Training the SECRET (Corrigan & Co #6) Page 10

“Holy hell, this is…I mean, I’ve never tasted myself except when I’ve kissed you after you’ve sucked me off…but sweet Jesus. You and me together. It’s hot. It shouldn’t be, but damn if it isn’t.”

  “I knew it would be.”

  “You’re an evil seductress genius.”

  “Who’s about to make you come again.”

  “After I make you come first.”

  “You want a contest, huh? Game on, Soldier. Game on.”

  We taunt each other in between sucks and licks. I win, but then in reality, we both did. I uncovered a little extra kink that neither one of us ever expected, and we both had multiple orgasms, which make a little more sleep a necessity. Unlike the last few nights, that happens with me firmly curled in Nate’s arms as he nuzzles my neck and whispers both sweet and dirty things into my ear until we both pass out.

  I know this is wrong as far as his training goes—he should already be there, starting his workout. But for our relationship, it’s really good. I need this. We need this. Because whether he wins or loses that fight, we’ll still be together, and honestly that’s all that matters to me. If Brent walks, we’ll deal with it because we’ll still have each other. Nothing is more important than that. Nothing.

  Chapter 11

  Jade

  “What the hell happened yesterday?” Brent asks when I walk into “his” office the next day.

  “I needed to check up on my dad, so I did that. Nate is perfectly capable of running through his workout on his own.”

  “When he’s in peak condition, yes. But he was a mess yesterday.”

  “He’ll be fine. Everyone has an off day.”

  “He can’t afford an off day with who he’s fighting.”

  “Why are you hiding it then? Do you want him to lose? You didn’t have to take this job, you know. No one forced you to do it.”

  “Of course I don’t want him to lose,” he says, but I think he does. There’s just something about his attitude towards Nate that I can’t figure out. Nate swears they’ve never met, so he can’t figure it out, either.

  “Then help me out here.”

  “I thought you could train him all alone. That you ‘know his body better than anyone.’”

  “I can, and I do. Are we going to go over this again? I know you have a problem with our relationship, but you really need to back off.”

  “I don’t think so. He’s not good enough for you.”

  “Excuse me?”

  Brent moves around the desk to stand in front of me. I force myself to not flinch, or move back. Showing fear is never an option, and really, I’m not afraid of him. I could take him down easily. I do wish we weren’t in this office, which is a little too far from Nate for my liking, but I’ll just have to use the skills I’ve learned to diffuse the situation if it gets out of hand.

  “He’s got the body, I’ll give him that, but what else has he got going for him?”

  “His brains, his compassion, his loyalty. I could go on and on, but it’s really none of your business.”

  “It is, though. You’re my business, Jade. You always have been. I’ve already put out the word that no one’s to touch you.”

  “What?”

  I know it’s been quiet as far as I’m concerned. No one has tried to jump me, or anything else while I’ve been out, but I thought that was because of Nate.

  “You thought everyone was scared of your big, bad fighter, but it’s really me who took care of you. I have more power on the streets than you realize, and I used it to keep you safe.”

  “Thank you, but that still doesn’t mean that I’m your business. Or that my relationship with Nate is.”

  “It could be. We could be so good together.”

  Oh shit. “Umm, you seem like a good guy, Brent, despite our differences, but I’m with Nate. Forever with Nate. He’s seriously ‘it’ for me. I’d apologize for leading you on, but I know I haven’t.”

  “We could run this gym together. Make it the best in the country, the world. You’ve done an amazing job with Nate. Yeah he knows what he’s doing, but you’ve brought out the best in him.”

  “My dad and you can make this gym the best. I have a job, and a life, to get back to once you’re all set.”

  “What if I said that would never happen? That I’ll only stay if you’re here with me.”

  “You know where the door is.”

  I should’ve seen it coming, but I don’t. His mouth is on me and he’s trying to push his tongue into mine. I keep my lips closed tight as I fight against him. He’s stronger than he looks, and he won’t let me go. He grips my hair and starts to pull as I try to gain some leverage. And then he’s gone. There’s a crash, and I turn to see him sliding down the wall.

