1001 Dark Nights: Bundle Fourteen

by Kristen Ashley

  His no-good assistant isn’t at her desk, so I walk in his office without knocking. It’s an asshole thing to do, but I don’t have the patience for social politeness.

  Taylor looks up from his computer screen. “Jonah, have a seat.”

  I stay standing. “What’s this about?”

  He lifts his eyebrows and nods to the chair in front of me. I sit.

  “We just signed a deal for a joint campaign with the female MMA fighting league.”

  “Okay. What does that have to do with me?”

  “Not much, just a few cross promotions, photo shoots, magazine covers—stuff like that.”

  I nod. It’s not uncommon that the UFL use me for promotional shit. I still don’t see why this warrants a visit to the boss’s office.

  “I’m going to need you to be seen with their headlining fighter, Camille Fisher. Won’t be much, just the pre-fight formal dinner, and we’ll get her seats by your corner for the title fight. After that, a few sightings out at the clubs ought to do it.”

  Pretending to date a girl I don’t even know so that the suits can pull off a campaign? Hell no.

  “No. I’m not doing that.”

  His eyes narrow and he leans forward, resting his elbows on the desk. “No? Why not.”

  “I’m dating someone. I’ll be bringing her to the formal dinner, and she’ll have my seats at the fight.”

  With a chuckle, he leans back into his chair, relaxed. “That it? Surely a few dates with another girl won’t bother her. Tell her it’s for work. Besides, have you seen Camille? She’s hot. I’m doing you a favor, my friend.”

  What kind of man does he think I am? The kind that fucks girls whose names he doesn’t know without a second thought. Not anymore.

  “Look, Taylor, I want to help you out. I’ll do photo shoots, press junkets, whatever, but I’m not cheating on my girl even if it’s staged for publicity. Have Del Toro do it.”

  “She doesn’t want Del Toro. She’s requested you personally.”

  I shake my head, completely solid, unwavering.

  “Who’s this girl who’s got you by the balls?” he asks with genuine curiosity.

  My head tilts slightly as I fix my stare on him. “Don’t see how that’s your business.”

  “You’ve been fighting for me for eight years, and I’ve never even heard a rumor about you getting serious with a girl. Now, just weeks before your title fight, a fight that is going to make me a lot of money, you get serious?”

  I shrug. Where in the hell is he going with this?

  “No bullshit, I’m worried. I need you on your game, no distractions. I think it’s in the best interest of the organization for you to put your relationship on hold until after the fight.”

  I sit forward, leaning one elbow on my knee. This guy’s got his head shoved up his own ass if he thinks I’d give up Raven to please him.

  “Haven’t had a dad since I was twelve, Taylor. Managed to make it this far without one. Don’t need one now.”

  “I’m not speaking as a parent, Jonah. I’m speaking as your boss.”

  “Don’t remember seeing you dictating who I date in my contract.”

  “I can’t force you, but I can advise you.”

  “Consider me advised. We done?”

  “No. Don’t forget about the press conference.”

  “That’s what I have a publicist for. Now, we done?”

  He studies my face for a few long seconds then shrugs.

  I stand to leave, but turn just before walking out the door. “Let your assistant know I’ll be bringing a date to the pre-fight dinner.”

  His eyes dart to mine and narrow a fraction. I smile back before walking out.

  Who the fuck does he think he is?

  ~*~

  Raven

  “Hey, Dog.” I place his food on the bottom step and scratch behind his ears. He purrs as he eats. I smile at the content sound, knowing I’d be making the same one if I could.

  After last night, I’ve been walking around in a perpetual state of contentment, robbing me of my focus.

  “Yeah, I know how you feel. Feels good to be taken care of.” I rub Dog from head to tail and back. “Good kitty.”

  My phone rings, scaring Dog and sending him down the alley and behind a dumpster.

  “Hey, Eve.” I take the conversation inside, hoping my absence will bring Dog back to finish his food.

  “How are you? I’m so sorry about last night, I felt like shit after you left. It looked like you’d been crying, and I should have sent Vince home and had you stay. What happened?” She speaks quickly, whether from guilt or concern, I don’t know.

