In for the Win (Against the Cage Book 5)

by Melynda Price

  “That’s what Kyle said.” They’d had a discussion about it the night before, and again this morning when she was getting ready to leave for work. But neither Kyle nor Vi understood how difficult that was for her. And she had no intention of explaining it. “I’m hoping if I keep ignoring him, he’ll lose interest and move on.”

  Vi’s expression was less than optimistic. “Why would he possibly do that?”

  “Because Kyle is staying with me.”

  “He’s what?”

  “And pretending to be my boyfriend.”

  “Pen, are you sure this is a good idea?”

  Of course she wasn’t sure. But Pen was desperate, and she could admit it—she was scared. It surprised her, the peace of mind she felt at having Kyle there with her. She hadn’t been sleeping well, though insomnia probably wasn’t unusual when fearing for one’s life. Apparently, her lack of Zs had caught up with her since she’d fallen asleep against his shoulder. “I don’t know if it’s a good idea or not, Vi. What I do know is, for the first time since this all started, I feel safe. What guy in his right mind would mess with the girlfriend of an MMA fighter?”

  “But that’s the point, Pen. Whoever this is…he’s not in his right mind. Please, just go to the police.”

  “I’ll think about it.” She’d already thought about it and the answer was still no. “Are you almost done here?” Pen hopped up and headed for the door, ready for their little talk to be over.

  “Just a few more minutes. I need to finish these notes before I go.”

  After closing up the office, she hurried home to get ready for her fake date. Pen was looking forward to it with a bit more anticipation than she should have. Repeatedly, she’d been distracted by thoughts of Kyle, and just as often she had to remind herself not to read anything into it. Kyle was just being nice. He was doing her a favor. Not only was this not going anywhere, but she didn’t want it to, either. Pen told herself many things, but her heart called her a liar.

  She was standing at the full-length mirror, putting on the finishing touches, when she heard a soft wolf-whistle echo across the room. “Damn. I think I’m underdressed.”

  She wore a simple black cocktail dress with a square neckline and mid-thigh hem, but she had to admit it accentuated her curves nicely. She finished fastening the back on her diamond studded earring, and turned to face Kyle standing in the doorway of her bedroom. He was leaning against the jamb, those impressive arms on display as he crossed them over his chest. He wore a charcoal gray button-up, the short sleeves nicely showing off his biceps. His dark wash jeans rode low on his lean hips, hugging him in all the right places. “Don’t you dare. You look great.”

  Pen crossed over to her dresser and retrieved a bright blue statement necklace. She fiddled with the clasp and, after a moment, he stepped into her room. He said nothing as he came up behind her and brushed her hair over her shoulder. Taking the ends from her hands, Kyle fastened the clasp, but instead of stepping back, he dipped his head to the exposed side of her neck and inhaled deeply.

  “I love the way you smell.” His breath kissed her neck and her body instantly heated. Just being close to him made her nerve endings feel like they were on fire. “What is that scent?”

  “It’s lavender.”

  He took another slow inhale, this time his nose grazing the sensitive spot just below her ear, and he chuckled. “If you tense every time I touch you, you’re never going to convince your friends we’re dating. Perhaps we should test your acting skills with a dry run.”

  Was that what he was doing? Acting? Because it felt real. Her body was certainly convinced. The ache between her legs was proof this guy was a phenomenal actor. “I think I’m more of an improv girl.”

  She stepped away from his touch while she still had the willpower to do it and headed to the closet. Pen took her time looking for a comfortable pair of flats. Her ankle was much better, thanks to Kyle’s wrap job, but she didn’t want to test its durability in a pair of heels quite yet. She’d removed the bandage before showering and was surprised to find the swelling was markedly better. After a bit of digging, she found a pair of shoes to match the blue in her necklace. The stones were nearly identical to the color of Kyle’s eyes, but she wouldn’t tell him that was the reason she’d chosen it.

