Unsurpassed by Charity Parkerson

“Sweetie, you won’t have time to
worry.”
    It wasn’t exactly the truth. Aubree had to sit through two
matches before Drew’s, and she chewed on her nails while counting blows. Some
lessons she’d not forgotten over the years, it seemed, since she knew the exact
moment both matches were over, and who won when it came down to scoring hits.
By the time Drew’s name was announced, Aubree thought she’d be sick. The roar
inside the building was deafening when he entered the cage. His opponent seemed
pumped and fit, adding to her nervousness. She knew Drew would win, but she
didn’t want him to so much as get hit. While the names were being called and
the rules read, Drew moved to the wire where she sat, linking his fingers
through. He stared at her without saying a word, but she could feel the
intensity rolling off him in waves. He was in battle mode but still there in
the moment with her. The look was so hot she fanned her face. When he broke
their connection, it felt almost physical.
    “Wow,” Gigi said, causing Aubree to blush.
    Drawn back into reality by the sound of the bell, her
stomach fell when Drew’s opponent proved to be every bit as quick as he
appeared, landing a solid kick to Drew’s ribs. The sound echoed in her ears but
Drew never flinched. Taking advantage of the man’s need to reset his balance
after the move, Drew struck. His fist connected solidly with the guy’s chin and
he went down hard. Aubree blinked owlishly as her mind attempted to accept it
was already over. As the judge called it, Drew walked back to the cage where
she sat and knocked his fist against the steel twice, before placing his hand
over his heart. Keeping his eyes locked on her, he raised his arms in victory
and walked backward toward the judge.
    Gigi bumped Aubree’s shoulder, dragging her out of her haze.
“You’re the one.”
    “What?” Aubree asked in confusion.
    “For my son,” Gigi clarified. “Everybody only gets one, you
know, and you’re the one for Drew.”
    Without thinking, Aubree scoffed. “Drew’s probably met a
thousand of the perfect one.” Realizing not only what she’d said but to whom
she’d said it, Aubree groaned in mortification, but Gigi chuckled.
    “I’m not exaggerating. You don’t realize it, but my son is
easily the most serious man on the planet. He doesn’t joke, tease or laugh.”
After a moment, she added, “Actually, he doesn’t even talk very much, come to
think of it, but he does all those things when you’re around. Look at him right
now.”
    Aubree did as Gigi bade. Drew stood in the center of the mat
shaking hands and nodding as people spoke. His face was a hardened mask. There
was none of the smile or humor in him she’d become accustomed to seeing. She
was watching a stranger. Gigi leaned closer. “That is my son. He is wonderful
but also an impenetrable island.”
    Aubree continued studying him in wonder until—almost as if
he felt her regard—Drew turned his head meeting her gaze. A mischievous grin
passed over his lips and she knew he was thinking of his earlier promise.
    “And there is the Drew he’s become since meeting you,” Gigi
said sounding satisfied over making her point.
    The ride home was a silent one as Aubree continued mulling
over Gigi’s words. Drew was such an overwhelming force of nature she’d never considered
he wasn’t the same person twenty-four hours a day. There wasn’t anything
special about her. She didn’t have anything to offer someone like him, but she
also could not deny what she’d seen with her own eyes. Testing a theory, she
turned her head enough to bring him into her line of sight. The lights from the
dashboard cast enough glow for her to be able to see his face was completely
devoid of emotion as he concentrated on the road in front of them. Testing a
theory, she reached across the darkened car, touching his arm. The moment her
skin connected with his, Drew’s face transformed and he let go of the wheel.
Linking his