TKO: Total Knock Out (TKO 1)

The way he says my name makes me want to evaporate into thin air. Silently, I thank myself for not being stubborn and coming here tonight. But it’s way too soon to be swooning over someone. Or is it?

So, instead of letting my attraction show, I retort, “No, you make me want to punch you in the face again.”

He leans in closer, placing his finger on his cheek tempting me. Those plump lips of his are sticking out just right and part of me wonders what they taste like.

“Baby, I’d let you punch me any day.” He’s still smirking, and I raise my hand to knock that cockiness away, but then he grabs my hand enveloping it in his. Our fingers don’t intertwine, but they don’t need to for my body to react to the jolts of electricity that are shooting through from this simple touch. I notice how well my hand fits right there; it’s almost too perfect.

I jerk my hand away and try to turn before he can see me blushing. It’s too late; the warmth spreads from my head down to my toes. My body trembles, my core heats, my body responds in ways I haven’t felt in so long—all because of his touch.

Lucky for me, Whitney turns her attention back toward us and Garrett takes a few steps back. What is going on in his mind? Would he have leaned in closer and tried to kiss me if she hadn’t turned around? Not knowing is driving me insane. Because dammit, I just may have kissed him.

“We need a little more than the usual Garrett, I invited Raegan for dinner,” Whitney announces as she makes her way toward us.

“Sounds fun. I think I’ll hang around tonight.” He winks and I feel my knees almost buckle underneath me. What happened to Garrett doesn’t stick around when there’s company? Not that I’m complaining or anything, but I’m having a hard time getting my body back under control.

Garrett gets on his phone to order the pizza. Within a few seconds, the order is placed and he disappears for a bit. My heart sinks; I feel like such a loser.

“So, Raegan, do you think you’ll like it at the gym?” Whitney asks after chugging almost an entire bottle of water.

“Um, I think so. It’s new to me. I mean, I take kickboxing classes but I know this is different. I don’t want to look stupid.”

“Trust me, you look anything but stupid. Just hang in there; this was just your first day and your kickboxing will make this seem a little easier.”

When someone knocks at the door, Garrett comes running by out of nowhere to open it for the pizza guy. He barrels into my arm nearly knocks my balance off. Without any hesitation he turns, grabbing my arm to steady me. “I’m sorry, Raegan, you okay?”

My face turns a crimson red as I try to stammer out a response. He flashes a grin that could have melted a stick of butter and for that split second it felt like we were the only two in the room. I swear the look in his eyes is different this time, there’s something behind them begging to be noticed. The knock on the door repeats and just like that, we’re out of the moment. Bummer.

As much as I want to eat like a lady, I can’t help but stuff the piece of pepperoni pizza in my mouth. It tastes so freaking delicious. The cheese is hot but not hot enough to burn. Garrett and Whitney joke around the whole time. She admits she’s going to miss him when she moves out. Watching their relationship is interesting, makes me wonder what it’s like to have a sibling. Their closeness is so endearing. I help Whitney pick up the mess and she pulls out some leftover cheesecake from the refrigerator. I’m already stuffed but who can resist a piece of strawberry cheesecake?

“This isn’t anything special, I promise.” Garrett whispers loud enough so Whitney can hear him. “It’s from a box. Whitney is no Betty Crocker.”

“Screw you, Garrett,” Whitney retorts. “It’s good and you know it. You ate half the damn thing the first night.” She hands me a piece. He reaches for his own piece but she eyeballs him, clearly irritated . “Get your own piece, since you don’t appreciate me.”

“Whatever. You know I appreciate the hell out of you.” He smirks as Whitney lightens up.

Garrett grins again, mesmerizing me. He knows exactly what he’s doing. He leans forward and I can feel him taking over my space. My heart is pounding, oh my God, I’m dying here. I close my eyes, trying to focus on anything to get my breathing back where it should be. I want him to grab my hand again, anything to feel his touch. I open my eyes just in time to see him with my fork in his hand as he brings a piece of the cheesecake up to his gorgeous mouth.

“Thanks for the bite, Raegan,” he whispers.

“You could have just asked, asshole.” I smack his hand; I swear I will punch him again if I have to.

“Now,

where’s the fun in that?”

I look to Whitney for help, but she’s on her phone.

Garrett turns on the TV and Grease is playing on VH1. He tries to hurry and change it but Whitney and I complain enough so he leaves it on. He owes me anyway for leading me on. Every time they break into song in the movie, I can see him shifting uncomfortably and then boring holes into us. He’s acting like he had no idea this was a musical. He has to. Everyone has seen Grease at least once in their life. Whitney bursts out laughing. He mumbles something and pretends to look elsewhere. Deep down, I bet he wanted to sing along to “Summer Nights”, I mean who doesn’t want to break out into their best John Travolta voice? But his body seems to relax when I begin to hum. I can’t help it, I love when Rizzo sings, “There Are Worse Things I Could Do”. I’ve always loved this movie; Nancy and I used to watch it all the time which reminds me I need to call her soon.

I can see Garrett watching me out the corner of my eye. He’s grinning, but it’s not cocky. His lips curl up almost reaching his piercing blue eyes. Whitney doesn’t sit by him like I hoped she would; he is right beside me. I left room so he doesn’t get any ideas but he inches his hand closer so it rubs against my thigh and I feel my skin tingle. I never look at him but slide a little farther away. For every inch I slide away, he follows with his hand, driving me absolutely insane. I keep reminding myself he doesn’t date; he’s just leading me on.

When the movie ends, I look at the time on my phone, it’s not late but I don’t need Dad being in some sort of fit of rage when I come home past a time he wanted. Getting off the couch proves to be a chore. My limbs are starting to feel sore from exerting myself today. I sat too long and now I am paying for it.

I hug Whitney and thank her for the invite. This sure as hell beats sitting at home.

“I can’t get a hug like Whitney?” Garrett asks when I head for the door. That smile is back and as much as I want to slap it off his face, I’m just too hypnotized by it.

“Um, no. Sorry. See ya’ll tomorrow.”