by L. P. Dover
He started toward the door and I followed, holding my head high. He was right; it was my decision, and if someone went to my brother then I’d just tell him how it was. I could make my own decisions and I didn’t need anyone’s approval.
Opening the door, Ryley ushered me inside and immediately heads turned our way, especially the females. I didn’t see Tyler around anywhere, but I did see Cole Bennett, whose eyes went wide the moment he saw us. Setting his weights down, he approached us with a huge smile on his face.
“Well, well, isn’t this a surprise. What are you doing here, girl? And with Ryley no less,” he asked, scooping me up in his bare arms. He was drenched in sweat, but I didn’t mind as he twirled me around, making me laugh.
“I’m here for a baseball tournament and I thought I would squeeze in some time to watch you guys fight this weekend,” I replied as he set me down. “Being with Ryley was just a bonus.”
“Well, I’m glad you’re here. Are you coming to Tyler’s birthday party Friday night?”
Even though I was going to be there, I had to say no. “No, I’ll be busy Friday,” I lied. “But hopefully I’ll be able to hang out with you guys on Saturday.”
“You do that. I’m sure Tyler will be glad to see you, though. He should be back in just a few. He’s in charge while his father’s out of town.”
“Thanks, man,” Ryley said, putting his arm around my shoulder. “We’ll catch up to you both later. Right now, I need to get this girl warmed up.”
Cole chuckled and started off toward the weight bench. “Have fun. You’re lucky her brother isn’t here right now, or he’d rip that arm away from your body.”
Groaning, I trudged toward the treadmills since no one was on them. It was like I was a disease everyone needed to stay away from. “This sucks ass,” I grumbled, glaring at Ryley. “You have no idea what it’s like for me, being around you guys and having to hear that every single time.”
“I’m not too worried about it, babe. Your brother can think what he wants. I know your limits and I don’t cross them; that’s what makes you my only female friend.”
Steering me away from the treadmills, he led me over to the mats on the floor and pointed. “All right, being on the treadmill isn’t going to get Tyler’s attention. I need you to get down on the floor.”
With my hands on my hips, I asked, “And what exactly are we going to be doing on the floor?”
“If Tyler’s going to be back soon he needs to see us in a compromising position. Besides, you asked for my help right? Just do what I say.”
“Fine, I’ll get down on the floor.”
When I sat down with my butt on the ground, Ryley shook his head. “No, no … I need you on all fours, sweetheart. Turn around.”
Rolling my eyes, I did as he said and got on all fours while he came up behind me. “Ryley, you are such an ass! You know that, right?” I joked. “I feel like an idiot.”
“You won’t be feeling like that for long because your boy just walked in the door. Try to look comfortable with me touching you.”
My heart started to race and I quickly glanced back at him. “What do I do?”
He placed his hand on my low back, right above my ass, and the other on my thigh. “Lift your leg and hold it straight out. I want you to bend it back and push it out again. Do that about ten times,” he instructed.
His hand smoothed up and down my leg each time I pulled it in and thrust it back out. Keeping my gaze to the floor, I did my exercises until someone stopped in front of me. I knew it was Tyler by the dragon tattoo circling around his calf. Ryley smoothed his hand up my thigh and smacked my ass, before getting to his feet. It took all I had not to laugh.
“What’s up, dude? You ready for the party Friday night?”
Lifting my head, I watched Tyler’s jaw tense before reaching out and shaking Ryley’s hand. “Yeah, man, I’m ready. It’ll be a fun night.”
I got to my feet and Tyler immediately shifted his glare to me. “What are you doing here, Gabby?” he asked, sneaking a quick glance over at Ryley.
“I wanted her to come,” Ryley answered for me. “She’s going to hang out with me and my brother this weekend.” Then to me, he put his hand on the small of my back and leaned down, whispering in my ear so that Tyler couldn’t hear, “I’m going to get us something to drink while you deal with loverboy. I’ll be back.”
