“I like to start things out with a bang.”
The two of us fell silent. I shot him a look. He pursed his lips.
“...no pun intended.”
“And that is enough alcohol for you,” I giggled, taking the empty flute from his hand and setting it on the floor.
But I was hardly in better shape myself. I almost tipped over just reaching toward the ground. He reached out quickly and caught me with a quiet chuckle.
“You know, I never realized it before...but you’re a klutz, Abby.”
What?! Absurd!
“A klutz?!” I repeated incredulously. “I am not!”
“You are,” he was openly laughing now, “you totally are! How could I not have seen it?”
I put my hands on my hips, bristling defensively. “If I’m such a klutz, then how was I able to dance all over this ballroom in those enormous heels?”
He didn’t miss a beat.
“I was supporting you.”
Shit. Well played. But I had some dirt on Nick as well...
I jutted up my chin, sniffing self-righteously as I tossed back my hair. “I’m not going to debate the issue of ‘clumsiness’ with a man who crashed a hot air balloon into the Hudson.”
“ONE time, Abby! That was ONE time!”
“It was a fucking hot air balloon, Nick!” I countered, jabbing an accusatory finger at his chest. “You don’t get to dismissive it away with a one time.”
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.