Blindsided (The Fighter Series Book 1) Read online

  I called the restaurant where Paige works and with a little sweet-talking, the girl told me Paige would be getting off in twenty minutes. Who the hell gives that information out anymore? So, here I am leaned up against this cracker box she’s so proud of that gets her from point A to point B.

  It’s not long before she comes around the corner and pauses for a beat when she sees me. Her light brown hair is up in a messy ponytail, her boobs perky in a red t-shirt, her lips slightly parted, and her eyes wide hiding joy. She’s beautiful when she’s surprised.

  “You left last night.” I push off the cracker box stalking toward her.

  “I saw the fight if you’re that worried about it.” She’s so smart mouthed. I know she saw it. That’s the reason Ivan got the beating he did. Yeah, you can call me a show off. Look at me—I am.

  “I meant after. I sent someone to get you and you were gone.”

  She swings wide to get around me. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know I was on call.”

  I step in her path. “Have I told you I like your sassiness?” Ah, that grants me a blush. “I wanted to see if you wanted to have lunch.”

  “I’m tired,” she rattles off.

  “I didn’t ask you for a jog. It’s lunch. You sit, eat, and talk. No energy needed.”

  She can’t win. I won’t let her. I’m relentless. She stares at me for a few heartbeats then sighs, “Where at?”

  Checkmate. I grin. “Follow me.”

  Now, I know this sounds pretty cheesy, but I’m taking her back to my hotel. If we went to a restaurant, we wouldn’t be able to talk—not without interruptions from fans wanting autographs and pictures. I want to get to know her. Yeah, it confuses me too, but I’m sure it’s all about the thrill of the chase.

  She gave me a little grumble as we walked into the hotel, saying something about how appealing I was. No, in all seriousness, I wasn’t listening. Normally bitchiness goes through one ear and out the other. In her case, it isn’t any different.

  She doesn’t say a word standing on the other side of the elevator, nervously tapping her toe and holding her purse close. I lean against the railing watching her while she stares at the marble tiles. She bolts out once the doors slide open from our five-floor ride and turns waiting for me. She’s beautiful when she’s annoyed. Her face has a glow, and her body is tense. Oh the things I can do to help with that.

  I push open the door and hold it gesturing for her to go in, but she’s frozen.

  “Ladies first,” I say but she doesn’t budge. “Paige, I’m not going to do anything,” I reassure her.

  She clears her throat then walks in giving me the perfect view of her tight little ass again. It’s firm, petite and protected by a gun. Yep. She’s got it holstered on her side. That shit drives me insane. She doesn’t trust me. I told her nothing would happen and I’ve meant that since it exited my mouth. I’m not a total asshole. I can be a gentleman.

  She’s in awe. Her gorgeous lips gaped open and her green eyes are bright as she scans the room. “I didn’t know hotels had rooms like this,” she says.

  “It’s considered a suite. Most hotels have them. You don’t get out much do you?” I chuckle at her innocence.

  She twirls, sharpening her eyes at me with a hidden death threat embedded in them. “So where’s lunch?”

  I grab the hotel menu from the drawer and hand it to her. “What would you like? The room service here is excellent.”

  She looks at the menu in horror, then back up to me. “Room service? Oh how romantic. How will the next date ever top this?”

  I know she’s being sarcastic and I don’t give a rat’s ass. What I do care about is the word “next” in that question.

  I lick my lips fighting back the charge the word surges through me. “Would you rather go out and be mauled by everyone or would you rather be able to talk? Most girls like that shit.”

  Her glorious green irises flash to me. “Don’t be so full of yourself.”

  She likes testing the bitch waters from time to time.

  “Don’t think so little of me,” I gruff testing the asshole waters.

  She’s still taking in the room as I hang up from placing our orders and sit at the tall round table in the kitchen. “Care to join me?”

  She doesn’t move, unsure of what to do. Her eyes slide over my arms, across my chest slowly making their way to my face. She’s a mixture of unsure and aroused. She’s completely flustered with a radiant glow, and the look on her face causes my cock to jump. This may be easier than I thought. “Do you like what you see?” I ask huskily.

