The Fighter's Secret Child (The Burton Brothers Series Book 3) (3 page)

“Watch your language!” The words came out of Rachel’s mouth before she could stop herself. She cupped her hands over Chaz’s ears. She recognized Bryant at once. He had the body of a fighter—lean, strong mass, long arms and legs and wide shoulders. But his eyes had always made him stand out—a dark sky blue.

Eyes that held fire and heat and the drive that had made him an MMA fighter. But unlike Beck, Bryant’s energy always seemed controlled and contained. He didn’t seem to have that dark anger that drove Beck.

She didn’t know the woman with Bryant, or the other man, but he and the woman shared a similar lean build and coloring. She was going to guess they were related—maybe even fighters training with the Burton brothers.

Bryant broke into a smile. He headed straight for her. “Rachel? Is that you? Come here and give me a hug.” He swept her up from her chair and into a bear hug. Holding her out, he grinned, and then he looked at Chaz. Delight froze and Bryant’s eyes widened. “Is he yours? Shit! He looks just like those pictures mom has of us when we were little.”

“Language,” Rachel said again. “And this is Chaz.”

Bryant bent down and offered a fist for Chaz to bump. “Hey, little guy.” He glanced up at Rachel. “Is he why you took off like you did when you did?”

Face hot, Rachel started to stammer out something. But Beck stepped forward. “Bryant, Mom didn’t raise you to be a Neanderthal. Rachel, this is Alice Anders—oops, I mean about to become Alice Burton. And that over there is her brother, Dustin. He is training with Mason now.”

Rachel offered stiff smiles and shook hands, and then turned to Beck. “Mason’s not fighting anymore?”

Beck shook his head and rubbed the back of his neck. “Motorcycle crash. Docs said to watch it with any more concussions so he’s out of the ring. He’s training me, now, too.”

Arms crossed, Rachel found a real smile. “That I’d like to see.”

Beck laughed. “Yeah, I’ll bet.”

Pushing past the guys, Alice stepped up to Rachel. “Has any of these idiots offered you some time to rest—or a place where Chaz could have a nap? That last yawn of his just about cracked his jaw.”

Rachel shook her head. “I’m trying really hard not to impose.”

With a wave, Alice dismissed the idea. “Forget that. How long have you been on your feet anyway? No—don’t answer. It’s too long, if I know exhaustion when I see it.” She scooped up Chaz from his seat. Why don’t I take him into the back bedroom for a nap?”

Rachel put a hand over Alice’s. “Please don’t hold him too tightly. He bruises rather easily right now.”

“Oh, my…I thought he was just tired. I…I spent some time volunteering in a pediatric hospital in college that first semester. It’s not…not cancer is it?”

“Alice!” Beck almost shouted the word.

Rachel hunched her shoulder and kept her stare on Chaz and Alice. “No. They thought so for a while, but it’s not.”

“Then…it’s curable?” Alice asked.

Beck threw his arms out. “One tired kid and suddenly it’s General Hospital.”

Rachel turned to face him. “It’s curable. If his daddy will help.”

“Good.” Alice cuddled the little boy close. “I’ll see him in for a nap. Bryant and Dustin, why don’t you two clear out. I think Rachel and Beck need some space.”

Bryant swapped a stare with the other man, who gave a nod back. Alice headed into the back bedroom, Bryant and Dustin headed out the front door like they were men on a mission.

Alice wasn’t quite sure what was going on here, but the beautiful woman out in the living room wasn’t a stranger. A large poster of her in a ring-girl uniform still adorned the walls of the training gym. She’d noticed that each time Beck looked at that poster before training, a glitter came into his eyes. His shoulders hunched and she could almost see the anger come off him in waves.

She had sensed the tension in the little apartment as soon as she walked in with Bryant and Dustin. Beck must have history with this woman—with Rachel. Given the resemblance of her boy, Chaz, to the other Burtons, she assumed that history included the creation of a child.

She put a hand on her stomach. She and Bryant were expecting, too. But she couldn’t imagine Beck as a father. Was he ready for that responsibility? She smoothed the little boy’s hair back. It didn’t matter if Beck didn’t want the boy—Alice was going to make sure that Bryant kept in touch with his nephew, no matter what.

It took every bit of will power not to tip toe back toward the living room to eavesdrop on Beck and Rachel.

***

Beck didn’t wait for Rachel to say anything. He put himself in front of her. He wanted some answers, dammit. She started to follow Alice, but Beck caught her by the wrist and spun her around. She braced her other fist on his chest. That did it. He was tired of her acting like he was some kind of monster. He was tired of holding back. He was tired of…of not having her.

