Page 28

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Adrenaline courses through my veins as I make my way up the ramp, my chest heaving with each breath. The arena is a cacophony of sound—half the crowd cheering, half stunned that Jason Bell tapped out in a number-one contender's match. I live for this shit. This is what it’s all about. The high of the fight, the rush of victory. It’s my year, and I fucking know it. Nothing will stop me from winning that belt.

At the top of the ramp, I glance back at the ring. Jason’s still on the mat, struggling to get to his feet. I give him a small nod of respect—he put up a good fight—but the truth is, I was never going to lose. Not tonight. Not to him. As I turn to face the sea of people, my gaze catches the signs with my name scrawled across them, the fans wearing my t-shirt, chanting my name. My name. It’s moments like this that fuel me. This is what I’ve worked my entire life for.

I stride through the backstage hallways, shoulders back, chest out. A few of the guys stop to congratulate me on the match, but I barely acknowledge them. My mind’s already somewhere else—on her . The need to see Natalie is a storm brewing inside me. I shower quickly, scrubbing the sweat and grime from the match off my skin. My reflection in the mirror is sharp, eyes still burning from the adrenaline. I pull on a pair of sweats and one of my own t-shirts before heading toward her office.

I expect her to be alone. But when I push the door open, Jason Bell is sitting on the table, shirt off, while Natalie’s delicate hands glide over his shoulder, checking him for injuries. My blood runs hot, irritation flooding my veins as I clench my fists at my sides. Her fingers on his skin? I know it’s her job, but that doesn’t make it easier to swallow. The jealousy blooms like poison in my chest, dark and possessive. She’s mine.

I clear my throat, the sound cutting through the room, and both of them look up. Jason’s expression is neutral, maybe a little sheepish, but Natalie’s face lights up when she sees me, and it eases some of the tension knotting in my gut. But not all of it. Not yet.

“Ryan,” Jason says, moving to stand and extending his hand to me.

I take it, but I don’t let go right away, giving his hand a good squeeze, maybe just a little too hard. “You done talking to my girl?” My voice is low, gruff, and I make sure my eyes bore into his. Dark, possessive.

Jason blinks, his eyes flicking between me and Natalie. “Didn’t realize she was your girl.”

“Well, now you do,” I say, my grip tightening for just a second longer before I finally release his hand.

Jason gives me a stiff nod, murmuring some lame congratulations on my win, and then he disappears down the hallway, quick to get out of my space. Good. I don’t want him—or anyone else—touching what’s mine.

The second he’s gone, my attention snaps to Natalie. She’s standing there, watching me with those wide, beautiful eyes of hers. The sight of her, so calm and steady after what just happened, grounds me. But the urge to claim her, to stake my claim right here, is still burning hot under my skin.

“You were incredible out there,” she says, her voice soft, but filled with so much admiration it makes my chest swell. “Seriously, you were... wow.”

I can’t help the grin that stretches across my lips. She wraps her arms around my neck, pulling me down into a kiss that’s all heat, passion, and possession. I kiss her back hard, gripping her waist, pulling her body flush against mine. I need her close, need her to feel just how much I want her. My hand slides up her back, threading through her hair as our lips move together, the taste of her intoxicating.

When we finally break apart, her eyes are hooded, her breath coming in short gasps. “I don’t know how I’m going to get through dinner when all I can think about is dessert,” I murmur, my lips brushing against hers, voice rough with need.

She laughs softly, shaking her head, but the blush on her cheeks tells me she feels the same way.

We leave the arena hand in hand, walking through the crowded halls, past the other talent. Eyes are on us. They see us together, and that’s exactly what I want. I want them to know she’s mine, that she belongs to me, and no one else gets to touch her. There’s a shift in the air as we pass by—whispers, curious glances—but I don’t give a damn. They’ll know soon enough. Everyone will.

When we finally reach my car in the parking garage, I open the door for her, and she slides in. I can barely keep my eyes off her as I get behind the wheel. The need to touch her, to have her, is clawing at me, but I keep my focus as I speed out of the lot and into the night.

“How does room service at the hotel sound?” I ask, my voice gruff.

She glances at me, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Sounds perfect.”

I’d like to take her out, to a nice dinner like she deserves, but right now, I need her like I need air.

I don’t waste any time getting us back to the hotel. The suite I’ve got is massive, way more space than I need, but I like the luxury. And I want to impress her. When we step inside, her eyes widen, taking in the plush furnishings, the massive bed, and the view of the city below.

“This is... wow,” she breathes, turning to me with a grin.

I call down for room service, ordering us food and a bottle of champagne. The second I hang up, I turn to her, watching as she kicks off her shoes and climbs onto the bed. My eyes rake over her, every inch of her perfect body driving me wild with want.

“Before you get too comfortable, I’ve got something for you,” I say, pulling out one of my t-shirts from my bag, the one with my logo across the chest. I hold it out to her, my voice dropping low. “I want you to wear this... and only this.”

