Another guy comes running across the street from the vicinity of Honor’s house. Shit.
With everything that happened this morning, I never got the chance to talk to Honor about the photos. I do a quick scan in the direction of her house. It’s too dark to see much. I make a note to go walk the perimeter and see if anyone’s lurking. I hate the fact that she’s over there alone and these vultures are stalking the woods around her.
“You guys have questions about the fight; you’ve got two minutes to spit it out.” Blake shifts slightly, closing in on my left arm in an understated but watchful stance.
The new guy shoves a recorder in my face. “Is it true that Honor Cartwright is in financial trouble?”
“What the fuck did you say?” I move to wrap my hand around this prick’s neck, but Jonah holds me back, so I point in the guy’s face. “You stay the fuck away from her, you hear me.”
“Are you aware her family has a long history with the law? Drugs. Burglary. You were kissing her, spent the night at her house, did you see any drugs in her home?”
“We’re done here.” Jonah and Blake must sense my impatience as they hook me by the biceps and turn me around. I struggle, but it’s useless.
“Don’t,” Blake says like he’s bored.
Their grip doesn’t let up.
“You got five minutes before the cops get here, boys. I’d get the fuck gone if you wanna keep those fancy cameras all you scumbags need to make a living.”
“I’ll fucking kill them.”
“Save it for the octagon, brother.” Jonah releases me when we get to the stairs.
Blake follows suit.
The front door to the house flies open, and Honor comes rushing out, and whatever she sees in my expression has her frozen at the top of the stairs. “What happened?”
Blood hums through my veins, but seeing her in those soft pale-yellow shorts and my T-shirt soothes me a fraction.
“Why don’t you two take this inside.” Blake scans the perimeter while Jonah stands like a sentry at the base of the stairs.
I hop up the stairs and snag Honor’s hand to move into the house but quickly change direction, and rather than lead her inside, I take her to the very end of the deck closest to the paps. I position her so that they can get a decent shot of what I have planned.
“Caleb? What’s going on?” Her big blue eyes shine with curiosity and concern.
“I’m sorry. I should’ve checked with you first, but . . . it’s too late now.” With a quick check to make sure they’re paying attention, I dive both fists into her hair and cover her mouth with mine.
Her muscles tense for a second as our tongues meet, and I growl and bend her back, deepening the kiss. She melts in my hands, and her fingers hold tight to my sides as I drink from her mouth, devour every moan, and absorb every touch.
The snapping of cameras is so faint or maybe I imagine it, but there’s no doubt these assholes are filling their memory cards with images that will be plastered all over the Internet within the hour.
I break the kiss but keep my hold on her as it takes her a minute to find her bearings. She blows out a breath, her eyelids low with lust. “What was that for?”
Guilt immediately washes over me, dissolving the peace that her lips brought. “Let’s go inside; we need to talk.”
We walk back to the door, and I catch Blake with that smart-ass smile as he shakes his head. “If there was a question before, there sure as shit ain’t one now.”
I ignore him and tug Honor inside and upstairs to my room. That was a dick move I pulled outside for the paps. But I wanted them to see that I don’t give a fuck what kind of dirt they dig up on Honor. It doesn’t change the fact that I want her, she’s mine, and if they fuck with her, they’re going to have to deal with me.
~*~
Honor
What the hell is going on?
I probably wouldn’t even have known there was something wrong if it weren’t for the cooler temperatures today. I had opened all the windows in the kitchen to enjoy the breeze while I prepared dinner. Things were so peaceful, until I heard voices—male voices—and they seemed angry.
I tried to eavesdrop, but they were speaking so low that all I could make out was an aggressive mumble. Until I heard Caleb. It was loud and distinctly him. When I came outside to see if he was okay, I was nearly knocked on my ass by the intensity of his eyes.
He was raging.
Hearing about Caleb being a vicious fighter is one thing. Tonight, I saw it roaring in his eyes. The flames of his anger burned like brush fires, making him look tense and determined.
