He caught my wrist with a grin, curling my finger back to point at me.
“Is that my publicist talking? Or my girlfriend?”
“Fake girlfriend,” I answered coyly. “And careful—you probably don’t want to be messing with me tonight. I may have picked up one or two things from the fight.”
I tugged my wrist free and pushed to my feet with a grin. He followed me in an instant, pacing playfully forward as I backed slowly toward the ring.
“Is that right?” His eyes were alight with mischief. “You think you could take me?”
“Please.” I scoffed. “I grew up with nine older brothers—eight of them went pro.”
“Mohammad Ali once gave me private lessons.
Only one of those was a true statement. And I didn’t have any brothers.
I came to a sudden stop, glancing back nervously as my shoulder blades pressed up against the ropes. But the alcohol had removed any and all inhibitions, and that damn twinkle was still teasing me in Nick’s eyes.
“Alright then, Hunter.” I ducked under the ropes with a little grin, inviting him forward with two fingers. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”
Chapter 10
NICK PACED TOWARD ME, his eyes dilated with intensity like some kind of jungle cat. Each muscle contracted with fluid grace. Each movement was lethal and precise.
“You really think this is a good idea?” he taunted, loosening his tie as he stepped into the ring. “I wouldn’t want you to hurt yourself...”
His jacket was already lying in a pile on the floor. Along with my heels.
“Oh, I’m not worried about me,” I answered flippantly, sweeping my hair up off my shoulders as his eyes followed every move. “I grew up across the bridge, son.”
There was a pause in his step, as his eyes closed with a smile.
“Please,” he savored the moment, “please tell me you didn’t just call me ‘son.’”
I flushed.
“I’ve had a lot of champagne...”
“Sure—blame it on the champagne.”
The tie joined the jacket in the corner. My purse was placed safely on top.
“So how does this work?” Nick asked, working his way down the buttons on his collared shirt. A second later, it was on the floor as well, leaving nothing but a thin tank below. “I just beat you into submission? Don’t stop until you beg for mercy?”
Again, I flushed. But this time, a shiver of excitement ran up my spine.
“Oh Mr. Hunter, I’m afraid you’ve got that the wrong way around.” I twirled my finger teasingly in the air. “You see, not only do I have no intention whatsoever of backing down, but I fully expect that before we’re through—you’ll be the one on your knees, not me.”
Nick’s eyes glittered as he flashed a smile worthy of the devil himself.
“Abby—I never beg.”
I wet my lips, and braced for what was coming.
“We’ll see.”
If only I had known what I was getting into...
There was a swish of air. A vibration through the floor. A lock of hair blew into my eyes.