Ashtons POV
Payton flung herself at me in anger, the need to hit something.. or someone had clearly been building up all morning. I knew the exact feeling hence why i opened the gym while my father had gone ghost.
Payton and i rollicked back and forth, kicking, punching and dodging. we danced a vicious cycle, aiming to hit every inch of unprotected skin she could get at while i stayed in the defense. Panting in exhaustion, I reached out to tap her open jaw side earning me a swift kick the the ribs. Doubling over in exasperation i reached out catching her small fists and pulled towards me firmly. A shiver of anticipation rolled down my spine in pleasure, her tiny frame fitting perfectly against my body, our heavy breathing ringing through the silent room. The mood shifting from frustration to something remotely sexual.
What was this girl doing to me?
"See princess i knew you were a fighter" i whispered teasingly in my ear. Feeling her shiver against me. Shaking off the thick sensual tension that was building up between us Payton pulled away from me and suddenly
Flipped my massive weight over her little shoulder, turning over and straddled my chest. Damn i had to admit the girl was good at fighting, nobody could usually keep up with me in the ring, i kept under estimating the girl.
" If you tell a soul about this, i will make your life hell" she hissed low in my ear causing me to chuckle, Payton was definitely a little spit fire. Finally noting our close proximity and Paytons weight pressed firmly against mine, i spoke up
"Don't worry princess, your secrets safe with me, now get up we got more training to do."
I could see Payton relax slightly as if my reassurance helped ease her mind. I had Meant what i said though, I wouldn't tell a soul.. for now.
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Paytons POV
After another hour of training together, i finally head to the locker room to change out of my gym clothes. Moaning in relief as i stepped under the scalding hot water. I wasn't used to sparing with someone as trained as Ashton.. generally i just trained on my own, or with my father before he died.
A rapid knock on the door resonated through the small space. I was using Ashtons private shower room, even though it was like a large en-suite rather then your typical locker room at a gym.
"One sec!" I yelled switching the water off and grabbing a fluffy towel from a rack. Looking around i mentally smacked myself as i realized i left my extra change of clothes by the ring.
"Stupid Payton stupid" i muttered as i flung open the door.
"Holy shit what took you so long" Ashton complained before sucking in a breath as his eyes creeped up my wet, partially naked form.
"I um i forgot my spare clothes by the ring" i explained, heading towards the bag lying carelessly on the matted floor.
"Um oh go ahead" Ashton smirked leaning against the wall.
"Enjoying the view?" I snapped, i knew he was doing this purposely to embarrass me.
"Quite the opposite princess, I've seen better" he spoke smoothly. Ouch that hurt.
Picking up my bag i walked back to the room and slamming the door in Ashtons face.
I was so sick of this jerk.
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Ashtons POV
God damn woman takes forever in there!Payton left about ten minutes ago to go shower and change. I usually didn't let girls come to my personal gym let alone use my shower but I figured Payton earned it after nearly beating my ass. That girl surprised me to no end. She was gorgeous and mouthy, could ride a bike better then anyone i knew and she fought like her life depended on it... although maybe it did? I never stopped to think how she was surviving since her fathers brutal death and quite frankly James never mentioned a wife let alone a woman in his life, was fighting Paytons way of surviving?
A soft moan of pleasure emanated from behind the wooden door. I stiffened at the sound, holy shit was it damn near throwing my body in over drive. Images of Payton wet under the shower made my thoughts go wild. Feeling frustrated i angrily pounded on the locker room door."Hurry up in there!"
"One sec! Her soft voice yelled behind the door followed by incoherent muttering.
The door flew open and the scent of coconuts flooded my nose, gaping i stood stunned.
In the doorway Payton stood wrapped in a towel, wet and glowing from the heat of the shower. Her face was crimson as she bashfully looked up and met my gaze.
"I uh forgot my spare clothes by the ring" she stammered with embarrassment.
"Oh uh go ahead" i pointed leaning against the wall watching her gather her things.God forgive me for any mistakes i may make, i silently prayed, Payton looked so sexy in this moment i couldn't stop myself from checking out her figure shamelessly. You wouldn't think Payton all shy and blushing was something that suited her feisty demeanour but damn it made her look innocent and enticing.
She was a god damn temptress.
"Enjoying the view?" She snapped as she walked back towards me, clearly embarrassed.
Internally groaning, i pushed aside my lustful thoughts. I could solve those later tonight, right now i couldn't allow myself to get involved with Payton, we needed her for the rest of the original deal.
"Quite the opposite, I've seen better sweetheart" i quipped back. Throwing myself back into the emotionless monster i was used to being.
SLAM
The metal door rattled on its hinges as she slammed the door to the locker room shut, quickly changing and then storming out of the building.
And all i did? I watched her leave. I had one job to do and that wasn't getting involved with a ghosts daughter.