And then that kiss!
I still have no feeling from the hips down.
Caleb is carving a path in the carpet as he paces from one side of the room to the other. His hands run over his head then prop on his hips and return to his head.
“You’re giving me motion sickness,” I say. “Tell me what happened out there.”
“This is my fault.”
“What is your fault?”
He finally slows and stops in front of me and stares at the floor between us before meeting my eyes. “The paparazzi got some photos of us last night.”
“I figured they would. Those people at the ice cream shop took a ton.”
“Not from the ice cream shop.”
“Or the truck, whatever.”
“From later.”
Later? We came home, he walked me up, and he kissed me on the doorstep. And wow, was it ever a kiss.
“There are pictures of us kissing all over the Internet.”
Butterflies explode in my belly but from nerves or excitement I’m not sure. I’m not embarrassed about having the world see Caleb kiss me. His stern expression means he may not feel the same.
“How—?”
“Someone followed us home. The problem now is they know where you live and they’re digging up dirt, trying to figure out who you are.”
“Caleb, I got nothing to hide if that’s what you’re worried about. The most they’ll find on me is that I’m nothing but an ordinary girl from Hope Town.”
He closes the space between us until I have to tilt my head back to see his eyes. “You’re far from ordinary. And as much as I wish that’s all they’ll find, these people are experts at digging up old skeletons.”
“I got no skeletons.”
“Listen.” He cups my face in his hands. “Don’t talk to anyone, okay? Don’t answer any questions. Don’t go reading anything they write about us. Just wait until after the fight, and I promise all this will go away.”
“Us?” We’re an us?
“We’re the flavor of the hour, but once this fight’s over, they’ll move on to someone else. Less than two weeks and this’ll be over. Think you can hang in there for two weeks?”
“You said we’re an us.”
“Right. You and me. Us. Together.”
“So . . . we’re together?”
He squints, but his lips curve up in a smile. “Of course we’re together. What do you think last night was about?”
Heat rises in my cheeks, and I drop my eyes to his chest, unable to hold his gaze. Last night was awesome, but I never imagined it would mean more than what it was: sex between friends that may or may not happen again.
“You think last night was just a hook-up for me?” His voice rises. He drops his hands and I miss them immediately. “Is that what it was for you?”
“I don’t know. I—”
“You don’t know? Honor, what we did last night meant something to me. I thought you knew that. What we did wasn’t about just gettin’ off, babe. That’s not the kind of man I am. I like you. I really like you, and I want the opportunity to spend more time with you.”
“I just assumed because you’re only here for a little while . . .” I shrug because I don’t think I need to spell it out for him.
He runs both hands over his hair, which still seems damp with sweat from his training all day in the garage. He scrubs h
is hands over his face and exhales. “We should’ve had this discussion sooner. That’s my fault.” Those honey-colored eyes meet mine. “I want more.”
“More of what?”
“You.”
I swallow hard. “How much more?”
“All of it.” He moves again, pulls my hand to his lips, and kisses the underside of my wrist. “I want all of you, Honor.”
“Until you leave?” My pulse throbs in my ears.
“I got nowhere to go. My time in England is over. I could go back to Vegas or I could stay here. I haven’t thought much about what happens after the fight, but you should know my options are open.”
“You’d stay here, in Hope Town . . . for me?”
“I would, at least until I could convince you to come back to Vegas with me.”
The room starts to spin, and I step away to sit down on the bed.
“Too much?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never been out of Hope Town. I’m afraid the world would chew me alive and spit me out.”
“Then we’ll stay. I can work something out with Cam. UFL fighters live all around the world. I could find a good gym either here or in Atlanta. Don’t worry about that.”
I hold my hand up to quiet him. “I need a second here. We hardly know each other. You’re thinking of relocating for someone you hardly know.”
