Isaak: The Counterpunch Series Book 1 Read online

  “You heard me: get out and don’t come back.” I turn around to face her now. The anger on her face is evident. She’s bright red and her eyes are filling with tears. Just when I think she’s got the message; she throws a spanner in the works.

  “I don't know what's gotten into you, Isaak, but this is far from over.” She huffs loud and clear like a spoilt brat and storms off to the front door.

  “It’s so fucking over, Shantel. The sooner you realise that the better,” I shout out loud enough so she’ll hear it from where I’m standing.

  The front door slams shut and the sound echoes and bounces off the walls.

  Shantel is out of my life for good now. Whether or not it’s fully registered with her yet, remains to be seen, but for me, I’m done with her.

  It’s all down to Remme. She’s shown me what I’ve been missing.

  Since she strolled into my life everything seems to be more clear, like I’ve been wearing a pair of glasses with a mist shielding my vision. She’s knocked me off my feet and it’s never felt so fucking good.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Remme

  How fucking dare, he? Who the fuck does he think he is, treating me like that? In front of ‘Shantel’ of all people.

  How could I have been so bloody stupid?

  It seems that the few times I’ve been around Isaak I lose all sense of my abilities; my vision gets blurred and I’m blindsided. I forget I’m meant to be professional with him. He causes my body to react to him and for me to forget where I am or what I’m doing. I don't know how or why, but that’s the effect he has on me.

  I know he and Shantel must have meant something to each other as I saw the Goddamn look in her eyes. Even if all that was showing in his was fury, but the way he’s purposely blanked me and been hostile towards me, has made me so infuriated. I am at boiling point. The way he could so easily change his temperament and so quickly was shocking.

  This has to stop now or I will have tell Rachel I can’t be Isaak’s therapist anymore.

  I drive away from Isaak’s house, leaving nothing but dirt and dust in my absence. I go straight home as I have no need to go in to work at the moment as all my patients in my diary have been passed along like they never mattered to me. I’m still not happy about this, and the quicker I can get back to normality the better for all participants. No doubt Melvyn will be having a field day with this, having all my clients on his books and me out the way. He hasn’t voiced it as such, but I know he finds me to be his biggest competition in the office. Not to brag, but I am better than him. My stat reports alone prove that.

  I walk through the door of my apartment, slamming the door shut. It crashes into the frame work, setting off a loud bang.

  “Jesus, Xena Warrior Princess. What did that door ever do to you?” Spencer calls from the sofa he’s lying on. As always, when he’s not working, he’s got a book in his hand. A gay romance novel no doubt—he’s a sucker for them. No pun intended.

  I’m so fucking irritated, and the worst part about it is I don’t even know why. I have no right to be cross. I’m the bitch in all this.

  “Spence, I’ve fucked up...big time.” I cross the room, and throw myself on the sofa next to him. My hands automatically move to cover my face as I hide myself in shame at the whole situation.

  “Hold that thought. Something tells me we need vodka for this.” He jumps up from the chair, and clangs around in the kitchen before he’s back beside me with two tumblers, a bottle of vodka and cranberry juice from the fridge. He pours a hefty amount of vodka into each glass and tops it up with the red fruity juice. “Right, dish the dirt.” He passes me one of the tumblers and sits back on the sofa to get comfy.

  “I fucked up. I slept with a patient.” I cringe when Spencer’s eyes are wider than his mouth. “That’s not all. His girlfriend showed up not long after and nearly caught us.” I turn my head and lift my hair out the way, showing him the teeth marks on my neck.

  He doesn’t say anything—just smirks and nods his head for more of the details, clearly amused with me.

  So, I tell him everything from the first time I met Isaak in my office, to the moment I left his house.

  “You’re fucking kidding me?”

  “Why the heck, would I joke about something like this?” I look at him, with an ‘are you serious’ look. He throws his hands up in a defensive manner as a deep frown line creases on his forehead—not that I’ll be telling him that: he’ll have a meltdown about it and put in a call to Dr Plastic for a filler in two minutes flat and all my issues will be forgotten.

