Isaak: The Counterpunch Series Book 1 Page 4

  “Okay. Let me stop you there, Isaak. You’re here for one thing and one thing only, and definitely not what you’ve got in your head, that’s for sure.”

  Wow, okay. That didn’t last long. So maybe she isn’t like other women. If she is, I’m sure I’d have had her spread across her desk by now.

  She’s feisty, I like that, and fuck me, I have to adjust my tracksuit bottoms so my cock can breathe: it’s standing to attention from her ‘take no prisoners’ attitude.

  Down boy.

  “I’m absolutely certain that what’s in your head right now, is nothing in comparison to what’s in mine, Remme.” That is a fact. I very much doubt she’s thinking about all the dirty things I want to do with her body.

  “Regardless what you're thinking, it’s not what you’re here for,” she states.

  Where’s the fun in that? Although she is right. So, for now, I try to behave myself.

  “I’ll behave, I promise. What’s your plan to try and fix me up?” As much as she’s a distraction herself, I give her my full attention. If I want to be back in the gym any time soon, I’ll do anything she asks of me.

  “Okay, so I’ve been going through your file. You’ve recently had a drug test and I can see you passed it with flying colours, just like every test you’ve done.” The concentration on her face is adorable. “Your records show you’re not allergic to anything, at least not that you are aware of. Is that all still correct, Isaak?”

  The way my name rolls off her tongue isn’t helping me to concentrate at all. It has me thinking how it would sound when she’s screaming it at the peak of her orgasm.

  “Yes, still the same, Remme.”

  She does a double take when I say her name. I wonder if she’s as affected by me, as I am by her? I know her body is, but I can’t read what she’s really thinking in that pretty little head of hers.

  “Okay, so I have a list of the medication the doctor has prescribed you with, and last but not least, the very detailed hospital report from the doctor who treated your injuries.” She glances up at me from under her lashes, clearly wondering how I’m walking and looking the way I do.

  “The tablets are doing their job,” I state, like it’s as simple as that.

  “I’m sure you don’t need me to go over all your injuries with you again. Judging by your face alone, I can guess you already know the extent of them.” She’s so observant.

  “You should see the other guy,” I joke, but she doesn't find it funny.

  “Look, Isaak. This isn’t a game. I’m trying to help you. There’s nothing funny about your situation. You’re lucky because it could have been a hell of a lot worse than it is. So, if you don’t want my help or to be here…there’s the door. Don’t let it hit your arrogant arse on the way out,” she persists, nodding her head over at the door.

  Something in me snaps, and I let loose. “You think this is where I wanna be right now? It’s not. You think I’m happy I let another fighter do this to me? Again, I’m not. I’m dealing with all this the best I can, and the only way I know how,” I all but bite back.

  This is not the way I’d planned my morning or how I’d expected it to go.

  Chapter Six

  Remme

  Am I shocked at his sudden and over the top outburst? Yes, I am. But I can understand where he’s coming from: he’s used to winning, that much is obvious. He’s so used to everything going his way and getting what he wants. Again, that much is also bluntly obvious. That doesn’t mean I’m going to throw him a pity party and let him wallow in it. He needs to want to be here, and he needs to want my help. I’m going to have to step out of my professional self and be strict and direct with him for this meeting to move forward.

  Once he’s got his temper in check and he’s calmed down some, I engage with him again. “You done feeling sorry for yourself now?” I question him as I casually lean over my desk towards him, placing my arms flat on the desk. I can sense the anger and frustration coming off of him in waves, but to my surprise he gathers himself well.

  “Yes, for now. Look, Remme. When I feel like this, I hit the gym and work off my frustrations that way. As you can see, I can’t do that right now. And that in itself is making me irritated. I didn’t mean to take it out on you,” he explains.

