The Fighter Read online

  “I told you I am over it, Colton. I appreciate your concern, but I’m fine. So instead of wasting another moment on a guy who’s not in our lives anymore, let’s have a good time.” I grabbed my drink from the counter and raised it to him for a toast.

  Colton still wore that uneasy look, like he didn’t believe a word I said but felt powerless to fight it. He lifted his glass and clinked it against mine. “Alright. To good times.”

  Colton had left the bar an hour before because he already had someone special to go home to. Stella and Zach left, heading back to his place because they were a serious couple now. They’d been together for almost a year. Tatum went home with some guy.

  So I stood at the bar and finished my last drink.

  The bar was quiet because most people had already gone home for the night. I never thought I’d be one of those people who lingered at bars because I had no one to go home to. Now I stood with all the other lonely people, reexamining my life and wondering where I went wrong. My first marriage ended because I fell in love with a gay man. My second engagement ended because he didn’t love me enough.

  I reflected on that relationship so many times because I wondered why I’d been so stupid. There were plenty of times when it seemed like what Finn and I had was real, something so strong and special that it would last a lifetime. But in reality, I was just a stepping stone until something better came along. If Finn preferred to devote his life to helping people away from Seattle instead of staying here with me, he clearly didn’t love me enough.

  If he ever loved me at all.

  Maybe the breakup wouldn’t have hurt so much if he hadn’t proposed. Maybe it would have just been a breakup, something ordinary and predictable. But I knew I still would be just as heartbroken.

  I finished the rest of my drink then opened my clutch. It was time to pay the bill and go home, to pass out on my bed with my dress still on. The later I stayed up, the longer I slept in. I wasted as much of the day as possible because there was nothing to look forward to.

  I pulled out a couple of twenties.

  A man appeared at my side and slid a fifty to the bartender. “Her drinks are on me.”

  I stared at the crisp bills in my hand and fought the smile that stretched my mouth. This guy thought he was so suave, throwing down money like that, but I wasn’t easily impressed. I’d been with a lot of men in the last few months, and they all seemed to be the same. “You really don’t need to do that.” I lifted my gaze and looked into his, encountering the unexpected. I’d been with handsome men with rock-hard bodies, but I hadn’t come face-to-face with a guy like him.

  His jawline was chiseled from granite, the line so pronounced and sharp, he possessed statue-like qualities. His neck had corded veins that protruded from his skin like he was constantly flexing. His hands were exactly the same, a web of veins that looked like rivers on a map. He had tanned skin as if he ran shirtless through the park on every sunny day that graced Seattle, or he owned a yacht in the Mediterranean that gave him that olive-gold glow.

  With dark hair on his head and a matching shadow along his jaw, he had the masculinity that made him so manly, but he also had such full lips, they seemed fake. Green eyes that were vibrant in color looked into mine with all the confidence in the world.

  This man wasn’t just handsome. He was an entirely different breed. Part man and part divine, he was a mortal god. I wasn’t even sure why someone like him would be standing in this bar, ten minutes before it was about to close. He could have grabbed a hot piece of ass the second he walked in the door.

  How he managed to be alone until the end of the night was a mystery to me.

  The bartender took his money as we continued to stare at each other.

  The man helped himself to my cash and returned it to my wallet.

  I noticed the Omega watch on his wrist and the beautiful texture of his black jacket. He wore an olive-green t-shirt underneath, the fabric hugging his muscular physique. He looked like someone who belonged in Manhattan, getting free drinks handed to him because he was more beautiful than all the women in the building.

  “Brutus.” He extended his hand to shake mine.

  I took it, my grip a little weak. “Pepper.”

  He didn’t make a comment on my odd name, not like most people did. He lowered his hand then leaned against the counter. “The bar closes in ten minutes. You want to continue this conversation at my place? Or I can give you a ride home?” This guy went straight for the kill, not having any shame for seizing what he wanted.

  A year ago, I probably wouldn’t have been interested. I needed to have a connection with a man before I slept with him. But now, my prerequisites were at an all-time low. I wanted a beautiful man to entertain me for the night, to make me feel desirable. I wanted that closeness, that intimacy. But I didn’t want the heartache, betrayal, and disappointment.

  It was the best decision I’d ever made.

  “Your place.”

  This guy was loaded.

  For one, we drove to his place in a Bugatti. I didn’t know anything about cars, but I knew that shit wasn’t cheap.

  And two, his apartment overlooked the bay, sitting on the top two floors of a tall building. With an enormous living room visible the second you stepped out of the elevator, the place had to be at least ten thousand square feet.

  Did a single guy need this much space?

  I tried not to react to his ridiculous wealth, but it was hard not to look around and admire the perfect lighting, the paintings on the wall, the rug that was probably selected in Morocco then shipped here on a private plane.

  He stepped into his kitchen and poured two glasses of wine. Then he came back to me, standing at nearly a foot taller than me. His eyes weren’t kind the way Colton’s were. They were so deep and masculine, he seemed like a predator more than a human.

  I took the glass and suddenly felt afraid.

  He studied me, watching the way I slouched and diverted my gaze. “What is it?”

