In It to Win It

by Ella Jade

  Though honestly, he didn’t know much about her other than she was twenty-one, worked for herself, and appeared extremely driven. He had been attracted to her straight away, but once they’d started talking, he became even more enamored by the woman. Remembering how she had sat next to him at the party and began an easy conversation, he’d instantly regretted not getting her number. But when he met up with her again, he’d thought twice about asking for it. Sabrina’s brother, Gav, was a good friend, so Silvio decided it would be a bad idea. Seeing Sabrina in here tonight made him rethink things. Now that Gav was shacked up with his dream girl maybe he’d be open-minded?

  “I think I should go say hi.” Silvio downed another shot before casually walking away from his gawking buddies.

  Chapter 2

  “Sabrina? I thought that was you.”

  She heard the deep voice before she felt the gentle hand on her shoulder. Turning, she instantly recognized the handsome face of the fighter she had only met a couple of times.

  Sabrina wasn’t sure what came over her as she lunged into his arms, wrapping her arms around his neck in a big hug. “Silvio! What are you doing here!” she squealed.

  She wasn’t into MMA, let alone fighters, but Silvio had been nice to talk to and even nicer to look at. That’s what stuck with her the most. Good-looking men weren’t really her type. Well, young good-looking men weren’t her type. She sighed inwardly.

  At twenty-one she had made a conscience decision as to the type of man she would date, and it was purely for her own motives. She needed a backer to help her become the mogul she knew she could be. Sabrina was currently building her empire as a video blogger. She had almost thirty thousand subscribers, and a couple of videos had even gotten close to five hundred thousand views. She discussed fashion, makeup, and general beauty, but she was ready to break into new ventures, and only money and connections could do that. Rich, older men liked young, hot blondes, and she figured they could each use one another for a while, then she’d get a nice big divorce settlement.

  Sabrina took a deep breath, enjoying the feeling of Silvio’s fit and firm body against hers. Most of the men she dated were decent-looking, but they had nothing on a fighter’s body. She tried to hide her embarrassment, realizing that she’d held him in the hug longer than she should have when Silvio gently unclasped her arms from around his neck.

  “I come here quite a bit. It’s a sports bar. I’ve never seen you here before. What are you doing here?” Silvio tilted his head in question.

  “First time here. My friends wanted to check it out.” Sabrina turned to her friends who were studying her curiously.

  “Ashley, Lindsay. This is Silvio, one of my brother’s hot friends. Isn’t he hot? He’s a fighter. Hot, right?” Sabrina felt the heat fill her cheeks instantly. How many times did you just say hot? Why! Damn you, vodka! She shook it off. Sabrina had never been shy around men. She typically thought of them as pawns in a game, using her looks and charms to get her way. She’d never really complimented a man so much without getting anything in return.

  “Totally.” The girls looked at him and snickered, before turning back to the men who were pawing over them.

  “Your friends look occupied. Wanna come sit with me and my buddies? Maybe let me buy you a drink?” Silvio asked, nodding across the room.

  Sabrina eyed the table Silvio gestured toward. Three men sat there with their eyes glued to her and Silvio. Not one of them really appeared to be her style. They looked like the kind she generally avoided eye contact with. They weren’t bad looking per se, but definitely working class, and she found the way they stared at her tactless. Sabrina was finding out quickly this bar didn’t have her type: rich, older businessmen, the kind who liked to show her off and buy her expensive things.

  Her interactions with Silvio had never been like her experiences talking with other men. Not a tool used to get what she wanted like most she went after, but she didn’t really group him into the class of men he sat with either. The easy conversation she’d started with him at an engagement party had surprised her. Silvio turned out to be charming and easy to talk with, and he made her feel like a different woman. She’d relaxed a little with him then, but never expected to see him after that. When their paths crossed at another party, and then again tonight, she decided to embrace the serendipity of it all.

  “Umm, no thanks, I’m comfortable here,” she answered, remembering his previous question. The idea of sitting with his friends made her cringe.

  “Okay. Well, it was good to see you. Have fun tonight.”

