BWWM: BEFORE I WAKE: A Bad Boy Billionaire Book Collection (African American Interracial Series) (366 page)

“Yeah, every time you dip Charlie can connect. Stay solid up top and just tuck under that front shoulder.”

I tried it again and Charlie smacked me in the head. I could see Stella’s lips curl.

“Are you laughing at me?” I asked her, amused myself.

“No, but you need to… Here, let me show you.” She dipped between the ropes and stood behind me. Was this really happening?

I felt her place her hands to my back. I almost sighed with pleasure as she lightly slid a hand around my shoulder to my chest, twisting me into position. She put her right hand to my hip bone and my heart began to race.

“Okay, right there, hold that stance. Once he throws...” She pulled back on my hips and I stepped back into her. She smelled… female. My heart pounded in my chest. My back and butt were right up against her. This was damned sure different than training with the brut, Santos.

“Tuck your chin and hold this shoulder upright. Don’t lose this,” she told me as she let go of me. I wanted to do it wrong again just to make her touch me…but I also wanted to make her proud. I did it like she told me, ducking to the side with this new position as Charlie jabbed. His punch didn’t connect with anything but air.

“Yes Aaron! Yes!” I looked down at her with a grin. She nodded brightly and clapped her hands. My poor heart felt like it was going to explode.

STELLA

              Warm sunshine, soft sand, and a gentle breeze blowing set the stage for Amara and Jackson’s wedding. I’d met the two of them a few weeks ago, but I didn’t know them all that well. As I sat next to Santos in the crowd of happy guests all I could focus on was Aaron’s gaze. He stood under the arch near Jackson and the other groomsmen. He was in a white tuxedo with a black bow tie and black cummerbund. His dark hair shone under the late afternoon sun and as usual, he had a small smile as he looked at me from across the audience.

“Hey,” I felt Santos lay his hand on my bouncing leg. I hadn’t realized I was bouncing it up and down until then.

“Don’t be nervous, we’re all family here.” I smiled at him. I wasn’t nervous…at least I don’t think so. There was just this undeniable force of energy I felt every time I was with Aaron. It was hard for me to believe I agreed to come to this wedding where I hardly knew anyone with him.

I’m not an introvert, but I’m also not fond of big crowds. So far everyone had been so nice. This wedding is like nothing I’ve ever seen. Part of the pre-wedding festivities and as a welcome to the wedding weekend, the couple hosted a wine tasting in one of the rooms of the hotel. It was a really nice, relaxing evening and it allowed me to get to chat with Amara and some of the girls in her bridal party that I hadn’t met yet. I had also met her daughter Nala. She was the cutest little thing and so excited for her Mama and Jackson.

I liked Amara a lot. She was sweet and she seemed to have a really good head on her shoulders. When I learned how her and Jackson had met, I thought that she would be a great person to have on my team once I opened my training center
-
i
f
I ever opened my training center. I didn’t dare bring it up to her though. Much too risky.

              The wedding area was set up on a nice green patch of grass behind the hotel, facing the ocean. There was a huge arch adorned with flowers about six feet in front of the chairs in the sand where Jackson, the pastor and Jackson’s best man now stood. There was a small bridge made of wooden planks for the bride to walk across. There was a guitarist playing soft music as the bridal party made their way down the aisle

We stood when the music changed. It was Amara’s turn to come down the aisle on her father’s arm. For a long time I’d imagined that Wayne would be the one to give me away at my wedding. I teared up as I watched Amara’s father kiss her on the cheek and I thought about the rift between me and my brother.

All it took was a look back at my handsome date to chase my blues away. He was still looking right at me, and he was still smiling. I smiled back. I thought about our last training session…

            
 
“Do me a favor Stella. Aaron needs some serious work on the mat.. I have to get Charlie ready for his match. Can you take him in Studio B and help him out?”

