A Fighter's Choice Read online

  “Yeah, so. I woke up before you.” She shrugged, carrying the brown bags filled with stuff. He frowned watching her.

  “Why didn’t you wake me up?” he asked.

  “Have you looked in the mirror this morning? You look a mess. I didn’t want to wake you up because you look like you need the rest.” She placed the bags on the counter.

  “What the hell are you doing?”

  She spun around to face him. Her hands folded over her chest, staring at him. “Okay, I’m getting this vibe from you that you’re pissed off.” She held a hand out, pointing up and down at him. “I got up and I was going to surprise you to a proper cooked breakfast. Lo and behold, I got in the kitchen and saw that not only do you want death by beating, you want death by not eating.” Amber grabbed the bag and started taking out the items. She placed a carton of eggs, cheese, bacon, sausages, and milk onto the counter. One by one, she emptied the sacks, and he saw she’d replaced the food he’d used in the last couple of weeks. “I went shopping for some food.”

  “You didn’t need to do this.” He was oddly touched by her going shopping for him.

  “Yeah, I did. This is the only way we’re going to survive any kind of relationship long term.” She pointed to the food. “I’m not eating leftovers every night in bed.” She shuddered. “So, what’s got you all pissed off?”

  “I woke up alone.”

  “So?”

  “I didn’t like it.”

  “You’ve been waking up alone for at least a year, if not longer. Stop being such a baby.” She placed the items in the fridge, then started up the coffee percolator. “Do you have any idea how much I hate not having coffee this morning? I went to my own apartment just so I wouldn’t wake you up with a baseball bat to the head.” She shook her head. “It’s pitiful that you didn’t have any coffee for me.”

  He was losing concentration, admiring her ass as she leaned up, bent over, and kept talking.

  “Are you even listening to me?”

  “No, I’m not.”

  She sighed. “Stop checking out my ass and go look at yourself.”

  Amber rounded the counter and started pushing him toward the bathroom. “Go, get cleaned up now.” She slapped his ass, and he found himself chuckling.

  Seeing his face, he winced. The bruises had come out really bad, and half of his face was blue. There would be no fighting tonight or for the next week at least. He didn’t want to draw attention to himself, and a bruised face drew more than enough attention.

  He climbed in the shower and started to wonder about the feelings Amber inspired inside him. There was nothing to like in the way she made him feel. He wasn’t used to feeling like this for anyone.

  They didn’t know each other, but he knew what she liked to send her over the edge into bliss. Wiping a towel down his face, he heard the sound of her humming. Staring at the bed, his cock thickened in the memory of last night.

  What the fuck was he going to do?

  ****

  Humming a tune she’d heard in the market, Amber put away all the groceries she’d bought and then set about looking through the cupboards for a skillet. Her previous boyfriends had told her she was a pretty decent cook, amongst other things. She put the skillet on the stove, setting the bacon up to crisp. Next, she rifled through his pantry taking out the ingredients she’d need for pancakes. Hours earlier she’d woken up with a craving for pancakes, bacon, and maple syrup. Her taste buds were always all over the place in the morning. After the exertions of last night she was ready for some good food.

  Whisking the batter together, she preheated another nonstick pan, added more butter, then started to dollop out the mixture.

  Jasper appeared. He wore a faded pair of blue jeans and no shirt. His face still looked a mess, and there was nothing she could do about it.

  “It smells delicious,” he said, breaking the silence.

  “Good. Take a seat and I’ll get you coffee.”

  He took a seat at the counter. His kitchen was smaller than hers, but he took a seat out of the way.

  She flipped the pancakes over to finish on the other side.

  “You look in control,” he said.

  “Of course I am. This is the kitchen, and I’m always in control here.” She handed him the coffee she poured into a cup. “Here, drink this. It’ll get you back into the swing of things this fine day.”

  He took the cup from her hands.

  “Be careful, it’s hot.”

