Takedown (13 page)

He had won so easily. Just like that and she had fallen helplessly under his spell. She had missed this. There was never a day that she had not dreamed of this since the day they parted. It had been barely a week ago, but it felt like years already.

“Tell me you want me again, darling,” he demanded, squeezing her breasts while his other hand molded her bottom, pressing his erection harder against her.

She did not respond, and that seemed to infuriate him and ripped her clothes off.

It did not shock or intimidate her in any ways. She was used to that. He’d done that countless of times in Hawaii. He’d bought her expensive clothes that he’d only later rip in half whenever he got impatient to get his hands on her naked body.

And to be honest, she found herself attracted to this savage side of him. Many times, she was even the one who asked him to take her roughly. It drove him crazy every time.

In just a few seconds, she was naked, and his hands were all over her. He spun her around and bent her upper body forward over the table.

Her mind was spinning with wild anticipation while he unbuttoned his jeans. He spread her legs wide and pressed the tip of his cock against her opening, warning her.

In one solid thrust, he drove all the way inside her.

Her throat locked while he moaned harshly. She clawed on the surface of the table, scratching it. Her body stiffened and shivered. She cannot believe she had climaxed too soon, even before he reached around to flick at her clit.

He circled her chest with his other arm and pulled her up, holding her tight against his body. “Meg,” he moaned against her hair. “You missed me?”

A sharpened moan finally came out of her, and she sucked in a deep breath. She moved against him, demanding for more.

He gave her exactly what she wanted. He withdrew and pushed, over and over, harder and harder, until he was smoothly moving in and out of her.

“Fuck, Meg,” he gritted through his teeth.

“Oh, Blaze, don’t stop,” she begged. He was practically pounding into her, but it only heightened her desire.

He held both sides of her hips and slammed against her. “Is that what you want?”

“More,” she replied. She wasn’t sure exactly what else would she want. He was already too rough on her, but she wanted more—something she could not explain.

But he always knew what she needed. As he moved into her with fast, hard thrusts, he reached for her clit and massaged it with his thumb, as fast as how he was fucking her.

She cried and moaned non-stop, and her orgasm threatened to consume her once again.

Not yet. She wanted this to last, but she could not hold it. It was inevitable.

Crying his name out, the waves of pleasure crashed over her, taking her higher to oblivion. While she involuntarily tightened around him, he growled in response—a harsh sound that she knew too well.

He was coming… with her. She felt the gush of hot fluid deep inside her. It just kept going that she thought it would never stop.

She collapsed over the table, but still, he had much to give her. She moaned, relishing the bliss and listening to his endless harsh moans.

“Megan,” he whispered and held her tight. He was now gasping, which told her his orgasm was over.

He held her for a minute or so, brushing his lips lightly over her nape and shoulders.

Peace should soon follow, and they’d fall asleep in that state, or he’d fuck her again, and instantly, she’d be back to the wild, insatiable kitten he had always turned her to be every time they had sex.

“I told you, Meg,” he murmured. “It’s not over yet.”

His words felt like a slap in her face. Her eyes flung open.

“Get off me,” she demanded.

He did not listen. Instead, he thrust his tongue in her ear and moved his cock inside her.

Shit. Just like that and her body was on fire once again, but she had to be strong now. “Enough, Blaze.”

“Enough, huh?” he replied, drilling deeper inside her until she moaned.

“Please,” she pleaded. “Stop this, right now.”

He stopped, and then slowly pulled away from her.

She stood up straight and picked up her dress. She tossed it over her head. A strap was broken and the back buttons were missing, but at least it afforded her some decency.

When she turned around to see him, he had already zipped up his jeans and was waiting for her to say something.

“I can’t do this anymore.”

He frowned. “Do what?”

“You and me. It’s wrong.”

“Wrong? Tell me what is wrong with it.”

“You know it.”

“Bryan?”

“He’s your bestfriend.”

“So what?”

“It’s wrong.”

“He's dead, god damn it!” he growled. “By now, he only had his hair and bones lying under the ground. Let him go.”

“I will only let him go for a man worthy to be his replacement.”

“Am I not?”

“You don't love me. You only want me for sex.”

“Fuck that. If I wanted just sex, I can get that from any other woman.”

“Unfortunately, you've lost your erection, and for some reasons, I'm the only one capable of making you hard. That is the sole reason why you stick around. Am I correct?”

“You're wrong, Megan. I want more than just sex from you.”

“Like what?”