  I handed my glass back to him. “I’m sorry. I should go.” The elevator was right behind me, so all I had to do was get to the sidewalk and call an Uber. Then I could forget this terrible night ever happened.

  “Why?” He set the glasses down on the coffee table beside him. “What’s wrong?” Without raising his voice, he conveyed his concern. It was obvious he didn’t want me to leave, even though he knew nothing about me besides my name.

  I stepped back, putting a little space in between us. “I don’t sleep with married men.” A man like this didn’t live in a mansion all alone. There was no need for this much space, no matter how rich he was. His wife probably went out of town and took the kids with her. I refused to be the other woman in the bed she slept in, to enjoy a man she probably loved with all her heart. A man so beautiful, so fit, and so rich obviously had the heart of whatever woman he wanted. Maybe she would never find out about this, but if even she never did, I wanted no part in it.

  His eyes narrowed in confusion before they softened in relief. “Why do you think I’m married?”

  I took a look around. “You live in this big place all alone?” I asked incredulously. “Twenty people could live here and not be crammed. Why would a bachelor need all this space to himself?”

  “Whatever the reason may be, it’s none of your business. And no, I’m not married.” He grabbed the glasses again and handed one to me.

  I didn’t know this man, so he could be lying, but I took the glass anyway.

  “If you don’t believe me, raid the closets and see if there is any woman’s clothing anywhere. Search for clues that hint my wife is out of town and I’m sneaking around behind her back.” He drank his wine and pressed his lips tightly together, clearly offended I suggested such a horrible thing. “I know you don’t know me, but I’m the kind of man that’s honest to a fault. If I had a wife and you had a problem with it, I would just find someone else. But I don’t.” He took another drink of his wine, downing half of it in a single go
.

  Now I felt low for accusing him of such a thing. “I’m sorry… I just assumed.”

  “Assumptions are dangerous things.” He set his empty glass on the coffee table, as if someone would magically appear out of nowhere and clean it for him. “But I admire your honor. Most people don’t care about those sorts of things. They don’t realize how their actions affect other people, how their deceit poisons their blood.” He took off his jacket and let the material slide down his chiseled arms. When he stood in just a t-shirt, his toned biceps and triceps were visible. That warm, sun-kissed skin was beautiful, even under the dim lighting of his apartment. When he stared at me, he didn’t seem unnerved by the intimacy between our gazes. We were strangers, two people who’d barely said more than a few words to each other, but he was so confident that it didn’t affect him at all. Even when I insulted him, he didn’t let it affect his solid presence.

  I gripped the glass between my fingers, the warmth in my belly having nothing to do with the smooth alcohol he’d given me. This man was mysterious, but I liked it that way. I didn’t want to ask him what he did for a living, if he lived here full time, or his favorite restaurants in the city. I liked it like this, this mutual anonymity toward each other. That was what my life had become, a serious of meaningless one-night stands that chased away the loneliness. I’d had two perfect relationships in my life, and they both ended the same way—with the men leaving. I would never put myself in that vulnerable position again.

  He took a step and moved into my space, his fingers sliding to my neck as his cologne surrounded me. With a light touch, he guided my chin up, then pressed his lips to mine, getting his toes in the water.

  The glass of wine nearly slipped through my fingertips.

  His full lips were so soft, so delicious. They slipped past mine in an erotic dance before he released a quiet breath against my trembling lips. He kissed me again, this time harder, like he felt the same electric pulse I did. There was an inferno between us, the kind of chemistry passionate lovers possessed. So we both ran with it, kissing each other harder and feeling the other.

  He took the glass from my hand then wrapped his arm around my waist, squeezing me against him. He didn’t end our kiss or stop to look at me. His movements were so slick.

  With unburdened hands, I let my fingers explore his body, feeling the hardness underneath his t-shirt. It was like solid concrete, strength that was so profound, I moaned in his mouth. I imagined those chiseled abs underneath his shirt, the tanned skin that deserved to be licked.

  My fingers found the hem of his shirt, and I pulled it over his head, eager to get to the good part now that my blood was boiling with hormones.

  He set the glass down then stripped it off.

  My eyes swept over his frame, appreciating every single inch of that man. “Mmm…” I gave a gentle bite on my lower lip, my hunger insatiable. I’d been with a lot of men in the last few months, but I’d never been with someone like him.

  He moaned quietly under his breath as his hand moved into my hair again, and he kissed me. He gripped the bottom of my dress and yanked it over my hips, revealing nothing underneath. The way the dress was made inhibited me from wearing anything underneath because the sides were extremely sheer. When he noticed, he gave another moan and finished pulling it over my head, revealing my naked body.

  My dress landed on the floor, and he guided me backward until we hit the wall. One large hand gripped my tit as he kissed me while the other gripped my ass.

  I got his jeans undone and pushed everything down, getting his beautiful body out of those clothes.

  When his clothes were around his ankles, I looked down and saw a cock that made me bite my lower lip again. Long and fat, it was the perfect tool to make me come all night long. It was a man’s dick, a package built for pleasing a woman. “Hurry up and fuck me.” There was nothing stronger than getting lost in unbridled passion, physically enjoying someone to the exclusion of all else. It was easy to forget about the bullshit in life. It was easy to forget about all your problems. This man was beautiful and endowed. He was the exact prescription I needed for my disease.