  She kept her back to him as she finished cooking the breakfast. Every time she looked at him, she remembered the feel of his hands on her body with his cock slamming deep inside her. She closed her eyes for several seconds, trying to gain control over her body.

  If she didn’t focus her thoughts, she’d fall down that spiral of need.

  “You’re quiet this morning,” he said.

  Serving up their food, she took a seat opposite him. “I’ve got nothing to say.”

  “Why?”

  “I’ve not got anything to say. Eat your food.” She glanced up at him and found him looking at her.

  “There’s something going on inside that head of yours. I don’t believe nothing is going on.”

  She took a bite of her pancake, with lots of maple syrup. “I can’t stop thinking about last night. I need a moment to get my focus together.”

  “I enjoyed last night, and I’m hoping we’ll be doing it again very soon.”

  “Fine, but you can’t keep yelling at me every time I leave your bed. I’ve got work tonight.” She stared at him, seeing in her mind the way he looked holding her against the wall, pounding inside her.

  Her pussy grew wet at the thought.

  “I don’t want you working in that club anymore.” He stuck an entire piece of bacon into his mouth.

  “You’ve got to be kidding me, right?” she asked.

  “What? That place is not good enough for you.”

  She stared at his face decorated with all the bruises. “You’re a mess and look like some kind of savage. You’re telling me a strip club is not good enough for me?”

  “I fight. It’s what I do, and I’m damn good at it. You don’t need to do this.” He stared at her while eating his food.

  “There’s going to come a point when you’re not going to be able to fight, but I can stand and serve men beer. Don’t do this, Jasper. We’re new at this. Don’t start ordering me around. I don’t like it.” Amber wasn’t trying to play hard to get. They’d started talking to each other days ago, and now they were fucking. There was nothing wrong with being cautious.

  “You can get a better job. A safer job. You do realize there will come a guy who’ll not take no for an answer. You can get hurt,” he said.

  She smiled, shaking her head at the same time. “You’re not listening to me.”

  “I’m listening to you, baby, but you’re not listening to me.”

  Reaching across the counter, she pressed her hand over his. “Look, let’s not rush this okay. I understand you’re upset about where I work, but can we have a deal?”

  “What?” he asked.

  “When you quit fighting, I’ll quit working in a strip club.”

  He was shaking his head. “No.”

  “Your job is a hell of a lot more dangerous than mine. Don’t start trying to tell me what to do, Jasper. I’m not interested in having a father.”

  “The last thing I feel about you is parental.”

  Amber chuckled. “Please, let this go. Otherwise you’re going to spoil what we’ve got, and I don’t want to spoil last night.” She smeared some pancake into the remaining syrup on her plate.

  Jasper continued to stare at her for several seconds before finally returning his attention to the plate in front of him. They finished their breakfast, and once it was done, she took his plate through to the kitchen. She took her time washing the dishes. What was with his possessiveness? He struck her as the kind of man to love and leave her.

  Part of her enjoyed his po
ssessiveness, but it wasn’t going to work in the long term. She was used to being alone without the difficulty of dealing with a possessive boyfriend. The job at the strip club wasn’t the best, but it was the best she could get with her minimum qualifications. The money was also good, especially the tips from the customers.

  Hands at her waist had her pausing. Jasper pressed a kiss to her neck right over her pulse. His hands moved up to lie just under her breasts. “I’m really sorry, baby. I’m not used to this.”

  “What?”

  “Dealing with work and shit. I’m truly sorry.”

  “You’re used to dealing with women who only want a quick fuck. I understand, I think.” She didn’t like the strike of jealousy that hit her hard at thinking about all the groupies at the fights. Would she ever be able to go to one of his fights? The very thought made her feel sick and nervous. There was nothing hot in watching a couple of men pummel each other.

  “Great.” He flicked his tongue over her pulse, and she melted against him. “You’re not at work for a good couple of hours.”

  “What do you suggest?”

