Ruined: Loving An Alpha Male: BWWM Romance (23 page)

I sighed deeply. “Um, yes. I will say someone came close. But, I mean, she’s a far second to you, baby.”

“What happened?”

“Um well, she betrayed me, I guess. At least that’s the way I saw it. I met her back in high school. Her father and mine were business associates. Remember I told you I made my first million in my teens? Well, I lost a great deal in my teens, as well. Diane was her name. I felt like she, you know, complemented me in a way. I never thought I would get married. Looking at my parents’ relationship, I felt it was a lost cause. What kept my faith was my grandparents. My grandfather would talk about my grandmother as if he just fell in love with her that moment. They’ve been together for about fifty something years, and they still can’t get enough of each other.”

“So, a part of me wanted that, but I didn’t think I would get it. Diane gave me something close to it. She was strong and driven to be a wife of someone prominent. She wanted what her dad provided to her mom and her—stability and longevity. They were living the high life, and she wanted to be with someone that would sustain what she was used to having. She knew she had to be a strong woman for whomever she found, so she worked on that. Well, she was my rock in the beginning. I mean, she organized paperwork for the sales of businesses I acquired. She motivated me when I wanted to quit. She even did research on other companies that would bring me enormous profits. She kept my secret, which is high on my list. I mean loyalty is everything to me.”

“Well, she sounds like she was everything you needed,” she replied, without an ounce of malice in her voice.

I nodded.

“Yeah, you would think. But again, loyalty is everything, and she decided to break that loyalty. Diane’s father was someone I wanted on my side. He was very successful and knew his way around attacking a company that was dead in the water or about to be. He had a way of gutting a company and then rebuilding for a profit. So you remember I told you that I created a fictitious person that worked for my father. Well, this said person went to meetings and tried to get Diane’s father to help me. Well, instead he fucked me over, and so did his daughter. We were going after the same company, but I had the inside edge. I was going to make a huge profit, but instead, he took the merger out from under me, and I lost everything. I had to start all over again to gain trust of men that lost faith in me. I lost my money, as well as the investments of others. I had to promise the moon in order to just put my head above water, and it took me a year to do it. I had to do a lot of groveling.”

She studied me in the darkness, and I saw recognition in her eyes.

She said softly, “Bernstein?”

I nodded. “Yup. Diane told her father what I stood to gain from acquiring this company, and she felt as though her father had more to lose than I did. She said I was young and could rebuild, but it would be harder for her father to recover. He could have lost everything, and she was right. His dumb ass put everything he owed into this deal, and I was smart enough not to do that. So yeah, she was right. But she still burned me.”

“So how did you get even…because I know that you did?” she asked.

I closed my eyes and went back to the very day I did get even.

I looked at her and then said, “Well, my father finally found out it was me all that time making the company and myself a shit load of money. Bernstein was amongst those in the room. He told my father what happened a year earlier, and they both laughed at my expense. My father then began to tell me how foolish I was and that I couldn’t possibly make it in the industry. He called me a fucking idiot and a failure. So…”

“You snatched his company right from under him,” she finished.

“Yes, and each and every time, for almost two years, I stole acquisitions from Bernstein every chance I got. I didn’t care if I was overseas or not. When I got wind of a company he was going after, I made it my life’s mission to take it from him.”

“So, whatever happened to Diane? You said you didn’t blame her for looking out for her father.”

“And I don’t. But, as I said, it’s all about loyalty. And my wife, no matter what, wouldn’t backstab me. We would come to some common ground or something, but I will not stand by and let her put a knife in my back. So I told her it was over and went and joined the military. I felt my rage and desire for revenge taking over me. I needed to get away and focus on something else, or I would one day end up like my father.”

Maxine sat up and stretched her leg over my hip to straddle me. I sat up a little in the lounge chair, so we met eye to eye. She placed her hands on each side of my face and rubbed her thumb along my cheek.

“Mason, I don’t know where this relationship is going. But I hope you will put that kind of faith in me, knowing I would never backstab you or be disloyal.”

