She’d left her son with a man who had no idea how to raise a child. In fact, he hadn’t known how to do anything other than drink and fight. So instead of raising a son, he trained a fighter.
Reid couldn’t resent the training his father had given him. He’d been tough, sometimes to the point of extremes, but in the end it had been all worth it. He became one of the best light-heavyweight mixed martial arts fighters in the world and got fame and fortune out of the deal. He lived a damn good life back in Vegas, doing one of the things he loved.
But the part of him that wasn’t a fighter—the part that wanted to sculpt, that wanted to be a son—that was the part that resented his father and everything he stood for. Only it hadn’t done any good for that part of him to rebel. He’d learned as a kid that begging for anything more than a fighter/trainer relationship with his father was hopeless. And as a teenager he’d learned that pursuing any hobbies that took time away from his training schedule was pointless.
So, no, Reid didn’t even have a chance at being relationship material, much less family material. He only looked into the future as far as his next fight. Until someone’s hand was raised in the cage, he ate, slept, and breathed everything he needed to prepare for going up against his opponent. And afterward, he started all over again for the next fight. Always a fighter. Never a spectator.
When Lucie jerked with a gasp at seeing a particularly bloody punch, he set the popcorn bowl aside and adjusted until he sat sideways on the couch and she curled up on her side between his legs with her head on his chest. He tried damn hard not to notice how much he liked the way she snuggled into him, rubbing her cheek on his T-shirt to get just the right spot she wanted.
Smiling, he played with her hair, picking up sections and running his fingers through the length, loving the silky feeling and the flowery scent that he now associated with only her.
He wasn’t sure how much time had passed, but before the movie ended Lucie’s breathing had become deep and even with sleep. Grabbing the throw blanket from the back of the couch he tucked it around her and settled into the corner more to get comfortable.
“Sweet dreams, Lu.” He kissed the top of her hair and didn’t even remember closing his eyes.
Chapter Thirteen
Reid sank into the overstuffed couch cushions, turning sideways to stretch out his legs and lean back against the pillows he’d shoved against the side. He’d just finished showering after a long fucking day and all he wanted to do was lie there and drink the one ice-cold beer he was allowing himself for the night.
Another week had gone by since his relaxing movie night with Lucie, but instead of the fun and games they’d had time for the previous week, the last seven days had been more stressful than anything. When they weren’t working on his shoulder and training, he’d been at publicity junkets, and Lucie was getting called into work to help out with special-needs cases.
The only bright spots were the quickies they somehow found time for. But where they lacked in duration, the sessions more than made up for in passion. Any time he and Lucie got hot and heavy it was like a chemical reaction ending with an inevitable explosion that rocked them to their cores.
During one such occasion they realized they were out of condoms, prompting a frank—albeit hurried—discussion about protection. Since they both had clean bills of health and Lucie had gotten a form of birth control implanted in her arm at her ex’s request that lasted several years, they decided to forgo the latex for the duration of their time together.
The memory of sinking into her that first time with nothing between them made his balls ache. Her slick heat had set him ablaze, igniting every cell in his body as her channel milked his bare cock until he’d spilled himself deep inside her. It had taken them longer than usual to come down from that lovemaking, but when they did, his elation had shone in her eyes too.
Unfortunately, their daytime interludes were the only ones they’d had all week. By the time either of them got home at night they had just enough energy to shower and fall into bed.
Reid had a suspicion that Mann had asked her to come in just so he could see Lucie. Maybe he wanted to see if her transformation extended beyond the one night at the restaurant. Maybe he just wanted an excuse to see her and flash his girly dimples at her, who the fuck knew.