  “There they are.” Pen pointed to a table in the back of the bar. Four guys and two women were sitting there, two pitchers of beer and one that looked like margarita sat between them. Kyle took her hand as she stepped ahead of him and began weaving through the crowd. As he laced his fingers between hers, she glanced back and gave him a nervous smile.

  Why the jitters? Was she worried about him meeting her friends? That they wouldn’t buy the ruse? She had nothing to be concerned about there. By the time they left the club, no one would have any doubt that Pen was his. He wished he could say it was because he was such a great actor, but the truth was, he welcomed the opportunity to touch her without consequence. And thank God he could, because she was smokin’ hot in that dress. Keeping his hands to himself would have been pure torture.

  “Whose birthday are we celebrating?”

  “Travis. He’s the second one on the left.”

  As she pointed him out, the guy noticed Pen approaching. His attention shifted from the group and lit on her. He smiled brightly, his gaze flickering over her in a head-to-toe sweep that was so brief, Kyle doubted she noticed it. But he’d seen it, that glimpse of lust registering in the birthday boy’s eyes a second before he could disguise it.

  And Kyle knew the moment the guy realized she wasn’t coming to this party alone. His eyes darted past her and locked on Kyle. The warm smile melted from his face. Could this be him? The guy who was fixated on her and sending those messages? Or was Kyle reading more into it? Any hot-blooded heterosexual male would have to be blind not to notice her—to want her.

  Kyle was no exception, so how could he fault anyone else for owning a set of eyes? Perhaps the alpha in him was just running on overdrive. It had been days since he’d been in the cage, blowing off steam, and considering he was on suspension and his knee was shit, he wouldn’t be getting back in there anytime soon. He was pent up. That had to be the cause for the proprietary emotions she was stirring in him, because Kyle didn’t want to consider the alternative.

  “Hey, guys,” Pen greeted. Travis stood as they approached, and Pen let go of Kyle’s hand to walk around the table and give him a hug. “Happy birthday!”

  “Thanks, Pen.” He bent down and wrapped his arms around her, crushing her against him as he stood straight, letting her feet dangle off the ground. She laughed, seeming completely oblivious that this guy was feeling her up.

  Kyle’s hackles rose and he did his best to tamp down the sudden rise of jealousy.

  “Holy shit!” the guy next to Travis exclaimed, shooting out of his chair. His uncoordinated attempt to stand hinted they might be a little late to the party. “I know you. Pen, do you know who this guy is?”

  She laughed and patted Travis to put her down. When he complied, she came back over and slipped her arm around Kyle’s waist. “I think I have some idea.”

  He looped his arm over her shoulder and pulled her into his side. She fit against him perfectly. Then again, he knew exactly how well they fit together…

  “Guys, this is Kyle Scott. Kyle, this is, Andrew, Trevor, Matt, and Alex. And this is Christine and Rachel.”

  “Kyle ‘The Killer’ Scott. Wow, man. It’s nice to meet you.”

  “I think you have a fan,” Pen teased as Andrew reached over the table and enthusiastically offered Kyle his hand.

  “Hey.” Kyle shook the guy’s hand and made his way down the line. He may or may not have given Travis’ an extra-firm squeeze. When introductions were over, he pulled out the chair beside Christine for Pen to sit, and took the one on the end across from his number one fan.

  “Let me get you a beer.” Andrew grabbed a glass from the center of the table and poured it full until the head over
flowed.

  “Thanks.” Kyle chuckled, accepting the beer.

  “So, you and Matthews in the cage, huh? I can’t wait to see that fight!”

  Pen watched the exchange with amusement, and Kyle laughed it off. He was used to it. Every time he went out to places like this, he ran into fans who offered to buy him drinks and wanted to talk about his fights—past and present. It was a little weird, being out with Pen while it happened, though. He’d rather have been focusing on her than talking about himself.

  “Sorry to disappoint you, but you’re going to be waiting a while.” Like forever. “I messed up my knee sparring a week or so ago. Won’t be fighting anytime soon.”

  “Ah, shit. That blows. I’ve been waiting for this matchup.”

