Friction (Oath Keepers MC Book 5) (28 page)

By the time I reach Chyna, Gavin already has Aria locked against him, buffed up and a snarl like he’d rip any of the dude’s heads off that so much as look at her. Good, I’ll do the same. These guys would be flat out stupid to mess with not only one, but two big, well-trained MMA fighters. I get in front of Chyna and smile down at her pretty face.

“Little Miss Chyna, we meet again. I was wondering if I’d see you tonight.”

Chyna’s slightly flushed from dancing and hits me with a mischievous smile in response. Eminem’s song “Berzerk” starts playing over the loud club speakers.

She pulls me to the dance floor with her and immediately starts rubbing against me as we dance. I’m surprised, because she didn’t utter a word to me earlier. Now, she’s brimming with confidence, and, in my opinion, there’s nothing sexier on a woman.

With eyes bright, she leans toward me and yells to be heard over the music, “I love this song!” Her voice is so sweet and feminine, and she sounds innocent and carefree. Hell yeah, this is my kind of chick. I love that she’s not shy and wants to have fun. This is going to be too easy with her.

“Yeah, it’s cool. Keep dancing like that, and I’ll dance to anything with you.” She just laughs. I’m thinking she’s had a few drinks already, giving her a little liquid courage.

This girl can move! And, she’s so sexy doing it. I’m captivated by her smile and the way her body moves against mine. I block everything else out except her; I can finally take a breath and feel my body start to relax for the first time today.

Pulling her closer, I dance away my leftover stress from my fight, losing myself in her sweet scent and the relaxing beats thrumming throughout the club. Thank fuck Ford didn’t get me very many times, or even the beer wouldn’t be helping me move right now. I got lucky with him being off his game today; it turned into one of the easiest fights I’ve had in the past year. I’m not complaining at all; I’ll never complain when winning a fight. However, I’m a little disappointed that it wasn’t more competitive. I’ve trained my ass of for this fight. Here I am drinking and dancing, when normally after a fight I puke, eat pain pills, and sleep.

the next day…

Well, things didn’t go as I had planned last night. Chyna went to her own house instead of mine, but I
did
get her number. I’m glad, too, because I can’t seem to get her sexy little ass out of my mind. Ever since I got up this morning I’ve wanted to text her to see what she’s up to, but she drank a ton last night and she’s probably hungover. God, last night was a blast.

I’m a little sore from the fight, but I’m still happy that I danced with her all night long. She laughed and teased me like we had known each other forever. Now I’m here feeling like I have my own hangover—not from alcohol—from Chyna herself. Hopefully, I’ll get together with her soon since I can’t get her out of my mind. It’s not often that a chick can get her claws into me so quickly.

The last actual relationship I was in went downhill fast, and since then I haven’t had the interest in trying another out. I’ve dated a few women who had made me think about them more than the norm, but they always turned out to be the same. I know the ladies are attracted to my body, and it’ll usually get me a date or two, but if I go out with someone, I’d like them to be interesting and have something to talk about. I also want sex, but it’s not everything to me. I didn’t get the I’m-an-easy-lay vibe from Chyna. And I respect her for it.

I make my way to the small gym I frequent. I have to keep training to be in shape for my next fight. I usually take a little time to relax and recoup between fights, but no taking it easy this time. I’m on a strict schedule and have to get my body extremely conditioned.

The opponent’s skill increases with each fight. I want to be in the best shape of my life when I finally make it to Vegas to fight. The dancing last night, most likely helped keep my muscles from tightening up too badly. The beer definitely didn’t help, but I deserved it after another win.

I was able to soak in a hot Epsom salt bath this morning for about thirty minutes before my shower. It usually helps out with my sore and bruised muscles. I’ll soak in a hot tub later at the gym as well. The heat and ice therapy tonight should kill the soreness quicker and reduce my recovery time.

I have to concentrate and keep my priorities in order; fighting is always first, and then comes anything else. I breeze over everything in my mind as I drive. Doing a mental checklist every morning helps keep me organized. I haven’t always been as organized as I am now; I work extra hard to stay on the path that I’ve planned for my life.

Back in the day, I never would have believed I’d be where I am in my life now. With the road I was on, I could be doing time right about now. Thank God, I saw that poster in the store that day advertising a week free MMA training session at my gym. I thought it would help me become a better criminal. Instead, it opened my eyes to a completely different type of life and goals to set for myself. I haven’t turned back since—just firing ahead and becoming the best I possibly can.

