Finding my Peace (Closed for Perplexia)

[Firmhanded_Daddy]

Richard dreaded these places. The loud music, the press of bodies, the cheap and hollow exchanges. He didn’t understand why people willingly subjected themselves to this. The smell hit him as he entered. Sweat, booze, a mixture of perfume and cologne. He had such a sensitive sense of smell that it was an overpowering kick to the teeth. This was why he was careful about where he went out. He was already starting to get a headache. He didn't understand why people loved the New York nightlife so much.



A smiling face waved him over and his broad shoulders relaxed. He let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding and walked over to his friend, Alex. The two met and embraced. Alex shouts to be heard over the thumping bass. “I’m glad you came, Rich! I never thought we would get you out of that smelly old boxing gym. You need to get out and meet a girl who can’t kick your ass.” Laughter from their friends bubbles around. Alex’s wife a beautiful blonde named Tricia nods her head.



Rich scowls. The gesture highlights his Native American features. Though, there is no malice in it. He replies with a playful elbow to Alex. “I agreed to come on the condition that Tricia doesn’t try to play matchmaker. I don’t have time to date right now. I am training for a fight. I can’t have someone pulling my focus away. Chicks don’t understand that. They never do. I’m here to let loose a little and have some fun. That’s all. Just to see my friends.”



Tricia shoots him a look. Though, there is a flash of guilt in her eyes. She returns sharply “Richard, you need a good woman. Someone to civilize you. Maybe a nurse to stitch you up after your fights, huh? You can’t tell me that your life isn’t lonely. It has been a long time since-“



Rich turns to her. His brown eyes were sharp and intense. She had touched on something that was clearly taboo. He silenced her with a look. The conversation momentum dies. He sighs softly and shakes his head. “I’m going to get a drink”



He heads towards the bar his broad shoulders tight with stress and irritation. It had been three years since that betrayal, and he had not let anyone in since then. The pain was still there like a scar that never quite healed right. He had built up walls and thrown himself back into the cage fights. He had come out of retirement and his record had been a string of shattered jaws and broken men.



He had been getting calls from home. Asking when he was going to come sit on the council. When he was going to settle down with a tribeswoman and produce a grandchild for his mother. Dark thoughts made his voice sharper than intended as he barked “Jack and coke” Not even looking at the bartender.

 

[Perplexia]

Jenna Alcott struggled in her studio apartment to find the outfit she was supposed to wear for her blind date. At 26 she had managed to graduate with her doctorate and was now working as a first year resident at one of Ny’s finest hospitals.

School had always come rather easy for her, but it was also her fierce dedication to studying and not having much of a social life that allowed her to graduate top of her class. Her specialty was going to be orthopedics. Having grown up with brothers, she was familiar with sports injuries, and how it could affect one's life. She wanted to make a difference, she wanted to honor her brother's struggles by being one of the best.

For the moment she was stuck in the ER treating gunshots, stabbings, and broken bones. Some days she felt as if she’d never get her brain clear of some of the things she’d seen. Shaking her head she focused, she needed an outfit for the blind date her friend had set her up on. She didn’t even want to go. The guy didn’t seem to have much of a personality. The problem was he’d simply seen her photo and said he wanted that.

Jenna agreed anyway, she needed a night out. Apparently the guy was an accountant, and worked at a firm uptown. So they decided to meet at a bar that was midway between them. She already didn’t like his nasally voice. There was something about a deep voice in a man that made her moan.

Oddly the major turn off for her, was that men just wanted to sleep with her. But she hadn’t met that special guy yet, the one that made her melt from the inside, stimulated her brain, and could simply possess her body and soul. Most tried lame lines, and quick moves. That just simply wasn’t her. The guy, he didn’t have to be a husband, but he had to be exceptional. Her first time should be something she wouldn’t regret.


Finally she settled on a black mid length dress with a sheer overlay. It was cute, and she hadn’t had a chance to wear it yet. Though she was concerned it would be too sexy. Especially when she put it on and her c cups threatened to overflow out of it. She added a hoodie on top of it to cover up more.

