by Lori Foster
Not all that concerned, Barber just shook his head.
But in guilty haste, Dakota jumped to her feet. “Nothing’s going on.”
“Uh-huh.” Simon didn’t look angry, just curious. And maybe possessive, too. “Then why does Barber have a bloody lip?”
“Because I hit him when I shouldn’t have.” Dakota quickly crossed the mat and hugged herself up to Simon’s side. Barber noticed that when she was with him, she glowed, no matter the situation.
It really was damn nice seeing her so happy.
Simon looped his arm around her, but stared at Barber. “I dunno. I think he deserved a punch in the mouth.”
He thought right, Barber silently agreed.
Going on tiptoe, Dakota said to Simon, “Next to you, he’s my best friend in the whole world.” She turned to look at Barber. “Don’t do anything to piss me off.”
Grinning, Barber climbed to his feet. “Yeah, Sublime. Don’t piss off the lady.”
“Wouldn’t think of it.” He kissed Dakota’s forehead. “Why don’t you go get your things and we’ll get out of here.”
She lowered her brows. “Simon.”
Her warning tone amused both men. “Go. I’ll behave.”
“You promise?”
“Yeah.”
She looked at Barber again. “You’re okay?”
“Count on it.”
Simon watched her walk away. Casually, as if discussing something mundane, he said, “You had to try, didn’t you?”
“You’d have done the same.”
“No, because I wouldn’t have waited around until it was too late, like you did. I’m smarter than that. But the point is, you don’t get a second chance.” All grave seriousness, Simon gave him a direct look. “It’s only because Dakota cares for you that I’m not smashing you right now. She’s mine. She’s going to stay mine. You might as well accept it.”
Barber slung a towel around his neck and stepped off the mat. “I have.”
“You should find a woman of your own, Barber.”
“Ha.” He dried the sweat from his face, glad that Simon didn’t feel compelled to use him as a punching bag. “I’ll tell you, if I ever do settle down with a woman, she’ll have to be every bit as gutsy, strong, and earthy as Dakota. I don’t think I could take the other kind now.”
“The other kind?”
“Yeah. You know. Whiny. Weak. The type who cries over a broken nail or spends three hours on her hair. If I ever settle down, and all things considered, that’s a big if, she’ll have to be tough.”
“Famous last words.” Simon shook his head. “I’m pretty sure love doesn’t give you a choice in the matter. When it hits, it hits. I know, because I hadn’t been looking. Just the opposite.”
“You’d sworn off women for the comeback, right?”
“Yeah. And it didn’t feel like much of a sacrifice until fate brought Dakota Dream into my life. I haven’t been the same since.” He put himself in Barber’s path. “Maybe because I left Bonnie without a qualm, you’re a little confused on something. But as Dakota said to me, she’s not Bonnie. I wouldn’t fight over most women, but for Dakota, I’d take a man apart. Even a friend of hers.”
Running a hand over his hair, Barber nodded. “Yeah, I hear ya. I overstepped myself and I know it. I apologize.”
“Just don’t let it happen again.”
Grinning, Barber held out his hand. “I don’t think you need it, but good luck with the fight next week.”
After a slight hesitation, Simon accepted the gesture of peace. “Thanks.”
Keeping Simon’s hand, Barber said, “I really am sorry about…” He waved a hand. “You have my word, it won’t ever happen again.”
Simon’s smile said many things. “It better not.”
“I saw you and Barber talking.” Dakota tried to read Simon’s expression. “Everything okay now?”
“Yeah, it is.” He started the car and pulled away from the gym. “I don’t want you to worry about that.”
They hadn’t ridden far when she said, “Simon? I’m not pregnant.”
After a quick glance at her, he nodded but stayed silent. Dakota didn’t know what to think, until he said, “How do you feel about that?”
She shrugged. “I wouldn’t fall apart if I was pregnant, but I’d rather wait until after we’re married.”
“Same here.”
“So you want kids?” It wasn’t something they’d ever discussed.
“With you? Yeah, sure.”
“It won’t interfere with your career?”
“Dakota.” He reached for her hand. “There’s nothing about you and me that could ever be interference. I love you and I want a life with you. That includes a house and kids, your own career, and anything else you want. I’ll still have to travel when I fight, but I hope you’ll be able to travel with me sometimes, too. When we have kids, then they can come along as well.”
That sounded nice to Dakota.
Simon stopped at a red light. “I’ve been thinking. The SBC is into using new bands for the musical openings at events. It’s always something hard and edgy—like Barber’s music. Do you think he’d be interested?”
Dakota’s mouth dropped open. “You’d do that for him?”
“I’d do it for you.” Simon half smiled. “And he’s not so bad.” Under his breath, he added, “He’s got good taste.”
Dakota laughed. “That’d be wonderful!”
“I can’t make any promises, but I can take Drew Black to hear him play sometime. It’s up to Barber from there. But I’d say he’s good enough.”
“If you say it, Simon, then it must be true.”
“Is that so? Well, I say you’re the most wonderful woman in the world, and I love you.”
She leaned across the seat to kiss him. “I love you, too, Simon.” Grinning, she added, “Whoever would have thought I’d be marrying Sublime? I mean, you’re famous with the female fans.”
“It’s a joke, nothing more.” He glanced at her. “Did I tell you that the guys gave you a nickname now, too?”
Her eyes rounded. “They did?”
“Yup. You’re now officially Divine.”
“No way.”
“According to the fighters you are. Dakota ‘Divine’ soon-to-be Evans.” He lifted her hand and brought it to his mouth. “I’ll be calling you something else, though.”
“Really? And that is…?”
He grinned. “All mine.”