Love Tap(87)

“It’s beautiful.”

“Yeah?” I exhale with relief. I wasn’t sure if she’d like it when we were kids, let alone now.

“Help me put it on?” Her innocent eyes find mine and I realize right then I never want to be without her. The thought of her ever looking at another man like she is me right now causing a panic attack to rise in my chest.

I help her put it on, and kiss her neck.

“Marry me?”

She stills, her hand dropping from holding her hair up. Blonde tresses framing her face.

“Are you sure?”

I laugh. “Are you trying to talk me out of it?”

“No, I just—”

“Marry me,” I demand, not asking this time.

Turning she cups my face, kissing me hard. She sits up on her knees nearly knocking me back she’s so excited.

“Yes. Yes. Yes,” she mumbles against my lips between each kiss.

My pulse beats wildly in my neck as I think about Tate being my wife. The maddening woman being mine forever.

Spinning us I drop her to the mattress on her back, planning on making love to her.

My fiancée.

My boxing buddy.

My best friend.





Chapter Thirty-Three


One Week Later

Camden



Hitting the bag, I displays I don’t have cage rust, and can still fight. My new coach watches pensively, his eyes narrowed with focus. His name is Les and he’s fifty-three years old, and a retired MMA fighter. He’s strict, but has a lot of respect for the sport.

“You definitely have a strong hit, Camden. Let’s see what you have when it comes to grappling.” Les points at a man standing outside the ring. “Camden, this is Franklin, he’s going to be your own living breathing punching bag.”

Franklin is the same height as me, looks to be the same age. Only difference is he has a bleach blond pretty boy haircut, and an eagle tattooed on his chest. He’ll be a good sparring buddy, but he’s not Pinky. I should refer Pinky here, he’d have a much better outcome and he could be my personal sparring partner.

Until then, this guy will have to do.

Franklin tries to grab me and I turn on my feet putting him into a chokehold. He’s not very quick, and doesn’t seem very experienced.

He tries to kick at my feet and I drop him to the ground. Instantly going into an arm bar. My movements are fluid in their execution.

“Nice!” Coach Les praises. Letting go of Franklin, he coughs on his hands and knees. “You’re a little rough around the edges, but I think you are ready for the ring my friend.” Les rubs at the dark stubble on his chin looking me over.

Excitement and nerves spike a storm in my chest. I don’t know whether to be happy or f*cking scared. I haven’t been in a professional ring in years.

The crowd could hate me after the way I left things. My exit in Vegas still haunts me to this day. I’m not sure anyone will forget it.

Tate steps into the ring, her body glistening with sweat from her own workout. She’s still sore and isn’t ready to train at the level she was, but Les wants her stretching and doing light workouts so she doesn’t lose too much muscle.

Switching to this gym was the best thing for us both. It’s more up-to-date and as far as I can tell the coaches aren’t money hungry bastards.

They care about our wellbeing, and when it comes to Tate that is my top priority.

“You did great!” Tate wraps her arms around my neck, but I shake my head not so sure.

“I don’t know, this is too fast. I’m not ready for this.” It’s not that I don’t think I can’t win; I need to ensure my beast is fully caged.

Tate tightens her hold on me, her smile fading.

“You are. Stop doubting yourself,” she quips.

I narrow my brows at her tone.

“What if I snap, what if I get too pissed and…”

“Then I’ll be there to push you past it.” She cups my face, kissing me softly. Her plush lips fitting mine perfectly, my doubt folds.

Tate is my beast’s keeper, without her I’d still be hitting a bag in a gym with no promising future wondering what if.

I can’t do this without her.

I smile, and cup the back of her neck.

“Enough of that shit in my gym Tate and Camden! Get back to work!”

Tate and I laugh, and part ways. For some reason, coaches can’t stand public display of affection.

“Don’t forget tonight we meet the wedding planner!” Tate reminds me.

“The one Chloe picked out?” I question. Chloe picked out the most expensive one in Chicago, and I have to say I’m dreading this.

“Yeah, she’s taking this bridesmaid thing to a whole other level.” Tate rolls her eyes. A hit upside my head takes my focus from Tate to where the hit came from. Finding Coach Les pinning me with cold eyes.

“I said enough of that shit. You plan your wedding on your time. I stopped believing in them three divorces ago.” He laughs hard, and I can’t help but laugh with him.

“Now come on, we have to outfight that bad rep you made for yourself. Although I have to say, I love watching the footage of you flipping everyone off.” He glances at me with an impressed look.

I rub at my neck anxiously, hating he not only saw the footage, but is bringing it up.