Never Say Goodbye (Rebel Walking #6) (20 page)

"How did you know?"

"You can't hide with those tattoos.  I've always had mad respect for your art work.  I knew who you were the second you hit the door."

"Well, thanks.  How much do I owe you?"

"Not a penny.  It was an honor."

Kimber

He just left.  He didn't say where he was going.  I'm worried about him, he's been gone for hours.  He looked deeply upset when he walked out.

I've tried to go to sleep, but I can't seem to shut my mind off.  I've managed to toss and turn until the sheet is wrapped all around me. 
Dammit.

He walks in just as I stand up to fix the bed.  His eyes meet mine and I don't know what to think.

"You okay?"  He keeps walking until he's face to face with me.  He's close enough to touch.  I could sway forward an inch and be up against his chest.  Close, but so far away by the look in his face.

I run my hands up his arms before I notice the wrap on his side.  Hell, it didn't even register that his shirt is off with all the deep emotions across his face. 

"What happened?"  He looks down and takes a deep breath.  Something terrible happened.

"Kimber, I don't know what I'm doing.  I'm fucking lost out of my mind.  I never want to hurt you, yet I keep fucking playing games with you."

"Luke, I don't understand..."  He interrupts me.

"I know you don't.  Shit, I don't either."  He turns to walk away form me and I don't know whether to follow him, slide into bed and cover my head, or walk out of the apartment to keep from hearing him break me. 

Tears begin to fall. 
Fucking tears.
I manage to keep them silent even though I want to scream so loud.  He turns to see my face and stops himself before he says something.

He walks back to me, thumbs on my face drying my tears as he kisses me.  His lips are soft around his facial hair.  His tongue gentle and caressing my own.

"Her name was Lilly.  I loved her.  She was everything to me and I let her die.  She died in my fucking arms before I could tell her that I love her.  I can't give you my heart, because she has what didn't break into a million pieces when she died."  Oh my God.  The pain on his face as he tells me about her makes my gut ache.  I want to fix him, but heartache like this can't be fixed.

I wrap my arms around his waist and hold him.  My head on his chest, his arms wrapped around me, and we just hold each other through his tears.  Tears I'm sure he's needed to shed for months now. 

"I'm so sorry, Luke."  We stay frozen in time in each others arms for what feels like an hour.

"I am too."  He pulls away from me and walks to the corner.  He picks up the same guitar he was playing earlier and begins playing one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard.

He is very good at playing the guitar.  I watch him as he plays non stop through probably twenty songs.  Some of them slow, others fast and I can see his emotions change as the music does.  It's as if he's telling me a story through his music.

I watch in amazement until he stops.  He stands to place the guitar back in it's spot and walks over to the bed to stand over me.

His arms move to the bed around me and he leans over my body until I fall back on the bed.  His lips crash into mine, his hips land between mine, his hands move through my hair with desperation.  His kiss turns carnal and hungry and I let him be exactly how he needs to be.  He needs this.

He rips my shirt open, and fills his hands with my breasts, kissing, licking, biting all over and sending shrills across my skin.

"Kimber, I need you.  I need this, but I need you to know that I'm thinking about her and I fucking know that's wrong."  That should piss me off, but it doesn't.  It's obvious that he's dying inside.

"It's okay, Luke.  Let me be here for you."  That's all he needed.  He stands beside the bed, drops his jeans and his huge cock falls from its restrains.  He wasn't wearing underwear.  He reaches for my shorts, sliding them down my legs before he throws them to the floor.  The sound of foil unwrapping the condom and him edging onto the bed are the only sounds I hear over the beat of my heart. 

His mouth lands between my legs and his hands land on my thighs.  He spreads my legs apart and moves in even further.  His hands move to my ass cheeks and he lifts me to his face.

My eyes slam shut when he uses his tongue to lick me entirely, not stopping when he reaches my clit. 
That fucking tongue.
  I start to rotate my hips up and down as he devours me, putting pressure in so many places. 
So fucking good.

His teeth tug on my clit just in time for me to feel it before the orgasm takes over my body.

The effects of my orgasm aren't even over before he's posed at my entrance aiming right for me.

His eyes meet mine again just as he leans over me and shifts forward.  All logic and concept rush from my mind.

