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  Chapter 17

  Michael hadn’t seemed himself all week, distant and preoccupied. I asked him repeatedly to share whatever bothered him, but he said no and I stopped trying to pry. Sometimes, there are things I don’t feel like sharing as I deal with the situation. I gave him his space and hoped he’d tell me in his own time.

  My week had been busy, almost to the point of hectic. I worked at the hospital and the clinic every day. Michael trained, spent time with his family at the hospital, and kept the tattoo shop running.

  His life was just as full as mine. We had to be creative when it came to seeing each other while his brother was at County. I met him early one morning to watch him train with Rob. There was a small ring that had been set up in the gym just for Michael and Rob to practice.

  I was tempted to jump in the ring and take out some of my stress on the target or Rob, but I didn’t want to make a fool out of myself. I used the time to run on the treadmill as I watched Mike kick Rob’s ass. It brought a smile to my face.

  Saturday night, Michael brought the DVD of his fight in New York to my house. He fought Victor “The Mauler” Torrez.

  Sliding the disc into the DVD player, he explained that the match wouldn’t be fought in a boxing ring and that he didn’t box. I was clueless to MMA rules. To me it was just a fancy name given to a sport where two men beat the shit out of each other.

  As soon as the match started to play, I knew I was right with my first assumption about what he called a sport—it was barbaric.

  There was something about watching Michael that had me shifting in my seat and made me feel flushed.

  Fuck, he looked sexy and powerful as he jostled from leg to leg on the video.

  “Look at this next hit,” he said, sitting next to me on the couch, punching the air.

  His foot swept the other man’s legs out from underneath him. Michael struck him in the face. Sweat and blood flew through the air as he connected with his jaw. High-definition television showed a little too much detail for me.

  “That’s called a ground-and-pound move.” Staring at the television, he was transfixed, with a smile on his face.

  “Did you win?” I asked, covering my eyes to avoid seeing the man struggle.

  He turned to me with a look of shock on his face. “You’ll have to watch to find out, but what do you think?” He said, laughing.

  “You won or you wouldn’t be showing this to me,” I said with a smile before turning back to the television.

  Although I knew the outcome, it made my stomach hurt to watch the footage. My heart beat in my throat as I sat on the edge of the couch, watching the recording through my fingers.

  Michael squeezed my knee, patting it gently. “I can’t wait to get back in the cage.”

  “How long did you say until the next match?” I looked at his face; his was happiness evident.

  “Just a couple of weeks. I’ll be cutting way back on my schedule at the shop for final preparations.”

  “Where is it?” I asked, praying it was far away.

  How would I feel seeing him fighting with another man in the flesh instead of on a recording? The roar of the crowd with each blow was shocking, and in person had to be almost deafening.

  “Right here in Tampa. I wanted in because it’s close to home. You’re gonna come, right?”

  “Um, yeah, I guess I’ll be there.” I turned my attention back to the television as his fist made contact with the opponent’s jaw again. His head flew back and I could see the satisfaction on Michael’s face. “What made you travel to New York for this fight?”

  “I want you there, Mia,” he said, ignoring my question. “You have to watch at least one in person. That was a huge fight. It was on pay-per-view and helped get my name out there. I want to make a name for myself in this industry.”

  “Why would you do this when you’re a successful business owner?” I looked at him, totally confused by the man I knew and the one I saw on the screen. The fighter scared the hell out of me, but the man to my side made me feel safe and comfortable. I thought of him as a softy, although I’d never tell him that.

  “I do MMA for the thrill and the challenge. I’d give up working in the tattoo shop to fight full-time. Wait, here’s the end, you have to watch.” Touching my chin, he pushed my eyes back toward the television.

  Michael had “The Mauler” on the ground in a chokehold. Their legs were twisted together, their bodies entwined as he squeezed the man’s neck, cutting off his airway. I couldn’t look away no matter how much I wanted to—I was transfixed—and then they released each other.

