When Kinnick was asked to step back into the ring, he encouraged me to go with him. He stepped on the ropes, making room for me to step through. I thanked him as he wrapped his arm around my shoulder. He placed a kiss to the side of my head as the announcer approached him.

"Kinnick, first off, congratulations," he grins. "Everybody wants to know who is next? I think you have proven time and time again there is nobody that can dethrone you. I would like to know, what are your views on this?"

The crowd went silent, waiting for him to speak. "I decided after tonight I won't step into another ring."

"Woah," the announcer looked upset. "You are at the peak of your career. What makes you want to give it up?"

"Behind the scenes, I have been in many fights," he shrugged. "I am ready to put that behind me and rest for once."

"You have any plans for the future?"

He nodded, smiling down at me. "I am ready to settle down. I don't want to be thirty-years-old, depending on someone to take care of me. It's my job to take care of my girl. This sport can do a lot of damage. I am going to walk away before it gets to that point."

"Would you come back for another fight under different circumstances?"

He laughed. "Offer me more than fifty mill, and we will see."

The announcer extended his hand. "It has been great watching you grow as a fight. I am truly honored to be standing here talking to you. I think everyone here, including me, agrees that you will go down as one of the best boxers of our time. Thank you for all of the years of entertainment. Good luck with whatever it is you choose to do."

Kinnick patted his shoulder, thanking him. Before we walked away, his eyes caught Tommy. I wasn't sure what he was doing, but his hand was dragging me toward the man he beat only moments earlier. My heart raced as I tried to figure out what we were doing. Kinnick wouldn't give his respect to him.

"Kinnick," I clutched his hand tighter. "Please, don't start any more trouble."

"It is okay."

"What do you want?" Tommy looked up from the bloodied rag he held to his nose.

"Apologize," Kinnick's change in tone made my stomach swarm with warmth.

"Excuse me?"

"How long do you think it will take security to get over here?" I watched him with my lips parted as he talked. "Fifteen seconds? Twenty? That gives me enough time to break your other ribs."

"Fuck off," Tommy spat.

"I thought so," Kinnick snatched him by the back of his neck, throwing him towards my feet.

I jumped as he fell at my feet. "Kinnick, what are you doing?"

"Making him apologize."

"I don't need an apology."

"You are my girl," he lifted his eyes from the injured man on the ground. "You will get treated with respect."

John was shouting Kinnick's name from across the room. I could barely hear him over the people cheering my tattooed fighter on. Security was rushing towards us, but Kinnick wasn't going to give. He wanted Tommy to apologize, and we weren't leaving until he got it.

"Go ahead," Kinnick seethed, squatting down to grab his neck. "Kiss her feet and worship the fucking ground she walks on."

The last thing I expected was the man at my feet to kiss the tip of my heels. I could feel the pressure pressing down on the top of the leather. His breath ran over the top of my foot. I moved away as my toes curled inside of my heel.

He cried out as Kinnick rested his elbow over the ribs with a bandage taped to them. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"

Kinnick tsked. "You called her a bitch in the ring as if you aren't on the ground doing what I tell you to."

"Please," Tommy begged as Kinnick's elbow dug deeper. "I am sorry!"

"The next time you see her, you will bow at her fucking feet," he snapped. "Do I make myself clear?"

"Crystal! Crystal clear!"

Kinnick stood up, straightening out his shorts. I stared at him with shock as he made it a point to smile at me. He purposely tripped over Tommy, kicking his ribs on the step over. As John shouted for us, Kinnick shot him a wink before dragging me away. I tried to keep up with him as he pulled me down the hallway, but the bruises on his ribs made me stop.

"Kinnick, you are hurt," I frowned.

"I am going to get dressed," he turned to me. "And we are going to go out."

"John wants to go -"

"I want to celebrate with you," he pulled me into the dressing room.

"We need to tell John."

"We are being a little rebellious tonight," he winked, dropping the shorts on his hips.

My hands smacked over my face. I don't know why it still made me nervous seeing him naked. We had sex a lot, to be subtle, but his confidence is heart-pounding. He is proud of everything he has, which I don't blame him. He has many reasons to take pride in his body.

His snickering laughter filled the room. "You are so fucking cute. The ground and pound wants to see your face."

"Oh my god," I lost my breath. "I thought we agreed we wouldn't call it that!"

"Well then start shooting suggestions?" He chuckled. "If you don't, it is the ground and pound."

I sucked in breaths as I looked at his smiling face. "I am not naming your -,"

"My dick."

"Kinnick!" I shrieked.

"Dirty words turn you on," he buttoned up his satin shirt. "Admit it."

I watched as he pulled the blazer over his shoulder. "Not going to happen."

"Whatever," he shrugged. "It isn't like you admitted it a million times when you are drunk."

The heat in my cheeks raised as he winked at me. "You are in a good mood."

"Well," he opened the door, checking the hall before pulling me out. "I won a fight I thought I was going to lose, and I can still see."

"What about your ribs?"

He shrugged. "Bruised? Definitely. Broken? No."

"Kinnick! Get your ass over here!"

"Shit," my tattooed boxer cursed. "We have been caught, and you are not running fast enough."

He halted before knocking me off of my feet. My laughter left a trail of evidence as it bounced off the wall, giving away our location as he ran with me in his arms. I wrapped my hands around his neck, holding tight as he rushed us past the shouting fans and pissed-off trainer.

When we made it past the roaring crowds, he sat me down. I looked at him as he panted with a smile on his face. He has never looked more alive. As the golden lights from the city flashed over his face, it made his eyes sparkle. I stepped forward, grabbing his face as he looked behind us. He jumped at the sudden force as I smashed my lips to his.

My chuckle vibrated against his lips as his arms wrapped around my waist, and he stood straight, bringing me off of the ground. I pulled away with him still holding me up. A smile crossed his pink lips.

"What was that for?"

"For existing."

He sat me down, lacing our fingers. "Let's go have fun."

I knew his high would crash soon. Within a few hours, he would be hitting the bottom of his adrenaline. The pain would take over, and he would regret running around the city all night long. That didn't stop him, even if he knew how this night would end. Instead of saying anything, I let him live out his night of excitement.

The city was pretty, and I wanted nothing more than to explore it. All I could focus on as we walked down the streets paved in gold was him. His smile was brighter. A lively look was in his eyes. I never saw him this way. Winning that fight was what he needed to break down the barriers guarding his heart. Why? I don't know. I didn't care. He was happy.

"You said you wanted to see the Eiffel Tower, right?" He laughed as he motioned toward the replica in front of us.

I smiled. "It is absolutely beautiful."

"Where have you always wanted to go?"

"Laguna Beach in California. I have always wanted to see the bioluminescent waves."

"I am going to be honest," he grinned. "I thought you were going to say the Bermuda Triangle."

"I am telling you, if I get the chance at more than one life, I am flying into the Bermuda Triangle."

"What happens if you don't die? And you are transported somewhere else?"

"I know you will come looking for me," I bump his hip. "You wouldn't be able to last five minutes without me."

"I wouldn't be able to last five minutes without your spaghetti."

I gasped, shoving him away. "You are so mean!"

He winced, clutching his ribs. "I'm sorry! Are you okay? Kinnick?"

"No," his head started to shake. "You're breaking my heart."

"Your heart is not that low."

"Well, it grows every time I see you. I can't tell where it is anymore."