by Piper Rayne
“Great job, guys, and your man is here to see you, Nik,” Matty says through the booth.
“I’ll be right out.”
I hang up my headphones and grab my stuff. Chip is so close behind me on the way out, I can barely get through the door without feeling his breath on my neck.
“Chip,” I say, glaring behind me.
He has a piece of paper and pen in his hand. “I want an autograph.”
By the time I reach the hallway, Logan’s walking out of the production booth with Matty as though they’re old friends, talking about the fight from the other night and how Logan doesn’t look that beat up. The bruises on his jaw are already healing. I definitely need to ask him why he does what he does at some point.
“Hey,” I say.
Logan shoves his hands into his pockets and gives me the cutest shy look ever, as though he’s embarrassed or something. A girl could get addicted to a look like that coming from such an intimidating figure.
“Hi. Hope you don’t mind,” he says, his voice lower than when he was talking to Matty.
“It’s fine. We have to go anyway, right?”
He nods.
Chip clears his throat behind me, and I step aside. “Do you mind signing something for Chip?”
Logan’s hands spring out of his pockets and he accepts the pen and paper from Chip. He signs his name then hands it back.
“Thanks,” Chip says, staring at the piece of paper as though he’s a six-year-old boy who just met his idol.
Logan smiles at him. “No problem.”
We all stand in the awkwardness for a moment before I break the silence. “Okay, well, we have to get going.”
Logan shakes Matty’s hand then Chip’s. “It was great meeting you both.”
“Stop by anytime,” Matty says and runs his hand through his sandy-blond hair.
“Yeah,” Chip adds, still looking a little starstruck.
Oh boy, we need to get out of here.
I lead us out of the radio station to find a black SUV waiting at the curb.
“The plane is ready for us,” Logan says.
I nod and slide in as though I’m used to this kind of treatment, ignoring the people’s stares.
An hour later, we’re in the air. Being on a private plane is surreal. The flight attendant isn’t some young thing with her skirt right below her ass though. She doesn’t bend down to show Logan her cleavage, and it’s nice to see her wedding ring when she hands me a sparkling water with lemon.
Logan stares out at the mountains below us. “Alaska really is a beautiful state.”
“Yep.” I take a sip of my water.
“Have you lived here all your life?” He turns to me, and the blue of his eyes strikes me again.
If I trusted my instincts when it came to men, his eyes would say he’s trustworthy and kind. But I don’t.
“I grew up in Arizona. After my parents divorced, my mom moved us to Sunrise Bay since my grandparents still lived there. She grew up there. She rekindled her relationship with Hank and ended up marrying him. He’s my dad’s cousin.”
I figure why hide it? Someone will dig up that juicy piece of information and Logan shouldn’t be caught by surprise like he is now. Actually, he looks as if he’s trying to decipher whether I’m telling the truth or not.
I touch his arm. Damn, it’s hard. “Yeah, my dad and Hank are cousins, so my mom never had to change her name.” I give him a saccharine smile.
“So your stepbrothers and sister?”
I nod. “Yeah, they’re also blood related to me. I think it’s like third cousins or something.” I wave it off. “But we’re just one twisted, happy family.”
I hate that it comes off that way. I love Hank like a dad. In many ways, he’s been more of a dad than my own all these years.
“That’s interesting.”
I laugh. “Yeah, that’s a word for it.” I sip my drink. “So where are you from if you don’t live in Las Vegas?”
“Florida. Well, my mom lives there now, but I grew up in Indiana. We never go back there though. Once I got my first check, I moved us both to Florida. She lives there full time and I go see her as often as I can.”
Great. He’s a momma’s boy. “That’s nice.”
“So I was used to the cold when I was younger, but not so much anymore.”
“Good thing our three months together are during our spring to summer season then.”
He laughs. “True. So you think you’re a Sunrise Bay lifer?”
“Yeah. As much as I complain about my family, I can’t imagine not living near them. Like I said, we’re twisted.”
“I’m kind of jealous. When I grew up, it was just me and my mom.”
I have a feeling I could ask him any question I wanted and he’d be honest with me.
“Big families are great, don’t get me wrong, but take this for example.” I wave my finger between us. “They’re in our business the entire time. Even now, I’m getting texts about you renting the Linville house.”
“Well, I had to have somewhere to live, and my team needs a place to stay, so the guest quarters are what sold me.”
I turn to face him and cross my legs. His eyes dip to follow the movement and my stomach swirls with butterflies. I can see why my drunken side married him.
“How did you score it? I mean, tourist season started today and I’m sure they had it rented out.”
He shrugs.
“Tell me.”
“I offered them a lot of money.”
“And the poor people who had their vacation planned already?”
“I’m putting them up at Glacier Point Resort in Lake Starlight. I heard it’s nice.”
I huff. Glacier Point Resort is the fancy hotel in our parts. I’m surprised he’s not just staying there. “That’s nice of you.”
“I wasn’t going to ruin someone’s vacation. Luckily they all agreed.” His finger runs along the stitching of the seat. “It’s weird for me sometimes.”
“What is?”
