Page 50 of Crash
“Lincoln.” I gasped, and he stepped forward, his arms outstretched.
I sank into him, our bodies pressing together, and for the first time in forever, it didn’t send me into a panic. Somewhere along the line, I’d just decided to let it go, to let the fear and the doubt dissolve into nothingness. My past didn’t control me anymore. I wouldn’t let it. It was time to wake the fuck up, and take everything back.
Lincoln’s lips met mine, and I allowed my heart to take over. Placing my palms against his hard chest, I felt the warmth of his skin against my own. The tip of his tongue traced my lips, and I parted, allowing him access. I tasted him tentatively, and then, as I became bolder, deepened the kiss on my own. This was good…
Finally, I drew back, and his eyes snapped open. Instead of pushing him away like I had yesterday, I lingered, my lips pressed lightly against his. Our gazes crossed, and I felt his smile as his arms squeezed softly. I moved away, but only so I could see his cute little dimple.
“What happened just then?” he asked, his fingers brushing against my lips.
“I…” I swallowed hard. “I wanted more.”
“You’re more fearless than you give yourself credit for,” he murmured.
“I’m trying,” I whispered, gazing into his green eyes.
“You wanna try tomorrow night? Dinner?” he asked, his expression hopeful. “I’ve got an appointment with the physio tonight. Otherwise…”
I nodded. Hell yes. “Can we do that one more time?”
“What? Kiss?”
I nodded, my gaze dropping to his lips. His perfect lips that made me feel alive.
Lincoln smiled and drew me back in. “Of course. We can do that as much as you want.”
Twenty-One
Lincoln
Sitting at the physiotherapist’s, all I could think about was my date with Violet the following night.
I went through the usual updates from the doctor, and they poked and prodded me, declaring my recovery almost over. I’d be allowed back to Sydney and full-time training in the next two weeks, ifthat’swhat I wanted. I wouldn’t be allowed back into the octagon until the final scans came back clear, and that could be another two to three months. But I could go back and train…if I wanted to.
I’d forgotten about how much my shoulder pissed me off, I’d forgotten about the AUFC and the points I was losing by being out, and I hardly missed my stupid brother, Dean. It was the longest we’d ever been apart, and it didn’t bother me in the slightest.
It was all because of Violet. She filled up all the blank spaces and then some. I wondered more and more aboutwhoshe was underneath shy exterior. Considering the things I knew, like the fact she liked superhero movies and liked to read, I really wanted to know more. She wasn’t like the women I was used to hanging out with. She thought about things. Most of the women who hung around the AUFC fighters weren’t much for intellectual pursuits. Fighters were more about the physical, but a sharp mind went a long way to winning a match.A hell of a long way.
I got into Pulse bright and early the next morning, eager for two things. To get my exercises into gear for my shoulder and to be there when Violet showed up.
I flipped on the lights as I came in, illuminating the dark gym. It was still quite dark outside, the dawn still giving way to the morning. Six a.m. wasn’t that hard of a stretch for a guy like me. I was always bursting with energy and found it hard to wear out these days—being that I couldn’t train to my full capacity.
There was a crash upstairs as a door opened, and a moment later, Ash barreled down the stairs and into the gym.
He’d obviously been arguing with Ren about something, but it didn’t sink into my thick skull until I saw him coming straight for me. Fuck, and here I was thinking that it was already over with after our little talk the other day. Seemed to be from the way Violet had been talking.Wishful thinking on my behalf, huh?
“Hayes,” Ash barked and I stilled, waiting for the inevitable. Shit, that guy had to take a motherfucking chill pill.
Ren thundered down the stairs behind him, and I realized they mustbestaying upstairs in the apartment now. She had been living above her dad’s boxing studio for what felt like years now, so it was only a matter of time before they moved it over here. Just didn’t expect it to be until they’d finished renovating the place, but then again, all they needed was a mattress.
Right now, it didn’t bode well for me. Round two was approaching for another slanging match.
“Ash!” Ren exclaimed.
“Leave off, Ren,” he snapped, not slowing his pace.
“I can’t believe you’re still on that,” Ren exclaimed. “Leave the guy alone.”
Ash came to a halt in front of me and glared before saying to Ren, “I’m making sure she’s looked out for.”
