Page 46 of Simon Says

Simon finished with the phone and handed it back to her. “Yes.”

“Your concern is so sweet, but I can take care of myself.”

She madesweetsound like a foul insult. “I’m sure you can, but—”

Her finger smashed against his mouth. “You want to do something for me, Simon? Go see Barnaby. Otherwise, I don’t need your help.”

“Is your middle name Stubborn?”

“Go see Barnaby, and I’ll tell you.”

Simon grabbed her for another smooch, this one teasing, and Dakota laughed against his mouth.

He opened the truck door and got out. “Behave yourself, woman, andifyou decide you could use some help, you have my number.”

“Yeah, yeah. Got it.”

Knowing she wouldn’t call, Simon shut the door. He’d been prepared for her to ask him more about the party, to maybe wheedle an invite so she could work on him some more. But she hadn’t.

He’d miss her tomorrow.

Hell, who was he kidding? He’d only taken a few steps from her truck and he already missed her. She took up far too much of his attention; he needed to get his head into the competition, and the party tonight would help.

Not inviting her had been a deliberate decision on his part.

Roger, the owner of Roger’s Rodeo Bar, was throwing the shindig as a tribute to Dean, and to the other fighters who had flocked to Harmony to train with Dean and Simon. Roger had become a big fan and contributed financially to the gym and the SBC.

Tonight, the organization would announce the fight card via a special hookup to the Internet. Roger had it set up for a big screen. There’d be a live band, lots of laughs, talk on techniques, and good-natured ribbing.

There’d also be plenty of single women, but that didn’t interest Simon at all.

Tonight was to promote Dean’s gym and show appreciation to Roger, period. It was all part of the business.

And once the business was finished, he’d find Dakota, and take care of the pleasure.

DAKOTAwaited until Simon reentered the gym, then she turned off her truck and called Barnaby at home.

He answered on the third ring. “Hello?”

“Did you send someone to watch me?”

“Dakota, honey? Is that you?”

Knowing he called her “honey” just to irk her didn’t make it any less annoying. “Stick it, Barnaby. I asked you a question.”

He tsked at her bad manners. “Why would I waste good money having you tailed when I know you’ll be doing your absolute best?”

She believed him. But if it wasn’t Barnaby, then it had to be Marvin. Or was she just being paranoid? “I am doing my best, but Simon’s still saying no.”

“You need Simon to say yes.”

“It’s not going to happen, I tell you.”

“Then I have no choice but to burn a letter. Perhaps the first one she wrote. It’s the longest.”

Bastard. “Not so fast.”What to do, what to do?Squeezing her eyes shut, Dakota said, “I’ll think of something.”

“Think of seducing him. That would work.”

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