"Oh God."  He's so big.  I'm not sure if he'll rip me in half or if it's just a stretch of having the biggest cock in me that I've ever seen that's causing me to burn.

"Fuck.  Kimber, I'm sorry."  He pulls out and slows down, entering me slowly and fully this time.  His eyes roll shut the deeper he gets and he doesn't pull back until he's let me adjust to his size. 

The delicious feel of his slow withdraw makes me want to beg him to hurry.  I can feel a ridge when he enters me, even through the condom.  He has a penis piercing, there's no doubt about it.

"Oh... you feel so good."  His thrusts remain slow and steady.  The force of them driving me toward the edge of the side of the bed and to the edge of my sanity at the same time.  Once my head reaches the edge, he starts driving into me even faster. 

"Your tits are gorgeous.  Pull off your bra, I want to watch them as I fuck you."  I'd do anything for this man right now.  I'm completely at his mercy.  My bra falls from my fingers and he leans into me, puts his hands on my shoulders from underneath and thrusts in and out of me until he's moaning from his own orgasm.  I can't help but follow just from the sound of him as he released everything into that moment. 

He's out of breath and literally collapses onto me.  I just hold him, like I know he needs.  Could the two of us be more broken?  Maybe together we can piece enough of our hearts to at least make one.

Chapter Ten

Luke

What have I done?  That was the biggest dick move that I've ever pulled on a woman.  Kimber didn't deserve that.  She means something to me and I just let her think she was just filling a void.  She in part was, but that's not all.

"Kimber.  I'm sorry.  I didn't want to hurt you."

"You didn't.  That loud moaning was me loving what you were doing."  She's trying to play this off.  I can't allow for her to think that she isn't important to me.  I sit up in the bed and face her.

"I care about you, I really do.  I don't want you to think that was all about me missing Lilly."

"I know.  Please don't worry about it."

"No.  I was just the biggest dick.  I've just been so attracted to you and it's caused a shit storm of emotions to surface.  I wasn't ready to face them and that's why I've been so ridiculous lately."

"I get it, Luke.  You love her.  I understand how that has to hurt."  She gets it, but does she really?  Do I?

"Let me get a towel."

"I'm going to grab a shower."  This is my opportunity to try to make her understand how I feel about her too.  I truly like her.  I can't understand where that fits in both of our lives, but if I learned anything from Lilly, it's that you can't wait to tell people how you feel.  Sometimes it can be too late and then regret is all you can think about.

"I'll shower with you." 

This shower is the smallest one in the world.  I'm thinking the shower on the tour bus is larger than this one.  I use the soap to wash her body, paying attention to every curve that I've been eying the last few days. 

Her skin is soft and I've missed feeling the silk of a woman's skin more than I knew was possible.  She's beautiful.  Her dark hair flows over one shoulder allowing me access to her neck. 

Kiss.  "I love kissing you here."  Lick.  "And licking here."  Nibble.  "I'd like to bite right here on your shoulder.  You should be able to feel that through your body."  Her body relaxes and I know she feels it. 

Turning her around, I focus on her.  Her face, lips, eyes, ears, neck, tits.... just beautiful. 

"Kimber, you're gorgeous.  I'm not going to get any sleep tonight."  She wraps her fingers in my hair and pulls my head down for a passionate kiss.  My dick loves it. 

Stepping out of the shower, I slip and slide to my bag where the condoms are.  Wrapping it up again, I step into the shower for round two with her.  This time, my thoughts are all about her.

She lifts her legs and wraps them around my waist.  I use my hands to guide her so that I can enter her again.  The feel of her as she slides down me is fucking insane.  Perfection and somehow I knew it would be. 

"You're perfect." 

"Luke, so are you.  Please, move already."  I take her comment as a demand that she's ready to move even though I'm lost in the moment.  It's comical to find me working it in slow motion, but it just seems perfect for us right now.

She places her hands on the top of the shower door behind her and I latch on to her perfect nipples, biting just hard enough to cause her to gasp. 

I start moving.  Moving hard and slow, relishing every time I fill her completely.  I'm just about to shudder through my release when the fucking shower door bust out of the track and shatters all over the floor.  She wraps her arms around my head and squeezes tight.