He pulled her close. She let out a muffled word, but then he had his lips over hers. She opened her mouth and he took that as invitation enough.

She tasted like mayo with that hint of smoked turkey. Hell, she tasted like heaven. She gave in to him, relaxing into his hold and he reached up one hand to dig his fingers into her hair the way he’d been wanting to since she’d come back.

Her hair seemed like silk to his touch—and she was fire. She set up a blaze around him—that inferno of need and desire that she’d always kindled in him. He deepened the kiss. With a small sound, she reached up and put her hand around the back of his neck.

He briefly registered the press of her breasts against his chest. The memory of her lithe body as she’d strutted around the octagon stirred his blood.
It’s been two years and I want her as much as I did then!
The scent of her lotion—cocoa butter and perfume—wound around him like a spell. That’s what she was—a witch who enchanted him, who made him forget everything.

He ran his fingers over the smooth skin just under her shirt on her back. She inhaled sharply, and he wondered if she was remembering their time together as well…

Rachel blushed and turned in the warm ocean water, pressing her naked breasts against his chest and groaning. He loved teasing her—he loved taking care of her and giving her pleasure.

“Well, now.” Beck let the back of his fingers drag over her chest, stopping to toy with her hard nipples before continuing down to her flat stomach. He slipped his fingers beneath the waistband of her bottoms, letting his finger drift lower until they encountered her moist warmth. “You like that idea.”

She nodded. Pulling his head down to her own, she gave him a kiss that tasted like salt water and raw desire. She nipped at his bottom lip. He took back the reins to devour her mouth in a kiss so carnal he was amazed the ocean didn’t go up in flames.

Scooping her up, he carried her out of the sea and to a chaise lounge on the deck. He looked at her body splayed out before him—that perfect, perfect body. Smiling knowingly, she parted her legs. And then undid the side ties of her bikini. His mouth dried.

He dragged off his board shorts and eased down between her thighs. He inhaled the scent of her lotion, and licked up the inside of her thighs. When she squirmed, he gripped the back of her thighs, opening her even further for his pleasure.

He drove his fingers into her, and then moved down to taste her. She begged for him to finish what he’d started. “Put your legs around my hips,” he told her and helped her, hiking her thighs around his waist. He pounded into her, loving the little noises she made as she neared orgasm.

“Come with me. Let go, Rach.” He waited until he felt her body tightening around him before he let himself go, pumping into her twice more before he threw his head back and called her name as pleasure rocketed through him.

He came back to the moment and pulled back from the kiss. Rachel stared up at him, eyes wide and lost.

“You okay?” he asked.

Rachel looked at him. She took a step back and out of his arms. What did you say to a question like that? What did you do after a kiss like that? She hugged herself and shook her head, “I don’t know. I…I should go look after Chaz.”

“Chaz is fine with Alice. You know that or you wouldn’t have let her take him into the bedroom. And just what game are you playing? He’s not named after your mom. Chaz was my grandfather’s name! Dammit, didn’t you cause me enough heartache already?”

“Cause you?” Rachel stiffened. She refused to drop her stare from his. “You told me about your grandfather. And I…I met him while you were off at training camp and after we started…well after we whatever started. I liked him. He was charming. Kind. He didn’t let a wheelchair slow him down. And I…I cried at his funeral. I’d never been to one before, and…and you were away training when he died.”

Beck’s stare slid away, but not before she’d seen the hurt in his eyes. “Granddad’s death hit us all, but…I didn’t know you went to see him. Or to his funeral. I never saw much point in seeing someone into the ground. Better to see them while they’re here and know it.”

Rachel gave a shrug. “It’s a sign of respect. I…I didn’t go to my dad’s. And my mom’s still living. But I…oh, why am I telling you any of this?” She punched a finger into his chest. “Don’t kiss me again, Beck. Not unless I ask you. I am not giving up control to you again—I did once and that was my fault.”

“Oh, like you didn’t love it. Like you didn’t lay back in Fiji and enjoy what we were doing.” He stepped closer. “Like you didn’t love that kiss just now.”

She didn’t move away. “Beck, I used to worry way too much if I was doing enough, working hard enough, doing things right. I grew up always trying too hard to please people—to please my dad so he wouldn’t… Well, just to please him. It’s taken a lot for me to get past that. I am not going to let you bully me!”

“That’s not what this is. I’ve never been shy about telling you what I like, and what I want. And I was willing to listen to you. You were the one who shut up and shut me out. Given that, I’d say you still need some work.”

“And you don’t?” She crossed her arms. She also dropped her voice, which had been going higher and louder. “Don’t you dare preach to me, Beck Burton!” She turned too fast. The loose rug slipped out from under her feet. Beck grabbed for her—she felt him catch her arm. She stretched out a hand to catch herself—and then she hit hardwood. Something cracked.

