Page 36 of The Fighter

She gives me a flirtatious smile. “That’s okay, I’m in no hurry. My name is Sara. You look really familiar, by the way. Have I seen you before?”

“Tomas. I’m Alina’s new partner. I was here all of last week, so maybe that’s why?”

“No, not at the gym. Have we met somewhere else?” Her forehead furrows, and then her expression clears. “I’ve seen you at Casanova.”

Now that she mentions it, I have seen her at the club. “Are you allowed to talk about it?” I quip. “You know the rules. What happens in Casanova stays in Casanova.”

She looks around with exaggerated fear. “But the terrifying Liam Callahan isn’t here,” she says, referring to the club manager. “And what Liam doesn’t know can’t hurt him. So, what made you buy Simon out? Are you an MMA fighter?”

“From time to time.”

“Really? That’s not the impression I got from Alina.”

“Did she tell you I faint at the sight of blood?”

Sara laughs. “Something like that. She said you’re the type who’d run for a Band-Aid when you got a paper cut.”

I laugh. “Of course she did. Do you want your Visa charges refunded or the American Express?”

“The Amex, please.”

“Okay.” I finish cleaning the mess up and make sure the refund goes through. “Sorry about that.”

“It’s no problem.” She gives me an arch glance. “I was looking for an excuse to talk to you anyway.”

Sara is more subtle than Maria, but once again, I’m not interested. I’m about to open my mouth and tell her that when Alina comes up to us, a travel mug of coffee in her hand. She’s wearing a black crop top and a pair of pink shorts, and her hair is in its usual high ponytail. “Tomas,” she says, her voice bright and cheerful, setting the mug down on the counter and lacing her arm in mine. “You’re here already. How energetic. I thought I kept you up really late last night.”

Well, well, what do you know. Alina’s jealous.

A devilish urge seizes me. “You did, dolcezza,” I say with a wink. “But, as you already know, I recover quickly.”

Her cheeks turn red. Sara’s eyes are wide as she looks at Alina and then at me. “Umm, I had no idea the two of you were together,” she says awkwardly, transferring her weight from one foot to another. “Tomas was just helping me with a double-billing issue.”

“Of course,” Alina says sweetly. “Tomas, can I see you in my office when you’re done?”

“We’re done,” Sara says hastily. “And look, River’s here. I better go.”

She darts off. I follow Alina to the small office. When we’re there, I shut the door behind me and turn to her with a wicked smile. “I’ve never been fought over by two women. It’s very… enjoyable.”

She glares at me. “Don’t flatter yourself,” she snaps. “I wasn’t fighting over you. I was just helping you keep the interactions with our members professional.”

I push her against the door and press my body into hers. “Is that what you were doing?” I murmur into her ear, nibbling her earlobe.

“What are you doing?” she gasps.

“Isn’t it obvious? I’m showing you how energetic I can be.”

And then I claim her mouth in a searing kiss.

I kissed Alina last night in Ciro Del Barba’s warehouse, but I had to remember that I was surrounded by a roomful of watching eyes. Today, nothing is holding me back. I wrap my fingers around her ponytail and tilt her head up, pressing kiss after drugging kiss on her soft lips.

I’ve wanted to do this from the moment I first laid eyes on her. She tastes like coffee and toothpaste and a sweetness that’s all Alina. I dive into that heady sweetness over and over, my heart hammering in my chest, my cock so hard for her that it hurts.

After a brief surprised gasp, she parts her lips and kisses me back, her arms wrapping around me, her tongue slipping into my mouth with a hint of shyness that melts my heart and makes me pause.

With the greatest difficulty, I pull back. “Tell me to stop,” I rasp. “Tell me to stop, and I will.”

Her cognac-tinted eyes are liquid pools of desire, and a man could drown in their depths. “No,” she whispers, her grip tightening on my waist, tugging me closer. “Kiss me again.”

---