  “What just happened?” I asked, confused why it ended suddenly.

  “I won. The ref ended it because the guy was losing consciousness. Stupid rule, but…” He shrugged with a tiny grin.

  “Oh,” I said as I turned my attention back to the screen. His chest heaved from exertion; his eyes looked fierce, as tiny droplets of sweat slid down his body. Maybe high-def was a good thing after all.

  “I could watch this recording a million times,” he said, switching off the television, turning toward me.

  “You probably have,” I said, smirking.

  “Smartass woman.” He started to tickle me on my ribs.

  I squirmed, trying to break free. “Stop!” I yelped as he pushed me back into the couch.

  His fingers moved across my ribs as I tried to find my breath. “I have to teach you a lesson.” The weight of his body made it harder to breathe.

  I laughed and tried to pry his hands from my side. “Michael, stop. I can’t breathe,” I huffed out through the laugher, pushing at his fingers.

  His hands stilled as he hovered over my body, face to face. “You’re so fucking beautiful when you have a smile on your face.” His eyes roamed my face as his erection pushed against my leg.

  He was hard as a rock.

  “Is it me or did the fight turn you on?” I asked.

  I would never admit it, but my body ached for him. God, I was such a hypocrite.

  “Your laughter did this to me, not the fight.”

  “I highly—”

  He covered my mouth with his hand and placed a kiss on my neck. “No more talking for you.”

  I giggled behind his hand and my tongue darted out to taste him. “I thought you loved my voice,” I mumbled behind his fingers.

  “Shh,” he whispered, running his nose down my cheek before he licked a path down my neck. The warmth of his tongue sent tiny sparks straight to my core.

  My fingers dug into his back as I held him to me, enjoying the feel of his tongue. I wanted more. I craved him.

  When his lips met my collarbone, my body flinched as my sex convulsed. I could feel the wetness between my legs. My body was a traitor, but at this point, relieving the throb was all that mattered.

  My head fell to the side and I opened my eyes. The clock read six—I would be late to work. I pushed Michael off in a panic.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked, frowning.

  “I’m going to be late to work. You have to go and I have to get ready.” I jumped from the couch, pulling down my shirt.

  “Your fucking job is getting in the way,” he said, sitting up.

  I hushed him with my finger. “We both have a lot of shit to do. I’ll be off tomorrow if you can find the time to squeeze me into your busy schedule.”

  He smiled behind my finger. “I’ll make the time. I’ll do everything early so I can spend time with you.”

  “Michael, I’d say you’re smitten if I didn’t know you any better. Are you always this easy?”

  “Smitten doesn’t even begin to explain what I am at the moment, doc.” He grabbed my hand and placed it on his cock. “Rock hard is more like it. You’re always leaving me fucking hanging.”

  I chuckled as I stared into his eyes.

  The man probably never had to wait for sex. Woman probably hung on him and begged for it.

  “If you can’t get it to subside, you know where to find me and my need
le, handsome.” I kissed his lips before moving out of reach, trying to avoid being pulled down on top of him.

  “I’ve always had a fantasy of doing it in a storage closet where we could get caught.” He smiled as he adjusted himself in his pants before standing.

  Crossing my arms, I stared at him and shook my head. “I could be fired for that, Michael.”

  “Not if we’re quick and quiet. It’s the thrill of getting caught that makes it so fucking great.” He winked as he looked down at me.

  I swallowed hard, my mouth feeling dry suddenly. “I’ll take your word for it.”

  “You’ll see,” he said as he brushed his finger across my lip.

  I sighed. The man liked to live life on the edge, and so did I. I fully expected a visit to the hospital in the coming days.

  “Okay. Now scoot. I have to get ready. People’s lives depend on me.” I pushed him toward the door.

  He pouted and grabbed his chest, pretending to be wounded. “I’ll show myself out.”

  He pulled me into a kiss. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders as he held my head in his hand. The velvety texture of his tongue and the hint of mint left me wanting more.