Haling a cab she headed to the club. Checking her watch she would be there approximately five minutes early. She liked to be early. It gave her a sense of order to the world of chaos. The bar as semi crowded and the music blared. It was already causing thumping in her head. Luckily the bar as back a bit and cut her nerves down. Taking a seat at the bar she yelled “Jack and coke”

 

[Firmhanded_Daddy]

Rich nearly swallowed his tongue. At the same time that he had virtually growled his order in his southern drawl, a stunning redhead had ordered the same thing. What were the odds? What made it more unique was the fact that she was wearing something that suddenly made him feel underdressed. He could tell that she was dressed for a night out but was also wearing something over it to keep away unwanted attention. Smart woman. He was a firm believer in women being able to protect themselves which was why he taught three female self-defense courses. He accepted anyone whether they could pay or not.



One glance at Jenna and he knew she was the sort of knockout who should be in one of his classes. She no doubt got a ton of male attention. That ivory skin, the red hair, and those green eyes. She was a showstopper. He realized he was staring. Grinning to himself he decides to break the ice a little. Shifting in the sleeveless shirt he wore the faint clink of his dog tags was lost in the noise of the bar but the lighting cast a lurid glow off the metal surface. “A woman with good taste. Since we ordered the same thing let me get this one for you, darlin.”



His deep brown eyes take in her appearance. She can see the pools turn to molten chocolate. The spark of interest was clear. He finally flags down the beleaguered bartender. “Two Jack and Cokes, please.” This time his request is much kinder. His mood much improved from his first try. Meeting someone who looked like a supermodel would do that to a guy. The bartender vanishes briefly. Then returns with their drinks. He pays and offers a generous tip. He pushes her drink to her with the back of his hand. Careful not to hover his hand over it. The gesture is clear. He wanted her to see he never tampered with it.



“My name is Richard. Friends call me Rich. I’m here with some pals tonight. You are welcome to come join us if you like?” He motions to the tables where a handful of attractive thirty-somethings are gathered together. There in front is Tricia looking at him with a smug grin with an “I told you so” look on her face. He sighs and rolls his eyes at her. He turns back to Jenna. His smile returns as he offers her his large, calloused hand to shake. She can see from just a quick glance that his hands have undergone extreme and consistent punishment. Finger breaks and repeated stress. He did something with his hands that made them hardened tools.

 

[Perplexia]

She liked a man that knew a good drink though these days she rarely had the opportunity for one. Jenna glanced up at him briefly and then looked at her watch. Why couldn't this guy be her blind date. He was attractive, and those brown eyes she could fall into. WTF where was this coming from. She blushed a little, unfortunately it was right as he offered to buy her drink. Being a first year resident she could just make ends meet. "Thank you" she said politely

Working in the ER she'd seen her fair share of date rape victims. Both men and women. so she watched his hand carefully. She liked how he used the back of his hand to show that he wasn't trying anything funny with her drink. Very few were aware of that old school move. It was as genuine as his smile when she smiled up to him.

He introduced himself her hand covered her drink as he pointed in the direction of his friends. She looked back to him removing her hand from her cup. Taking his hand she shook it. "Are you in construction or are you a boxer?" she asked taking an interest in and releasing it "Sorry I'm a doctor here in New York, I specialize in orthopedics. I've seen this kind of trauma in both." she smiled. "Sorry I'm Jenna, nice to meet you." Taking a look at her watch again she realized her blind date was 15 min late. "I'd be glad to join you." she said picking up her drink. Are you sure they won't mind?"

 

[Firmhanded_Daddy]

A gleam of intelligence flashes behind his molten brown eyes as he studies her. He seems to be taking in the small details even as they talk. Her fine-boned features, her graceful movements, and the fact that she had checked her watch. She was waiting for someone. That’s all right, he didn’t mind being her entertainment until her date arrived, and if he didn’t? Well, the night might take them to an unexpected place. “My pleasure.”



He notices her watching his hands and a small smile ghosts his features. She was a clever one. He liked that. She was alert. Far too many ladies showed up to bars and just blindly trusted men. That got them hurt or worse. Unfortunately, most of his self-defense clients only showed up after they had been the victim of some sort of an attack. That always broke his heart. It was usually the failing of one or more of the men in their lives for not pressing upon them the dangers that other men could play. He had to take the time to build them back up after their life had been shattered in the worst way. “I run an MMA gym. I am also a current fighter with a 14 and 2 record. I’ve been fighting most of my life. On the reservation, then in the Army, then in the ring and training others.” His eyes light up and he shakes his head. “No. They won’t mind at all and if your date shows up you can bounce. Assuming they have a good enough excuse for being late. At least I assume that is the reason you have checked your watch twice. Either that or I’m really boring. It is truly lovely to meet you, Jenna."

