The Final KO Read online

  “If he loves you then you have nothing to worry about. You don’t have to love him right now. If he loves you then he’ll be around for when you do.” That was true. I could tell you as of right then, no I didn’t love him, but I did have feelings, and I could easily see how they could turn into more. I thought maybe I should just go back to taking it one day at a time with him. If I did that though, I would need to know the truth about this year thing.

  “You’re right.” I gave in. I knew I should have heard him out from the beginning, but I was freaked and it was a lot to take in. Maybe this was a good thing.

  “Of course I am. I am the almighty Cammy!” She beamed and I laughed. She was something.

  “Now, let’s get you cleaned up and we will go out tonight. No buts. We will go dancing or see a chick flick or something fun—anything to get you out of that outfit.” I looked down and didn’t see a problem with my running pants and blue t-shirt. Cammy proceeded to give me the royal treatment herself, washing and styling my hair then applying some light makeup.

  “I will see you in a few hours and then we are going out baby!” Cammy blew me a kiss and then lightly nudged me out the door. On my way home I tried to think about what I was gonna say to Arson. He really hadn’t done anything to make me want to quit seeing him; he had been a good guy to me since I’d met him—intense, but good. As soon as I got home, I grabbed the post-it note from my bag and sent him a message.

  Rayne: Hey, this is Rayne. The gym’s annual island camping trip is this weekend. Coach wanted me to invite you.

  I figured that was a good ice breaker.

  Arson: Sounds good.

  I took a breath and started the convo we needed to have.

  Rayne: So I wanna talk.

  Arson: Not until we’re face to face.

  I guessed this wasn’t a face to face convo, but I was impatient.

  Rayne: Can you give me something now?

  Arson: You’re beautiful.

  I felt a smile touch my face. He was a charmer, that was for sure. I was about to type something back when his name popped up again.

  Arson: I’m gonna fuck you this weekend, Princess. You’ll be ready then.

  My sex started to throb. My body wanted that so bad. God, why was my head sucha dick? Here I had what seemed like the perfect man wanting me and it came with that body; why was I doubting it?

  Rayne: You seem pretty sure of yourself there. What if I decide I’m not ready?

  Those words already felt like a lie.

  Arson: You won’t. You feel it too.

  I stared at the screen. I feel it too? The constant sexual tension, sure, but anything else? That I wasn’t sure of. That would all depend on our conversation this week. I didn’t know what to say to his comment so I just sat there and looked at my phone, then around the room like an awkward fool. Then it started ringing, and Arson’s name popped up. I bit my lip nervously and answered. As soon as he spoke ,I felt my knees go weak. Thank god I had sat down before I’d started the call.

  “You’re fighting this Princess. You really shouldn’t.”

  “I’m not fighting this; I don’t even know what this is. I thought it was just two people getting to know each other, but there is obviously more to it than that,” I retorted.

  “There is. We’ll talk about it this weekend. Tell me how your day was.”

  “It was okay. Got to work on throwing today, which I enjoy.” I could talk about fighting all day, and Arson actually understood what I was talking about.

  “Awesome. Tomorrow try a hip throw and immediately roll into an arm bar. It would work very well for you.” I smiled and agreed to try it.

  We talked for a while, about our day and about his upcoming fight in two weeks. The more we talked, the more I saw how easy a relationship could be between us. It gave me more to think about. When we said goodbye and I felt like a teenage girl again, just getting off the phone with her crush. I lay on my couch and let the feeling settle over me. I liked Arson.

  There it was, and suddenly I couldn’t wait until the weekend. My stomach growled and I got up to make myself some dinner before Cammy came a-knocking. I had just finished eating my fish and broccoli when I heard keys jiggling by the door. Seconds later Cammy walked in wearing a killer strapless green dress that was wrapped around her like a second skin. It was all sparkly; she was like an Irish fairy.

  “You’re not dressed? What the hell have you been doing all day?” She sat down at the table with me.

  “Talking to Arson,” I admitted.

  “Shut the front door!” She beamed and smacked the table with both of her hands. I nodded.