  He rolled a condom to his base then hiked my leg over his hips. Then he slid inside me, sinking in so smoothly because I was soaking wet. Inch by inch he moved, getting farther inside me until he was sheathed to the hilt.

  “Yes…” My arms wrapped around his neck, and I breathed against his mouth.

  He moaned against my mouth then started to fuck me, pounding my ass into the wall as he gave me one of many orgasms that night.

  I woke up the next morning in his bed.

  At some point during the night, we made our way down the hallway and into his Alaskan king bed. His room was surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows, breathtaking views of the city as the morning sun poked through the clouds.

  He was dead asleep beside me, his hand resting on his chest while the sheets were bunched around his waist. Tanned skin stretched over his strong muscles. He had the deep V in his hips, like he hit the weights religiously and swore off carbs forever.

  It was a nice sight—but I had to leave.

  I slowly slipped out of his bed and made it to my feet without waking him. Then I tiptoed out of the bedroom and down the hallway until I found my dress sitting on the floor. My heels were still on because I’d never taken them off during the night. Whether we were doing it up against the wall or on the couch, my four-inch heels stayed on my feet.

  That was kind of hot.

  I got inside the elevator then descended to the ground, my hair a mess and my makeup smeared around my eyes. In this kind of scandalous dress, it was obvious I was doing the walk of shame, but I was so satisfied, I couldn’t care less.

  I pulled my phone out of my clutch and looked at a screen covered with text messages from Colton.

  Are you awake?

  When will you be home?

  Pepper, you okay?

  It was hard to believe this man used to be my husband because he acted like my father. I made it to the street and waved down a cab. Then I took the short ride to my neighborhood. I was excited to get these heels off and catch up on some sleep before work tomorrow. I texted him back. I’ll be home in five minutes. Chill.

  We’re having game day at my apartment. You want to join?

  Depends. Food?

  He sent me an emoji of someone rolling their eyes. Yes.

  What kind of food?

  Does it matter? You’ll eat anything.

  Just tell me!

  Alright. Waffles, bagels, bacon (crispy the way you like it)…

  Sold!

  He rolled his eyes again.

  I went to my apartment to change first then headed across the hall.

  The dining table was covered with the breakfast buffet, while everyone sat on the couch and ate while the TV was on. Board games were piled on the coffee table because they obviously hadn’t decided which to play first. “Wow, this looks bomb.” I grabbed a plate and piled the food on top, pouring the syrup over everything because I was a weirdo and couldn’t get enough of it.

  “So where did you end up last night?” Stella sat on Zach’s lap, her legs draped over his thighs as they shared the armchair. Since it was Sunday, she was in her leggings and a sweater, but that woman could make a trash bag look sexy.

  I took a seat beside Colton and Tom. “You know, up against a wall…on a couch…a bed at some point.”

  Stella chuckled. “Damn, you’re living the single life and nailing it.”

  “Yes, nailing is the right word.” I ate a strip of bacon covered in syrup and felt Colton’s disappointed stare. He wasn’t happy about my newfound sexual appetite. He treated me like a person who’d gotten hooked on drugs and was slowly fading away. But sex was better than drugs—and I was definitely hooked.

  “Who was the guy?” Zach asked. “Anyone special?”

  “What was his name?” Colton asked. “Or can you even remember?”

  I was about to bite off
the final piece of bacon but decided to throw it at his face instead. “Brutus.”

  “Ooh…he sounds hot,” Stella said. “Super manly.”

  “He was super manly,” I said, returning my attention to the food on my plate.

  “Are you going to see him again?” Tom asked.

  “No.” I blurted out my answer fast, because the idea of spending any more time with that man didn’t seem appealing. He was from a different world, a world I would never be part of.

  “What’s wrong with him?” Colton asked. “He’s hot enough to sleep with but not good enough for a couple of coffee?”

  “Colton.” Stella stared at him. “This sexist bullshit needs to stop. I can’t count the number of times Zach has come home after a promiscuous night, and he doesn’t get the third degree.”

  “Thank you,” I said to her.

  “I’m not sexist,” Colton countered. “I just know this isn’t you.”

  “This is the new me,” I said. “People change all the time.”

  “But how can you not like any of them?” he asked incredulously. “You refuse to give anyone a chance, so what if this guy is good for you?”

  “Trust me, he’s not.” I smeared cream cheese across my toasted bagel then took a bite. “The guy drove me to his apartment in a Bugatti.” I chewed the bread and watched all my friends do a double take.

  Zach’s jaw was practically on the floor. “You serious?”

  “That’s like a million-dollar car,” Colton said. “Are you sure?”

  “I don’t know much about cars, but I know what it was.” I took another bite and kept chewing. “Then he took me to his apartment, which was a fucking mansion. It was two stories with a grand spiral staircase. It had to be at least ten thousand square feet. At first, I assumed he was married so I tried to bolt, but he convinced me he wasn’t.”