  “Wait, wait, wait. Back up as sec. Girl, did you say Isaak Brookes?”

  I nod my head, now feeling a little tongue tied.

  “Isaak ‘The Bruiser’ Brookes? You had sex with that sexy beast of man. Oh, this is too good even for Oprah. Damn, Remme.” The smile he has plastered on his face isn’t helping me, not one little bit. “You do know who he is right? I mean, I know you know. Probably better than most people, but…”

  I cut him off before he gets ahead of himself. “Spence, you’re really not helping.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry. But this is the best news I’ve heard in weeks. Isaak is the guy every man wants to be and the girls wanna be under. He’s a freaking legend in the boxing industry. You should be grateful for two things here.”

  “Grateful, why’s that?” I’m dying to hear what the positives are here, because I can’t see any.

  “Well, for one, you get to work with him. Everyone wants to be associated with him one way or another. Shit, I know I do, but that’s for a totally different reason. Two, and this is the biggy, you got to see him naked in all his glory. Damn, I’m turned on just thinking about him and how he looks. You lady—once we sort all this out—are going to tell me how good he was and how damn sexy he looks in his birthday suit, right?”

  I stare at Spence like he’s gone crazy. He’s drifting off into his own head, thinking God knows what. No scratch that, I know exactly what he’s thinking. “What do I do Spencer? I mean, really. I’m risking my career here, and for what?” I throw my hands up in the air, giving up hope that everything will work itself out.

  “Will you chill your beans? Nothing is going to happen to you or your career. You just got caught up in the moment and had a slight mishap. We all do it, Hun.”

  “What if I don’t want it to be a mistake? What if I find myself wanting more?” I whisper softly.

  “Remme…”

  I look into his eyes, and it’s like he can see everything I’m feeling with just that one look.

  “You actually like him, don’t you?” He smiles gently.

  “Yes, no… I don’t know. It’s hard to explain, but the way he makes me feel when I’m around him… it’s like I’m floating and nothing and no one can bring me back down. When we were together, you know…” I look at him to see if he knows what I’m referring to. He nods for me to go on. “It was out of this world, and I know I only had a small part of him, with his injuries we couldn’t do much, but the promise of what he could give me, do to me… It’s hard to explain, but I feel like he was made for me, like I was holding out for the next chapter in my life for…him.

  “Remme, I think what you’re experiencing is instant attraction... Now don’t go freaking out on me, but what you’ve just described is an all-consuming, burning need for him. It’s so rare that only some people are fortunate enough to have this feeling once in their life... if ever. Take it for what it is.”

  Spencer may be gay and the proudest member of his community, but my God, does he have a way with words.

  “Maybe you’re right. Thanks, Spence.” I lean over to him and pull him in tight for one of his bear hugs.

  “If you don’t bag him, step aside and let me work my magic. I’m positive I can turn him to the other side.”

  I push him away from me, playfully slapping his arm. “You’re a bad, bad boy, Spence.”

  “True dat, bi
atch.”

  I leave him to carry on reading his book and head to my room.

  As I reach the door, my phone chimes with an incoming text and I pull my phone from my back pocket. It’s from Isaak. I rush into my room, close the door and leap onto my bed before opening up his message and reading.

  Isaak: Are you okay? I know I came across harsh, but I had my reasons.

  Harsh? It was more than a little harsh. And what the fuck does he mean by that? He has his reasons. Like he needs reasons to be a jerk.

  Before I can stop myself, my fingers start to type out a reply.

  Me: Why wouldn’t I be okay? I’m perfectly fine Isaak. It was just sex, was it not? Something that won’t be happening again.

  I hit send, throwing my phone down onto my bed, and start removing my gym clothes, swapping them for a thin vest and pj shorts.

  The text I just sent is a lie, but he doesn’t need to know that.