  Both of his hands lay over her tits, pinching her nipples through the fabric of her dress. All of her troubles faded away to be replaced by the desire rushing through her body. She didn’t want him to stop, and part of her feared that she would never want him to stop.

  Chapter Eight

  “Seriously, I can drive myself to work. It’s not a problem.” Amber stood in front of him securing her watch to her wrist. She wore those ridiculous shorts and tight shirt that pulled her tits together showing off her lavish cleavage. He hated the thought of the men salivating over what was his. Was she his? One night and day together didn’t actually make her his.

  “I’m going to go with you.”

  “How are you going to get home?” she asked. “The club lasts well into the early hours. You don’t have to stay up that late.” She turned away from him to grab her bag.

  “I’ll find something to do.” He stood in her apartment, and he took the time to look around. There were no personal pictures on the wall. For the most part, it looked more like a space someone slept in rather than a lived in apartment. There was nothing to make the space Amber’s. He didn’t see a single picture on the wall of her. For some reason the bareness of the walls depressed him.

  “How come you don’t have any pictures of yourself?” he asked, folding his arms.

  She tipped her bag onto the coffee table, and he watched her stuff slide onto the surface. “I’m not that vain.”

  “You’ve had boyfriends. Why don’t you have pictures of them or of you?” He didn’t like talking about other men, but he really wanted to get to know the woman inside.

  “They’re ex for a reason. I’ve got pictures of them, but I kept them locked away in a box. They’re memories that are not worth seeing every day.” She threw her purse, makeup, women’s stuff, and her pepper spray into her bag. He liked the fact she knew how to protect herself.

  “It’s not vain to have some of yourself.”

  She smiled. “Are you worried, Jasper?”

  “Not at all.”

  “There are no pictures in your apartment. Nothing personal to state who you are. Don’t make a big deal out of nothing. I’ve never settled down with anyone long enough to care about pictures.” She stood, putting her bag onto her shoulder. “If you’re determined to come along with me, are you ready?”

  “Yeah.” He had his wallet in his back pocket of his jeans.

  “What’s with the hoodie?” she asked.

  “I don’t like drawing attention to myself.” He pointed at his face.

  “You’re drawing attention with the hoodie. It’s creepy and reminds me of horror movies. Bad guys stalk around wearing hoodies and staying in corners. You know the drill.” She chuckled.

  “Cops start asking questions they can cause problems. I don’t want to lose my way of earning money.” He followed her to the door admiring the curves of her ass.

  “Stop checking my ass out.”

  “Why? It’s a nice ass.” Thinking of her ass, he knew where to go. He hadn’t been lying when he said he wanted to take her ass. The best place to go for the equipment he needed was the sex store.

  She walked down to her car, and they passed several kids on the stairs.

  “I really don’t know why they have kids,” he said, shaking his head.

  “Some of the customers demand to go bareback. Kids are a result if they don’t get on the pill. I don’t know. Every time I pass them I wish there was something I could do to help.”

  “There are people who should be dealing with that shit.” Jasper refused to get involved. Some of the women were probably ordered around by pimps. He liked fighting, but he also liked to keep both of his lives separate. The last thing he wanted to do was draw attention to himself in his own space.

  She beeped the car and climbed into the passenger side. “Do you have a car of your own?”

  “I don’t drive.”

  Amber chuckled.

  “What’s so funny?” he asked.

  “The very thought of you not driving, I don’t know. It’s funny. You’re this hard looking savage, and yet you can’t drive.” She pushed the key into the ignition and shrugged. “Ignore me, I’ve got a weird sense of humor.”

  “You’re strange.” He eased back the chair of the passenger side and rested his head in his hand. Jasper turned to look at her. The memory of those thick lips wrapped around his cock was still fresh in his mind. She tapped her fingers on the wheel as she made her way out of the parking lot. The sun was still up, and it was still hot. He was sweating under his hood, but Amber actually looked cool, comfortable.

