Chapter Six

LIAM

T he next few days passed in a blur of hard training. Sophie was a tough trainer, pushing me to my limits. Every jab, every kick she instructed me to refine, felt like her way of breaking down the walls I built around me. Tension, sexual and otherwise, crackled between us. My unspoken words followed me around everywhere. I want you. No, I need you. I want to have you forever.

Shoot, I had it bad for her. I knew Sophie was attracted to me, too. Did it go beyond physical with her? Could we be more than each other’s secret?

After another grueling workout session, I found myself sitting in one of the saunas, letting the warm mist form around me. The door creaked open and in walked Sophie, wearing nothing but a small, white towel wrapped around her body.

“Uh, Sophie?” I wondered if she realized this wasn’t an empty room.

Steam swirled around her like a cloak. The towel clung to her curves like a second skin, emphasizing the contours of her body in a way that left me more turned on than I'd ever been. The way the soft terry molded to her hips, the dip of her waist. My cock twitched beneath the towel tied around my waist. It was as if her body was calling out to me, whispering to remind me of the secrets she shared last time I saw her without clothes.

Lust surged through me as I imagined running my hands over every inch of her.

My heart raced as the door closed behind her, but I kept my expression neutral. I even tried to tease. “Didn’t you see the sign on the door? This room’s occupied.”

"You've been distant," she said softly, her voice cutting through the humid air. "What's on your mind?"

“You want to know here? Now?” I hesitated, unsure how to respond. Sophie was perceptive, and I knew she wouldn't let me off the hook easily. Gathering my courage, I spoke up. "It's just... I can’t stop thinking about you.”

I knew the moment the words left my lips, there was no turning back. Sophie's gaze softened, desire flickering in her eyes. She took a step towards me as the steam curled around us like a veil.

“Liam, I've been feeling the same way."

Some big and bold guy I was. Maybe I was tough in the ring, but I was absolute garbage at holding my feelings in when it came to this mystery of a woman. “You have?” I reached out, my hand trembling as I cupped her cheek, feeling the heat of her skin beneath my fingertips. Her breath stalled in her chest as she looked at me, eyes darkening to a rich brown. They were heavy with what I hoped was desire for me.

The truth was, any hope of keeping things professional shattered in that instant. I strained to hear Sophie’s soft voice. "I know we shouldn’t even think about this.”

I could tell she was trying to remind herself of our promise. “Probably not,” I agreed. “But clearly, we are.” Her cheek was warm against my palm. For a second, I forgot everything else - the ring, Jack, the upcoming competition. In that moment, it was just us. “So much for promises.”

“If I’m honest, I didn’t like making that one, anyway.”

I glanced up at her, liking the lighter tone in her voice and the bit of humor dancing in her eyes. “Well, if it makes any difference, I’m off the clock, so technically this isn’t a work violation.”

Her laugh made me catch an endorphin high. "Cute, but we know what this is.”

“Do we?” I wanted to hear what she thought of this, what she thought of us. “Tell me Sophie.” My voice became quiet as hope and curiosity competed with humor.

“I could simply turn around and leave you in here,” she teased me instead, tracing invisible lines across my chest with her fingernail.

“Mm, you could.” I smiled through the tickling sensation. If she kept that up, my towel was going to be hanging from my cock. “I already got this sauna all warm for you.”

Her hand skimmed down my stomach. I watched her small brown fingers come to rest on the bulge beneath the towel at my hips. “Did you get this ready for me too?”

"Yep, all warmed up and ready to go."

She chuckled, her fingers tracing the outline of my erection through the towel. "Since you clearly worked so hard, I might just have to take you up on that offer."

Her words laced straight through me, all the way to my cock. My heart shot pulses down to it. I knew I couldn’t hold back from her.

I grabbed Sophie's waist, pulling her close to me. Even through her towel, I felt her slim, supple curves melt against my body. Her warmth was like a second skin. Her tongue danced with mine as we explored each other's mouths. Her hands wove into my hair. The clean scent of her perfume filled my nose while passion flared up, tamping down on my other senses.