  “Well you didn’t waste any time at all. Did he explain the whole year thing?”

  I shook my head no.

  “He said it’s a face-to-face conversation. This weekend is the annual gym island camping trip and he will be there, so we will probably talk about it sometime over the weekend.” I shrugged. I was a little eager for the camping trip to begin. I really liked camping and we always had a blast on the island.

  “Ok, that should be interesting. It will be if you guys have intense sex.” She started laughed uncontrollably. I snickered a little but mostly because she thought she was so hilarious.

  “Get it? Intense, sounds like in tents.” She went back to laughing. I nodded.

  “Yeah, sweet, it was funny.” I got up and cleaned off my plate before heading to my closet. An hour later we picked my outfit, settling on a strapless off-white dress that was tight to my waist then flared out to my knees. We paired that with a sexy pair of black pumps, and we were some hot chicks. I freshened up my hair and makeup and we headed out.

  After parking Cammy’s orange Beetle, we walked over to the strip on Siesta Key. People were starting to fill up the streets, ready to explore the nightlife. All and all clubs in Sarasota were no big shot clubs like in New York or places like that, and I liked that about them. I didn’t want to be judged and deal with tons of fake people. I wanted to dance, have fun, and just enjoy the night. We walked over to the Ivy Lounge and got in right away.

  The lounge was calm and the music was chill. Cammy grabbed us some drinks then we sat back on the plush ottoman-like chairs and just relaxed. I took a sip of the simple martini she’d gotten me, savoring the flavor since I would only be having one. I had to be good. I knew I would be drinking over the weekend so I didn’t want to mess things up early. The fight was only three months away and I had to stay on track if I wanted to be in top shape for it.

  We chatted and people-watched until the atmosphere changed and the music became more upbeat. I stood up and grabbed Cammy’s hand. One thing we loved was to dance. Growing up we’d had dance parties in our rooms to whatever band we were into at the time; they were some of the best days of my childhood. We danced liked nobody was watching us, occasionally breaking out the running man, the sprinkler, and the lawn mower. We were pretty cool.

  I wasn’t drunk by any means, but I was a little relaxed, enough that I asked Cammy to take some pictures of me dancing in my outfit. We both smushed our faces together and took some fun selfies as well.

  “I have to pee!” Cammy yelled over the music before scooting off toward the bathroom. I kept on dancing to the music. It was a rap song about getting it on and I swayed my hips back and forth to the beat. A guy came up to me and started dancing close.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Thank you Cammy

  “Sorry dude, not happening,” I told him and turned the opposite way, still swaying. Obviously he didn’t understand me because his hands wrapped around me. Instantly I grabbed his wrist and twisted it back. I knew the move would bring him to his knees, so when I turned around to face him I was happy to see his face contorted in pain. It wasn’t a very painful move, as long as you stayed still.

  “I said no. I meant no.” He nodded.

  “I get it, geez lady, just let me go. I swear I’ll leave you alone.” He cried out. Weak. This was why I had a hard time finding guys. I let
go of him and watched as he ran with his tail between his legs.

  “You know Rayne, sometimes I find it hot when you go all ninja on people.” Cammy walked over to me, looking in the direction of the man. I looked at her and saw she had a look of mischief on her face.

  “What did you do?” I questioned her. She not so innocently handed me back my phone. I narrowed my eyes at it and then it vibrated. I had a message. My head flew up to hers.

  “You didn’t.” I hoped, I prayed. She rolled her lips into her mouth, holding back her answer. I looked down at the phone and opened the message. A groan fell from my lips. My best friend had sent Arson pictures of me in my outfit, some sexy, some goofy.

  Arson: Thank you Cammy.

  He’d sent that one after the first picture, obviously knowing I hadn’t sent them. I kinda felt bad that he didn’t think I would do that for him, then that bad feeling turned into a challenging feeling. I would send him pictures. I wasn’t afraid to do that. Feeling high off the challenge, I stalked off into the bathroom after muttering to Cammy that I was doing so. I felt brave, and sexy. I checked and I was oddly alone. Still, I went into the handicap stall and sat my ass up on the marble counter—this lounge had a pretty nice bathroom. I started slow. I brought my finger to my lips and bit it lightly. I looked into my camera lens like it was Arson’s sexy green eyes.