  Her eyes widen darting to mine. Busted. “No,” she rushes out. “I just…did he even hit you last night?”

  “He tried,” I laugh, “but I’m quick. Ivan has always been slow.”

  Do you think I’m going to tell her any different? Brag on him? Hell no. I’m the one in the spotlight. “Bet you could have gotten in that ring and busted his ass.”

  Her laugh is adorable. “Yeah, sure. Could you imagine?”

  Sports bra, tight shorts, skin dripping with sweat—cue cock jump here. I grin. “I’d like to.”

  Before she can respond, there’s a knock on the door. It interrupted the next witty thing she intended to exit her mouth. I tip the man and enter back into the kitchen finding her finally sitting and twiddling with a string on her jacket. I set the food on the table and grab two bottles of water from the fridge. I know it’s not the most romantic, but it’s all I have.

  She hasn’t taken many bites and when she does, they’re small. She’s uptight with her body tense. “You’re still nervous,” I tell her shoving a carrot in my mouth.

  “No, I’m not.”

  Even if she hadn’t squeaked when she said that, I still wouldn’t have believed it.

  “You’re not talkative. Most girls talk my fucking ear off.”

  “I’m not most girls,” she says without looking up from her food.

  “You’re right. Most girls don’t carry guns to a lunch date.”

  She blanches and starts to say something but hesitates. “What…what makes you think I have a gun?”

  I bellow a laugh. “Your face just jumped off the side of the hotel when I said you had one. Dead giveaway. Plus, I saw it when you walked in. Holstered on your side.” I point with my fork.

  She rolls her eyes but I swear she just giggled.

  “She laughs twice. I’m on a roll,” I joke.

  She claps her hands. “Everyone please applaud Levi. He thinks he’s amazing.”

  I shove another carrot in my mouth with my eyes locked onto her. I don’t have to think I’m amazing. I know I am.

  After I clean off the table, we settle in the living room area. I fully expected her to join me on the couch, but nope. She decides to sit in an over-sized chair that swallows her cute ass whole.

  “I don’t bite, Paige.”

  “I didn’t say you did. There’s just no reason for me to sit beside you,” she says dismissively.

  Fed up with her clipped shit, a hum escapes my throat. “What’s with you?”

  “What? That I’m not throwing myself in your arms begging for you to spread me out on the bed or bend me over the couch? I’m sorry, but was I not clear to begin with?”

  Holy fuck, the images she just gave me. I shake them out bouncing my finger. “That’s right. You don’t like to be a piece of ass, am I right? Didn’t I tell you I wouldn’t try any funny business? Why don’t you give me the benefit of the doubt here?”

  “Then what happens after? You’ll expect something one way or another. You’re trying to get in my head, trying to push me to give in. I won’t just be someone’s piece of ass. I hate to share. I didn’t like it when I was a kid, and I damn sure don’t like it as an adult.”

  I narrow my eyes. “Doesn’t it first have to be yours to share? Besides, I’m never in the same town more than three weeks at a time. There’s no time for relationships. I have needs and they get met.”

  “I hope you’r
e not expecting them to be met by me,” she snaps.

  I slide to the end of the cushion leaning my body toward her. “You’re telling me you’re not one bit interested in what my touch feels like? Not the slightest bit curious to feel my lips cross over yours?” I whisper thickly.

  Her gorgeous green eyes heat up. Her chest rises and falls. “No,” she lies breathlessly.

  I push off the couch and plant my hands beside her head leaning over her in the chair. Our lips are so close that the slightest twitch will have them pressed together. Her vanilla scent floods my senses and my dick takes complete notice of it. Her eyes glaze over with a burning pleasure.

  “You sure?” I ask slowly leaning to her ear. “I see something different in your eyes.”

  “You…you said you wouldn’t try anything,” she stammers.

  I lean back lowering my sights to her sexy as hell lips. I can only imagine what it would be like to devour them, to taste them, to have them moan my name, but I’m a man of my word, so I only smile at my divine thoughts.

