The Monster's Obsession

CHAPTER FIVE

Hunter POV

It’s been a few days since that night at Sandy’s and Adrienne has been on my mind nonstop. Today was the day that I was going to see her again. I remembered that she took boxing classes Tuesdays and Thursdays, and being that there is only one boxing gym 20 minutes from here that popped up on google. I figured my chances of her being there were pretty high. 

A text message from Laura pinged on my phone. She had been texting and calling me nonstop since I told her we needed to cool it for a while. That whole scene she made at Sandy’s the other night just turned me off. I shoved my phone in my pocket not even bothering to read the text, got in my truck and took off. 

My heart was pumping and I had barely made it down my driveway. I need to calm down. I put the truck in park and let out a deep sigh.

“What the f**k are you doing Hunter?”

I ran my fingers through my beard as I contemplated turning around and forgetting the whole thing. She doesn’t know me, I don’t know her and I’m just gonna pop up where she works out? That’s twenty minutes from here?!

“She’s gonna think I’m a f*****g stalker!”  I really didn’t think this through, but it was my only way of getting to her. 

“f**k it. It’s worth a shot.” I shook off my nerves as I put my truck in drive again and started making my way to the address on my GPS.

“Who’s gonna think you’re a stalker?” Alex yawned from the back seat causing me to slam on the brakes, making him fall from the seat down to the floor of my truck.

“Dammit Alex! You scared the s**t out of me!”

“What are you doing?!” I yelled out.

“What am I doing!? You’re the one talking to yourself about being a stalker. What the hell is that about? You got some secret hobbies I should know about?” He was trying to pick himself up from the floor and back onto the seat.

“No I meant, what are you doing in my truck?”

“Oh. Ummmm.” He looked around the truck scratching his head hoping a clue was lying around somewhere.

“I guess I got drunk and fell asleep here.” He shrugged his shoulders and stretched out his body. I knew I wasn’t going to get a better answer than that, so I just shook my head and kept driving.

“So where are we heading this fine morning?” He asked.

“To the gym, and no I’m not stopping so just stay in the back. I can smell your breath from here, you f*****g stink.”

“No need to stop.” He pulled up the top of my center console and pulled out a small travel bag that had a toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, axe body spray and a hairbrush in it.

“I’ll be good to go by the time we get there.” 

I opened my mouth to ask him why he had a whole travel bag in MY car, but I couldn’t find the words. I wasn’t sure what I was more bothered by, the fact that he did it or the fact that I didn’t notice this was in my truck. I turned up the radio and just drove, trying to figure out why this guy was still my friend.

***

“Knockout Kings."

"We drove almost thirty minutes for “Knockout Kings?” Alex asked.

He didn’t seem amused with the small but well-kept building. He rolled the window down to get a better look at the inside. They had a few punching bags, treadmills and weight sets but nothing too fancy.

“Welp, I hope whatever we came here for is worth it.” He said while stretching his hands behind his head.

“Not what. Who.” I gripped the steering wheel and took a deep breath.

“Who?” 

“Exactly.” I turned off the engine, stepped out of the truck and made my way to the gym entrance.

“What?!” Alex was yelling behind me but he quickly followed suit. 

We were greeted at the door by a petite but in shape woman with black long hair and a red and black t-shirt that said “Knockout Kings”. 

“Welcome to Knockout Kings gentlemen. How can I help you today?” Before I could get a word out, Alex swooped in and wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

“You can definitely help me sweetheart. Can you give me some information on memberships here?” 

Once he flashed his cocky smile I knew that girl was done for. She took him over to the desk to show him the membership packages and I took the opportunity to go look for Adrienne.

It didn’t take me long to find her. She was doing squats with resistance bands on her ankles. She had on a burgundy sports bra and matching yoga pants that accentuated every one of her curves. Her ass looked amazing and I just pictured her soft, warm cheeks under my hands. 

Her hair was pulled up in a high messy bun exposing her beautiful slender neck, and drops of sweat ran down her back. When my eyes roamed down to the dip of her back, I saw deep scars peeking out of the waistband of her pants. Where did she get those scars from? 

A pair of hands grabbed her hips as she was coming back up from a squat and patted her on her thighs. He whispered something in her ear that made her smile and started to walk away. Who the f**k is that? I felt a pinch of jealousy pull at my heart and I was over there before I even realized my feet were moving.

“Hunter?” 

