BWWM: BEFORE I WAKE: A Bad Boy Billionaire Book Collection (African American Interracial Series) (368 page)

I was mumbling incoherently as he flopped next to me and pulled me over him. I laid across him like a rag dog trying to understand what had just happened. It took some time but I found my powers of speech again.

“Whit in da blazes wuz that, lad?” I said, in my own version of his accent.

I felt his body shake as he silently laughed against me. He fanned my hair away from my face and I felt the brush of his lips against my neck every few minutes. His fingers absently trailed a line up my spine and I sighed with bliss. This was definitely turning into something special.

I laid there, so comfortable in his arms, once again drifting into dreamland when suddenly I felt him flex his hips into me. His cock was rock hard again. I turned my face towards him and found his lips turned up in a knowing smirk.

“Really?”

“I once went eleven fucking rounds with Sammy The Bull from Russia, lass. So yeah, really.

His eyes sparkled with mischief. My heart swelled and raised up to his lips. I kissed him thoroughly before sliding my down to his neck and kissing my way across the soft flesh I found there. He sighed and suddenly I felt possessive. I nibbled on him for a bit, intent on leaving a love mark there. I wanted this man to be all mine.

I slid down slowly…licking my way across his hard nipples down to his hard abs. I felt his hands tug on my hair and he sucked in a sharp breath as I reached his cock and pressed a kiss to the thick tip.  He propped up on his elbows, watching me with foggy eyes as I slid some spit onto the head. It twitched and in one motion I sucked him into my mouth.

“Aye fuck! Stella!” His whole body went stiff and I held onto his rock hard thighs as I engulfed him. I sucked on his cock and then let it almost fall out of my mouth as I ran my tongue around the head of it. He tugged on hair as he rotated his hips slowly, a choked groan escaping his lips. I felt a surge of pride.  

As I sucked on him I let my tongue swirl around and around his shaft. He tugged harder and started lifting his hips up and down in rhythm with my sucking. I felt him grip tighter onto my hair and position my head over him as he fucked my mouth. Each time he thrust I relaxed my mouth as I felt the head of his cock in the back of my throat. Aaron groaned in ecstasy as I pulled my head up and plunged down harder each time. I did it again and again.

“I’m going to come, Stella. Fuck!”

I moaned in approval. He groaned loudly and tried to pull me off of him but I wouldn’t go. I loved the way he felt as his cock swelled in my mouth. He cried out loudly and bucked his hips all the way off the bed as he came in a hot gush in my mouth. I didn’t move my lips away until he fell back heavily on the bed, his hands splayed across the crumpled sheets. He shook his head deliriously as he grinned.

“Aye lass, you slay me… you win….”

AARON

“Every morning?” I was giving her my pitiful face.  It wasn’t working and I knew it. Stella’s hardcore and I’m going to definitely reap the benefits of that. I just like to give her a hard time. I like when it makes her smile.

“Every morning. You need to start your routine with something that gets your heart rate up and the fibers in your muscles prepped to explode.”

I gave her a slow smile then. “I already did that…remember baby?”

Every part of my own body reacted to the mention of that memory. I saw her own cheeks flush and I knew that she was remembering. I found the thought of her thinking about us making love this morning so sexy…. She recovered her professional demeanor with a look that was meant to be stern but it only made her more beautiful.

“Sprints, now.”

I grunted a laugh but she just pointed to the line, her gorgeous face immovable. I got into position and began running through my sprints. As I ran across the mats she timed me and had me take a rest break every few seconds. She talked to me while I was resting, giving me words of encouragement. I that she’s so smart. I also just love the sound of her sexy voice. I’d never met someone as incredible as her.

“Your biggest advantage is your speed for sure, Aaron. If you move so fast that they can’t see you, they can’t hit you.” I grinned. Now there was an idea.  

We moved on to drills. I tried to talk her into doing them with me. Something about those toned muscles of hers turned everything inside of me into hot, molten lava. She knew that would be way too distracting for me though. She quirked an eyebrow and pointed at the mat. I obeyed, bracing myself for another six rounds. I’ve been working out since I was seven but her programming really pushed me to my limits. Good. I knew that without a doubt I’d be ready for any match. Now my confidence had grown to match my skill.

“What’s next, coach?” I was sweating and out of breath. Damn it was hard to stay focused on exercise when her eyes roamed my body the way they did right now. I smiled when she didn’t answer right away.

“Is my manliness distracting you today coach?”

She snorted, but I could see the smile playing around those full lips. “Yeah right, that’s it. Finish that water and let’s move to the bench.”

I took another swig of water and out of the corner of my eye I saw a man walk through the main doors. This was a big man which is nothing new around here, but this guy was dressed in street clothes and he looked... familiar.

I glanced at Stella who was staring at him and suddenly realized where I knew him from. This was Wayne Simmons, and he looked pissed. He caught Stella’s eye and made his way over to her, brushing past the dumbstruck girl at the counter.

Stella glanced back at me quickly. “Do me a favor and load up the bar while I talk to my brother, okay?” She looked upset and I didn’t want to leave her, but stepped away. Besides, I would only be a few feet away if she needed me.

Normally I wouldn’t worry about a lady having a conversation with her brother, but Stella had told me how erratic her brother’s behavior had been lately. I did as she asked but Wayne eyeballed me as he made his way across the empty gym towards her. Something about his look spiked my blood
.
Fucker
.
His focus finally turned to his sister.

              “Hi Wayne.” Stella’s voice sounded strong. There’s my girl!

“You need to come home.”

I watched from the sidelines as she shook her head gently. “A few short weeks ago, you were the one who told me to get out of Nevada and come back here. I’m… happy here now Wayne. It’s better this way.”

