Lost and Found (9 page)

Ella

I wake up Saturday morning feeling restless, so I decide to head out for a run around the green. Stepping outside, I feel the warmth of the sun hit me and I close my eyes and breathe in the fresh air. As I slowly stretch I see a familiar figure heading toward me.

“Hey, Ella.”

“Alex. How’re you?”

“Feeling good thanks. Looks like we both needed to get out this morning then.” It’s more of a statement than a question.

I crouch down to tighten my shoe laces. “Yeah I need to work off some energy and thought a run would be a good idea.”

Alex crouches down in front of me, “Well how about I give you another option?”

“And what would that be?” I say eyeing him suspiciously.

We both stand, “I’m off to the gym for a bit of sparring with Jack. Why don’t you come?”

I place my hands on my hips, “Boxing?” I put my hands on my hips and cock my head as I consider him. Shrugging, I decide it’s not a bad idea to join them. “I guess I could give it a go. How long have you and Jack been boxing?”

“We both started it after being in New York for a little while. It was a good way to get rid of our frustrations shall we say.”

“Okay, I’m in let’s go.” Alex and Jack have no idea I know how to box, or do self-defence. He’ll have a rude awakening if he thinks he can take me down easily.

When we get to the gym, it’s fairly busy. It’s completely filled with men as well. Oh no wait I see a woman. At least I think it’s a woman. She’s bench pressing a huge weight and her muscles rival some of the men here.

We find Jack skipping rope, “Hey, look who I ran into.” Alex exclaims, walking past Jack to kit up for the ring.

His eyes almost bug out as they see me. “Hey, Ella, what’re you doing here?” His eyes drift up and down my body, taking in my tight shorts and top.

“Alex said he was coming to spar with you and I thought that sounded like fun.”

He returns his focus to my face, “Well how about you watch me and Alex for a bit and then you can jump in the ring with me if you want. I can show you a few things.”

“Sounds good to me.” I stand in a corner and watch Alex and Jack go a few rounds. Jesus is it hot in here. They’re both wearing only shorts and are covered in sweat. I spy various tattoos, on each of them, but I’m intrigued by the one I keep glimpsing under Jack’s arm.

After five rounds they finally stop and Jack motions for me to get a head guard and some gloves. I let Alex help me and pretend to struggle getting into the ring. Jack talks to me as if I’m just a typical woman, showing me how to hold my hands up and perform some basic punches. Alex is in the ring helping out as well, and if I could, I’d knock them both out. After about ten minutes, I’m warmed up and I nod to Jack, indicating that I’m ready to start a little sparring with him. I see Alex standing outside the ring talking to an old man. I immediately recognise him as Max the man who taught me how to box. I hope he doesn’t give me away, but as I look over at him he winks and I know my secret is safe.

“You remember Max don’t you Ella?” Alex shouts.

“Yeah, sure.” I wave and smile at him and he returns the gesture.

I stumble around the ring like a bull in a china shop and every time Jack comes for me I hold my hands up like a girl. I’m waiting for the perfect moment and it comes a few minutes later when Jack drops his guard. I give him a right hook and he stumbles. He shakes it off and looks at me in shock. I’m in a typical fighting stance with my hands up and my chin down. I cock my eyebrow at him and he narrows his eyes at me.

Alex hoists himself up and leans on the ropes. “I do believe someone has been hiding something from us dear brother.” I dance around the ring like a pro.

“I believe you’re right.” Jack says.

“Never underestimate a woman.” I direct it at them both and then head back into my corner where Max meets me and hands me some water.

“Sweet punch Ella, just like I taught you.” He looks over at the boys with a big grin.

“What the hell, Max?” Alex shouts to him.

“Sorry boys. Ella here’s with me and I had to let her teach you a lesson for talking to her like she was a child.”

“Okay, Jack. Go get her.” Alex pats Jack’s back.

“What? I’m not going to fight her.”

I walk up and get in his face. “Afraid you’ll get knocked out by a girl?”

Jack

I watch Ella prance around the ring, goading me to fight her. “I can’t fight her Alex.”

“Come on Jack. Show her whose boss. It won’t be proper fighting anyway. Neither of you have your mouth guards.”

Max steps into the centre of the ring and I approach him along with Ella. “Okay, three rounds of tag. No full on punches. I wouldn’t want Jack boy here to end up hurt.”

“Nice, Max.” I mutter.

“I will be judging alongside Alex to keep it fair. Deal?”

Ella nods. “Deal.”

“Deal.” I nod and return to my corner.

