“Kellen.” She sighed. “He has a big mouth.”
“Is it a secret?” He poured her some of the sparkling water she tended to favor.
“No, not really. It’s just all happening so fast. Anyway, it’s a project for Ana’s marketing class.”
Sloane stared at her mouth. Again. “Keep talking. Or I’m going to kiss you. And we both know how that will end.” He looked at her hemline, where it rode up her left thigh. Did she even have panties on?
A thong?
What color? It’d have to be a white or maybe blush-colored not to show through.
Sloane pulled his black tie away from his throat. Heat warmed his veins, and his cock ached. He took a gulp of water.
“Ana has a video crew from college following me around to get working footage. They went with me to set up a wedding cake today. Next week, we’ll start the straight bio shots of me. From that, Ana and her team will do two videos. One will be like a commercial for Sugar Dancer Bakery, and the second will be a longer biography piece of me as the owner of Sugar Dancer. She has a whole marketing plan to go with it.” Warm color made her face glow with excited.
“All for her class?”
“Yes and no.”
Okay, now she had his full attention. He set his glass in a holder then stretched his arm around her shoulders. “Spill it, baker girl.”
“If I like the final product, the plan is to follow through on Ana’s marketing plan and submit the videos to three cooking shows that feature bakers.”
Her fingers were white around the glass she cradled. “I remember Ana mentioning that she wanted to get you on one of those shows when I first met her. Is that what you want, Kat?”
She took a deep breath. “If I can do it.”
Ah. Now he knew why tension was eating into her excitement. “Your panic attacks.”
“I’m fine doing the tapings in my bakery, and I did okay when they followed me to set up at the wedding. But I’d be under real pressure in a studio.” She shrugged beneath his arm and lifted her face to his. “But if I can do it, the exposure would be great. And then maybe I can think about expanding.”
“Expanding your existing store or opening more bakeries?”
“More Sugar Dancer Bakeries.” She tugged at her bottom lip with her teeth. “Not for awhile, though. But it’s what I want to do someday.”
Damn, she just got hotter to him. A woman with ambition meant she wasn’t looking for a man to rescue her. Kat didn’t need a Prince Charming to take care of her. She was taking care of herself.
“I also want to develop a product line of prepackaged items that people can bake at home. My thought is that I’d do instructional videos walking them through the process of making the items. The videos would be accessible for free on my website.”
“Hmmm.” She had been putting some real thought into this.
“Ana and I are going to shoot a few instructional videos for things like cake-decorating tips for home, load those on Sugar Dancer’s site and see if they get some interest.” She scrunched up her face. “I’m rambling.” Leaning forward, she set her glass of water in the holder.
Sloane tugged her back against his arm. “You’re excited, and I’d like to hear more. Tell me the locations you’re thinking of for more bakeries.”
Uncertainty flashed in her eyes.
“Careful, baby. You don’t want to retreat, thinking I’ll treat you like your family.” He hated that shit. Kat was sexy as hell when she stood up to him. But when she retreated, it snapped his hold on his temper, and he got into her face, challenging her.
Her doubt cleared. “That’s right, you’re a bully.”
“You love it. No lies, Kat. It makes you hot when you can fight back.” He linked their fingers. “You don’t have to be careful with me.”
“Like telling you my spanking fantasy? That wasn’t careful.”
Her soft voice plowed right to his groin. After tugging their joined hands to rest on his thigh, he took a breath to calm his lust. “What was it then?”
“Revealing. Showing you something about me I’m not entirely comfortable with yet.”
“What’s that?” He wanted to know, even more than he wanted to explore her spanking desire.
Her shoulders rose gracefully. “The part of me that wants to let go of the tight control I’ve had on myself.”
Damn it. Sharp lust rivaled with a slew of emotions he didn’t want to examine. “All you have to do is ask. You do that, and I’ll assume control and take care of you. But only when you’re ready.” God, he would take care of her, take her to heights she’d never imagined.
