LGBT

Chapter 2: Fighting Over Her-1

Chapter 2: Fighting Over Her

I found myself looking forward to going to train every day. Of course I loved training. You had to love it to be a boxer. But I would admit that getting to see Roxie was an added bonus. We hadn’t been intimate since that day in the steam room. But I thought about it often and I wondered if she thought about it too. It wasn’t like I could really ask her as we never had the chance to really be alone. We were both training hard, preparing for our respective fights. When we did have the occasion to speak, she seemed cordial though not overly friendly. Nor did she make any moves towards me.

Part of me was confused and perhaps a little hurt by her actions. I know we hadn’t had s*x or anything like that. But we had been intimate. And maybe it meant a little more to me than it probably should have. So it seemed lucky that she was heading out at the same time I was. I grabbed my bag and hurried out towards the parking lot.

Roxie stood by her car, talking to another girl they called Goldie. Her real name was Gabriella I think. I slowed my pace as I got nearer. They were talking. Arguing really.

“So what, you don’t want to hang out with me anymore?”

Roxie shrugged. “I didn’t say that, Gabi. I just don’t feel like it tonight. I’m tired.”

Goldie brushed her hair back, staring at Roxie. “It’s her, isn’t it?”

“Who?”

“Angela. Ever since she got here, you’ve been acting strange. Like, I don’t know, you don’t wanna hang out or do anything with me. You’re always tired or something.”

“So?”

Goldie stared at her. “So are ya’ll a thing or what?”

Roxie rubbed at her hair in an almost irritated fashion. “No. She trains here. Nothing more.”

“You got with her or what?”

“Why are you asking all these questions? And moreover, why does it matter who or what I do?”

“Because it affects me too.”

“I thought we had an open relationship, Gabi,” Roxie said patiently. “So why is it all of a sudden a problem with what I do or don’t do?”

My heart began to beat faster. Dare I hope that she was as affected as I had been? I knew I should move away and not listen to any more of their conversation, but I couldn’t. I needed to know how she felt or if she felt anything for me.

Turns out, they argued for a moment more before Goldie drove off angrily. Roxie blew out a breath and started to open her car door. I decided to make my move.

“Hey,” I said, adjusting my bag over my shoulder. I tried to play it off as if I’d just come out of the gym and hadn’t heard the exchange between them. “Heading home?”

She nodded. “Yep. You?”

“Yeah.” I bit at my lip. “Do- would you like to go get a bite?”

Roxie smiled that playful smile of hers. “Are you trying to get in my pants?” she asked boldly.

I felt my face turn red. Yes, I thought. But I couldn’t say that out loud. “No. I just thought that if you were hungry and I was, we could go and get something to eat. It’s okay. We don’t have to.” I turned and started to walk towards my car.

“Hey, wait,” Roxie called after me. I turned back and she jogged over to where I stood. “I am kind of hungry.” She offered me a crooked grin. “Where would you like to go?”

My place, I wanted to say. Instead I said, “What are you in the mood for?”

“You like sushi?”

“Sure.”

Her blue eyes twinkled with sudden mischief. “How about we go to my place? I know a great sushi bar that delivers. We can just hang and watch TV or something.”

“Ok,” I agreed.

My heart pounded in anticipation of what could happen and what I hoped would happen at her place. By the time I’d showered and was driving to her apartment, I was so horny that I wasn’t hungry anymore. At least not for food. I sat in my car for a moment and took a few deep, calming breaths.

“Okay,” I said out loud to myself. “Don’t go in expecting anything. Take it slowly. Let her make the first move.” Taking another deep breath, I knocked on her door.

Roxie opened the door wearing an oversized tank top over another one and a pair of baggy cut-off sweat pants. Her black hair stood up in spikes, still wet from her shower. Her bare feet padded lightly against the carpet as she stepped back to let me in. I grinned inwardly noting that her toenails were painted a baby doll pink.

“Hey,” she said, closing the door. “I hope you’re hungry.”

“I am,” I said, patting my belly. “Today’s workout was particularly grueling. I think Robbie was pissed off today.”

Roxie led the way into the kitchen. “Worked your ass, huh?” she asked sympathetically. “I can relate.” She opened the trays to reveal an assortment of sushi. “I didn’t know what you liked so I got a sampler.”

“That’s cool.” I got plates from the cupboard she indicated while she carried the tray into the living room. I grabbed a couple of napkins and turned to follow her and almost ran smack into her.

For a moment, we stared at each other. Almost immediately, the air between us began to sizzle with heat. Roxie must have felt it too. She titled her head ever so slightly, an invitation to be kissed. I leaned forward, but stopped inches from her lips. My mind went back to the argument I’d witnessed between her and that other girl. Perhaps now wasn’t the time to make my move.

Roxie gave me a small smile as if she knew what I was thinking. “What do you want to drink? I’ve got wine or water.”

“Whatever you’re having,” I answered. I found I could breathe easier when she moved away.

Turning back to me, she held up two bottles of water. “I’m having water. Gotta keep my weight down so I don’t have to cut so much around weigh-ins.”

I nodded. “Yeah. I hear you.” I frowned. “Should you be eating sushi?”

She grinned. “Yeah. I’m telling myself it’s a source of protein.” Once again, we stared at each other and the heat between us sparked to life again. Her pretty blue eyes darkened with desire briefly before she stepped away. “Sushi isn’t good when it’s cold,” she murmured.