  “I’ve been called a lot worse,” she said, smiling.

  The drive was too short as minutes later she was parking around the back of the strip club. He climbed out of the car and watched as she turned to him. “You don’t have to stick around or come inside.”

  “You’re nervous about me seeing all the men who clearly have a thing for you?” He leaned against her car, staring at her. The music from the club could be heard as someone opened one of the doors. He saw an older man taking out a bag of trash. Amber looked behind her and waved.

  “That’s Harold. He’s the boss, the owner. His wife, Brooke, is one of the dancers.”

  “He allows his own wife to dance?”

  “They’ve got an unusual relationship. You’d like Brooke. She’s nice. I like her.” She tucked some hair behind her ear. “It’s not a bad place to work. You should believe me when I say there are worse places to be.”

  “You didn’t answer my question.” He reached out, grabbing her arm and drawing her close. She took a step closer toward him.

  “What about you? Would you want me at one of your fights?”

  Jasper didn’t like the tightening in his gut. “We’re not talking about me.”

  She placed her palm on his chest. “See, you wouldn’t like me at one of your fights because it’s dangerous. Please, don’t make this about anything more than it has to be.” She jerked up and pressed her lips to his. “I’ll see you later, okay?”

  He nodded, no longer wanting to argue with her.

  Someone called her name interrupting their moment.

  “I’ve got to go. Try not to get in trouble or hurt yourself.”

  Against his wishes, he let her go and watched her walk all the way to the back of the club. A woman with long blonde hair was waiting for her. He didn’t recognize the woman, but he got the feeling this was Brooke.

  Running fingers through his hair, he waited until the door closed behind her before moving away. He made his way toward the sex shop he knew was reputable. Amber may not want him to see her within the strip club, but once he got her home tonight, he was going to prepare that ass for his own pleasure.

  ****

  “Who was the hot guy?” Brooke asked, taking her bag from her.

  “That’s Jasper, the fighter I wa
s telling you about.” Amber followed her friend through to the lounge Harold had set up at Brooke’s insistence.

  “What? How did you get from being hot to getting hot together?”

  Amber chuckled. “I fixed up his wounds, and before I knew what was happening, he was hitting on me. Believe me, he’s as damn hot in the bedroom as he is in life.” She shivered remembering the feel of his cock sliding inside her. How was she going to last the night simply thinking about him being inside her? He was a deadly combination of heat and lust.

  “Wow, honey, you’re lucky.”

  “Stop complimenting other men, baby. I’m right here, and I keep you more than satisfied.” Harold walked into the room, going to his wife. Amber watched him wrap his arm around her waist, and slam his lips down on Brooke’s. Yep, there was no mistaking the lust shining in his eyes. He may like men looking at his woman, but he didn’t like her thinking about other men.

  “You’ve got nothing to worry about, Harold. I know who I want, and you’re it.” Brooke stroked his cheek. “Even with your weird need to watch me strip.”

  Amber disappeared from the room. If she knew Harold and Brooke well enough, they’d be fucking within five minutes. There was no avoiding them. She tucked some hair behind her ear as she walked behind the bar. The club played slow music as Cassie danced to the tune, slowly and seductively.

  She saw David behind the bar, watching the dance. There were not many people within the club, but in the next few hours that would all change.

  “Hey,” she said.

  “Hey. Where’s Harold?” When she gave David a pointed look, he smirked. “Figures. He’s a randy old dog.”

  Taking the glasses down from the shelf, she started to wipe them out and display them on the counter ready for orders.

  “I think it’s sweet. He’s completely in love with her.”

  “Are you turning into one of those saps who believe in love and shit?”

  David was one of those guys she was happy to talk with in work, but she’d never meet him out of work. He was nice enough but a little too cynical for her. According to some of the dancers, he was a breaker of hearts and kept to himself.

  “Nope, not love but certainly lust.”