Going the Distance (No Excuses Book 1) (3 page)

She pushed against him, and as soon as he saw her hand extend, he caught her wrist midair, inches from his face.

“I haven’t changed my mind about anything,” she gritted while trying to snatch her wrist out of his grip, but he held tight.

“I wouldn’t do that again if I were you,” he said, lowering his head to stare into her eyes. Her lips were so close, he could practically taste them.

That chin didn’t back down though as she said, “Take your own damn advice. Touch my butt again and you’ll find yourself on the ground.”

He laughed out loud. “I’d like to see that.”

Before he knew what was happening, she tripped him and would have thrown him over her shoulder if he didn’t move out of her grip and wrap his arms around her in a bear hug.

“Are you fucking crazy?” he mumbled into her hair.

She was breathing heavy and struggling to get free. “You asked for it. I suggest you take your hands off me, Punisher, before I show off more moves.”

Her ass was nestled against his crotch and her wiggling made him hard all over again. He didn’t want her to try another karate move on him though, so he let her go.

“Are you going to give me that interview or what?” she asked, straightening and brushing wrinkles out of her clothes.

He shook his head in disbelief. “I’m not giving you shit.”

She removed her hair tie and ran her fingers through her disheveled hair, making him wonder if this is what she looked like after a good pounding, flushed and panting.

“What’s it going to take?” she asked, tying her hair back again.

His mind came to a halt. “What?”

“What do you want in exchange for an interview?”

His lips curved into a dangerous smile. “All sorts of things.”

She rolled her eyes and huffed. “What non-sexual things do you want?”

His smile disappeared just as quickly. “There’s nothing you can give me that will make me change my mind.”

“Wanna bet?”

“I got everything I need and more.”

She adjusted the strap of her purse again and stepped up to him. “If I find something worth your time, will you consider answering some questions for me?”

He took in her earnest expression and wondered why he was still standing there talking to her. By now, he’d have blown off any reporters and told them to go to hell.

“If you find something worth my time….” He ran a finger along the front of her blouse, but she quickly swatted his hand away.

“I’m a professional, Page, here to do my job. I’m not going to jump into bed with you, so cut the crap.”

He dropped his hand. “Then you might as well run along, little girl. I got no use for the likes of you.”

“I’m not running off,” she said determined. “We made a bargain. If I give you something you want, you’ll do the interview.”

“I didn’t agree to it.”

“Yes, you did. I’ll get back to you in a few days,” she declared, rummaging through her purse. She pulled out a business card and handed it to him. He looked at her name and then her title.

“You’re a writer, not a reporter,” he pointed out.

“Minor technicality. I’m writing an article for the paper and need this interview.”

Her words sank in and the corners of his lips turned up. “You
need
this interview?”

Her expression changed at his tone of voice. “I don’t need it, but it would help my article.”

“Sounds like you’re at my mercy, babe,” he said, playing with her blouse again. He could see snippets of her lacy bra and imagined tearing it to shreds with his mouth.

She swatted his hand away once more. “I’m not at anyone’s mercy. I’ll be back in a few days. Don’t forget.”

Before he had the chance to respond, she turned to go.

“Where’d you learn those moves?” he yelled after her.

“None of your business,” she shouted over her shoulder and waved her hand high up in the air without looking back.

As the perfect outline of her ass disappeared around the corner, he smiled at the challenge she’d thrown his way. He’d gambled in Vegas and lost twice. Now was his chance to at least redeem himself on one account. If she wanted a goddamn interview, she’d have to pay for it. With those lips and those tits and that ass.

The Punisher was turning out to be the pain in the neck Sam had envisioned. He was stubborn, infuriating, vulgar and hopeless, but she had her assignment to carry out and she’d have to deal with him one way or another. As long as she remained in control during their interactions, all would be well.