Tyler’s jaw tightened again, but he nodded at Ryley when he walked past. As soon as Ryley was out of earshot, Tyler took my hand and hurriedly led me to the back room, shutting the door behind us.
“What the hell are you doing with him?” he growled low.
Nonchalantly, I shrugged my shoulders and put my hands on my hips. “Why does it matter, Tyler? Ryley and I are friends and we’re hanging out. What’s the big deal?”
His gray gaze was stony and hard, penetrating, as he caged me against the wall; it was cold against my heated skin. “The big deal is that I don’t like him touching you like that, and I know your brother wouldn’t like it either.”
“I don’t think it’s any of your concern,” I said matter-of-factly. “You made it perfectly clear a few weeks ago that you didn’t want me.”
“I never said that,” he hissed. “I only said that it wouldn’t work. I’m not what you need, Gabriella.”
“No, but you’re what I want.”
There, I said it.
He trailed his gaze from my eyes down to my lips, and slowly moved closer. “You don’t know what you’re saying. Whether you want me or not, nothing can ever happen between us. Do you not know what kind of guy I am?”
“I do,” I murmured heatedly, “but I think you fail to realize what kind of woman I am. When I want something, I get it … no matter the consequences.”
In that moment, I didn’t care if he would push me away or not. I closed the distance, pressed my lips firmly to his, and wrapped my arms tightly around his neck. He stiffened at first, but then roughly cupped my face in his palms and returned the kiss, pushing my lips open with his tongue.
His lips were warm, his hands rough as they grazed across my cheeks. Just one time with him would be all I needed. I knew he didn’t want the attachment or the commitment—neither did I—but I wanted to be with him for the short amount of time I had.
When a knock came at the door, I abruptly pulled back.
“Gabby, you in there?” Ryley called out, sounding concerned.
“Yeah, I’ll be out in just one second,” I responded quickly.
Breathing hard, I stepped out of Tyler’s reach and started for the door, much to his dismay. “Why are you here, Gabriella?”
Keeping my back to him, I paused with my hand on the knob, and blew out a heavy sigh. “I told you. When I want something, I get it. I wanted to see you.”
“You’re walking a dangerous line, Gabriella. I don’t do relationships, and I don’t plan on starting … even if it is with you.”
I glanced at him over my shoulder. “Well, then I guess it’s a good thing I don’t want one with you either. Look, Tyler, I’m only here for the weekend. If you want to see me again you know how to find me. No strings, just you and me.”
On that note, I opened the door and stepped out … only to see Ryley’s clear blue gaze alit with humor. “Did you wear him down?” he asked slyly.
Taking his arm, I rolled my eyes and walked with him toward the front entrance. “No, not yet, but I made it clear what I wanted. Now all I have to do is wait and see if he wants me back.”
“If he doesn’t, he’s a fool, but I know he does. You should’ve seen his face when he saw me touching your ass. I was afraid he was going to fight me right there.”
“And would you have fought for me?” I asked.
We walked outside and he opened the car door for me so I could slide in. “You’re damn right I would have; you’re worth the fight. Although, I would’ve expected compensation for it if I got my ass beat.”
“Well, I guess it’s a good thing you tw
o didn’t fight. I can only imagine what you would’ve wanted in return.”
He winked in reply as he started up the car and pulled out of the parking lot. Tyler knew my phone number, but as I held my phone in my hands and gazed down at it, I wondered if he’d even bother. If he didn’t call, I would probably have to rethink my plans on seducing him at his party, but if he did I was going to make sure he enjoyed every minute of my night with him.
Until then, all I could do was wait.
THE NIGHT WENT by with no word from Tyler, but Ashleigh did send a text message saying one of the tournament games were starting at noon. Bradley hadn’t bothered to call me, either, which made my heart hurt. The last thing I wanted was to cause him pain.
As I was putting on a pair of my shorts, a knock sounded on the door. It was ten-thirty in the morning, and my heart secretly wished it was Tyler, but I knew that was being a little too optimistic.
However, when I opened the door, I was completely surprised.