"Don't fucking stop!"  Turning her around, I smile at her desperation.  The shocking sound of glass shattering did something to make my heart race even faster and my pace picks up. 

Apparently it was good for her, because she tightens her whole body and begins to quiver giving me a chance to pump into her a couple more times before I unload into my condom again.

The convenience of shower sex isn't lost on me.  It's a quick clean up, unless you shatter the fucking door all over the place.  I toss a towel on the floor to get us out of there without cutting our feet up. 

We're both so tired, we pick up the mess and slide into bed.  She lays in my arms and I let my hand slide over her skin.

"Kimber, I'm going to make sure you get out of here.  I want you safe.  You'll have me in your life as long as you want me to help you."

"Thank you, Luke."  Her whisper blows across my chest and I close my eyes to finally rest.

I wake up the next morning before my alarm clock goes off, completely rested.  I haven't slept that hard in months.  She's curled into my side and the light from the street allows me to see the curve of her body. 

She's a beautiful person who's been through so much.  She deserves a life away from this.  She deserves people who will love her and treat her right.  It's in this moment that I decide that I need to take her back to Missouri with me after the fight.  The group will accept her and it will give her a chance to heal from everything she's been through.

Chapter Eleven

Luke

The last few days of training have been hard.  I work with Lou all day until late night, then Kimber and I continue to grow closer.  I haven't told her that I want to leave with her yet, but I don't think she'll argue with me about it.  I'm waiting for that asshole to give me the cash.  I won't step into the cage unless I get fifty thousand dollars in cash.

"Mr. Jacobs.  It's nice to know you decided to go through with it.  There was a special request from a fighter to match up with you for the fight."

"Where's my fucking money?"  I take notice that he knows my name.  Not sure how he found out, but he did his research.

"It's here."  He holds up a bag.  Kimber hasn't said a word to the man who gave her life.  She hasn't even made eye contact with him.  He's fueling me to fight even harder with every bullshit move he makes. 

I'm pretty much packed up to leave.  I don't have much that I want to take back.  The guitars and a large duffle bag and I'm good to go.  I got a trailer to pull my bike behind her Jeep.  I had to withdraw money from my account to get everything lined out, but in the end it’s worth it to blow my cover to get out of here.  I plan to head straight to Missouri anyway. 

I need to say goodbye to Mrs. G before we leave, but other than that, it's time to leave.

He hands me the bag before he walks out the door. 

"It's almost over."

The sound of someone at the door pulls my eyes from Kimber.  Lou enters with Holden, Talon, and Taron.

"What are you guys doing here?"

"That's my question for you."  I know they'll have questions, but I need to focus on this fight.

"I'm going to go into this fight with a strong head, so we'll talk about all of this after the fight if you don't mind."

"We're not leaving here without you, so do what you need to do so we can get the fuck on the road."  Holden has always been no nonsense. 

"Kimber.  This is Holden, Taron, and Talon.  They're my friends and I want you to stand with them during the fight.  They will make sure you are safe.  I trust them with my life."  Her nod makes me feel better. 

"Damn. Luke.  Ripped much?  You're putting my ass to shame."

"Taron, I always have put you to shame."  Laughter fills the room and I missed that sound so much. 

"Alright, alright.  I need my fighter focused.  Everyone out!"  Lou runs the crowd from the room.  I hand Holden the money before he walks out.

"Hold this for me.  Watch your back with this."  He knows what I need.

"She's safe with us and so is this bag.  Go kick someone's ass so we can get out of here."  They leave the room and I'm left with Lou, who I expect to talk me up.

"Luke, I need to tell you something.  You're going up against Greg.  We need to talk about a few things."  His announcement excites me.  It surprises me too, but it's a good one.  I wanted to finish him and this will be my chance.

It's dark in the background and lights blind me in the face.  I can't see her, but I know she's with the guys.  She's safe.  It'll be my pleasure to mop the mother fuckin floor with this guy's face.  All I have to do is think about all the hurt he's caused Kimber.  This fucker killed a baby, and that's all I need to think about to ruin him.  The big problem will be me stopping before I kill him.

The sound of the latch as the cage closes changes me.  I'm completely hardened.  One goal.  Mutilate this asshole.  Then I can leave here and take her away from this hell. 