She bites her lip, her eyes flicking between the shirt and me. Slowly, she stands, her fingers moving to the buttons of her shirt. Piece by piece, she strips away her clothing, and I can’t take my eyes off her. Each inch of exposed skin sends a jolt of electricity through me, my cock growing painfully hard as I watch her.

When she’s finally standing naked in front of me, I can’t hold back the groan that escapes my throat. She’s fucking perfect. Every curve, every soft line of her body is like a dream come to life. My fists clench at my sides, fighting the urge to throw her on the bed and devour her right then and there.

She slips the t-shirt over her head, the fabric falling over her breasts, down to her mid-thigh. And fuck, the sight of her in my shirt, wearing my name, sends me over the fucking edge.

I lose all control.

In an instant, I’m on her, my hands gripping her waist, pulling her close as I crash my lips against hers. The kiss is raw, all-consuming, filled with every ounce of desire and possessiveness that’s been building inside me all night. My fingers trail up her thighs, under the fabric, as I press her back against the bed.

“I need you,” I growl against her lips, my body trembling with restraint, my need for her like a fire consuming everything in its path. “Right now.”

My lips crash against hers with a desperation I can’t hold back anymore. I growl deep in my throat, the sound vibrating in my chest as I pull her closer, my hands sliding over her hips, her soft skin hot beneath my fingers. Every part of her feels like it’s made for me, and the need to claim her, to make sure she knows exactly who she belongs to, is roaring inside me like a beast I can’t contain.

I trail my lips from her mouth down her jaw, kissing and nipping at her skin as I work my way to her neck. “You’re mine,” I growl against her skin, my voice dark and possessive. I can feel the way her body shivers beneath me, her breath coming out in quick, shallow gasps as I kiss down her collarbone, my hands sliding beneath the hem of the shirt she’s wearing—the one with my name on it.

There’s something primal about seeing her in my shirt, knowing she’s mine, knowing that no one else will ever get to touch her like this. It fuels the fire raging inside me, and I can’t stop myself from worshiping every inch of her, kissing her, tasting her. I tug the shirt up and over her head, tossing it aside, leaving her completely bare beneath me. My eyes rake over her, and I groan at the sight. She’s fucking perfect—every curve, every dip of her body is driving me wild.

I kiss down her chest, taking my time, savoring the feel of her skin beneath my lips. “You belong to me, no one else gets to touch you… ever.” I growl again, the words low and rough and I fucking mean it, I will kill anyone who tries to touch her. I kiss down her stomach, my hands gripping her hips hard enough to leave marks. Her back arches off the bed as I move lower, her breath hitching when I settle between her legs.

I pause for a moment, my hands gripping her thighs, spreading her wide for me. The sight of her laid out beneath me, her body flushed and trembling with anticipation, makes my cock twitch painfully. She’s fucking beautiful. And I’m going to make her feel so good, I’m going to fucking ruin her.

Without another word, I lean in, pressing a kiss to the inside of her thigh before licking a slow, deliberate line up her center. Her taste explodes on my tongue, and I groan low in my throat, my eyes rolling back at how fucking sweet she is. “Fuck, you taste so good,” I mutter, my voice thick with lust. I dive in again, licking and sucking at her with a hunger that makes her whimper.

Her hips buck against me, but I hold her in place, growling as I press my fingers into her skin. “You stay right here, baby,” I order, my voice low and commanding. “I’m going to fucking devour you.”

I can feel the way she trembles beneath me, her breath coming faster now as I focus on her clit, sucking and swirling my tongue around it until she’s moaning, her hands tangling in my hair. Every sound she makes sends a jolt of heat straight through me, fueling the possessive fire that’s burning hotter with every second. I can feel her body tensing beneath me, her thighs trembling as I push her closer and closer to the edge.

“Look at you,” I murmur between licks, my voice rough with need. “So fucking beautiful.” I glance up at her, my eyes dark with hunger. “You’re mine, Natalie. Every inch of you. All fucking mine.”

Her response is a moan that’s almost a sob, her body arching off the bed as she gets closer and closer. I can feel it in the way her muscles tighten, in the way her breath catches in her throat. She’s so close, teetering right on the edge.

“Come for me,” I growl, my tongue flicking faster against her clit. “I want to feel you come apart.”

That’s all it takes. Her entire body shudders as she finally tips over the edge, her orgasm ripping through her with a force that leaves her gasping. She’s trembling, her thighs squeezing around my head as I keep licking, drawing out every last bit of her pleasure. The sound of her moans fills the room, and I can’t get enough of it, can’t get enough of the way she feels beneath me, the way she tastes on my tongue.

I finally pull back, looking up at her with a satisfied grin. She’s still trembling, her body flushed and glowing, her chest heaving as she tries to catch her breath. Her hair is a mess, her skin glistening with sweat, and her eyes are half-lidded, filled with the haze of her orgasm.

“Fuck, baby,” I murmur, crawling up her body, my lips brushing against hers. “You’re so fucking beautiful like this.”

She looks up at me, her eyes wide, her lips parted as she tries to speak, but all that comes out is a soft whimper. I grin, pressing another kiss to her lips before whispering against her mouth. “You’re mine to ruin, and mine to protect.”