by Lori Foster
“I think her decision has something to do with Harley,” Eve added helpfully.
“Harley?” Simon drew back in disgust. “What the hell does he have to do with this?”
Things were quickly spiraling out of control, Dakota decided. She put her hands to her head. “Get real. It doesn’t have to do with any one person. I just need to think about a few things.”
“And you can’t think in Harmony?” Simon demanded.
Roger took her arm. “I understand. Rather than make any decisions tonight, why don’t you let me buy you a drink, make you an offer, and then you can have the night to consider it?”
“Well…” Dakota just didn’t know. She looked at Simon. The longer she stayed near him, the more she wanted him, and the more impossible she knew that to be. Whether he acknowledged Barnaby or not, he was still his son. If that wasn’t awkward enough, she’d be utterly humiliated when Simon found out about her past. And if she stayed, he’d definitely find out. “No, I don’t think—”
Simon started to say something, and Eve latched on to him. “Really, Dakota, what will it hurt to hear the offer? I’m sure Roger won’t keep you long.”
“Not long at all.”
With Eve clutching him in a determined way, Simon glanced at her in confusion. “What are you…?”
“Roger is family,” Eve interrupted. “Did you know that, Dakota? He’s married to Dean’s oldest sister, Cam. She’s Jacki’s sister, too.”
“Ah…okay.” Dakota had no idea what Dean’s family tree had to do with anything.
“You two go ahead. I need to talk to Simon anyway.” Eve shooed her away. “You have my number, Dakota. Give me a call sometime tomorrow, okay?”
“Maybe. If I can.” If I’m still here. Then Eve was dragging Simon away, and Roger tried to urge her along, too. Dakota gave up. “Where are we going?”
“To my office upstairs. It’s quieter there.”
Quiet sounded good. “Is there a back way out from there?”
“A back way? Of course, but why?”
Feeling like a coward, Dakota lied, “I’m getting a headache and I’d just as soon not struggle through the crowd again if I don’t have to.”
“I understand. It won’t be a problem at all. Let’s talk business, and then I’ll show you out myself.”
“All right. But I need to do something first. Tell me how to get to your office, and I’ll meet you there in five minutes.”
Roger smiled. “That’d be wonderful. Thank you. I promise you won’t regret it.”
CHAPTER 8
“WHAT the hell are you doing, Eve?”
She sighed, and finally stopped hauling him along. “I’m butting in.”
He liked Eve a lot. She was perfect for Dean. “Is that right?”
“You’re interested in her, Simon. And she cares for you.”
What had they talked about in the restroom? Had Dakota admitted to caring for him? Simon wasn’t sure. “You’re basing that on what?”
“On the fact that she doesn’t want to interfere with your fight.” She held up a hand to stall any comments from him. “I’ve seen it plenty of times now, Simon. The women who really care don’t get in the way. The ones who whine and want all the attention are only in it for that—the added attention that comes with dating a well-known SBC fighter.”
“Why would Dakota think she’s interfering?”
“I’m afraid that was my fault. I told her Dean was worried. I wasn’t insinuating that he was worried about her, and when she made that jump, I corrected her.” She touched Simon’s arm. “But he is worried, and you understand why. Harley isn’t an untried rookie.”
“I wouldn’t make a comeback against a rookie.”
“Stow the ego, okay? You know exactly what I’m saying. Harley is making his way to the top by demolishing experienced fighters. You can take him, we all know that. But you have to be ready for him.”
“And I will be.” Harley was the least of Simon’s concerns right now. But then, maybe that’s what worried Dean.
“You were a trainer for a long time. I’m sure you know what you’re doing. But if you were training you—”
He smiled. “That’d be a little hard to do, Eve.” Just then, Simon spotted Dakota making her way across the floor.
She was heading straight for Barber, damn it.
Exasperated, Eve said, “You know what I’m asking.”
“Yeah.” Simon ran a hand over his head. “I’d be kicking my ass and telling me to focus.” But how could he, with Dakota filling his head?