I reached behind her, lifting the towel from her body. Despite the heat in the room, she shivered as it fell to the ground.

Her naked form never stopped being amazing to me. The sheen of her skin shone on her toned legs and arms. “You’re beautiful, Sophie.” My fingers traced the faint scar on her leg, the lines of her hips, trailing up to cup her breasts through the misty air. She moaned, soft, against my lips.

As we broke apart for air, she leaned against the wall beside us. She traced the lines of my torso with appreciation. Her touch sent heat waves through me. Sophie's hands slid down my chest, lower and lower, teasingly, until they reached my hips. She gave a light tug on the towel, making the head of my cock spring free. Her eyes widened at the sight of me hard and ready for her.

She leaned in, licking lightly at her lips as she made her way closer to me. Every part of me craved her touch.

We locked eyes as she circled the head of my cock with her fingertips, a torture tease before taking it into her mouth. A groan rumbled from somewhere deep within me. “You love to watch me go weak when you do that.”

Her cheeks hollowed with each suck, her lips smacking softly against me in answer.

"Goddamn," I breathed out between gritted teeth as she took more of me into her warm mouth.

Her lips left a warm trail of moisture as they slid up and down my shaft. I was drunk on her- her mouth velvet hot, the feel of her hair brushing against my thighs as steamy air washed over our skin. I was on the verge of coming between her soft lips. “Sophie, stop.”

She paused, confusion briefly written on her face. I took her by the shoulders and pulled her up. "I need you. I want to be inside you."

Sophie nodded, pushing herself back against me. Her bare pussy was glistening as she maneuvered herself onto the edge of the marble bench. She lifted a suggestive eyebrow at me before spreading those legs and settling herself closer to the edge.

In that moment, my hand faltered as I realized I didn't have protection. Panic fell on me before I met Sophie's gaze.

"I don't have..." My words trailed off as she stopped me with a gentle finger to my lips.

"It's okay. I'm on the pill.”

A rush of relief flooded through me, and the lust that had been building only got stronger. I could see the desire reflected in her eyes.

"Are you sure?" I asked, wanting to make sure she was comfortable with the situation.

She nodded again, her eyes locked on mine as she stood up, offering her body to me. "I trust you, Liam."

With those words, I positioned myself behind her. She leaned back against my chest, her skin warm and slick from the steam. I could feel her bare muscles moving as she inhaled deeply, her heartbeat thrumming against my chest. I slid my hand between her legs, feeling the wetness that coated her inner lips.

I didn't need words anymore. My cock throbbed at the thought of sinking into her warmth, of us being one.

With a groan, I guided her back onto the marble bench, my body covering hers completely. I could feel her wetness as she grinded her hips against my cock, urging me forward.

“I want to feel you inside me. No barriers.”

Her words sent a surge of raw desire through me, and I positioned myself at her entrance. I thrust forward with a growl.

She gasped in pleasure, wrapping her legs around my waist as I began to move inside her. Our sweat-slicked bodies slid against each other, the only sound in the room was our heavy breathing and my balls smacking against her firm little heart-shaped ass.

The steam covered us, intensifying the sensation of our skin touching. To me, this was more than just sex; it was a union of two people desperate for each other.

Each thrust brought with it a new wave of pleasure. Her pussy gripped me tightly, drawing me deeper into her body.

As we continued to fuck with a frenzy, I got closer to the point of no return. There was a rush of emotions: love, desire, protectiveness. I had never felt this way about anyone before. It was both terrifying and satisfying at once.

“Soph,” I moaned her name as I felt myself nearing the edge.

The thought of releasing myself inside her was too much for me to bear. I thrust harder and faster, my body tensing up as the orgasm ripped through me.