  “You okay, Jade?” Aiden asks.

  Honestly, I’m really not. Because this right here, made me feel like I did when I was kidnapped. Helpless and not able to defend myself. I never wanted to feel that way again, but Brent just made that happen.

  “Jade?”

  I realize that I haven’t answered him yet, but I can’t make my mouth work. Am I in shock? Is this what people feel when they’ve been through a trauma? This isn’t a trauma, though. I’ve just had an unwanted kiss. It shouldn’t have made me feel this way. I shouldn’t be starting to shake.

  “Nate,” I hear Aiden yell, but it’s far away. He’s right there at the door, so why is it so far away?

  I start shaking harder, and then Nate’s got his arms around me. He picks me up and carries me to the couch in the office. He’s sweaty. I feel like it’s not important for me to be thinking about that right now, but it’s all I can focus on.

  “Angel, it’s okay. I’ve got you. Just breathe. Take some nice deep breaths with me.”

  He places my hand on his chest, and as I feel his breaths go in and out, I mimic them. Each one is slower and deeper until I can feel myself coming back into the room, waking up from the fog I was under. I’m still a little out of it, and so I say the only thing my mind can think of.

  “He kissed me. I didn’t want him to, but he did.”

  Nate tenses beneath me. I hear some shuffling, and then Brent is in front of us. I think he must have a death wish because if Nate doesn’t kill him, I just might.

  “I-I’m sorry. I didn’t think it would be such a big deal. She was just there, and come on, Man. You know your girl’s hot.”

  “The important words in that sentence are ‘your girl.’ Jade is mine, and you touched her.”

  “Like I said, it was a spur of the moment thing.”

  “No,” I say. “It wasn’t.”

  Brent tries to make a run for the door, but Aiden stops him. I know it’s killing Nate that he can’t get up and beat the crap out of the little fucker, but I’ll admit it makes me happy to know that he’s not going to let me go in order to do that. I need his arms around me right now more than I need him to defend my honor.

  “He said you weren’t good enough for me. I told him that’s not true.”

  “You know you aren’t, Anderson.”

  “I’m not good enough for her, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to let that stop me from being with her. You don’t get to decide who she wants, and neither do I. Jade is a strong woman, and she’ll make her own decisions based on what’s best for her. Right now, that’s me, so you need to back off. We’re going to let you go and figure your shit out, but know that if you come back tomorrow, this is never happening again. With Jade, or any other woman. Stop trying to be a man, and really be one. Because real men don’t try to force it, they wait for the right woman to come to them.”

  “It won’t happen again. I really am sorry.”

  I turn away from him as he walks out, and bury my face in Nate’s chest. I still feel weak, and I’ll need to call my therapist tonight, but at least I know I’m safe. Again it’s because of Nate—and Aiden—but I’ve already learned that it’s okay to need help from your friends sometimes. Even if it is a little embarrassing.

  �
��Do you think I was in shock?”

  “I think you have PTSD, Jade. Did you talk to anyone after your kidnapping?” Aiden asks me.

  “I have a therapist. This has never happened to me before, though. Even when guys got a little pushy, I never panicked like I did now. I felt so helpless and scared.”

  “Something about that jerk triggered it,” Nate says. “I will kill him if he tries that shit again. It’s been quiet where you’re concerned so I haven’t gotten to kick any ass, and I’m going through withdrawals.”

  “He said that he stopped everyone from threatening me. Something about being more powerful on the streets than I know.”

  “Aiden.”

  “I’m on it,” he says, pulling out his phone as he runs out the door.

  “You should go back to your workout.”

  “No. I should be right here with you.”

  “Just have Ellie come up here, and then you can go back down.”

  “I like that you’re admitting that you can’t be alone right now. It tears me up inside, but I’m glad you’re not hiding it from me.”

