A Natural Act (Contradictions) (28 page)

He’s shirtless and wearing his shorts and I decide I was most definitely correct in my description.

“Maybe,” he grins, ghosting his lips over mine. “What does he look like again?”

“
Delicious,” I breathe in. “He’s about six foot tall. Clear blue eyes, bald.”

“
He’s not bald, he shaves it,” he interrupts me.

I ignore him.
“He’s strong, kind, reliable, honest.”

“
He sounds awesome,” he tells me with a smirk.

“
He is,” I agree.

“
His girlfriend is more awesome,” he tilts my chin gently so that my eyes are directed away from his abs and to his face.

“
She’s beautiful, inside and out. She carries herself with such grace and elegance. It turns me on just watching her have a conversation.”

“
Are you hitting on me, Doctor Carter?” I ask coyly. “Because, I should warn you, my boyfriend will not be pleased.”

“
Meh,” he shrugs. “I can take him.”

So that's a cage bunny. Wow; words escape me. How can it be legal to wear that few clothes in public? Even on a beach it would be borderline indecent.

“
They're looking at you like they want to eat you,” I tell Craig with a wrinkled nose.

“
That's how you look at me,” he goads me.

I swat his arm playfully.
“More like I want to lick you.”

“
Whenever, wherever,” he challenges me, knowing full well I won't do it in front of all these people.

“
Tonight,” I answer with supreme conviction.

“
Craig!” One of the women calls out.

He looks in her direction and she does a sort if shimmy which risks revealing herself to the world with every jiggle because her bikini barely covers her nipples.

Craig winks at her and I elbow him because I sort of have to.

“
Acting the part, lady. You have any idea how much money a fight like this brings in for the twins. Don't care about the women but I care about my brothers and their business.

Besides, they'd probably cut off my ears or some shit if I acted grumpy whilst representing them.
” He taps the gym logo on his hoody.

“
I know,” I grin. “They can look but they can't touch.”

“
Damn straight,” he bends down to kiss my forehead.

I actually don't
mind the attention from the other women so much. He's a beautiful specimen of man, let them look. He's got my tattoo inked on his skin forever. I don't see any random female names anywhere on his body. Just his love for me.

His MMA-persona is just another of his layers and hopefully he'll be shedding it tonight once he's claimed his title.

They Call Craig's name and he pulls me into him for a kiss. It's a full on, lips-locked, no holds kiss. It's both a promise that he'll be okay and a reminder that his heart is mine.

He turns and walks towards the cage to the tune of hundreds of screaming fans. He barely seems aware of the noise or the pressure as he calmly strolls into the cage, sparing the odd audience member a wave or a wink.

“He doesn't really like the attention,” Jamie reassures me, shuffling forward to stand by my side. Her brothers have cleared a path for us all so we get front row seats and we're protected from the crowd on all sides.

“
I know,” I smile because it's sweet that she doesn't want me worrying.

“
He plays up to it a bit because it's expected of him. I think he enjoyed it when he was younger but I actually think he resents most of these girls,” she tells me.

“
You know him very well,” I grin, watching the men in the ring shake hands. “I think he still finds it hard to accept that I like him for who he is and not what he's done for me.”

“
Give him time,” she squeezes my hand.

She's whisked away by Jason who must decide that she needs a better view because he lifts her up onto his shoulders, kissing each of her hands affectionately.

“Want a seat?” Karl wiggles his eyebrows at Elise.

“
Get your mind out of the gutter, numb nut,” Elise glares at him. “You can lift Grace up though.”

Karl grins and lifts his daughter up with both hands. She's only just started to stand up so he holds her legs firmly in one hand and supports her back with the other.

It's a new level of adorable.

“
Jealous?” Matt comes up behind me. “Can wrap your legs around my face if you like.” He wears that angry mask again and I don't like it at all. I know he's only doing it because it will upset Craig so I just ignore him and focus on my man in that cage looking rather handsome in his semi-naked ensemble.

The volume in the hall increases to almost painful levels as the match kicks off. I can tell by the look on Craig's face
that he isn't hearing any of it. He's fully focussed on his opponent. If I'm not mistaken his actually smiling. He's almost grinning. By the look on his face, he knows he's already won the match.

“
Gave himself away,” I hear Ian shout to Karl over the rabble of the crowd.

Karl nods.
“Be over in seconds if Craig didn't have to drag it out.”

“
What?” I shout but they don't hear me and I'm frustrated that I can't get my answers.

Watching Craig move around his prey is almost like watching him dance. It's as though every move has been planned ten steps in advance and he's anticipated every possible move his opponent can make.

He's a fish in water, a lion on the prowl, an eagle in the sky. He's in his element. He doesn't need the crowd around him, he just needs the fight because it's what he loves.

“
Jason!” Jamie tugs lightly on her boyfriend's her. “I don't understand.”

“
Sorry, baby,” Jason chuckles, drawing his attention away from the match so he can answer his girlfriend. “Hemler is holding his right arm strangely. I think he's injured and trying to hide it. No way Carter missed it.”

“
So why doesn't he just end it?” Jamie frowns. “They poor guy might get more hurt.”

“
Carter knows what he's doing, little squirrel,” Jason reassures her. “Not sure why he's keeping it going so long though.”

“
For the crowd,” Matt explains. “People have come for miles to see this shit. Craig ends it in one blow they'll be fucked off.”

