Page 18 of Sucker Punch (The Riot Crew #1)

Chapter 18

Ari

I was on top of the world as we headed out to the bar for drinks after our first win in what felt like forever. This was a good start for us. Bringing on Bones to be the new face of Smiley’s was a good move, and I was glad everyone else was now on board with that decision. The man had proven himself with not only the win but by how hard he had trained to get to this point in such a short time.

We quickly reached the local bar where, luckily, they were used to us being loud and boisterous, and Frankie grabbed everyone a round of beers.

“That was an amazing fight. The first of many,” Frankie toasted, clinking glasses with all of us. “If we can keep you fighting like that, mixing it up wherever necessary, then there’s nothing that can stop us.” Everyone cheered in agreement.

“And to Smiley’s ,” Lotto added. “To the best fucking gym there is. Thanks for taking a chance.”

Lotto and Frankie were beginning to form a friendship of sorts, as much as anyone can with Frankie. But tonight they seemed even more united. They sat next to each other chatting excitedly, which was good to see. The pieces of my masterplan were starting to fit. Maybe, in time, I wouldn’t be the only Frankie-whisperer. Someone else could help me extinguish his flames when they blazed.

As I glanced over to Bones, my gaze was drawn to him like a magnet. I couldn’t help but notice that he wasn’t drinking much, if at all. I didn’t know if he wanted to keep a level head, or if it was more to do with his addictive personality, but I instantly felt a bond with him—like we were the outsiders of this rowdy, crazy group.

He seemed to sense me looking, and his eyes drew back to me as well. We smiled secretly at one another, sending my heart racing like a love-struck schoolgirl’s. Every time I vowed I was going to behave, that I was going to keep away from him for everyone’s sake, I couldn’t seem to do it. It was as if everything was working against me.

“You okay?” Frankie hissed into my ear, anger lacing his tone.

I turned to glance at him, my face heated with embarrassment. He was glaring at Bones, clearly noticing I had been staring at him.

“Oh… yeah fine,” I stammered like an idiot. “I’m just going to… get another round for everyone.”

I raced to the bar, not wanting to face Frankie’s wrath about what he saw in the way I looked at Bones. As I waited to be served in a massive crowd fighting for a chance to order a drink, my gaze snuck back to Bones. He was mingling with the other fighters, talking and laughing in a way that he hadn’t been able to do up until now.

Distance. Distance. Distance , I silently chanted to myself.

But the devil on my shoulder asked why.

Was I being unfair to us by forcing myself to keep my distance? I had already crossed the line with Lotto. And Lotto himself said they were a package deal.

But Frankie hated him.

Then again, Frankie hated everyone.

And there was definitely something there. Something between us. All of us. A sizzling, intense chemistry, and a connection I couldn’t quite explain. Was I really wishing to push someone aside who could be the perfect man for me? Or men for me? Multiple men? Could I? Was this even a thing?

I didn’t cower to anyone before. Why was I so willing to cower to the fear of the unknown, and give a fuck what the others thought? I didn’t care what normal society believed? So why did I all of a sudden play the sweet school-girl act?

I had so much to consider when it came to Bones, Lotto, and Frankie. I didn’t want to have to make such potentially life-changing decisions at a bar. What I really wanted to do was just fuck Bones and call it a good night, but I guess that wasn’t very ladylike in thinking. Frankie would die if he knew the thoughts that went through my head as I fascinated over Bones sweating in the cage tonight during the fight.

Sweat on a body… his body. My weakness.

Every day that passed since the kiss added to a hunger I wasn’t sure I would ever be able to feed.

As I grabbed the tray of drinks, balancing it tentatively in my arms, I slowly made my way back to the rest of the group. Frankie had pulled Bones to one side. Unable to resist, I stepped a little closer, trying to listen in on their conversation. What I heard made my heart stop dead in my chest.

“…I’ve seen the way you look at her, dude. And I have to say that you can’t go there. She’s off limits. Ari is not to be fucked. I would much rather your head be in the fight, than inside of her. Do you know what I’m saying? Hands off.”

“Why? Because she’s yours?”

“No. Ari isn’t anyone’s, and I plan to keep it that way.”

“Don’t you think that’s up to Ari? If she isn’t your girl, then?—”

“She’s off limits. I mean it. If you fuck her, I’m going to make you pay.”

Hearing Frankie make this decision for me, caused my blood to boil. How fucking dare he warn Bones off me. My father had been just as bad, but it still infuriated me. This was far beyond protectiveness, or just looking out for me. It was fucked. And then to make it seem as if he and I were just casual fuck buddies infuriated me even more. We were more than that, regardless of what Frankie wanted to tell people. If he had at least said I belonged to him, I wouldn’t be so mean. It was so classic Frankie, and I was over it.

Temper rushed into my ears. My mind swirled, and I was trembling. Was I going to just stand there and let Frankie control my life like that? Or was I going to stand up for myself for the first time ever when it came to him?

“Hey, guys,” I said, trying to keep the shakiness from my voice. “I’ve got some drinks here.” I forced them both to take a beer from the tray, and stood there for a few seconds, not allowing them to continue their conversation.

If Bones didn’t promise to keep away from me, then I won. We wouldn’t be doing anything wrong when we inevitably hooked up… which because of this, I was now more determined to do than ever. Why the hell should I hold back? Especially when Frankie was out there pulling the puppet strings on my life?