“So what’s been bugging you since I got here?” her friend Clare wanted to know over a glass of white wine. It was Friday evening and they’d decided that instead of going out for happy hour and fighting over parking spaces downtown, they would have a nice, chill evening at home. They were sitting on the living room floor in Sam’s apartment, gathered around the coffee table with wine, snacks and reality TV for entertainment.

“Remember the guy I slapped in Vegas?” Sam asked.

Clare sipped her wine and nodded.

“I have to interview him for the paper.”

Clare erupted into a coughing fit. “You’re joking,” she said once she regained her composure.

Sam shook her head. “I guess he’s some famous boxer and my boss wants me to write an article on him since he lost the first fight in his career.”

“That’s a weird coincidence,” Clare mumbled into her wine glass. “And awkward! How are you supposed to talk to him after you slapped him like there’s no tomorrow?”

Sam exhaled loudly and picked up a piece of cheese from the cutting board. “That’s exactly my problem. I went to his gym yesterday and requested the interview, but he wasn’t having it.”

“I’m not surprised.”

“So I told him that I’d find something to give him in exchange for the interview; something that he didn’t already own and would be worth his time.”

Clare gave her an amused look. “Like your underwear?”

Sam rolled her eyes.

“So what then?”

“I have no idea,” she said, exasperated. “The guy has everything under the sun. He’s been boxing since he was eighteen and never lost a fight before that last one. Imagine how much money he has. What could I possibly offer him that he doesn’t already have?”

Clare seemed to consider the options. “Kids?”

“Very funny,” Sam grumbled.

“A time machine so he can go back in time and not lose his first fight?”

“I wish.”

The thought was interesting, however, as Sam considered his past. He’d been orphaned as a young kid and raised by an old man. Went straight into boxing, no college, and knew nothing but training and the gym ever since. Maybe there was something she could show him that he hadn’t experienced before.

“So are you gonna tell your boss that you can’t write the article?” Clare asked, tucking a strand of silky, chocolate-colored bob behind her ear.

Sam refilled her glass and set the bottle on the table. “No. That would be impossible. He pretty much told me that I need to do this assignment or I’ll lose my job.”

“Ouch. Tough work.”

“Tell me about it.”

She sipped her drink, enjoying the crisp chardonnay on her tongue. She was trying to be optimistic about her assignment, but a heavy feeling in the pit of her stomach told her that she might be in over her head. She took another sip, then a deep breath. She was resourceful and determined, she could do this. It was just another interview for the paper, nothing to worry about.

“Well, you could always just sleep with him and hope for the best,” Clare cut into her thoughts.

“My boss?” Sam asked outraged.

“No, dummy, the boxer.”

“That’s a terrible idea,” she replied, but had to admit that the thought had run through her head as well. Sleeping with him, despite everything they’d been through, didn’t sound as bad as she had made it seem. Seeing him shirtless outside of his gym had messed with her emotions. The guy was hot, there was no way around that.

Solid, strong muscles everywhere, a fuzz on his chest that went down to his happy trail, the tattoos which had been hard to make out in the pictures she’d seen online, and the sweat which had glistened on him as though he’d just finished making a girl scream his name. She was sure her mouth had dropped open at the beautiful sight. And then he’d touched her, here, there, with his fingertip, then his hand, and finally his whole body as his erection had pressed against her. She’d been that close to ripping her clothes off and letting him have his way with her. Thank God she’d been able to control herself.

Despite his ripped body and full lips she wanted to devour, he had a filthy mouth that was infuriating. Even if they were the only two people left on earth, she’d turn him down simply for the principle of it. He treated women like crap and that’s something she couldn’t stand. A man like that needed to be taught a lesson, but her mission wasn’t to do that. She had to focus on her interview.

“Why is that a terrible idea?” Clare asked, popping a cheese cube into her mouth.

“Because I’m sure that’s some kind of conflict of interest. I can’t have sex with the person I’m supposed to write about. I’m supposed to do my job, not him,” Sam said.

“Can’t you do both?”

She had to chuckle. “Always so efficient, aren’t you?”

