Oceans Collide Read online

  I wiped away the tears and shook my head to clear my thoughts. My eyes swept over the open space. It was really a nice size studio. With about fifty-eight hundred square feet, I had more than enough room. As soon as you walked in, the opening led you to the reception area, which, by the way, was awesome. Mackenzie customized the reception area to fit the needs of a training facility, so that much I didn’t have to touch.

  The telephone and cable ports were easily accessible. The lighting in the place was perfect. The floors were tiled when you walked in but then changed to rubber flooring. The deep gray color was perfect. I hated training in bright colored facilities. It was too much of a distraction. Walking behind the counter, I poked around at everything. The space had room for at least three complete computer stations. There were customized file cabinets built into the reception desk. There were very well organized glass shelves with chrome brackets holding them in place. It looked really clean and classy.

  Toward the back of the reception area, and behind a half wall, was an office. I figured it was the manager’s office because through the glass door you could take in the whole studio. Or most of it anyway, which was nice considering I would want my space but still have the ability to keep an eye on things. I frowned looked at the glass door. What if I wanted to bring a girl by and bend her ov… Stop. Refocus. I rubbed my jaw and ran my hand through my hair. Moving on.

  I walked into the main training area. There were six really pricey treadmills, three elliptical machines, and three spinning bikes. All really good brands. I most definitely planned to keep them. The studio had five rooms that broke off the main training area. I figured I could turn each room into a specialized conditioning or training area. I still had a lot of planning to do, and I was okay with not having all the details set in stone. I brought my hands up behind my head interlocking my fingers. Spinning around the room in place, I started to lose it again. Wanting to explore the entire space, I took off at a jog toward the rooms. THIS PLACE WAS FUCKING MINE!

  Livie

  Taking one last glance at the huge truck parked between the door and the curb, I grabbed the front door handle. I gave it a light pull to test if it were open and it sure was. I looked behind me again just to make sure no one was in the phantom truck watching. No one was there, so I pulled the door open and stepped inside. I turned to catch the door so it wouldn’t close too hard. When I spun back around, my eyes nearly bugged out of my head, because this place was beautiful. The designer tile along with the work on the reception area was awesome. It was clean and sheik with a touch of masculinity. It was very appealing.

  I let my eyes wander, as I stood frozen in place. My blood was racing through my body and my heart was beating to a new rhythm. The rhythm of excitement. Man, working in a place like this would be a dream! In that moment, the sound of wind chimes came from my phone. Dad. I pulled out the phone from my back pocket.

  Dad ~ hey kid. hows the JOB search going?

  Me ~ just started but looks promising… let u kno soon. K?

  Dad ~ k gud luck 

  Me ~ thx tlk ltr

  I heard someone clearing their throat, causing me to snap my head up from my phone. Coming around the corner was a tall and very, very hot guy. I must have turned into a deer caught in some kind of bright and sexy as hell headlights. Since when did Paul Walker buff up and open an MMA studio.

  “Can I help you?”

  Realizing my mouth was open, I snapped it shut and nervously stuffed my phone in to my pocket. “Yes. I was actually wondering if the owner was hiring for staff yet. I saw an article in the paper highlighting a new MMA studio opening. Do you know where I can find the owner?”

  “You’re looking at him, Sunshine.” I looked him up and down from head to toe again.

  “Serious?” He looked a little offended by my response, but he looked so young to be in this business. He should be modeling or catching some hang ten waves as a professional surfer. He had that look about him.

  “Ouch, Sunshine. What’s wrong with me being the owner?” He asked honestly while crossing his thick arms across his chest, and those biceps were oh so yummy.

  “Sorry… I didn’t mean for it to sound so rude. You just look very young to be in this type of business. I hope I didn’t offend you.” His smile returned and it instantly calmed me.

  “Sunshine, you don’t have to apologize,” he said as he made his way toward me. He extended his hand out and I took it in mine shaking it firmly. Dad always said a firm handshake was a sign of respect. His touch was warm and soothing. Something about him made me feel extremely comfortable. It wasn’t just that he was sexy and looked like the delicious Paul Walker. His energy enveloped me and calmed me for some reason. “I’m Lawrence Grant Hawthorne. Nice to meet you.” Letting go of his hand I smiled back.