I stared in her eyes for a long time, searching for the truth and knowing it was staring right back at me. I dragged my hands up her hips, up to her back, and up to where my hands rested on the side of her beautiful face. I pulled her close to me and kissed her softly. I wanted to deepen the kiss. But knew if I did that I wouldn’t be able to stop.

She pulled back and looked in my eyes.

She said softly, “Didn’t you promise me a tour of the bottom deck?”

I was confused at first, until I remembered what was below deck: bedrooms. I smiled.

“Yes I did, and you know I do keep my promises.”

Even though I have practically grown up in the sport of fighting, I’m never prepared for the brutality it brings. We are in day two of the tournament, and Mason is doing quite well. It’s only me and Lou in his corner today, but I’m doing the best I can to take the place of Alex.

The tournament is pretty much set up as a no holds barred on fighting. There are twenty fighters, and each
one
fights to get into the finals. There are ten fights on Friday, which will leave ten fighters left. On Saturday, there will be five fights, and this is where the scoring comes into play. The top six fighters that score the highest will move on to the semifinal round. The two top fighters will be challenged to see who could take them off the throne. The first place fighter, which is the one with the highest score, will take on third and fifth place fighters. The second place fighter will take on the fourth and sixth place fighters. It’s a last man standing type of thing. Whoever the two fighters are that are left will battle for the title.

Trip was slotted last year to go all the way to the top and did make it to the semis. He was the second place fighter and got knocked out by the sixth place fighter.

Lou explained to Mason how important it is to make the most points you could on the first night. Of course, KO’s can give you the most points. But you get points for making a fighter submit to you. Plus, you get points by your savageness, skills, hits, and—most of all—takedowns. Mason was quiet. Alex said things to him that again I couldn’t hear, except when he would tell him not to waste any more of his time. This time he told him he had some partying to do with some hot Latina girl that’s been begging him to fuck her. Mason, as always, would laugh and shake his head; I, on the other hand, gave Alex a dirty look.

“What?” he said, looking at me? “It motivates him.”

Well, I wouldn’t put my life on it, but it seemed to have worked. Two and a half minutes later, the guy he was in the cage with was flat on his face and not moving.

Alex nodded toward Mason, who climbed from the cage.

“Was that quick enough for you?” Mason asked.

“Eh! I probably would have knocked him out in less time it took you. But hey.”

Mason and I laughed, and Lou shook his head.

“Holy shit, Reap. You still got it in you.”

We all turned to see Roland coming toward him. Mason went over to him, and I sat back and watched the exchange that went from joking to serious. Mason shook his head and looked over at Alex. I couldn’t hear what they were saying. But from Mason’s body language, he wasn’t happy. I started to help Lou get Mason’s things, and we headed toward the men.

That’s when I heard Mason say, “Man, I don’t think you should do this so soon. Seriously, why don’t you wait this one out? For the next one, I’ll go with you.”

“Reap, I’m more than capable of taking care of myself. I don’t need you around to babysit me. I’m doing this. It’s already been settled. Now, I know you don’t need me here, and I’ll be back before you fight in the championship,” Alex told him.

Mason shook his head.

“Damn it, Alex. I have a bad feeling about this. Man, how about neither of you go?”

Roland put his hand on his shoulder and squeezed.

“Reap, I’ve been doing this for a long time. Trust me when I say that this trip is a piece of cake compared to some of the other jobs we do. Look, Sal and Dom from our old units will be there. Don’t forget that. They’re with me, and they’re going on this mission. We’ve done this a thousand times. There is a small amount of danger. But, hell, Alex was just temporarily retired. He isn’t dead. He can handle himself.”

My eyes grew big, and my heart started to beat faster. I didn’t know what was going on, but I didn’t like the look on Mason’s face. Mason exhaled and looked at Alex.

“I can’t talk you out of this, can I?”

“Nope,” Alex told him.

“Alright, when do we leave?” Mason replied.

“What!” I yelled at the same time Alex said, “Hell no.”

