The last fight

By Ashlee Noelle

When Claudia finds the love of her life, can she let go of her trauma to save her relationship?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jul 31, 2023
• ISBN: 9781312277892

Book preview

The

Last

Fight

The

Last

Fight

By: Ashlee Noelle

Copyright @ 2023 by Ashlee Noelle

All rights reserved.

ISBN 978-1-312-27789-2

No parts of this should be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except as permitted by Canada copyright law. For permission requests, contact [e-mail]

The story, all names, characters, and incidents portrayed in this production are fictitious. No identification with actual person (living or deceased), places, building, and products is intended or should be inferred.

Book cover by Ashlee Noelle

Illustrations by Ashlee Noelle

1st edition 2023

Content Warning

Domestic Violence

Assault

Rape

Misogyny

Death

Fatphobia

Chapter 1

Claudia

I drowned out the noise of phones ringing, phones being answered, people talking, and everything else. I was busy typing up the final statements of this contract I had to draft.

My boss, Jamie, who is also one of my friends, had me draft it. He’s a lawyer, while I’m a paralegal.

Being a Paralegal is great, but I’m not making lawyer money.

The contract was for this rich boxer, who is hiring a new manager because his old one stole $4 million from him. Now it's my job to draft this thing.

I had to hurry up and finish it. He is coming today to look and discuss it. I had totally spaced and forgotten about him. So that means I had 30 minutes to finish this up and I was cutting it close. I asked the receptionist, Amber, if she could let me know when he was coming up.

The ringing coming from the phone was truly deafening. I quickly picked it up, needing it to stop. Oh my gosh, girl, this man is hotter than any man I’ve seen ridin’ a bull shirtless. That is what I truly love about Amber, even though she has the voice of a sweet Southern bell, she doesn’t have the mind of one.

Amber, as much as I would love to hear you talk about all the shirtless men you’ve seen. I took a big deep breath. Not realizing how fast I was talking. But I have a contract to speedrun through, bye. I hung up the phone, not letting her get a word in. I began to panic what if I didn’t get this done on time? I was so typing the last few letters when I heard a knock at the door.

It felt like I was moving in slow motion. As I typed the last letter, I turned my head to the door. I saw what I could only describe as a Greek god. Then the best thing happened... he spoke.

He spoke in this smoky, deep, smooth voice, The moment he decided to speak, was the moment my panties miraculously became wet.

Hello, He stood at my door with a very nice suit on from the looks of it. From what was not being covered by my computer monitor; he had a nice body too. But his face, oh my god his face. First, his nose looked like it was hand sculpted by God himself. I suppose that it was broken a few times, but it still looked gorgeous. It was slightly crooked to the left, and a hump. His lips were medium-sized, which was great because I do not like sucking on thin lips. They don’t work with me.

They’re a rosy pink, I could already see them getting pinker once I was done.

His skin is a tan-olive colour. He has a short haircut; it looks like a bit grown-out buzz cut. His sharp jawline, paired with his head shape and the buzz cut made him incredibly hot.

Hello, I’m Christian Harper, I was told by the receptionist, this is Claudia Hudson’s office.

I stared longingly at him while he spoke. But I quickly snapped out of it, needing to remember to be professional. I quickly stood up clumsily and reached out my somewhat damp hand to shake. Um… yeah that's me. I fumbled out. He reached out and shook my hand. His hand engulfed mine making it no longer visible. He sat down and began to speak.

So is the contract finished? He went straight to the point.

Yes, I began to quickly paint it off. I just need to wait for it to print off then we can go over it and make any revisions you would like.

Okay, sounds good. He unbuttoned his suit to sit down, and oh my. Those hands of his. They were bruised, but looked so damn hot. His vines brought a lovely shade of blue to the party of reds, yellows, and purples being throw on his knuckles. I could only imagine them around my throat. I quickly shook off that thought and got the papers from the printer.

Okay here it is. I handed him the papers. He began to flip through them when I noticed a confused look appear on his face. I decided to help him. So, I got up from my seat and took the chair next to his. I could smell the musky clean scent that came off of him. It made me feel like I was floating on clouds. I sat beside him and started going over the contract. Why don't we take a look together.

Okay, because I'm very confused. We chuckled together as I took the papers from his hands and rearranged them in the proper order.

Okay, so this page is basically saying you'll be their client and their job is to get you gigs. We talked more in depth about the lengthy boring contract.

Okay, I think I get it now. Christian sighed exhausted. But I think my brain melted a bit. We chuckled again. Cute and funny.

Soon after he looked at his watch, irritation grew on his face. I have to go, I'm sorry.

I began to rise from my seat to walk him to the door. Even though this is a shoe box, and I just have to jump to get the door. Oh, no worries we were done anyways, I saw a chance and I had to take it. If you have any questions, I could give you my number so we could sort them out? I nervously bit my bottom lip. Hopefully he would take my offer.

Yeah, that sounds good because I also wanted to invite you to a boxing match tonight. To thank you for your hard work. He stood at the door with his hands behind his back, but oh how I wanted them around me.

I love to go, that sounds fun. I felt like a little girl again, giggling because my crush said hi to me. I kept my excitement in, trying to keep some semblance of professionalism. I gave him my number and then he left.

~

No, I disagree. I don't think he was. I shook my head, while I stuffed a piece of orange chicken in my mouth; not believing a word that comes from his mouth.

I'm serious Claudia. He likes you. He wants you to go see him fight, he wants you to see him sweaty, hot, and kicking ass. Jamie sat in his Italian leather chair, in his corner office.