“And you know why you’re not focusing?” Eve lifted her arms to make her point. “Dakota.”
Though he’d just pegged her as the source of his distraction, Simon chided Eve. “Don’t blame her.”
“As I told her, no one blames her.” Eve pointed her finger at him. “Everyone blames you. But Dakota put it together. She’s not a dummy.”
“No. She understands more about the sport than any woman I’ve met.” As Simon watched Dakota finally reach Barber, he thought about Dean’s wife and sisters. They liked the sport, and they tried to learn more about it, but they weren’t into it the way Dakota was. She genuinely liked it, had followed it from the beginning, and she knew as much about him and his experience in the SBC as Simon knew himself.
“Dakota told me that she shouldn’t have come here. That she should have left long ago. Then out of the blue, I could see that she’d made up her mind. She will leave, Simon.”
Still staring at her with Barber, he said, “I have to talk to her.” No way in hell was he ready to let her go.
“Let Roger convince her to take a job here first. That’ll be a good bargaining chip.”
“Maybe.” A job she loved would be a good incentive for staying. But she wasn’t talking to Roger. She was talking to that damned Barber.
“If he doesn’t convince her, you can encourage her in that regard. First, though, you have to show her that you have your priorities straight.”
With obvious annoyance, Barber caught Dakota’s arm and led her to a more private corner of the floor. “My number one priority being…?”
“The upcoming fight. As long as Dakota thinks she’s keeping you from doing your best, she won’t stick around.”
Hoping to appease Eve so he could go to Dakota, Simon said, “Right. Got it.”
“But she can also be a priority, just in a different way.”
“Okay.” Had Dakota already finished with Roger?
“Simon, listen to me. You have to resolve whatever conflict you two have going on. If Dakota knows that you’re committed to her, then seeing you with other women won’t affect her the same way.”
“Committed to her?” That got his attention off Dakota and her friend. He snorted. “I’ve only known her a week, Eve.”
“So?”
So Dakota had only come to Harmony because Barnaby hired her, which was something she hadn’t bothered to admit up front. Not a good basis for trust or commitment. But Simon didn’t want to go into that right now. “You haven’t heard the whole story, Eve.”
“I don’t need to hear it. Dakota wears her heart on her sleeve, and anyone who knows you can see that you’re more than casually interested. Let Dakota know it, too.”
“I have.”
“Then let her know that she’s special.” Eve propped her hands on her hips and looked him over. “Let’s face it, Simon, you’re gorgeous.”
She said it like an accusation. “Thank you.”
“And sexy.”
He looked around for Dean, but didn’t see him. “Okay.”
“And like my Dean, you have a divine body.”
“You hitting on me, sugar?”
Eve waved away that teasing comment. “There’s no avoiding those damn annoying female fans, so Dakota will see you with other women.”
Simon tweaked her chin. “That sounds like experience talking.”
She shrugged. “I see women coming on to Dean all the time. Bu
t I know his different looks, and I can see that he’s not interested, that he’s only being polite and removing himself from the situation as quickly and nicely as possible.”
True. Dean had eyes only for Eve. And speaking of Dean…Simon looked beyond Eve and saw his friend approaching. He said loud enough for Dean to hear, “Havoc’s whipped.”
“He’s happy,” Eve corrected. “There’s a difference.”
“Exactly.” Dean’s arms slid around Eve and he hugged her from behind. “The party’s still going full speed, but Gregor and Jacki just left.”
Eve used that opening with the finesse of a master. “Dakota is thinking of leaving, too. I mean, not just tonight, but for good.”
Dean glanced up at Simon. “Since when?”
“She’s not going anywhere,” Simon assured him.
Resigned, Dean released his wife to talk business. “Simon—”
“Yeah, I know. I need to get my head out of my ass.” He gave a crooked grin. “Your wife has explained it all to me in detail.”
Dean looked down at Eve with surprise. “She has?”
