Dagger

by Sterling, S. L.

  I closed my eyes, my body all warm and tingly at the feel of his lips, and I let out a throaty moan.

  "All right, make any more of those noises, and I'll have you for breakfast instead." He laughed, letting me go and gently tapping my ass. "Get dressed."

  Twenty minutes later, we were seated in my new car, Derrick behind the wheel and me in the passenger seat, and we drove over to a little diner that sat on the corner, promising the best all-day breakfast in the area. Here I thought that things might be awkward between us, but he behaved just like he had before last night, like this was natural, like everything between us was as normal as breathing. Maybe it was, but since I knew absolutely nothing about normal relationships, I couldn't tell. I couldn't remember the last time I had had one. I couldn't even say I'd had one as a young adult. I’d dated throughout college, if you could call it dating, but it was more overnights with very drunk frat boys. Thinking back, I couldn't even remember a single time that I had left the college campus with one of them. I didn't count those nights, though. The ones that counted were afterward, after college, when all I had attracted were guys like Jonas.

  The diner was busy. We were lucky to have grabbed a table in the back of the restaurant. I was quiet as we sat across from one another, Derrick digging into his egg omelet, and me into my waffles. For once, everything inside of me was calm and natural. Derrick told me all about his upcoming fight next week, things he had been working on to improve in the ring, and why it was so important for him to win them all. He had dreams and things he wanted to accomplish—just another thing that separated him from Jonas and the other guys I had been with. I shared with him a couple of stories from the ER the other night, and he listened intently, never missing a beat, never interrupting, just listening. Somehow, the guy I had so desperately wanted to hate understood me and found small ways to treat me like I was special.

  When the waitress came by our table to refill our coffee she also dropped off the bill. I went to reach for the little black billfold after the waitress had walked away, but Derrick grabbed it first saying something about him wanting things to be fair.

  I frowned. "What do you mean fair?" I asked, trying to rip it from his hand.

  "Never you mind, just let me pay for breakfast. Is it not okay that I want to treat you?" he said, making a funny face at me.

  I didn't feel right about letting him pay when I owed him a month’s payments, but I let out a laugh, and he took the bill and went up to the counter to pay, while I sat and sipped on my fresh coffee.

  "Where are we going?" I questioned when Derrick pulled out of the diner’s parking lot and drove in the opposite direction of our place.

  "I just wanted to stop and grab a few things that we might need," he said, pulling into the parking lot of the local Walmart.

  "Here, let me give you some cash," I said, reaching for my wallet while Derrick found a parking spot.

  "Katy, no, it’s all right. Just wait in the car. I will be out in two minutes." He leaned over and kissed me on the cheek and hopped out of the car.

  I watched him make his way across the parking lot, and once he had disappeared inside, I sat back in the seat with Derrick’s baseball cap pulled down over my head and the hood from my sweater pulled up over that with my sunglasses on.

  Even though Derrick didn't make me wait long, I still felt paranoid. He wasn't gone long, ten minutes perhaps, when I spotted him coming out the front door carrying a large bag, which he threw into the back seat.

  "What is all that?" I asked as he started the car.

  "You'll see." He winked and buckled his belt.

  We drove back to the hotel, small talk going on between us. He scoped out the parking lot before letting me get out of the van. He always said I couldn't be too careful. As soon as we were back inside our room, he turned and handed the bag to me. I looked up at him, unsure what he was doing.

  "Open it." He gestured.

  I eyed him and then opened the bag. I pulled out two large fluffy, soft purple towels. "What are these for?" I asked, running my hands over them again and again, loving the feel of them against my skin. They sure beat the crap the hotel had.

  "They are for you. I noticed how small and rough the hotel’s towels were. As much as I like how they look on you, they are too rough for your soft skin. So I got you these." He smiled and placed a kiss on the top of my head.

  In that moment, I just wanted to cry. He’d thought of me, thought I deserved better, and as I stood there looking down at the plush towels that lay in my hand, in my favorite color, I truly believed that I didn't deserve him.