  And it’s not like it was a whole lie. I mean, it won’t be happening again—I can’t allow it to. I need to think smart about all this, and staying away from Isaak as much as possible is the best thing to do, regardless of me treating his injuries. I can do that without getting too physical with him.

  Okay, who the fuck I am kidding?

  My phone chimes again, and even though I don’t want to see his reply, my brain is already sending the message to my hands as I’ve grabbed my mobile and already have the message open.

  Isaak: I think we both know it wasn’t just sex, but if that’s what you wanna keep telling yourself Sweetcheeks, then you carry on. I have all the time in the world.

  Sweetcheeks? Who’s he calling, Sweetcheeks?

  The pure cheek of him. He really is a cocky self-assured twat. No matter how attracted to him I am, that I can’t deny. I’m not going to roll over or drop to my knees for him again, no matter how much my body reacts to him when he’s close or touching me. I need to be on my toes around him from now on, and we will most definitely not be having a repeat performance of earlier.

  Me: Isaak, you have to stop this I’m here to help you, not fuck you. And don’t call me Sweetcheeks again.

  His reply comes through immediately

  Isaak: There’s more than one way you can help me, SWEETCHEEKS and FYI, I didn’t fuck you. If I had, you wouldn’t be able to walk straight. What you got was more like a taster!

  Me: FYI, not funny. Although, I did find myself laughing at your use of capitals. I don’t make it a habit of fucking another woman’s man!

  The thought of bringing up Shantel—his girlfriend of all people—who almost caught us in the heat of the moment, makes me feel physically sick and ashamed of my actions. I’m in the process of giving myself a good telling off when another message comes in.

  Isaak: Let’s get one thing straight, Rem: Shantel is not my girlfriend. Not now and not ever. I did what I did to protect you. I know you don't understand why, but give me a chance to explain it before jumping to conclusions.

  Me: Regardless, I don’t need you to protect me, Isaak. I’m not yours to protect or defend. I need time to come to terms with everything that has happened. I’ll see you in a couple of days for your next session.

  I don’t wait for his reply to come through. Instead, I switch off my phone so I’m not tempted to answer him again. I leave it on the side of my bed and head out to the living room to spend some time with my bestie, as I feel like I’ve been neglecting our friendship lately. Speaking to him about the dilemma I’m having with Isaak has made me feel better about the whole situation.

  Considering I’ve only just started Isaak’s therapy sessions last week, I shouldn't really be taking any time away from him, let alone two days. Working out of the centre really does give me more leeway with the hours I work, but that being said, it’s not like me at all. It's so uncharacteristic of me and it’s not fair on Isaak, but it’s got to be done. For my own sanity more than anything else. This is going to set him back, but if I work out a new plan for him that won’t require us working out so closely together, where I can keep my distance, I’m hundred precent sure I can pull it back and get him on track again. This new plan needs to benefit Isaak as much as me. I don’t think I’ll be able to control myself a second time around him. He has a way of making me forget everything and concentrate solely on him and what he does to my body and the effect he has on it.

  I’m screwed. Just looking at Isaak has me wanting, wishing for, things with him that just can’t happen no matter how much I want them to.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Isaak

  Two days Remme has had: two days to figure out whatever it is she’s needed to—her words. Personally, I think she is just trying to avoid me after how I reacted towards her about the whole Shantel incident, even though she still hasn’t let me explain. Also, the fact I’ve seen her naked and at her most vulnerable, regardless of how beautiful she looks, doesn’t help matters.

  The flush of pink coating her cheeks; the lustful look in the depths of her eyes every time she’d looked over her shoulder at me; her moans of pleasure—pleasure I was delivering to her... The image and sounds will forever be engraved in my mind.

  Fuck. Thinking about her that way again makes me solid. I need a cold fucking shower.

  I head into my bedroom and shake off my clothes, leaving them in a heap on the floor next to the bed. Walking into the shower, I turn the temperature down to a chill in the hopes that it rids me of this ache I have for Rem.