He had to stop. Now. Before he forgot how damned important this night was.
“But right now…” he struggled to keep his voice controlled, “…we have to go back to talking about your work. Or I’m going to pull you into my arms.” And he wouldn’t stop there. Think. What were they talking about specifically? Oh, right. “Tell me about the locations you’re thinking about.”
For a few seconds, her eyes filled with shifting emotions. Then she relaxed. “To start I’d go with Los Angeles or San Francisco to open a second Sugar Dancer Bakery.”
“Why?” He wanted to know her reasoning. “Wouldn’t smaller areas give you a better chance to get noticed?”
“Yes, on a small scale. But if I want to garner larger notice to create a brand, I need high-profile locations. The trendiness of L.A. and San Francisco can work for me. And they are foodie areas, another plus. But a strong reason is also traveling—I can drive to L.A. in a couple hours, and San Francisco is an hour flight. That would give me a lot more access to get staff trained, etc. Once I get better at the start-up, then I can expand outward. I have a lot to learn before I get there though.”
“Overhead will be higher in metropolitan areas. Competition fiercer.” Sloane wasn’t going to sugarcoat this. He handled challenges head-on. But if Kat wanted to do it, he could help her.
Her eyes took on the same glow she got when they were sparring and he pushed her to work harder. “True, the risks are higher, but so are the rewards. If Ana and I can create a good buzz with the trailers, get on a baking show, then I can build on that. By the time I expand, I’ll have that going for me.”
She’d really thought this through. “I can help you achieve your dream. I have contacts to get you on those shows as well as help you raise your bakery profile. You’ll need capital to—”
Whipping her head around, she pulled her hand. “No. Thanks, but no.”
Keeping her hand tucked in his, he tried again. “Kat, I have an entertainment arm to SLAM that gives me excellent resources—”
“Absolutely not.” She stopped tugging her hand and faced him. “I appreciate the offer, but I need to learn how to expand and manage multiple businesses, not have someone else hand it all to me. You’re doing enough by teaching me to fight and conquer my panic attacks. That’s key. If I can’t overcome them, then I’m not going to do the rest.”
Satisfaction unfurled in his chest, surprising him. He’d meant it that he’d help her. He’d done it for his other plus-ones. But Kat didn’t want his money or power. She wanted him and the self-defense lessons he could give her.
“Besides, I have an investor.”
Sloane stiffened. “Who?”
“My brother. He said if I expand, he has some money he can invest and he’ll cosign a loan.”
“Marshall?” While her parents and David treated Kat like she was a brain-damaged embarrassment, her brother had appeared more caring. “How did that come about?” Far as he knew, she hadn’t seen her family.
“I wanted to talk to him about David.”
Sloane listened as Kat described her conversation with her brother. She ended with, “I almost chickened out and didn’t tell him my theory. I didn’t want to see him look at me like my parents do.”
“So what made you take the chance?”
“Because if I didn’t and something happened, how would I live with that
guilt?”
Sloane didn’t have an answer. His guilt over Sara had had a chokehold on him for nearly fourteen years.
* * *
What kind of winery had a cage for mixed martial arts fighting inside a huge domed building? Kat allowed herself one or two sips of wine, struggling not to feel out of place. Sloane’s black suit accentuated his powerful frame as he easily commanded the entire room—even from inside the octagon cage. Four other men wearing suits and death stares were spread behind him.
“The Inaugural Caged Thunder Event, The Pro Vs Amateurs Slam, will be private and exclusive. It will not be televised or recorded in any fashion. This is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and only for a select few. The amateurs that get into the cage for their shot at a SLAM contract for representation? They will be risking their very lives against these proven fighters.” Sloane dropped his hand holding the mike, his gaze scanning the crowd fanned out on the custom stadium seating.
Kat sucked in a breath, seeing another side of Sloane. The performer and the fighter who had fought in front of thousands. He knew how to work a crowd. She leaned forward in her seat, as captivated as everyone else in the room.