  Two weeks later, he proved that again when he found us a new place to live. It was a little more upscale than the last. He protected me and made me feel safe every single chance he got. Over time, Derrick was also the one who had initiated the changes that I was still afraid to make: settling into a new life with someone I could finally trust.

  We moved into the new place on my first day off. We had just finished unpacking and I had just put dinner on to cook. This place had almost a full-sized kitchen with a stove, which made things much easier. I had just put a chicken and potatoes into the oven and finished putting broccoli into the pot on the stove. Derrick lay reading an article in one of his body building magazines, and I flopped down in the chair across from him and let out a sigh. I had many things weighing on my mind and needed to talk to him about it. I needed to bring up the uncomfortable subject of just how much I was going to owe him for his services because, after all, I had made that agreement with him and didn't want him to think I had forgotten.

  "Derrick, can we talk for minute?" I asked, fidgeting with a button on my shirt.

  "Sure, what's up?"

  "Well, it’s just today was payday for me and I...I just wanted to know how much you wanted...for, well...this."

  He dropped the magazine down on his lap and looked over at me, his eyes meeting mine. I was afraid that I would insult him by still wanting to pay him after everything that had been going on between us. However, at the same time, I didn't want him to think that I had slept with him to get out of paying him either. He didn't say anything. He just looked around the room, almost as if he didn't know what to say. After almost as much silence as I could take, he cleared his throat. "How about we just go halfsies on the new place."

  "That is a kind offer, but, Derrick, it doesn't seem fair to me. I mean some nights you don't sleep at all because you are too busy watching out the windows, especially when things get loud outside." I twirled my thumbs around each other. What I was asking of him was more than I could afford to pay. "How about I just pay for it all," I simply stated. I could afford it. I made good money and I would be paying it anyways without him. "That way you stay for free and put your money into your training." I smiled. I could tell instantly that he didn't like the idea, but he didn't argue with me either.

  We had been living in the new place a week already and things between us had settled into a calm, comfortable existence. I was starting to feel like we had a real relationship. We respected one another, each giving one another our own space, and we never fought. Life had been quiet and wonderful in a way I never knew it could be, and there had been no more signs of Jonas being around.

  On the nights I worked, Derrick would drop me off outside the employee entrance at the back and he would wait for me to get inside. He would then leave and head to the gym for his second workout of the day. He was working so hard to achieve his dream. Most nights he would text me on his way back from the gym and meet me for my break. I would bring out two hot coffees and food from the cafeteria and we would sit and talk for an hour. It allowed me to unwind from whatever was going on during my shift. Afterwards, he would go back to our place and wait until he had to come and pick me up in the morning.

  On my nights off, I would accompany him to his fights. I was always afraid of him getting hurt, but he told me as long as I cheered loud enough for him to hear, he would always come out on top. So that was what I did.r />
  Chapter 17

  Katy

  It was Monday night, the week of the big fight. It was eleven and I had just gotten off my shift and was about to start my four days off. As usual, Derrick was waiting for me when I stepped out the back door of the hospital. As soon as he spotted me, he pulled up beside the door and I climbed into the car. I was so thankful to be able to sit down and relax; my body was tired. We drove back to our place, him listening patiently as I told him about my night. I was venting about that plastic surgeon again, who had once again asked me out on a date.

  "Do I need to pay him a visit?" he asked, chuckling to himself.

  "No, Derrick, it’s fine."

  "You sure? Because, honestly, one visit—a good busted-up face again—and he will be back to picking on me and leave you alone." He grabbed hold of my knee and tickled me. I grabbed his hand and tried to pull it away, but I was laughing too hard as he continued to tickle me. Even though I knew Derrick was serious about it, I never feared that he would come unglued and come after the guy.