“Tyler,” I gasped, “what are you doing here?”
Looking casually sexy in a pair of jeans and a tight red T-shirt, he stalked past me and into my room. “I came here to see you. Where’s Ryley at?” he asked.
“Uh … he’s in his room. We’re not together if that’s what you’re asking.”
Quickly, he glanced around my room before settling his gaze on mine. “I’m glad to hear that. Look, I gave what you said some thought last night and I came to a conclusion,” he began.
His face was a stony mask, so I had no idea if what he was going to say was good or bad. It just so happened that another knock sounded at the door as he was about to speak. Talk about not so perfect timing. Exasperated, I looked at Tyler and then over to the door where someone else waited behind it.
“Gabby, it’s me,” Bradley called. “Everyone’s ready to go.”
It was the first time he’d spoken to me, and it just so happened that he picked the time when Tyler was in my room to do it. “Who’s Bradley?” Tyler asked low.
“He’s one of my friends. Ashleigh and I are here for the baseball tournament.”
“Ah, I see. So you weren’t here just to see me. I get it,” he teased.
“Actually I am here for just you. The tournament made a perfect excuse for me to come here and see you without anyone realizing it.”
“Gabby,” Bradley called out again. “Please, open the door.”
“Don’t you need to answer it?” Tyler inquired curiously.
I sighed and hung my head. “I do, but the last thing I need is for Bradley to see you. Things are already complicated as it is.”
“Is he your boyfriend?”
“No,” I said, gazing up at him, “but he has a strong loathing for fighters right now. Trust me, I don’t want him starting something with you.”
Tyler huffed and slowly backed away. “Fine, I’ll stay out of sight just to spare you the trouble.”
Breathing a sigh of relief, I mouthed the words ‘thank you’ to him before he backed into the separate bedroom. After he was out of sight, I rushed to the door and opened it, only to find Bradley standing there with his arms crossed at the chest, jaw clenched. He was in his green and white baseball uniform, his green hat hanging low above his eyes.
“Are you okay? What took you so long?”
“I’m sorry, I had to hurry and put on my clothes. Is everyone ready to leave or something?”
He nodded. “Yeah, they wanted me to get you. You don’t have to come and watch me, you know.”
His gaze was stony, guarded; he was closing me off and I didn’t like it. “I want to come, Bradley. I like watching you and Colin play.”
I thought by telling him that it would bring a smile to his face, except all he did was purse his lips and stare at me. “All right, well everyone’s downstairs if you’re ready. I’ll wait for you down there.”
I wasn’t used to seeing him without a smile on his face. I didn’t like it, and would do anything to see him smile again, even if that meant sacrificing a night with Tyler.
“I’ll be right down,” I stated, hoping to get some kind of reaction from him other than clipped sentences. However, that wasn’t going to happen. Nodding once, he turned around and started off down the hall.
Sighing, I leaned against the door frame and watched him disappear around the corner. “Poor guy,” Tyler taunted sarcastically. “He has it bad for you, doesn’t he?”
“Kind of,” I replied, closing the door. “We started going out for a while, but I never let it get too serious. It’s not fair to string him along when we both want different things.”
Tyler sauntered up to me and rested his shoulder against the wall, crossing his arms. “And what exactly do you want that he doesn’t?” he asked, staring at me with those stormy gray eyes of his.
“He wants something serious. As much as I care about him as a friend, I just don’t see myself being with him like that.”
Moving closer, he lightly grazed the strap of my blue tank top with his fingers and let them slide down my bare arm. “And what about Ryley? What’s up with him being all over you yesterday?”
I bit my lip and smiled triumphantly. “That was just to see if we could get a rise out of you.” Looking down at his jeans, I said, “And I’d have to say it worked.”
With his hand around my waist, he pulled me in tight against his body and groaned, letting his cock push into my stomach. “You know this will have to be a onetime thing, Gabriella. Your brother will kill me if he finds out.”
“Then I guess we need to make sure he doesn’t,” I murmured before closing the distance.
