Training the SECRET (Corrigan & Co #6) Page 9
I grab her as she lunges for him, and then lean in to whisper in her ear. “Don’t, Angel. He’s not worth it. Scott vouched for him, and I don’t take that lightly. He’s also the best. I hate to admit it because he’s obviously one of the biggest assholes I’ve ever met, but it’s true. Try him out and see if he can do the work you need, but just ignore him otherwise.”
“Oh I plan to,” she says, turning her face and taking possession of my lips once again.
“This is bullshit.”
Jade breaks away from me, and turns to him, holding my hands. “If we decide that you’re the person for the job, you’ll need to adjust your attitude. Now, do you want us to show you around, or not?”
His jaw is clenched so tight that I think his teeth might crack, but he gives her a small nod. I squeeze her hands before letting her go, and then watch her walk off with him and her dad. Ellie and Aiden come to stand next to me, and they both look the same way I probably do right now.
“There’s something wrong here. Just something—off—about that guy,” Aiden says.
“And the way he was looking at Jade, like she was a prize he wants to win.” Ellie says, and then quickly looks at me. “You have nothing to worry about, you know. She’s all about you.”
I smile at her. “I’m not worried, El. He should be, if he tries anything with her. She’ll take him out before I could even make a move.”
“I’m glad you know that.”
I pull her into a hug and kiss the top of her head. “I do, but thanks for being such a good friend to my girl.”
“Now let me have my girl. I haven’t had a chance for any of that PDA you’re advertising so well yet.”
“What if your girl doesn’t want any PDA?” Ellie tells him, as she moves away from me.
“Babe. You’re killing me here. And in front of all these guys.”
“Like the way you’ve been killing me for all these years.” Her hip is cocked and her hand is firmly placed on it.
“Yeah,” he says, looking ashamed.
I understand how he’s feeling. I was just there a couple of days ago. And a couple of years ago. We both had our reasons for staying away from these women. I have even more of a reason to stay away from Jade now that I know who she really is. Aiden’s reasons are fucked up, but still valid to him. Yet just like me, he’s taking that jump and hoping a net will catch him at the same time that his past does.
“Kidding, Mr. Serious. I was totally kidding.”
Ellie walks up to him, and lifts his chin for a kiss that has every guy in the gym jealous of my buddy. Well, all of them exceptfor me. Life is good right now, but I know it won’t last. So let’s hope for that net.
* * *
Jade
This guy is an asshole. One hundred percent complete and total asshole. But we need him. It’s obvious from the questions he’s asking that he knows what he’s doing. My dad even looks impressed, which is not something I expected to see when I came up with my plan. I knew he’d have to accept whoever it was, but “impressed” was just something I hadn’t even considered. My dad’s a tough nut to crack, but Brent seems to have achieved the impossible. Which means I have to play nice and pretend to get along with the prick.
“I think you’ll work out well here. It might be best if we have some kind of temporary arrangement, though. Maybe a 30 day trial to see how everything works out.”
“That’s a great idea, Jade,” my dad says, beaming at me like I just solved world hunger.
“Sure. How about we’ll all decide once the fight is over. That will be a major selling point—or leaving point—for me.”
“Sounds like a plan. Let me introduce you to everyone, and then Jade can get started with Nate.”
“I’m pretty sure she’s already started,” Brent mumbles.
“Did you have something to say?”
“Nothing that I haven’t already said. It seems I’m to be ignored where your boyfriend is concerned, so I’ll save my breath.”
“Good call.”
After we’ve shown him around, Brent and my dad go back to the office to hash out all the details. We told Brent that we’ll be having our lawyers draft the contract, but in actuality, it will be the Corrigan legal team handling it. I trust anyone that Matt and Reina hire more than I would trust some lawyer we’d find on the internet. Brent doesn’t need to know that whoever’s taking care of things isn’t specifically our lawyer, but we do need him to realize that no one’s going to pull anything over on us. Which is why I’m extra thankful for who I work for, and with.
I find Nate sitting on a bench near the cage, just staring at it. My heart hurts knowing what’s he’s sacrificing for me. Although I don’t know the details, I know that there’s a reason he doesn’t fight anymore. I feel bad knowing that he’s doing this for me. I also feel grateful, but not just for that.
“Hi, Soldier.”
“Hi, Angel,” He replies, a big grin taking over his face, and lighting up his eyes when he sees me.
“Thank you.”
“It’s just one fight.”
“One fight too many for you, I’m afraid. And I also mean thank you for earlier.”
“I’d do anything for you. I want you to know that. Earlier was no big deal.”
“You are the ultimate alpha, Nate. Letting me defend myself—and you—is not in your nature. Yet you did it, and that’s a huge deal to me. Also, I do know you’d do anything for me, and I hope you realize that it goes both ways.”
“You were proving that to me before I finally came to my senses and had my way with you.”
“Thanks for finally acknowledging that. Now let’s talk about how much I’m going to kick your ass while I’m training you.”
“You know, I could just train myself.”
I look behind him on the bench. “You don’t want me to be in charge of your fine ass?”
“Well, when you put it that way, it’s not even a question. I mean, you already own it.”