She barely contained her scream, biting her lip so hard she tasted blood, even as tears filled her eyes.
God, that hurts! Keep it together, Rachel. You don’t want to scare Chaz!

Beck knelt on the floor next to her. He helped her sit up. “Please tell me you didn’t break anything.”

She cradled her left wrist—the one Beck hadn’t been able to grab. “I’m not sure.” He touched her wrist. Pain shot up her arm and she gasped. “Please. Stop.”

Beck swept her up. She wanted to protest but just moving hurt right now—and being in his arms felt good. He settled her on the couch. “Breathe! And don’t pass out on me!”

“I’m not going to pass out,” Rachel grumbled. But she wasn’t sure about that. Spots danced in front of her eyes.

Alice came out of the bedroom. “What’s going on? Beck—?”

“She fell. I think she broke her arm.”

Coming over to Rachel, Alice glanced at Beck. “Should I call an ambulance?”

Beck shook his head. “I’ll take her to the emergency room.”

Cradling her arm, Rachel glanced up at him. “No! No hospital yet. I promised Chaz! I can’t take him in with me.”

“Yes, you can, Rach. He’ll enjoy getting to see all the new things.”

Between clenched teeth, she muttered, “Chaz knows more about hospitals and pain than any two-year-old should ever have to.”

Alice put a hand on her shoulder and sent a dark look in Beck’s direction. “Start thinking, Beck. I’m at loose ends for the rest of the day. Rachel, I can stay with Chaz. I’d love some time to get to know him. And I promise, only the most fun cartoons for him.”

Rachel was torn. She’d never left Chaz with anyone.
Ever.
She’d always been able to find work that allowed her to bring her son with her. Luckily, Chaz had been a very easy baby to deal with.

Until now. With her arm aching, she glanced up from Alice to Beck. He had his mouth set in a line and his eyes narrowed. She knew the signs. That was Beck in pure male macho mode. She gave a sigh and said, “I’m not staying in the hospital overnight!”

Beck glanced at her and gave a nod. “Tell Alice what she needs to know about the kid while I grab my shoes and keys.” He didn’t wait for a reply. Striding down the hall he escaped to the relative safety of the bathroom. He stood there, leaning on the sink and breathing deep. Having Rachel in his arms again had just reminded him of everything he’d lost—or had thought he’d lost when she’d left.

He sniffed his shirt. He could still smell her scent on him. The memory of how warm she’d felt—how she’d pressed into him—left him clenching his jaw to gain control. He wanted to walk back in there, drag her into bed and make her forget every other guy in the world. He shook his head. Alice was right. He needed to get his brain in gear.

He splashed water on his face, found his socks and shoes—and peaked into the bedroom. Chaz—his kid—lay under a blanket, his thumb tucked close to his face, his round cheeks pale, his breathing a little noisy. The kid snored—just like a Burton.

Beck stared down at the small form. A kid—his kid. He still couldn’t take it in. But somehow he was going to have to. Rachel had said Chaz was sick—and she needed something from him. He couldn’t figure out what that might be if it wasn’t money. Was she in some kind of trouble? Did the kid need a transfusion or something? Or maybe Rachel was playing him.

He wasn’t sure about that. How long had he known her? A few months? And that had been a couple of years ago. People could change in a short amount of time. But one thing he knew bone deep—Rachel loved this kid. Really loved him. And the thought crossed his mind that he wanted Rachel looking at him the same way she looked at this child they had made.

***

Rachel waited until Beck left the room before she sagged back against the couch. Nothing was going as planned. Her arm ached with a dull throb. Chaz was as tired as she was. And she was starting to wonder if this had been such a great idea. But what choice did she have? What options did Chaz have?

Touching her arm, Alice asked, “You okay? And you…you really slipped?”

Rachel pushed herself to a more upright position. “Beck tried to catch me. I was the klutz.” She gave a tight smile. “And I think it’s just a sprain.”

“Beck’s right. You should get x-rays just to be sure. Do you need to take anything with you from your luggage? Does Chaz need anything?”

Rachel pointed to Chaz’s smaller bag. “He has some toys in there, along with diapers. He usually wakes cranky and hungry.”
And tired---he’s always so tired.

Sitting down next to Rachel, Alice patted her hand. “Don’t worry. This is great practice for me. I’m due in six months.”

“You’re hardly showing.”

“I know. Bryant keeps asking me when I’m going to blow up like a balloon. Avery is already showing—she’s marrying Mason.” Alice’s smile faded. “It’s none of my business, but…well, Beck is about to become my brother-in-law. Are you still in love with him?”