“Tonight, we’re auctioning off one hundred tickets. Once those tickets are gone, no more will be available for this exclusive event. You may enter your bids with my assistant, Liza…” he gestured to the woman a few feet from him, “…this evening until midnight. All the proceeds will go to Fighters to Mentors. There will be no administrative costs. Rolling Thunder Winery and SLAM Inc are covering those.”
Sloane quickly introduced the fighters who would each go up against two amateur fighters. The ultimate prize, if any of the fighters were good enough, was for a contract for SLAM Inc to represent the fighter.
“Liza will explain how to enter your bids.” Sloane handed off the microphone to his assistant.
Kat barely listened, riveted on Sloane as he leaped down from the cage and instantly was swallowed up by a swarm of people trying to get his attention.
Losing sight of him, she dropped her gaze to her wine. It was a crisp white, but she couldn’t recall what kind exactly.
Her thoughts were full of Sloane. He was bigger than life, wearing power like a second skin. She was so out of her comfort zone here. Yet in the limo, she’d been comfortable enough to talk to him about her dreams for her bakery, and her fantasy of spanking. He made her feel safe and capable, not foolish for dreaming or depraved for a fantasy. She firmed her resolve. If she could handle talking to Sloane like that, she could handle this event.
She lost interest in staring at her wine when a pair of black handcrafted leather loafers stepped into her line of sight. Slowly, she scrutinized the perfectly draped trousers and slim hips, to the black silk shirt covered by an exquisite jacket.
Beneath the strong lights, his face captivated her, making her want to stroke the harsh outline of his jaw, trace his two scars—the one through his eyebrow was fainter than the one by his mouth. Words like cute didn’t go in the same sentence as Sloane. Jaggedly handsome worked. Sinfully sexy. Compelling and dangerous.
He looked at her as if there was no one else in the room.
“Don’t like your wine?”
Focus. “It’s very good.”
“You’re not drinking it.”
“Sadly, the vintage doesn’t pair well with my limp.” It took effort not to check to make sure her scars were covered. The dropped hem of the dress helped hide them.
He leaned over, bracing his hands on the arms of her chair. “Didn’t we just talk about you wanting to let go? You won’t fall while you’re with me.”
His caramel-colored eyes seared her. Made her feel safe, protected and sexy. Made her want to let go of worrying about her leg and not embarrassing both of them for one second. Her heart drummed heavily. Being so close to him kicked up her pulse.
“I can’t.” She’d done well so far, but she wasn’t going to risk stumbling and falling. Or a panic attack. It was important to her not to embarrass him tonight.
“You can.” Covering her hand around the wineglass, he said, “Unless you need help doing it. Like having me feed the wine to you from my mouth.”
She clenched her thighs at the streak of heat rushing through her. “You’re bluffing. There are at least a hundred people here.”
His hand closed around hers and tugged the glass from her fingers. He took a deep drink, but the long column of his throat didn’t move. Slowly, he lowered the glass and closed in on her. The closer he got to her, the less she wanted to resist. The more she craved letting go. The seductiveness of trusting him melted her.
When he was only an inch from her, Kat dug her fingers into her own thigh to stifle her moan of desire. A slight flush caused the scar by his mouth to appear white, jagged.
“Sloane?”
A sultry female voice shattered the moment.
Sloane’s eyes narrowed and his nostrils flared.
For a tick of time, Kat thought he was going to ignore the voice to feed her the wine. And she would let him.
Then he swallowed, shoved back and rose to his full height. He handed off the wineglass to a server and faced the woman. “Paloma.”
Kat drew in a breath and closed her mouth as a woman in a fiery red dress that barely skimmed her thin thighs laid her hand on Sloane’s arm. “It’s been a long time.”
Sloane took Kat’s hand and helped her to stand. “This is Kat Thayne.”
“Nice to meet you.” The words flowed on autopilot, while Kat’s brain screamed out, Paloma the singer! Her trademark blonde hair fell in a shimmering sheet to her waist.