  “So,” Travis cut in, hijacking Andrew’s conversation. “Are you two…” he waved his finger between Kyle and Pen, “…dating now or what?”

  This was a prime opportunity for Kyle to stake his claim, and he wasted no time drawing that do-not-cross line in the sand. “You could say that.” He reached over, resting his hand on the bare skin of her leg. Pen jumped when his fingers brushed the inside of her thigh.

  Chuckling, he leaned in and whispered against her ear, “Relax.” And just because he could—and because he knew it would piss off the birthday boy—he kissed her cheek. “The moment I saw her I knew…”

  “Knew what?” Christine prompted, and Pen regarded him with curiosity, as if she, too, couldn’t wait to hear what he had to say next.

  He met and held her eyes as he told her group of friends, “That she’s the one for me.”

  “Should I be concerned?” Pen asked as Kyle led her onto the dance floor. He stopped at the outer edge where her friends were still in sight and pulled her into his arms as they began to slow dance to the soulful melody of Lady in Red. If her ankle was still sore, the tequila had done a marvelous job of numbing it. They’d spent the last hour eating appetizers and downing drinks while Kyle schmoozed her friends. He fit right in and they all seemed to love him, except for maybe Travis, but she didn’t blame him for his jealousy. It was his birthday, after all, and she hadn’t realized that bringing Kyle along might steal his thunder. Not that Kyle was trying to do any such thing. In fact, whenever he could, he turned the topic of conversation away from himself and onto her friends, particularly Travis.

  “Concerned about what?” His deep voice rumbled next to her ear as he held her close. His hard body felt incredible against hers, and his clean, masculine scent was divine. She wondered if he could feel the hardness of her nipples pressing into his chest as a rush of heat swept through her, settling low in her stomach.

  “How easily you can lie, and how convincing you are at it.”

  Repeatedly, she’d had to remind herself this wasn’t real. But she couldn’t deny the moment of pleasure she’d felt at hearing Kyle tell her friends that she was the one for him. He lifted his head to study her. “I don’t understand. I thought this was what you wanted.”

  “It is. I just didn’t think you were so good at acting. If I didn’t know better, I’d believe it was real.”

  He stopped moving and her breath caught in her lungs at the intensity of his stare. “Do you want it to be?”

  “No,” she answered automatically then quickly followed it up with, “Yes. I don’t know… I’m just really confused, and scared,” she confessed softly.

  Reaching up to frame her face, he tipped her chin, forcing her eyes to meet his. “I promise you have nothing to worry about. I’m not going to let this guy anywhere near you.”

  That wasn’t what she meant by scared, but maybe it was just as well. She didn’t really want to have this conversation. Maybe she should just enjoy being Cinderella for the night because, all too soon, that clock was going to strike midnight and the illusion would be over. But it doesn’t have to be. The little voice echoed inside her head, tempting her to want more, enticing her to reach out and grasp what it seemed he was offering.

  “You know, you’re a pretty good actress yourself.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “The woman I met that first night we were introduced. The outspoken and brazen woman who threw herself at me. She isn’t really you. The real Penelope Cantrel is much more cautious. You tense when I touch you, and flinch at unexpected contact. But when you lower your guard, like now, you melt in my arms. You act as if I’ve never touched you before and I suspect that’s because I never really have.”

  She should probably have been alarmed by his statement. Kyle saw too much…he looked too deep. He was far more intuitive than she’d given him credit for. “Kyle, I—”

  “Mind if I cut in?”

  Pen startled at the interruption. “Travis.” She hadn’t noticed him coming up behind Kyle, and apparently neither had he, because she immediately felt the near-imperceptible tightening of his fingers on her hip. She could see the flash of irritation in his eyes, and the grip he had on her gave no indication he had any intention of letting her go. But it was Travis’ birthday, and they were here to celebrate him. Whatever this was between her and Kyle could wait. Forcing a bright smile, she pulled away from him and turned to Travis. “Of course. I’d love to dance with the birthday boy.”

