Takedown Read online

  Takedown

  by

  A.K. Layton

  Takedown

  Copyright © 2017, A.K. Layton

  ISBN: 9781944270704

  Publisher: Beachwalk Press, Inc.

  Electronic Publication: May 2017

  Editor: Pamela Tyner

  Cover: Fantasia Frog Designs

  eBooks are not transferable. No part of this book may be used or reproduced without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations in articles and reviews.

  This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously.

  Back Cover Copy

  Sometimes love must take you down to show you who’s there to pick you up.

  Wade Kerney has just returned home from an out-of-state college. He’s working on completing his chiropractic degree and will be resuming his duties as co-owner at his family’s mixed martial arts gym. But coming home is bittersweet. When his present collides with his past, he’s forced to figure out exactly who he is and what he wants. He is completely aware of his commitment issues, but he never thought it was a problem…until now.

  Kiki Matsuda is quiet, innocent, and maybe a little naïve. When she falls for the co-owner of the MMA gym she works at, who also happens to be the brother of her best friend, she can’t help but worry. But getting the blessing from her best friend isn’t the beginning to Kiki’s fairy-tale ending. She’s all in, but Wade’s refusal to do the same could be the demise of their relationship.

  When tragedy strikes, can Kiki trust Wade to be there for her when she needs him the most?

  Content Warning: contains graphic language, some violence, sex, and adult content

  Dedication

  “Here’s to strong women. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.” — Unknown

  Acknowledgements

  I am once again thankful to Pamela and the Beachwalk Press team for letting me continue on with this series, and their continued support. And a big thank you to Fantasia Frog Designs for the beautiful cover.

  I’m truly blessed to have the support of friends and family, but I can’t forget my online family. My TKO Girls, thank you, thank you, thank you for your kind words and never-ending support! I truly don’t know what I’d do without you.

  Lastly, I want to thank all of you who are reading this now! I hope you enjoyed Kiki and Wade’s story.

  Chapter 1

  Kiki Matsuda sunk down in her chair, sipping her orange creamsicle cocktail as she watched the onslaught of gorgeous, virtually naked men surround her best friend and boss Vivette Kerney on stage. Kiki had never been to a bachelorette party, let alone a strip club, and until her twenty-first birthday a month ago, she’d never had a drink in a bar.

  Accepting the receptionist job at the T&A MMA Gym a few months back had changed her life, and she was sure it had changed for the better. It had been an education of sorts. She’d never seen more half-naked men in her whole life than she now had, and not because of tonight’s activities. The gym was home to some well-known, if not famous, mixed martial arts fighters, including Vi’s fiancé, Colin Davenport. Which was the reason she was now sitting in the dimly lit club, trying to hide her embarrassment. She’d picked a seat furthest away from the stage at the large, round table. Kiki hid herself nicely between a couple of Vi’s high school friends, but once Vi was yanked away to the stage with the other brides-to-be, the party rushed to the front of the stage to watch the show, leaving Kiki exposed.

  Kiki was mostly uncomfortable because what the etiquette was in such a place wasn’t clear to her. Did you stare? Was it rude to not stare? Was it mandatory that you throw money at the men? While these men weren’t fully naked, the way they moved, so overtly sexual, threw her off. Worst of all, she didn’t want to come across as a prude in front of Vi’s friends. She didn’t want to be the downer of the group. Sure, she’d seen a naked man before, a couple in fact, but never in a setting like this.

  She’d accepted the invite because Vi and Leena, regardless of the fact that they hadn’t known each other all that long, had become her best friends. When Vivette had asked her to be a bridesmaid it was all Kiki could do to hold back the tears. She’d never been asked to be a part of something so monumental. It solidified how strong of a friendship they had.

  Kiki hadn’t stayed in touch with her high school friends, which weren’t much of friends anyway. When she did go out it was mostly with family, cousins her own age and such. It never bothered her that she didn’t have a ton of friends. She was content with what she had. Until now.

