TKO: Total Knock Out (TKO 1)

Her eyes light up when she sees the pancakes and bacon on the table. I can’t help but laugh when she turns around glaring at me for lying to her. Her attempt to punch me in the arm fails when I catch her hand, pulling her into my chest.

“I’m sorry, I couldn’t help it. Sit down and eat.” I pull her chair out for her, then sit across from her, handing her a plate. As we eat in almost complete silence I’m growing more anxious as I consider asking her to officially move in with me. I hope it doesn’t send her running. The thing is, I think she’s done with running now that she’s back with me.

Chapter 36

Raegan

Last night with Garrett was amazing. I didn’t expect the sex, although it was definitely the best added bonus. Talking to him was nowhere near as bad as I had imagined it would be. So much relief

washed over me to have that behind me.

At breakfast, I pop a piece of bacon into my mouth, savoring every little bit. Any man who can fry bacon this well is a keeper in my book. He’s studying his coffee a little too hard. His knuckles are almost white from holding onto the cup.

“Hey, you all right?”

He startles at the sound of my voice, then glances up at me. “Never been better. I wanted to ask you something, Raegan. I’ve…I thought about this and I want you to officially move in with me. I don’t want to spend another moment in this apartment without you. These past two months were miserable. I’m determined to do whatever I need to make sure you never leave me again. I want to keep you happy and I want nothing more than to see your beautiful face every night when I fall asleep and every morning when I wake up.” He pauses, trying to read my expression. “That is…only if you want to.”

One look at the elated expression on my face and his grip on the coffee mug loosens. I know I belong in his arms; I think I knew that from the beginning but I fought it, scared of what could happen. Although he’s not holding the mug in a death grip anymore, he’s still just watching me, waiting for my response.

“I’d love to, Garrett.” I jump from my chair.

“Where are you going?”

“I’m going to text Whitney. She’s going to be so excited!”

Garrett starts cleaning up the mess; I want to go help him, but instead I continue with my mission.

I hurriedly type,

Omg, omg! Guess what?

Whitney’s reply comes in almost immediately.

I’m dying here…what?

I may have run into Garrett last night and we may have made up and he may have asked me to move in with him!

SHUT UP!

I KNOW!

Told you everything would work out.

The happiness I feel inside spreads across my face before I close the message out. Garrett has a fight tonight, but of course we’re all going to be at Lou’s most of the day. With my jeans and my favorite t-shirt on, I flash my sexy boyfriend a smirk as I make my way into the living room.

“I’m ready when you are.”

“Then let’s go, babe.” We ride hand in hand the whole way there until he decides to rest it on my thigh. There’s a slight tingle I can’t ignore and I try not to let him hear me moan. But he knows; he knows it all because that hand is cupping my jeans in just the right spot and it’s not fair. He grins seductively, knowing what he’s done. Just as soon as we pull up at Lou’s, he cups my chin, pulling my face toward his. A brief kiss later, I’m definitely more frustrated sexually than I was before. But I’ve never been happier.

Lance jumps off the weight bench as soon as we walk in, pulling Garrett to the side to brag about his latest conquest. Gag. It works out well, because I want to talk to Howard. I poke my head in the office to find him and Whitney hanging out. She smiles, and when she stands up to hug me her belly is nice and round. I touch her belly, talking to the baby, before straightening up and clearing my throat.

“Howard, I just wanted to talk to you for a second.” Whitney looks hesitant about whether she needs to leave or not. “Whitney, you don’t have to go anywhere, it’ll just take a minute.”

“What you got, Raegan? You aren’t scheduled for tonight if that’s what you were wondering.” Howard was accustomed to me trying to get in on any fight I could during the last two months. It was the only thing that kept my head on straight.

“No, I know that.” I shook my head, then added, “I wanted to tell you I won’t be fighting anymore.” Suddenly all eyes were on me and Whitney starts grinning like she knew something I didn’t know.

“Oh. My. God. Are you—”