“Just saying.”

Trent’s sweaty muscles popped into Sam’s mind and she wondered just how efficient she could be. If it came down to it, would she give in and have sex simply to get answers from him? She gulped uncomfortably. The realization that she was lusting over this guy who talked like a dirt bag, and acted like one, for that matter, was disturbing. And even more disturbing was the fact that she was even considering having sex in order to secure her job. Granted she wasn’t thinking about sleeping with her boss, but still. This was way below her standards. She shook her head, ashamed of herself.

“There’s no helping you,” Clare said, finishing her wine. She grabbed the remote and flipped channels.

Sam tried to pay attention to the programs on TV, but it was impossible. When some competitive reality show came on, she spaced out again.

What else could she do to convince him to talk to her? He was right about having everything under the sun. And she didn’t have a single penny she could spare to lavish him with bribes. The measly money she was making went to rent, bills and savings, which she didn’t touch.

She tapped her empty wine glass with her thumb, thinking.

He was used to lavish, expensive things and apparently could get any girl he wanted. What in heaven’s name could Sam offer that would interest him?

The impossibility of her situation was starting to gnaw a hole in her stomach and she was getting angrier by the second. Why had she opened her big mouth and come up with this stupid idea?

She refilled her glass and finished the contents in one gulp.

Clare gave her an amused look. “Thirsty, are you?”

Sam merely grunted and leaned her head back against the edge of the couch. “I’m screwed.”

“Don’t give up hope yet, Sam. I’ve not known you to fail at anything you put your mind to.”

A peppy message that Sam wanted to take to heart, but couldn’t. For once, she felt like she’d be taking on the impossible.

***

It had been a week since Trent had spoken to the reporter, and he hadn’t heard from her since. He was both surprised and disappointed that she’d given up so quickly. The interview wouldn’t have happened anyway, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t have had some fun with her. She deserved nothing less for slapping the shit out of him. Now it seemed he had to find himself another play toy.

He’d just finished a sparring session and was rinsing away the day’s stress in the shower. No matter how much he was trying to stay in the game, his head just wasn’t in it. His training was off, his mind was elsewhere, and Ramirez and the rest of the crew were letting him have it. Lately, he felt like he was everyone’s punching bag.

“Trent, your lady friend is here to see you,” Ramirez called out over the music Trent had put on in the locker room.

The news instantly made him feel better. At least messing with her would put him in a good mood.

“Tell her to come here!” he shouted back.

He heard Ramirez say something in turn, but couldn’t make out what. A moment later, Samantha walked in, eyes huge and mouth practically hanging open.

“I didn’t realize you were in the shower,” she said, looking down at her feet. “I’ll wait in the gym.”

“The guys don’t like women hanging out there,” he replied, not bothering to cover up. Instead, he grabbed a washcloth and started soaping.

“Then I’ll wait outside,” she said, never taking her eyes off the floor.

“What kind of gentleman would I be if I let you wait outside?” he asked, grinning.

Her head shot up and she narrowed her eyes at him. “You’re no gentleman, Page. If you were, you’d let me interview you.”

He laughed and turned to face her. She blushed, but held his gaze.

“Isn’t that what I’m doing?”

“No.”

“Consider it foreplay to your questions,” he said, scrubbing his neck.

She huffed and turned away. “I don’t do foreplay. I’ll be waiting outside for you.”

“What’d you bring me?” he called out before she had the chance to leave.

She stopped and hesitated before turning to him once more. He rinsed, then turned off the shower and grabbed a towel hanging nearby.

“I didn’t bring you anything,” she said, trying to look anywhere but at him.

He frowned in confusion. “Then why are you here?”

“I’m here to pick you up.”

He finished drying off, wrapped the towel around his waist and walked up to her. “Who said I’m going anywhere with you?”

She cocked her head. “Oh, come on. Are you playing hard to get now?”

The irony of her words didn’t escape him. The woman was playing hard to get like she’d invented the game.