“I know you, Honor Cartwright. I may not know your middle name or what flavor cake you like on your birthday, but I know you’re a walking US war encyclopedia. I know you cook like a goddess, and judging by the satisfied smile you get when people eat, I’d say you love feeding folks. I know you got a soft spot for animals, specifically cats. When we’re alone, when you feel safe and let your guard down, you’re fierce. You’re funny without even tryin’. Judging by your things, I can tell you’re not driven by money or success. You’ve never been spoiled rotten in your thirty years of life, and I’m gonna be the man to change all that. I know you, Honor. What’s important, I know. The rest . . .” He shrugs those big muscular shoulders. “The rest I’ll learn.”
My breath leaves me on a whoosh and I simply stare.
He tilts his head, studying me, probably making sure I’m still here, which is what I’m doing as well because, after that speech, it feels like my heart grew wings and broke free from my body.
“I kissed you outside on that deck to make a public statement to the world. It was wrong.”
My eyes burn as I try to focus on him.
“I should’ve told you first—asked you first. The paps think you’re my woman and I’m your man. Now if you’re not okay with that, I’ll go explain it to them; although, I should warn you they really only hear what they want to hear.”
“Like . . . girlfriend and boyfriend?” I internally slap my forehead at how ridiculous I sound. This isn’t grade school for crying out loud.
He smiles and gets close before dropping to his knees at my feet. He runs his palms up my thighs to my hips, and my legs open wide to welcome his torso as he hugs me around my waist. “Exactly like boyfriend and girlfriend. One hundred percent fully committed relationship. Me to you, you to me. Dating. Together. Call it what you want; just tell me you’re in.”
I nod, and the smile that pulls my lips is painfully huge.
He lifts his brows. “Yeah?”
“Yes!” I throw my arms around his neck and hug him, only to have him push me back to the bed and crawl over me.
“Kiss me, baby.”
And I do. I put every ounce of my soul into this kiss, making sure that he knows I am indeed in.
I’m lost in the sweet taste of Caleb’s mouth and the hard curves of his body as I lose myself in the kind of making out that scrambles my thoughts and makes me forget my own name.
There’s a pounding on the bedroom door. “You guys fall asleep in there?”
Caleb groans and presses his forehead to mine, trying to catch his breath.
“Because I know Caleb’s got shit for stamina.”
“Blake,” he murmurs and rolls away from me. “Excuse me while I go punch my friend in the throat.”
I laugh, feeling giddy and lighter than I’ve felt in years.
“He’s what we like to call a two-minute man, if you know what I mean. So, I can only assume you two fell asleep. It smells like heaven in the kitchen—”
Caleb swings open the door. “I can’t believe I forgot what an obnoxious asshole you are.”
Blake laughs. “I can’t either. I’ll work on reminding you daily.” He leans around Caleb, and I’m sitting cross-legged on the bed, pretending like I wasn’t just seconds away from stripping myself bare and jumping my boyfriend’s bones. Eek! My boyfriend! “Babe, I don’t know what the fuck you got going on in the oven down there, but the smell is . . . Well, it smells so good it’s enough to make a man embarrass himself.” He slaps Caleb on the shoulder. “But I’m sure you’re used to that.”
Caleb props his fists on his hips, looks to the floor with a muttered curse, and laughs. I have to admit, I’ve never heard grown men rip on each other in a way that sounds loving, but these guys pull it off.
I scoot to the edge of the bed. “So, you’re sayin’ you’re hungry.”
“We’re trying to be polite, but that time is up, and we’re gonna eat the fuck out of whatever it is.”
“Don’t you dare!” I hop to my feet. “I gotta put it together. It’ll only take a minute.”
Caleb snags my arm and pulls me in for a kiss. “You eat too, remember?” It’s a warning; he doesn’t want me serving him now that we’re together.
My tummy flips over on itself. “I remember.”
“I’m gonna jump in a quick shower. I’ll be right down.”