 

[Perplexia]

"That's a hell of a sport you participate in." she commented impressed. MMA Fighting was more then boxing, it was using your entire body to fight like a street fight. It made sense, the man was build like a brick house. "Do you by any chance offer self defense courses? The ER can get a bit rough sometimes with the gangs and people out of their minds on bad drugs."

Jenna let out a laugh that he caught her checking her watch "honestly I'm glad he didn't show. I hate being set up on blind dates. I don't do late either. If you can't show up on time, and you haven't reached out. Then that's on you. My time is valuable. So no, you're not boring at all." she said smiling up at him. "Shall we go sit and be social, well as much as we can be with the booming noise they call music." Jenna had never felt such an attraction to a man before. Something cried out inside her that she needed to climb him like a tree and be impaled upon his wood like leave.

Of course she'd never had a thought like that either. She knew there was nothing in her drink. Was it actually possible to meet someone and know they just simply meant for you? They hadn't talked very long, so it wasn't a list of things they had in common that attracted her. Perhaps it was just that physical chemistry that was over powering.

 

[Firmhanded_Daddy]

Rich smiles at her warmly surprised that she was impressed by his activities. Most women found his work to be barbaric at best and were turned off. Not her though. Then again this was a woman who had an up-close look at the worst of humanity every day. He suspected that most people would develop a certain level of detachment after that. “It is. I retired for a while. I got back into it as a fighter several years ago.” He nods his head at her question. “Yes. I offer several self-defense courses. They are arranged in varying degrees of skill level depending on the target audience. Unfortunately, most women don’t take protecting themselves seriously until they are victimized. Once they are through my classes become a stepping stone to them finding their feet again. There is a starter class; if you want to go further,r that is also an option.”



His eyes soften as he listens to her. He finds himself nodding along. He couldn’t imagine anyone standing up to this striking and intelligent woman. Let alone being foolish enough to waste her time. “I imagine your time and energy is at a premium. Not only did your date not show up but he also demonstrated a lack of disrespect. I’m glad he didn’t show up too and not just because I get to benefit. He has shown his colors and you dodged a bullet.” He smiles and offers her his hand scooping his drink up with his other he tilts his body toward the other. “I think you will like them. Though, Tricia might be a little smug. She was just talking about how I needed someone in the medical field to stitch me up after fights and mend my heart. Then you showed up like an angel. The world is funny sometimes.”



He stiffens. Did he just say that out loud? His dark eyes study her. Then he just laughs softly. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to put any pressure on you. I know we just met. I don’t know where that came from.”

With a sheepish smile, he resumed leading her back over to the table where several people were talking and laughing. They seemed to be paired up with three men, and three women. Rich motions to the group with his hand. "These are my nosey friends. Alex and Tricia. I have known Alex for 4 years now. He helped me get the loan for my gym. Tricia is his wife. This is Tom and Katie. Katie is a former student of my self-defense course and Tom is a boxer who frequents the gym. This is Mike and Sarah. Mike and I met when he did some work for me. He is a contractor. He and Sarah are engaged. Everyone, this is Jenna."

 

[Perplexia]

Placing her hand lightly on his arm she smiled. "I'm glad he didn't either, and sometimes life hands us what we need. Only a few are lucky enough to recognize it when its right in front of us. But i would like to get some classes in. My schedule is a bit wonky sometimes though. Any chance you're available for private tutoring?"

She followed him to the table and greeted everyone with a cheerful smile. Luckily she was good with names and the faces they attached themselves to. She found herself squished next to Rich and found she didn't mind it in the least. She tried her best to follow along with the conversation but found the noise volume to high to enjoy her surroundings.

Digging in her purse she pulled out a piece of paper and a pen. Writing it down "too loud, want to go for a coffee?" then a box for him to check yes or no. Handing him the paper and pen to await his answer. Even when her fingers touched his passing him the pen. She felt something almost electric pass through her. Why was she drawn to him so much? Yes he was gorgeous, but there was so much more to him. She wanted to learn everything about him.

Whatever it was, she knew he was worth discovering.

 

[Firmhanded_Daddy]

Richard smiles at her warmly. She was quite a woman. Brilliant, wise, beautiful, and charming. She wasn’t just the whole package – she was the package. He found himself flooded with thoughts about her and maybe where this might be going. He didn’t want to get his hopes up but this could be transformative for his life.