Max blows the whistle and Ella comes out fighting. She’s damn quick and manages to tag me on my left ribs, but ducks out the way when I retaliate and I end up chasing her around the ring for the rest of the round. When Max blows the whistle, we retreat to our respective corners.

“Man she’s good.” Alex mutters in my ear. “You didn’t even get chance to tag her.”

In the next round I decide to let her chase me for a bit. She manages to tag me again, but I catch her twice, so we’re now even. At the next break I’m struggling to catch my breath. I’d already done five rounds with Alex and Ella is certainly making me work for it. Last round sees us both tag each other one more time, but in the final few seconds she catches me and also trips me up. She falls down on top of me and we’re both panting heavily. “I think you’ll find that’s a foul.” I say as her sweet aroma fills my nose.

“Get up pussy.” She winks at me and stands, stretching her hand out to help me. I brush it away.

“Hell no, I can stand up by myself.” I laugh.

Max comes back into the ring and holds mine and Ella’s arms like they do at the end of a real fight. “I announce that the winner is...” Alex does a little drum roll on the floor. “Ella.”

“What the hell, that was a foul. That should’ve been a draw.”

“She tagged you fair and square before the whistle went I’m afraid.” Alex shouts from the ring side.

I take off my glove and throw it at him. “Whose side are you on anyway?” I jest. “I’d like to see you come up here and fight her.”

“Boys... there’s enough of me to go around. It’s your turn next time Alex.”

“Anytime Blake.” He winks at her.

We leave the ring and head outside. Alex deciding to head back home, while I walk Ella back to her apartment.

“So where’d you learn to box?” She asks. We’re walking side by side and I want to hold her hand. Feel her palm in mine and her pulse against my skin.

“My coach at school knew someone and introduced me to him. I tried it out and was good at it, so Alex and I used to go every week.”

“Alex said you used to do it to help out with your frustrations. What did he mean?” We’ve stopped by a bench on the green opposite her apartment and she reaches up to touch the scar above my eye. Her touch is gentle, but I feel it all throughout my body. I gesture for us to sit before she has the chance to notice my cock hardening at her touch.

“When we got to New York, it was crazy. I thought London was fast paced, but New York is something else. We were ushered straight into College life and away from home for the first time. I meant to contact you more, but there was so much to do.” I take a deep breath and look out over the green to see family’s enjoying the sunshine. “I went home one weekend to find my dad in the arms of another woman.” Ella put her hand on mine. “Turns out the move was more about Dad being able to spend time with his mistress than because of work. I went completely off the rails and had it out with him, but Mum came home in the middle of the fight and overheard.” I close my eyes remembering her standing in the doorway, shock and hurt etched on her face. “That’s how she found out that he’d been cheating on her. My Dad left to be with his mistress, so it was just me, Mum and Alex. It was too late to come back home; we were already enrolled at College and she’d found a nice job that she liked, so we stayed. I got into lots of trouble though and fights at College - almost got me kicked off campus that’s how I got this scar.” I say pointing to the one above my eye. “I was at a party one night, chatting to some girl, when her jock boyfriend who thought he was the bee’s knees decided to pick a fight. We had it out and he caught me, but I won. That’s when my coach spotted my talent and decided to channel it correctly. I took up boxing and it really helped me. I missed you like crazy, but I knew there was nothing I could do about it. The more time passed, the more I thought you’d be better off without me.” I looked over at her and was shocked to see her tears. “Why are you crying?” I wipe the tears from her face.

“Because I wish I could’ve been there for you.”

“Just like I wish I could’ve been there for you.” I reply. I let my hands glide from her face down to her neck and pulling her to my chest. “Please don’t. I don’t like it when you cry.” She hugs me tightly and I tilt her face up to me, our faces close; I’m desperate to kiss her. Her arms wrap round me tightly and I run my hands up and down her spine. She looks at my lips and as she does she catches her bottom lip between her teeth. I inaudibly groan and use my thumb to gently pull her lip free. I lean in to kiss her when I hear a dog barking and Ella let’s go of me. The spell broken, we sit side by side in silence.

I need to lighten the mood. “So, Miss Million Dollar Baby.”

She looks up at me and laughs. “The look on your face was priceless. I wish I’d had a camera with me.”

“When did you start boxing?”

“I took up a self-defence class at the gym a few months after it all went down with Eric. I got chatting to Max and he decided to take me on with boxing as well. Turns out I have quite a talent for it.” She smiles proudly. I love how strong, proud and confident this new Ella is. I mean she’d always been feisty when we were younger, but there’s something more I can’t put my finger on.

