Page 12 of Phoenix's Redemption

I cried out as I climaxed again. Liam came after. His cock pulse as he released.

Liam's lips grazed mine as we caught our breath, his tongue tracing the seam of my lips in a tease. His hands roamed over my body, trailing fire along my skin and drawing out whimpers from deep within me.

His strong arms wrapped around me, pulling me close, as if he couldn't get close enough. Our hearts beat in sync, as if they too were falling in love. I closed my eyes and let myself be lostin the moment, feeling the weight of his body pressing against mine, his warm breath caressing my face.

For now, we surrendered to this sexual heat that had been building between us, and we let it consume us completely.

As our breathing slowed, we clung to each other, reluctant to separate. But reality had a cruel way of seeping in. I looked at Liam’s face. We both knew the risks of what this could bring.

"Nobody can know about us," I said.

Liam rested his forehead against mine. “You’re right.” His voice was rough with emotion. “It would complicate things.”

I nodded, swallowing hard against the lump in my throat. Complications were something we couldn't afford.

"Promise me, Soph." His fingers traced the line of my jaw before he got up to retrieve his clothes. "This stays between us."

"Promise," I whispered back.

I wrapped a throw blanket around myself before I saw him to the door. I watched him walk down the street before I closed it shut. In that moment, we were just Liam and Sophie. But morning would come, and with it the roles we played to the outside world.

LIAM

THE NEXT DAY, THE GYMwas quiet. I guess most guys in the league decided to make it a late morning, but not me. After spending part of the night with Sophie, I had too much on my mind to sleep in.

Alone, as the early morning light pierced through the windows, I stood by the ring. Drops of sweat fell from my forehead onto the mat below. Thoughts of last night with Sophie kept replaying in my mind: the way she moved, how her body felt under me, and the softness of her lips against mine. I knew these would be memories I’d hold onto forever.

I wanted to hold onto her the same way. For the rest of my life.

Real life bobbed its way back in, creeping close to take a jab at my cute little fantasy. Sophie didn’t say much about her life, but I wasn’t an idiot. She had a determined, intense way about her. Beneath her beauty and strength, she had her own agenda here. I wasn’t sure if she ever would open up and share it with me.

Whatever it was, it held onto her tight. There was no space for me to come in and tell her how I felt. Still, I had to find a way. I met Sophie only a short while ago, but I knew she was the woman for me.

Was she safe with me, though? As I wrapped my hands with tape for some rounds with the bag, a new ache gnawed at me from the inside. After my mom died, I didn’t get close to anyone. Then there was my criminal history with Jack. What if my past came back to bite me and hurt those I cared about?

I remembered Jack's voicemails days after he got locked up. He kept calling, demanding I bail him out or find him a lawyer. He called three times. Each time he got more desperate, until the last call when he realized I was done living the kind of life he led. “Damn you, Liam." The venom in Jack’s voice was clear even through the phone. “You think you can just walk away and ignore me while I’m in jail? You think you’re gonna start fresh? I'll find you when I get out. No matter where you go."

I wasn’t a scared little kid anymore. I left home and came back an Army vet and an MMA fighter. I was ready to face him. Yet the thought of Jack getting near Sophie just to mess with me made my stomach roil. Cold sweat clammed up my hands.

As much as I would’ve liked for Sophie to stay in my corner, I knew I had to walk a fine line between what I wanted and what I should do to keep her safe.

My eyes drifted to the punching bag hanging from the rafters, its faded, worn leather skin proof of the countless punches it had absorbed over time. I stepped forward, feeling the familiar weight of gloves on my hands. With each punch, I let out a grunt that echoed around the empty gym.

"Liam," came a soft voice from behind me. I turned to find Sophie standing in the doorway, her eyes filled with concern. "Are you okay?"

Her question jolted me out of my trance, reminding me that I had someone else's well-being to consider now. "Yeah, I'm fine," I said, trying to sound casual. The lie hung heavy in the air between us. I took off my gloves to get my water bottle from my bag. “What? You act like you don’t believe me.”

"Listen, Liam," Sophie caught my arm as I passed. “The Heartland Fight Fest is the biggest national MMA tournament this year. I'll be here to make sure you succeed."

I drank deeply before I set the bottle down. "I know, Soph. The ring is all that matters right now." There I was, lying to her again. Fighting meant a lot to me, but she meant more.

"Exactly." She exhaled a breath.

"So we’re good." I rambled the words even though I wanted to take her on the bench that very moment. Damn. More people were starting to come into the gym.

Possible spectators weren’t the only thing keeping me from wanting to make love to Sophie. Jack was out in the world again. If I wanted any chance at a future with Sophie, I'd have to start talking. That meant revealing secrets I'd buried deep. First, I needed to gather my thoughts and prepare for what was ahead.

Chapter Six

---