  “I did, and I meant it, but think about how much fun it would be. How incredibly great it will feel to have my hands all over your body.”

  The intensity between us is outlandish, and I’m hoping she’ll break allowing me to make good on what I’d do to her. She’s flustered, having a battle within herself. She wants it, everything I can give her, but I know her type. She can’t fuck without feelings, but I’m sure as hell willing to teach her.

  Quickly, she pushes against me and slides under my arm darting for the door. “I have to go.”

  I gently grab her elbow and twist her to me. “Don’t leave.”

  Her eyes harden into steel. “I’m a relationship type of girl. You’re a fling kinda guy. You’re sexy and impressive but I’m not interested in having anything to do with a person like you.”

  I jerk back surprised. “Like me?”

  She yanks her arm out of my hand. “You’re about spreading legs and splitting faces and none of that appeals to me. It’s not going to happen. Get that in your head.”

  You know when you tell a kid they can’t do something…they normally go off and do it anyway. Well, she just declared one hell of a war against me. “Fine,” I snap.

  Her top lip curls up in disgust and she jams her hand onto her hip. “What the hell are you trying to do?”

  Her anger turns me on. It’s a fucking aphrodisiac.

  “You’re a confusing little minx. You say you want nothing, I give you what you want and then you bitch about it. Look, when I come back through, let’s hang out. It’s your call.”

  She searches me trying to figure out my motives. Problem is—I don’t wear that shit on my sleeves. My emotions are just that…mine.

  “We’ll see the next time you come through,” she says slowly as if she’s trying to convince herself she doesn’t want me. She’s confused, still at war with herself, and I fucking love it. I’m under her skin and in her head.

  Chapter 7

  It’s been a week since I last saw or heard from Levi, which was when I sprinted out his hotel door after he got my blood pumping and my sex aching. He was so close I was scared he’d smell my arousal for him. I’ve never experienced that—lost in uncontrollable thoughts—but I had to fight my urges with an incredible superhuman strength I never knew I had.

  I can’t believe it, but I miss him—his cocky, arrogant, pompous ass. Damn him for getting under my skin. He left the same day as our “date.” See what I mean? What if I had given in and had sex with him. I doubt I’d ever see him again. I’m emotional and for me sex comes with emotions. Yes, I’m that girl, but at least I’m aware of it and warn all dicks that try crossing my path. It’s the reason why I respect myself.

  “Paige!” Mason yells from his side of the bar.

  I snap out of my thoughts. Yeah, I’m at work and tonight it’s slammed. There’s a wait around the block. It’s Spring Break, which means drunk college students. Some don’t tip for shit, but others do. Bat my eyes and flirt some…yep, electric bill is paid. I know it’s a ridiculous way to think, but seriously, I’m like a stripper with my clothes on. I’ve understood that since the day I started.

  “What?” I yell back.

  “Where’d you go? We lost you. Come back ‘cause you are killing me here!”

  There’s a line at the bar and it’s swallowing us whole. Why the hell Jim scheduled only two of us on Spring Break beats the hell out of me.

  “Bud Light, please,” a familiar voice yells out. I look toward the sound, shocked to see Wesley, my ex, with a smug grin.

  My stomach turns upside down and I think I’m going to puke although punching him sounds just as appealing. I’m not sure which one will make me feel better. Tepid, I slide the beer toward him and turn my attention to the next person waiting. I prefer not to speak to him since I have nothing very nice to say.

  “Jack and Coke,” a lady asks.

  Wesley leans back slightly and boldly checks her out. He’s always been an ass man. Those eyes of his have always wandered too much.

  “So you’re not going to talk to me?” he asks, turning his attention back to me.

  I don’t look up from squirting the Coke. “About what?” I answer flatly.

  “You could say, ‘hey what brings you to town?’”

  I stop and arch a brow at him. “Then that would mean I care,” I pause for a beat, “and I don’t. So what’s the point of small talk?”

  “I’ve missed your smart ass, you know that?”

  What is with people loving my attitude? I look to Mason who is already watching me, and mouth “Help.” He nods and I continue to go about my business serving the waiting customers trying my best to ignore the obnoxious ass in front of me.

