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  Knocked Down

  Copyright © 2018

  Nikki Ash

  All rights reserved

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental. In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning, uploading, and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the permission of the publisher constitute unlawful piracy and theft of the author’s intellectual property. If you would like to use material from the book (other than for review purposes), prior written permission must be obtained by contacting the publisher at [email protected]. Thank you for your support of the author’s rights.

  Cover design: Kari March Designs

  Cover photograph: DepositPhoto

  Editor: Brown Editing

  Table of Contents

  Dedication

  Other books

  One

  Two

  Three

  Four

  Five

  Six

  Seven

  Eight

  Nine

  Ten

  Eleven

  Twelve

  Thirteen

  Fourteen

  Fifteen

  Sixteen

  Seventeen

  Eighteen

  Nineteen

  Twenty

  Twenty-One

  Twenty-Two

  Twenty-Three

  Twenty-Four

  One year later

  Six months later…

  Dedication

  To Brittany, Andrea, Ashley, and Shawn. #TacoTuesday

  Other books By Nikki Ash

  All books are on Kindle Unlimited and can be read as standalones

  The Fighting Series

  Fighting for a Second Chance

  Fighting with Faith

  Fighting for Your Touch

  Fighting for Your Love

  Fighting ‘round the Christmas Tree: A Fighting Series Novella

  Fighting Love novels

  Tapping Out

  Clinched

  Takedown (Coming July 28th 2018)

  Mob Romance

  Bordello

  Standalone Single Dad Romance

  Knocked Down

  Sports Romance

  The Pickup (Coming Fall 2018)

  One

  Griffin

  “Dad! Did you see the pool? And the big garage I can put my bike in? And did you see it has the biggest park ever? Did you see, Dad?”

  “Yeah, buddy, I saw.”

  My heart swells a size bigger as my eight-year-old son, Levi, and I carry some boxes from my truck to our new apartment. There was a time when I never would’ve imagined being able to afford a place like this. A place with an actual gate and a clicker. A place where the pool is blue and has a clubhouse with a gym in it. Where the park doesn’t look like it’s in the middle of a crack-town. To be able to give my son a home we can actually be proud of means everything.

  The last two years I have busted my ass to turn my bar around. King’s Bar used to be a dump. A bar my younger brother, Sean, wouldn’t even let his wife hang out in. When Lilly would show up to visit, he would jump down her throat, afraid she would get hit on by the trashy lowlifes that frequented my bar. One fifteen-thousand-dollar bank loan later—and with the help of Lilly—King’s Bar was completely renovated and transformed into a restaurant-slash-bar even I couldn’t recognize but could finally be proud of.

  With the makeover Lilly gave the place, including an entirely new menu, a real kitchen, and a cook who knows what he’s doing, it was as if I purchased an entirely new bar. Then, add the advertising she helped me set up to cater to a higher class, and it all came together. I spent the next two years working hard to make sure it didn’t tank, and I’m proud to say, not only am I in the black, but my loan is paid off. The bar is bringing in enough revenue that I can afford to rent a decent sized two-bedroom apartment for Levi and me while still having money left over to put away every month into a savings account.

  With Levi getting older, I want to be home more. After discussing my idea with the accountant Lilly hooked me up with, she confirmed my numbers are trending, and I’m good to hire a fulltime night manager. This means I’ll be able to work during the day while Levi is in school and be home with him in the evenings. As a single parent, there’s nothing better than being able to provide for your child and still be able to be there with him.

  “Dad! This is the place!” Levi points to the numbers on the door. “Four-Two-Two-Four.”

  “Yep! Here you go. You do the honors, buddy.” I hand him the key, and after putting down his box of toys, Levi inserts it into the lock. The door swings open at the same time the one next door opens, followed by a large dog barreling out. The dog runs right up to Levi, and before I can stop him, his paws come up to his chest, knocking him down onto the ground.

