Page 38

Tina

O nly moments ago the noise level was deafening, but as soon as the two fighters climb into the ring a hush settles over the crowd. It’s surreal the level of respect so many give these two men. Or maybe, I think, as I watch Dustin shove his mouth guard into his mouth, it’s for just one man. Their local boy.

He looks so relaxed, limbs loose as he struts forward, while I’m a nervous wreck. It takes considerable effort to keep from shouting at him to be careful. Over my shoulder, a stress ball appears. I turn my head, spotting the whole Case family and their friends seated behind me. “This should help with the nerves,” Lily says, and I take the ball.

Ember rubs my back. “Don’t worry. It’ll be over before you know it.”

Anderson chuckles. “And then the real fun begins. Ow.” He rubs his side when Lily elbows him but instead of being angry, he drags her close for a kiss. I face front again when the referee starts the fight and begin crushing the heck out of the ball in my hand. This is going to be awful.

“This is awesome!” Everyone is screaming and I get caught up in the excitement, hoping like hell Gramps doesn’t hear his sweet granddaughter yell for blood from where he’s seated up front. “Make him bleed, Dusty!”

“Thatta girl.” Colin grips my shoulders from behind, giving me a solid shake that rattles my teeth.

I may not have Dustin’s autograph on my flesh, but at this moment, surrounded by his close circle of people, I have something much better. Something I never thought I’d find again. Only this time, I can admit to myself, it’s different because Dustin isn’t Connor. For all his faults, Dustin hasn’t lied once about wanting me.

Everything happens so fast it’s hard to take it all in. Fists fly, and the blood… God, there’s so much blood. I wince when the other guy spits what looks like a tooth on the mat. How the heck does anyone keep track of who’s even winning? Both men look worse for wear to me. One of Dustin’s eyes is already swollen shut. He wipes away blood that’s trailing from a cut on his forehead. For the last few minutes, it’s been standing room only. People are chanting for Dustin—“Chip! Chip! Chip!” — and I can see why he likes it all. The adrenaline rush, the power, the people all around feeding off it. It’s exhilarating.

My gaze is glued to Dustin. The way he moves is pure poetry in motion and I’m hornier than I’ve ever been in my life.

“It’s primitive and sexy as hell, isn’t it?” Rosa says close to my ear.

I hum in agreement.

“Oh, my God!” Lily yells, dragging my attention away from Rosa to the ring where Dustin’s competitor is now flat on his back. There’s a collective “Oooh” from the crowd and the referee grabs one of Dustin’s wrists, raising his arm in the air. Face dripping blood and sweat, Dustin spits the mouth guard into his free palm and smiles from ear to ear. Like the very first fight I watched, his gaze locks on me, but this time instead of anger all I see is hunger—hot and needy, blazing a trail right to my core.

I don’t even say goodbye to the people around me. Getting to Dustin as soon as possible is the only thing on my mind. I’m shaking all over, the anticipation killing me as I push through the hordes of people, frantically making my way to the door he entered. Our sex marathon last night is the only excuse I have for needing him so badly right now. It’s like he’s created a monster. I swear, if all he does when I get inside is tell me to wash his dirty shorts, I might kill him.

The second the locker room door shuts behind me, strong arms wrap around my waist and hot lips are on mine, smothering my yelp. Instantly, Dustin’s salty sweat and coppery blood hit my tongue. It’s the best kind of hit for the addict I’ve become. I’m clawing at his slippery flesh as he hauls me like a slab of beef around a corner. Later I’ll be embarrassed about the spectacle I’m making, but for now, our mouths fight a battle more violent than the one he fought moments ago.

With little finesse, I’m spun until I’m facing a row of lockers. One of Dustin’s hands pushes at the center of my back, folding me over the bench. The cool air washes over my backside when he flips the hem of my full skirt up, completely covering my head. Before I can even register what’s happening, my panties are around my ankles and Dustin enters me with a punch of his hips. I barely have a second to catch my breath before his palm meets my butt cheek with a hard slap. “Christ, you feel so good.” His groan is animalistic. “I could barely focus on the fight knowing you were here for me.”

I’m a complete mess for him. The more he pumps in and out of me, the more my wetness coats my thighs. The spanking. The praise. The dirty words. It’s all so primal and I love it so much.

Dustin grunts out his approval, his voice raspy with desire when he says, “Thatta girl.” It’s funny, Colin said the same words to me moments ago with no effect on me whatsoever, but Dustin saying it does all the things. He leans in close to my ear. “Did you like watching me get bloody for you?”

“Yes,” I grunt as he slams into me again and again. Before I’m completely lost in the moment, I give him more truth because I’ve learned it makes him crazy to hear me admit I want him. “The blood, you claiming me, manhandling me… I love it all.”

“Yeah, you do.” His desire pours into me, hot and thick, triggering my own release.