No Limits (The Fighter Series Book 6)

by TC Matson

  “Nope. I’m not saying another word. If you want to talk to me, I’m here.”

  I’m thankful for that. It gives me time to quietly process the feelings cramping my chest.

  I don’t know how long it’s been when my sunlight is suddenly blocked. Opening my eyes, two guys stand at the foot of our chairs. One is wearing red and white board shorts with swooping brown bangs across his forehead. The other is wearing blue and white shorts with messy blond hair. They’re both shirtless and athletically built.

  “Do you happen to work at Twisted Motor Sports?” Bangs asks.

  “I do,” I reply.

  “I knew that was you. I’d recognize your arm anywhere,” he says. “It’s hot as hell.”

  His compliment feels like he’s poking me with a stick and it’s fucking annoying. “Thanks.”

  “I’m Luke,” Bangs introduces himself and then points to the guy beside him. “This is Harrison.”

  Harrison has Scarlett locked and loaded, those two silently flirting with their eyes.

  “I bought a bike there a few months back. I saw you there.”

  I smile so I don’t roll my eyes. “Cool.”

  “Care if I join you?” he asks.

  Before I can answer, he lifts my feet, sits, and then places them into his lap. That is my personal space he’s invading, and it makes me uncomfortable. I sit up, tucking my feet under me.

  Scarlett has sunk her spellbinding claws into Harrison and he sits beside her, his attention solely on her.

  “What’s your name?”

  “Jolie.”

  “Your name fits you. Unique yet beautiful.”

  I arch a brow. “Have you been rehearsing?”

  “I told you. I’ve hoped to see you again since the day you walked through the front, grabbed a soda from the vending machine, and then walked back out in black jeans with holes and a white tank top. Your hair was up. And when you left, I swear you took my voice,” he admits.

  “Impressive you remember all that,” I say.

  “Every single second of it. You made time stop.”

  Part of me wants to call bullshit. The other part of me wants to relish in the compliment. But there’s something about Luke, a vibe that doesn’t sit well. I can’t explain it. I just know I don’t like it.

  “I called back up there a few days later, but you had gone to lunch.”

  “And after?” I challenge.

  “I got busy.”

  “I’m going to go swimming with Harrison,” Scarlett says, waggling her brows.

  “I’ll be here,” I tell her.

  Luke switches into her seat, sitting to face me. He’s handsome with sharp features, but the energy surrounding him gives me the chills. I’m well aware of his presence…something I want to get away from.

  “I’ve got to meet another friend in a few minutes,” I lie, standing like I’m heading off. I hope he’ll take a hint and take off.

  But he doesn’t. “No worries. I’ll walk with you.”

  I disregard my gut feeling since we’re in public and start toward the grille. Luke steps close, occupying the space I didn’t give him permission to be in. Every time I take a discreet step away, he moves closer.

  “I’ve been watching you since you got here,” he says.

  Something about the way he talks is off. My lip curls. “That’s kind of creepy.”

  “Depends on how you look at it. The beach is filled with bombshells, yet you’ve got my entire attention.” His voice drops low, almost menacing.

  “I appreciate all the compliments, but I’m not interested,” I tell him.

  He chuckles. “I’m only interested in having some fun. You look fun.”

  Warning bells blare in my ears. “I think you have the wrong idea of me.”

  His eyes narrow slightly and he clutches my hand. When I try pulling it back, he tightens his grip. “We could find somewhere quieter. You and me.”

  The spidey senses women carry begin to vibrate. Suddenly, fight or flight kick starts my adrenaline. I yank my hand away from his. “I’m not interested,” I grit out.

  “Baby, I could make your toes curl,” he says, his tone sinister.

  “So could sticking my finger in a socket. I’m not interested.”

  I start to stomp off when he grabs my arm, twisting me back to him. “Come on, baby.” His voice is low and disgusting. “You’re a fucking dream come true. Give me one hour and I promise I’ll have you begging for my dick.”

  Malice laces my grin. “I’m pretty sure you’ll beg for your own dick.” As the words exit my mouth, I pull my leg up, kneeing him with everything I have, and shove him away from me.