  This is a start, and now I know what I need to do. “Shall we start again?” I ask, offering him an olive branch. I just hope he takes it, or this isn’t going to work, and Rachel will have to find someone else to take him on. I see he’s pondering on what to do until he’s leaning forward and reaching his hand out to me, some discomfort in his face that I put down to his injuries.

  “Isaak Brookes. Pleasure to meet you, Remme.”

  I take his outstretched hand in mine. I can feel the corners of my mouth lifting as I smile back at him.

  The minute the tips of my fingers touch his, the whole of my body comes to life. It’s a feeling I’ve never experienced before. Feeling slightly uncomfortable now, but in a really good, unexplainable way, I casually pull my hand away from his. Coughing to fill the silence that’s now in the room, I get back to what I do know and what I can understand. “Erm okay, so... As I was saying about your injuries: the least concerning one is the boxer’s fracture. That is the most common and easy enough to help fix. Then there's the matter of the concussion. Has this gone away by itself or not?” I get straight back to our discussion from where it ended.

  “Not entirely, no. I’m still having dizzy spells,” he answers.

  “How bad are they?”

  “Some are okay; some knock me sick.”

  “Okay, we’ll have to keep a close eye on them. Let me know if they get worse.” It’s not a question, it’s an order. He nods his head in understanding. I quickly make a note of this in his file before continuing.

  “My main concern is the spinal injury and the damage caused to the soft tissue there. This is where the most work will be needed. Overall, the injuries that you’ve suffered can be one hundred percent treated and you can most definitely go back to living a normal life.” I glance over the paper in my hand to check he’s actually paying attention to what I’m saying. He is. “The treatments and methods used, you won’t find to be an easy or quick fix. You’re going to have to put the time and effort in. From the attitude I got from you before, I don’t think you fully understand what is going to be in store for you over the next few months, at least. It all depends on you, Isaak. You need to be motivated, dedicated and want to heal so you can get back into boxing—back to your career.”

  “Whatever you need me to do, I’ll do it. I realise I need to put myself through this in order for me to move forward. It’s just the thought of having to do all this with people watching my every move.”

  “I thought you would be used to having people watch you. I mean you’re a professional boxer, Isaak.” I almost laugh out loud.

  “That’s completely different. That’s something I can easily do in my sleep. This is me showing weakness that I don’t show in the ring.”

  I can see he’s having real issues with this. “What do you suggest, Isaak? I want to be able to help you the best I can, and in order for me to do that, I need you to work with me on this.”

  “I don’t know. Is there any way you can bring your work to my place?”

  I find myself straightening my back up at this. I know in my head it’s not a good idea, but the look on his face is crippling me. Can I help him outside of this building? Yes, I can. If that is what it’s going to take to get him to commit to all this, then it’s worth a shot. After all, I’m here to help him heal and recover.

  “Okay, so let’s just say I actually agree to this. How am I going to get you using the right equipment? It’s all in the gym, and we have a pool here too.” I look across my desk at him; he seems to be very pleased with himself.

  “I have a swimming pool. In fact, I have two, and I can get all the equipment I need that I don't already have in my home gym.
That’s not a problem. You give me a list of what I need, and I’ll get it.”

  “You’ve really thought about this haven't you?”

  “I hardly get a personal life as is it. This is something I need to keep just that. I don’t want the media seeing me coming and going from here. If I’m at home, I can eliminate that from happening.”

  He really has thought about this. “Well, how about I show you around the building first. You can see for yourself what we have to offer here, and if you feel the same after that, I’ll have a word with the head of my department to see if it’s possible.”

  “Okay, deal. And thank you, Remme.”

  I see the moment he starts to relax, and I think it’s the first time he’s been fully relaxed since walking into my office. I stand from behind my desk and reach for his crutches, walking around to where he is sitting to hand them over. “Come on then, hop along. What are you waiting for? The road to recovery has just started.”

  “Too soon to crack jokes, Sweet cheeks, but I’ll let you off this once. The next time, you’ll be over my knee and I’ll be slapping your arse.”

