Beyond Reason (32 page)

“We can’t,” I whispered.

“Oh, but we can,” he moaned, bringing his lips to my exposed shoulders.

The feeling of power that pulsed through me, knowing that I created this inside of him, made it almost impossible for me to think straight.

His mouth slowly worked its way down my shoulder, and I silently cursed myself for wearing something so revealing. It never dawned on me that he’d find it sexy.

“Ayden, I’d never forgive myself if you didn’t win, and I’m about to lose control.”

“That didn’t help your cause,” he said, giving me a hard kiss before letting me go.

My heart was racing and the heat at the base of my stomach was spreading as I tried to catch my breath.

“Thanks for caring about me,” he said, giving me a wicked grin. “But don’t think I won’t find you after the fight.”

“I’m counting on it.”

A loudspeaker clicked on below, followed by several high-pitched squeals and then a boom of bass.

“Guess it’s getting close to showtime,” Ayden said quietly, as the music began playing.

I nodded and looked below at the crowd. There were people of all ages and sexes mixed together. I could almost smell the excitement in the air as bets were made.

“Where’s the other guy?” I asked.

“We’re the sponsors of this one so we get to prepare on premises. He’s probably just down the street or something.”

“Does that give you an advantage?” I asked.

“I think it does.” He nodded. “Although I win them when we’re the visitors so I guess it just depends.”

I nodded and watched Ayden unzip the duffle. He pulled out a pair of shorts and my pulse quickened again, realizing just how close we were to the event.

He pulled off his shirt, revealing his beautiful lean torso, and it became painfully obvious how he created such a beautiful body, fighting. I watched him unzip his jeans, and my gaze followed his hands as he slid them off. Letting out a sigh, I was met with Ayden’s laughter.

“At least I know you’re suffering too,” Ayden’s tone serious, his eyes dancing with satisfaction.

“You have no idea,” I muttered.

He pulled on his shorts as Mason returned.

“Ready?” he asked.

Ayden nodded and my heart literally stopped for a split second. It was really happening. I was about to watch the man I loved step into a ring and willingly put himself in harm’s way.

Mason grabbed towels, a mouth guard, and balm out of the bag and motioned for us to follow him.

“Okay. You need to stay by me the entire time,” Mason instructed.

“Don’t wander off,” Ayden agreed. “I need to know you’ll be by him the entire time.”

“I promise,” I vowed, as we walked down the hallway. “Are there no gloves?”

“Not that kind of fighting,” Mason replied.

When we reached the bottom of the stairs, the music lowered and the crowd hushed themselves immediately. The fighters were spotted.

“First time in this weight class, let’s hear it for Maverick Stone,” a man’s voice boomed.

The crowd started booing, and I almost felt sorry for the guy as I watched him march down the cleared path toward the ring.

I said
almost
.

I glanced at Ayden one last time, his beautiful blue eyes connected with mine.

“Love you,” he mouthed.

“Love you.” I smiled, looking away quickly, not wanting him to see the fear about to boil over. My nerves were so raw it was hard to concentrate as I saw the sea of gawking eyes on us, waiting for Ayden to be announced.

“And now making his way back to the ring, the Defending Champion, Ayden Rhodes.”

I watched Ayden begin to walk the path as the crowd erupted into cheers. His back muscles worked with each movement he made. Mason nodded at me and gestured for me to follow as we made our way through the crowded aisle.

All of the hands reaching for Ayden like he was a piece of meat stirred my guts up something fierce, and I wanted them to all back off, but he was obviously used to it as he made his way into the ring.

Mason grabbed my wrist and quickly pulled me with him before the crowd threatened to swallow me up. I saw a man step into the center of the ring and things slowly began to blur together. I heard him rattling off rules or something, but all I could do was concentrate on Ayden.

Dear God, let him be safe. Let him win.

It felt so weird using up my prayers on my boyfriend, asking that he beat someone up, but I didn’t want to think of the alternative.

I watched Ayden’s gaze darken as he watched his opponent, analyzed him. There was something going on inside Ayden’s mind as the time ticked down. I didn’t see the same thing going on behind Maverick’s expression. I wondered what it was that Ayden was thinking about.

The announcer exited the ring, and then before I was ready, a bell dinged from somewhere above. I leaned against Mason for support as he shouted commands at Ayden. I seriously doubted Ayden actually listened, but I could be surprised. Once the fight began, I watched Ayden begin a dance like nothing I’d seen before. His feet barely touched the mat as he bounced from one foot to the other. Maverick came at Ayden with a quick punch, but Ayden rolled away from it long before it even had a chance to connect. Ayden took a few steps back and I watched as Maverick tried again.

Ayden bobbed away from the punch and threw one himself, landing a connection right into Maverick’s ribcage with a crunch. The crowd went wild, and I stared in horror, praying that nothing like that was reciprocated. Maverick took a stumble back, but quickly jumped onto the balls of his feet, ready for another go. Ayden’s movements soared through the ring, his hand connecting with Maverick’s cheek before landing another punch on Maverick’s chin.

