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We stand like that for an unknown amount of time, both lost in the feel of each other. A lone tear slides down my cheek, and I sigh, effectively breaking the bubble we were in. Nox pulls away from me and stares down at my face, his gaze searching my own.
Releasing his own long sigh, he asks, “Why were you hiding from me? Then go and name your child something like that…something special to us.”
“I wasn’t hi?—”
“Bullshit. You were. You left without a trace, no number, nothing. So, tell me,Emily…how is that not fucking hiding?” The malice and hurt in his tone make me wince.
There is no response I could give him that would help this situation, so I stay silent, pissing him off even further.
“Emily…why would they be calling you that?”
“It was close enough to Emerson that I would answer to it but could keep my true identity private.” What I don’t say is that it also helped me to disassociate with the life I left in Richmond Valley.
“Why, so I couldn’t easily find you…? Because I tried. I fucking tried!” Nox’s eyes bore into mine, trying desperately to break through the walls I’ve meticulously put into place. He’s about to say something more, when the loud ringtone of my phone fills the space around us.
“Shit,” I mutter as I fumble for the device, trying to mute the sound. Nox takes a step back and allows me space to search my pockets. Once muted, I look at the screen and see Jade’s name. That’s weird. Why is she calling me this late?
“I’m sorry, I have to get this. It’s Jade...” He doesn’t even really know who she is yet. Geez, there is so much to say, and what feels like no time to do say it.
He just nods resolutely and walks away. With a shaky hand, I answer the call.
“Em!” I hear her sob, terror evident in her voice.
“Jade, what’s wrong?”
“He did it again…” she starts, and I know I'm in for a long night. So, I make my way to the stairs and sit, preparing for whatever she has in store for me.
Nine
“Your vibe has been off this morning, Monroe,” my coach, Joey, says, looking at me curiously.
“I’m tired. It’s my first day back, and its’ early as hell… Give me a damn break,” I respond before shooting water into my mouth, trying to hide the lie. I actually am tired as fuck from another restless night of sleep, but that’s not why I’m so distracted.
Even though my bottle is halfway full, I mosey over to the refill station. It’s the easiest way for my eyes to travel inconspicuously to the other side of the room.
Emerson’s wearing a dark purple sports bra with matching spandex shorts. And I’m fucking jealous of the way they cling to her body.
My gaze travels along every inch of her, unable to stop myself as I take in her full breasts, those strong shoulders, her delicate collarbone. I still can’t believe she is here in the flesh. My cock stiffens at the thought of running my tongue along her slender neck, finding all her sensitive spots all over again. The memory of the first night I tasted her, right here in this very place…
I shake my head, willing myself not to go there.
When I finally look at her face, I’m met with a knowing smirk. That sassy look and smart mouth of hers always gave me something to look forward to. Disappointment stirs in my gut when she quickly moves her attention back to Snow.
She has my head so fucked. And on top of everything, we should get the results from the DNA test today or tomorrow. I tried calling Colton this morning, but he didn’t answer. I’m sure he’s partying every night this week since school officially starts up again next Monday. But I know it's only a matter of time before word makes it to Florida that Emerson is here. And damn, is she here…here and fucking sexy as hell.
Pretending to need the sustenance of my protein bar, I watch Emerson work on her takedowns for a few more minutes. Snow is working with her today, and I can’t say I wasn’t relieved to hear her coach would not be joining her in North Carolina.
Snow has turned into a damn good trainer. Unfortunately, he was in an accident last year, and with the injuries he had afterwards, he decided to take a step back from pursuing his own fighting career. He always liked teaching classes, and this allows him to take that skill set to the next level.
Emerson’s even quicker and more precise with her jiu-jitsu moves when she’s grappling than she was a few years ago. And I can tell she’s even stronger too by the way she is able to throw her weight around against her opponent.
I may despise the way her coach’s hands seemed to feel way too comfortable touching her body at the after party, but I’ll give him credit where it's due. Emerson was always talented, but the woman I’m watching now, the woman I saw in that cage last weekend, is going to be a household name in the MMA world.She’s next level.
I hear a throat clear, and I turn to see Joey standing beside me. “Since when do you take snack breaks in the middle of a session?”
“I told you…I’m still worn out from my fight last weekend. I normally take more time off in between.” I take the last bite of my bar before tossing the wrapper into the trash.
“Yeah, I’m calling bullshit, Nox,” he grunts out, and we both start walking back to the ring we were training in. “Look, I know you and the Siren have some history or some shit, but I’m going to need you to rein in your inner Prince Eric and focus. You potentially have a huge fight coming up soon.”