  This outing had caused a week of distress leading up to the event. It was the first time that she truly wished she was more outgoing. Worry might as well be your middle name. Kiki sighed inwardly. She didn’t think of herself as insecure really, maybe a little shy and uncertain at times, but no one was perfect. Besides, everyone had things they wanted to change about themselves.

  The buzzing of her cellphone pulled her from her thoughts. Pulling her phone out of the tiny black clutch, she smiled when she saw the text message notification, knowing it was likely to be him. There were only a handful of people who texted her, and most of them were there tonight. Checking the message, her smile widened; she was right.

  Him: I just heard that you’re out at a bachelorette party. How’s that going?

  Kiki let out a heavy breath. It wasn’t going exactly what she’d expected, not that she’d had high expectations for the night, but she couldn’t say she wasn’t having a good time.

  Kiki: Good I guess. The bride seems to be having an especially good time.

  Him: If it starts going all girls gone wild, I expect you to take pictures…but leave out the bride.

  Kiki: Ha! You’d like that, wouldn’t you?

  Him: I’d like to see you again.

  Kiki: When?

  Him: Any chance you’d let me see you tonight?

  Kiki read over his last text message a couple of times. It was close to midnight, and she had no clue how late this would go, but even with that she wasn’t sure she was ready for a late-night hang out. She really liked him, really, but she had expectations on how things between a man and woman should be. Some might consider her a prude or old-fashion, but that wasn’t it; she just wasn’t in the market of giving anything away for free. And just like any other woman, she knew that a call after 10 PM was surely a booty call.

  Kiki: I don’t think tonight’s going to work for me. Maybe another day?

  Kiki was startled when Leena flung herself into the chair next to her and linked their arms together in an awkward motion. Quickly, Kiki tried to stash her cellphone in her bag before Leena could get a look at it, but she fumbled it.

  “Who you texting?” Leena asked, leaning in closely.

  “Um. Uh.” Kiki wasn’t prepared to come up with a lie on the spot. The cocktail had made her head fuzzy, and she’d never been quick on her feet. “Oh, no one. I was just checking the time and seeing if I had any new emails.”

  “Bullshit. I saw you grinning from ear to ear before I came over here. Are you texting the ‘off limits’ man?”

  Leena leaned further into Kiki as if she was trying to whisper, but it came out in a husky tone laced with the scent of vodka. With as many drinks as Leena had had, Kiki didn’t expect her to remember the ‘off limits’ guy, who recently she hadn’t been able to stay away from. She didn’t want to lie to Leena. In fact, she wanted to confide in someone but hadn’t been brave enough to do so.

  Kiki didn’t have a chance to react when Leena snatched the cellphone out of her hands. Damn it, I knew I should have added a passcode. She hadn’t listed his number under his name, just h
im. She cringed as she could only watch as Leena pressed buttons on the phone then held it to her ear.

  “This isn’t babe. Who’s this?”

  Kiki held her breath as Leena said the slurred words into the phone.

  “Yeah, this is Leena…wait…Wade, is that you?”

  Leena’s wide eyes met her own. Kiki should have known that Leena would recognize the voice. After all, she had known Wade since he was little.

  “Oh fuck!” Leena started laughing hysterically. “Ooohh, your sister is going to be so mad.”

  Leena hung up the phone and set it down on the table. She was still laughing with a condescending grin on her face.

  “Well, at least it isn’t a married man. But Wade!”

  “Leena, please,” Kiki begged, looking around the club, trying to make sure none of the bachelorette party had eavesdropped on the conversation. “Please, don’t say anything to Vi. It’s not serious.”

  “Really?” Leena cocked her head, and with a sympathetic look, she continued. “I love you, but you seem like the kind of girl who takes sex seriously.”

  Kiki was taken aback by Leena’s assumption, even as true as it might be. “I’ll have you know that we aren’t sleeping together,” she said, sitting up and squaring her shoulders.