“Alex, remember the last time we went on a mission without each other. I didn’t like it then, and I don’t like it now. I’m coming with you. You know I don’t need this shit. I won’t leave you hanging again.”

“Bullshit, Mason. You’re not going anywhere. You’re going to stay here and beat some ass tomorrow. Come Sunday, I’ll be back to see you get the title. It’s what we’ve been working hard to achieve, Reap. And it’s what I want. I can take care of myself. Trust me.”

Mason’s eyes narrowed on his friend, but he didn’t say another word. Instead, he took his hand and shook it. Then he hugged him.

“You take care of yourself. Watch each other’s backs.”

“You know we will. It’s what we do. Oorah,” Alex exclaimed.

“Oorah,” both Roland and Mason responded.

Alex went to talk to Lou, who looked sadly at Alex but nodded his head. Then Alex went to me.

“What’s going on?” I asked him.

“I need to make a quick trip with Roland, so I won’t be here tomorrow to get our boy ready for his fight. I’m going to leave that job up to you.”

I shook my head.

“You can’t do that. He needs you, Alex.”

“Now, that’s where you’re wrong. He needs you now more than ever. He fights better when you’re by his side. I know it, Lou knows it, and even Reap knows it. You’ll do fine until I get back.”

My eyes grew wide, but I didn’t say anything else. I just nodded and hugged him fiercely. Mason looked over at me.

“Hey, find us a seat, baby. I’m going to walk them out. I want to see the other matches before we call it a night.”

I nodded and looked in his eyes. I saw how worried he was for Alex, but he was trying to control it. He walked out of the arena and came back within twenty minutes. He found me quickly—I’m not sure how exactly, since I was mixed in with hundreds of people—and sat down next to me.

I leaned close to him.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, baby.”

That was all he said. Then he squeezed my hand and started talking to Lou about some of the fighters that were fighting in the cages.

That night he stayed quiet and to himself. I knew he was worried about Alex, especially after he told me what happened. Alex was going on a mission with Roland and his team. Mason was fearful for him only because he hasn’t been in active duty for two years. Mason wasn’t worried about his capability to shoot or take out someone. He was worried about if his intuition was still intact. Would he be able to detect danger before it came upon him? He and Mason were good at that when they were both in the Navy, but he wasn’t so sure about Alex now.

I tried my best to be there for him, and he seemed to appreciate it some. But what could I do really? When the fight came on Saturday, he fought like crap. As a matter of fact, he almost lost his match. Lou was screaming at him to get focused. I stood in his corner, helpless. But then something came over me. It was a feeling of resolve, of something that I couldn’t fight any longer. Before the final round started, I went to his corner as Lou was trying to get the cut above his eye to stop bleeding. Mason was giving his opponent problems, but he was taking some hits as well. I looked in his eyes, and I could tell he wasn’t all here.

Mason was exhausted. His chest was heaving, and his shoulders were slumped. It looked like he wasn’t going to make it through this round, and I had to do something. I found my voice and courage. I climbed up the cage to where my feet were on the mat, but just not in the cage.

“Mason, there’s something I need to ask you,” I said quickly

Mason turned and looked at me, but Lou spoke: “Not now, Maxine. He needs to focus. You’re getting your ass handed to you out there. Get your head in this, or just fucking…”

I didn’t let Lou finish. I said again, “Mason, I want to know something.”

My voice was stronger, and he turned to me.

“I’m fine, Max. Okay?” he replied, not looking at me.

I moved closer to him.

I said, “I love you, Mason, and I want to spend the rest of my life loving you. Will you marry me?”

Yeah, I know it sounds crazy, but it was on my heart, and I wanted to know right then and there what his answer was. His head slowly moved to face me, and so did Lou.

I didn’t crack a smile; I wanted him to see how serious I was.

He shook his head and faced Lou, so I said loudly, “Is that your answer? Mason, I said I want to marry you—the sooner the better. I know there is no man on the face of this planet that I love more than you. My body only craves you. My heart only desires you. I want nothing more than to start my life with you, now more than ever… Mason West, will you marry me?”

