Jagged Harts, page 24
“Babe, I am so sorry that you went through that.”
He gives me a sad smile and a small shrug.
“I wish I could say it’s okay, but it isn’t. So that is my own selfish reason of why I think you should do something like that. You have a talent, a gift that you can share with others. You can change lives and save them, plus you will get paid to wail on people,” he jokes lightly which causes me to laugh.
“I will think about it,” I say.
He smiles and captures my lips in one more kiss before turning to the heavy bag and letting out a ton of what looks like pent up rage and heart ache.
Christmas morning is here and even though it’s just Dax and I, we make our way out to the living room and exchange Christmas presents by the tabletop dollar store Christmas tree he picked up the other day. I hand him the small box with the present that I agonized over. I don’t have a ton of money saved up since Betty hit the bank account pretty hard, even though I am fairly certain Dax was only charging me half of what everything really cost. I wanted his gift to be something special, something that actually meant something. I also am a little nervous that I may have crossed a line to get this present made. So, I really fucking hope that he likes it.
He opens the box and looks down at the contents. The smile that was on his face slides off as a serious expression takes its place. He pulls the keychain out and holds it up so that he can look at it better. It has a set of angel wings on it and the words around the keychain say, ‘God has you in his arms, I have you in my heart’ and then in the middle is a picture of his mom. I found it at his house a few weeks ago. I swiped it, got it copied and slipped the original back into his side drawer before he even realized it was gone. He glances up to me for a second and then back down to the keychain for another moment before he returns his eyes to me.
The look on his face is not the happy expression I was hoping for. Fuck. I rush to explain.
“I found the picture. I thought that it would be nice for you to have something easy to keep with you at all times so that you can always have her close. So that even on the days where you aren’t able to make it to her grave or you don’t feel like you are remembering her in the right way, you have her with you.” I pause for a second as I fiddle with my fingers as I look down to my lap before glancing back up to him.
“I’m sorry, it’s weird isn’t it? I shouldn’t have gone through your things. I’m sorry.”
I go to take it from him, but he rips it out of my reach and cradles it protectively to his chest.
“No,” he snaps. “No, this is incredible. I love it.” He looks deeply into my eyes as his words soften. “So much, thank you, baby.”
He leans over and hugs me which makes me breathe a sigh of relief. Then he hands me a small velvet box with a red ribbon on it. My heart thumps wildly in my chest in anticipation. I never really got gifts growing up besides the guys from the gym here and there. Most of the time that stuff was just essentials like clothes and food and stuff like that. It was embarrassing for so many people to know that my mom spent all of our money on drugs instead of food and other essentials, but the guys were always good about not saying anything, they would just hand me a box and walk away which I appreciated more than they knew. I miss those fuckers.
I go to open the box, but Dax places his hand over mine before I do.
“Wait,” he says quietly. He looks nervous as he pauses for a moment and swallows before continuing.
“Bree, I have been hooked on you from the first moment that I saw you. I knew you were different immediately. You are so beautiful and amazing and smart and fucking strong. I admire the hell out of you. You make me want to be a better person and I really think that every day I spend with you, I become one. I’ve never felt like this about anyone before, ever. Everything with you is special and scary and fucking perfect. I’ve been trying to find the right time to say this, but I chicken out every time.”
He blows out a heavy breath as looks directly into my eyes causing my heart to thunder in my chest.
“I love you, Bree.”
I am shook to my core. I know that I have been fighting my feelings for him for a while now. Usually, I can bury my feelings and put up an impassive front but with Dax it’s fucking hard. As crazy as it sounds, I trust Dax. I know that he cares about me deeply, I know that he is extremely protective of me and only wants the best for me, but for him to admit that he loves me? It is the final blow to my defenses, and I know that I can’t hold back any longer. All my walls drop at once and it’s like he can almost see it because his face visibly softens while his eyes remain intently trained on me in anticipation.
“I love you, Dax.”