  I moaned, my lips following his mouth as he pulled away.

  “A little something to remember me.” He released me and made his way to the door.

  “Hey, what’s your MMA nickname?” I called out to him.

  “Why do ya ask?” he asked with one hand on the doorknob.

  “Curiosity.”

  “Michael ‘The Iceman’ Gallo.” He smiled and left.

  I stood there and tried to think of him as “The Iceman,” but he should be called the “The Raging Inferno.”

  Chapter 18

  Walking through the hospital, I looked over my shoulder, paranoid that I’d run into Tammy. I still hadn’t done a damn thing to deal with her the last week.

  I’d been too fucking busy with the shop, family shit, and Mia.

  With a smile, I pushed open the door to Joe’s room, and found it empty. The bed was neatly made and everything was back in its rightful place, but no Joe. My smile evaporated.

  “Can I help you?” a nurse asked behind me.

  Walking out of the room, I approached her. “That’s my brother’s room. I was coming to visit.”

  “Ah, they released him a couple hours ago. He went home, darlin’.” She smiled.

  “Thanks, ma’am,” I said before walking away.

  Pulling out my phone to text my ma, I headed to the elevators.

  Me: Mom, why didn’t anyone bother to tell me they released Joe?

  I loved that my ma had finally decided to join this century and learn how to text. It was easier to keep the conversations shorter, because she always found something else to say when we actually spoke. If I ignored her texts, she’d call anyway, but for the most part it was the best way to communicate with her—at least for me.

  Mom: We weren’t there when it happened. We’re not going to see him until tomorrow. Let him rest and enjoy your night.

  My night would be spent without Mia. I had plenty to do. The shop needed to be organized and cleaned, and I could use an extra workout. The match would be here before I knew it.

  The elevator arrived, and I pushed the button for the first floor. I leaned against the wall and thought about what to do first. When the doors opened, I saw a sign for the emergency room and the decision was made for me.

  I sweet-talked the receptionist. I explained that I was Mia’s boyfriend and I was here to see her, but only if she wasn’t busy.

  “Let me go see if she is. Take a seat and I’ll be right back.” She smiled as she stood from her desk, smoothing her skirt with her palms. She swiped her badge and disappeared behind the door.

  I cracked my neck, rolling it on my shoulders, as I sat in the chair and stared at the door. The people sitting in the chairs around me looked miserable. They were coughing, moaning and grimacing. I knew the people beyond the doors were worse than those sitting here.

  The door opened; the receptionist stuck her head out and motioned for me to come.

  “She’s in between patients right now. Come on.” She opened the door, and I stepped into the noisy corridor. “She’s grabbing a cup of coffee down the hall on the right, last door.” She pointed, smiled.

  I nodded and smiled. “Thanks.”

  “Mm hmm,” she said, eyeing me up and down, before leaving me to find Mia.

  I debated if I should walk in and surprise her or wait in the hallway. I didn’t want to scare the shit out of her. The hall was empty as I approached the door marked “Staff Only.”

  I leaned against the wall, crossing my arms as I waited patiently for her.

  A few people gave me dirty looks as they walked by at the other end of the hall, and I smiled and waved. Fuck them. I couldn’t wait any longer. I knocked on the door to get her attention. “Mia, are you in there?”

  The door cracked open and she smiled at me. “Hey, what are you doing here?” she asked, stepping out into the hall.

  “I’ve come to live out my fantasy.” I smirked, resting my shoulder against the doorframe.

  Her hazel eyes grew wide as a smile spread across her face. “Why are you really here?” She crossed her arms and laughed.

  “Came to see my brother, but my family forgot to mention that he was released.”

  “Good for him.”

  “Now I’m the only one in need of attention.” I stepped closer to her. “Can you spare a moment to take a look?” I looked down and back at her.

  “Is stamina your problem?” Her eyes twinkled.

  She was a total fucking ball buster.