“Why? Do you like the challenge?” he asked.

She rolled her eyes and exhaled. “Not at all. Now get dressed and let’s go.”

His eyebrows shot up at her commanding attitude. “I’m not used to a woman in charge,” he said, closing the distance between them. “But I think I like it.”

“I’m going to remind you that I’m here to do my job, Page. Your inappropriate remarks aren’t getting you anywhere.”

“Well, unlike you, I like a challenge,” he said, pulling the towel away. “Fucking love it, in fact.”

Her eyes remained glued to his face and he wondered if their green would darken as he plunged deep inside her. His erection pressed against her and that green sure became more pronounced as her eyes widened.

She looked down between them, then up again. “You better put that away, Punisher. You won’t need it where we’re going.”

She turned and left without another word, making him laugh out loud. Goddamn, she was a piece of work; violent and demanding, like an army general, and he fucking loved it. He should’ve picked up on that the moment they met, when those pouty lips had turned him down.

He’d enjoy breaking down those walls until she begged him to fuck her. It would be glorious.

He finished getting dressed and told Ramirez on his way out that he’d stop by the gym again later that night. When he stepped out, he saw her waiting by the side of the building. She was scribbling in a small notepad and didn’t notice his approach. He was surprised that she wasn’t wearing another hot secretary outfit like the last time. That had definitely worked for him.

Tonight she wore snug jeans, short black heels, a white blouse and hoop earrings that peeked out from under her long, brown hair. She didn’t look like she was dressed for a work meeting or the club. He wondered where she was planning on taking him.

“This better be good,” he said, walking up to her.

She looked up, assessed his black T-shirt and jeans, and put her notepad and pen in her purse.

“I’ll drive,” she simply said, not giving him any clues as to their destination.

He followed her to the parked white Subaru Impreza. “You race?” he asked, knowing that one of the guys on his team liked fast cars and drove the same one.

“No,” she replied and unlocked the car.

He wondered why she was driving it then.

“You know, my guys usually come with me,” he mumbled, taking another look at the car. “I don’t even know where we’re going.”

Under normal circumstances, he wouldn’t be worried about a girl abducting him, but this one packed a punch. He’d have to watch that extending hand of hers.

“It’s a surprise,” she said, getting in. He slid into the passenger seat and she started the engine. “Don’t worry, you won’t need your babysitters tonight.”

“They’re not my babysitters,” he grumbled.

She drove out of the parking lot just as the sun was setting behind them. “Then why do they always follow you?”

“Because I pay them to.”

He saw her smile, but she kept her eyes on the road.

“So are you gonna tell me where we’re going? It better be good. Remember, something worth my time.”

“I know, I know,” she said, gripping the steering wheel until her knuckles turned white. Was she nervous? He smiled at the possibility.

“How about you just let yourself be surprised?” she offered. “Can you do that?”

“I hate surprises,” he said under his breath. No surprise he’d ever come across had been a good surprise.

She put on some music and they drove for a few minutes in silence. He noticed her hands relax on the steering wheel as her foot hit the gas, and they weaved in and out of traffic.

“How far are we going?” he wondered as they got on the freeway.

“It’s only a couple of exits away, don’t worry. I’ll get you back before you turn into a pumpkin again.”

He started laughing. “I like how you’re talking shit again. You know, for someone trying to talk me into giving an interview, you’re not doing a good job flattering me.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Was I supposed to do that?” She gave him an impish smile. “You said you can have any girl you want. I’m sure they flatter you enough.”

He shook his head amused. She was right. He was used to getting whatever he wanted and having people tell him what he wanted to hear. She was the first person to turn him down and he was baffled by it. She wasn’t intimidated by him or awed by his status. He knew one thing though, and that was the attraction she felt toward him. She could say whatever she wanted; he’d seen the way her eyes had run over his body at the gym. He wasn’t an idiot. The little minx was fighting what he knew was going to happen eventually. She’d end up in his bed, just like the rest of them.