He slowly shook his head. “I don't know. But to cast off all your doubts, I'm willing to marry you if you want.”

Shocked, she stepped back. “You've gone insane.”

“You think so? Is it insane to want to marry you?”

Her lips parted as she stared into his eyes, trying to convince herself that he was merely bluffing. But she could not see that.

She sighed. “I’m not ready for this.”

“You’re not ready? But you’re ready to go on a date with another man?”

“He is not you.”

“What is it with me?”

“You’re Bryan’s bestfriend. What would his parents think?”

“That does not matter to me.”

“It matters to me.”

“Does it? Or you’re just using that as an excuse to get rid of me. Tell me the truth, Megan. Do you still love Bryan?”

She did not say a word.

“Answer me,” he demanded.

“You want an answer? Here’s your damn answer,” she yelled. “I still do, and I promised him that if things wouldn’t work out between us, I will never fall for the likes of you. And I want to keep that promise even if he’s already gone.”

He was unable to say anything. He just stared at her face, unable to recuperate from his shock.

She couldn’t be too sure, but somehow, she saw pain in his eyes. Did she just hurt him? This man who never gave a damn about women’s feelings? Was he really capable of feeling pain?

“Fine,” he nodded and sighed. “Keep grieving for him. I don’t want to waste any more of my time, so I will only ask you this once. Do you want me to leave you alone?”

Her lips parted, shocked by his question. What should she say? If she’d say ‘yes’, she’d lose him forever.

Isn’t that what she wanted? To stay away from him? Why did it suddenly scare her now?

But is she’d say ‘no’, he’d stick around and she’d fall in love with him more and more, until she could no longer turn away from him. She’d forever be ashamed of herself, and Bryan’s family would forever despise her.

“Answer me, Megan,” Blaze demanded. “Or I’ll take your silence as a
yes
and leave. I’ll never return again.”

She stared at his stern face. Her heart was screaming, unwilling to let him go, but she had to listen to the dictate of her mind. “Y-yes,” she whispered.

His face turned grim. For a moment, she thought he’d gone furious and would break her neck. She knew how insulting that must have been for him.

To her relief, he nodded and stepped away from her. “I hope you don’t regret your decision, because I never give a second chance.” He turned towards the door. “Goodbye,” he said and left.

Tears welled in her eyes, but she refused to let them go. She shouldn’t cry. She’d been very brave and strong that she had finally managed to tell him what she should have told him a long time ago. She should be proud of herself. Now, she’s free. Her conscience was cleared. She could finally move on.

Chapter 16

“Oh my God!” Megan bristled up from her chair and grabbed her purse. She could not believe the text message that Ryder’s secretary had just sent her. Travis Rockwood had chosen his opponent, and that would be her brother, Josh.

“Megan did you hear the news?” Candace asked frantically as she walked out of the door. “Travis had chosen your brother.”

“I know,” Megan anxiously answered. She was still dazed she couldn’t think clearly. “I have to go.”

“Where are you going? It’s only three o’clock.”

“I have to talk to Josh.”

“Why not just call him?”

“No, I have to talk to him. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Take care,” Candace said as Megan headed for the stairs.

Josh could be ecstatic by now. She knew it had been his dream to get to the UFC, but not this way. Not as a lamb to be locked in a cage for a butcher to slay.

She drove her car as fast as she could. Fortunately, no one pulled her over for overspeeding. She found Josh and his girlfriend tossing their glasses of wine, celebrating.

She hated to ruin the fun, but she couldn’t help it.

“Meg, this is the biggest thing that had ever happened in my life,” Josh argued after she expressed her disapproval. “Are you not happy?”

“It’s not as plain as it seems, Josh. Travis is using you as bait. He is after Blaze.”

“Blaze wouldn’t bite it.”

“That’s what I’m scared of. If Blaze wouldn’t bite it, then you won’t have a choice but to fight Travis.”

“I can beat him.”

“My God, Josh! You can’t even beat that lousy hip-hop dancer. What made you think you can beat that mad man?”

“I can. I have two months to prepare. Blaze will train me.”

“Listen to me, Josh.” She held his shoulders and pushed him down the chair. “I believe in you, and I want you to be successful in your career, even if I despise the sport. But you have to be realistic. This championship match is ridiculous, especially that you’re against a monster who has killed one person and permanently injured three others. He can kill you, and that’s what I’m afraid of.”

Josh was silent for a moment. “Too late. I’ve already signed the contract.”