  “Why don’t you tell me, doc?” I whispered against her lips. Her hair was perfectly slicked back into a tight bun, with her lab coat over her scrubs. The scrubs I could’ve done without—not sexy at all.

  The corner of her lips twitched as she grabbed me by the shirt, pulling me down the hall. “I don’t have long,” she said, looking around to see if the coast was clear before pushing me inside the storage closet.

  Fuck yes. Finally.

  I locked the door and turned my attention on her.

  Kneading her ass in my hands, I ravaged her mouth. Hard breaths and small moans fell from our lips. Finding her breast, I squeezed gently, caressing the hard nipple under my fingertips. Her body quaked at the contact. My dick ached to be inside her, not content with rubbing against her leg through my pants.

  “Fuck, Mia. I want you,” I growled, my erection straining to break free.

  We nipped each other’s lips.

  She smirked, reaching in her pocket. She laughed, pulling a condom out.

  “Did you know I was coming?” I unfastened my pants without hesitation. My cock sprang free and bounced off her stomach.

  “I knew it was a possibility,” she said against my lips.

  “Better not be for anyone else, Mia.” I grabbed the wrapper from her hand and tore it open with my teeth.

  “There’s no one else,” she said with a straight face.

  “Turn around, hands on the wall.”

  As she placed her hands on the wall, I pulled her scrubs and underwear down to her knees. The lab coat covered her ass, but I’d handle it.

  Pushing down on the small of her back, I tapped her feet apart, giving myself a better angle. I placed the condom over my rock-hard dick carefully in the dim light. It glided easily against the silky wetness as I rubbed the tip against her.

  She wanted it.

  Grabbing her hips, I thrust myself inside in one quick move.

  She cried out when I was fully seated, and my piercings stroked her depths.

  “Shh. You’re going to get us in trouble,” I whispered in her ear, placing my hand over her mouth.

  I pumped into her, searching for my release as I held up her lab coat. My body slammed against her ass, moving her with each thrust.

  There was nothing tender about this type of fucking.

  For the fir
st time in a long while, I didn’t care about my partner getting off before me. Mia always left me with a hard-on, and for once, I’d leave her wanting more.

  Releasing her mouth from my grasp, I used both hands to steady her hips, and pulled her against me. She fucked me back, moving in my hands, as my cock disappeared inside of her.

  Watching my dick move in and out was better than any porn movie I’d ever seen.

  She whimpered as I pounded into her flesh. God, she felt fucking amazing—tight and wet as her pussy pulsated against my shaft.

  She’d be sore and hopefully walking a little differently for the rest of her shift.

  Biting down on her neck to stifle my moan, I gripped her tighter and pumped into her one last time.

  “Fuck,” I said against her neck, my teeth still biting down as my body twitched and shook. Dizziness and exhaustion overcame me as I rested my face in her back, trying to catch my breath.

  “Hey, that’s not fair,” she said, wiggling her ass with my cock still inside her.

  “All is fair in love and war. I’ll make it worth your while, Mia…tomorrow.” I grinned against her coat before I felt her body stiffen.

  I pulled out, grabbing a piece of crappy brown paper from a roll on the shelf. I folded the condom inside before stuffing it in my pocket. She bent down to grab her pants, and I could see the redness my body had caused when it slammed into her.

  I smiled, knowing she’d feel me on her for a while.

  “You’re an asshole,” she said, glaring at me as she smoothed out her scrubs and coat.

  “I’ll own that.” I smirked, stuffing my dick inside my pants and zipping them.

  I kissed her on the lips, rubbing my nose against hers. “You made my fantasy come true, and we didn’t even get caught.”

  “Yeah, but I would of at least liked to get off too.” She glared.

  “Tomorrow,” I said as I tapped her on the nose. “Lemme make sure your clothes are right before we walk out.” She turned around slowly, and I checked her out from head to toe. “You look like nothing happened.”

  “Good.” She smiled.

  “Shit, I didn’t do it right.”