Rachel pressed her lips tight. She cradled her wrist closer. “There’s no way I can ever be with a man who rages like a madman. My dad did that and I swore I’d never put up with that.”

Letting out a breath, Alice glanced toward the bedroom. Rachel could hear Beck moving around. Alice looked back at her. “You do know he’s one of those guys who stomps around—but he’s really a pussycat.”

“So is a lion. But would you live with one?”

“Okay, point taken. But don’t worry about Chaz. Get yourself looked after first. And talk to Beck—I have a feeling you two have a lot to work out.”

Beck came into the room, jingling car keys. He came over to Rachel and held out a hand. “Come on. Let’s go.”

Eyes narrowed, Rachel stood. She turned to Alice. “Chaz doesn’t have any allergies. I try to limit his sugar, but other than that he can eat anything. He loves juice and apple slices. And will you tell him I’ll be back soon—but don’t mention the hospital. Tell him…tell him I’ve gone out to bring back ice cream. That’s his favorite.”

Beck jingled his keys again, but Rachel wasn’t going to jump just because he said so. Finally turning to him, Rachel gave a nod. “Okay. I’m ready.”

She followed Beck out to the street, determined to keep some distance between them. That proved impossible. Beck settled a hand in the small of her back, guiding her. And every step she took jarred pain into her arm.

She had to focus on her breathing and keeping her teeth clenched to keep from shouting. Beck guided her to a battered truck—the same one he’d had when she’d known him before. That surprised her. She would have expected him to have traded up to some kind of sleek sports car. She gave him a sideways look.

Pulling open the truck door, he lifted his eyebrows. “What?”

She climbed into the truck. “Nothing. Just not—well, I figured now you’ve won so many fights, you’d be…” She let the words fade and bit her lower lip.

Beck smiled. “You’ve been watching my fights.”

Rolling her eyes, she started to struggle with her seatbelt. “More like how can anyone not see them on cable.”

“Excuse me, but it’s pay-per-view watching only—meaning you’ve been following me.” He pulled the seat belt out of her hands, stretched it across her and snapped it in place.

Rachel lifted her chin. “Chaz likes wrestling better.”

“That’s because he doesn’t know anything yet.” Coming around to the driver’s side, Beck climbed in and started the engine. “Now—what’s this about Chaz not being well? Does he need a kidney transplant or something?”

Rachel took a breath and then looked at Beck and told him, “Chaz has Aplastic Anemia.”

He pulled out into traffic and glanced at her, his face hard. Rachel dug her fingernails into the seat. What would she do if he lost his temper here in the truck? He didn’t. He only asked, “Okay. So he’s got anemia. He needs extra iron?”

“No… not just anemia. It’s a treatable condition he was born with. He’s going to need both blood transfusions and a bone marrow transplant.” Rachel held her breath.

Beck kept his stare on the road, but Rachel saw his hand tighten on the steering wheel. “And you can’t give him that?”

“I’m not a match. So we’re left with looking for a match in the other parent or the sibling of a parent, or....” Rachel stopped talking. “I know this isn’t a simple thing to ask. This could put you out of training for a couple of weeks.”

“Yeah, well, blood’s easy. If I’m a match. So what happens if he doesn’t get this…this transplant?”

Rachel shook her head. “I’m not even going there. Chaz…he’s sick Beck. His immune system is compromised. If he’s not treated—Beck, he could die from some simple disease that most other kids could easily survive.”

She glanced at him and saw the pulse jump in his jaw. He gave her a sideways look. “Well, looks like we’re going to end up having those paternity tests then. But before I jump into anything, I want a doctor I know to look the kid over.”

“Why? Because you think I’m lying? You think this is some scheme. I’ve never lied to you, Beck. Never.” Rachel kept her voice soft, even though the anger in his eyes and the sarcasm in his voice made her want to run away.
Be strong. Don’t let him see how badly his lack of faith hurts. Remember why you came back. You’re doing this for Chaz!

Beck put his stare on the road. “You’d be surprised what kind of things start happening when you get a championship title.”

She lifted an eyebrow. “Do you mean the groupies that you’re not fighting off?”

“Is that supposed to make me feel guilty?”

“I don’t want your guilt, Beck. Just your bone marrow. And if I can’t get yours, maybe your brothers will step up and help Chaz.”

He glanced at her. “This is between us—you leave Mason and Bryant out of this. Once we get you patched up at the ER, then we’ll figure out a time to take Chaz in to see Doc Overton—he’s looked after my family for long enough that I trust him.”

“Meaning you don’t trust me.”

He glanced at her and smiled, but the expression didn’t warm his eyes. “Honey, you taught me that.”