“Growing up, I was dirt poor. My mom worked three jobs and I never had new clothes until I got my own job. To be able to rent that place and move my entire staff up to Sunrise Bay for three months?” He shakes his head. “Sometimes I think it’s a dream.”
There he goes again with this vulnerable side that tugs at my heart. I haven’t done a ton of research on Logan because I haven’t had time. Which is probably a good thing. I’d be disappointed to find out that the Logan I’m getting isn’t the real one.
“It isn’t.” I look around the private plane. “Amazing what just using your fists can get you.”
He tilts his head. “You think I’m just a dumb guy who makes millions by fighting people?”
I shake my head. “I’m not sure what I think at this point.”
And that’s the truth. I’ll never lie to someone to make them feel better, but so far, I still wonder what really happened on that balcony for me to agree to marry him.
“One last thing,” he says and digs into his pocket.
“What?”
“You should probably wear this.” He holds out the diamond ring I left in the hotel room. It looks so expensive, I’m scared to be responsible for it.
I glance at the flight attendant situated in the back, reading a magazine.
“I’ll return it after this is over.” I slide it on my left ring finger. The ring is stunning. Drunk me certainly knows what I like and isn’t afraid to ask for it.
“No rush.” He straightens up and drinks his water.
I hope I have the strength to get through this without falling for this man, because I get the distinct feeling he could break my heart if I let him.
Chapter Eight
“I could show you how much I like it, but we’d be arrested for public indecency.”
Logan
We’re in a black SUV on the way to the interview Vince set up. I agreed that we’d talk to one person and the news can spread from there. I picked the man I
trust the most, Rick Dean. He’s always been truthful when it comes to me, and I trust he won’t try to dig up anything I don’t tell him.
“Have you been to Vegas before?” I stupidly ask Nikki as she stares out the window.
She smiles at me with an expression that says, “Think about what you just asked.”
“I mean other than your trip with Molly.”
She shakes her head. “No, and we didn’t really get to do that much either.”
“Well, if you want, we could stay the night and see some sights. I can get us into a show.”
“Me, you, and this town only seem to cause trouble. Maybe we should fly out right away.” She’s been smiling more since we got on the plane. It’s a welcome change from all the scowls I got yesterday.
“Vegas has a lot to offer. I’d love to show you around.” I find myself searching for excuses as to why we could spend a little more alone time here.
“Let’s play it by ear. One thing I know I don’t want to do is gamble.”
I laugh because other than when I first arrived in town all those years ago, you’d never find me at the tables. “Deal.”
The SUV pulls along the curb of the casino where Vince booked a room to conduct the interview. Of course, Vince is waiting outside, pacing.
I lean across her and point at him. “That’s Vince.”
“He looks intense. He’s your manager?” She turns to ask me, and our faces end up mere inches from one another’s.
What I wouldn’t do to kiss her again.
“Yeah, and intense is a good way to describe him.”
The driver opens the door and Vince rushes over. “Thank God, what on Earth took so long? Rick is already here.”
Nikki steps out, then I do, but I grab her hand and pull her into the casino before anyone on the street can spot us. Vince walks us right to the elevators and we slide in as someone points and says my name.
I like it a lot better when we use back entrances. The fact that Vince didn’t arrange one says he wants people to get a glimpse of my new bride. He’s always using some leverage to get me in the media
“Nikki, this is Vince. Vince, this is Nikki.”
She takes her hand out of mine to shake Vince’s hand and I catch him looking her up and down. Nikki slides closer to me as though she’s creeped out.
“Nice to meet the woman who pinned down Logan,” he says with distaste in his voice.
“Cool it, Vince,” I say.
Now Nikki’s shoulder is pressed to mine. I entwine our fingers to put her at ease. To my delight, she doesn’t pull away. I guess we have the excuse of making Vince believe this thing between us is real, but I still feel good that her automatic response wasn’t repulsion.
The elevator doors open, and we follow Vince down the hallway to the room. Rick is inside, along with his camera crew. Looks as though someone arranged for a fruit tray, small sandwiches, and some drinks.
Rick stands and heads our way. “Log! How the hell are you?” He gives me a handshake and turns his attention to Nikki. “Aren’t you the lucky one?”
Nikki narrows her eyes slightly. “Don’t you think he’s the lucky one?”
Rick pretends not to be embarrassed, but the tips of his ears turn pink. “Yes, of course. I mean, you’re both lucky to have found love in this city where people usually end up down on their luck.”
He’s tall and thin and usually smokes like a chimney, but never in front of me. I told him at the first interview that if he lit up, I’d knock him out. I don’t want that shit near my lungs.
“Let’s get started. I want to be one of the first to wish you well on your marriage.” Rick sits down, signaling to his camera guy.
“Thank you.” I put my hand on the small of Nikki’s back, leading her to the couch. “Let’s keep away from topics like where we’ll be living and where Nikki is from. I don’t want anyone harassing us there.”
Rick nods as he looks at his papers but glances up. “You do know people will find out anyway.”
“Let them dig it up on their own. I’m not giving up the information willingly.”
Nikki sends me an appreciative smile.
“All right then. We have some pictures Vince gave us. Can we show those?” Rick asks.