After a short drive, I arrive at the gym and park in my usual spot. I walk across the parking lot, and I’m greeted as soon as I step in the door. Most have seen me here for hours at a time while I train, and I see a lot of familiar faces. I’ve made a few friends, and they’re usually the guys I end up sparing with. We talk fighting, training, and sometimes we have lunch together. It’s refreshing to have friends that have the same goals as mine to eat healthy, train, and become successful, instead of plotting our next robbery or other criminal activity to get money.

I place my plain black bag away in the locker room. It has around fifty small lockers, a few showers, bathroom stalls, sinks, mirrors, everything a guy needs when working out.

I love this gym and the fact that it’s strictly MMA training only. It’s not as packed full as the regular gym next door. I do have a membership to go over there also, if I ever feel the need to work out at crazy hours. They stay open twenty-four hours a day. I’ll occasionally pop over to lift weights if I’m having a rough night sleeping or thinking about my family. I prefer to just go for a run close to my apartment if the weather’s not too hot.

I head over to the jump ropes to start on my warm-ups and nod at a couple of the fighters I’m cool with as I head over toward my trainer, Sin.

“What’s up, man?” I fist-bump my buddy and fellow fighter, Jaxson “Adonis” Barker. Damn pretty boy—Even when he loses a fight, his face never seems to get messed up.

“’Sup Jace—good job last night, man.”

Jaxson sounds drained and looks a little worn out. He’s one of the few guys who actually works out as much as I do. He and I have done a lot of the training classes together and when my buddy Gavin isn’t here, Jaxson and I will partner up if we can.

I grab one of the black jump ropes and set the timer for fifteen minutes with fifteen second breaks. I know it’s going to hurt like a motherfucker, jumping with my tender muscles and fucked-up toe, but I’m going to power through it reminding myself that pain is weakness leaving the body.

“Yeah, thanks. Ford was a little cocky so I had to play with him for a few before I hit him with my right.” Not to mention he’s a fucking prick outside the cage, too. I can’t stand fighters who have no honor and morals outside the cage. The fight is inside, and that’s where it should be kept. We’re all giving it our best try—no need to be a dick.

“Well, you did good man; we were all watching. I actually met a little hottie there. I’m about to go meet her for lunch in a few.” I smirk and shake my head at him—fucking Jaxson and his women.

“Thanks, I appreciate it.”

He nods and heads to the locker room, “I’ll catch you later, man.”

I give him a chin lift and keep jumping rope, “Cool, take it easy.”

That dude lives up to his name “Adonis” with the way chicks flock to his ass. I finish up my fifteen minutes of jump roping and then I really get into my zone, turning up some “Beautiful People” by Marilyn Manson. I start with some light cardio before hitting the heavy bag and before my trainer decides it’s time to put me through an hour or two of hell.

PURCHASE Unexpected Forfeit here!

My husband -
I love you more with each book I write. You drive me crazy some days, but you make up for it being hot.

My boys
- You are my whole world. I love you both. This never changes and you better not be reading these books until you’re thirty and tell yourself your momma did not write them!

The lovely beta readers, thank you -
Abbey Neil-Clark, Kelly Emery, Sarah Rogers, Lindsay Lupher, Wendi Stacilaucki-Hunsicker, Patti Novia West, Jamey Weber and Kaci Stewart. Thank you for continually supporting me. You have become my friends, a group of women I know I can count on and that means more to me than you can ever possibly imagine. Every time I read through your beta notes, I get excited. To experience my books through your eyes is amazing, I’m grateful you’re always open and honest, encouraging me. I can’t wait to squeeze each one of you!

Photographer and Cover Designer Sara Eirew
– Thank you for such a beautiful cover. I’m so excited you were able to put my husband’s tattoos on the model, he is absolutely thrilled also!

Editor Mitzi Carroll –
Thank you tremendously! My books wouldn’t be possible without your hard work, and I absolutely love reading your comments. You take my work and make it shine!

My Formatter Max Henry
– Thank you for making my work look professional and beautiful, you are immensely talented and everyone should know you’re the best formatter in the entire world and write smexy books also!

My PA Abbey Neil-Clark
– Thank you for everything, it means the world to me (as do you)!

Anne Mercier
– I love our crazy conversations about everything, it’s refreshing to meet a like-minded person who is sweet enough to share her talent with me as well. -XOXO Sapphy

Molly McLain –
I don’t know how we became friends, but thank you for being so kind! I adore you!

Sapphire’s Naughty Princesses
– You ladies are brilliant, thank you for all that you do to help promote my work and for all of your support and encouragement. Somedays it’s one of you that keeps me writing my next book, excited to bring you a small escape in this world. Thank you for giving me a piece of your heart, I adore you!

My blogger friends
–YOU ARE AMAZING! I LOVE YOU! No really, I do!!! You take a new chance on me with each book and in return share my passion with the world. You never truly get enough credit and I’m forever grateful!

Princess

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