I came inside her with a hoarse cry, my cock twitching as wave after wave of pleasure washed over me. Sophie's fingers dug into my shoulders. In that moment, I was hers and she was mine.

I could feel her wetness seeping from her as she came, our bodies joined as one.

We lay there. I swore I heard our hearts racing in sync. Or maybe it was the blood rushing between my ears as every part of my body was aware of Sophie. The room was filled with heat, steam, and quiet. I could stay anywhere as long as she was with me. The thought made me even more relaxed and satisfied.

Then Sophie pushed at my chest. I lifted myself off her. She sprung from the bench. "We can't let anyone find out about this.” Her voice was low and quiet, filled with a strange sense of loneliness.

I watch her gather her towel around her body before throwing the steam room door open. The air she let in glazed over me like a sheet of ice. I should have known better than to let myself go like that. But Sophie had this way about her, drawing me in without even trying.

"Wait," I called. She didn’t turn back, walking away to the women’s locker room without a glance. The door closed shut.

I remained in the steam room, staring at the closed door as if expecting it to magically open again. What had we done? I knew Sophie was right to leave, to keep distance between us.

My jaw clenched. This wasn't how it was supposed to be, even though I agreed this was what it had to look like to everyone else.

After about five minutes, I left the sauna and stepped out into the cool hallway. On my way to the men’s locker room, I made a vow to myself to find a way to reach Sophie.

A COUPLE OF DAYS HAD passed since Sophie and I had sex in the sauna, but my mind kept replaying those moments. I could still feel the heat from her skin against my body, the ghost touch of when our mouths pressed together. And there I was, in the middle of the octagon, sparring with a partner, letting the memory of Sophie's nearness distract me.

I launched into a spin kick, a move I'd done a thousand times before, but this time my foot landed wrong.

“Ah.” A sharp pain shot through my ankle. I went down hard on the mat. Pain surged up my leg like wildfire.

The main training room of Warrior’s Den got quiet before other fighters and coaches closed in. Collapsed on the floor, I felt the stares from around the gym as the weight of concern, judgment, and even failure. Behind all that, I had a deeper worry: Sophie's reaction. She'd warned me not to push too hard.

"Damn it," I muttered under my breath, cradling my injured ankle. It was turning red already.

Sophie was the first to reach me. She got on the floor, one cool hand extended to check my ankle. “Liam, are you okay?”

The gym's murmur hushed to a whisper as I pushed off the mat, my fingers digging into the foam. I tried to stand, hoping my pride would be stronger than the sharp throb in my ankle. "I'm fine," I growled through clenched teeth, refusing her outstretched hand and those of others that blurred at the edges of my vision.

"Take it easy." Sophie's voice cut through the fog of discomfort, her tone steady. Her hand on my shoulder guided me back down. "Let's have a look at it."

"It's nothing," I lied, dropping onto the bench with a wince I couldn't mask. She knelt before me, her fingers gentle yet firm as they probed around my ankle. "I just rolled it," I insisted. "It'll be fine tomorrow." Even as I spoke, I saw the doubt flicker across her face.

I felt like a kid caught in a lie. Around us, the others exchanged glances, some sympathetic, some filled with disbelief. I could almost hear their thoughts: O’Connor’s done. No tournament for him.

"Give him space, please" Sophie said, and the crowd dispersed.

"So here’s the plan. You're a fighter," she murmured once we were alone, her hand still on my ankle. "You're used to working with injuries. We'll work through it."

"Thanks," I muttered, the word hollow as I stared down at the bruise starting to bloom on my skin like a shitty tattoo. My thoughts churned with regret over the prideful mistakes that had led me to this point. I worked hard to get stronger and here I was, grounded by a bad spin kick.

Was I clinging to a dream that ran its course? Could I still call myself the Phoenix of Fury Combat if my body refused to cooperate? With Sophie standing by me, I clung to a sliver of hope. Maybe I could get it together in time to fight in the tournament. And tell her how I felt.