  Silvio turned to leave, obviously not understanding what she meant. She placed her hand on his muscular forearm, stopping him. When he turned back, his deep coffee colored eyes flashed a spark as they met hers, and it sent a sizzling quiver up her spine.

  “Wait. I thought you wanted to buy me a drink?” she said. Taking her hand off his arm, she flipped her hair back, tucking it behind her ear. She flashed him a sexy smile, biting her lower lip, before shrugging one shoulder.

  “What are you drinking tonight?” Silvio said, slipping onto the barstool next to her.

  “Vodka.”

  “Vodka?”

  “Yes.”

  “Just vodka?”

  “Yes.”

  “You’re so tiny, is mainlining vodka really a good idea?”

  “You know who my brother is, right? Vodka might as well be water in our family.” She smiled again, leaning into him, resting her hand on his thigh. When he looked down at her hand, she swiftly moved it. Are you flirting with him? Eww. Fighter. But hot fighter.

  Sabrina turned toward the bartender, getting his attention. She’d already had a couple of shots, and it was fogging up her mind. Knowing she needed to tone down her attitude, she scooted back on her stool, putting a little room between them.

  When the bartender approached, Silvio spoke before she could order.

  “The lady will have a shot of vodka, and I’ll take a tequila.”

  * * * *

  The house lights came up in the bar, announcing closing time. Silvio had sat with Sabrina, talking for most of the night. While he’d found the conversation entertaining, it had become clear she was most certainly a different type of girl. What Silvio found most amusing was her patronizing dismissal of the handful of men cocky enough to interrupt them. Sabrina was the type of girl who knew she was out of their league, which made her kind of a bitch. She hadn’t acted rude toward him, but other than when he had first come over, she hadn’t been overly friendly either.

  “Yo. We’re taking off, man,” Tyler said as he approached Silvio.

  “Yeah, I’ve got shit to do tomorrow,” Kevin said, looking at his cellphone.

  Antonio gave Silvio a firm pat on the back, nodding in agreeance with the guys.

  Silvio hadn’t felt too bad brushing off his friends, because he knew they’d understand.

  “Oh sure, bro.” Standing, he gave his brother a pat on the shoulder before turning back to Sabrina. “Oh, hey guys, this is Sabrina.”

  Sabrina gave them a generic, flat smile, and Silvio instantly sensed a change in her attitude.

  “Yeah. Hey. I gotta go check on the girls.” She leaned over and placed a kiss on his cheek. “I’m sure I’ll see you around.”

  The group of men watched in appreciation of her sweet ass swaying as she walked away.

  “Duuude,” Kevin said, playfully punching Silvio in the chest.

  “What?”

  “Tell me you don’t want to hit that.”

  “She’s my buddy’s little sister. And I’m pretty sure I’m not her type.”

  “What are you saying? Girls fall over you fighter types,” Antonio teased. “Incoming.” His brother gestured behind him.

  “Silvio,” the voice said sweetly. He turned to find Sabrina twirling a lock of her hair with a sheepish smile. “If I asked you pretty please and promise to be your best friend forever, would you drive me home? My friends have made other plans for the night
, and I have to get home.”

  Silvio eyed her for a minute, slightly taken aback by her request.

  “Please. It’s you or a taxi, and those things are so gross. And the cabbies are all pervs.”

  Silvio wasn’t sure if it was a good idea being so close in the car with Sabrina. He might not be able to stop himself from making a move on his buddy’s sister. It was an evil place to be, in between what you should do and what you wanted to do. It’s just a ride home. Be a gentleman.

  “Of course he will,” Antonio answered for him, shaking Silvio out of his thoughts.

  * * * *

  “Thanks for driving me home,” Sabrina said as she toyed with a lock of her hair.

  Those sparkly blue eyes stared at him as if waiting for something. Her door, you idiot.

  “Sorry, let me get your door for you.” Before he could turn to get out of the car, Sabrina leaned in close, placing her hand on his leg. The contact sizzled through his body, waking his cock.