Nikki groans, but doesn’t say anything.
“We’d prefer you didn’t. We’ll be upfront that we weren’t exactly stone-cold sober when we wed, but I don’t think people need to see those pictures.”
“You’re killing me right now, Logan.” Rick sighs.
“If you don’t want the interview, I’ll find someone else.” I go to stand, and he holds up his hand.
“No. Sit down. I’ll make do. Just come off like you just got out of bed fucking for the last day.”
Nikki fidgets in her seat, and I wrap my arm around her, resting my palm on her shoulder.
I lean in and whisper, “Just relax. I’ll do most of the talking.”
She nods, and I kiss her temple. She tries to veer away, but I hold her firm against me and she finally realizes why. All eyes are on us.
“Let’s get this rolling.” Rick signals toward the camera.
Nikki straightens her back, placing her palm on my thigh as though it’s as natural as crossing her legs. My dick stirs in my pants, but there’s no time to address it since the cameras are rolling, so I put on a smile and hope like hell I’m as good an actor as I am a fighter.
An hour and a half later, we’re out of the hotel room, saying goodbye to Rick.
“Back to the airport?” Nikki asks.
Vince is lingering. I wish he’d go away at this point, but he’s adamant about talking to me without Nikki.
“I thought we could at least catch a show and dinner,” I say.
Nikki purses her lips. She does that a lot, I’ve noticed, but not in a mean way. She does it when she’s thinking. Almost like she weighs the good and the bad of every decision. “But we can go home first thing in the morning?”
I nod. “Yes.”
“You two should definitely go out and be seen together. Let people snap pictures and ask for autographs.” Vince butts in.
Nikki looks at him and back at me. I’m not sure she cares for Vince very much. “What am I going to wear?”
I grab her hand, linking our fingers. “Did you know Vegas has great shopping?” I tug her down the hallway. “I’ll catch you later, Vince.”
“Log!” he calls.
“I said later.”
We step into the elevator and the doors close on a very unhappy Vince. But there’s no way I can handle him telling me how to handle this right now. Being with Nikki is the first time I’ve felt like myself in so long. Before I was Logan Stone, MMA fighter.
“You can talk to him. I’m sure I can keep myself busy.” Nikki loosens her hand out of my grip.
I let her, but as soon as the elevator doors open, I’ll be grabbing it again. Especially if we’re spotted. “No. I want to spend the day with you. You’re nice enough to do all this for me. I want to pay you back with a nice meal and show.”
“You’re paying me back by getting me five guests for my podcast,” she says in a tone that suggests I might’ve forgotten my end of the deal.
“I know. Don’t worry. I’ll get them for you.”
The elevator doors open, and I take her hand. It’s so petite and soft. I love the way it feels in mine.
We’re on the casino floor in no time, and I walk us out the doors and into a waiting cab at the cab stand. It doesn’t take long to reach some stores attached to one of the expensive hotels. Nikki is skeptical about picking anything, so I hand the salesperson a few dresses for Nikki to try on.
While she’s doing that, I dial up Vince just to make sure he stays off my back tonight.
“You can’t just blow me off like that,” Vince answers without a hello.
“I don’t wanna talk about what angle you want to use this marriage for. I’m calling because I’ll be staying up in Sunrise Bay for the three m
onths before the fight. I’ve sent messages and talked to all the trainers. Everyone will be joining me up there.”
“You can’t be serious! You have the gym here and in Florida. Why not just go to your mom’s if you want a change?” There’s anger in his voice that he’s trying to control.
When I was starting out, Vince never got angry with me, but that’s because I always did what he wanted. Now that I make a lot of my own decisions, he lets it be known when he doesn’t agree.
“Nikki is my wife. That’s where she’s from, so that’s where I’ll be. I’ve already rented a house for both her and me and also for the trainers and chef.” It’s not easy to transport your entire regime thousands of miles, but spending my off time with Nikki is worth the expense. There’s no way this would work if I was down here and she was up there. At least not for the end goal I’m hoping to achieve.
“She’s your Vegas wife. I have no idea why you’re so hell-bent on trying to make this thing work.”
“What are you even talking about?” I whisper, seeing someone point me out to his wife. I lower my head.
“This charade of yours. I know you met her that night. That you only married her because you were drunk.” I hear ice clinking into a cup. The fact Vince is drinking this early in the day says I’ve stressed him out more than I thought.
“Good thing I don’t have to get permission from you to live my life. I’m being courteous by telling you what’s going on. The training will happen up there. You can come up and visit if you’d like, but I won’t be doing any more interviews.”
“You’re gonna tank your career. She’s a distraction.”
I look up to see Nikki in front of a three-way mirror. The saleswoman is zipping up the back of her black dress. It hugs her curves and shows off her great ass. Vince is right. She’s a distraction, but the best kind of distraction.
“This is my decision. I’m not asking you to agree. I gotta go.” I hang up and pocket my phone, walking back into the store.
I sit in one of the chairs by the mirror. Nikki catches me in the reflection, and now that I see the front of the dress, I want to hand my credit card to the saleswoman and tell her she’ll wear it out of the store, but it’s Nikki’s decision, not mine.