Her eyes widened, but her bewilderment only lasted for a couple of seconds. “I’ll talk to Ryder.”

“No. I want to go on with the fight.”

“Josh!”

“Give it up, bitch,” Deborah, who’d been sitting idle on the couch while listening to them, butted in. “He’s not going to change his mind.”

Megan darted her glaring eyes at Deborah. “Stay out of this.”

“Don’t I have the right? I’m his fiancée.”

“Fiancée!” she exclaimed.

“Didn’t he tell you? We’re getting married.”

With eyes wide opened, she switched her gaze between Josh and Deborah. “You’re both too young for that.”

“I’m twenty three, bitch. My sister got married when she was nineteen.”

“Will you stop calling me bitch?”

“Aren’t you?” Deborah leaned back on the couch and twirled her hair with her finger. “What kind of sister does not want her brother to achieve his dream? I know why. You’re jealous because Josh is now at the peak of success, while you remain a last minute substitute octagon bitch.”

Blood surged to her face. “You whore!” She was about to go to Deborah and slap the bitch out of her face, but Josh suddenly grabbed her arm and pulled her away.

“Meg, stop it,” Josh tried to calm her down.

She struggled to free herself from her brother. “Let go of me and I’ll show her what a ferocious bitch I am.”

Grinning, Deborah flashed Megan her middle finger.

That angered Megan even more. “I’ll die before you marry my brother.”

“Then go kill yourself right now, because there’s nothing you can do to stop me from marrying your brother.”

“Fuck you! I’ll throw you in the ocean and watch while the sharks rip you to pieces.”

“Meg, please!” Josh, who ran out of patience, growled.

She stopped struggling and turned to look at her brother. She was still gasping. “Are you not going to defend me?”

“You’re in her apartment,” Josh replied.

“This is also your apartment. Are you not going to stand up for me?”

Josh sighed and released her. “Please, just leave.”

She was paralyzed. She couldn’t believe her own brother was kicking her out. “You’re on her side?”

He did not speak.

“Fine,” she nodded, holding back the tears in her eyes. “You marry that swine and you’ll see what it’s like to live in a pig pen,” she said and headed for the door.

“Bye, bitch,” Deborah taunted.

Megan clasped her knuckles. Her heart was pounding with anger and her hands were itching to squeeze the life out of that bitch, but she held back or she’d end up committing a murder.

*****

Blaze froze when he saw who just barged into his office.

“Put the phone down,” Megan demanded.

He did not oblige. His mother was on the other line, and she was telling him about her plan to accept the marriage proposal of one of her suitors. It was important that he convinced her to set her plans aside for a while until after his father’s operation.

“Please, put the phone down,” she pleaded anxiously. “I’ve been waiting for half an hour. I only need a few minutes.”

“Who is that?” Gabriel asked. “Is that your girlfriend? My God, I don’t like her attitude.”

“No, Mom, she’s not…”

“Oh, thank God, because if she is, I’ll demand you break up with her right away. She is so rude.”

“Mom, I think I have to hang up for a while. I’ll call you again in fifteen minutes, okay?”

“I’ll be waiting.”

“Thanks.” He dropped the phone and looked at Megan. “Let’s talk outside.”

Without uttering a word, she walked out of the door. He stood up and followed her. He found her already sitting on the long couch.

“I hope you did not interrupt me just to tell me that you now regret your decision and want me back,” he said as he settled on the single couch. “Because I already told you. I’m not going to give you another chance.”

She scowled. He was joking, but she did not take it as such. “This is important, I promise.”

“Go on.”

“The next championship match is set two months from now.”

“Oh, really? So who’s the lucky contender?”

She compressed her lips, trying so hard to hold back her tears. “He picked Josh.”

He was stunned. For a moment or so, he did not know what to say. “Josh?”

She nodded. “And Josh accepted it.”

Still, he remained frozen. He instantly knew what this was all about. This was probably Ryder’s idea. They probably learned that he was training Josh, and so they decided to use the kid as bait to force him back into the octagon.

“I’ve spoken with Ryder,” she continued, “and he said that the match is final. The only way that the match may be cancelled is if you changed your mind and accept their offer.”

He knew it. That was exactly what they were planning to do. But he had been very vocal about that from the start. His decision would remain firm no matter how they tried to lure him back.

“I’m not going back, Meg. Not for any reasons.”

Tears sparkled in her eyes. “He will kill my brother. Ryder warned me.”

“Oh, is that so? And perhaps he also told you that the only way to save your brother from impending death is to make me change my mind?”

