14. Chapter 14

Chapter 14

ALEX

W e headed into the gym where Bruce and Roman talked for a bit before we got started, then Roman sat on a bench in front of the ring. One of the other fighters went over to sit with him and they seemed to be hitting it off.

I was working out with Bruce today then I would finish sparring with one of the smaller guys. Every time I was taken down, I could see Roman wince and I tried not to smile because I figured that would upset him. When I fought back as hard as I could and held my own with both of them, I could see a look of surprise on his face. I felt strong today. I think Roman being there motivated me to show him how much I’ve learned and how strong I’ve become so he won’t be so worried about me all the time.

I wiped the sweat off with my towel and grabbed my things. I thanked everyone for helping me like I always did. Roman and Bruce shook hands, and we headed back to the penthouse.

“What were you and Felix talking about?” I asked as I wiped my face with the towel again.

He huffed out a little laugh and said, “He was telling me that I didn’t have to worry about you, because you could take a hit and give one.”

I laughed. He told him I could take a hit? I’m sure that went over great.

“How did you feel about that? I bet you weren’t too thrilled hearing those words.” I tried not to smile but it totally got the better of me.

He shook his head. “Yeah, I don’t really want anyone hitting you for any reason, but at least you seem to have a lot of friends here, so I doubt I need to worry about you in the ring. I wasn’t happy watching you take those hits. I don’t need to go back again.” He had his elbow on the door while driving with one hand.

That sucks. I was hoping he would keep coming. Shoot, maybe I can still talk him into it if he thinks it’s helping me. I glanced over at him then turned to stare out of the window letting the passing trees hypnotize me as I thought about how to fix this.

“Roman, thanks for coming, anyway. I felt a lot stronger with you there. I don’t know if I was trying to prove to you that I can take care of myself or if you just make me feel like I can do anything, but I really liked it that you were there.” Maybe that would help to get him to come back– if he thought I needed him there.

“I don’t know if I can watch that on a weekly basis.” He couldn’t even look at me when he said it. He was staring straight ahead looking rather distraught.

“I understand. I won’t ask you to come again.” My shoulders slumped but I understood that it was something that bothered him, and I couldn’t expect him to feel a certain way if he didn’t. He supported me enough. I didn’t need to make him watch how I got all these bruises.

Back at the penthouse I pulled him into the shower with me so I could multi-task.

“Ok, what time are Harrison and Amelia coming?” Roman reached over grabbing my arm and tugged me to him but I kept pushing him away. I needed to get this taken care of.

“In about an hour.” He seemed annoyed as he reached for me again and I backed up under the cascading water farthest from him.

“Then we need to eat something before we leave. We can just heat up some leftovers. Do you know what you’re wearing?” He moved closer to me sliding his arm around my waist moving me out of the waters stream and I wiggled from his grasp, giving him a warning glare. He dropped his arms, picking up the soap instead and started rubbing it all over his body. My attention shifted from what to wear to climbing him like a tree.

“Ummm, no, I haven’t thought about it, I’ve been hoping it gets canceled.” Me too, I thought as he looked up, letting the water run over his face and I watched the soap run down his body. The anxiety now turned to desire.

“Is it really that big of a deal what I’m going to wear?” He said, his eyes were still closed as he washed the soap from his hair .

“Probably not, I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t underdressed or something. It’s really hard to keep up with you.” I stepped into his space, reaching out to touch his abs. I ran my fingers over his taut muscles as they tensed under my touch.

“Alex…” He said breathlessly as I reached up and touched his face, remembering all the things I loved about him.

“I’m remembering you. All of you and how much I love you.” He pulled me into his arms and tears started to fall from my eyes mixing in with the water. I missed this closeness so much. I wrapped my arms around his back and caressed him, committing every muscle to memory. I nuzzled my face into his chest trying to control the tears that I knew he would feel anyway. He held me tight against him as his rigid desire dug into my stomach. It had been over a month since I’d felt him in all the ways that made me whole. Was this the breakthrough I needed to heal? God, I hope so.

Roman’s hand went to the back of my head where his fingers slid effortlessly through my wet hair, and he gently tugged my head back. When I opened my eyes, his penetrative stare filled with desire and love was all I needed to know this was right.

“I love you.” He said then his mouth was on mine. The desperation of the kiss forced my lips to part and his tongue to enter dancing with mine. I dug my nails into his shoulders trying to hold him as tight as I could with the water spraying in all directions. He pushed me gently but urgently against the wall and I lifted my leg hooking my ankle over his hip as his hand came down, wrapping under my thigh pulling me closer to him, pressing into me.