  “Full disclosure. Always, right?”

  He doesn’t answer me, just kisses me on the forehead, and rubs my back. He takes out his phone, and starts to text Ellie, but she rushes through the door before he can even send the message. “What the fuck? Aiden just told me what happened.”

  “I’m okay.”

  “No she’s not, but she’s insisting I go down and train. Can you stay with her?”

  “Yeah. Go punch something. Or a lot of somethings. Preferably named Brent.”

  “He’s got a pass for the moment, and I probably should stick to the bags today. I’m in the mood to kill.”

  “We still need him,” I say, because we do. My dad can’t be stressed out right now.

  “Not enough for the shit he pulled with you.”

  “No. But I don’t think he’ll try anything again.”

  “He better not. I’ll take him out before Nate can even stand up,” Ellie says.

  “That’s one time I’d let you win, Brass. I love to see all of you from the Society kicking ass, and taking care of the world. There’s nothing hotter than a strong woman.”

  “Or a bossy one,” I tell him with a wink.

  “Only if it’s you. And only sometimes. Tonight if you need it, though.”

  “TMI again,” Ellie tells him with a smirk.

  “I think tonight may be a cuddle night.”

  “I can cuddle.”

  “I know.”

  “I should go train.”

  “Yeah, you should.”

  He kisses me on the forehead again and then leaves. I’m a little sad that I didn’t get a lip kiss, and then sadder still when I realize that he didn’t kiss me because Brent did. That bastard took more from me than I thought, if Nate won’t kiss me now. I start to cry, and then Ellie’s arms are around me.

  * * *

  Nate

  I’ve just closed the door when I realize that I didn’t kiss Jade. It wasn’t a conscious decision, but I know why it happened. My subconscious knew that he would still be on her lips, but what I didn’t realize is that I should be erasing him from there instead of denying her. I turn and open the door, realizing that I was right. My girl is crying, and it nearly kills me.

  “Nate?”

  “I forgot to give you a proper kiss goodbye, Angel. Avert your eyes if you don’t want to see the PDA, Ellie.”

  Jade smiles at me as I walk over to her. I kneel in front of her, and take her face in my hands. I kiss her softly over and over again, and then kiss away the tears that are still streaming down her face. “Thank you for coming back.”

  “Always. I’ll always come back.”

  “You can go train. I’ve already kept you from it for too long.”

  “Talk to Ellie, and your therapist, okay?” She nods. “And then we’ll watch some sappy chick flick while I cuddle you on the couch.”

  “You hate sappy chick flicks.”

  “But I love cuddling you.”

  I give her one more kiss, and then walk out the door. I’m proud of myself for going back. For realizing that I should. Maybe I can actually be good at this relationship thing. At least with Jade. I doubt anyone else could make me as happy as she does, and I know I would never be as whipped—and loving every minute of it—by anyone else.

  I get through the first part of my training without further incident. At one point, I see a delivery guy come in, and Ellie runs down to collect the food. She gives me a thumbs up, and I continue on, knowing my girl is okay. Or at least as okay as she can be. It makes me work harder, pushing myself to be stronger—and better—for Jade, who’s one of the strongest, and best, people I know.

  Hours later, I’m drenched in sweat, my muscles screaming in anger at what I’ve put them through. I wipe my face and look up to see Jade sitting at the top of the stairs. She blows me a kiss and I pretend to catch it, and put it in my pocket. She throws her hands up, silently asking me where her kiss is. I rub my chin a little and put a confused look on my face as she flips me off. I take out my phone to text her.

  Me: I want to run up there and give you a real kiss but I’m afraid my muscles will rebel and I’ll fall on my face in front of all these guys.

  Angel J: A kiss from me isn’t worth that risk to you?

  Me: It is. Hold on a minute and let me get my legs to work.

  AngelJ: Don’t you dare. I was messing with you.