  I drop the box in my hand, ready to pull the dog off my kid when I hear Levi’s infectious laughter. When I get around the large dog—which appears to be a yellow lab—I can see his tongue lapping up my son’s face.

  When I look back toward the apartment next door to see how the hell the dog got out of its home, a frazzled brown-haired woman comes stumbling out the door. “Oh my god! I am so sorry!” She has a leash in one hand, and she’s trying to run while pulling on a boot with the other hand. She stops in front of us, huffing out her annoyance, her other boot finally on. “Maverick! Bad boy.” Her hands go to her hips, her brows furrowed in anger. The dog ignores her, continuing to lick Levi while he giggles, petting the dog. “Maverick!” she yells again, stomping her foot. The dog still ignoring her.

  I stifle a laugh at how adorable this woman is mad. She can’t be more than five-foot-two—I’m definitely a good foot taller than her. She’s wearing tiny cut-off jean shorts that show off her naturally bronzed skin. Thick thighs and an ass that a guy could grab onto. Her tank top reads “If you hate tacos, I’m nacho type” and has a good amount of cleavage spilling over. She has a tiny yet thick body. Definitely Hispanic. Her caramel colored hair is up in a messy bun, and her eyes…fuck, her eyes are a bright green. Like a forest you could get lost in for days. What the hell am I saying?

  When I stop staring into her eyes, I notice she’s standing there watching me check her out. Her one brow is raised, and she has a mischievous smirk splayed across her lips. Putting my fist up to my mouth, I choke out an awkward cough. Her smirk turns into a full-blown grin, and I feel like I’ve been knocked down on my ass.

  “Yo, Griffin! Why don’t we bring up—” Sean comes walking over, his words coming to a halt as he assesses the situation.

  “Look at the doggy, Uncle Sean!” Levi shouts, still petting the furry animal who is now on his back with his tongue hanging out the side of his mouth, accepting the belly rub.

  “I see it, Levi.” Sean glances from Levi, to the dog, to the woman and then to me. When his eyes meet mine, he gives me a knowing look.

  “I’m Sean King.” He puts his hand out to greet the woman.

  “Oh my god! Are you Sean King, the UFC fighter?” She puts her hand in his. “I’m Ava Milano,” she says with the sexiest damn accent I’ve ever heard. It sounds like that actress—Sofia something, who’s on that show Lilly always insists on watching—only hotter. “I love the UFC! It’s so nice to meet you.”

  “And I’m Griffin King.” I move my brother’s hand out of the way, replacing his hand with mine. He chuckles under his breath, and I shoot him a quick shut the fuck up glare.

  Ava smiles and lets go of my hand, walking over to Levi and her dog. I watch as her ass sways in those shorts, my dick twitching for the first time in sev
eral months. Sean’s gaze follows mine then he chuckles, shaking his head. I punch him in the arm which only makes him laugh that much harder.

  Ava clips the leash onto her dog’s collar. “This is Maverick, who is still not quite used to living in an apartment complex with a lot of other people.” She smiles at Levi. “He’s a big puppy, but he’s harmless…unless you count licking someone to death!” Levi giggles like he does when Lilly is sweet with him. My kid is a King after all. It’s second nature for us to flirt with a cute woman.

  “Maverick…named after Top Gun?” Sean asks, and Ava’s smile turns into a grimace, her eyes rolling.

  “Yes, unfortunately my boyfriend insisted on naming him. Now I’m stuck calling him that for the rest of his life. I tried to rename him once we broke up, but he wasn’t having it.” Her nose scrunches up in annoyance. “That’s okay, though. His cuteness and loyalty make up for his ugly name.”

  “My name is Levi King and I live here.” Levi points to our door.

  “Nice to meet you, Levi. Maverick and I live right next door.”

  Levi stands up and mimics his uncle and me by putting his hand out to shake Ava’s. She grins, taking his hand.

  “Can I maybe play with Maverick one day?” he asks.

  “Sure! I bet he would love that. Just make sure you ask your dad first.”