He engages with everyone in conversation but his eyes never leave her for long. Now that they were pressed together he felt intoxicated by her. The feel of her body against his was electric. He notices she isn’t engaging with them as much as she did with him. Was this too much? Was she uncomfortable?



Then he clocks her digging into her purse. As she writes down her request he smiles. Reaching over to place a hand over hers and offering a warm squeeze before he takes the pen and paper. He checks the yes box and then writes in 100% with a playful smile.



He turns to his friends and smiles warmly. “Guys. This noise is too much for me. I’m gonna take Jenna out for coffee and chat. Y’all have a good night.”



Tricia gives him a smug smile but doesn’t say anything. Her eyes seemed too knowing. She could see the spark between them. The group bids them farewell and Richard offers her his hand. “Let’s go somewhere and talk.”



He leads her out the door with a brilliant smile. Then he leans in and says softly once the quiet of the evening settles around them. “I would be happy to make time for you to take some private lessons. My schedule is pretty grueling right now so we might not be super consistent. It will just depend on what we can make work. Also, I agree with you completely. Sometimes life puts just what we need right in our path no matter how stubborn we are about fighting it.” He chuckles warmly and squeezes her hand.

 

[Perplexia]

Jenna took a deep breath of the night air, glad to be out of that club. "I hope your friends don't think we were rude, I just can't handle so much noise. I know I'm still in my twenties, but I outgrew that kind of environment ages ago." she squeezed his hand back.

There was something about him that checked every box that she didn't even know existed yet. He was kind, intelligent, a gentleman, sociable but safe at the same time. He understood what a grueling schedule could be. But somehow she knew that he would bend over backwards for something that mattered.

She slid her arm into his and walked closely with him as the night breeze seemed to encourage the warmth their bodies provided each other. The connection in itself was unlike anything she'd ever known before. Even if it was just a one night passionate love affair, this is the man that she'd been waiting for. Though she didn't plan that would happen, it was just everything about him felt right.

It didn't feel like she'd just met him as they chatted casually on their walk. The coffee house they came to was quiet and had only a few patrons in it. They went to a corner booth in the back so they could relish their alone time.

Taking out her cellphone she opened her contact list and asked for his number. Entering it in with his name she saved it to her contacts and sent him a text so he'd have hers as well. Then sent him a copy of her schedule that included the name of the hospital she worked at, so they could find time to correlate the lessons.

"I am glad that you needed a drink and my date stood me up." she said with a smile as her eyes stared into his. "So tell me what made you step out of retirement and into the ring again?." She bit her bottom lip casual as she had to stop herself from asking if she could be his personal doctor.

What was it about him that was making her think like a bitch in heat? She'd never been so attracted to anyone before. It wasn't just that he was handsome or built. She'd dated many guys that fit that mark, that she'd never felt this kind of attraction to.

 

[Firmhanded_Daddy]

As Rich walks out into the cool night air with her, he draws a deep breath of the crisp night air, closing his eyes as he savors the sensation. He revels in the feeling as the bite fills his lungs. It was like a thousand little knives right inside his lungs. He opens his eyes and smiles at Jenna, shaking his head. “No, I doubt it. They know I hate the loud environment of bars anyway and no doubt more than one of them noticed how well we are clicking.”



As they walk, he keeps her near. Even in this relaxed state, she can see that he has fallen into protective mode. He keeps her on the inside of the sidewalk closer to the buildings so he can screen anyone coming from the other direction. His eyes scan everyone and clock traffic. Anyone with hands in their pockets gets even closer scrutiny.



All the while he is still keeping up their casual conversation and he is laughing and enjoying their time together. This part of him was just completely automatic it was as natural as breathing. He held her door for her as they entered the coffee shop and as they seated he pulled her chair for her.



When she pulled out her phone he entered her details. He smiled and quickly entered his phone number and the Gym’s office number. He asked her to e-mail him the schedule. He would send his e-mail later over text.



“So am I. I would have missed out on an impressive person otherwise. Your potential date was a fool but I am glad for it.” He flashes her a big grin. It fades almost instantly as she broaches the topic of him coming out of retirement. It was bound to come up eventually. He pushes air out between his lips. “That is a bit of a story. Not a happy one. So, I retired because I wanted to get married and spend more time with my soon-to-be wife. I thought Sarah and I were happy together. Then about a week before the wedding I found her in bed with one of my closest friends. I came out of retirement right after that. It was my way of dealing with it. I haven’t trusted or touched a woman since then. That was three years ago.” He pauses and looks into her eyes. She can feel the pregnant silence. The deep meaning of his next words. “Then I met you.”