Payton POVTo say i was upset wasn't exactly the right choice of words.. i was sick of Ashton acting all high and mighty. Someone had to knock him off his high horse.And it was going to be me. I was currently back at the underground, getting into the ring for my next fight. After i left the gym angrily, my underground scheduler called up asking if i wanted to make some extra cash tonight. Still feeling itchy with the need to draw blood i quickly agreed.What is wrong with me. I shook my head in disgust i was becoming no better then an addict when it came to fighting.I turned my attention back to my opponent who was new to this ring, so lets give him a warm welcoming and see how well he handles getting his ass handed to him tonight.I put in my coloured contracts and threw my straightened hair into tight braids. I wasn't stupid, i knew how dangerous fighting in an illegal ring could be, but this was the only way i could make quick easy money.. without selling drugs or my body at l
Ashtons POVAfter Payton stormed out i headed back out to the public arena."Hey Ashy" a small voice screeched.Cringing i turned to face the small blonde from this morning."Ashley" i nodded"Oh um my names actually.." she went to explain but honestly i didn't care, this chick was annoying me and the only girl infiltrating my mind was Payton.Why did i even care?"Look I honestly don't care what your name is" I interrupted her before turning away and heading into my office. I didn't make it a habit to sleep with the same girl twice. I was a rich and dangerous man, I couldn't allow someone to be a target because of me again.I picked up my phone and dialled Matthew.The phone rang twice before Matthew picked it up "Hey i need you to find out what time the fights are at the underground tonight." "Okay sounds good boss, did you find out anything on Rivers?" He asked."Yea shes a fighter at the underground, which means if there's a fight tonight she will most likely be there" i explai
Paytons POV I felt weighed down, like my body was made of of lead, but why was this damn light shining so brightly in my eyes? Groaning with exhaustion, i just laid there conscious with my eyes closed listening to the sounds around me. Besides the occasional beeping of a heart monitor, Soft murmurs came from across the room. The frantic muttering sounded worrisome only aiding to my never ending curiosity.Prying my burning eyes open I blinked the eye sand away and slowly regained focus as the bright sun continued to skew my vision. Once i could see clearly i slowly shifted my stiff body to sit up right against the pillows, inhaling as a sharp pain shot up from my waist. Oh Right i got stabbed. I recalled the vivid memory right up to the moment i blacked out from the blood loss; everything after that was lost to me. Lifting the cozy black duvet up i sighed in relief. i was still wearing my black sports bra but a pair of baggy grey sweatpants now replaced the leggings i was w
Ashtons POVTo say I was furious was an understatement, after risking my men and even my own life to save hers that was the thanks I get? What an ungrateful little brat.I threw the nearest lamp at the wall feeling the anger slightly ebb away as the ceramic shattered against the wall in a million tiny pieces. I tossed a few other miscellaneous items around as I seethed in anger. My mind dipping into the dark cesspool of my inner thoughts.How dare she get angry with me! God only knows the price on her head now and she has the audacity to blame me, i was doing her a favour. She should be thanking me for saving her sorry ass but instead I'm getting a temper tantrum from her. Payton couldn't possibly understand the dangers she would now face because of that night. She would be hunted until someone finally tracked her down and killed her. She thought i was keeping her captive when i was only trying to do whats right and keep her alive. Its what her father would have wanted. Either way t
Payton POV I walked towards the door at the end of the hall just as Matthew had instructed. I was still upset about the whole ordeal, but Matthew's appellation had calmed me down enough to think clearly. If there was more to the story then Ashton was telling me, I was going to find out soon enough. Just as I raised a fist to knock, shattering glass crashed from behind the door. Huffing I rapped my bruised knuckles on the wooden surface making the person throwing a temper tantrum inside the room stop in his tracks. "Go away" he snapped worming a smug smile onto my face. I batted my eyes and peered around the corner of the door innocently, looking around the room for Ashtons latest victim. "Jeesh what did the lamp do to you?" I snickered. "Payton. Not. Now" Ashton glared at me, clearly annoyed at my unwelcome intrusion. I hesitated for a minute, deciding whether I should talk to him about this later when he's cooled off a bit or just spit it out now and face his wrath. Deciding
PAYTONS POV "Well what do we do now?" I asked. I could tell by the pensive look on Ashtons face he was conflicted by something. "We are doing nothing, your staying put until this all blows over.. meanwhile I'm going to start by getting myself a drink" he groans. "What Ashton! No way!" I began to protest before he cut me off. "your staying here from now on, until i go talk to my old man and we form a plan to get the HD6 out of town" I felt my stomach sink. "Cant i stay home? I don't need babysitters Ashton" "No, we will go to your place and collect your things and that's final" he snapped before leaving the room irritated and calling out for Matthew. I sunk into the chair. I hated this, I never asked for Ashton to swoop in like some knight in shining armor, I never asked to be sucked into some twisted life where instead of my father being the victim of a random killing, that he perhaps did something to deserve that fate.. how many people did he kill? Or families he tore apa
Ashtons POVI stormed out of the room angrily, leaving Payton to her own devices. I shouldn't worry about some ungrateful princess but the position she put myself and my men in is not a good one. We need her to be complacent and on our side more then ever now."Matthew!" I yelled out wondering where that idiot went and hid. "Yea boss?" His familiar voice called out from the kitchen, He was probably stashing away his coco puffs from Payton."Pour me a damn drink" "You got it boss" he smirked at me before sliding the bottle of cognac over to me. After a moment of silence Matthew glanced over at me "Soo.. how'd it go?""Matthew if you ever do something like that again, i"ll hang you" i muttered darkly before taking a long swig and reiterating the eye opening conversation i had with Payton moments ago............................."Honestly dude, it sounds like you're actually starting to care for the girl" Matthew teased, he's been my best friend since we were children, he knew all a
Paytons pov I woke up the following morning with a pounding head ache, although it was self-inflicted I couldn't help but pity myself. Stretching and rolling over, i sighed with resignation. Im never drinking again. "Oh good your up" Ashtons snipped as he stomped into the room looking quite dishevelled. "Mmmmmm" i groaned, sitting up lazily to rub the sleep from my eyes. "Hurry up and get ready we are going to get your things" He ordered again with an impatient tone to his voice. "Jeeze Someone must of woke up on the wrong side of the bed." Stumbling my way to the bathroom, i brushed my teeth and did my usual morning routine, Noting my clothes from yesterday were now cleaned and folded on top of the bathroom counter. Smiling gratefully i tore off the over sized t- shirt and put my clothes from yesterday back on, excitement fluttering in my stomach at the final relief of going home- even if it was only for a short while. Bounding down the hall into the living area, i had t