  “Livie Acosta. Nice to meet you, too.”

  “So you say you’re looking for a job? Here at my studio?” He asked this in a rather incredulous way. I ignored the dumb look on his face, because honestly, he didn’t know I could put him on his ass in a second. I reached into my shoulder bag and pulled out my portfolio. “Yes. I am interested in working for you, especially, if you are going to turn this studio into an MMA training facility. That’s what I read in the paper.”

  He took my portfolio and opened it, keeping an eye on me as he perused it. He flipped it open and skimmed through it. This guy was tall, and I had to tilt my chin up just to make eye contact. God, I hated being short right now! As quickly as he opened the folder, he closed it and handed it back.

  “Okay, Livie. You seem to have some experience in martial arts, and if you want to work for me, you wouldn’t mind showing me what you’re made of, would you?”

  Cocky son of a bitch. I reached over, pulled my shoulder bag off, and laid it on the counter. I emptied my back pocket of my phone and car keys. Smiling, I looked up at him. “I thought you’d never ask.”

  His laughter made my heart sing. He really did have a strange effect on me. It wasn’t sexually charged or intrusive. I could see myself trusting this man with my life if I had to, and I kind of wanted to at the moment. “Follow me, Sunshine.” He turned on his heels and I followed.

  He walked me to the center of the studio where the rubber flooring was the thickest. Aww… he was trying to make it easy for me. He really didn’t need to, but he didn’t know that yet. “Alright, I don’t want either one of us to get hurt, so go ahead and stretch. I’ll do the same.” He turned his back to me so I could stretch.

  “You got it.” I responded and immediately bent my body forward at the hips. I didn’t stretch for too long, because my body was restless and craving for the physical contact.

  He turned to face me, and the grin on his face said it all. He was dying for physical contact, too. A fighter always knew that look in another fighter. That hungry predatory look. He stepped forward opening his stance. “You ready, Sunshine?”

  As my response, I jumped up and did a roundhouse kick to his face, and only missed it by inches. His smile widened showing all his pearly whites. Once he regained his step, he swung his leg wide trying to drop me to the ground. I quickly jumped and rolled on the rubber matting, bouncing back up once my feet hit the ground again. He came in fast with a jab and hook that I dodged with my quick footwork. I palmed him hard to the sternum and brought my shin up to contact with his left rib cage. They were clean shots and stunned him a little but not enough.

  Before I could pull back, he caught the back of my calf and held it firm. Shit! I dropped my body backward extending my arms to reach for the ground and brought my left leg up fast kicking him in the chin. He let go of my leg as he stammered back. Not wasting any time, he lunged for me picking me up and slamming by back hard against the mat. I grunted from the impact. Taking it as a sign of weakness, he shifted his weight to pin me, but I pulled my arms up hard snapping his elbows up and out from under him. Before he could come down hard on me, I took my elbows, buried them in his trapezius muscles, and pulled myself
up.

  Once his face was nearly buried in my cleavage, I kneed him twice to the ribs and was able to fling myself around him putting him in a firm chokehold. Thinking quick, he rolled onto his knees, pulled his arms around my waste, and then flipped me up and over his head. I came down hard on the mat again. I huffed my bangs out of my face completely hell bent on putting Mr. Walker on his ass. As he backed up to stand, I kicked my legs under me propelling my body upright. I bent my left leg and used my right to sweep his legs out from under him, and I nailed him. He fell hard on his ass. When he fell, I bent backwards using my hands to hold my weight and planted both high top sneakers on his chest sending him flying to the treadmills behind him.

  “Fuck me!” was all I heard as he slammed into the machines. He didn’t look mad at the moment, just shocked. Grabbing his ribs, he coughed. I walked up to him and extended my hand out to him. I was a good sport… once I won, that is. Taking my hand, I hauled him up, propping his shoulder over mine to help him stand. Laughter erupted from his chest, and I couldn’t help but to join him. I pulled away from his body once he was on his feet. “You most definitely are hired.” He breathed heavily. I wanted to jump up and down, but I wouldn’t allow myself to do it in front of him. I simply gave him a ridiculous smile from ear to ear. “So now that you’ve officially laid your new boss flat on his ass, do you care to join me for lunch?”