  Click.

  I ran my fingers through my hair and took another.

  Click.

  Thinking of Arson and how his hands felt on me, I slowly pulled down the material of my dress, exposing the swells of my breasts. I pulled it down farther and held myself in my hands.

  Click.

  I send those to him and waited for his reply. I didn’t wait long.

  Arson: Fucking perfect.

  I moved my hand down to the juncture between my thighs and took a picture of my hand disappearing beneath my dress.

  Click.

  I sent that one to him and got giddy over his reaction. Then my phone started ringing and the giddy feeling was gone. Arson was calling me; I answered cautiously.

  “Hello.”

  “You’re fucking perfect Princess. I bet if you touched yourself right now you’d be soaked. Taking pictures for me. Do it Princess, go beyond your panties, touch yourself.” He groaned and I smiled.

  “I’m not wearing panties,” I admitted. It was hard to wear anything under that dress. An animalistic growl came from the other end of the phone. Good.

  “Tell me how you feel Princess. Now,” he commanded. I did as he said. Slowly I touched myself and found myself soaked, just like he’d said. Thinking of him did that to me.

  “Soaked,” I whispered. I knew my way around down there and started moving with a purpose. My rough breaths gave me away to Arson.

  “You’re gonna come aren’t you? I’ll allow this. Envision your fingers as mine, moving around your sensitive clit, moving inside you, curling my fingers into your sweet spot.” I did just that and pretended they were his. I moaned and leaned back against the mirror.

  “That’s it Princess, keep going. I wanna hear you.” His breaths were labored, and my excitement spiked. Was he touching himself too? I continued to work myself until I felt on the edge.

  “Arson.” I moaned, ready to burst.

  “God Princess, I wish you were coming on my cock right now, clenching me while I fucked you hard. You’d scratch my back and I’d pull your hair back before devouring your lips. Fuck.” He groaned and I splintered. The vision he created in my head made me come apart. I cried out and rode the waves of my release. I heard Arson’s curse on the other line and knew I wasn’t alone. Good. Realizing what I had just done, I quickly leaned over and washed my hands, then pulled up my dress and hopped off the counter.

  “Can’t wait till this weekend,” he commented, and I giggled. I wasn’t going to contradict him because unless he told me he was some crazy stalker or something like that, I would not be saying no to sex with him—and to be honest, I really didn’t see that being his explanation for the year thing.

  “We’ll see. I’ve gotta get back out to Cammy.” I left the stall and looked at myself in the mirror. My cheeks were flushed and I looked like I’d just had a good orgasm. I had, but I knew if Arson was actually there, I would just be a sated puddle on the floor, incapable of moving.

  “Talk to you later, Princess.”

  “Bye.” I hung up, took a breath, and walked back out to the dance floor. Cammy was dancing with some guy when I found her.

  “That good huh? It’s not fair.” She looked at me and shook her head. I rolled my eyes but didn’t deny or confirm.

  She murmured in her dance partner’s ear and he nodded. He handed her a business card from his pocket and she took it, placing it right in her bra. I stifled a laugh.

  “Wanna go home and cuddle?” she asked, and that actually sounded good—not that she and I would be spooning, but I knew what she meant. We headed back to my place, changed into some sweatpants and big t-shirts after wiping off our makeup, and watched Smallville. Cammy and I were working our way through the seasons. We both fell asleep on the couch and stayed there until she randomly woke up to pee; then we moved to the bed. I was tired and didn’t wake up or dream all night. Then my alarm went off and I groaned. I wanted to sleep in. I felt another lazy day was in my future.

  “Stupid alarm.” Cammy groaned and rolled back over, falling asleep quickly. Reluctantly I got out of bed and went about getting ready for the morning. Cammy was still asleep when I left but I made sure the coffee was all set; she just needed to turn on the pot.