Fortunately, almost right away, just as I suspected they would, the other men raced over to us, taking beers from me, and breaking up the conversation completely. I didn’t let on to either Frankie or Bones that I’d overheard the conversation, but from the odd look in Bones’ eye, I gained the impression he’d guessed regardless.

Before long, some of the other fighters dragged Frankie away, leaving me and Bones alone.

“Are you enjoying your win?” I smiled at him, wanting him to stay with me now. He made me feel special, and I really didn’t want that to stop.

“I guess so.” He half shrugged back. “But honestly, going out and getting wasted really isn’t my thing. Maybe once upon a time, but not anymore.”

His feelings matched mine exactly, which caused me to blurt out the next statement without even thinking. “Do you want to get out of here? Do you want to go for a nice, quiet walk back to the gym instead? I have my car there and well…”

Shit, was I acting too forward? My pulse rate ripped right through me as I glanced up at him waiting for him to answer.

He glanced over at the others, who were getting louder by the minute, and nodded. “Sounds like a great idea. I would love to.”

I sneakily slipped my fingers through his, and I dragged him from the bar. I wasn’t sure if anyone saw us leaving, but I didn’t really care. This was worth fighting for. I was sure of it.

The walk back to the gym didn’t take long, and luckily for us, the Seattle skies stayed dry. Ballard wasn’t a bad neighborhood, but Frankie would be pissed I’d walked back without him, but then again, I had every intention of pissing Frankie off in more ways than one.

As I unlocked the door, I turned to him and smiled.

“Welcome to my kingdom,” I said, gesturing for him to enter.

I locked the door behind us and turned to face him. His eyes sparkled in the dim light, and I could feel the tension building between us.

“Wow,” Bones said as we stepped into the empty gym. “It’s so quiet, but there’s still a thick energy in the atmosphere. Do you stay here when it’s empty a lot?”

“Not always,” I said. “Whenever I’m behind on bills and paperwork, I guess. But usually this place stays pretty active. But this is my happy place. It’s where I feel most comfortable in the whole world.” I didn’t really know why I was telling him that, but I couldn’t seem to stop the truth from spilling past my lips.

“So,” Bones said as he shot me a killer grin, “do you know how to box? Have you ever been in the ring yourself?”

I smirked. “I could kick your ass.”

He laughed. “Really. That good, huh?”

“I learned by watching the best.”

“Did you ever go pro?” Bones asked.

“No. I don’t think my dad or even Frankie would have allowed it. They were always super protective of me as I grew up. And my father was always busy training someone else. I don’t really mind because it wasn’t something I really wanted. I really loved the business side of the gym. I always knew I would someday run the family business.”

Before I could even finish the sentence, Bones hopped into the ring and extended his hand for me to take and join him. I kicked off my heels, hiked up my skirt a little, and climbed between the ropes with my palm engulfed in his.

“Why don’t you show me what you got. Give me that ass kicking.” He laughed as he put up his fists and acted like he was ready to fight. “Teach me a thing or two.”

I smiled at him, distracted by the glimmer in his eyes for a second, and that caused me to miss seeing him throw a punch my way. I didn’t even realize that I was expected to dodge until Bones punched me in the shoulder, sending me flying backward.

“What the fuck!” I called out, tumbling to the ground. I grabbed onto my arm as Bones raced over to me.

“Oh fuck, I’m so sorry! I expected you to move out of the way or block me! I thought you said you knew how to box, and I was so slow and… stupid. Fuck! I’m sorry,” he apologized profusely as he knelt down and took my arm into his hand and began rubbing out the pain. “I was just trying to be playful, and instead, I fucking hit you! Shit, I really didn’t mean to…”

But as soon as he was close enough to me, I grabbed him and pulled him in for a kiss. Sure, the hit from his fist no matter how half-hearted it was, stung somewhat, but I was faking for the most part to get him the hell over here with his lips inches from mine. If I hadn’t been thinking about those lips, I could have dodged the punch, but I didn’t care. This was so much more fun. I’d been wanting to kiss him again for a very long time now, and despite everything that should be warning me off of him, I couldn’t seem to help myself.

As we kissed, and he pulled me closer to him, the passion started to overcome us. I could tell that this wasn’t just a kiss. It was leading somewhere, and I was incredibly excited about the heated path it was taking. I didn’t even care that we were inside my gym where anyone could find us. I just wanted Bones. So, as he started to tug my top up over my head, I simply allowed it to happen. In fact, I grabbed hold of his T-shirt and yanked it upwards, too, wanting to run my hands all over the mouthwatering abs I had been dreaming about licking every single ripple.

Yes, there were many reasons why we shouldn’t be in this position. Why I shouldn’t be doing this. But I really didn’t give a shit. I liked Bones, I wanted him, and nothing else mattered.

“Oh God,” I gasped as I felt my skirt hitching up. “Bones…”

“You’re so beautiful,” he said, panting against my mouth. “I cannot believe that you’re here with me. But are you sure this is what you want? I’m not… soft in bed.”

“Good!”

“Ari—”

“I’m not asking for soft and gentle, Bones. I’m not that girl either.”

He pulled away and looked at me, but before he could stop, or say something that would put the brakes on, I yanked him down with me as I lay on my back.

“Fuck me, Bones. Fuck me hard. Fuck me fast. I want more. So much more.”