  Straight away, I know it’s not going to be enough, so I lather some shower gel onto the palm of my hand and rub it all over it my body. I give myself a quick scrub down before my hand starts to gravitate towards my current hard on. I'm a couple of strokes in when I hear a noise that causes me to pause. I hear movement coming from somewhere in the house, but I can’t quite make it out as the spray of the water hitting the base of the shower is too loud.

  I know Remme asked for a couple of days, which she has had. It’s Thursday morning now. I’m still unsure if I should be expecting her at all today. She hasn’t messaged or rang to inform me of anything but I’m not holding my breath.

  So, if this is Shantel again, I swear to the fucking heavens I will lose my shit with her this time. She has a thing about walking into rooms that I’m in without being invited into them, so it wouldn’t surprise me if she did it again.

  I really do need to start locking my doors more often, regardless of the amount of security cameras I have set up.

  I quickly turn the shower off and head out of my en-suite, completely forgetting to pick up a towel to dry myself off with. The curiosity is getting the better of me and I need to know who is in my house.

  I have the most pleasant and unexpected surprise as I swing open my bedroom door. Standing there looking bashful and eyes downcast checking out my junk—which is still rock hard—is the gorgeous and sassy mouthed Remme.

  “There's me thinking fantasies weren’t real. Yet, here you are in the flesh,” I purr seductively, as I lean myself up on the edge of the door frame. I cross my arms over my chest, emphasising and enlarging the muscles there, not at all ashamed of showcasing my nudity to her.

  It takes her a few seconds to remember where my eyes are located, making me grin, the corner of my mouth lifting slightly.

  When she makes eye contact with me, I see the blush on her cheeks, causing my smirk to widen.

  She clears her throat before she speaks. “Can you please put some flipping clothes on.” She pinches her eyes together, closing them tightly.

  “That’s not what you were saying two days ago, Sweetcheeks,” I flirt. Knowing it rattles her. I plan to do it more.

  “God sake, Isaak. Every time I see you, you’re either naked or only part dressed. Just get dressed and ready to leave the house. I’ll be downstairs.” She still has her lids firmly shut. She goes to turn around and walk back the way she came but stops and turns. “Oh, and Isaak”—she opens her eyes— “for the record,
I’ve seen better heads on top of a beer.” Then she has the nerve to wink at me before she disappears out of sight.

  “You’re playing with fire, Sweetcheeks.” I call out after her. Whether she hears it or is choosing to ignore it, I don’t know.

  I quickly throw on some clothes as I’m bone dry now. Joggers and a hoodie will do. I throw some hair gel into my hair and style it, giving it the rough and ready look, finishing off with a couple squirts of my Boss cologne.

  I slide my feet into my trainers and make my way out to Remme. When I round the corner, she’s pacing holes in my floor.

  “I’m fully clothed, even though you secretly like it when I’m not. Where’re we going?”

  “For a walk. Outside in the open. You know, fresh air and all that. I thought we could stroll outside today instead of using the treadmill,” she strolls towards the front door. “Come on, there’s loads to do today.”

  I get the feeling she doesn’t want to be alone with me, or even remotely close to me. I grab my keys and phone from off the side and follow on behind her.

  “Do you randomly just walk into people’s homes unannounced?” I throw out there whilst I lock the door. Luckily there is no paparazzi out front this morning.

  “If you must know, I texted you saying I was on my way and for you to be ready. Then I knocked...twice. The door was unlocked, so I thought if I shouted out for you, you would hear me,” she explains.

  “I was actually in the middle of something, important at the time.” I just catch the moment she rolls her eyes.

  “Way too much info. I don’t need to know that, Isaak. What you do in your spare time is your business.” She starts to walk down towards the gate.

  Just as I’m about to open my mouth to say something, I hear, “Come on Isaak. These steps won’t walk themselves you know,” from over her shoulder. I pick up my pace and catch up to her.