Her cheeks turned pink and she grinned happily. “You think?”
Jessy nodded. Adam gave Jessy a big hug and spun her around, making her laugh.
“Destiny would like to ask you a question.” She laughed when he set her back down.
Adam gave Destiny the first interview, saying he couldn’t have done it without Royce. Royce was asked several questions by different reporters and Jessy stepped out
of the way.
She hugged her dad, who also moved out of the way. He didn’t like cameras shoved in his face so he let Royce handle any interviews. “Adam did it, Dad.”
“I knew it,” he replied with a grin, and hugged Jessy tightly, kissing her forehead. “And you are one fine promoter.”
Tom patted Jared on the back. “We have a good group of boys, Jared.”
“There’s a party at the Blue Moon Lounge,” Jared announced loudly to the crowd after all the press had left. “In honor of Mad Dog Murphy.”
“Do you mind going?” Jessy took Martin to the side so he could hear her over all the loud talking and laughing.
“Not at all. I feel all hyped up, too.” He grinned, holding her hand and pulling her in for a hug. It felt nice to be held and Jessy let herself lean into him for a moment. So what if he wasn’t Royce? She would never have Royce in her life. The sooner she accepted that the better.
* * * *
Royce was still feeling a little pissed at seeing Jessy kiss that Officer Lopez. He was glad Adam had won and he tried to keep his smile on his face and not scowl. People would wonder what was putting him in a lousy mood. How could he say Jessy kissing another man was really pissing him off? He was the one insisting he couldn’t settle down with one woman. yet he hadn’t even attempted to go out on a date or sleep with someone else. He had his chance with Jessy and he let fear stand in the way.
Royce hung back for a moment and let everyone surround Adam with congratulations. Adam was riding a high wave and he deserved it. He was young and hungry to make it to the top. All his hard work had paid off. Royce remembered being there once but it didn’t hurt so much now. He liked what he was doing now and he didn’t miss the pain and injuries after a fight.
Now if only Royce’s personal life would work out smoothly, too. He was tired of denying what he felt for Jessy. He was tired of being stuck in the friend category, even though it was his fault.
Royce watched Martin Lopez put his arms around Jessy’s waist and his hand hung too close to her ass for his comfort. He wanted to be the one holding her and sharing in her joy and relief. He wanted Jessy. He still remembered every second of that night. It had been more than two months and he still woke up hard as rock after dreaming of her. If he didn’t get over his own fears and doubts he would lose her forever. He knew that with certainty. She was beautiful and shined brighter than any star in the sky. He didn’t blame Martin for the besotted look he was giving Jessy. He was pretty sure he looked at her that way too, only he had let his doubts push Jessy away. Didn’t he tell his fighters that it was okay to feel fear but not to let fear rule? Isn’t that what he was doing? He was letting his fears and insecurities make up the rules. So he wasn’t Royce “King” Sanders anymore, but did that mean he had to turn into a chicken shit? Hell no. He was letting his hurt and insecurities dictate his decisions because Trina only wanted to be with a famous fighter in the spotlight. He hadn’t seen her true nature because he had been so blinded by lust. Jessy wasn’t like that and he knew that, he just didn’t want to let himself admit it. Whatever hard obstacles came their way, he would deal with it because this time his prize wouldn’t be a cold gold belt. It would be a hot, desirable, loving woman in his arms. He was determined to win the fight for Jessy.
“Ready to party the night away?” Blake slapped him on the back joyfully. “Everyone is envious we have you in our camp, Royce. You make us better fighters.”
“Nah, I give good advice, but it’s up to you all to work hard and give it your all,” he answered honestly. “Let’s go party because your fight is next and you won’t be having time to party for a while.”
Blake groaned dramatically and went to grab Sam.
Royce watched Martin leave with Jessy. He rode to the party with Jared since Tom opted to go home. All the way there he only half listened to the compliments Jared was throwing his way. His mind was on a pair of green eyes looking at him and dismissing him. Soon they would be showing something different.
Chapter 14
The party was in full swing when Jessy and Martin arrived. They had gone to dinner first since she had been too nervous to eat before the fight. Her dad had reserved a whole section for them and they were all seated in one section. Jessy spotted Adam dancing with Destiny and smiled.
Blake and Sam were at the bar flirting with some young girls. She hated looking for Royce, but she spotted him having a beer and talking to her dad. She was surprised he didn’t have a groupie sitting on his lap. As if sensing her watching him, he turned and looked straight at her. He gave her a semi smile and lifted his beer in a salute.
Martin went to get them some drinks. Jessy moved her gaze away from Royce and on to the crowded dance floor. She had to ignore him. He was not interested in her and no amount of wishing would change that.
She felt a tap on her shoulder and saw Royce with his hand held out. “Dance with me?”
If she was smart she would politely refuse and wait for her date to get back, but obviously she wasn’t as smart as she thought.
Her hand automatically went out for his and he led her to the dance floor. Her heart started racing and she was glad the music was so loud. Otherwise it might be a dead giveaway that she was not in friendship mode. She felt Royce’s hand slide around her waist and just beneath her silky blouse. Just the light touch of his fingers on her bare skin made her body tremble and her stomach flip flopped with excitement. She sighed softly against his shoulder. If only. Two useless words.
“You look beautiful, Jessy, but you always do.” He said the words next to her ear and she could feel his warm breath on her skin. She closed her eyes and inhaled his masculine scent. For one minute she could pretend that Royce wanted her as badly as she wanted him. His shoulder was hard and his body was warm. She fought with herself to not use her tongue to lick the skin of his neck and behind his ear. She squeezed her legs together in a useless attempt to keep the moisture between her legs from seeping out.
She didn’t reply to his statement, but she let her body relax against his. A few minutes of heaven, she deserved this. His arms tightened around her waist. He was a big husky man and he made her feel so feminine and fragile when she knew she wasn’t. She was strong, her dad had made sure of that. What did men see in all those trampy groupies? She may not be blonde but she knew she wasn’t ugly. Was it the easiness of the chase? The cavalier attitude they had toward themselves with no self-respect?
If she was more like them, Royce would still want her, but she could never be so blasé and just sleep with men for no good reason but to say she did it. She sighed and looked at Royce. She really thought she had seen more in his eyes, more than a simple desire, more than a friendly attitude. How could she have been so wrong?