He doesn't care what those people think because it's his last fight but I suspect he wants to give them a good show because he's representing his brothers' gym and club.

It's a full ten minutes before he finally cuts the guy some slack. I don't think he's been on the receiving end of a single punch or kick by the time he pins his opponent to the floor.

The crowd becomes wild, almost feral as Craig helps Hemler up from the floor. The chap seems to accept his defeat with grace. Surely he can't have thought he would win with an injury?

When Craig's arm is raised in victory his eyes are focussed solely on us. The pride on his brothers' faces seems to be all the reward he needs.

The cheque with lots of zeroes on th
e end must be a rather nice addition though.

The ref gives the mic to Craig but I can see he doesn't really want to say anything. My loquacious doctor.

“Thanks,” Craig nods, repeating himself until the crowd quietens. “I've trained hard to keep my title this year. Much appreciate all the support and for everyone who turned up today.”

He stops for a second to let the crowd cheer.

“As always, thanks to my family for their support and for kicking the shit outta me 'til I got this good,” he grins and winks over at his brothers. “Thanks to my angel, mia Bella, for putting up with my training routine, making my shakes and steaks, and for being downright perfect.”

I blush as all his brothers turn to me. There goes my anonymity.

I can feel the eyes of a hundred feral, bikini-clad bunnies burning holes in my head and plotting my death.

“
Wanted to go out on a win and this will be my last official fight. I'll be at the club if anyone wants a match but I am retiring from competition. If anybody wants to take my place, got some of the best coaches in the country right here,” he points to the twins. “Night ladies and gents.”

People are screaming and shouting as he exits the cage and moves down the aisle towards the changing rooms. Women are grabbing at him, men are trying to talk to him. He looks like he's drowning in people and all he wants to do is take a shower.

His brothers were obviously not expecting the announcement, except for maybe Ian, and they look disgruntled to say the least. Regardless, they move to form a human shield around us. Karl hands Grace over to Elise and makes sure Matt stays with her before joining the rest of his brothers in escorting Craig off.

“
We can go through the staff room,” Jamie grins, taking my hand. “I used to work here part time when I was in sixth form. This place is like a maze but I just about have it figured out.”

“
Stay behind me,” Jason scowls, apparently displeased with his girlfriend trying to battle her way through the crowd on her own.

“
Crazy person,” she mocks him.

“
Crazy about you,” he tells her with a glaringly handsome smile.

Jamie laughs and shakes
her head, looking truly happy. I hear her tell Jason she loves him as we round the corner and I feel a twinge of envy. Why can’t that be me?

I have never met a man like Craig. I know with every fibre of my being that I am completely, unequivocally, besotted and head over heels in love with him.

Why doesn’t he want me to say it?

I push those thoughts aside because tonight is Craig’s night and I don’t want to ruin it.

Unfortunately, it might be too late for that because when I enter the changing rooms, there’s a screaming match.

Craig is stood with his hands hanging loosely by his side whilst
Karl and the twins yell at him.

“
Could have given us a fucking heads-up, dickwad!” One of the twins shoves him.

He sways slightly but doesn’t
react otherwise. I imagine he saw this coming. I’m not sure why he didn’t tell his brothers first.

“
What the fuck were you thinking?” Karl shoves him this time. “You got at least five years left at the top.”

“
Enough,” Ian interrupts, stepping between Craig and the others. “Craig’s career. Not yours. He can do whatever he wants. Owes us an explanation as to why he didn’t tell us first.”

Craig rubs his knuckles over his face and sighs.

“Out with it,” Karl barks, crossing his arms over his chest.

“
Fuck sake,” Craig mutters, cracking his knuckles. “Because I knew you’d give me shit for it and I needed my head clear for the fight.”

“
Why would we give you shit?” Danny growls, his shoulders bunched.

“
Because you don’t want me to stop. Brings in too much business,” Craig snaps back.

At this, Rick steps forwards and punches Craig in the stomach.

I feel sick watching Craig get hurt like that but he unfolds looking as though he simply bent over to fasten his shoe lace.

“
We don’t give a fuck about the business if you don’t want to do it, Craig,” Danny yells at him.

“
Jesus Christ. How long have you wanted to stop for?” Rick reprimands him.

Craig shrugs.
“Thought you wanted me to do it.”

“
For someone so fucking smart, you’re a fucking idiot,” Danny shakes his head. “I hope they don’t ever give you real patients.”

“
I’ve got no patience with him,” Rick interjects, obviously proud of his appalling joke.

“
Sorry,” Craig mumbles. “Just wanted to make you all proud.” He looks so young as he kicks the floor aimlessly with his foot. It’s the first time I realise what an impact the death of his parents has had on his relationship with his brothers. He really does see them as paternal figures in some respects.

“
You’re a fucking idiot,” Danny tells him again but he gives him a one armed hug and pats him on the back. “Did good tonight.”

“
We’re all proud of you,” Ian tells him. “Don’t need titles for that.”

Craig nods, obviously fighting off a grin. His eyes meet mine and he loses the fight. The grin that breaks on my face is similar to his usual, lop-sided, boyish grin but it’s amplified by a thousand.

Shredding that extra layer has done wonders for him. He’s realised he doesn’t have to do anything to make his brothers proud other than be himself. He doesn’t have to act the part around them. Just act natural.