“You were amazing. You whooped my butt. I will be happy to spar with you any day.”

“I’m kind of looking forward to taking on Alex.” She admits.

“Yeah I’d also love to see that. He’s pretty quick, but I reckon you can teach him a thing or two.”

Ella stands to leave and I follow suit. She looks concerned as she sees Lottie leaving and jumping in a taxi. “What’s the matter?” I ask.

Ella watches the taxi drive off before answering. “It’s nothing. She just seems to be going out a lot more and I’ve no idea where she’s going. She’s a big girl though and can take care of herself; I’m just being over protective.” She doesn’t look convinced and I reach out to place my hand on her shoulder.

“I’m sure she’s fine.” She smiles at me, but I know she’s still worried.

“Right, well I’m going to head in and get a shower. It’s hard work kicking your butt.” She jokes.

“I’ll be ready for you next time Blake.” I watch as she disappears into her building before turning to make my way home.

Ella

              As I head up to my apartment I think about Lottie. Where’s she going all the time? I see a note she’s left me on the kitchen side.

Hey Ella,

Gone out with the girls for a Birthday party

I won’t be late

Love you

Lottie

“Well at least she left me a note this time.” I mutter to myself. I go and take a hot shower and think about my day. It was so much fun sparring with Jack. I know he probably went easy on me, but I certainly didn’t go easy on him. Maybe next time he’ll be more prepared.

The rest of the weekend is pretty non eventful, spent working and relaxing. On Sunday I’m sat out on my balcony enjoying the sunshine when Jack messages me.

Alex has increased his training. Think he’s worried about taking on Right Hook Blake. J x

I love my new found banter with Jack and reply.

So he should. Guess he doesn’t want to get caught out by a woman like someone I know. E x

I can imagine Jack’s reaction to my text and I wait impatiently for his response.

Just you wait. I will have you pinned beneath me before you know what hit you. J x

There’s no way to ignore the sexual implications of his message
.

There you go underestimating me again. Think it will surprise you who’ll end up on top. E x

I wonder what he’s thinking, when my phone dings with another message.

Bring it on baby. J x

I itch to carry on the flirty messages, but leave it be for now. He’s set a challenge, which I rarely back down from and I have to get back in the ring with him. I’d much prefer to fight it out privately though and show him who’s truly in charge.

The week passes by quickly and before I know it, it’s Friday night. As I head into the club I spot Alex sitting at the bar and I take up a seat next to him. “Hey Alex.”

“Ella. Can I buy you a drink?”

“I wish, but we have a bachelor party coming, in 30 minutes. I better remain sober.” I roll my eyes and ask Dan for a coke.

“You don't sound excited about it. Is this something the club usually does?” He asks.

“No not at all, but it’s for one of the members. He’s bringing a few friends with him and has arranged with some other Doms to put on a show, with subs that thrive on public display. They’re going to be restricted to this floor only.”

“Ah I see. Guessing you have to babysit them though?”

“Yup.” I say taking a sip of my drink. “I suppose I better go and get changed before the stag and his guests arrive.” He nods and I make my way to my office. I decide to go with something a little different tonight and wear red stilettos, hold ups, a red thong and a white shirt with the buttons undone so my red push up bra is on show. Tying my hair up in a tight ponytail, I put on some extra make up and head downstairs. I pass Alex on his way up with a submissive and he winks. When I reach the bar Master Owen is standing with a few people and I approach him.

“Master Owen.” I reach my hand out and he brings it to his lips, placing a kiss on my knuckles.

“Mistress Eleanor. I can’t thank you enough for allowing this tonight. Especially as some of my guests are not members.”

I look at the gentlemen standing with him, who all look distinguished in their suits. Looks can be deceiving though. “It’s not a problem. Have you discussed the rules with them?”

“Yes and they will behave, I promise.”

“Is everybody here?”

“I’m waiting for one more, but I’ve left his name with Tony. I'm sure he’ll be here soon.”

“Okay, then let me lead you to your table and I will send over a waitress to take your drink order.” He nods and I lead them to a roped off area near the small stage. I make my way back to the bar and wave over Mel, one of the waitresses. “Your party has arrived apart from one. Please watch their alcohol intake and let me know if any of them cause you any grief.”

“Yes, Mistress.” I’m standing at the bar waiting for the last guest to arrive when Izzy approaches me.

“Has Master Owens party all arrived?”

“Not yet. We’re awaiting one more.”

Suddenly her eyes widen and she looks in complete shock. “I believe your straggler has arrived.” Puzzled, I turn round to see what has her riled up and come face to face with Jack.