I heard a voice call out my name. My tunnel vision made me walk right past Adrienne, but as soon as I saw those big honey eyes I was snapped out of it. She was the reason I was here.

“Hey gorgeous.” I smiled.

“What are you doing here?” She looked at me confused as hell, then leaned in closer.

“Are you stalking me?” 

Her question made me wish I never did this. I knew she was going to think I was a f*****g stalker. I let out a small chuckle to cover my pain.

“I’m not stalking you. Sandy has been wanting to get a hold of you to see if you wanted to play at the bar again. I remember you said you go to the gym Tuesdays and Thursdays, so I decided to help out." I looked at her hoping that my excuse was enough to save me from this f*****g embarrassment.

“Okay but how did you know I was at this gym?”

“Umm this is the only gym in the area.” She looked at me suspiciously sizing me up before talking again.

“So Sandy wants me to play again?”

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure it’s a paid gig too.” Her eyes light up like Christmas trees.

“Seriously?!”

“Yeah, you can go and check with her if you don’t believe me.” 

She let out the most adorable mouse-like screech while jumping up and down. My eyes instantly went to her perfectly shaped breasts that were trying to pop out of her sports bra with every bounce. I had to grab her shoulders to stop her before my guy downstairs came out for a visit. She threw her arms up and wrapped me into a hug then instantly pushed herself away.

“Sorry! I didn’t mean to jump on you like that. I’m just really excited.  I don’t need your girlfriend popping in that door too. Especially if I’m going to be around a lot more.” Oh, this girl is funny. I like it, but I frowned at the fact that she felt she couldn’t touch me, that was all I wanted her to do.

“She’s not my girlfriend.” I said.

She laughed and looked at me waiting for the punchline and when nothing came she rolled her eyes.

“Well then I think you guys are due for a conversation because she obviously thinks differently.” She bent down and started to gather her things.

“I’m not for the drama Hunter, and your “friend” has drama written all over her. Thanks for coming all the way out here to give me the message though. I’ll stop by Sandy’s later today and get more information about the gig. See you around.” She smiled and turned to leave, but I grabbed her arm. This time I was prepared for any surprise punches.

“She’s not my girlfriend Adrienne. She never was. We messed around for a while but nothing exclusive and after that night at Sandy’s I ended it all.” I don’t know why I told her all of that but I just needed her to understand. She searched my face for even a fraction of a lie, then opened her mouth to speak but before she could say anything a man’s voice interrupted her.

“Everything okay here Adrienne?” 

It was that f*****g shmuck who had his hands all over her. I stepped in front of Adrienne blocking her from his view. I didn’t even want him looking at her. He looked me up and down and shot me a side smirk that made me want to hit him.

“Adrienne is this guy bothering you?” She jumped from behind me and in the middle of the both of us.

“Everything is fine Chris.”

“Chris this is Hunter. I met him at Sandy’s the other night. Hunter, this is Chris my trainer and the owner of this gym." 

I stood my ground not moving a muscle and so did he. It usually takes a lot to make me lose my cool but this guy was pushing every one of my buttons, maybe it was just because of Adrienne.

“Oh my God guys really?! Just chill, everything is fine. No need for the macho acts." Adrienne shouted as she slapped both of us on our backs trying to ease the tension. Chris finally broke eye contact first and looked at Adrienne.

“You know I always have to be on guard when it comes to you Buttercup. People tend to get too touchy.” 

He looked me up and down again trying to size me up. What the f**k is a buttercup? He was really starting to piss me off and that stupid smirk on his face was making it worse.

"Do you box?" His question threw me off and I raised an eyebrow indicating that he needed to watch his next words carefully.

"What?” 

“Well it seems like you have some aggression that you need to let out. What better place to do that than a boxing gym, MY boxing gym. So...how ‘bout it? Wanna go a few rounds?” He flashed a cocky smile at me and I wanted nothing more than to take him up on his offer.

“Okay. Let’s do it.” 

Adrienne swung her head around and her eyes went wide with surprise.

“Hunter don’t let him get to you. He’s always messing with people, you don’t have to do this.” She said. I walked up to her closing the space between us and cupped her chin in my hand.

“You worried about me gorgeous? If I can take your right hooks then he shouldn’t be too much of a problem.” She tried to hide her laughter but failed miserably. I only said that to piss off Chris at first but hearing her laugh was definitely an added bonus.