  I look up to see her practically flying down the stairs to me. I think she’s going to launch herself into my arms like usual, and I try to brace my tired muscles for the impact. She stops in front of me, though, and sets her hands lightly on my arms.

  “Hi.”

  “Hey.”

  “Can I have my kiss now, please?”

  “You can have anything you want.”

  “Even a pony? Because I really wanted a pony when I was little. I might still want one now.”

  “I’ll buy you a pony.”

  “A kiss will be more than fine.”

  I lean down and kiss her. Once, and then again. As I go for a third one, she pulls back. “Sorry, I know you only asked for one.”

  “Oh, I want way more than one. But I also want to get you home and soak those muscles you worked too hard for me today.”

  “How did you know I was doing it for you?”

  “I was hoping?” she asks it more than says it, making me pull her back into my arms.

  “Let’s just be clear then. Yes, I worked my ass off for you today. Just like I’m going to do every other day until the fight. I’m going to get into that cage, and do my damnedest to win for you, and then when it’s over, I’m going to try and be a better man. For both of us.”

  “Thank you. For training and fighting. The better man shit is just that—bullshit—because you’re one of the best men I know. I don’t need you to be better, I just want you to stay mine.”

  “Well, that’s a given.”

  “Glad that’s settled so we can leave. Grab your stuff.”

  “You’re adorable when you’re bossy.”

  “And sexy. Don’t forget how turned on you get when I’m bossy.”

  “I said sometimes,” he tells me as we get in the car.

  “Only because you’re too alpha to admit more than that.”

  “I’m not disagreeing with that statement.”

  “Ha. Point to me.”

  “I have to let you have one every once in a while.”

  “In your dreams, Soldier. In your dreams.”

  “Nah. In those, you’re never right. I’m the alpha extreme, and you hang on my every word, looking to serve me however I may need you.”

  “Liar.”

  “Are you a dream reader now? Analyzing me in my sleep?”

  “No. Just remembering how hard you came last night after I told you what to do to me.”

  “Most of my dreams really do have me playing Master Alpha.”

  “Mos
t, but not all?” she asks, and I shake my head. “Good. Just for the record, I’m never calling you ‘Master.” Like seriously, never gonna happen.”

  “I honestly didn’t think you would,” I tell her as I open her car door, and take her hand in mine.

  She pulls me to a stop, and looks at me. She’s biting her lip a little and I hate that she’s nervous around me. I wait for her to say what she needs to because I want her to know that she can.

  “You can tell me what to do more, or you know, be bossier. I can take it.”

  Holy fucking hell, am I a lucky man. “I’d love to say that I don’t want that, but God if the thought of telling you to bend over and spread your legs doesn’t do it for me, I’m not a man.”

  “Plenty of men don’t need to be in control, and in fact like giving up control to a woman.”

  “Most definitely, and that’s great for them. I don’t begrudge anyone their kink. And you already know how turned on I was last night. On a daily basis, I just can’t be that guy, though. It’s not in my nature. Any time you want to take the reins, they’re yours. But not every time.”

  “I guess we should have had this conversation sooner,” she says as she starts our bath in one of the downstairs bathrooms. “Because while I don’t need to always be in charge, I don’t want you to be either.”

  “There’s no need for a conversation, Angel. We can share whenever you want. You don’t even have to tell me. Just say what you want, and it’s yours. I thought you knew that by now,” I tell her as I finish taking off my clothes and slide into the tub.

  “What if it’s not what you want?” she asks, joining me.

  “We compromise. We’ll be doing a lot of that for the next 100 years or so. In and out of bed.”

  “Umm, I don’t think people live that long.”

  “Maybe not now, but the A-Team, or someone almost as smart will probably figure that out before we get too old.”

  “True.”

  “Let’s just enjoy this soak, and then I’ll cook you dinner before we cuddle.”

  “I can cook. You had a crazy workout today.”

  “I promised to take care of you tonight. Dinner is included. No arguments.”

  “Thank you. I really mean it. Thank you for everything.”