I looked up at Aaron. I’m not sure what my face looked like, but he was looking at me like I was... lunch.  Jiu-jitsu and all of the mounts that went with it would bring us closer together than sex… And in  Studio B no less,  where we would be alone. I swallowed hard and forced a nod.

“Sure.”  The word I was looking for was “Shit!” I hope I have a change of panties in my locker. I glanced at Aaron who gave me a knowing smile.

“Are you ready to get started?”

Now for that infamous grin. I’d definitely need a cold shower.  

“I’m ready,” was all he said. But, the dark tone in his voice made my heart pump harder and my breath shorten.  He followed me to the back where Santos has the heavy mats set-up. Despite my hours of coaching I felt like a nervous wreck. All this sexual tension had me ready to snap.

              “Okay. So ground game, huh?”

“Yeah, not my strong suit,” he said. “I’m more of a fist to face kind of guy.”  He towered over me, so cocky and self-assured.

“Yeah well, today you’ll have to learn how to get down and dirty.” The words left my mouth before I realized who I said it to. It sounded so… Jesus, I may as well just beg for it.

I cleared my throat. “Lay down on your back and I’ll walk you through each one. There will be a test at the end…”

He chuckled as he laid on his back and I got down next to him up on my knees. He watched me with intense eyes. I really wish he would knock that shit off.  He makes it impossible for my brain to function. All of my blood rushed to parts south. I quickly cleared my throat again.

“Okay, so we’ll start with an escape from the side mount. Let’s see the cradle. Okay...”  I leaned forward and hovered just over his positioned forearms. Damn he smelled good.

“You’re a pretty big guy so they may not get your here but if they do, make sure to keep those hands close to your neck and elbows down on that rib cage. That’s the setup okay? Very important to defend against chokes.” He nodded and I went on.

“Hook your thumb at my shoulder so you can press with that wrist on the trachea if you need to. Good... The extra weight will make it harder for him to move or breathe and it’s a point of leverage along with the knee position.”

“Okay. I’ve seen men do it with both knees up before. Is this one better?”

I tried shooting him a stern look, but I’m sure it fell flat. His face is inches from me and with my breasts resting on his elbows I’m sure he was just as scatterbrained as I was. He’s too damned gorgeous. I wonder if his mother was able to discipline him at all.

I lifted up and sat back on my heels. He lifted to one elbow to watch me. So damn distracting.

“Even if you bridge up as hard as you can, if he’s got a good grip, you’re not going anywhere. The knee position I told you about creates better space for you.”  

“Oh, okay, sorry.” He winked and laid down. Damn.

I wrapped my arms around him and dropped onto his braced forearms. I instructed him to try to escape with his hips first and when he did I drove my legs down and pushed all of my weight into him.  

I heard him grunt and I felt somewhat self-gratified as I pulled away.“You see? It’s not always about strength.”

“Yeah, you’re heavier than you look,” he laughed. I rolled my eyes and nudged him with my foot. We went on.

“Okay, with your foot braced against the knee now,” I got back down next to him and positioned my arms around his body.

“Don’t forget you still have the option of your wrist at the throat as you pull away.” I clasped his hand and rotated it towards the tender flesh of my neck. I heard his breath stutter and I stilled. Our eyes met and neither of us moved. Oh damn.

“Alright... I got it.” His voice was dark and breathless and my heart sped up.

“Good,” I still sounded very professional and relaxed.  I think.

He lifted with little energy.

“Don’t treat me like a fragile doll,” I said.

He chuckled and my body bounced with his laugh. I couldn’t help but giggle too until...his eyes lit a fire down my body.

“That’ll be hard, but okay.” He pressed away harder and then dropped his hips away as I had done. The difference was, before he escaped I saw an opening and twisted his hand and elbow back.

“Hey! What was that?”

“An Americana. Do you think your opponent is going to sit still and wait for you to slide away?  You’re going to have to move faster than that.”

He suddenly wasn’t smiling. He looked nervous .“I will in a real fight, but... I’m worried about hurting you…I don’t want to….”