  Without even thinking about it, my mouth opened and responded for me. “Yeah, sure. Mind if I go home to get cleaned up first? I’ll meet you anywhere just name the place and time.”

  “Yeah, no problem. I need to put some ice on these ribs.” He said laughing. “Why don’t we make it dinner? Give me your address, and I’ll come pick you up. We can talk about the studio and get to know each other better. Is that cool with you?”

  “Yes, of course. I have some things I need to do before then, so that works out perfectly.” He walked me to the reception desk where I picked up my stuff. We exchanged numbers, and I texted him the address to my hotel. He gave me a funny look when he read the address, but before he could question me. I thanked him for the offer and bolted out the door. As my body sunk into the driver seat, I could still feel his eyes on me. Ignoring his stare, I cranked Lucy up and drove away. I got the fucking job!

  Chapter Six

  Livie

  The drive to my hotel suite was electrifying. On the highway, I was switching lanes like a mad woman and crazy shifting as if I had just stole a hundred thousand dollar car or something. I couldn’t get to my room fast enough. I had Krewella’s bass nectar remixes booming out of my speakers, and the high I was on was incredible. My body was still humming with energy, and I couldn’t help fidgeting in my seat as I drove. Being slammed down that hard on my back, not once but twice, was excruciating. However, that rush, that thrill, and the drive to fight or flee, was my drug of choice.

  Maybe I was an adrenaline junkie but who cared? I sure didn’t. Lawrence’s face popped into my mind. He looked incredibly familiar besides the Paul Walker looks. I had a problem comparing people to actors and singers, or anybody famous, for that matter. I had a lot of quirks about me, but I loved them all. Most of them anyway. Mr. Hawthorne was very attractive. He was like a breath of fresh air for me. His features where light, and he looked like the type that was always in a good mood. I had a feeling that if I ever saw him pissed, that I’d want to attack the person that pissed him off. That’s how strong of an influence he already had on me. I didn’t want to sleep with the guy, but I wanted to be around him all the time.

  Lawrence had piercing baby blue eyes. The kind that smiled on their own accord as they looked at you. His sandy blond hair was cut short. A little higher on the top showing off his unruly curls. He had a faded out goatee threatening to grow back in. It looked really good on him, and his body. WOW! He was tall and had to be at least six foot two. His torso was lean and tall, which matched his lower body well. He was perfectly proportioned. No doubt, he could kick ass in the ring. His moves were swift, sharp, and calculated, and I got the feeling he was a professional fighter at some point. I would have to look him up before we went out to dinner.

  Reaching the Sheraton’s parking garage I found my favorite spot along the far side of the back wall. Most people liked to park near the exit and elevators, but since I wasn’t most people, I had a whole row to myself. I grabbed my bag and phone as I jumped out of my car. Once out, I sprinted for the nearest elevator. I had to tell my dad about this! He’s going to be psyched. When the elevator door opened Peter, the bellhop was waiting. “Hi, Peter. How are you today?” I asked him as I rushed into the hotel. The poor guy was treated like a troll by the wealthy assholes that arrived on an hourly basis.

  His face brightened instantly. “Hello, Ms. Acosta, I’m feeling better now that you’re here,” he replied shyly.

  “Please, if I get to call you Peter than you can call me Livie.”

  “Yes, of course. Livie. Have a good evening,” he called out to me as I sprinted toward the elevator that would take me to my floor.

  Getting to my door, I hurriedly swiped my key and pushed the door open. I dropped my bag to the floor, and ran to the business workstation. It was located behind the double doors that separated my room from the rest of the suite. Plopping down on the fancy leather ThinK chair, I pulled out my Mac laptop and signed into my Skype account. Once in, I dialed my dad. I hope I didn’t interrupt something important, but I had to spill. He was the only friend I had in this world at the moment.

