“I didn’t.” I glance between him and CJ.
“Yup. Our helicopter went down in the middle of the desert. I pulled him out of the wreckage and dragged him while hewas unconscious for two miles in the fucking blistering heat to find shelter.”
My jaw drops. “I had no idea.”
Slade nods his head and stares off into space. “It didn’t really matter, though. Even though he lived, he still lost the love of his life.”
“A woman?” I ask intrigued.
Slade looks over at me with just his cunning eyes. The scar glowing under the lights. “His career.”
I frown, but before I can ask him to elaborate, the bell dings and the two are back in the center of the ring. CJ seems to have found a second wind because he comes out swinging, backing the other boxer right into the ropes. He jabs him in the side until the man lets down his guard then smashes him with an uppercut. The guy falls like a sack of potatoes, knocked out for the count.
Slade laughs, clapping energetically along with the rest of the boisterous crowd. “I knew he was just playing with his food.”
I sort of don’t know what to think. Actually, I do. I realize CJ is a man of many facets. I didn’t think I could be any more attracted to him, but seeing him in that ring, glistening with sweat, and blood on his brow, his appeal has just skyrocketed through the ceiling. I’m actually clenching my thighs because I am so turned on right now.
CJ climbs out of the ring and makes a beeline straight for Slade and me.
“Nice!” Slade exclaims as they bump fists. “Still got it.”
“Five-thirtyA.M.in the gym every day will do that.”
“Fucking golden boy.” Slade busts him, and they both laugh. Like this, Slade doesn’t seem so intimidating. He still has a rough exterior, but it’s softer when he smiles. He’s almost attractive in that rugged attack dog kind of way.
“Come on.” CJ pulls me out of my chair still a little winded. “I need to go clean up.”
“Later, sunshine,” Slade says libidinously, still regardingme as if I’m a piece of perfectly grilled meat. It makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
I follow CJ out of the room and into what looks like a staging area for the boxers. There are all sorts of equipment, lockers, and first aid. CJ snatches a few things from the medic and then leads me quickly through another set of doors. We’re alone now, in an empty room with just a desk, large windows, and a clear view of the city lights twinkling around us.
“That was very impressive,” I tell a shirtless CJ as he leans on the edge of the desk. I drink in his abs, his chest, and flexing triceps.
“Like what you see, shortcake?” he asks playfully.
“Very much.” I press myself against him. I should probably give him a little time to recover, but I don’t see any harm in flirting with him while he does.
“Your eye is bleeding.” I touch the cut gently.
“Hazards of the job. At least I don’t look like the other guy.”
“Thankfully.” I grab the antiseptic wipe and tear it open. I clean up the blood and disinfect the cut all while CJ sits there like the perfect patient. “I don’t think David Lemieux is my favorite boxer anymore.”
“Oh, yeah?” The smile that cracks his face is youthful and boyish.
“Yeah,” I endorse as I cover the cut with a butterfly Band-Aid. “All better.” I take his face in my hands and drop a kiss on his lips.
He closes his eyes and exhales, locking his arms around my waist.
“Not quite. But getting there.” He kisses me more fiercely, slipping his tongue into my mouth and pressing my hand against his erection.
I break the kiss. “Are you sure you’re up for it right now? You just knocked some guy out.”
CJ grabs me by the neck and embraces me aggressively. “I’m up for itbecauseI just knocked some guy out.”
His response does nothing but crank my arousal. I meet hisforce with my own, our tongues tangling and teeth clanking as we grab at each other.
“We’re going to miss the main event. You okay with that?” I ask between hungry kisses.