  Her tiny hand felt its way up his body, her eyes admiring him as they went. Silvio sat stunned, and unmoving, not sure what was happening. Her hand stopped, resting on his cheek. Those blue eyes caught the bright moonlight outside, lighting up in the darkness of the car. He felt a lump in his throat as he watched her delicate tongue run across her bottom lip, dampening it, before she nibbled on the pouty lip.

  She raised one eyebrow. “Are you going to kiss me?” she asked with a coy smile.

  His lips captured hers as he pushed his hands into her hair. She willingly opened to him and their tongues tangled in desire. With the gear shifter between their seats, it made it difficult to pull her closer, but neither of them seemed bothered leaning awkwardly over the console. Her hand rubbed his thigh as he ate up her passionate moans, meeting her kiss for kiss. It was the feeling of those tiny hands rubbing his cock through his pants that woke him from his lust-filled stupor.

  “Hold on…hold on…” Silvio pulled away. Leaning back in his seat, he closed his eyes as he ran his hand over his shaved head.

  “You’re a great kisser. I had a fun time talking to you tonight. Thanks again for the ride home,” Sabrina said, sounding unaffected by what had just happened as she turned for her door.

  “Wait. What? That’s it?”

  Sabrina shrugged her shoulders and gave him a look as if she was clueless to what he meant.

  “You kissed me,” Silvio said.

  “So?”

  “Why?”

  “Because you’re hot,” she said, “and you drove me home, and I’ve had a couple of drinks, and I thought why not? Besides, you looked like a good kisser. Good job.”

  “Now what?”

  “Now I go home. I’m sure I’ll see you around.”

  “How about we set a time and a place to see each other around?” After that kiss Silvio couldn’t help but ask her out, no matter who her brother was.

  “That’s cute. But no thanks.”

  “No? That’s all you’ve got? No reason?”

  “No offense, you’re an amazing kisser, but I’m pretty sure you don’t have a six-figure income, so I don’t think this would work.”

  Never in a million years would he have expected those words to come out of her mouth. He wasn’t oblivious to the fact that some women only dated for money, but coming so bluntly, and peppy from her, had thrown him off. He had gotten the hint she might be a little stuck-up, and it didn’t bother him like it might other men, but this was crazy.

  “Excuse me?” Silvio asked, clearing this throat.

  “I said no offense.” She shrugged her shoulders as if it were no big deal.

  “Wow. I sure as hell didn’t expect that.” Shaking his head, he gave her a tight smile as he clenched his jaw. There was so much wrong with her refusal that it started to anger him. Sure, he had been rejected by women, but for not having enough money? Never. “So, is that what it takes for a date? Money? What’s the price of getting into those panties? Does Gav know his baby sister is a prostitute?”

  “Fuck you!”

  “Apparently I can’t afford to, princess.” Silvio felt satisfied when he rendered her speechless. “Lucky for you, I’m not asking for sex. I just thought you might let me take you out to dinner.”

  She eyed him skeptically for a minute. Sabrina was undoubtedly spoiled, entitled, and prissy. But she was also smart, funny, and beautiful beyond words. Maybe that’s what made him test his luck by asking her out a second time.

  “Don’t worry.” Silvio took a calming breath and leaned across the center console. “I can afford to take you somewhere nice on my lowly income.” Silvio wasn’t about to tell her that as a top ten ranked fighter he pulled seventy thousand per year, and with endorsements he was pretty damn close to six figures.

  “Fine. But we can’t go anywhere downtown. It has to be at least forty minutes outside of town. No diners or dives.” Sabrina rattled off her demands with a firm tone, leveling her eyes at him.

  “No.” Silvio scoffed.

  “No?”

  “You let me pick you up and take you out to a nice restaurant of my choice, or you don’t. Don’t you get to thinking I’ll be heartbroken being turned down by some spoiled brat, no matter how gorgeous she may be.”

  “You think I’m gorgeous?”

  “You must get that a lot?”

  “It’s the first time you’ve said it.”

  “Want me to say it again?” he whispered as he leaned in closer.

  “Yes.”

  Silvio reached out and gently ran his finger along her jawline, landing on her chin, tipping it toward him as he spoke. “I’ll tell you again when I pick you up Friday.”