  A groan mixes with the sudden exhale of breath and he doubles over, but only for a split moment. He snatches my hip, jerking me toward him. “You’re going to pay for that.”

  Out of nowhere, Kyce slams his fist into Luke’s face. Luke’s grip instantly releases and he drops.

  Kyce spins toward me, angry but worried. “Are you okay?”

  A sudden realization slaps me across the face. “Scarlett,” I whisper and take off running.

  My feet pound the sand, my heart throbbing in my throat as I rush toward where she was. Getting to our loungers, I scan frantically looking for her. Water splashes everywhere in the wake of a mad Scarlett as she stomps out of the lake toward me, Harrison nowhere in sight.

  I rush to her, “Are you okay? Did he try anything with you?” I exclaim, rushing out.

  “That man,” she points, slinging her arm toward the water, “doesn’t take no for an answer. And how about they were trying to have a foursome,” she scathes, red in the face.

  I hug her because for a split second, I was so scared for her life. “I knew something was off. I could feel it. I bet they were trying to separate us for their little plan.” I wrap my arms around her again. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  She exhales, shaking her head and pulling back. As she lifts her view to me, immediately she spots something over my shoulder and her breath snags.

  “Is this heaven? Have we died?” she breathes. “Jo?”

  I turn.

  Holy fuck.

  They resemble each other. Ryker is in the middle…in flesh, looking hotter than any picture I’ve ever seen him in. To his right is a man equally as good looking, but smaller in muscle size. And to his left stands the man I’m falling for. They’re all shirtless. Tattooed up. All muscly. All sexy.

  “Jolie. Talk to me. Heaven isn’t the same without your horrible mouth,” she says behind me.

  It grounds me. “Do you think I’d be able to cuss in heaven because hot damn.”

  Ryker smirks and it reminds me so much of Kyce. The trio, the hot, sexy, incredible trio walk to us and I swear it’s in slow motion. I can’t peel my eyes from Kyce, knowing the way his muscles look as he moves…

  “Security took him,” Ryker says. His voice is deeper than Kyce’s, but not nearly as sexy.

  Sexy…seems to be the keyword for them.

  “Okay,” I exhale.

  “These are my brothers, Ryker and Jackson,” Kyce introduces us.

  “Oh, Jolie? I’ve heard enough about you to know—umph.” Kyce elbows Jackson in the ribs.

  “Are you okay?” Kyce asks, ignoring his chuckling brother.

  “Yeah. I’m fine.”

  “I may need mouth to mouth,” Scarlett says.

  It causes me to laugh and I spin to her. “Pretty sure they’re married.”

  She frowns.

  “I’m glad we cut the corner when we did,” Ryker says. “No telling what would have happened.”

  I pull my shoulders back. “I would’ve nailed his nuts again and again until he begged for mercy.”

  The three of them chuckle and I swear it’s a divine melody, the deep rumbles crashing into my heart and causing it to kick up a notch.

  Ryker slaps Jackson on the shoulder. “Let’s grab the food.” Ryker shares a look with Kyce before telling us goodbye.

 
Kyce runs his hands down my arms, his eyes flitting between mine. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  The concern in his tone crackles like the ending of a lone firework, but instead of bringing me awe, it burns me with anger. Memories of him with the blonde. Thoughts of Luke and his perverse ways. I spin to Scarlett. “I’m ready to leave now.”

  “Can I take you home?”

  I’m desperately trying to keep my calm. “No. We’re fine. Besides, you’re here with everyone.” Including your fun for the night. “We’ll be okay.”

  “I’ll take you two to the car, just in case.”

  I don’t argue. Truthfully, I’m grateful no matter how mad I am at him.

  Chapter 17

  Jolie hasn’t said anything since she agreed to let me walk her out to her car. I don’t know if she’s still processing what could have happened with the asshat or if it’s me.

  “You okay?” I ask again, probing for information as we approach her car.