Relief washes over him and he gives me the most brilliant smile that I have ever seen as he pulls me in for a kiss. My stomach flips as our lips brush and I can’t help but groan into the kiss. I start slowly crawling into his lap to straddle him as he pulls away and chuckles, urging me to open the box. I shoot him a dirty look since he is being a serious pussy block right now. He smirks, not at all bothered by my evil look as he nods towards the gift again.
Sighing dramatically, I lift the box top to reveal a white gold bracelet with a rectangle plate on top, engraved in it is ‘Forever’. I freeze for a moment as I take it in before I look up to Dax to see that he looks almost bashful, which can’t be true because I don’t think that Dax Hart has the capability to be bashful. But his head is ducked like he is nervous to see my face with a small smile on his lips. I tilt his chin up so that his eyes meet mine straight on.
“Dax…” my voice cracks as I speak. I swallow hard, trying to clear it. “This is the most amazing thing that I have ever received in my entire life, ever. Thank you, babe.”
With so much emotion being passed between us there is only one thing that I can do in this moment. I set my box to the side and this time I successfully jump into his lap. He accepts me quickly and splays his hands across my ass as I straddle him. I work my way up and down his neck, trailing quick urgent kisses.
“Bree,” he murmurs softly before running a hand through my hair and pulling to move my neck to the side to give him better access.
I tilt my chin to the side for him as I sigh happily and run my hands over his tree branch like arms. Dax being ever the alpha male doesn’t let me stay on top for long before he is lowering me onto the floor before leaning over me. His hard cock rubs against my soaked sleep shorts and I let out a tortured moan at the contact. He gives me a cocky smirk before he peels my shorts off as well as my panties before he dives his head down and feasts on me like I am his favorite meal.
His mouth is punishing and unrelenting as he expertly works me over, his tongue moving in quick motions, applying just the right amount of suction until I am screaming my release all over his face. When my legs stop shaking Dax rips his shirt up from behind him, revealing his perfectly sculpted body. I can’t help but run a hand over his tattooed arms before going down his rippled abs. I don’t even know how he is real the guy looks fucking photoshopped.
Dax frees his cock from his shorts as his large hand grasps it, stroking a couple of times before he pushes his way into me. I let out a gasp as my body adjusts around his thick cock. We had the talk about coverage after the time in the garage. I’m covered on birth control, and he went and got an STD test to prove to me that he was clean, so ever since we haven’t bothered with condoms.
“Fuck. I can never get enough of your pussy, baby. You are fucking perfect,” Dax groans as he thrusts into me deeper. I moan as the tip of his cock rubs against my g-spot.
“Right there!” I gasp.
Dax reaches down and hooks both of my legs over his shoulders before he grips my thighs in his hands and leans back as he fucks me in the air. Holy fuck, I don’t think I have ever felt anything so deep in my life.
“Shit. Fuck. Dax. God yes!” I cry out.
“Yeah, take that dick, baby. You are such a good girl.”
His words of praise are like a match to a stick of dynamite. He pulls me in just a little closer, causing my clit to grind against his pelvis, causing me to shoot off like a rocket. I shout out my orgasm as Dax spills himself inside of me.
We take a few moments to catch our breath before we look at each other and smile. Dax presses his lips against mine before I nip at his lip. His eyes instantly darken with a threatening promise of punishment to come. Merry fucking Christmas to me.
CHAPTER
THIRTY-TWO
AUBREY
The rest of the break was spent with Dax training every day for his big fight coming up. When he would get home for the day, we would have dinner, have sex, a lot of sex, and then hang out. We fell into something really domestic and really easy. We were practically living together, and I wasn’t completely petrified with fear at the idea. Dax makes me feel safe and loved. Two things that I had never felt truly before. My nightmares had even stopped for the first time in, fuck, years.