  I looked over at Derrick, once he had let my knee go, the serious look on his face returning. He got quiet as he continued driving towards our place. "Is everything okay?" All of a sudden, I was worried about Derrick. He never let his guard down even for a second when it came to me, even when I complained about someone as non-threatening as Dr. Good Looking. He looked exhausted. The double workouts, side fights at night, and barely any sleep, I didn't know how he stayed on alert all the time.

  "Of course. Just tired," he said, interlocking his fingers with mine and concentrating back on the road.

  When we walked through the door of the apartment, I headed straight for the shower, while Derrick secured our room for the night. It was a new place, and I was back to not being able to sleep unless the dresser was pulled in front of the door, and every night, Derrick made sure to move it there.

  Twenty minutes later, I emerged from the bathroom wearing my racer-back and boy shorts. Derrick already had all the lights off and was lying in bed, in his usual boxers, flipping through the channels.

  "I figured you would be asleep already," I mumbled, crawling in beside him.

  "Nah, thought I would wait for you," he answered and let out a yawn, holding his arms open for me to crawl into.

  I curled up beside him, resting my head on his chest, and let my tired body relax against his warmth. He shut the TV off and wrapped his arm around me, pulling me tighter against him, and I closed my eyes, relaxing in the safety of his arms. This was our normal. Sometimes...there was sex, other times not, either way, he never complained and never shoved me away; we would just fall into a deep sleep together. He normally didn't sleep much during the night. He would just basically nap on and off until it was time for him to get up and go to the gym. In the mornings, especially my days off, he would be careful not to wake me while getting ready, but I normally stirred when he would remove his body from mine. The warmth and security he provided me had become my blanket, one I didn't care to leave.

  I felt his hand squeeze my hip, and I rolled over and murmured his name. "It's okay, babe. You stay. Stay in...just stay in bed until I get back. It’s too early for you to get up." He placed a lingering kiss on my bare shoulder, just like he did every morning.

  "Do you have to go?" I murmured.

  "You know I do," he said, falling back into bed and kissing my neck.

  "I'll get up, come with you," I said, struggling to pull from his grip.

  "No, sweetie, get some rest. I will be back soon." He gently kissed my neck again, whispering into my ear how he couldn't wait to get back to me. That was all I needed to hear, his words, his touch, his kiss sending me back into a deep sleep.

  I woke when I heard the shower running. Normally, I would already be up by the time he was back, but not this morning. I rubbed at my tired eyes and lay there in time to catch a glimpse of Derrick, naked, in the mirror in the bathroom through the crack of the door. He always showered with the door open a crack, in case I needed him for something. A simple glance at his ass as he climbed into the shower proved to be dangerous to me, and I felt my body stir.

  I stretched and got up from the warmth of our bed, dropping what little I wore in a pile on the floor. Calm and confident, I strode across the room to the bathroom and quietly pushed the curtain aside and climbed into the shower with him. He didn't have a chance to turn around before I was already running my hands down his strong back and kissing his shoulder. He slowly turned towards me and pulled me under the hot water. He didn't wait. He grabbed me under my ass, while I wrapped my arms around his neck, and lifting me, he placed me against the wall of the shower.

  He attacked my mouth, running his strong hand through my hair, while the other rested under my ass. "Wrap your legs around my waist." He moaned into my mouth, as he sucked my bottom lip. I did as he instructed, wrapping my legs around his waist, hooking my feet together. His tongue swept through my mouth as his hands gripped my ass tightly.

  My centre was throbbing by the time the water started to run cold. I needed him inside of me. He shut the water off and carried me to the bed and lay me down. "Get onto your knees."

  "What?" I asked, reaching for his hands, but he tore them from me.

  "On your knees."

  I looked up at him, a little afraid at first. Jonas used to be demanding like this, and he used to love to fuck this way, fucking me so hard I would eventually cry out in pain. Derrick wouldn't have known that, and I swallowed hard, afraid to say anything, finally doing as he asked and rolling onto my knees. I looked back over my shoulder at Derrick, who was already checking out my backside, a gleam in his eye I hadn't seen before. He ran his hands lightly over my ass, which sent chills through me. He was touching me the exact way that Jonas used to before he punished me. I closed my eyes and swallowed hard as I felt his strong hands rest on my hips and he pulled me back a little bit.