  I almost fall flat on my face at his crude comment, mostly because I find myself being turned on by this, and the fact that he’s given me a nickname so soon after meeting me, does not go amiss.

  “Only in your dreams, Isaak. The next time you say words like that to me, you can find yourself a new physiotherapist.” I’m clear and straight to the point, but the lust in his eyes I see when I look over my shoulder tells me he’s paid no attention.

  I walk ahead of him and out of my office, waiting for him to follow me.

  From what I’ve gathered of Isaak so far, he’s used to getting what he wants, and I have a funny feeling I’ve just instigated a new game for him. I won’t be falling to my knees for him like every woman no doubt does.

  I have a job to do and that’s all.

  Chapter Seven

  Isaak

  I am glad to get out of the building after Remme has shown me around and explained what room is for what. Remme is playing with fire without her even knowing it, and she’s going to get burnt. It’s as if she’s instigated a challenge for me. I like a good challenge. I like winning more. She’s going to be in for a shock if she keeps this up, that’s for sure, and I’d been all set, ready to high tail it out of there with her over my shoulder to show her I can most definitely follow through on my promises. However, she’s right: I need to keep this professional, even if I have a bad case of blue balls.

  I make it back to my house in record time, with a list of equipment I will need to purchase in my back pocket, or that the guys at the gym can hook me up with and my back now causing me some pain as I’m due some tablets.

  I pull up to the gates and press the button on my dashboard for them to open, putting the car in drive when I notice Owen’s car behind me. I head up the long driveway and park my car up. Owen stations his car next to mine and I turn the engine off and jump out, or should I say stagger out, leaning back inside to get my crutches. The fucking things are really starting to piss me off.

  “Hey, Isaak, how was your meeting at Proflex?” he shouts across at me over the roof of his car as he locks it up.

  “Interesting to say the least,” I say sarcastically.

  He walks alongside me as I approach the house, unlocking the door. Owen follows me inside and shuts the door behind him as I make my way to the kitchen to take my tablets.

  “Now I’m intrigued,” he says as he joins me, getting himself comfy on one of the bar stools. “Spill the beans then,” he adds.

  “Well it wasn’t what I was expecting when I walked in, and the fact that my physiotherapist is a sassy bitch and also sex on legs…” I leave that hanging in the air between us and see what he makes of it.

  The bastard has the nerve to laugh at me. “Fuck off. Just how gorgeous are we talking here, mate?” he asks.

  “Off the scales. She had curves in all the right places, what I saw of her rack was more than a handful, she has a mouth on her that rivals mine, but most of all...she was a breath of fresh air,” I tell him honestly.

  “So basically, you’re telling me that she’s you in a bra?” he jokes.

  “Mate, I’m fucked whatever the case. The whole time I was sitting in her office I just wanted to grab her and throw her up against the wall and fuck her till she was raw.” I locate my pills from out the cupboard and grab a glass from the other unit, keeping myself busy so I don’t think about Remme and her mighty fine backside as she’d walked away from me earlier. Owen is yet to say anything, so I carry on. “There were only two reasons I didn’t: one because I physically can’t right now, and two, because I need her to work with me. Fucking her will just complicate everything.” I have no problem telling Owen all this. When it comes to women, he’s just as bad as me. In fact, he’s the bigger man whore out of the two of us.

  “Well, when all your physio is done with... you can get your dick wet.” He’s finding this hilarious, his voice shaking as he tries to cover up his laughter.

  “As much as that is true, I don’t think it will happen. She’s just as feisty as she is professional. She won’t fall accustomed to my charms like all the other girls do. Something about Remme is different.”

  “Mate, she’s really done a number on you, hasn’t she?”

  “More than I care to admit. Anyway, I might have some sort of effect on her as she’s thinking about letting me do my therapy from home instead of going into Proflex for my treatment,” I tell him, moving the conversation out of the gutter.

