Olive's P.O.V.
"Hailey?" I called out to her as I approached the bomb that must have gone off in the kitchen. The house was a complete disaster. "Hailey, did you try to cook again?"
Hailey cannot cook to save her life, but she still tries anyway. She swears she just needs more practice, but I think she's cursed because everything stops working when she touches it in the kitchen or starts working in a weird way. I narrowly avoided being splattered down on by some odd substance that clung to the ceiling. Lucas was suppressing his laughter behind me, picking up what looked like an attempt at brownies, maybe?
He eyed it curiously, looking at me with pressed lips. He was trying to be polite by not laughing, but he couldn't hold it in anymore. His laughter filled the apartment and my heart. It was the best sound I had heard in a while. His laugh was perfect and fit him exactly right. It was contagious too, making me laugh alongside him.
Hailey stepped out of her room, with a towel on her hair, clearly having just stepped out of the shower. She looked at us both as we reigned in our laughter. She blushed deeply when she looked at the kitchen and then Lucas. She didn't care that I had seen it, as I've seen it many times. She did, however, care that Lucas saw it.
"Hailey, I've told you to stop trying to cook. What even happened?"
She narrowed her eyes at the standing mixer like it had done her wrong by just existing. She pointed at it with narrowed eyes.
"That cursed thing happened. It was going great until I decided to use that. All I did was plug it in and start it, only when I lowered it, it threw the batter everywhere."
"Hailey, did you turn it on with the mixer part still up?" I asked her, seeing where she went wrong.
"Yeah." She nodded.
"Hailey, you're supposed to have the mixer in the bowl before you turn it on, and always on low to start." I shook my head at her.
"Oh, well, that makes more sense." She blushed.
I just laughed, hugging her tightly.
"I love you, Hailey. Thank you for trying to make my favorites."
"I wanted to know how everything went and figured we could eat brownies while we did it, but obviously that was a terrible idea. You go do what you need to do, and I'll clean up here." She pushed me towards my room. "You too, Lucas."
Lucas just gave me a smirk as he followed me to the room. I bit my lip in anticipation, wondering if we can keep away from each other as we change alone in a room with a closed door.
"Could you get the zipper for me?" I asked Lucas after I locked the door.
He came up behind me without a word, letting me feel his presence before his hands ran the length of my back. His fingers grabbed the zipper, dragging it down. He then kissed my exposed back, making me take a deep breath. I enjoyed the feeling of his warm plump lips on my skin. He slid my dress off my arms, making goosebumps erupt where his fingers touched.
"You're so beautiful, Rose. I'm sorry I made you endure a dinner with Clover. I didn't realize who she was to you." He sighed, as he leaned down and kissed the nape of my neck. His arms wrapped around my now naked torso, pressing my back against his chest. He inhaled my scent as we stood there for a moment in silence.
"It's not your fault. I am sorry I dragged you into my stupid drama." I rolled my eyes at the memory of Clover.
"I didn't mind hearing you put her, and that piece of shit ex, in their place." He kissed my neck again. "God, you're so perfect, Rose."
I let out a small laugh at the notion of me being perfect.
"Far from it." I shook my head.
Lucas quickly turned me to face him, his eyes were hungry as they stared down at me.
"You. Are. Perfect." He slowly enunciated each word, as if trying to engrave into my memory. He then leaned down, giving me a kiss I hadn't experienced before, one that stole my breath away. "Let's get dressed, I'm curious to see where you want us to go."
Lucas let me go, turning to his bag and grabbing his clothes. I was still lost in that earth shattering kiss as I stood there a moment just watching him. When I finally collected myself I got dressed in a long black shirt, and yoga pants. I planned on showing him what I could do tonight.
We were going to the underground fighting club I found my second year in Columbia. I'd heard some guys talking about it on campus and checked it out myself. I am well known there now, having won countless fights. It was a good way for me to make decent money. I stopped going when I started dating Julius because he thought it wasn't appropriate for me to be fighting.
I turned to find Lucas fully changed in a dark top and bleach washed jeans. He was handsome no matter what he wore. He eyed me curiously, trying to get a read on where we were going by my outfit. I doubt he'll guess it though.
"Hailey, we're leaving now. I'll be back later." I told her, finding her still in the kitchen with most of the mess already cleaned up. She saw what I was wearing and smiled real big.
"Give 'em hell." She winked at me with a smile. She knew how much I liked to fight.
I know it seems contradictory to want to fight when you've seen abuse before. It makes no sense that I would flinch at Lucas, but not in a ring with someone who is actually trying to hurt me. I think it's the fact that I know I can hurt them back. Fighting gives me back my control.
"Thanks, Hails."
Lucas seemed even more intrigued now as he followed closely behind.
"Are you going to tell me where we're going now?" He asked me when we got to the elevator.
"No, you'll see when we get there." I gave him a playful smirk, taunting him a bit. I hope he likes it.
He did something tonight that he has apparently never done before. Lisa said I was the only girl he'd brought home, so I want him to show him a part of me few people have seen. If he gets scared away from me because of this, then it was never meant to be more than just sex.
"You're gonna have to tell me where we are going so I can drive us."
"Nope. I'll direct you." I winked as I stepped out of the elevator, leading the way back to the valet.
"Leaving again, Ms. Brewer?" Scott asked, surprised.
"Yeah, one last stop before I call it a night. I'll see you tomorrow Scott."
"See you tomorrow Ms. Brewer."
Lucas didn't get the chance to open my door this time as the valet did. I got in without protest. Lucas didn't like that he wasn't the one to open my door. I could see it in his stiff posture as he took his seat, eyeing the valet.
"Go straight and take a right on 74th." I told him, snapping his attention back to me.
I guided us the entire way there, having us pull up to the abandoned warehouse where they were meeting today. The location always changed to keep the cops from finding the place. Today's location was the large abandoned warehouse with poor street lighting.
"Where have you taken me, Rose?" Lucas seemed amused as he looked around.
"Come find out." I smirked, opening my door, quickly stepping out with a giggle. I closed the door running ahead.
He locked his car, speeding to catch up to me. He grabbed my hand, interlocking our fingers as I led us in. I wasn't sure what he wanted from me anymore. Does he want more than just sex? I mean do you usually hold hands with someone you only hook up with? This feels like something you do when you're dating. Are we dating?
I led us down to the side door where a big muscled guy waited. I spoke the words, allowing us access past him. As we got down to the basement where the action was you could hear the cheers of the excited crowd. In front of the basement door stood another large and extremely muscular man. He had a shiny bald head with beautiful ebony skin. He flashed me a smile as he recognized me.
"Hey Carter." I greeted him with a smile back.
"Twinkle Toes, you're back!" He said excitedly. "Are you fighting tonight?"
"You know it! Let Davis know for me?" I asked him. Davis was the man in charge of the fights.
"Oh, he'll be happy to hear it." Carter pulled up his walkie. "Yo, Davis, you're never going to believe who's back."
It should be obvious to Lucas what this place was now if it hadn't been already. I was nervous to turn and look at him. What if he thinks this is too weird? Or what if he's put off by strong women?
I finally gathered the courage to look at him. My chest tightened at the sight.