“Starting Monday, you’ll have my undivided attention. But tonight, I’m going to take care of some unfinished business with Dakota.”
As Simon walked away, he heard Dean ask Eve, “What was that all about?”
“Just sharing a little female wisdom with him, that’s all.”
Simon grinned. Yep, he was definitely benefiting from Dean’s family connections.
BARBER tucked Dakota safely into a more private corner of the crowded floor, then shielded her with his body before demanding, “What do you mean, you thought someone was watching you?”
Dakota shook her head and leaned around him to look around the room once more. Her sharpened gaze went right past Simon and Bonnie, though they both were giving her more than a little attention. “I don’t know. It just felt…” She frowned and gave up. “Not right.”
Barber didn’t like it. Dakota wasn’t a woman given to hysterics or dramatics, but her life had been such that, no matter how much time passed, he would never discount a possible threat toward her.
“Let me take you home.”
That made her smirk. “To Ohio? Tonight?”
“No.” Unamused, Barber made note of the fatigue on her face. He didn’t like that, either. “Where are you staying?”
She named the motel, and then turned him down. “There’s no reason for you to drive me there, Barber. I already have a ride.” Before he could voice his opinion on that, she added, “And even if I didn’t, I know how to call a cab.”
“But why should you when I’m right here, ready and willing to be at your service?” He held out his arms like a sacrifice, trying to tease her into agreeing.
“Thanks, but no thanks.” Distracted, her gaze continually scanned the room.
She must’ve really been spooked to be so vigilant.
“Dakota…” But Barber didn’t know what to say. He hated to mention the past. She’d had so much fun tonight that he didn’t want to ruin it for her with ugly memories. And after her rousing performance, odds were that any number of horny men were eyeballing her with hungry thoughts.
“It could have been my imagination.”
Neither of them believed that. But in the crowded club, Barber doubted any real trouble could find her.
And if a guy tried to press his luck, Dakota had the training to make mincemeat of him.
She smiled up at him. “Roger’s waiting for me, so I better get going. I just wanted to say good-bye first.”
“I’ll see you when you finish with him.”
“Sorry.” She shook her head. “Soon as he and I are done talking, I’m outta here.”
Barber glanced at his watch. He had hours to go before he finished for the night. “If you’d hang around till our break, I could—”
Dakota gave him a level look. “No.”
Her insistence wore on Barber, and he knew why. “What’s the matter? You worried lover-boy will have a hissy?” Simon had clearly challenged him, and Barber had been tempted to accept. “I can handle myself and you know it.”
Dakota let out an exasperated breath. “I’ve never doubted that. You’re the one who’s not interested in competing.”
“I’ve got nothing to prove.” But Dakota did. From the day he’d met her, she’d been trying to prove to herself that she was worthy of forgiveness. And that was why he’d ignored Simon’s provocation and instead had talked her into doing what she loved best: performing. “What does Romeo mean to you, anyway?”
Barber watched her face and saw the second she put up her defenses.
“Nothing.” She didn’t quite meet his gaze when she muttered, “And his name is Simon, not Romeo.”
“I know his damned name.” Barber crossed his arms over his chest. “If he means nothing, then how come you were drooling when you looked at him?”
“Drooling.” Dakota slugged him in the arm. “I did no such thing, and you know it.”
“A slight exaggeration.” At least he had her attention again. He hated it when she shut him out. “So if you’re bailing on me tonight, what do you say about hooking up tomorrow? We could grab a nightcap somewhere, gab all night, and watch the sun come up.”
“Just like old times, huh?” A faint smile curved Dakota’s mouth, easing the signs of tension. “We haven’t closed out the bars in years.”
The mention of old times reminded Barber just how far she’d come. In a blink of time, she’d grown from a scared little girl still in her teens, allowed in the bars only because the owners liked him, to a mostly confident, take-charge woman who captivated an audience of men when she sang onstage.
In many ways, he saw Dakota as a little sister, best friend, and fun companion.
