Page 66 of Body Lock

Like we were made for each other.

There was nothing that was going to keep her from me.

Not even him.

Pressing my hands to my temples, I squeezed my head. This was insane, no woman had ever had such a hold on me before.

When I was around Cadence my stomach churned, my brain would spark. I could feel every muscle tingle when she got close. Her fucking scent gave me a hard-on, her lips caused my cock to throb even before she was wrapped around it.

Aside from all that, the thought of anything or anyone bringing harm to her; that made my blood boil.

Grinding my teeth, I stood with one pounce, laying into the heavy bag, wild grunts forced out between breaths. The exposed knuckles now painless and numb as they drove harder.

A subtle clank echoed in the dark hallway, the double doors opening slowly. A low angelic tone whispered through the crack. “Quinn? Are you in here?” Cadence's face leaned in first, followed by the rest of her.

Twisting my head, the soft patter of feet hit my ears. “What do you want?” I said, cracking another swing into the bag.

Stepping towards the railing, she said, “I came to see if you're alright. You left without so fast, and wouldn't even look at me.” Her fingers wrapped the metal bar, leg tilted out twisting on her toe.

“I needed some air.” Drawing back, I kneed the hanging weight, grabbing it with both hands to stop it from swinging back at me.

She drew her fingertips over the cool iron, carefully climbing down the steps. “Yeah, I guess so. What happened?” she asked.

Shrugging my shoulders, I looked away from her, facing forward.“You didn't ask him?”

“He said you agreed to fight, I'm assuming you have a good reason, unless everything else you said was a lie.”

Baring my teeth, I shook my head. “You think Ilied to you?”Jerking my arm, I punched harder, leaning in with the jab.

“I don't know, did you? He showed me the paper you signed, I thought you wouldn't fight again?” Crossing her arms over her chest, she squeezed her ribs. Her breasts ruffled up, peeking out of her shirt.

I didn't want to tell her what her father had planned to do, how he was going to use her to clear his debt. How he thought he could sell his own flesh and blood for money. She had already dealt with so much from him, how could she deal with that?

No one could handle knowing they were just an object of possession, a human bartering tool. That would crush her, her entire world would come crashing down.

And I didn't want her to think she was worthless.

Because she was worth everything... Even if I had to go back on my promise again.

“I have my reasons, Cadence. I didn't lie to you before, I just don't have another option.” My fists fell to my hips, hanging heavy against my thighs.

I was tired, physically and emotionally drained.

Closing the gap, she moved closer. “There's always another option. What did he say to you?”

“It doesn't matter.”

“What did he say?Did he threaten you?” Her eyes held firm, staring into mine, trying to read my face.

“It doesn't matter, all that matters is I'm not letting it happen. I'm going to do his fight and that will be it. It'll all be over for both of us.” Shifting my body, I turned to face her.

Her eyes ran over my tensed muscles, gazing at the ink shining under the sweat over my skin. “Is that right? You think it will end things?” Flicking her eyes up to the ceiling, she said, “You don't know my dad, Quinn. Nothing is ever really over.”

A halfhearted laugh slipped off my tongue. “Oh it will be, I'm going to make sure of it. After this fight...” My eyes fell towards the floor. “Everythingwill be different.”

I stared at the tiles, beige squares speckled with blue dots. Each one tucked so close to the next, their separation was barely detectable. Her silhouette was a hazy fog shadowed beside me.

I could hear her breathing, the soft sip of her throat as she swallowed, her fingers twining around her hair nervously. Standing in silence, her movements were louder than the wind whipping across the rooftop outside.

---