  "You're the perfect woman," Derrick moaned as he slid slowly inside of me, filling me, causing me to moan out loud. He pumped into me so slow and deep; it was almost like torture. There was no nasty talk, no hard thrusting, no hitting, just love making and soft caresses. I could already feel him swelling inside of me with each torturous stroke. He wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me up so my back was against his chest, and he turned my head with his free hand, meeting my lips. His other hand slid down between my legs and he began stroking my clit in quick, short strokes as his cock hit the perfect spot inside of me. "Come for me, baby. I want to feel you tighten around my cock," he whispered, kissing my ear.

  He was relentless, pumping into me still painfully slow and deep, and I could feel myself tighten with every stroke of his fingers. Every touch was like lightning coursing through my body.

  "Fuck me, you’re so fucking tight," he whimpered, his voice shaking. He pumped into me a couple more times, and we both let go, coming together.

  It was the most intense orgasm I had ever experienced as he collapsed on top of me, his arms catching him. I could still feel him throbbing inside of me as he rested for a second, trying to catch his breath. "My God that was amazing," he whispered, kissing my shoulder.

  He pulled himself from me and I laid down on the bed, grabbing the messy covers and pulling them around me. He, too, collapsed into the bed and looked into my eyes. His large hand came up to rest on my cheek. "I meant what I said, Katy," he whispered. "You are the perfect woman."

  I hid my eyes from him. To me he was the perfect man, which made being the perfect woman very easy. I wasn't used to the compliments, and it made me uneasy that he was saying these things to me. His hand still resting on my cheek, he leaned in and kissed me.

  Chapter 18

  Dagger

  It was Friday, I had just returned from the gym, excited to see Katy before she left for work. I walked into our place and dropped my bag on the floor. I could hear the shower running, and I called out to Katy to let her know it was me and went straight to our little kitchen area to make my shake.<
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  I had just finished shoving veggies into the cup when Katy came out of the bathroom, her hair wrapped in the purple towel I bought her and the other one wrapped around her body. She gave me a sexy smile and grabbed her hairbrush.

  "You are sure there is no way for you not to work tonight?" I asked her as I shoved a few berries into my blender cup. I hated to ask, but I was finding it tough to be both the bodyguard and the MMA fighter while she was at work.

  Normally, I was off at night while she worked. It made it easy, and she didn't have a clue, but those nights, I would spend all evening out in the hospital parking lot just in case she needed me. I would drop her off, make sure she had gotten into the building, and then I would park and sit in the car until she sent me a text letting me know she was clocking out and I could pick her up at the door.

  I don't know why, but for some reason, she never questioned how I had managed to get there so quickly. Maybe she thought I was simply showing up early and that it all just came together. Whatever it was, it really didn't matter.

  Tonight, though, it did matter. Tonight was the night of the big fight. Truthfully, it wasn't just because I would worry about her while she was at work. I wanted her there, cheering me on. Tonight the scouts would be out looking.

  She looked over at me. "Why do you want me to call in?" she asked, running the brush through her wet hair.

  "It's just, well, tonight I'm going to be later," I warned. "This is a big fight. I'm the last bout of the night—the main event. There are going to be agents there looking to possibly sign me, and if that happens, things will be even later. I guess I would feel better if you were there, where I knew you were safe. Plus, you could cheer me on."

  She shook her head and continued packing up her own bag for work. "I wish I could, but you know I hate seeing you get hurt, but I do want to be there to support you. It's just, I can't get the night off. One of the other nurses has a sick kid. Plus, the flu is going around, and we have been more slammed than normal." She sighed as she threw her scrubs into her bag. "It will be just like any other night: I'll be busy and I'll be safe. I'll wait for you to call to tell me you are leaving the fight. Maybe you'll even come in to get stitched up. It'll almost be like a date." She winked at me, giggling.