  “What? No way! That’s not really Wade’s style. He’s more of a love ’em and leave ’em guy. I hate to break it to you, my sweet Kiki. You should run from Wade.”

  “Please don’t tell Vi. Please.” Kiki was almost mortified, and she was confused by Leena’s words. Wade hadn’t shown any sign of being a player, but she didn’t really know him that well yet. There was a saying about drunk people not being able to tell lies, and that concerned her.

  “Fine. I won’t tell Vi, on two conditions. One, you promise to tell me all about it later, and two, you come up here and get some man candy with the rest of the party. Besides, you can’t have Wade thinking you have no other prospects. Once a man thinks that, then they think they run the show.” Leena winked at her in a way that only Leena could, where it was all innuendo.

  “I have other prospects.” Kiki knew she didn’t sound convincing.

  “Yeah, sure you do, my sweet Kiki.” Leena pulled her into a side hug. “Come on. It’s man candy time. Oooh! We should get a picture of you with one of the guys and accidently send it to Wade! That would make him sooo jealous.”

  “No!” Kiki was shocked. She would never do that. She wasn’t much for playing games, but Leena loved them. Kiki regained her composure. “How about we take a picture of you with them and send it to Gav? He’s not the jealous type, right?” Kiki was proud at the stunned look Leena gave her.

  “Touché, Kiki. Look at you getting all sassy.” With that Leena hopped off the chair, dragging Kiki with her.

  Chapter 2

  It was Tuesday before Kiki could fit Wade into her schedule. Logistically, it had worked out best for him too. Between school and catching up with old friends his weeks had been pretty booked. But he had been eager to see her. In fact, he couldn’t remember a time when one woman held his attention for so long, especially with sex being out of the equation. But the softness and beauty of Kiki lured him in. While she was often quiet and reserved, there was also a strength to her. He conceded that he was smitten with her. Maybe taking it slow is a good thing? He wasn’t in any rush to lock down a label.

  It had been only a few months ago when he met the new receptionist at the gym that he owned with his sister. What had put his game on hold was the fact that he had to go back to school, out of state. But he couldn’t leave without convincing her to go on a date with him. She ended up cutting the date short for a friend emergency, but he wasn’t done. As soon as he got back to school he called her, and so began their long-distance relationship.

  Although relationship wasn’t exactly the correct word; it was more of a ‘friends with almost benefits’. They talked about all sorts of things, but when he tried to take it to a more flirtatious direction she always shied away. But he was home now, and he was determined to figure out what the hell had happened to him that he allowed Kiki to get under his skin.

  The sun was starting to set as Wade opened the car door for Kiki, helping her out, and when she smiled up at him so genuinely he knew exactly how it had happened. Locking their hands together, he led her toward the sushi restaurant off the Las Vegas strip.

  “Have you been here before?” he asked as they approached the double doors.

  “No. Have you?”

  “Yeah, me and Vi come here a lot.” Wade smiled at her as he held the door open.

  Kiki was easily one of the most beautiful women he had ever been out with. She was petite, standing at least a foot shorter than him. Her cinnamon colored hair lay gently at the middle of her back, with soft curls on the ends. Her smooth, sandy colored skin emphasized the deepness of her dark eyes. It was clear that she took pride in her looks. He had never seen her look anything less than perfect. Tonight she wore a fitted white t-shirt and a mint colored mini-skirt; an outfit he was sure she considered casual. It allowed him to appreciate the slight curves at her tiny waist and hips, her perfect little ass, and the way the shirt pulled at her modest-sized breasts had him distracted.

  Pulling Kiki off to the side of the path before reaching the entryway, he studied her mesmerizing eyes before he spoke. “Kiki, you look beautiful tonight, have I said that yet?”

  He saw the blush hit her cheeks as she turned her head downward, breaking the eye contact. “Yes, you did. It’s still nice to hear,” she said, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

  “Come, let’s eat,” Wade said, pulling her into his side as he guided them toward the hostess stand.