  “That’ll be good. Less news for the media to get their hands on. The last thing you need is for Alex to find out where all your weak spots are.”

  I hadn’t even thought about that, but now I am. I hope to God Remme pulls through on this arrangement now.

  Just then, my phone alerts me of an incoming text. Pulling it out of my pocket, I flip it round the right way and see it’s from an unknown number. I open it up and begin to read it.

  Isaak: I forgot to give you my number in case you had any questions for me. Also, if you need to get a hold of me and vice versa. FYI, this is not for any late-night booty calls.

  Remme Rivers

  I have to re-read the last bit of the text, thinking I’ve read it wrong, and I can’t help the smirk from appearing on my face. Owen can’t help but notice it either.

  “What’s got you grinning like you’ve just received a nude pic?”

  “Remme.”

  “What, she’s sent you a nude photo? Dude…”

  “No, dickhead. She’s just given me her number stating it’s not for booty calls,” I explain to him before he gets the wrong idea.

  “You grow a pussy where your dick should be?”

  “What? No. I worry about what goes on in that head of yours sometimes, Owen, I really fucking do. Don’t you have somewhere to be that isn’t here?”

  “Yeah, yeah. I only came to check on your weak-as-fuck arse anyway. So now I’ve done that, I’m going. I have a booty call of my own tonight.” He grabs his junk to emphasize he’s getting some. Dirty bastard.

  “Fuck off. I take you down each and every time we spar together.” He’s really on point with the banter today, I’ll give him that.

  “We’ll see about that when you’re back at the gym training. I’ll leave you to your game of cat and mouse.” With that, he’s getting up from the stool ready to leave.

  “Oh, I almost forgot. I need you to get me everything on this list. Asap, if possible.” I hand him over the gym equipment list and he takes it from me, giving it a quick once over before he puts it in his back pocket.

  “Yeah, it shouldn't be a problem, mate.” He walks out of the kitchen and lets himself out of the house.

  Only when I hear the sound of Owen’s car revving do I look at my phone again. I read the message once more, then I click reply.

  I could send her a message telling her exactly what sh
e can do for me, but I know I shouldn’t.

  So much temptation.

  Chapter Eight

  Remme

  I haven't stopped thinking about Isaak and his cocky self-assured attitude. I showed him around the gym and pool area, even though he seemed to have been enjoying the back of me more than what I was trying to show him. He’s going to be a nightmare to work with, that much is clear. I spot Rachel as she walks past my office.

  “Rachel…”

  She stops and turns, popping her head in my doorway.

  “Have you got a second? I just want to run something by you.” I remember what Isaak asked of me earlier today, about going to his house for the therapy sessions. I might as well ask Rachel now, while it's still fresh in my mind.

  “Okay, shoot.” Oh, she’s in a good mood. That makes asking her that little bit easier.

  “So, you know how I had the meeting with Mr Brookes, and you telling me that it would look good for the company to have him on profile?” I run it by her slowly in the hopes she will understand that it could still work and be a good idea and also work in the company's favour.

  “Yeah…. why am I getting the feeling there's a ‘but’ coming?”

  “Well, he’s not really comfortable with having to come into the centre for his appointments. He’s worried about the media catching on to the fact he comes here. He just wants to stay out of the public eye during his rehabilitation… Anyway, we've come up with the idea of him doing all his treatment from home. Before you ask, I've already told him he would need all the right equipment to go with his work plan I have in place and he's willing to sort all that himself. I’ve already given him a list on the off chance you’d agree but told him to hold off making any purchases until you gave the okay.” I swear I'm close to pleading with her on this. I'm not ashamed to resort to begging her if I have to. For my clients, I’m willing to try anything if it makes them feel more comfortable.

  “Right, I can't see that being a problem. My only concern is you getting the same results as you would if he was coming here. If you deliver that, then it's fine with me. I suggest maybe a month’s trial, see how far he's at in his recovery. How's that sound?”