yourself this is healthy?”

  “Simple.” I shrug. “Chocolate comes from cocoa, which comes from a tree. That makes it a plant. I’m practically eating a salad. Everybody knows that.” I giggle, and Mason laughs, taking another bite.

  “Hey! You stole my spoon and you’re not even sharing.” I elbow him in the ribs.

  “Here.” He spoons up another bite then brings it up to my lips. I take the ice cream without looking at it and it’s a huge bite! It barely fits in my mouth, and I have to stop myself from laughing. Mason’s eyes zero in on my lips and my cheeks heat up. I swallow the ice cream down as Mason leans into me. His soft, cold lips press against mine and I sigh into the kiss as I part my lips, his tongue pushing into my mouth and swirling around.

 
Too quickly he pulls back, his face a mixture of remorse and pain. “I’m sorry. Shit, that shouldn’t have happened.”

  Ignoring the swarm of butterflies I feel in my belly for the first time in I don’t know how long, I agree. “Let’s chalk it up to being drunk on chocolate.”

  “You mean salad?” He grins.

  “Yes.” I laugh, grabbing the spoon back from Mason and taking another bite. He backs up slightly but doesn’t leave, and we watch the movie while sharing my ice cream in silence.

  At some point we both must’ve fallen asleep because the next thing I know I’m being woken up by two very awake little girls, who are singing a song about kissing in a tree. I open my eyes, my neck stiff from sleeping on the arm of the couch, and see Mason sleeping with his head on my belly and his legs dangling off the sofa.

  There’s a knock on the door, and I move him carefully so I can answer it. His head falls onto the pillow but he doesn’t wake up.

  “C’mon, girls,” I whisper. “Let’s answer the door and let Uncle Mason sleep.” When I open the door, it’s Gavin and Alec.

  “Morning!” Gavin announces, walking in like he always does before I can stop him. When he gets into the foyer, which is so small you can see the living room, he notices a sleeping Mason on my couch. “Um…did you know you have a guy sleeping on your couch… and he looks to be twice the size of it?” Gavin jokes.

  “Mason’s here!” Alec screams excitedly, and Mason jolts awake.

  “Oh, damn! Mason Street is here?” Gavin asks, and I roll my eyes. Of course my ex-husband is a UFC fan just like my son. Mason sits up, and it takes him a second to remember where he is.

  “Hey man! My name is Gavin. I’m Alec’s dad.” Mason darts his eyes from Gavin, to Alec, to me. “I didn’t know Mila was dating you. It’s great to meet you.” Mason raises a brow, confusion marring his face.