WELLS
Wiping the sweat from my brow, I panted as I tried to catch my breath. After the sex bath, I’d been working in the gym for the past few hours, training. At first, it was nice. It helped me focus on what I was doing. But as I fell into the routines I knew, my mind began to wander.
Flashes of Nicco and Monroe together replayed in my mind. And if I was honest, mostly of Nicco. The sight of his body brazenly displayed before me had given me the opportunity to gawk, and I’d taken advantage of it. Nicco’s body was a work of art. From the dips and lines of his muscles to the ink he displayed, I didn’t know where to look the most.
When I watched him and my Monroe together, I was jealous. But not in the way I’d imagined. I wasn’t jealous Nicco was with Monroe, but that Monroe got to taste Nicco. Watching Monroe be more dominant with the cocky man had my blood surging. It was hot to see that side of him be ignited, even if it wasn’t from me. We had our roles with each other, and it was good he could branch out of himself with Nicco.
So, where did that leave me? Could I let go of this block I seemed to have with him? I didn’t know why I was holding on to denying myself so much, but it felt like I might break apart if I let go.
“You look like you’re thinking something serious,” a voice said, pulling me from my thoughts.
I turned and blinked, wondering if my thoughts had somehow conjured him. Returning to the bag in front of me, I pulled my arm back and hit it, trying to calm my heart. “What do you want, Nicco? I’m busy.”
“I’m here to help.” I could hear the smile in his voice, making me grind my teeth. Always so playful, that one.
“Don’t you have important meetings to attend or something?”
“Already done. Spoke with Lucca and have it all settled. Now, it’s time for me to check in on my fighter. Six weeks until the big fight. I can’t have you sullying the Mascro name.”
I rolled my eyes, not answering his lame attempt to bait me. I focused back on the bag in front of me, my breaths coming out in short bursts now as I jabbed and punched. Concentrating on the object in front of me, I didn’t expect it when he pulled it, my fist missing it as the momentum brought me forward. Stumbling, I glared at the man who beamed at me from the other side. Stupid, cocky man.
“Come on. Let’s spar.”
“No.” I gave him my back, going to the water cooler.
“Ah, come on, Crash. Don’t tell me you’re scared of sparring with me?”
“You wish,” I snorted. Draining a cup before filling another one.
“Then what’s stopping you? Come on. Just one round and see if it’s worth it.”
Sighing, I looked back at the man. “You’re not going to stop until I give in, are you?”
“Nope.” He smiled, his eyes twinkling.
Shaking my head, I couldn’t deny the fun he tried to bring and how nothing seemed too dark for him. Tossing the paper cup into the trash, I really looked at him.
“Fine.” Walking into the center of the room, I stood with my hands on my hips as I waited for him to tape his hands up.
“What rules?” I asked, stretching my arms over my head.
“Rules? What are those?” He smirked.
Rolling my eyes, I decided to be the responsible adult. “No junk shots or headshots. Everything else is fair game. Five minutes.”
“Five minutes. I’ll try not to knock you out in two.”
Laughing, I shook my head. “Is there any part of you that’s never cocky?”
“Nope.” He winked, strutting over. He looked way too good in those loose workout pants and tank. “You ready?” he asked.
I set the clock on the bench and met him in the middle. Tapping knuckles, we waited for the buzzer to sound to tell us to begin. Once it did, my focus zeroed in on his form, looking for any weaknesses.
He kicked out, but I dodged it, dancing back on the balls of my feet. I wanted to assess him before I took him down. Nicco was lithe and had good range. He wasn’t as green as I thought he’d be. I struck out to see how he’d respond and was surprised when he didn’t fall for the easy kick, blocking me instead.
“I’ve surprised you,” he said, his smirk growing wider.
“I’ll admit you have. I wasn’t expecting you to know what you were doing.” I did a quick jab, catching him off guard that time, and I smiled, liking I’d gotten one over the cocky man.