 

[Perplexia]

Jenna noticed how he reverted to the slightest old school protection. He walked closest to the street instead of letting her be near the traffic. If something were to happen she knew that he would protect her. Not just because there was something between them. But because that was who he was. It was refreshing to be able to feel safe in this world they lived in. Especially given her career and what a drugged up patient could potentially do. Or even a stalker.

She smiled at him appreciatively when he pulled out her chair and thanked him. There were some men that did this and figured if they put on the prince charming act it was going to lead some where. But she could tell that his actions weren't calculated. He was his actions, and she was tangled and mesmerized.

Jenna laughed heartedly at Rich's response to her date not showing. She was just as glad as him.

She listened intently as he told her of why he came out of retirement. The pain and anguish reflected in his voice. She'd known many people that had similar experiences. That was another reason she didn't date. But he felt this thing between them too. The thing with meeting people was everyone had a past and experiences that shaped who they were.

It was her turn to speak. She needed to share, but she had little to share. "I'm so sorry that happened to you." she replied with true empathy. Taking his hand she stroked it lightly. "I grew up the youngest of four, my brothers, all three, they played sports and were quite good at them. But their injuries they obtained stopped them from being able to go pro. I love my brothers, and their struggles i watched helplessly unable to do anything. One is in prison from drugs, one is fighting a daily battle to stay off of pain pills. The other has found some normalcy." she sighed

"Because of what I watched them go through, because of how i watched them treat the women in their lives, and how they were sought after like prizes. I grew distrustful I guess you could say of peoples intentions. In high school, I was invisible. I kept my head in a book, and had my close friends. I avoided the typical dating thing that my friends were going through. The amount of times i heard ooh i love him we'll be together forever. Then they would sleep with them, and the guy would move on, well if i had a quarter for each time i heard that I'd be rich." she laughed a little at her long winded explanation.

"In college, well I blossomed I guess you could say. But I was firmly set in my ways. I went on a few dates. They would lose interest because I was more focused on my studies than I was partying. Others would lose interest because i wouldn't 'Put out'. I guess you could say that I missed out on the college memories. Because I was overly focused and driven in my studies. When I wasn't studying i was interning at a rehab facility and also at the hospital."

Jenna hadn't come right out and said that she was a virgin, that she had no experience in the realm of sex. Of course she knew the terminology and the names of acts people would perform. She wasn't a nun. But she hadn't met the person that made her stop and be in the moment until now. "you are the first person, that has made me stop and be glad that I'm in this moment."

She felt a little awkward and fidgeted in her seat. "but on a lighter note, I'm looking forward to the lessons."

 

[Firmhanded_Daddy]

He nods his head warmly to her reply to his story. He was about to reply to her empathetic response when she touched him. It turned into him sucking in a sharp breath. She could see his dark eyes dilate. It was like lightning traveled from her hand up his arm. Goosebumps started from her stroking fingertips up to his bicep. Her touch was pure bliss. He had never had such a strong reaction to a simple caress before – not when clothing was still on, anyway.



Her voice started flowing again. He managed to focus, and his eyes softened as he listened. His first response was to squeeze her hand. Lacing their fingers together. Then he leaned closer, his eye contact becoming more intent. Rich’s features soften as he shakes his head sadly.



“Believe it or not, I am a nerd too. I know, doesn’t look like it, but when I was growing up, most of my friends were bookworms and those who no one else would like twice at. I have a strong sense of justice. Watching kids get ganged up on or bullied, and especially women mistreated by men, isn’t something I stand for. I was on a lot of fights on others’ behalf. I was involved in a lot of tabletop games. D&D, several White Wolf games, I think my Magic cards are still in my house somewhere.” He lets out a warm chuckle.



He pauses and draws her hand to his lips. Kissing it gently before placing it back on the table once more with their fingers still joined. “As for missing out on college memories? From what I gleaned from my friends, most of college is spent drinking yourself stupid and having meaningless sex. We have known each other less than an hour, but I know you are better than that, Jenna.”



“Your brothers… That must be terrible. Not sure if I can do anything about your brother who is in jail, but the one who is struggling? Him I might be able to help. Is he local?”