  “Oh, um,” I clear my throat, “Jonah and I just had a little fight, but we’re okay now. Just a misunderstanding.”

  I bite my lip and contemplate telling her about Vince. My loyalty to her is warring with my need to protect her.

  “Oh, phew. I was so worried after you left. I called your cell, but you didn’t answer. Vince kept telling me that you were probably okay. He said if you weren’t you would call.”

  Nice of daddy’s little henchman to comfort my best friend.

  “How are things going with you and Vince?” I wait for her answer, ready to read into every word, to feel her out before I decide on full disclosure.

  “Pretty good. He’s still so private about stuff, but now that he’s met you, I think he’ll start to come around.”

  Private or big fat, disgusting liar?

  I can’t sit back and watch her get used. She needs to know. “Eve, there’s something I need to—”

  “I know what you’re going to say, Rave. He’s really affectionate, and . . . sometimes it comes across as kinda pervy or whatever. I’m sorry if he made you uncomfortable last night. He says he can’t keep his hands off me.” I can hear the smile in her voice.

  Yuck. I fight the urge to shove my finger down my throat like a surly twelve year old.

  “That’s not what—”

  “Enough about boys. I need my girl time. We’re going out tonight. My old waitress from Nori just got hired at Club Six. She said she’d put us on the list and told me if I slip the bouncer a fifty he’d let us in without ID’s.”

  “Tonight? Um—”

  “Come on! I’m so sick of the under twenty-one clubs. This is our chance to go to a real club!”

  “Okay.” Unable to think of an excuse fast enough and also missing my friend like crazy, I agree to go out with her.

  “Come over after work and we can get ready at my house.”

  This has play-dress-up-with-Raven written all over it.

  “Sounds great,” I say with the enthusiasm of a snail.

  “Whatever, Debbie Downer. It’ll be fun and besides . . . I miss you.”

  “I miss you too. See you after work.”

  Perfect. I’ll tell Eve about Vince after she’s had a couple drinks. That’ll help soften the blow. And being in a public place should keep her from getting too emotional. Ugh, who am I kidding? This is going to be a nightmare.

  Twenty

  Raven

  “Time to lock up, Ray!”

  At the sound of Guy’s voice, I slide out from under the Honda CR-V. Shifting my eyes to the clock, my jaw drops at the time. Six o’clock. Darn it!

  It got busy at the garage, and I never got a chance to text Jonah to let him know about my plans for tonight. He said he had to train, but that he was looking forward to having me back in his arms. My body warms all over at the mere thought of more sex with Jonah.

  I grab my phone and see I have one missed call and a text.

  Training then phone interviews all afternoon. Quick meeting then I’ll be home. See you tonight. xJ

  “Ray! Quit draggin’ ass. Shut ’er down.”

  “Yeah, G. I heard you.”

  Shoving my phone into my back pocket, I close down the garage and race to my studio.

  I throw my dirty coveralls in the hamper and strip down to jump in the shower. My foot taps impat
iently, waiting for the water to heat.

  Crud! I didn’t call Jonah. I wrap a towel around my naked body and fish my phone from my coveralls.

  Sitting on the bed, I press send and place the phone to my ear.

  “Hey, baby. Where are you?” His deep voice comes through the phone and a smile pulls at my lips.

  “Hi. I’m at my studio. It was crazy busy at the garage today, and I didn’t get your text until just now.”

  “That’s cool. Grab your shit and come over.”

  My finger traces the swirling pattern of my towel at my thigh. “I won’t be able to come over tonight. I made plans with Eve.” My stomach bottoms out. I do want girl time, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want Jonah time more.

  After explaining the evening’s agenda, I sit patiently waiting for his response.

  “Club Six. Just you and your girl.” He’s not asking. It’s more like he’s saying the words so they sink in.

  “Yeah. I’ll stay with Eve tonight because we’ll probably be out late, and I don’t want to wake you.”

  “Hm.”

  Is he mad?