Kimber

I hate my father for doing this.  This just proves there's nothing he wouldn't do to me to get money.  He knows this fight will be the last one that I'll attend and he chooses to make me resent him even more by forcing Luke to fight Greg.  I know Luke is ready for this fight, but Greg is a great fighter.  He's not afraid to fight dirty and I know Luke won't go there.

As soon as Lou found out who Luke would be up against, he met us to talk about the way he fights.  I know how he fights... but he doesn't hold a chance in hell against Luke. 

The sound of the latch closing scares me.  Everything is riding on this fight and I start to second guess letting him fight for me.  I don't want him to get hurt trying to help me.  I'm beginning to fall in love with this man and it's just not right that he's in there to fight my battles.

Luke is so focused on Greg.  His intense look scares me.  I hope he doesn't let his anger remember the basics that Lou taught him.  Greg is famous for playing with a fighter's emotion to get an edge up. 

"YOU'VE GOT THIS LUKE!"  I know he can't hear me, but I need to yell for him, my heart can't take being silent any longer. 

The Walkers surround me.  Luke trusts these guys and that's all I need to know- that I'm in good hands.  These guys are massive. 

"He looks enraged.  I don't fucking like this shit."  Holden talks over my head to the twin to my left.  I wonder if Luke told them about Greg.  I'm afraid if he did that these guys wouldn't even talk to me.

"We just have to get him through this fight, then on the next plane out of here."  I hope they can get him to agree to that.  Luke needs people who care for him in his life.  His way of coping is to isolate himself and it did nothing but fester deep inside until he finally unloaded.  I'm just glad I could be there for him.  The way he talks about Lilly breaks my heart.  I know he loves her.  I know he misses her more than anything, but he can't keep hiding from life to avoid the memories of her.  It's obvious the memories follow regardless.  I hope he learns to accept them and remember the good times.  Of course, it's easy for me to say this, I'm not living his nightmare.

The bell rings and I catch a glimpse of Greg's face.  I know that look and now I'm really worried.  I start looking for signs of what he's up to. 

They meet in the middle and Luke starts landing shots from both sides.  Greg blocks a few, but for the most part Luke has this, that is until Greg wraps around him and sends him to the ground. 

Greg straddles Luke and begins hitting him in the face.  Luke moves quickly to get him off, but it becomes a battle to bust the grip Greg has on Luke's body.  Luke punches where he can, trying to tire him out.  I hate this.  I know at any moment the tables can turn and my heart can't take it. 

The bell rings and Greg doesn't let him go.  They ring the bell again, but he still doesn't release him.  There isn't an official in the cage with them and this is not good.  The sound of the bell rings through the loud room multiple times until Greg finally lets go.  It's obvious Greg says something to Luke, because rage overtakes every muscle in Luke's body. 

Luke walks backwards to his corner, watching Greg saunter away the entire way.  If looks could kill, Greg would die the slowest, most painful death possible.

Luke finally turns to look at Lou on the outside.  Lou is in his face talking to him and rubbing the Vaseline on his face.  I look for swelling, but don't see any visible injuries on him.  You'd think since I've been around this my entire life, I'd be used to this.  Why does this seem so different?

"He did good that round.  Luke is a badass, he can handle this guy."  The quiet and calm twin says this and it almost makes me feel comforted.  Almost.

Greg looks at me.  Looks deep into me.  I can't turn from him.  I refuse to cower down to him anymore.  Standing as tall as my short frame will allow, I match his stare.  I can see him adjusting his wrap, then he smiles at me, showing me his mouth guard and cocky smirk.  My body fucking freezes as I realize what he's about to do.  My father has done this.  I will never forgive my father for this. There's no doubt in my mind that my gut instinct is right when I look at Greg's hands.  It's the slightest sparkle off the razor blade that verifies it.

I push away from the people in front of me, only to have a strong hand grab my shoulder. 

"Where are you going?"

"Get the fuck off of me.  I have to go help him." 

"Not on your life, Firecracker.  You're staying with us."

"You don't understand.  I need to go to my father."

Ring.  The sound of the bell freezes my heart.  My breath stops and there's no way I can let him do this to Luke.