Warnings and Wildfires

“Yeah, who would’ve guessed.” I roll my eyes and Murphy laughs harder.

“I’m gonna stick with Jake. Make sure he doesn’t piss anyone else off,” he says.

“Good plan.”

Aubrey’s working her way back through the crowd to me and I can’t help but reach out and drag her closer. “Are you all right?”

She stares up at me in surprise. “I’m fine. Jake’s in the locker room. You should go check on him and I’ll—” she searches the room. “I guess I should look for Myra and ask her what to do?”

I hate letting her out of my sight.

And I think that comes through loud and clear when I don’t let go of her right away.

“Sully?”

Reluctantly, I peel my arms off her. “Jake’s a big boy. After that mess, I’d rather stay out here and keep an eye on you.”

She’s too smart to protest. Instead, she thanks me and heads toward Myra. Griff talks to the two girls for a few minutes. While they’re busy chatting, two kids who barely look old enough to drive enter the cage and mop up the blood left behind.

When the room is calmer, Griff announces the next fight.

The first fighter is someone I’ve never heard of, which isn’t a surprise since I haven’t been part of this world in a long time. The second fighter goes by the ring name “Smokey the Bear” which I assume is some sort of jokey-reference to the fact that he’s a local deputy sheriff. Liam’s former partner, actually. Brady O’Connor probably spends his afternoons pulling half these kids over for speeding.

At least these two opponents are evenly matched. Age and skill-wise. It’s an interesting fight. Judging by the heavy betting activity, Griff will ask both of them to return.

Half-way through the match, Jake comes up on my side. “I assume you’re sticking around until she’s done?”

“Ya think?” I answer without turning my head.

“I’m okay, by the way. In case you were wondering.”

Slowly, I glance over at him. “Do you need your blankie and teddy bear?”

“Nah.” He lifts his chin at a cluster of girls who keep glancing at us and giggling to each other. “A girl will calm my nerves.”

“You asking for my permission?”

“No, but a condom would be helpful,” he says, holding out his hand.

“Christ, you’re irresponsible. Do I look like a pharmacy to you?”

“Nah, just a grumpy fuck who needs to get laid.”

“How many hits to the head did you take tonight?”

He grins. “Not enough.”

“Got that right,” I grumble, digging out my wallet and handing over the lone condom in it.

“Hope you have a spare.”

“I’ll be fine. Go away.”

He does finally get lost and I search the room for Aubrey. She smiles as soon as my gaze lands on her and blows me a kiss.

Several guys turn to see where her affection is directed and I stare each one down.

Brady wins his fight. I hold out my hand to congratulate him and he pulls me in for a quick hug.

“Good to see ya, Sully.” He doesn’t seem to be concerned that I recognize him.

The volume of the music and chatter increases. I watch Aubrey work the crowd and stay out of her way. Once the final fight starts, I work my way closer.

I’ve seen Remy fight plenty of times. Hell, I trained him early on. Back when he was an angry, scrawny little bastard looking to defend himself and his baby sister against their drunken father. Since I had my own experiences with a similar home life, I spent a lot of time training Remy where to channel his rage.

The student has definitely surpassed the teacher now. I’m impressed with his skill and focus. If I wasn’t so annoyed with him and Griff for bringing Aubrey into this, I’d talk to him about going professional.

Even if I’ve left that world to try to provide a more stable life for my daughter, I still have connections Remy should talk to.

“He’s gotten good, right?” Griff says.

“Yeah. Don’t take this the wrong way, but why’s he wasting time and taking the risk with underground fights instead of going legit?”

It takes a lot to offend Griff and he’s smart enough to know I’m not insulting his operation. “Needs the cash like everyone else.”

“If you promise not to try to poach my employees anymore, you’re both always welcome at my place to train.”

He seems genuinely pleased and squeezes my shoulder. “Thanks, bro.” He glances at Aubrey. “She’s great. A little timid. You gonna stop her from coming back?”

I flex my jaw. “That’s her decision.”

“Thanks. I assume you’ll hustle her out of here as soon as we’re done. Not staying for the after party?”

“Probably not.”

“I’ll make sure she gets paid right away.”

“Appreciate it.”

Done messing with me, he grins and bounces back into the crowd.

A few minutes later, Remy knocks his opponent out cold. The crowd loses its shit and I muscle my way through to pull Aubrey out of danger.

“Oh! Wow! I wasn’t expecting that!” she shouts. She places her hands against my chest, leaning up so I can hear her. “What a fight—”

Maybe it’s the energy in the room. Or how damn beautiful she is, all flushed and smiling, but I wrap my arms around her.

She stops mid-sentence and I can’t resist. Leaning down, I cover her mouth with mine. Not a gentle kiss like the one we shared in my office. This one’s full of need, desire, maybe a twinge of frustration from watching her prance around all night in her tight, tiny dress. Maybe frustration with myself for wasting so much time pretending I don’t have feelings for her.

Her body squirms against mine and she moans. I kiss her harder, claiming her, not holding back this time. Savoring her sweet taste, I decided not to let Aubrey out of my sight for a second. Hope Jake’s around to drive my Jeep home.

Someone clears their throat next to us and I break our kiss. Aubrey slowly slides down, staring up at me, body pressed tight to mine. I’m not even sure she realizes someone’s standing next to us.

I glance over at Griff. He’s not smirking now. Keeping an arm around Aubrey, I nudge her toward him.

“Ah, thanks for tonight, Aubrey,” he says, handing her a few folded bills. “Appreciate you taking the job on such short notice.”

“Sure,” she answers almost slurring the word. Did I do that to her?

Griff flicks his gaze my way. “Well, you’re welcome back anytime, as long as Sully doesn’t mind.”

“Okay, just let me know,” she says, ignoring the question of whether I mind or not entirely.

After Griff leaves, she tips her head back. “I need to grab my stuff. There’s an after party…” Her voice trails off and she glances around the room.

The only after party I want to attend is in my bedroom with Aubrey.

I take her hand and tell her to lead the way.

Outside, we stop at her car. It’s dark and even though tons of people around us are romping through the wooded area, making plenty of noise, our section of the parking lot is empty.

“This wasn’t safe parking all the way out here by yourself,” I say.

She lifts her shoulders. “It wasn’t this deserted when I got here.”

“You should’ve told me when you stopped by. I would’ve driven you.”

“You seemed to have strong opinions about it.” She hurries to add, “But now I understand why.”

We haven’t spoken about our kiss yet. And I don’t need to talk about it to know I want to do it again.

And again.

Placing my fingers under her chin, I gently tilt her head back and seal my mouth over hers. Same as before, she steps into me, sliding her hands up over my shoulders around my neck.

Love the way her little body fits against me. How warm she feels. How sweet she tastes. Cinnamon and honey.

My hands slide down and fit i

nto her waist, then lower cupping her hips. Can’t get enough of her.

Every little sound she makes reminds me we’re in the open where anyone could walk up on us.

“Stop, Aubrey,” I mumble against her lips.

She pulls away, leaning back against her car.

The hurt in her eyes makes me realize my mistake. I never want to make her feel she’s being rejected. Not when I want her more than I’ve wanted anyone in a long time. Maybe ever. But it’s not happening in the back of her car or in the woods like we’re two drunk teenagers.

I run the back of my hand over her soft cheek. “Come home with me.”

“You mean it?”