  Kyle respectfully stepped back, though she could tell by his expression he wasn’t happy about it. Travis moved in to take his place and she was careful to keep a respectable distance between them. As they finished out the song, she could feel Kyle watching her. The intensity of his stare was like being caught under a heat lamp.

  “I thought you weren’t dating,” Travis commented as they made a slow circle.

  That was what she’d told him last month when she’d gotten the feeling Travis was becoming interested in more than friendship. Before she could respond, the song ended, and in the lull between sets she heard a commotion of noise in the corner.

  “Looks like you’ve got some competition.”

  Indeed. Over where Kyle had been watching her, three women were now flocked around him. From so far away, Pen couldn’t hear what they were saying, but their body language was speaking loud and clear. An unexpected surge of jealousy rose up inside her. Those cage-bangers knew Kyle was here with her. She’d spotted them up at the bar when they’d walked in.

  She considered what she’d do if Kyle really was her boyfriend. Aided and abetted by several margaritas, the answer came easily enough. Kyle wasn’t the only talented actor between them. “Excuse me, Travis.” Pen didn’t wait for a response as she headed toward the gaggle of women, her brisk, determined steps taking her past her group of friends.

  “Oh, shit.” Andrew laughed as she passed by and saw where she was headed.

  “Stake your claim, girl!” Rachel called after her.

  Oh, that was exactly what she intended to do. “Excuse me.” Pen elbowed past the first cage-banger who gave her a nasty glare. She sidled past a second who snapped, “Bitch, wait your turn.” The one closest to him had just penned her number on a bar napkin and was handing it to Kyle when Pen snatched it from her hand, wadded it into her fist, and tossed it on the floor. “Sorry, ladies. This fighter’s tapped out.”

  Kyle looked a little surprised when she wrapped her arms around his neck, stood on her tiptoes, and tugged him down. Thrusting her tongue into his mouth, she gave him a kiss worthy of a porn star. It took him about zero-point-two seconds to respond, then his hand was fisting in her hair and holding her against him as he took over the kiss. Everyone and everything else ceased to exist as Kyle’s mouth plundered and possessed hers. He growled something against her mouth that sounded a lot like about fucking time before diving back in with his tongue.

  He kissed her until she couldn’t breathe—the club was spinning, and she was vaguely aware someone was shouting, “Get a room.” When Kyle finally let her go, the cage-bangers were gone, and he seemed to be struggling to catch his breath.

  Flashing him a flirtatious grin, she panted, “Told you I was great at improv.”

&nb
sp; Chapter Eleven

  “I think my friends loved you.”

  It was the first time she’d spoken since they’d left the club. After their kiss, Pen had grown eerily introspective. A short while later, she’d made an excuse to leave. He was disappointed their fake date was over so soon. He’d enjoyed the freedom of touching her without consequence, but now they were in the car and her rules were back in place. Kyle got the impression she’d surprised herself tonight. She sure as shit had surprised him with that kiss. Not that he was complaining. She was right. Her improv was fan-fucking-tastic. So good that he was already trying to think of another scenario where he could get her out on another “date.”

  “I’m not so sure Travis would agree.”

  She slid him a smile that made his heart kick in his chest. “Was it that obvious?”

  “It was.”

  “Well, he doesn’t speak for everyone else, and they all thought you were great. I’m pretty sure Andrew has a man-crush.”

  “How well do you know him?”

  “Andrew?”

  “No, Travis.”

  “I’ve known him a few years.”

  “You two never…?” He let the question trail because he wasn’t exactly sure how to ask it without offending her.

  “Had sex?”

  Kyle nodded, not appreciating the way his gut knotted at the thought. He didn’t consider himself a jealous man. Maybe that was because he’d never met anyone he cared to hold onto before.

  “No. We’re just friends. Travis knows that’s all we’re ever going to be. He’s fine with it.”

  Kyle wasn’t so sure. He pulled into Pen’s driveway and hit the remote for the garage door opener. After parking the car, he cut the engine and was about to get out when she dropped her hand to his forearm. He stopped and turned toward her, waiting for her to speak.

  “So, umm…about what I did…in the club.”