“Yo! Loverboy! We doing this or what?” I can tell that my tactic worked. His cocky smirk was gone and his body was a lot more tense.

“Matter fact, let’s make this more interesting. If I win you don’t come around here anymore and you stay away from Adrienne.” He said sternly.

“Chris! What the f**k!” Adrienne yelled, obviously upset that he would include her in the bet. This d**k. I wanted to knock out any claim he thought he had on her.

“I’ll take your bet, but there’s nothing you have that I want.” I look over to Adrienne who is fuming at this point.

“If I win I want Adrienne to go on a date with me.” Her honey eyes were blazing and they were aimed right at me now. 

“Oh! Should we call your girlfriend and find out what she’s in the mood for?! She seems like a steak type of girl.” She was pissed but all she did was turn me on. I wanted her bad.

“I told you she’s not my girlfriend. You don’t have to if you don’t want to but then there’s really no point for me to get in the ring.” A smile crept across her face as if she just plotted something horrible.

“Fine. You guys want to beat each other up? I won’t stop you BUT whoever wins has to do something for me . I don’t know what it is yet but when I ask for it you can’t deny me.”

“Deal?” She asked, waiting for our response.

I agreed with no problem. I would do anything for her with or without the bet so it was a no brainer. Chris also agreed and we both suited up and got in the ring. I looked out at Adrienne who had her hands folded across her chest. Chris was jumping on his toes and moving his neck around trying to loosen his body. The buzzer rang and it was time to go. Let’s get this over with so I could claim my prize.

Adrienne POV

I’m standing here watching two assholes getting ready to beat the hell out of each other and I have to say the thought of it is kind of hot. I mean Chris is a good looking man but Hunter; a man like that should not exist. He took off his shirt and I felt my knees go weak. This man was like something out of a f*****g magazine. He’s just unreal! I wanted to run my tongue down every ab and over every muscle. My walls tightened and I lost my breath just from the thought of it.

“What the hell did this guy get into now?” 

A man with brown spiky hair pulled me out of my thoughts. Where did he come from? Was he standing here the whole time? I must have been really zoned out because he was standing right next to me without a care in the world.

“You know Hunter?” I asked him trying to figure out who he was. I’ve never seen him around here before.

“Yeah, he’s my best bud.” He was looking at the fight about to start and then he sucked his teeth and rolled his eyes.

“Ugh what a waste.” 

His comment caused my brows to furrow. Is he talking about Chris? 

“You have a problem with something?” I asked him.

“The fight is already over.”

“What are you talking about? They haven’t even started yet.” I looked at the ring and then back at him trying to see what he was talking about. Once he pulled his eyes away from the ring he looked at me as if seeing me for the first time.

“Well now, what’s your name sweetheart?” I giggled at how fast he could switch on his charm.

“I’m Adrienne. I guess you could say that Hunter is a friend of mine.”

“Oooooh, so you’re the who.”

“I’m the what?”

“No, the who.”

“The who?”

“Exactly.” 

He smiled at me and it just made me feel even more confused. What the hell is this guy talking about? Hunter hangs out with some strange people for sure. The sound of the buzzer brought my attention to the ring. The guys started out measuring the other’s ability. 

Chris threw the first couple of punches but Hunter either dodged or blocked them. Hunter threw the next few punches that Chris blocked but the last punch made contact to his right cheek.

“Okay. I see you could do more than just talk.” Chris smirked as he shook off the hit. 

Hunter didn’t bother to reply, instead he threw two hooks to the face and one strong one to his rib cage. Chris instantly dropped to the floor gasping for air. Drool spit out of his mouth with every cough. Holy s**t I’ve never seen anyone beat Chris in a match before let alone so quickly. I just stood there in shock.

“Welp, time to go.” 

Alex clapped his hands and the echo took me out of my shock. Hunter left Chris on the floor, picked up his shirt and exited the ring. He walked in front of me and got so close to my ear that I could feel his breath and it sent tingles all the way down my neck.

“You owe me a date gorgeous. Meet me at Sandy’s tonight 8:00. Be nice and don’t keep me waiting.” 

He lifted his head and gave me one of the sexiest smiles I’ve ever seen. I looked at him not realizing my mouth was slightly opened and my breathing got heavy. He lifted my chin to close my mouth and started walking towards the door. His friend followed him out.

“So, that’s the who? His friend asked while throwing his arm around Hunter’s shoulder.

“Yeah, that’s her.”