“Hey,” She tucks a lock of hair behind her ear and bites down on her lower lip nervously. “I know you're busy but, can I have a minute?”
Taking a deep breath, my gaze explores the goddess standing in front of me. She's dressed in this amazing black off the shoulder dress, with a split up one side revealing the teasing curve of her left thigh and a pair of sparkly, strappy heels. The sight of those piercing green eyes and soft pink lips that I've kissed a hundred times takes my breath away.
Somehow, she looks different, more confident, but then I guess surviving being abducted by your boyfriend’s best friend will have that effect.
Thankfully, Jamison is in police custody until his trial next year after being denied bail so she's safe. We're all safe.
“Sure,” I'm stuck to the spot, unable to move as the sight of her in the doorway renders my body useless. “Guys, can you give us a minute?”
The room fills with the muttering of my team-mates reminding me about what's at stake tonight but right now, the belt doesn't matter. All that matters is her.
“Get out. Now!” I roar, as she takes a stride into the room towards me. The guys take the hint and spill out into the corridor, mumbling quietly and closing the door behind them.
Any resolve that I had to stay away from her disappears and without saying a word, I stride towards her as fast as my legs with take me, wrap my hand around the back of her neck as my other arm snakes around to the small of her back, pulling her into me. I gently part her lips with my tongue as she wraps her arms around my neck, deepening our kiss.
Did I honestly think that I could just carry on without her? Just pretend she never existed.
“I'm so sorry.” She leans her head back, gazing longingly into my eyes, tears forming and her chin trembling. “My mum...”
“It's okay,” My tone grows thick as I place my fingers under her chin and bring her lips back to mine, “We're together now and that's what matters.”
I wrap my arms around her, pulling her close while she buries her face in my chest.
“And I'm not going anywhere.” She pulls away from the fabric muffling her voice, leaving tear stains on my t-shirt, then raising up on to her tip toes, she kisses me again.
“Too fucking right. I've missed you so much baby.” I moan, pressing my forehead against hers and stoking some loose strands away from her damp cheek. “This past week has been torture. There hasn't been one second where I haven't thought about you. The day you shuffled into my office looking like you were going to pass out at any moment is the day you stole my heart.”
It's only been a week since I last held her in my arms, but it's been the worst week of my life. I've missed the smell of coconut shampoo, the taste of cherry lip balm, the soft touch of her fingertips stroking my stomach as she falls asleep and I've missed her bright smile, beaming at me as she gets out of bed in a morning and pulls her robe around her. Most of all, I've missed her.
“Come home.”
“I'll move my things back in tomorrow.”
“Okay, but you're coming home with me tonight.” I take her face in my hands and draw her into me, slowly kissing her.
“Sorry Ethan, we really need to get you warmed up before the fight.” The door creaks open and Jesse's head peers through the opening as I feel Mia pull her body away from mine. My body aches to have her close but I need to focus on the fight. I can't go out there and let her see me get slaughtered.
“It’s okay, I better go find Lexi anyway.” She bites her bottom lip, driving me crazy. “Bring that belt home.”
Home. She's coming back home.
“I will.” I'm overwhelmed with the need to kiss her, but I know once I do, I won't be able to stop. Instead, I reach for her hand, raise it to my lips and kiss her. “I’ll see you after the fight.”
The guys enter the room as I watch her walk away, then she turns to face me, looking right into my eyes before vanishing from sight. “I love you.”
Did she really just say she loves me? I push past the guys, desperate to tell her how I feel but when I get to the door, she's nowhere to be seen.
The next forty-five minutes fly by. We run drills, do a little shadow boxing and some light pad work and finish with some more stretching. My corner is a man down tonight but after everything he has put my family through, I hope they lock him up and throw away the key.
A short, stocky woman with a clip board appears in the doorway briefly. "Mr Brooks, please make your way to the tunnel. You're up next."
I've got this.
Psyching myself up, I let Jesse finishing wrapping my hands and put my gloves on, making sure they’re secure before jogging down to the tunnel with my team.
In the stillness of the quiet, if we listen, we can hear the whisper of the heart giving strength to weakness, courage to fear, hope to despair. It's a quote that I always think about as I ready myself for battle and as the vision of Mia fills my mind, I realise that it couldn't be more fitting. After everything we have been through, love gave us the strength, courage and hope that we needed to find each other.
The arena is in darkness, the crowd in silence as we wait. As I make my way through the tunnel and