I didn’t realize how loud I was until even his opponent and his team looked over at us. I even heard some gasps behind me, but I didn’t move my eyes from his. He stood and turned to face me.

“Are you serious? You want to marry me?”

I nodded my head.

“Yes.”

“Baby, this isn’t very good timing,” he started.

“No, its perfect timing. I want you to know that I want to move in with you. But I also want to be yours forever. I want you to know you have me for eternity.”

Lou walked past us.

“This is your last round, Mason. Make it count.”

Mason kept his eyes on me. I wished at that moment I could touch his bruised face and feel his arms around me.

I said softly, “I want you so much right now. I want you to tear these fucking clothes off of me, and bury yourself deep in me, and show me how much you want to make me yours.”

His eyes grew wide, but he smiled. The bell rang, and I saw the guy coming up behind him.

I got down and yelled, “Can you fucking put an end to this shit so you can fuck me until my head explodes?”

“Anything for you, baby.”

He winked and turned, just as his opponent threw a punch. Mason averted the blow and threw a couple of punches of his own. He seemed to have found a burst of energy that quite frankly didn’t exist in the guy he was fighting. Mason found his moment and took the guy down to the mat. They grappled around on the floor, each trying to put a hold on each other. But Mason finally ended the match. He put his opponent in an armbar, and I watched the man’s face turn bright red. I thought Mason was going to break his arm. But just before he put on more pressure, the man tapped out.

The crowd went nuts. I happened to look in the crowd, and I saw the three guys we met the other day at the beach. I managed to get them passes for all three nights, as well as great seats. They wore Mason’s name on their t-shirts, “The Reaper,” proudly. They high-fived everyone around them. I smiled at them. But then I felt strong arms around me, and the smell of sweat bombarded me. I turned around in his arms, and he kissed me. I tasted salt mixed with his sweet flavor, and I melted in his arms.

“Are you really serious about marrying me?” he asked me, walking me back to the locker room and still holding me in his arms.

I kept my arms around his neck and looked in his eyes.

“I believe I’m the one who asked you to marry me, sir.”

He gave me that heart-stopping, panties-dropping smile that I go crazy over.

“Darlin’, don’t play with me.”

“Does it look like I’m playing?” I responded.

Mason showered quickly and waited to hear what place he came in for the finals tomorrow. When they announced he had sixth place, he winced. He knew he was going to have to work hard tomorrow if he was going to be champ. He and Lou talked together for a minute, and I gave them the space they needed. I watched Mason as he talked, and I smiled to myself. I really did want to spend the rest of my life loving him. He meant everything to me. He made me feel safe and loved and wanted. Only one other man did that for me, and it was my pops. I never thought I would find someone like him to make me feel this way. My body reacts to him the way no other man could ever accomplish. I find myself wanting to please him and make him feel loved beyond measure.

I wanted to be the woman he desired, and I hope I could fulfill that dream for him. It was his birthday tomorrow. So, tonight I wanted to give him the only thing he doesn’t possess: me completely.

When we finally made it to the hotel, we walked into the living room with candles lit and a bottle of champagne being chilled. There were strawberries and fresh grapes as well, and a cake sitting on the dining room table that read: Happy Birthday, Mason.

Mason looked over at me and smiled.

I said to him, “I know its tomorrow, but I couldn’t wait.”

He enveloped me in his arms.

“I’m just glad you remembered.”

I wrapped my arms around his neck and smiled back.

“Of course I remembered. I know you don’t like anyone to make a fuss, but I have something special for you. I want you to sit right here, and I will be right back.”

I moved the dining room chair back in toward the living room, and he did exactly what he was told.

I disappeared into the bedroom and quickly got undressed. I found my black lace bra and G-string, and I grabbed my garter belt and stockings. I then found my five-inch black stilettos. I grabbed one of his white button-down shirts and put it on. I freshened up quickly and sprayed scented body mist all over me. When I walked out of the bedroom and rounded the corner, Mason was sitting with his eyes closed drinking the champagne and eating strawberries.