“Finally got someone who can get out of your fucking anaconda arms, huh Dane?”
All of the fighters in the gym, regulars and newbies, had stopped their own training to watch Rick and Dane rolling. Rick knew they were only cheering him on because so far, no one had been able to beat the Dane using submission techniques. The man was lethal on the ground.
Smiling behind his mouth guard, Rick motioned for Dane to come and get him, holding up his hand and curling his fingers back towards himself.
Dane’s eyes lit up with perverse delight at the taunting. He wiped his brow with the back of his arm and edged closer. Rick jumped back, egging his friend on once more with a quick gesture, knowing that Dane would allow himself to be baited into a bad decision. Dane leapt at Rick again, but this time, Rick hopped to the side, swiftly wrapping his arms around the other man’s waist. Using his own weight to aid him, Rick fell to the ground, pulling Dane with him, and was able to slide his legs around Dane’s neck. The big man thrashed, shoving at Rick’s torso. Rick grabbed Dane’s arm and went for the high arm lock.
“Go, go, go!”
“Holy shit, Rick’s got him!”
Dane kept his arm in constant motion so Rick couldn’t grab onto it. He eventually weaseled his way out of the hold, rolling across the mat out of Rick’s reach. Both men immediately jumped to their feet once more, their bare chests heaving.
“Awwww, damn! Thought Ricochet had you, Nolan!”
Rick was about to attack Dane again when he heard Xavier speaking in the background. “Quinn, you sure you’re okay to be here?”
Concerned, his eyes immediately sought out Quinn. That brief moment of lost focus gave Dane the opening he needed. Before Rick knew it, he was on the ground in a reverse arm lock, his shoulder and elbow joints screaming in protest. Knowing he wasn’t getting out of the hold anytime soon, and suddenly desperate to make sure Quinn was okay, Rick tapped Dane’s wrist in defeat.
Boos and grunts of displeasure carried across the gym. The disappointed onlookers dispersed when they realized the show was over.
“You stupid fucker,” Rick gasped after spitting out his mouth guard. “I wasn’t paying attention.”
Dane smiled, tapping the side of his head. “That’s the point, Ricochet. Never lose focus.”
“I hate you.”
The big blonde man grinned and left the ring. Getting to his feet slowly, Rick followed with a grimace, shaking out the arm that had been pinned. He crossed over to where Quinn stood with an indecipherable look on her face.
Shit, what’s going on?
Quinn had been recuperating in her apartment, not leaving it in the two weeks since she was discharged fr
om her weeklong hospital stay. Most of her injuries had been superficial, but a concussion and fractured cheekbone had kept her from coming home right away. Rick hated leaving her alone, but he had to continue working. Mack promised not to send him on any missions until she was fully healed, which, from the looks of things, could be any day now.
“Hey,” he said calmly. “Why aren’t you resting?” Rick put his hands on her shoulders, gently massaging her arms.
Quinn’s eyes grew large and went to his gloved hands.
Fuck, she hates fighting. Now I know why she looks freaked out.
Rick yanked his hands away and took a step back. “I didn’t mean for you to see me fight, Quinn. I’m sorry.”
To his surprise, Quinn stepped forward, closing the distance Rick had put between them. He watched as she hesitantly lifted her arms, placing her hands on his sweat-slicked chest. Her eyes met his and his breath left in a sharp huff. The fear he had expected to see wasn’t there. No… Quinn’s eyes were dark and glistening with lust.
“I didn’t know that watching you fight would be so comforting. It makes me feel safe, and… turned on,” she murmured. Rick shivered as her hands ran down his torso, moving over each defined muscle until they were resting on either side of his waist.
“Turned on?” Rick swallowed, barely able to speak with Quinn touching him like that. She was only just about healed from the attack. He figured it would be months, if not longer before she’d be interested in pursuing anything physical.
“Yes, turned on.” Quinn’s fingers dug into Rick’s waist, her thumbs making small circles on the ‘v’ shaped ridges of his lower abs. Scorching waves of pleasure rippled down his spine, instantly making his cock come to life.
“Jesus,” he muttered softly. Using every last bit of willpower he had, Rick captured Quinn’s wrists, removing her hands from his body. “Not here, doll.” He glanced around, but none of the other fighters were looking their way. Still, he’d kill them if they saw the lust in Quinn’s eyes. That was for him, and him alone.
Quinn pouted, crossing her arms and glaring like a kid denied her favorite candy.
He couldn’t help himself. The sight of this tiny thing trying to look intimidating was funny. Rick laughed. “You’re too much, doll.” The corner of her mouth twitched up—it was just a hint of a smile, but it made Rick’s day. Quinn hadn’t smiled once since his team rescued her. Seeing some of her personality coming back flooded him with emotion. “Let’s go. Unless… did you come down here for something?”
“No. I was just bored.” Her eyes darted around the large room, taking in the different fighters training. “I wanted to…”