With my back up against the wall and my hands firmly secured around his neck for support, I readied myself as he nudged the tip of his cock between the folds of my core and with an almost feral groan he edged into me slowly at first. But I was in dire need of feeling all of him.

“I need more…Please.” I pleaded with him to ravage me at this moment.

He filled me in one quick furious thrust, and I threw my head back with a loud cry as weeks of anguish seemed to vanish in that one moment of ecstasy. Every thrust and every cry releasing more and more of the pain and sorrow.

“Alex, you feel so good, I’ve missed this.” He moaned through each drive. His tone sounded like a mix of pain and pleasure, that I was all too familiar with.

“I’ve missed you…I’m so sorry.” He stopped, pulling away to look at me but that’s not what I wanted. I wanted him to deliver punishing blows so that I would never ever forget who he is or the man that he is to me.

“Are you alright, I can stop.”

“No, please don’t stop, I need more…harder, just don’t stop.” This time things were not as gentle, and he turned me around slapping my hands to the wall. He grabbed my hips forcefully, pulling my ass straight back to him. He reached up with one hand placing it firmly on my back as he pushed me down, bending me to just the right position, and he thrust into me hard and fast without relenting. The wind was knocked out of my lungs each time— the deeper he went. I felt him so far inside me I knew I’d never be able to forget him again.

The orgasms that wracked both our bodies sent stars shooting into my vision. I thought I was going to pass out from the intensity. Roman grabbed me around the waist, pulling me onto his lap as he collapsed on the bench in the shower. His arms were firmly secured around me, his head was buried in the back of my neck as my head fell back, heavy on his shoulder. My whole body was boneless and sated. Both of us were breathing heavily, sounding utterly exhausted and I was sure it wasn’t just physical exhaustion that was taking its toll.

I turned my body and wrapped my arms around him and his grip on my waist tightened. I closed my eyes, laying my cheek on the top of his head which was still buried in my neck.

“Please don’t ever leave me again.” He sounded desperate and afraid.

He looked into my eyes, and I watched the pain melt away when I positively stated, “Never, I’m yours.”

***

ROMAN

After the shower it was back to getting ready. “I need to find something that will at least look as good as whatever you’re planning to wear.” She yelled from out in the bedroom as I was getting ready in my wardrobe.

“Are you serious? You always look fantastic. I’m sure whatever you plan to wear tonight will put me on edge. I thought we talked about this. You can wear whatever you want honey.” I stuck my head out of the door to see if she was really that concerned about this, but I didn’t see her. She must’ve been in the other closet. God, I wish she would get over this clothing competition bullshit.

She laughed and said something with a little less angst, “Actually, I’m planning to wear something that is a little less easy access. I had to throw that dress out that I was wearing that night.” I never did get to see that dress on her. I wasn’t really looking at it when they put her in the ambulance. I tried to shake that thought out of my head and refocus .

“Can you just be serious for a minute so I can pick something out?” Her voice was close as she looked at me from the doorway of my closet with a little more anxiety than I would like to see on her beautiful face, and I started to think this might be a bad idea.

“What’s going on babe? Are you worried about being around all these people tonight?”

“I don’t know. Maybe. I think I just really need to do this. Face my fears and all. Don’t you think?” No, I don’t think it’s that great of an idea at all, honestly, but I doubt she wants to hear that if the goal is to face her fears.

She walked out of the closet, and I followed her, watching as she put on a pair of skintight black leather pants and a very shiny silver top. She was so toned and muscular from all the training, too. Her long dark hair was cascading down her shoulders and however she was wearing her makeup was making her eyes really glow. They were so green I’d probably be able to see them from across the room– and that damn red lipstick and sky-high black heels. I’m glad I called for backup tonight to help me keep an eye on her. I knew she was going to love who I invited.

“What?” She said as I blinked myself back into the room.

“Sorry, Um, yeah you look fucking fantastic babe.”

“I couldn’t bring myself to wear anything even a bit revealing after what happened that night at Sebastian’s. I know they told me nothing happened and thank God for that, but if a camera hadn’t been in that room things may not have turned out the way they did, and that short dress would’ve been partly to blame.”

“What do you mean, nothing happened? I don’t know who they are, but you were brutally attacked and drugged. That is not nothing.” I didn’t know if she was trying to downplay it for me or for her but that was not nothing and if I ever see that guy again, I will rip his fucking head off. I kissed her reassuringly and went back to my closet to finish getting dressed. I put on some black slacks and a black button-down shirt and black shoes. I hope that all this black will make me look incognito in this place tonight.

I admitted, “Yeah, you aren’t leaving my side tonight.” She laughed and grabbed my hand as we walked out to the kitchen to eat something quick before Harrison and Amelia arrived.