  “Okay!”

  Ava glances from me to Sean. “It was nice meeting you both. I need to take Maverick for his walk, so he can go to the bathroom. I’m already late.” She gives us one last smile before turning her back on us as she heads down the hall toward the sidewalk. The three of us stand there watching her walk away until she’s gone.

  “Well, she seems nice,” Sean notes.

  “Yeah! And her dog is nice too,” Levi points out.

  “There are a lot of words I could use to describe that woman but nice…nice just doesn’t do her justice,” I add.

  Sean cackles and I throw another punch to his arm.

  “What’s so funny?” Lilly asks as she walks up. “And why are we hanging out, outside the front door?”

  “There was a cute dog named Maverick and he ran away and tried to lick me to death.”

  “Good thing you didn’t die! Where is he?” Lilly looks around for the dog.

  “He left with Ava,” Levi says, a smile brightening his face. “She’s really pretty! Just like you! And she lives right there.” He points next door.

  “Oh really?” She tilts her head to the side. “How pretty is she, Sean?”

  “She’s got nothing on you,” Sean insists, pulling her into his arms and giving her a kiss.

  “Yeah, Prim,” I say, using my nickname for her. “You know you’re our number—” But before I can finish my statement, Ava comes walking back down the hallway, her dog getting excited to see that Levi is still standing here.

  Lilly follows my gaze, her eyes landing on Ava then throws her head back in laughter. “Good try, boys.” Sean tightens his hold on her, whispering something into her ear that has her laughing some more.

  Ava stops in front of us, a look of confusion marring her face. “Are you planning to move in, or are you going to hang out here all day?” Then she smiles at Lilly. “I’m Ava Milano. Looks like we’re neighbors.”

  Lilly gives her a sweet smile back. “I’m Lilly King. My husband and I are helping these two move in.” She nods toward Levi and me. “They’re your neighbors, but I’m sure we’ll see you around.”

  “Well, it’s nice to meet you. And Levi,” she says, “come by any time.” She shoots him a wink that has my son speechless and grinning like a damn fool. I feel ya, son. I feel ya.

  Two

  Ava

  “Ay Dios mio, Mami.” I sigh into the phone, attempting but failing to reign in my frustration.

  “Oh no, Ava, don’t you ‘Oh my God’ me. It’s not too much to ask my only daughter to be here for Sunday lunch. I’m not even asking you to attend church. I know that’s a lost cause. Your father and I haven’t seen you in far too long. Ever since you and that boy broke up, you’ve been hiding out in that apartment of yours.”

  I roll my eyes, grateful she can’t see me through the phone. I love my mom to death, but sometimes her love can feel a bit suffocating. I know if I go over there she’ll dote on me, but I don’t want to be doted on. I just want to move forward. Every time I visit her, she asks if I’m dating again. When I say no, she tries to set me up. The truth is I have no desire to date right now, and I don’t see that changing any time soon.

  “And I know you’re rolling your eyes at me,” she admonishes. “It’s rude, even when you aren’t in front of the person.” My eyes go to roll upward again, but I stop myself, afraid she’ll be able to tell, even though that’s crazy since she can’t see me. She just knows me too well.

  “Oh, Mami, I’m not hiding. I’m busy. I have so many book covers to get done. I have several websites I need to update. Plus, I’m putting together another party. I’ll come this Sunday. I promise.” With my degree in graphic and web design, I have found my calling. Creating and designing book covers and websites. I also have a side business where I sell—

  “Thank you. Now tell me about your new neighbors,” my mom says, cutting off my thoughts of work and bringing forward thoughts of Griffin and his adorable son. “You said they would be moving in soon. Anybody nice? Maybe a young, successful gentleman…who goes to church.”

  Dropping my head, I shake it back and forth as I stifle another groan. “It’s a gentleman. He looks to be around my age, and he has the cutest little boy. Maverick ran out of the apartment before I could hook his leash and practically attacked him with his puppy tongue and drool.” I find myself smiling as I remember the little boy, Levi, laughing and petting Maverick.