“And I’ll kiss it better every night. Along with all of the other parts of you that I’ll be working.”
“Including your favorite muscle of mine?”
“Oh yeah. Especially that one.”
“We should get to work, then.”
“You know I’d kiss your cock even if I wasn’t training you.”
“Yeah, but the thought of you bossing me around all day and then getting on your knees at night is fucking hot as hell.”
“Go run some laps on the track before I drag you into the nearest closet.”
“Option number two, please.”
“Run. Now.”
He gets up and gives me one of his smoldering looks that make my panties disintegrate. “Hot. So fucking hot.”
I’m still smiling when he comes back over to me after running his mile. We go through all the different skills so I can see where he’s at. I know he’s fit as fuck, but in order to train him properly, I have to look for flaws and weaknesses. By the end of the day, I realize that he really has none. He’s been honing his skills to perfection for sixteen years, and he realizes every little mistake—and adjusts himself—before I can even bring it up. He’s right. He could just train himself, but I’m glad he’s letting me at least pretend to be in charge. It makes me love him even more.
We’re both exhausted by the time we leave the gym, so we just stop for some takeout on the way home. Protein and carbs for both of us; although, he’s eating more than double what I am. He’s a beast already, but we both know adding on a few more pounds can’t hurt him. Especially since Brent won’t tell us who he’s fighting yet. He will have to tell us soon, though. Otherwise, how is Nate supposed to properly prepare? Or maybe that’s what he wants. He did seem really angry when we were kissing, and maybe there’s more to it than just annoyance. Ellie and Aiden will take of that, though. I just need to worry about Nate.
Chapter 10
Jade
The last two weeks have been exhausting. Brent is still refusing to
tell us who Nate is fighting until next week—which I’ve explained to him is completely unethical, but he doesn’t seem to care—so he’s been working on every kind of fighting and wrestling you can imagine. When the guys at the gym proved too easy for him, we brought in other fighters. Ones who are more even matched with him. He hasn’t lost a sparring session yet. His body is in prime form, and believe me, I’ve been appreciating it when I can. It’s his mind I’m worried about, though.
As the match draws closer, he’s been getting tenser, and colder. He still kisses me, and tells me he loves me, but I can sense the change in him and feel the difference in our lovemaking. He’s pulling away from me—and everyone else—as he fights whatever demons he’s hiding. He needs to share them with me so I can help him. I have to make him see that.
“Let’s talk before we go to the gym,” I tell him, rolling over to pull him to me as he starts to rise from the bed. Or more like, pull myself to him since I can’t move him.
“I really need to work, Jade. As my trainer, you should know that.”
That stings, and I can’t stop myself from lashing out. “I’m not some random fuck, Nate.”
“Where the hell did that come from?”
“Think about it,” I tell him, turning my face so he doesn’t see the tears forming in my eyes.
“I don’t have time to play games. So either tell me why you’re acting like some needy, emotional chick, or let me go.”
“Go.”
“Are you showering with me, or what?”
“No. I’ll shower later.”
“Later? You’re not coming to the gym?”
“You said it yourself—you don’t need me. I have stuff to do, and I need to check in with my dad and the doctors in Vegas.”
That’s not a lie. My dad has been in Vegas for a week, and the treatments are going well. I wish I could be there with him, but he says that the gym is more important, and I should stay here to help Nate. Darcy is getting ready to start a new mission, so she’s been spending a good amount of time at the office. My dad and she have bonded, and she’s been helping keep his spirits up. We haven’t been super close in the past, but I know we now will be. Anyone who helps my dad is someone I’ll be friends with for life. Just like anyone who hurts him will remain my enemy as long as I have a breath in me.
“How much of an ass have I been to you?” he asks, turning my face back to him
I shrug, knowing that he’s doing this for me. Fighting for me, anddestroying himself in the process. But I have to be honest. We both deserve that from me. “You’ve pretty much treated me like some groupie you’ve brought home to fuck for the past week. It was rough before then because I know that this is hard for you, and I want to help even though you won’t let me. But it’s been getting worse every day. I’ll be your fuck if that’s what you need for now, but I have to know if that’s the way it’s going to be forever.”
His face crumbles, and all of the ‘asshole’ that was there a few minutes ago is completely gone. “Shit. Angel. I-I…oh my God. I’m so sorry. You’re not my ‘fuck,’ you’re my everything. This fight is getting to me, and I know I haven’t been handling it well. I-I never want you to feel like I don’t care. Never.”
“Can you talk to me? I know this isn’t you, how you’ve been acting. I want to help.”
“You help just by being you.”
“Which means you’re not going to tell me.”
“If I tell you, it’s going to become bigger than it already is, and then I won’t be able to concentrate on winning this fight. Or look you in the eye.”
“I don’t see how it could be bigger, and you damn well better look me in the eye, no matter what. Nothing, and I meannothingyou could tell me about your past would ever make me think any less of you. Or feel any less. One day you’ll realize that, and know you can tell me everything. Until then, just stop shutting me out. Like I said, you can fuck me senseless if you need to, but I want you to hold me after. I have to know that you realize it’s me who you’re with. That’s all. I can take your moodiness, but I can’t take wondering if it matters that it’s me here with you.”