In other ways, she tempted him to push for more than platonic sharing. But Barber knew it’d never happen, and he cared too much for her to drive her away by acting like a randy goat.
“I’m still a good listener, Dakota.”
“I know that.” She leaned into him for a big hug. “But let’s plan on catching up somewhere in Ohio, after I’ve gone home. Tonight I just want to hear Roger’s offer, then hit my lumpy motel bed to sleep for a good eight hours.”
Knowing she wouldn’t relent, Barber nodded. “You got it, babe.” While rubbing her back, he looked beyond her—and saw Bonnie. A real hellcat, that one. “I’ll call you when I get back to Ohio next month.”
She looked up at him. “That’d be great.”
Barber cupped her face. “So before you split, tell me what you know about your beau’s ex.”
“Simon is not my beau,” she said, before she realized exactly what he’d asked. Then she stiff-armed away from him. “Oh, please. You’ve got to be kidding.”
“Nope.”
“She’s a bitch.”
“Yeah.” Barber watched Bonnie search the room. Hunting for Simon? Probably. She wasn’t a woman who’d like rejection. “But a sexy bitch.”
“If you like claws and a forked tongue.”
Barber laughed. “I’m male, Dakota. I like any kind of female tongue.” Even the acerbic ones could be sweet when coerced into the right use.
Disdain curled her lip. “Whatever. It’s your life. Have at it and good luck.”
Barber saw Bonnie visually lock on to someone to her left. Given the change in her posture, from determined to seductive, he’d bet his last pair of underwear he knew who she saw.
When Simon came into view, heading straight for them, Barber had his assumption confirmed.
On impulse, knowing Simon would see, he kissed Dakota’s forehead. “He’s heading this way, love.”
Dakota went on the alert. “Who? Simon?”
“Yep. And I think I’d like to snag Ms. Bonnie before she snags him, so now’s your chance to make your getaway if you still want to make an early night of it.”
“I do.” She gave him one last hug and headed off in a rush. Barber watched her disappear through
a darkened doorway.
Just as Simon reached him, Barber stepped into his way. “Hey, bud.”
Simon almost plowed over him. “Excuse me.”
“Sorry.” Still blocking his way, Barber said, “No can do.”
Disbelief brought the fighter to a standstill. Deadly serious, he said, “Trust me, you don’t want to do this.”
“But you do?”
“Not really.” Though his gaze remained direct, Simon relaxed his stance. “But I can. And I will.”
A laugh took Simon by surprise. Barber clapped Simon on the shoulder. “Put away the brass knuckles, my man. I just want to ask you something.”
“I’m busy.”
“Chasing Dakota, I know.” Simon’s expression made Barber laugh again. “She’ll be busy for a few minutes, and I won’t keep you any longer than that.”
Impatience showed through Simon’s attempt at civility. “What is it?”
“It’s about your woman.”
“Dakota?”
Leaning back on the wall, Barber asked, “How the hell did I miss your sense of humor?”
Unamused, Simon started away, and Barber said, “Actually, I meant Bonnie.”
Simon paused again. “Bonnie’s not mine.” He searched the area, trying to find Dakota. “If you’re interested in her, feel free.”
“No warnings about her?”
Dark eyes took Barber’s measure. “You’re a big boy. You can make your own assessments on Bonnie.”
“Right.” Shaking his head, Barber mused aloud, “Wonder why Dakota never believes that.”
“Who can understand women?”
Okay, so maybe Simon wasn’t quite as unlikable as he’d first figured. Though there was obviously bad blood between them, Simon hadn’t bad-mouthed Bonnie. And he hadn’t felt compelled to push the confrontation to a physical level.
Not for a single second did Barber think Simon avoided a fight out of fear of losing. No. Simon carried himself like a man who knew he could dominate any situation.
But maybe, like Barber, he had nothing to prove.
Barber respected that.
“Dakota went up the back way to see the manager. You can wait here for her if you want.” He pushed away from the wall. “I think I’ll do us both a favor and head off your little hedgehog for some one-on-one.”
