“My shop is not at risk. I’m not experiencing any downturns or unusual business risks or any financial strains. I’m doing very well. All that stuff they’re saying are lies. If anything, the negative publicity spiked sales.”
“I don’t care about that shit, Dove. I would take care of you for life if you’d let me.”
“Thank you. I just thought you should know. I love making a living on my own.”
I reached down and unclasped her hands so that I could pull her from behind me to stand beside me. I wrapped an arm around her shoulder and leaned down and kissed the top of her head. When I lifted my head again, I replied, “You’ll never belong behind me. By my side will always be your place in my life.”
We remained in that position for several long minutes before I took her hand and led her out of the house. Having sex had brought us a level of intimacy we hadn’t experienced before.
Without words, we headed to where the entrance to the beach was. A slow smile crept on her face when she saw me bend down and pick up the first seashell.
We slowly walked along the beach and picked up seashells, at my request, until my pockets and hands were filled, along with hers. After we finished, we found a comfortable spot on the beach, sat down, and then watched the sun set. It was the most intimate thing I had ever done with any woman, not including sexual intimacy, something that I had always yearned for from her but I could never get.
“Still can’t believe that you didn’t finish college. You were dead set on your career choice. What made you change your mind?”
“Anger.”
“I don’t get it.”
“The anger over life, my mama’s illness, being separated from my siblings off and on—it had all left me with this anger. I was on the wrestling team in college, and I used to kick ass. I started boxing as a way to work out in my spare time. An MMA coach happened to be at one of my wrestling tournaments in my junior year and commented on my skills. My coach mentioned that I also boxed in my spare time, and he suggested the MMA coach come out and check me out. He did, recruited me, and that was a wrap. I quit school and pursued my career full-time.”
“I love that for you. The confidence and dedication that had to take was amazing. Have you ever thought about returning?”
“Not really. I mean, I guess I should.”
“Anything can happen,” she stated softly.
“Yeah, you’re right, but I’m not worried about that. I’ve got investments in place. If my career ended today, I will be fine financially for the rest of my life,” I replied, pulling her up and lifting her onto my lap. I wrapped my arms around her and rested my chin on her head.
“This feels like peace right here.”
“You are my peace, Dove.”
“And you’re mine, Reigh. How come we didn’t figure this out years ago?”
“We weren’t supposed to. We’re in the position and place in our lives that we’re supposed to be at this very moment. I doubt we could have truly appreciated each other all those years ago, or hell, even a year ago,” I conceded.
“You’re right,” she replied with a soft sigh.
“What happened to you and the supermodel, Daniella Pearce, you were dating? It seemed like things were getting pretty serious.”
“They were, and they weren’t. She was a major part of my life for five years. Then all this shit with the doping scandal came out, and so did her true colors, you know?”
She sighed and leaned further into my embrace. “Yeah. Same with Neal. When the rough got going, Neal got going too. Maybe it was supposed to happen this way. If not, we wouldn’t have reconnected.”
I squeezed her a little tighter, cupped her chin, and turned her to face me. “You’re the best thing to come out of all this for me, Dove.”
I lowered my lips to hers and kissed her slowly and hungrily until she whimpered and moaned. She truly was the silver lining around a very dark storm cloud.
TWO DAYS LATER
“She keeps climbing higherand higher. We know Reighvyn Bloom doesn’t have a wife out there, so I wonder what her interest in the MMA star is.”
“Girl, we already know it’s about the money. She lucked up finding one who doesn’t have kids, a wife, or a baby mama. She’ll get bored soon.”
“That heffa’s gonna get pregnant first. Watch what I tell you. She’s gonna make his ass pay before she releases him.”
“You see how she thought she was good until that reporter recognized her?”