I followed her into the living room and we tore into the sushi. I didn’t realize until right then how hungry I as. But I didn’t want her to think that I was a pig. She grinned at me.

“Eat up. There’s plenty,” she said, waving her chopsticks at the large platter between us. “These workouts burn a lot of calories.”

“Yeah they do,” I answered.

The conversation flowed easily between us. She told me about herself and why she’d gotten into boxing. I in turn told her about my dad and myself. Roxie was a good listener and didn’t judge. Finally, the question that I was sure had been on her mind came out.

“So how long you been out?”

“What?” I asked.

She smiled and tapped her empty water bottle against her cheek. “Out. You know. Out.”

I lowered my gaze. “I’m not-”

“Bullshit you’re not.” Roxie scooted closer to me. “Listen. I’ve seen the way you’ve been looking at me. And what happened in the steam room the other day wasn’t an accident. I did it so I could see what you were about. So either you’re out or you’re playing around and wasting my time.”

I twisted my hands in my lap. “The other day, I- well- I guess I didn’t expect what happened to happen.”

“Didn’t you?”

I shrugged. “Well, you were standing there naked in front of me. What was I supposed to do?”

Roxie placed her hand on my knee. “Just what you did. So? I’ll ask again. How long you been out?”

I tossed my hair back, looking her square in the eyes. “About 10 minutes.”

This time she smiled broadly. “Am I the first to know?”

I nodded. “Yep. I haven’t told anyone else. I guess because I don’t know how they’ll take it. Especially my dad. I’m not sure how he’d feel about having a gay daughter or how it will affect his image.”

“Why do you give a crap about his image or what he or anyone else has to say?” Roxie asked me. “You’re the one who has to live in your skin. Not them.”

“Yeah. I know. But the only opinion that has ever mattered to me was his. I’ve busted my ass in school, in the gym and in the ring to be the best so that he’ll be proud of me.”

“So what makes you think he’s not? What you do in the bedroom and who you do it with isn’t their concern. It’s yours and whomever you choose to give yourself to.”

I decided to take a chance. “I want it to be you.”

Her blue eyes bored into mine. “I want it to be me,” she whispered.

That same tension buzzed to life between us and I felt myself moisten at the intensity in her gaze. But I needed to know something. “What about Gabi?”

“What?”

“Gabi. I heard you two arguing outside the gym.”

Roxie sighed.

“Is she your girlfriend or what?” I asked. “I don’t want to come between you if she is.”

Again she blew out a breath. “It’s complicated,” she finally said. “She wants to tie me down, be exclusive.”

“But you don’t want that.”

“No. Well I do. But only if I find the right person. Right now, I just want to have fun and explore life. My boxing is taking off and I’m making money. I don’t need to always have someone on me to come home, or where are you, or you’re not paying attention to me.”

“I get it. Friends with benefits.”

“Is that so wrong?”

I shook my head. “Nah. I guess not. If both parties agree.”

“Well do you?”

I blinked. “I thought you were with her?”

“We have an open relationship. She can see who she wants. And so can I.” She smiled invitingly. “So?”

Well I could show her better than I could tell her. I closed the distance between us and cupped her cheeks between my hands. Our lips met in a blistering kiss that set me ablaze with need. Roxie and I groaned at the same time and she gripped my wrists, holding me close. I closed my eyes as sensations that I’d never felt before washed over me. Her tongue brushed mine before pushing past to plunder my mouth. Dear God, I‘d never been kissed like that before! And it made me hungry for more.

Roxie pulled away first and stood up. Taking me by the hand, she pulled me to my feet. “Why don’t we move this party somewhere more comfortable?” she said, as she swung our joined hands between us. It was an adorable gesture that made my heart melt and my body burn all at the same time.

I let her lead me down the short hall to her bedroom. She pulled me close and caught my lips in another biting kiss. Her hands roamed over my back and hips, and she cupped the twin mounds. She grunted appreciatively. I smiled inwardly. Finally, someone appreciated my hard work. Most times, my lover would make comments about my muscular body. Roxie pushed me towards the bed.

When her hands reached for the hem of my shirt, I grabbed her wrists to stop her from pulling it up. She looked up at me with a crooked grin.

“Have you changed your mind already? Damn. I haven’t even gotten started yet.”

I gave her an easy push on the shoulder. “No. I want to do this.” I paused. “I just-what about Goldie?”

Roxie shrugged. “What about her? I told you. She and I have an open relationship.”

“That’s not how she feels.”

“Yeah well. I can’t help how she feels. We aren’t exclusive. And besides, I wanted you since I saw you sparring with Sherri. I wanted to make a move on you but I wasn’t sure about you. So I figured I’d get my answer flaunting my naked body in front of you.”

I frowned. “And how was that?”

She grinned. “If you looked away, I’d know where your heart was. But you didn’t.”

“I couldn’t. It was in my face,” I said laughing.

Her laughter rang out like a bell. “Yeah. I guess it was. I got my answer in the steam room.”

“So what? That was a test? You were testing me?”

Roxie held up both hands. “Guilty as charged.” She reached out and grasped two handfuls of my shirt and pulled it over my head. My n*****s instantly hardened as the cool air penetrated my lacy bra. “Besides,” she continued. “I needed to see what you were about.”