I went home Sunday night so that I could get myself ready for the new semester. It was oddly sad to say goodbye to Dax and I could tell that he was feeling the same way. He kept insisting that it was fine if I stayed over again, but I insisted on coming back. As much as I didn’t want to I knew it was for the best, at least right now. Dax’s fight is coming up the following Saturday and I know he has to throw himself into every minute of training that he can get for it. I don’t mind. I am so proud and so fucking excited for him.
On Monday I had a new class schedule and didn’t know anyone in my classes, which was honestly fine by me. I finally got to my last class of the day, American history, when I made my way to the back of the class and took a seat. Class was just about to start when a familiar brown head of hair rushed in the door. Cole searched the room for an empty seat until his eyes fell on me, a small smile spreading across his face as he hurried over to claim the empty seat next to me.
“Hey, Aubrey,” Cole says as he plops down next to me, pulling out his things.
“Hey, Cole. How is the family?”
He beams a huge smile as he turns to me.
“Awesome! We had a ton of fun. The girls entered a gingerbread house making contest and actually won! And Dad and I sat around and got fat while Mama stuffed us with so many Christmas treats. I swear I think I gained twenty pounds,” he says as he rubs his ripped stomach.
I roll my eyes and shove his shoulder lightly as he chuckles. That familiar twinkle returning to his blue eyes, I haven’t seen that in what seems like forever. Class goes by pretty quick before Cole and I walk out together. A silence that had never really happened to us before descends on us and I find myself trying to think of what to say.
Finally, I just decide to blurt the first thing that comes to mind.
“Did you hear about Dax’s fight this Saturday?”
Cole slightly winces and I realize that Dax is probably the last thing that he wants to talk about. But he is my boyfriend and a big part of my life and if Cole is going to be my friend again, he will have to get used to Dax being brought up in conversation.
“Yeah, I did. Pretty awesome,” he says quietly.
“Are you going to come? I know a lot of people from campus are coming.”
He shakes his head softly and gives a small smile.
“Nah, I’ve got to work. I am covering so Marcus can go with too.”
“Oh, yeah. Right. Of course.”
The longer we walk the more awkward things get. I am desperately trying to figure out what topics are safe to talk about and which to avoid when Cole looks at me and chuckles.
“Shit, Aubrey. You don’t have to be so awkward. Stop thinking too much and just talk, we have always been able to talk about anything. I am not going to fall apart if you talk about your relationship or what has been going on in your life that doesn’t include me. This will only not be weird if you don’t make it weird. So, knock it off,” he says lightly as he bumps his shoulder against mine. I blow out a breath of relief and nod smiling at him as I tell him about the latest guy I sparred with at the gym.
The first week of the semester flies by. Kayla and I hang out most days since Dax is training and Cole even joins us a couple times. Especially with Kayla being there, things weren’t even a little bit awkward between Cole and I. One night we went out and got pizza at Rocco’s, well, Cole and I got pizza while Kayla got a salad. Who the fuck gets a salad at a pizza place?
A few other times we had some study sessions/movie marathons that were really relaxing and much needed. Everything seemed to be back to somewhat normal. Except for the fact that being Dax Hart’s girlfriend has caused quite a bit of buzz around campus. Random people that I swear I have never even seen before know my name and are inviting me to parties and events left and right. Is this what Dax deals with every day? It’s kinda fucking annoying.
When the day of the big fight is finally here, Dax and I hop into his car and head out. It’s only a little over an hour drive so we were able to grab an early dinner before we left. Well, I ate while Dax watched me since it was obviously too close to the fight for him to eat anything. He won’t admit it, but he is super nervous for tonight. I know that for a fact because his knee has been bouncing for the last 45 miles non-stop while his hands white knuckle the steering wheel. I place my hand on his knee to stop the motion.
“Babe, relax. You got this. You are a badass and if you stay sharp and trust your instincts, you will do great. Stop psyching yourself out.”
He looks at me and releases a long breath before nodding.
“I know, this is just big. I don’t want to fuck up.”
“I understand, but trust that you are a better fighter today than you ever have been before. You pummel that guy into the ground and as soon as you hear the ref call the match, get as far away from him as you can and look for me. I will be the crazy bitch yelling her ass off for you.”