  “Look, here’s the deal. I’m stoked you want to hang with your girl tonight. But you at some nightclub, looking as hot as you are, dressed to kill, without me? No. I’m also not thrilled that you’re putting yourself at risk by going to a club when you aren’t twenty-one. And there’s the DomiDick shit we have to worry about.”

  His possessiveness is fierce and I freakin’ love it. My entire body floods with the warm gushy feeling that makes my toes curl and my belly flip.

  As a child, no one ever cared what I did. Never cared where I went, who I was with. I never had a curfew, never had the sex talk, the don’t-do-drugs talk. I was treated like an adult on my own ever since I could remember.

  “Baby, you still there?”

  “Yeah, Jonah, I’m here.” The low hum in my voice reminds me of Dog’s purr.

  “Damn.” His rough and sexy tone vibrates the phone at my ear. “I’ve been thinking about last night all day. Now I get you on the phone and you say my name like that. I have a mind to drag you to my house and hold you hostage. You and Eve will have to reschedule.”

  “Jonah.” My voice is thick with arousal.

  He groans then clears his throat. “Get dolled up, go out with your girl, and have a good time. Call me when you’re done and I’ll pick you girls up, drop Eve off at her house, and you come home with me. You’re in my bed tonight. Deal?”

  Um, gee, let me think.

  “Deal.”

  “Oh, and there’s something you should know. Your name came up during interviews today.”

  My body shoots ramrod straight, and I grasp my towel at my chest. Now my belly flips in an altogether different way. “What! Why?”

  “Big fight, lots of publicity. People talk, you know how it is. It’ll die down after the fight, but don’t be surprised if you get approached by paparazzi. Just ignore them, don’t answer any questions, and if you’re alone or scared, you call me.”

  Well, crud. This night just went from bad to worse.

  ***

  We pull up to the front of Club Six and climb out of our taxi. The front walk is lined with people awaiting entrance. Pounding music charges the air as we step up to the VIP line.

  Waiting our turn, I fidget with nervous energy and catch my reflection in the window. My strapless, black mini dress hugs every contour of my body. The strappy heels cage my feet up past my ankle, making my legs look impossibly longer. I can’t see my face, but it’s framed by long silken strands of dark hair, flat ironed to perfection. Eve did my make-up heavier that I usually wear, the smoky dark shadow bringing out the strange color of my eyes.

  I’m Ravenstein, put together and brought to life for a night of shenanigans.

  “Stop freaking out. You look gorgeous,” Eve says close to my ear.

  “Ladies. You on the list?” says a large man with a clipboard.

  Eve exchanges words and a handshake with the purpose of palming him a fifty dollar bill. The man smiles and looks us both up and down before stepping aside. We’re in.

  The strobe lights and black lights make it hard to see, and the booming bass makes it impossible to talk. Guiding me through the crowd, Eve leads me to an outside patio bar. The music is muted out here so we don’t have to yell. We belly-up and order two Cosmopolitans.

  “So, how are you and Jonah?” Eve wags her eyebrows.

  “Better now.” I can’t control the heat that rises to my cheeks.

  Eve narrows her eyes and swivels toward me on her barstool. “Oh my gosh. You did it.” A slow smile creeps to her face, and she starts clapping and bouncing on her seat. “You fucking did it . . . like literally!”

  I cover my face with my hands and nod my head. This information will surely find Dominick’s ears in the next day. So much for your plan to make money off my virginity, eh?

  “Eeeeee!” Eve jumps from her stool and wraps her arms around my neck. “My girl lost her virginity, everyone!”

  Mortification overtakes me as my eyes dart around the bar. Other than a few smiles, almost everyone ignores us.

  “Eve, please! Be quiet!” I hiss.

  She sits back in her seat and takes a huge swig of her drink. I follow suit.

  “Rave, you gotta give me details, girl. Did it hurt? Was he good? Is he . . . big?” With eyes as wide as gas caps, she waits for my answer.

  “He’s amazing in every possible way.”

  She stomps her foot and slaps her knee. “I knew it! I knew he was big.”

  I roll my eyes and suck down the rest of my drink. Apparently embarrassment makes me thirsty. I order another.