  “Come on, Paige. You can’t talk to me at all? I haven’t seen you in years.”

  I don’t answer him. I haven’t missed him at all.

  “What time do you get off work? Let’s go grab something to eat at the Greasy Spoon like we used to.”

  I smile politely, “No, thank you.” I’m trying to be nice, but the more he talks the more punching him sounds exceedingly tempting. The last time I saw him, he was behind a blonde pounding into her as she moaned wildly. That image is forever scarred in my brain, marred into my heart, and etched in my memory. It sucks. He’s the reason I stand guarded, but he’s also the reason I hold my shoulders high and demand respect.

  “Ok, so you’re not hungry. Can we at least catch up?”

  “Paige, what time’s your boyfriend coming?” Mason says to me but glares at Wesley.

  Wesley about spits out his swallow of beer and cocks his head. “Nice try, douchebag.” He wipes his chin. “But that act didn’t win an award.”

  “There’s no act, man,” Mason retorts.

  “How ironic I’m standing here talking to her and all of a sudden she has a boyfriend. I’m not fooled by that,” Wesley says then takes another swig of his beer. “And if she did, I feel bad for the poor bastard.”

  “And why the hell is that?” I snap.

  Wesley’s shit brown eyes darken and he leans forward whispering low. “Because, I’ll always have your heart.”

  Do what?

  “The fuck you do!” I yell. “Get the hell out of here.” Anger emerges and I turn rushing away to the breakroom before I let my emotions get the best of me.

  Screw him. Damn him. Does he just think he can come back and act like everything is ok? Catch up…pfft hell no!

  I’m pacing the floor when Mason sticks his head in the breakroom. “You ok?” he asks gently.

  I jerk around fuming mad. “Why the hell do men do that shit?”

  He steps in and grabs my shoulders to keep me still. “He’s gone. I hate that jerk came in, but I really need you out there. It’s too busy for just me.”

  I exhale the scorching anger from deep inside of me. “Ok.”

  He pulls the door open. “Yeah, yeah. Age before beauty,” I say beating him to his most favored comme
nt. The truth is, he’s a year older than me.

  The rest of the night remained quiet without any further incidents. Mason ended up getting the bouncers to escort Wesley out for harassing me, and oddly he went without a fight. Unfortunately, the whole thing made me think of Levi. It made me wish he was here like he was when he saw Blain that night and went all caveman on him.

  Showered and changed, I slide into the bed staring at my phone. I’ve resisted texting him all night, but I just can’t stop thinking of him. The day he shoved his number in my hand, I stored it in my phone. I don’t know why, but I’m glad I did. Damn…I can’t believe I’m about to do this.

  Me: Hi.

  One word. One simple word and my pulse is out of control. But it’s late and I’m sure he’s not—

  Levi: Paige?

  Well, I guess he is up and I’ve just found out that my heart can beat faster.

  Me: Yeah.

  Dammit. What am I doing?

  Levi: Thinking about me huh? :)

  I roll my eyes smiling at the display.

  Me: Shut up. Just haven’t seen ya around.

  Levi: I told you I’m never in town for long. I left that night. In Maine now. U ok?

  Me: Could have used you tonight. Get your mind out of the gutter.

  Levi: That’s no fun. What for?

  Me: Nothing. Anyways, just wanted to say hey. Sorry if I woke you.

  I knew it. I should’ve known better than to text him. I should’ve just gone right on to sleep and started my day over. Now, my phone is ringing.

  “You can’t just say nothing.” His voice is a drug I’ve been craving to hear.

  “And why can’t I?”

  “Paige, what’s wrong?”

  Whoa. He actually sounds concerned. “Nothing I couldn’t handle.”

  “Ah, so something did happen,” he says sounding as if he’s getting up from wherever he was.

  “Were you asleep?”

  “Laying in bed. So what happened?” he asks. I’m hesitant. I started off wanting to pour out my emotions to him, but now I’m not sure what the hell I was thinking. “Paige, what happened?” he repeats.