  It wasn’t hard to catch Kiki off guard, making her blush, and he enjoyed doing it. She wasn’t always easy to read, and he wanted to test the boundaries. All those nights they’d stayed up late talking on the phone while he was in Oregon, he had learned so much about her, but not about the little mannerisms that gave people away. Wade was in school to become a chiropractor, and people’s body and body language said a lot about them. It was something he noticed, even with a distractingly beautiful woman.

  * * * *

  Wade thought that dinner had gone well. Their conversations always came easy, but he had noticed that she was quieter than other times. He didn’t want to be a jerk and ignore her strange behavior, but he wasn’t sure he was ready for a conversation they’d been avoiding.

  “What’s going on in that head of yours?” Wade asked in a soft tone.

  Kiki puckered her lips together, then inhaled deeply, before exhaling with a heavy sigh.

  “Wade, if we’re going to be friends, I think we need to tell Vi. And...” Kiki paused. “It won’t be long until you’re working at the gym. Vi has rules against fraternization between staff.”

  That was a good point, and part of the reason that he wanted to tread lightly. In less than a month he was going to be back at the gym, taking over the massage therapy clinic until he finished up his chiropractic degree. Once he completed his degree he would continue doing both, therapy and chiropractic on-site. If the past had taught him anything, it was that dating someone you worked with was a terrible idea. It was a part of his past that he wanted to forget, but repeating it didn’t seem like a marvelous idea either.

  The dreadful memories were something that he tried to escape often, but that first love, that first heartbreak doesn’t just go away. Men weren’t supposed to hurt over a woman as much as he had. Just man up. You don’t need her! His friend’s words weren’t helpful, but for their sake he ‘manned-up’.

  Fuck the past! Wade scolded himself. He was at dinner with a sweet woman who deserved his attention. Besides, right now seeing Kiki was justifiable as they weren’t co-workers yet. Thankfully. Who knew what was going to happen in a month?

  Wade was okay with the fact that some would consider him a serial dater. He was young, and what it really came down to was that he didn’t want to miss
out on anything life had to offer. His parents had passed away before their time, which only reminded him that life was short, and to enjoy it all. Not just because he had been burned before, but because at twenty-three years old, he wasn’t exactly ready to settle down. And being tied down with someone, seemed just like that—being tied down; unmoving, unable to do what he wanted when he wanted. He enjoyed his freedom. Even with his plans to work at the gym it didn’t mean he had to work there forever, he was part owner and could leave at any time without repercussions of no income.

  Wade shook out of his thoughts and gave Kiki a wink, trying to lighten the mood. “We are friends. And you forget, that I’m part owner too, and I’m allowed to make new friends.”

  The blush on Kiki’s face told him more than her words. He was self-aware enough to know that he had that effect on women, but right now, he was especially grateful that he had this effect on her.

  “In that case, we have to tell her.”

  “All right. I’ll talk to her tomorrow,” Wade said with a shrug.

  He wasn’t afraid of his sister. Besides, aside from finding Kiki attractive and going out to dinner a couple of times nothing had happened. Not for lack of trying on his part. He understood when he was shot down the first time he tried to invite himself back to her place, and even when he had texted her during the bachelorette party, but the second and third time had him confused. It was a hit to his ego for sure. But it added to the intrigue and his need to know more about her. The cliché of the chase was real. Maybe a carnal male instinct. While he’d been turned down by women before, none had ever stuck with him as much as Kiki did.

  “I think I should do it,” Kiki said solemnly.

  Wade was taken aback by the change in her tone and body language. This conversation had gotten serious fast. He tried to remain calm as a slight panic waved through his body. Had Kiki taken this the wrong way, or was she under the assumption that they were more? It wasn’t going to be the end of the world telling Vi, and there wasn’t much to tell anyway. He wasn’t Kiki’s boyfriend, they were just dating...casually. With a little finesse it was time to make things clear.