  “Oh really…and is his father cute as well?” I don’t mention how sexy Griffin is, or how he was completely checking me out. It will only put thoughts into her head, spurring her on. Then, before I know it, she’ll be showing up at my apartment, bringing him food and trying to set us up.

  “He’s not ugly.”

  “And where’s the mother?”

  “I’m not sure. It seemed like it was only them. His brother and wife were helping them move in.”

  “Well, make sure you bake them something to welcome them to the neighborhood. If it’s only the two of them, I bet they would love a cake or maybe some muffins.”

  “I will, Mami.”

  “Have you been on any dates lately?” My god, will it ever stop?

  “Nope, and don’t start please. I am perfectly content dying as the little old dog lady. At least Maverick is loyal,” I say, sounding like the bitter woman I still am. Even after over six months of being single, I still get a sour taste in my mouth when I think of ever being in a relationship again.

  “Ava”—my mom’s tone switches into full mom mode—“you are only twenty-four years old. You are far too young to give up on finding a good man.”

  “I’m twenty-four and I’ve been cheated on twice,” I point out.

  “They didn’t deserve you.”

  “You have to say that because you’re my mom, and you know what they say…if it happens once it’s them, if it happens twice, it must be you.”

  “Oh Ava, that’s not true. You know I would be honest if I thought it was you.” She laughs. “You just need to find the right guy who is worthy of you.”

  And that right there is the problem. I thought I had found the right guy…twice. First was Dennis. I met him in college and we hit it off. He was sweet and sexy, decent in bed. We had fun together. However, eight months later, I caught him with his pants down around his ankles screwing another woman. I didn’t even see it coming. Luckily, we weren’t living together, so I was able to walk away without too much damage to my heart.

  About a year later, I met Gabriel. I made sure to take things slow. I looked for any sign he wasn’t all in, just shy of being a closet-crazy-stalker girlfriend. He was mediocre in bed at best, but to be hon
est, I considered that a good trait. Less likely to cheat. He asked me to move in with him and after dating for well over a year, I thought I was in the clear.

  Three months and a puppy later, and I caught him cheating. I was honestly more shocked that a woman would choose to sleep with him without even getting anything in return. I wasn’t kidding when I said he was mediocre in bed. If I’m being real, I think using the adjective mediocre to describe him is being nice. More like dismal…disappointing. You know in those romance novels where the guy says, “You’re so tight,” well, it was more like, “Am I in yet?” And before you start pointing fingers, I can feel when my six-function G-spot vibrator-slash-multi speed dildo is inside me, so I know it’s not me.

  The only thing I can think of is that this woman thought the key to his wallet was through his dick, and since it was so small—his dick, not his wallet—it would be the shortest route, if he wasn’t so cheap.

  And I’m not talking cheap like he wouldn’t buy me a huge diamond necklace or take me on trips to Paris. I’m talking the kind of cheap where he would try to say I’m a child at the movies to get me in for a cheaper price, or when he would tell me to sneak into the buffet to save money on my plate. And speaking of eating out: he would complain about every meal to a manager in hopes of getting his food for free. It was beyond embarrassing.

  Ugh! And the air conditioning! He would keep it on eighty degrees at night to save on electricity. I understand trying to save money, but eighty freaking degrees? I spent more time sticking my head in the freezer to cool down so I wouldn’t have to listen to him bitch. So really? Why she was wasting her time sleeping with him, I’m not really sure, but at this point, it doesn’t matter. We broke up. He kept his house and I got the dog.

  “Ava,” my mom pleads, bringing me back to the present. “Don’t give up. Everything happens for a reason. One day you will meet the right guy, and you will understand why every other guy didn’t work out.”

  “How would you know?” I ask, my voice coming out harsher than I intended. Immediately feeling guilty, I apologize. “I’m sorry, Mami.”