She did not answer. Bingo.

He sighed. “Meg, they’re just bluffing you. Travis is not going to kill Josh.”

“Why not? He killed Bryan. He will do it again.”

“You’re just getting paranoid.”

“I’m talking about a fact.”

“It was not his intention to kill. He is just a reckless asshole.”

“That’s exactly why I’m afraid. His fists are too strong. Josh could not possibly take on that kind of beating.”

Travis might do just that, and to be honest, Blaze was afraid for the kid. He liked Josh. He had never seen anyone as hardworking and determined as Josh.

He sighed and rose to his feet. He understood her dilemma. In fact, he felt sorry for her, but he did not want to have anything to do with MMA, nor with her.

He’d had enough competing against his dead bestfriend. “I can’t help you, Meg. I’m sorry.”

Her jaw dropped as she stared at him in disbelief. “You’re afraid of Travis, aren’t you?”

Her accusation was a kick on his butt, but he did not want it to get into him. “I can’t help you,” he emphasized and headed back to his private room.

“Coward,” he heard her say, but he ignored her and closed the door.

With a deep sigh, he sank down in his chair.

He had to give Ryder two thumbs up for coming up with that crap. That piece of shit. He really knew how to play his cards.

*****

“I’m sorry, darling,” Blaze told Lucy whom he was talking with on the phone. She was inviting him to her house party, but he was not in the mood to go anywhere else. “I’ve got things to do tonight. Maybe next time.”

“Jerk!” she squealed and slammed the phone on a hard surface.

He quickly pulled the phone away from his ears, but not before it had broken his eardrums.

“Fuck,” he growled. That spoiled brat. If she weren’t the daughter of the mayor, he could have spanked her a long time ago.

But knowing her, she’d love some spanking. She was one of those women who loved some kink. He used to enjoy that with her, so she had probably expected that he couldn’t say no to her.

He had enough of those games, and even if he wanted to, he could not guarantee a good performance. Physically, he was tired, and psychologically, his ego still suffered a lot of damage after Megan had ditched him.

Damn that woman. She’d spent a passionate week with him in Hawaii. They’d had sex in all corners of the house, at the backyard, and even at the beach, and it all meant nothing to her. It was just sex.

It pissed him off. It felt like she just gave him a taste of what he’d done with a lot of women before.

Fuck her. If someone would come to teach him a lesson, he didn’t want it to be her. He was not ready for it, and he was not ready for this heartache that seemed to consume him every time he thought about her.

He sighed and pulled his shirt off. He may not admit it, but he wouldn’t be too foolish to deny the blatant truth that somehow, somewhere along the way, he had fallen in love with her. This pain, that at first he could not quite understand, was proof.

He heard the doorbell chime. It was getting dark, and his helper had already left. He wondered who had come to disturb his peace.

He walked out of his room and went down the stairs to answer the door. He froze when he saw his surprise guest.

Megan was staring at him with teary eyes, as if fearful that he might send her away. He thought he would do just that the moment she’d come running after him, but instead, his heart swelled. He had missed her, and the first thing he wanted to do was hold her tight in his arms and kiss her hard.

But he held back. He had to make sure first what brought her here. She probably just wanted to convince him again to take her brother’s place in the cage.

“Can I come in?” she asked.

Instead of stepping aside to clear her way, he blocked the door, resting his hands on the top door frame. He met her gaze, intimidating her. “I told you, Meg,” he whispered hoarsely, “I will not change my mind.”

She compressed her lips. She was on the verge of bursting into tears.

His heart sank. To his surprise, it hurt him to see that kind of look on her face.

His hard gaze softened, and he knew she noticed it. She stepped closer to him, so close until he felt the silky texture of her dress against his skin. It was only then that he noticed that he was half naked.

Keeping her eyes to his face, as if to make sure he would not resist, she ran her fingers over his chest.

Fuck. Just a slight touch and here he was, ready and willing to take her back again. She didn’t even have to say anything.

He had told this woman he would not give her a second chance. For years, he had been the man who meant a word he said.
Where is that man now?

She knew he could not resist her. It gave her the confidence to rise to her toes and pressed a kiss on his lips. Instantly, he opened his mouth to accept hers.

He wrapped his arms around her, moaning at the delicious feel of her lips and body against his.

Fuck, that was too easy for her. A mistake, a very big mistake. Now that he’d shown her some kind of weakness, she’d use that against him.

But hell, he was powerless under her spell. Even his dick had instantly responded.