  The rest of the week passed in a blur. Could it be I was a little excited about the camping trip? Just maybe. I woke up the morning we would all be heading to the island and grabbed my camping gear from the spare bedroom closet. I had a tent, an air mattress (because sleeping on the ground sucked), and my little bag of camping goodies. I packed one of the backpacks I had with extra clothes, towels, sunscreen, and bug spray. I would have loved to pack toiletries other than toilet paper, but this was primitive camping. No showers, and no toilets. I would have to dig a hole in the “bathroom area”, but I would be in the water so that would wash off the stink. Then once I got home, I would soak and scrub the grime off my skin.

  I threw my bags and gear in the car and drove the thirty minutes south to Boca Grande. The island we were staying on was right by there. I pulled into the parking lot of the marina and saw a little group waiting. Coach had a twenty-three foot center console boat that we would get to use while camping. I was pretty sure two other fighters were also bringing their boats, and I knew Alex had a jet ski. There were a couple people waiting when I parked and walked over, hauling my stuff.

  It was like my eyes couldn’t help themselves as they zoomed right in on Arson. He was talking to Coach, with a girl standing next to him. That little feeling of excitement I was feeling died. Was he here with another woman? Coach saw me and nodded.

  “Glad you made it Jackson. Let’s get your gear on the boat and get you to the island.” He walked over and helped grab some of my stuff. Arson’s eyes were on me and not on the blonde that was trying to get his attention. Without looking at her, he walked over to me and held his hand out for my backpack.

  “Morning Princess.” He smirked; normally that would have gotten a smile out of me, but I was irked that he had brought a date.

  “Yeah, looks that way. Where did you find her? Pretty low of you to bring a date.” I huffed but stood my ground. His eyes brown pinched together and then I saw the little light bulb turn on over his head.

  “You being jealous gives me hope; you do care about me.” His smirk turned to a smile. I was about to protest but he placed a finger over my lips. A little shiver overtook my body.

  “She is not with me. She is a fan, and one of the other fighter’s date. She was simply saying hello.” Well I feel like an asshole. I had to remember he was a big deal in our world, and even outside of it. He’d been in a movie or two, magazines. I cou
ldn’t get jealous at every girl that talked to him; I had better things to worry about.

  “Sorry,” I said as he hoisted my bag up over his shoulder and turned.

  “Let’s go Princess. We have an island to get to,” he sang and I followed. Eight of us loaded on the boat while the other six got on Tyler and Han’s boats. We set out for the little island. We’d been there plenty of times before and I still loved it down there. Where I was lived was busy with traffic; it wasn’t a big city, but it was nice to get away from all of it.

  Boca was a quiet, rich island. The water was so beautiful, with a mixture of clear blue and turquoise colors in their depths. As we got closer to the island, the guys started hooting and hollering, ready to let loose and have some fun. I felt hands on my waist and looked back to see Arson behind me.

  He leaned down and whispered in my ear, “I’ve missed you.” I bit my lip, trying not to show my body’s reaction to his touch. I kept silent.

  Chapter Fourteen

  And there it was

  We stood on the boat like that until we got closer, then Arson jumped out and helped anchor the boat close to the island. One by one everyone jumped out and started setting up all over the island. I walked around and found a nice little section that was beneath some tree cover but had an opening so I could take the cover off my tent at night and look at the stars. I let out a nice breath; I so needed this. I got started setting up my tent, which wasn’t very big; it pretty much fit me on my mattress and a little space for my bag perfectly. As soon as I was done I wiped the little sweat that had gathered on my brow.

  “Looks cozy.” His voice rolled over the back of my neck. I turned and looked at him. He was shirtless and water was running over his skin, caressing every curve of his muscles. I practically drooled.

  “I’ve only got so much restraint, Princess. Keep looking at me like that and I will take you in the tent right now, not giving a shit who hears.” My eyes snapped up from his body and went to his eyes.

  “Nuh uh.” So eloquent of me.