I say it with a wink and place a quick kiss on his cheek. He gives me a cheeky smirk and winks before taking my hand and kissing it tenderly. He doesn’t let go of my hand the rest of the ride and that’s fine by me. I will be whatever kind of support he needs.
We arrive at the gym that is hosting the matches today and park. Dax quickly meets up with some other guys from the gym that are also fighting today as they all head back to the locker room, but not before he hauls me against him one more time and crushes his lips against mine. He pulls away just as quickly and gives me a sexy smile and a wink before he jogs to catch up with the guys. I recognize a couple of people from campus and then my eyes find Blake and Kayla sitting in the front row.
“Kayla! I didn’t know that you were going to be here!” I say as I come up to them to hug her. She gets up excitedly to hug me back.
“I didn’t know either. Blake showed up at my dorm this afternoon and asked if I wanted to tag along.”
Her cheeks are beet red, and I can’t help but give her a teasing smirk as she swats my arm. I chuckle at her before saying hi to Blake. Kayla thankfully saved a seat for me, so I have a perfect view of the octagon.
We watch a couple fights, some more exciting than others. So far every guy from our gym has won their match. I know that Cameron is an incredible coach, but I am blown away at the dominance all of the guys present just by stepping through the door. They are fucking machines.
After a bloodied guy is helped out of the octagon and he hobbles away, I hear Dax’s intro music play and my adrenaline spikes in anticipation. Dax stalks from the locker room as he makes his way to the cage. His head is up, shoulders back and eyes looking straight ahead. He wears a stony-faced expression that gives absolutely nothing away. He looks serious, lethal and ready to get shit done.
That’s my man.
His opponent comes out shortly after. He is just as huge as Dax with cannons for arms. The guy has a buzz cut and looks to be older, maybe in his early 30’s. He is built like a fucking tank and for the first time at one of Dax’s fights, I am a little nervous. Out of all of Dax’s fights that I have been to, one thing is always the same, he never loses. Until now though, Dax has never been up against an opponent who looks so formidable.
I glance over at Dax to see what he thinks about this guy, but his face remains impassive. He doesn’t even size him up like the guy is clearly doing to Dax, obviously trying to intimidate him. Dax doesn’t even blink he just stares deep into the man’s eyes, ready to go to war. The ref goes over the rules quickly before he signals for the fight to begin.
In seconds, the man is coming in hot, swinging wildly with what looks to be a ton of force behind each punch, but they all hit air. Say what you want about Dax Hart, but the man is lightning quick. With every jab, hook or kick that his opponent sends him Dax anticipates it, dodging and side stepping them all. The first-round ends before I know it and Dax has yet to throw one hit. That isn’t usually his game, so I am a little confused why he didn’t take any of the several of the openings that he had.
Blake gives me an easy smile as he settles his arm around Kayla’s shoulders.
“Just wait.”
I narrow my eyes questioningly before I turn back to face the cage. The second round starts up and it is immediately apparent that Dax’s opponent has slowed down quite a bit. Even though his movements are a little more sluggish, the intensity in his eyes has not let up. He throws a wild right hook that lacks any true follow through and Dax dodges it easily before he finally makes a move. He takes advantage of the opening that the man just left and is quick to deliver a punishing jab to his ribs combined with a follow up left hook to the jaw that hits so hard the man literally turns 180 degrees before dropping to the ground.
The whole gym erupts into a frenzied roar, but Dax doesn’t stop. He straddles the guy and pounds his face into the floor, just like we talked about. After only a few hits the ref declares the fight a knockout and Dax jumps away from him quickly before he practically runs to the other side of the cage, breathing rapidly as he looks down at his unconscious opponent. Dax’s eyes frantically search the crowd until they land on me, a wide smile breaking out across his face exposing his mouth guard. I jump up and down screaming and cheering like a mad woman just like I promised, and I can see the pride shining in his eyes even from all the way over here.