  Details of my night with Jonah begin to flow out at the same pace the liquor flows in. I imagine steam shooting from Dominick’s nose like an angry bull when Vince relays the information. Satisfied with what I’ve given, I decide it’s time to broach the subject.

  “What about Vince? What does he do?”

  “He’s a consultant. I don’t know what he consults on. Like I said, he’s a private guy.”

  More like private eye, I joke to myself and fight the urge to laugh.

  “Does that bother you? That he’s a private eye . . . um, guy?”

  Whoops, almost turned my private joke public. My tongue feels bigger in my mouth as my words start to slur. I wave my hand to the bartender and motion for another round.

  “Yes. It does.” Her face falls and she dabs the corner of her eye with her cocktail napkin. Here we go again. Apparently, I’m not the only one feeling the effects of our drinks.

  I spin my barstool so I’m facing her. “Eve, aren’t you sick of crying over this guy? The only time you don’t cry about him is when he’s got his tongue in your ear.”

  Perfect transition into bad news. I mentally pat myself on the back.

  Her arms fly out to her sides. “Ugh! It’s just I feel so close to him, you know?”

  Okay, this is good. Let her vent and then I’ll go in for the kill. I nod while gulping the last of my drink.

  “I get the feeling that I’m more into him than he is to me. He never talks about himself. I know nothing about him.” She sniffs. “Fucking men!”

  Sick of the mastodon in the room that’s sitting right on my lap, I grab a stack of cocktail napkins and slap them down in front of her. Here it goes.

  “Eve, there’s something I need to tell you. It’s about—”

  “Holy shit, Rave! This is our jam!” Her shoulders bounce to the beat of the music. “Come on, let’s dance!”

  “Wait, I—”

  She drags me to the dance floor and the familiar voice of Dev singing “Bass Down Low” makes even me squeal.

  Darn alcohol has me acting like a stupid girl.

  I’ve only been drunk a few times, and the familiar floaty feeling taking over my limbs tells me I’m there. I close my eyes, absorbing the beat of the music, and move with the rhythm. The bass pulsates around me, every tiny hair on my ar
m responding to the call of the music. I slide my hands from my hips, up the sides of my body and into my hair. I imagine being here with Jonah, his hands all over me. Grinding against each other as the music throbs around us. Kissing in the middle of a crowded dance floor, and tasting the sweat that beads off each other’s skin. So lost in each other that we’re oblivious to everyone around, I skate my fingertips down my neck, imagining that they’re his. Remembering his touch on a cellular level, goose bumps race across my flesh. Flashes of him above me, memories from last night, have me gripping my hair.

  There’s no place I’d rather be than in Jonah’s arms, in his bed. It’s time to go.

  I open my eyes to see Eve is few feet away. She has become the meat in a dance-floor sandwich. I move to pull her away when hands grip my hips and heat hits my back. I react on instinct, pushing away from the grip and turning around to face the jerk.

  A man in a pink golf shirt stands before me. His lips move, but I can’t hear what he’s saying over the music. Realizing that, he motions for me to come to him. I shake my head and turn to get Eve.

  My heart is racing and I stumble, the alcohol making it difficult to control my body. I can’t believe I drank so much that I lost myself in my surroundings allowing a strange man to press his crotch to my backside. I’m anxious by the time I pull Eve from between the two guys she’s dancing with.

  “Whad’da fuck, Rave! I was ’aving fun.” Eve speaks to my shoulder with a heavy slur.

  I guide her to the bar, and order us two waters. Buzzed and freaked out by the forward guy on the dance floor, I trash my plan to talk to Eve about Vince and grab my phone to call Jonah for a ride.

  “Can I get another Cosmoplothian, pleeese?” Eve’s attempt at cunning falls flat.

  “I think we should call it a night.”

  “No!” Her enthusiasm gets the attention of two guys nearby.

  I give them my best don’t mind her, she’s just drunk smile. Mistaking my smile for an invitation, they walk to us. As they get closer I recognize the guy from the dance floor.

  Crap.

  Tapping Eve on the knee, I alert her to our unwelcome guests.