I thought he was adorable, but I masked my attraction.

He looked at me deeply then, his eyes hooded with desire. “You don’t look like any trainer I’ve ever had.”

I felt a part need inside me quiver with need. I wanted to kiss him square on the mouth to see if the scruff of his chin felt rough or soft against me.

Instead, I sat up and slid back to get a hold of my racing heart beat. “It’s your turn. Show me.”

I laid on my back and braced my elbows to my sides as I cupped his shoulder. He knelt to my side and reached over me to wrap his arms around me as I had demonstrated. I was momentarily struck by how beautiful his face was as he hovered over me. His breathing brushed away a stray strand  from my bangs. His eyes were warm and my pulse quickened again. Ah get a grip girl!

“Go.” I sucked in a breath to brace my body but he didn’t move.

“Aaron?”

His eyes just watched me as he brushed a warm thumb across my cheekbone.

“You’re so beautiful, lass.

I watched in rapture as he slowly, ever so slowly dipped his lips towards me. His lips hovered, just barely touching my flesh. I trembled and squeezed my teeth. Please kiss me, please. In that moment all I wanted was his lips on mine. I forgot to breath but he gave me his breath as our lips touched.

My hands moved to the rough stubble on his chin as he pressed his lips to mine. His skin felt so warm under my palms and I sighed with pleasure, my chest brushing up to his. He didn’t pull away but instead pressed closer.

It wasn’t the deep kiss that I craved. This one was light and soft. An introduction. And invitation for more. And I felt it’s dark promise all the way in my core. His thumb brushed the hair at my temple as he pulled away. He was…. gentle with me.

              So now here I sat at this lovely wedding…looking up at my gorgeous date and wondering why I had blurted yes when he’d asked me.

              The ceremony was beautiful. The bride and groom had both written their own vows. Jackson talked a lot about truth and honesty and sharing everything with Amara from now and forever. Amara spoke about having faith and not allowing your fears and the ghosts from your past intrude on your future. Sweet little Nala looked so happy that she was beside herself.

Aaron had told me Amara had lost her husband a long time ago. Hearing that and seeing this little family coming together and healing each other now made my heart so happy for them, but it also made it ache a little bit for my brother. I hated to admit it because he’d been such a butthead lately…but I missed Wayne. I hoped that he would realize soon what was most important in life and I hoped when he did, it wouldn’t be too late for us to mend our fences.

              The reception was held outside as well along the pool area of the hotel on the beach. Flickering white candles surrounded by seashells and starfish decorated the tables. Dinner consisted of smoked salmon or roast chicken, roasted vegetables, red potatoes, salads, breads and tropical fruits.

Once everyone had finished eating it was time to dance to a live band under the stars.  Aaron looked so handsome as he asked for a dance and I found out that his moves on the dance floor were as sexy as the ones he’d made on the mat the other day. This guy is killing me. He held me close during the slow dances and hummed against my ear…sending chills running rampantly down my spine.

I was relieved when it was time to cut the cake. It would give me a little time without his big hands on my waist. There were two cakes, one was a traditional wedding cake with white icing and raspberry filling and the other was a chocolate flavored groom's cake in the shape of a boxing glove. It was awesome.

After cake and a glass of champagne, Aaron left me alone for a few minutes to go take pictures with Jackson and the rest of the guys. I went over to where Amara sat. I wanted to tell her how nice everything was and how much I was enjoying myself. When she saw me coming she smiled brightly.

“Stella! Come have a seat!” I sat down next to her, in total awe of how radiant she looked.

“I just wanted to tell you how amazing your wedding was and how much fun I’m having. Thank you for allowing me to come.”

She smiled. “Aaron’s like family to us. You look beautiful by the way. I love your dress!” I’d worn a peach colored silk dress that had spaghetti straps and came to the tops of my thighs. I’d also worn wedge sandals It was a beach wedding after all.