  Sabrina broke their trance, sitting up rigidly. “You can’t pick me up. Just tell me where we’re going and I’ll meet you.”

  “Why can’t I pick you up?”

  “I live with my mom. Gav will find out.”

  “I’m not afraid of him.”

  “I’ll just meet you.”

  Silvio could do nothing but stare at the young woman sitting in the shadows of his car. He had asked her out not once, but twice, only to be rejected. Something about her made him keep trying to persuade her to go out with him until she said yes. But he wasn’t about to play the fool in anyone’s game. And he sure as hell wasn’t going out with someone embarrassed to be seen with him.

  Casually, Silvio got out of the car. He walked over and opened Sabrina’s door, offering his hand to help her out, which she accepted. Looking into her question-filled eyes, he could only grin. She had no idea how ridiculous she sounded, and he wasn’t about to humor her.

  Silvio pressed a soft kiss to her hand. “That’s okay, princess. If you’re ever interested in a real date, you know how to find me.”

  Deciding he’d had enough bullshit for one night, Silvio left a stunned Sabrina standing on the sidewalk as he got in his car, never looking back.

  * * * *

  Sabrina wasn’t sure what she was even doing when she parked her dark blue Charger in the very back row of the T&A MMA gym. She despised this place. It was gross, dark, dingy, and smelled like sweat. She’d been there on a few occasions to visit her big brother, but now that he was working with kids at another gym she had no reason to be there. But that wasn’t true. She had one obnoxious, arrogant, hunky reason to be at the gym.

  Even with her brother out of the way she had no plan on how to sneak in unnoticed. If she got past the front desk, how was she supposed to get Silvio’s attention without causing a scene or making it obvious that she wanted to talk to him? All this work for a regular man! Regular if you mean fucking hot.

  Silvio was different than any other guy she’d dated. This man made her hot in more ways than one. In the short time they’d gotten to know each other, she found he was the type who wouldn’t put up with her games. The challenge of Silvio excited her. Usually men ate out of the palm of her hand, giving into her every whim with little effort on her part. Not Silvio.

  Sabrina sighed inwardly as
she considered leaving, but just then something caught her eye in the rearview mirror. Silvio came strolling out of the gym, heading toward his car only a row over. Taking it as a sign, Sabrina sprung from her car and, considering the heels she wore, walked as quickly as she could over to his vehicle.

  “Why haven’t you called me?” she asked, leaning against his car, trying to sound casual.

  She could see the surprise in Silvio’s wide eyes, but as she expected he recovered quickly.

  “I don’t have your number. And remind me again, why would I call you?” Silvio dismissed her as he opened his car door, tossing the gym bag inside.

  “What does that mean?” She squared her shoulders and folded her arms over her chest, irritated.

  Silvio condescendingly mimicked her actions as he spoke. “I may not have a six-figure income, but that doesn’t mean I’m stupid, sweetheart. I’m not desperate enough to call up some chick who’s embarrassed to be seen with me and beg her for a date, no matter how beautiful she is.”

  Sabrina was rendered speechless. She wasn’t sure what she had expected him to say, but now she felt like an idiot. She hadn’t given him her number, but she’d assumed he would find it, or friend request her on Facebook at least. Note to self: find Silvio on Facebook.

  “You’re right.” Sabrina gave him a genuine smile as she took a step closer, bridging the gap. “But you did say to come find you if I was interested in a real date. So here I am.”

  She tried to control her breathing, but her heart pounded so hard she could hear the thumping in her ears. She’d come to the gym on an impulse and just assumed he’d be excited to see her. But she had also assumed he would call her. He made her act like someone she didn’t recognize. And right now he was making her feel like a fool for showing up unannounced.

  “All right, princess.” Silvio let out a huff before running his hands over his shaved head and then down his face. “I haven’t had lunch. Wanna go to lunch with me?”

  “What? Like a day date?” Sabrina said, almost horrified. “I didn’t drive all the way out here, and creep around the parking lot like a stalker, just to have you put me in the friend zone via some stupid day date. You’re a jerk.”