She flashed a smile. “A pleasure, Kat. You’re with Sloane this evening, I take it?” Open curiosity flickered in her soft doe-brown eyes.
“Yes.” Sloane tucked her hand into his elbow. “I hear you have a new CD coming out soon.”
Her smile widened, and she bounced lightly on her stilettos. “It’s amazing. I can’t thank you enough for all your help.”
“Happy to do it. Enjoy your evening.” Sloane guided Kat toward a door. “Let’s get dinner and the obligations over with so I can have you to myself.”
She barely noticed the cool air as they went outside. “Paloma was your plus-one.” Kat winced as soon as the words left her mouth. Damn it, it didn’t matter.
“For a while, yes.”
So matter-of-fact. “You helped her with her career.”
“It’s what she wanted from me.”
Not the only thing. The image of Sloane naked with Paloma, with any other woman, touching her like he touched Kat—her stomach burned at the thought. Oh crap, this was a bad sign. Jealousy sucked, and it indicated ownership when no one owned Sloane. Steeling herself against the unwelcome streak of possessiveness, she focused on Ethan holding open the door to the limo. Once seated, she asked, “Where are we going?”
“Thunder Cage Stadium is set apart from the actual Rolling Thunder Winery. We’re having dinner in the wine-tasting room there. It’s just a minute drive.”
Still reeling from the emotions Paloma had stirred in her, Kat cast around for another subject to talk about. Finally she settled on what Sloane had mentioned when in the cage. “What is Fighters to Mentors?”
“Just what it sounds like. An organization where fighters, a lot of them retired, mentor kids.”
Kat stared at him, thinking of his growing-up years, many of them in foster homes. “You’re a mentor?”
“I do some mentoring. When I have time, I hang out with two boys, Robert and Kevin. Help out a little bit with some other kids. But some of these guys do a hell of lot more, like Drake…” He trailed off and turned away. His fingers dug into his thighs.
Sloane was an island, allowing so few people in and never letting his pain out. She wrapped her fingers around his rigid hand and tugged it until she cradled it between her palms.
“You’re doing it again, aren’t you?”
She faced him. “Comforting you? Being your friend? Yeah.”
He twined his fingers with hers. “You keep doing shit like this and I might not be able to let you go. Ever.”
Chapter Six
To keep her nerves under control, Kat took in the Rolling Thunder Winery tasting room. The large room boasted custom racks trimmed with wrought iron lining the walls to display wines. Marble floors, beamed ceilings and rich cherry wood accents added to the sophistication. Waitstaff moved efficiently between the round tables draped in snowy white tablecloths and laden with delicate china.
Every person in the room was staring at their table, more specifically, at Sloane and Ronnie T. Devonshire, the real estate mogul turned reality TV star.
“It’s a little overwhelming, isn’t it?” The blonde woman next to Kat said.
Turning to her, she smiled. “That obvious?”
“Nope, I just happen to have inside information. I’m Sherry Moreno. John…” she elbowed the big man with the close-shaved head next to her, “…is my husband. He and Sloane have been friends since their UFC days.”
“Hi there, Kat.” John looked over his wife’s head. “I’ve seen you in the gym, but haven’t had a chance to say hello.”
Kat nodded at him. “Nice to meet you both.”
Sloane leaned over. “Sherry is a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. I’ve asked her to spar with you this week while I’m gone.”
Startled by that announcement, Kat blurted, “You did?” She wasn’t sure she liked that idea.
His eyes warmed, and he toyed with her hair. “I’ll miss working out with you, but I’m traveling all week. Sherry is good.”
“I could wait.”
He shook his head. “Do this for me. You need to stay consistent with training to be ready to handle anything.”
He meant her panic attacks and David. Just thinking of David fired her determination. “Okay.”
The corners of his lips kicked up. “There’s my fighter.”
Possession (The Plus One Chronicles) Page 6