“Jade, I never forget a moment when I’m with you. I promise you that. It kills me that I haven’t been showing you that, but I promise that I always know it’s you who I’m beside, inside, over, and under. And every second of it is pure heaven. I love you. With everything I have, which is not all that desirable right now, I know. I’ll win this fight for you, and any other battle I need to in order to be worthy of you.”
“I can slay most of my own dragons, you know.”
“Just as long as you know that I’m your backup for the ones you can’t.”
“You know I feel the same about you, big guy.”
He ignores most of what I just said, and goes for flirty. I’ll let him for now. “Speaking of big, are you sure you don’t want to join me in the shower?”
“You should save your strength for the workout today.”
“I have the stamina, but maybe you’re right. I should choose a less strenuous way of making you think of me all day while you’re here and I’m there,” he says, gently pushing me onto my back and hovering over me. “Getting all hot and sweaty.”
“Oh God.”
His fingers are moving through my folds and pinching my clit. “You like me hot and sweaty, babe? Or do you just like knowing you made me that way? That you told me what to do, and I did it?”
“Both. Don’t stop.”
He spreads me legs wide, and lowers himself in between my thighs. His breath is teasing me, and I want that mouth of his. And his tongue. God, do I want his tongue.
“Tell me what to do, Angel. Order me around the way you like to in the gym.”
“You know what to do. What I like,” I pant out, practically begging.
“Say the words for me. It turns me on when you get bossy.”
“Lick me, Nate. Use that magical tongue of yours and lick me.”
He does, giving me one gloriously long lick, followed by a bunch of small ones, all designed to drive me insane. I thrust my hips up, asking for more. He swirls his tongue over my clit, and I nearly fly off the bed.
“Suck it. Lick it…suck it…yes. Please, yes.”
He alternates sucking and licking until I can’t talk anymore. “Fingers? Do you want me to fuck you with my fingers, and my mouth?”
I grab his hair tighter. That’s all I can do right now. It’s enough of an answer for him, and he plunges three of his long fingers in me. If his tongue is magical, I don’t know how to even explain his fingers. They know just what spot to hit, and when he twists them, I come so hard that it’s a wonder I’m still conscious.
He pulls his fingers out and I hear him moan into my pussy as he moves lower. I look down and see him stroking himself hard and fast. He’s close, I can see it in his eyes.
“Come for me, Soldier. Let me see what eating my pussy does to you.”
We hold eye contact as he devours me. There’s no other word for what he’s doing. His tongue is buried deep inside of me when I see his eyes go wide, and his body starts shuddering. The sight and feel of him is too much, and I go over the edge again, screaming his name. He smiles against me, and then moves up my body, kissing every inch he passes until he gets to my mouth, where he hesitates.
“Give me your mouth, Nate.”
“I’m covered in you.”
I can see it. His mouth, mustache, and stubble are all coated with me. I never would have thought that could be hot. But it is. It’s so damn hot to see how much he loved it. I pull his mouth to mine, and taste it. The mixture of him and me. And then I know what else I want.
I take his cock in my hand and start stroking it back to life. He pulls his mouth from mine to look down at me. “More?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“My workout’s going to suck today, but it’ll be worth it.”
“Oh yeah it will,” I tell him as he starts getting hard again. He really does have the stami
na of a god. “On your back.”
“I know I said I love this, and I do, but I’m back in control tonight.”
“Yeah, yeah. Just get on your back.”
He complies, pulling me on top of him. I debate whether I should ride him forward or backward this time. I decide on the former, because I really want his tongue on my tits. As I slide down, I lean forward and silently demand what I need from him as I grab the headboard. He doesn’t disappoint—not that he ever could.
I ride him slow and steady, until it gets to be too much for us both, and I switch to hard and rough. He keeps up a steady pace of lips, tongue, and teeth on my nipples as he grips my hips. When he starts biting my tits themselves, I feel it building, and God if it isn’t coming even stronger than before.
“That’s it, Angel. I can feel you starting to clench. Take it, take me the way you need to. I’m going to keep marking your beautiful body as mine while you use my cock. Then I’m going to hold your hips and fuck you so hard you won’t even know when one of us stops, and one begins.”
I would probably have come just from his words, even if he wasn’t inside of me. But he is, and that makes it so much better. He knows how to say what I need, and I’m screaming his name again, which I know he loves. He keeps his promise and starts thrusting into me, going a little wild himself. Once he’s yelled out for me, I pull off of him, but not to get away.
I move down his body and take his softening cock in my mouth. I can taste both of us, just like I wanted. Tasting me with his saliva is one thing, but this…oh God…this is beyond belief. I moan as I lick him.
“Like that? Fuck, you wanted both of us, didn’t you?”
“Yes.”
“I’m getting hard again already watching you. Is it good, Jade?”
“I can feel you, and don’t worry. I’ll finish you off. I love it. You and me together. Fucking love it.”
Before I know what’s happening, he’s spun me around so I’m over his face. He’s licking me now as we sixty nine. We’ve done this many times, but never right after sex when I’m still dripping with all he’s given me. After one tentative lick, he’s all in like I am.