  “Thanks, Kyce,” Scarlett says as she gets the keys to Jolie’s car and enters in from the passenger side, cranking it.

  I run my hands over Jolie’s shoulders, trying to calm her nerves. “Jolie…” I don’t know what to say.

  She blinks to me, pain piercing my heart. “I don’t think we should see each other anymore.”

  My head yanks back. “Should I not have hit him because I’m not sorry for it.”

  Her normally bright hazel eyes are storming with hurt. “I saw you with her.”

  My brows pinch together. “With who?”

  “I know we’re not together, but seeing you with her—”

  “With who, Jolie?”

  “The woman you were with when you saw Scarlett,” she tells me.

  I can’t help myself. I laugh. “You saw me with Candice? I’m pretty sure we weren’t doing anything since she’s practically family.”

  She exhales through her nose, her shoulders visibly relaxing. I duck into her view with a smirk. “What’s going on in that head of yours?”

  Her glare is full of something different, something stronger. “I needed that wake-up call. I’m apparently more invested than I realized, and I need to take a step back.”

  She just burned me and blessed me. “No. You need to take a step forward.”

  “I am. In the opposite direction from you.”

  Placing my hand on the top of her car door, I prevent her from opening it. “Don’t do this. Don’t just walk away.”

  She shakes her head. “I don’t…” When her view lifts to me, her eyes are wet. “I need to sort this out alone.”

  She yanks her door open and drops in. I grab it, ready to unload everything I feel for her, everything racing through my heart. I want to cuss the situation and tell her how she’s making a mistake. I want to tell her I want to be with just her. But it’s all caught underneath the stubbornness that won’t allow me to beg. Not for her. Not for me. Not for anyone. I swallow my anger and push the door shut.

  My chest hurts as I watch her drive away.

  Fuck.

  The walk back to the gang feels like a walk of shame. The girl I’m crazy over isn’t on my arm. Matter of fact, she no longer wants to be in my life.

  Whitney’s sitting on a peach colored lounger with Ryker hogging her space. Sarah is on Jackson’s lap with his arms wrapped around her waist.

  “Is your girl okay?” Candice asks when she spots me.

  I nod. “Yeah. She left.” I try keeping the disappointment out of my voice.

  “Bummer. I wanted to finally meet the girl who has you tied in knots.”

  Candice is the girl I’m not allowed to touch. I’m the guy she dreams of touching her. At least that’s how it used to be. Since the beginning of Whitney and Ryker, the rules were laid out, drawn in the sand and dared to be broken. The ramifications of breaking the rules—Ryker would beat me into a pulp, possibly worse than the time when I fucked up and let him down when Whitney was savagely beaten by a crazed fan. My brother disowned me and the only way I was able to keep up with how Whitney was doing was through Candice. That’s when the desire to fuck her changed into family love. She became like a sister to me. A beacon through stormy weather.

  Have she and I ever fooled around? Once, and it didn’t get very far. Actually, it began and ended with one kiss. The built-up desire we both felt before our lips touched diminished the second they did. It felt wrong and dirty, and it left us in an awkward situation. We agreed to forget it ever happened. Even so, our shit talking has never stopped.

  Feeling defeated, I drop into a chair. “She saw me with you.”

  “And she didn’t come over and say hey?” Candice says but then comprehends exactly what my words meant. “You never told her about me? I’m hurt. I thought I was your dreams?”

  I blow a chuckle. “Sorry. I didn’t think about telling her about my dream woman while lying in the bed with her. Next time I’ll bring that up in the middle of fucking.”

  Ryker kicks my chair. “Those images are better left un-thought of.”

  Everyone laughs…everyone but me.

  “Where is she? I’ll set the record straight,” Candice announces as she stands.

  “I told you she left,” I grumble. “And I did set the record straight.”

  Candice’s eyes bulge. “And you’re not going after her? I know they…” she points to my brothers with her thumbs, “call you a halfwit all the time, but I didn’t realize how right they were. The girl likes you. You like the girl. It’s easy as one plus one. Go after her. What’s so damn hard about it?”

