She knew what was coming and let out a shriek of fury.
Got you, bitch.
Sliding my forearm under her jaw, I went for the rear-naked choke. Her hands clawed at mine in a futile attempt to fight back, refusing to tap even as her breath stuttered.
“Breathe,” I panted.
She held out for another moment and then her hand tapped against my forearm.
The ref pulled us apart, and I propped my hands on my hips as I caught my breath.
I stood in the center of the octagon, with blood — hers and mine — on my knuckles, sweat cooling on my spine and my lungs burning in the best way.
The ref lifted my wrist and I smiled because I knew what he was going to call.
“Winner!”
Noise flooded the arena and adrenaline pounded through my veins as he raised my arm in victory.
And, pressed to the fence of the cage with eyes blazing with pride, was Kai.
The cause of my downfall, wearing his dazzling smile.
I was fucked with a capital F.
Returning his smile, the victory was settling into my bones like warming sunshine.
Kai vaulted the fence — actually vaulted it — and rushed over.
“That was insane!” he yelled over the noise, grabbing my shoulders with both hands before realizing maybe he shouldn’t. He hesitated, looking nervous. “Can I…?”
When I nodded enthusiastically, he lifted me clear off the ground in a bear hug which absolutely violated several gym policies.
“You tossed that woman like a sack of potatoes!” His voice was muffled by my hair, but he sounded delighted.
I snorted against his chest. “Put me down.”
And he did, slowly, like he was savoring the feel of my body against his. Even then, he didn’t step awayimmediately. His hands stayed on my arms, warm and steadying.
He lowered his head to meet my gaze, inky black strands of hair falling into his forehead. “You alright?”
For a second, I wasn’t surrounded by a crowd. I wasn’t stressed about money or responsibility or my grandmother having a conga-line funeral plan.
It was just Kai and me, lost in the moment.
His concern wasn't suffocating or trying to take over; it anchored me.
“I’m good,” I replied quietly, looking deep into his brown eyes.
Kai grinned. “Yeah, you are. You’re bloody brilliant.”
My chest tightened because I didn’t want him to make things easier just by being there or to make me feel so much lighter.
But he did.
Every single time.
I grabbed my water bottle, breaking the moment before it swallowed me whole.