I'm always so proud of him. He became the first person to become a partner at this firm at 36. He's a hawk; he stalks his prey until he knows their weaknesses then tears them apart. You should fear being on posing counsel when he's in the room. That's all to say he's awesome and scary. And my absolute dearest friend, we became immediate friends when I started working here. He taught me how everything worked. And I helped him with his endless boyfriend drama.

He was being nice, that's all. I shrugged my shoulders. Christian was just being nice; he didn't mean anything by inviting me to his boxing match. He probably would have given it to me if I was anybody.

Yeah, right. He scoffed. What are you planning to wear? You know what scratch that, I'll pick out your outfit. He started to pack up the food.

What are you doing? I in turn reopened all the containers, not finished eating.

We have to go now if we're going to find you an outfit in time.

I put my hand on the table. Jamie calm down, I do not need help finding an outfit. I'm perfectly capable of finding an outfit. Jamie gave me a disappointed look.

I don't know if there is hope left for you. I rolled my eyes; Jamie's is always so dramatic.

Immediately after getting home, I took a shower. I needed a lot of time to find the perfect outfit. After my showers I always put on my shea butter and vanilla bean moisturizer. I buy it in bulk at my beauty supply store, because I'm afraid that it will suddenly get popular and I can't get my hands on it anymore.

I stared at my closet, blanking on what I should wear. What do you wear to a boxing match? The clock was ticking, I had to make a decision either to possibly be late or let Jamie be right.

I gave in and grabbed my phone to text Jamie. All I sent him was help.

On my way. I made a light snack while I waited.

Knock knock I sprung from the couch and shimmying my way to the door into my surprise I saw Jamie with Aya.

I filled her in on the car ride. Jamie and Aya made their way through the door.

Oh my gosh girl I'm so excited for you. Aya said quickly, taking off her shoes and flopping onto the couch. If he's a boxer does that mean we can look him up? She wiggled her eyebrows with her mischievous grin. She always did this when she had a plan.

Jamie gasped dramatically. We should.

I had to step in before this went too far. No, we are not doing that.

Just a quick public google search. What's the harm?

Because it's weird Aya. What am I going to do? Go learn about his stats? Learn what his mom's maiden name is. No, thank you. I rather get to know someone naturally, not through finding out as much information about them on the internet.

Jamie mumbled something that I didn't quite catch. I didn't catch what you said.

Jamie sighed as he looked me in the eyes. I said that's how you got your ex. Maybe if you looked him up, you wouldn't have been in that situation. My heart broke at that moment. I decided to push my feelings down and stand my ground.

My ex-boyfriend lied to me by not telling me that he had another girlfriend.

All that means, is that I need to focus on growing my intuition. I smiled at him, not wanting to seem bothered. I understand where he's coming from. I just choose to know Christian organically. And besides I'm watching him fight, that doesn't mean I'm going to speak to him. Maybe I'll go home before we speak. I felt proud of myself, feeling like I fought my case.

Well, she got a point there. Why don't we just do it Claudia's way. If it crashes and burns, it's on her. Ave could be one cold hearted bitch when she needed to be.

Okay I get it. What about you guys look him up but I don't, okay? That way we can all be happy. This is the best way to ensure everyone gets what they want.

Okay, Aya your job, find out about Christian Harper and tell me about him. And Claudia, yours is to move your butt to your room so I can help you. Jamie boss mode was activated. 

Yes, sir. Aya and I said in sync. Jamie and I went to my room to pick out an outfit. While Aya stayed in my living room.

Okay, I'm thinking of something chic. He stared at closet intently.

I think we should go casual.

You're right, boxing matches are casual. He stared one more time before diving into my closet. He got out two shirts and one pair of jeans, one skirt and one dress.

The skirts were a black flowy tank top, and a red tight crop top. The dress was a short, red, and puffy. The jeans were just a simple pair of blue jeans.

Okay I've done my research, ooooo cute. Aya had walked in at the right time.

You're done already? I said in shock.

Yea it was pretty easy, and there's nothing on the guy. He's clean. Aya laid on my bed as I took off my shirt to try one of them on.

I tried the dress first. The dark red looked beautiful on my skin. See no need for a background check.

Is he clean or has he just really good at covering his tracks? I hate when Jamie thinks he's being clever.

Oh, you're right-

No, don't give in to him bullshit. I pointed at myself then Jamie. I was right, you were wrong. Background check is not needed.

Jamie and Aya started to laugh at the ridiculousness of this argument. Okay, you win. I'll let you have this one, you seem like you need it.

Eventually we came to agreement that the red top with the blue skinny jeans was the best combination. I threw on an oversized jacket over top knowing I would be cold at some point.

I nervously grabbed my keys as they wish good luck, I made my way to my car nervous as hell.

Chapter 2

Christian

I could see myself in the mirror, the way my body flexed and bent was very important. Doing one movement wrong could injure me for life.

Boxing is life or death. So, I always make sure to know my body and how it likes to work.

I trained using a punching bag in my home gym. Sweat dripped from my forehead onto my eyelashes. It made it harder to see, but I managed. I had a match tonight so I trained a little more today to pump myself up.

I looked at the time realizing that I needed to get ready to leave for my meeting with my lawyer. I hopped in the shower needing to thoroughly scrub the sweat and grime off my body.

I decided to wear my Armani suit. If I was going to the top law firm in Seattle, I figure I better look the part. 

It took me a while to get to the building seeing as I had to find parking and walk there. The building was tall and slender; it had to have a hundred floors. I walked in and went to the receptionist.

"Hi, Christian Harper I'm supposed