Maverick stumbled back, falling onto the mat. I looked around at Mason for a sign to see if it was over, but Maverick stood back up. This time his expression filled with disdain as his shoulders bulged with ammunition. Maverick lunged for Ayden, and I gasped as I watched Ayden stand his ground.

He didn’t roll away.

He didn’t move.

He watched.

He waited.

And when Maverick was within arm’s reach, Ayden’s knuckles connected so hard against Mavericks jaw, I heard a snap. And watched as Maverick’s eyes went blank and he fell backward against the mat. Not knowing if it was like the other time when he’d pop back up or not, I didn’t let myself get excited until Ayden spun around.

His eyes connected with mine as a huge grin spread across his lips when the fight was called and Ayden was announced the victor. His body was slick and his muscles defined as the blood continued to pump through them. He was beautiful. He was a fighter.

I looked quickly around the crowd and watched more money trade hands than I could even fathom as the crowd erupted into craziness.

“We need to get her out of here,” Mason called over the commotion.

Ayden’s brilliant blue eyes stayed locked on mine as he nodded and walked over to me.

Ayden quickly bent down and cradled my jaw in his hand, giving me a long passionate kiss. As I tasted his mouth the desire to make love to him only grew. It was as if all of the fear and worry turned into something far more powerful that needed to be satisfied. He broke his lips from mine and smiled at Mason and then at the crowd.

“Told you she was my good luck charm,” Ayden laughed as Mason shook his head. But Mason was smiling too. Something more was going on than I understood.

“I thought you won all the time?” I asked.

“Not in the first round. Not a TKO in the first round. Not like this,” he said. “You just made us a lot of money.”

“How did I make you a lot of money?” I asked. “That was all you.”

He grabbed my hand and pulled me through the crowd toward the stairs not bothering to answer until we got away from the noise.

“Because what I’m about to do to you is all I thought about once I stepped into the ring,” he said, pulling me up the stairs. “I need to lick each and every part of you.”

My body quivered as his words lingered, and he hauled me with him into the room where we’d only just left. He grabbed the bag and flashed me a smile.

“I thought—”

He laughed, “Not here.”

“Wait,” I said, pulling him toward me.

I kissed him softly, my hands gliding over his abdomen as my lips dared to find the saltiness that my mouth craved.

“I’m not going to be able to stop,” his voice wary.

“Then don’t,” I moaned, dropping to my knees. The saltiness under my lips never tasted so delicious as my mouth trailed down his abdomen. His hands ran through my hair as I placed kisses along his v-muscles.

“That should hold you...” I whispered, standing back up.

“You’re so cold.” His eyes steadied on mine as his breathing evened out.

“And you’re trouble,” I teased.

He grinned and slipped a shirt on.

“You’re going to be so sorry,” he growled.

“I hope so.”

“You were amazing out there,” I said, as we pulled into Ayden’s garage.

“You okay with me continuing?” he asked, as he pulled the key out of the ignition.

My heart leapt into my throat at his question. I would never ask someone to quit doing something they loved, but I’d be lying to myself if I didn’t admit it scared me. The idea of losing him terrified me. And if it hadn’t been Maverick who hit the mat, it would have been Ayden. There’s only one winner in the ring.

“I’m here to support you,” I said, glancing at him.

He turned in the seat and gently touched my chin, bringing me into him. I closed my eyes as I felt his mouth touch mine. There was no teasing this time. His mouth pressed against mine, determined to continue the connection from before. I grabbed onto his t-shirt and twisted it in between my fingers right before he leaned back.

“Let me go shower,” he said, catching his breath.

“I was kind of looking forward to something dirty,” I laughed.

“Oh, it’ll be dirty,” he replied, smiling.

I rolled my eyes as he got out of the car. I took a deep breath in and watched as he made his way into the house. I wanted to tell him the good news, that I’d gotten a job interview here in Seattle. I didn’t want to tell him before the fight, but I was hoping that his reaction wouldn’t disappoint me. It was like I still kept waiting for the sky to fall.

My phone buzzed, and I pulled it out of my pocket. It was a message from Gabby.

Jason’s going to go on a trip and he won’t let me come.

I quickly typed my question.

You asked?

She wrote back that she had asked and he said not this time. I let out a sigh as all of the amazing emotions from only moments before were quickly displaced by impending dread. This didn’t seem like Jason. Gabby and Jason needed to get this settled, whatever it was. She needed to confront him, demand answers, which was what I texted back to her. My phone was silent for a few moments as I got out of the car and walked into the house.

I know you’re right. I just kept hoping he’d open up. I’m going to go talk to him and I’ll let you know what I find out. Are you still in Washington?

My heart sank. I knew how much Gabby hated confrontation, but it was for the best. Whatever was going on needed to be solved together, not solely by Jason. I heard the shower turn on down the hall, and I felt the familiar butterflies return as I thought about Ayden.

I’m still at Ayden’s and plan to interview for a job up here. I’ll keep you posted. Everything’s going to be fine. Things will work out. XX

I hit send and hoped that everything would work out for Jason and Gabby. Not knowing exactly what was going on only made me worry more. My imagination was probably making whatever it was ten times worse, and I was sure Gabby’s imagination was even worse.