Wayne shot me a dark look.
“
Bette
r
? You’re training my opponent, Stella. What the fuck is that about? I had to hear about it second hand. Were you even going to tell me?”

“You were always the one I wanted to train Wayne, and I did, for a long time. Things were good for us and then you decided to throw it all away once they started blowing smoke up your ass. I can’t stand by and watch you ruin yourself.”

“Ruin myself? Fuck Stella! I told you, life is not all about fucking work!”

“You’re right Wayne, it’s not. It’s about balance and priorities. Hard work, family, loyalty...”

“Family and loyalty? Jesus look who’s fucking talking! You’re training this little Irish motherfucker and obviously hoping he’s going to kick my ass. I’m here to tell you little girl that’s not going to happen.”

That was where he made his big mistake. He reached out and squeezed her arm. Up until then I was content to let her handle it…but I’ll be damned if I’m going to sit by and let him manhandle her. I started seeing red as I approached them.

“Ow Wayne! Stop!”

“You’re coming home, now.” Stella saw me and her eyes widened with panic.

“Hey…Remove your hand.”

Wayne’s eyes turned to me sharply and he scoffed. I could feel the monster in my chest about to rearrange his face. I needed to keep it together. I tried again.

“Stella can make her own decisions. Remove your hand please.”

My teeth clenched painfully even though I was doing my best to talk to him like he was a human being. Stella knew better. She watched me cautiously as she touched my arm.

“Aaron… hey, it’s cool, okay…”

Wayne smiled smugly. “Yeah leprechaun, we’re having a family discussion here. You heard the lady. It’s good.”

“That’s twice now. I’m not Irish. You need to leave. Right….now.”

Wayne scoffed and waved a dismissive palm. “Yo, you got some of her pussy now and all of a sudden you’re her knight in shining armor? Isn’t that fucking sweet.”

My fist slammed into his temple and I faintly heard Stella cry out as I landed a second punch to his stomach. He let go of her arm before he caught me in an undercut and knocked me back. When I reared back towards him, Stella stepped in between us with her hands raised to separate us. “Stop it! Stop this now! Both of you!”

Santos and Charlie ran out of his office and I knew the fight was over. I straightened just as I saw Wayne slap her hand away sharply and advance furiously towards me.

Adrenaline lit through me as I ducked and took another swing. This one connected with his jaw and sent him flying into his sister…knocking her back into a cage wall, hard. I heard her painful cry and suddenly my rage evaporated. An overwhelming sense of dread washed over me and I panicked.

“Stella! Shit!”

Wayne tried to grab me as I knelt down to her but Santos and Charlie took him down to the mat. I could hear them struggling in the background, but all I cared about at that moment was Stella. She lay crumpled on the floor holding her shoulder and my heart seized in regret.

“Oh God baby, I’m so sorry! Let me see. Show me baby...” Stella winced against her words as she tried to catch her breath. She had tears in her eyes but judging by the way she was looking at her brother as he spewed insults, the tears weren’t because she was hurting. She was livid.

I touched her softly. “Stella?” She looked up at me then and her eyes softened. I would do anything to protect this woman. She was mine.

“I’m so sorry, baby. Tell me, are you okay?” She nodded slowly, still holding onto her arm. “Can I see it?”

She was distracted again and I followed her eyes to where her brother was pushing people away and struggling to his feet. I was waiting and hoping he would come over too…and tell her he was sorry. Instead he gave her an iron glare and turned around and walked out.

“Stella? Are you alright?” Santos was suddenly at our side. She looked up at him with sadness in her eyes.

“I’m okay boss. I’m so sorry about that.”

“You don’t have anything to be sorry for,” he said. He glared at me then and I’d never seen him look so murderous. “It’s the fighters I hold responsible.”

“I’m sorry Santos…” I started.

Stella started to struggle to her feet and I helped her. “Don’t be angry with Aaron, please. He was defending me. Wayne was saying some pretty nasty things. I wish that they hadn’t fought, but I do appreciate Aaron defending me.”

My heart rate was slowly returning to normal. She wasn’t mad at me but I still felt like shit. I looked to Santos and finished my apology.

“It’s still my fault coach. I shouldn’t have hit him. I cracked and he got the best of me. I promise you I won’t let it happen again…unless I’m in the cage,” I said. Wayne and I would get our shot.

Santos gave me a sharp nod and looked back at Stella. “Do you want a ride home?”

“Aaron’s session isn’t finished…”

“No. You need to go home and take it easy. Baby face will work twice as hard tomorrow, won’t you?”

“Can I take her home?”

“That’ll be up to her,” Santos grumbled. Stella nodded at the floor.

STELLA

              I let Aaron drive me home. I didn’t speak to him on the way because I needed to gather my thoughts before I did. I was grateful and touched that he wanted to stand up for my honor…that he was willing to fight for me. But at the same time, I really wanted him to channel his shit better. There was nothing about that awful scene that was okay. It was violence, pure and simple and I was so embarrassed and hurt and disappointed. How dare Wayne treat me that way?

              When we arrived at the apartment he turned off the ignition and looked at me. He was waiting for me to say something. When I didn’t, he leaned across to brush a strand from my cheek. I glanced sideways at him and saw the remorse in his eyes.

“Can I come in?  You could use some ice on that shoulder…”

I nodded. I could ice my own shoulder, but we needed to talk. If I stuffed this down now, I would regret it. He opened his car door and stepped out, rushing around to my side to help me. I let him take ahold of my good arm and help me out.

              When we got inside he had me sit on the sofa before he rushed around getting the ice for my shoulder. I could tell he was a nervous wreck. I let him sweat it out for a while. Finally when I thought he’d suffered enough I patted the seat next to me. “Aaron, sit down please. We need to talk.”

              He sat down heavily next to me on the sofa, looking like he was next in line for the gallows. “I’m so sorry, lass.”