  I lean forward, elbows on my knees, and zero in on her. “We’re fuck buddies. Our boundaries were set from the beginning.”

  “Oh. I see. Because you can control your feelings. I get it.” She rolls her eyes.

  I glower at her sarcasm.

  “Has she been hurt?”

  I scoff. “It’s none of your business.”

  She rests back in her chair, her smile triumphant. “Guess math is hard for you. I’m willing to bet she’s been cheated on because most guys can’t keep their dicks in their pants. And her seeing you with me brought back a lot of pain.”

  Ryker’s sitting with an amused smirk.

  Jackson’s full-blown smiling.

  Their wives are watching me intently.

  “Fuck.” I glance away.

  Ryker kicks my chair again, arching a brow and staring at me expectantly. “Go, Kyce.”

  Chapter 18

  I left AquaBlue, going home to shower and change before coming to Jolie’s apartment. Surprise. She’s not here.

  I’ve been sitting on the worn-out wood floor, resting my back against the wall across from her door.

  Just sitting here.

  Waiting.

  Contemplating and gathering my thoughts and going over everything I want to say to her.

  I’ve texted her, but she’s not responded. Not a surprise either. She said she wanted to sort this out alone. Alone. Every time I close my eyes, all I see is the hurt on Jolie’s face. When I stare at one place, she’s what I see.

  None of this would be happening had I just gotten my head out of my ass, manned up, and told her how I was feeling. I’m a pussy when it comes to falling in love. I’m scared of it. I can walk through life with my head up, prepared for everything that could come my way, but you give my heart a push and I might as well curl up into the fetal position.

  Love doesn’t make me feel like a man.

  I’m flooded with exhilaration when my phone rings, but it drains as I see Mom displayed.

  “You’re never going to believe what your father did to me last night,” she says.

  “Whoa. I’m pretty sure I don’t want to know.”

  Mom titters. “Like I would share that type of information with you, son. I was making cookies from scratch and he came into the kitchen, grabbed a handful of flour, and threw it in my face. Flour got everywhere.”

  My parents have been married for forty plus years. I’ve only
seen them argue a handful of times. The rest of the time they act like kids in love.

  “Did you beat him over the head with a rolling pin?” I ask.

  “I should have. What’s wrong?”

  Closing my eyes, I hit the back of my head on the wall. My mother is so in tune with her motherly instincts, I swear she could be across the world and know when I stub my toe.

  “Nothing.”

  “Kyce,” her voice is stern. “I didn’t raise you to lie, especially to me.”

  Way to guilt trip. Dammit.

  “Is it the girl?” she asks.

  Fuck. “It is, but I don’t want to talk about it.”

  “Is she pregnant?”

  “No, Mom,” I grumble.

  “Are you two arguing?”

  “Mom…” I groan.

  “What are you two arguing about? Most the time you can just talk it out, but you have to make sure your emotions are calm when you do.”

  I sigh. “She saw me with Candice and thought something she shouldn’t.”

  “Did you tell her that?”

  “Of course. But she’s not my girlfriend.” I pause. “She thought…”

  “So you two are…what is it called these days? Friends with benefits?”

  I want to puke. “I’m not discussing this with you. This is wrong. Morally wrong and I’m certain it’s a sin.”

  She laughs loudly. “You kids think us oldies don’t know a thing or two. We’ve been around for a while. We know. I’m going to ask you one question, and you’re going to answer it honestly. If not for me, for you.”

  I brace myself. The seriousness in her tone brings back memories of when I was a kid and had to either throw my brothers under the bus or flat out lie.

  “Do you love her?”

  Oh, fucking hell.

  The line is silent.

  She hums before she speaks. “Love isn’t scary, son. It’s a beautiful experience. But you wouldn’t know that because you’ve never allowed yourself to fall. You’ve seen the devastation love can cause. Do you think that’s how it always is? Look at Ryker and Jackson now. Years after their first heartbreak they’re happily married and madly in love.”

  “I’m scared, Mom. Is that what you wanted to hear?” I snap. “Your grown ass son is fucking scared.”