Caleb in the shower. Naked. Wet. Maybe a few more minutes wouldn’t—
“Oh, no, ya don’t.” Blake shoves Caleb back into the room and motions for me to step out into the hallway. “She’s coming with me.” He throws an arm around my shoulders and pulls the door closed on Caleb. “Come on, Honor. You dish, and I’ll set the table.”
We move to the stairs. “You know how to set a table?”
He shrugs. “I know a lot of things. I know my boy in there is falling hard for you.”
I stop cold mid-step.
His green eyes search mine. “I should warn you. We’re fighters by nature, insanely competitive; we were all born that way. When we find what we want, we do not give up until it’s ours.”
Why the hell does that make my legs go weak?
“I know the look on his face. I know it well. If you don’t feel the same way, make sure you let him know now, before he falls any deeper. You understand what I’m saying?”
“I think so.”
“Good.” He continues down the steps.
“Blake?”
He stops and peers up at me.
“Whatever you see in him, do you not see it in me too?” Because I would swear what I was feeling was real, but I’ve never felt anything like it before.
He blinks at me then looks away before bringing his eyes back. “I gave up trying to read women years ago.” He chuckles and motions for me to follow him into the kitchen. “Now let’s get Jonah fed before he eats the walls.”
Eight
Caleb
I’m leaning back in my chair with my hands on my belly like an old man, and Jonah and Blake are doing the same. They’re both wearing the same half-pain half-bliss expression as we’ve all cleaned our plates of the meal Honor fed us.
“Swear to God if it were possible to have sexual feelings for food I’d have them for that roast.” Blake groans. “If there were any left, I’d make love to it.”
Honor snort-giggles then covers her mouth. “Ew. But, thank you, I think.”
Jonah grimaces, but it doesn’t look much different from the pinched expression he was wearing before. “Blake, you’re disgusting.”
“You say that, but you know you would too.” Blake looks at Honor, who’s biting her lip, trying not to laugh. �
��Will you marry me?”
I chuck my napkin at the fucker, and it hits him in the stomach. “Watch your mouth, dick. You’re already married.” I reach under the table and grab Honor’s hand, pulling it to rest on my thigh.
“Oh, no, I’m asking for me and Layla. She’d be down with the whole sister-wife thing if it meant having someone like Honor join us. I wouldn’t need to have a sexual relationship with Honor, just with her food.”
“Gross.” I laugh with Honor, allowing the sound of it to wash over me.
“You know I love my wife, but she can’t cook like this.”
“I don’t think anyone can.” Jonah grins as best he can through the full belly pain he’s feeling. “You’re fucking gifted, woman. I’d pay you to teach my girl how to do that.”
Honor tucks her chin in and says, “Thanks.” I squeeze her hand, hoping she’s listening and taking these compliments to heart. It’s easy to see she’s not used to being showered with this kind of attention.
“I told her she could make a living cooking for people. Private chef—”
“I’d pay for that.”
“Sign me up.”
Both Blake and Jonah agree in unison.
“She could give lessons or open her own restaurant.”
“I don’t know about that.” She moves a spoon around her plate as if she’s trying to find the perfect spot where it will fit but isn’t satisfied with any of the options. “Cooking I can do, but running a business?” She blows a strand of pale hair from her face.
Jonah rocks back in his chair. “Henry Ford never went to school at all, and I think you know how that turned out.”
“I do.” She smiles at him. “He ended up building cannons, war boats, and trucks for the US military during World War I.”
Blake lifts a brow at Jonah, who seems to be caught off guard, and I couldn’t be prouder of my war-history nerd.
“I didn’t know that,” Jonah says, smiling. “You recite shit like that, and yet you’re intimidated by running a business?” He shakes his head. “Need to give yourself a little more credit.”
“I second that.” My phone vibrates in my pocket, and as much as I’d like to ignore it, Cam is the only person who calls me, and with all the hype online, I’m afraid his head would explode if I didn’t answer.
Corps Security in Hope Town: Fighting for Honor (Kindle Worlds) Page 8