His lips were warm and hard as he pressed them firmly to mine, tangling his fingers in my hair to hold me to him. He smelled like clean soap and cologne mixed with the heady scent of pure alpha male. It was intoxicating, and all I wanted to do was breathe him in for hours, but I knew I couldn’t. It was time for me to go.
Reluctantly, I pulled away, breathing hard while my clit begged me for a release. I wanted him to touch me, to give in to the desire I knew we’d both held back for so long.
Soon, I thought.
“I have to go,” I said, touching my throbbing lips. “They’re all waiting for me downstairs.”
“I know. What are you doing tonight? Are you going to be with your friends?”
I nodded. “For a little while, but afterwards I’ll be free. Do you have something in mind?”
“Well, I know I’ll be closing the gym tonight since my father’s gone. If you want to meet me there, I’m sure we can figure out something to do.”
“I’ll be there,” I promised, opening the door and grinning. We walked together down the hall to the elevator and both stepped in. “When we get to the lobby, we can’t let anyone see us together, especially my friends.”
Tyler chuckled. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. I know how to be discreet. We’ve played this game for a while now, haven’t we?”
I smiled and bumped him in the side with my shoulder. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.”
Once the elevator doors closed, he took up one side while I went to the other, wishing like crazy that we could stop the elevator and finish what we’d started. However, the elevator stopped and the doors opened, only to have another fighter waltz inside.
Is everyone staying at the Bellagio this weekend?
Unfortunately, it wasn’t just anyone; it was Kyle Andrews, an evil excuse for a human being. He was a Heavyweight fighter who’d almost destroyed my brother’s life, along with countless others. His hair was the same dark blond as before and his eyes were still creepy … they were different colors.
One was so dark it looked almost black, and the other a dull green color; it was very unnerving. The black-haired girl he walked in with was unnerving as well. She had a blue gaze as hard as a rock, and was dressed in a pair of shorts and tank top that barely covered her body. It figured Kyle would be with something like that.
Kyle was a sick individual who liked to play
games, and it just so happened that he’d picked my brother to mess with some time ago. Thankfully, in the end my brother kicked his ass, but it still didn’t change the fact that Kyle needed to be put down.
He once laced another fighter’s drink with some kind of drug so that he’d fail the mandatory drug test the next day. No one could prove that Kyle did it, but everyone knew it. That one deceptive act ruined a fighter’s chance at victory, and to this day he still hadn’t been awarded the opportunity to come back.
When he does come back, I hope he goes straight for Kyle’s throat.
Kyle got a good look at Tyler, and when he realized who we were, the tension in the elevator became so thick I could barely breathe. “Ah, Tyler Rushing,” he chimed. “What a pleasure, like always.”
Tyler scoffed, “I wish I could say the same.”
Chuckling, Kyle turned his gaze toward me along with his psycho looking girlfriend. My teeth were clamped together tightly because I knew saying something to him would only cause more problems. My brother would kill me if I started it, but he stared at me like he wanted to devour me, and it only made me angrier.
“I know who you are,” he marveled. “I thought I recognized your,” he looked down at my breasts, licking his lips, and then back up to my eyes, “face,” he finished. “You’re Matt Reynolds’ sister, aren’t you?”
“Yeah, and you’re a worthless cocksucker,” I snapped.
Tyler shook his head and his jaw clenched as Kyle shifted positions with his girl so he could stand beside of me. “Feisty, aren’t we? I like that in a woman. So how’s your brother doing?” he asked.
Turning my body away, I huffed and closed my eyes, trying my best to keep my mouth shut. His arm brushed against mine and I cringed, the heat rushing to my cheeks as I gritted my teeth. I moved over to get more distance, but he only closed it and ran his fingers down my arm.
Everything my brother taught me about fighting kicked into gear and I immediately grabbed his wrist and twisted, catching him off guard and pushing him back. He was a big guy, so I didn’t get much distance, but at least he knew I wasn’t to be messed with.