  My dad’s face popped up, and I couldn’t suppress the giggles that poured out of my mouth. I felt like a little girl on Christmas morning. “Dad! Daddy! You won’t believe what happened to me today!” I was yelling at him, but I didn’t care. “Dad, remember the jobs I was telling you about—well, I went to this martial arts studio thinking no one was there, and the owner was there—he’s like my age, and he’s opening his own studio. Dad you cannot believe how amazing this studio looks and it’s not even close to being ready or open… I think—but anyway, dad I gave him my portfolio with my recommendations, and he barely read them, but instead, he asked that I show him if I could fight! DAD, I PUT HIM ON HIS ASS, NOT ONCE, BUT TWICE—he got some good slams on me too, but man, I totally rocked that shit, Dad!”

  I stopped to take a breath from my rambling. That’s when I noticed my dad was laughing so hard he was crying. Wait or maybe he was crying for another reason. I don’t know, but it was weird. Finally, he slowed down his laugh. “Kid you were going a million miles per minute. Take a breather. I can’t remember the last time I saw you so excited about something, Livie. And did you even realize you just called me DADDY!” his laughter came back with full force. I couldn’t help but blush and laugh with him.

  “Oh, umm, I didn’t realize,” I said laughing. The truth was that I did feel like a little girl right now.

  “Okay, kid, let me see if I got this right. You went to a martial arts studio, kicked your future boss’s ass, and got hired on the spot?” I looked down, embarrassed a little.

  “Yep, that pretty much sums it up.” He was silent for a while just staring at me. “Dad, you okay?”

  “Yeah, kid, just feels good to see you so happy after everything. I am proud of you, Livie. I mean it. So what’s this owner’s name, so I can run a background for you?”

  “Dad, you don’t need to do that!” I said frowning. “I trust my judgment, and I trust that I’m making the right decision. I learned from you dad, you have nothing to worry about” Giving me an agitated look he simply nodded in agreement.

  “Can you at least give me the guy’s name, just for safe measures? I promise I won’t launch a full on investigation.” I studied his face for a while.

  “Okay dad you promised. His name is Lawrence Grant Hawthorne.” A grin broke across his face from temple to temple.

  “The Lawrence Hawthorne, ranked number three in the Strikeforce weight class?”

  Shit! “I thought he looked familiar! Wow. Dad, I didn’t even real
ize it.”

  “You say you put him on his ass twice?”

  “Yes, I sure did,” I said proudly.

  “Alright, kid, you got my vote. If you can put that man on his ass, I have nothing to worry about. He’s a good kid. Hey, I gotta run, but if you need anything for yourself or the studio, just let me know.”

  “You got it, Dad. Thanks.”

  “Love ya, kid.”

  “Love you, Dad.”

  Shutting down my laptop, I yawned exhausted from all the adrenaline. I was definitely crashing. Time to hit the showers and sneak in a nap before dinner.

  Chapter Seven

  Lawrence

  I stood leaning against the reception counter watching an out-of-this-world exotic woman walk away. When I came out of the weight room that is set up toward the back of the studio, I almost screamed like a bitch. She scared the shit out of me. I was so high exploring the studio that I forgot to lock the front door. When I came out, she was on her phone and facing the front windows. All I could think of was if she looked that fucking hot from the back then I had to see her face. I think what did if for my dick was those Joe boxer sweats, and her tight pink Tapout top. I adjusted my shorts to try to cover up my boner. I cleared my throat and she jumped in surprise. “Can I help you?” Yep, this woman was straight up exotic and sexy as hell. I could see the cut of her abs as her tight top hugged her belly button. She wasn’t Julian Michaels ripped, because that was just gross. This woman was toned and cut in all the right places. Her waist was small and her hips where tight and full. And her ass, well, damn she had a great ass.

  Her silky black hair was pulled up into a high ponytail with a side bang covering some of her right eye. From where I stood, her eyes were chocolate brown. They were warm but distant at the same time. Her voice was smooth and she had a nervous smile. This girl was simply beautiful. When she handed me her portfolio, I had to hold back my laugh. I mean, the chick was definitely a work out junkie like me, but this wasn’t going to be just a Gold’s gym. I scanned her folder going straight to her recommendations. Antonio Acosta… the name sounded very familiar. Something about that name and jujitsu clicked, but nothing else.