by Sarah Bale
After everything he had done to her, trusting him would be impossible but she had no choice. She thought for a moment. When the fight was over and she knew Dev hadn’t been injured she could finally come clean to him. Hopefully he would be able to forgive her and they could move past Johnny Ice and his control.
“Okay. I understand. Anything else?”
Johnny laughed softly. “So willing to please. Yes there is one more thing. Don’t wear white.”
“Why not?”
What a strange request, especially after everything he had asked her to do.
“Because I would hate for your dress to get stained with Dev’s blood.”
With those words the line went dead.
“Oh my god!” she cried out.
Head spinning, she struggled to process Johnny’s words. There had to be something she could do to stop him from hurting Dev. Her chest burned as she fought back tears. Nothing mattered but making sure Dev was okay… No matter the price she had to pay. Even if saving him meant sacrificing her life in place of his.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Dev sat back in the leather chair. He watched as Marco lit a cigar and took a puff.
“I thought you quit?”
Marco ruefully smiled. “So did I.”
“Is it Katie?”
Marco nodded. “I know I shouldn’t let her absence at the fight bother me so much. She’s never missed an event that I’m promoting before.” He shrugged. “But what can I do? She’s not mine and I have no say.”
Dev took a drink of his water. His friend hurt right now but he couldn’t say anything to make Marco feel better.
Marco sighed. “So how did it go after I left last night?”
He shook his head. “I didn’t even realize you had gone, man.”
He thought back to Shannon’s tear-streaked face looking down at him as he ate her out. God last night had not gone as he’d planned. He still wasn’t convinced she had been okay and he hated feeling guilty.
Marco must have sensed Dev’s thoughts. “I believe she would have used her safe word. Don’t you?”
“I’m just not sure…”
“I am. As I said last night, you get all fucked up when you think your woman is hurting. Concern is a natural reaction. You did the right thing by calling me in there though.”
His woman? His stomach lurched at the thought and he took a drink so he didn’t have to reply.
Marco didn’t miss a beat and changed subjects. “What did you think about today?”
The meeting with the sponsors had gone well until two of them had walked out. They couldn’t get over his past record of hurting opponents. Plus the fight being canceled in Vegas didn’t sit well with them.
“I think the talk went pretty good, considering they are attacking my past. I was young when I took those fights too far and hurt my opponents. My professional record shows I’ve grown and learned from my mistakes. Hell my track record in UFC is enough to put my past to rest.”
Marco took another puff of his cigar. “I agree. I liked what John Ice had to say though. He seemed to shut some of them up.”
In a room filled with doubt, John Ice stepped in and took control, pointing out that the fight in Colorado was going to be one of the highest profiting bouts to date.
“Yeah. He’s a good guy.”
Marco checked his cell phone. “Oh by the way, the PI sent over a copy of Shannon’s cell phone record as you requested. As far as I can see everything seems to check out with what she says.”
Dev had forgotten he asked Marco to check up on Shannon’s cell phone but he wasn’t surprised she had been telling the truth. She had nothing to hide from him and he wasn’t keeping anything from her. Wow…he hadn’t felt that good about a relationship in a long time.
Marco chuckled. “I can tell by your face you didn’t hear a word I just said.”
“Sorry, man. What were you saying?”
“There are a few things in the original PI report that are starting to bother me. I am going to follow up on them.”
“Anything major?”
Marco shook his head. “My gut feeling is telling me to check into this. I’ll let you know if I find out anything different than first reported.”
Dev nodded. “Sounds good.”
“Speaking of Shannon, where is she?”
“Mrs. Ingram said she went into town to go to a bookstore.”
Marco rolled his eyes. “With the impressive library you have I’m surprised she would ever have to leave to find a new book.”
Dev shrugged. “Must be looking for something in particular.” He stood. “Okay enough bull-shitting around. Let’s go practice.”
“What?” Marco said in mock horror. “Devlin James actually wants to practice? By all means let’s go.”
Dev laughed and followed his friend from the office. Things were finally turning out in his favor.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Dev looked down at Shannon. The last two weeks had flown by in a blur. Each day he would work out until he could barely lift his arms. And each night Shannon would be waiting for him in their bed with her arms open, welcoming him home.
Home. That’s how this place was starting to feel. He wasn’t sure when things had changed but he didn’t mind this new life they were creating together. She frowned in her sleep and he wondered what she was thinking about. She seemed worried about his fight but he assured her everything would be fine.
She had never been good with violence but this felt different. He couldn’t shake the feeling she was keeping something from him.
His cell phone buzzed and he reached over to read the text.
Everything is set for tonight. Be at the arena at five on the dot.
Marco would, of course, be up at this ungodly hour. He didn’t reply. If Marco was worried about anything, he would call. Dev wrapped his arms around Shannon and pulled her close. He loved how she snuggled against him even in her sleep.
A man could get used to this.
His phone buzzed again. He thought about picking it up but Shannon opened her eyes at that moment.
“Morning,” she said with a smile.
He kissed her shoulder. “Morning, babe.”
She stretched, rubbing her body against him and he responded right away. Fuck, would he ever get enough of her?
She laughed. “Even after last night?”
“Hell yeah. You turn me on, Shan, you know that.”
Her cheeks darkened in a blush and she rubbed against him again. He felt the brush of the shackle on her ankle.
“Fuck. I forgot to unlock you last night,” he said, sitting up.
He pulled back the covers and sure enough the cuff was around her left ankle. Part of the chain was in the bed too and the sight made him hot with desire. But he should have unchained her before he fell asleep…
She wiggled her foot. “Hey now, don’t look like that. I wanted to be chained up remember?” She ran her foot against his leg. “I like being chained up.” Her foot moved higher. “And I didn’t use my safe word did I?”
She kept reminding him of this. Each time their lovemaking took a kinky turn he worried he was pushing her too far and she would say the opposite. His throat felt tight with emotions and he shook his head. Damn, she amazed him.
“Dev, don’t make me ask.”
He looked down at her. “Shan, I should have taken it off…”
She sat up and pushed his chest with the palms of her hands. He fell back against the pillows and she climbed over him, straddling him. The chain clinked as she moved and he swallowed thickly.
“Don’t make me beg,” she whispered as she leaned forward and kissed his chest.
Her tongue teased his nipple and then she nipped him. A groan left his mouth. She was a minx and he had a feeling he had unleashed a sexual monster the first time he chained her up.
He must have voiced the thought because she gave a throaty chuckle before saying, “Oh baby, you have no idea.”
She rubbed her pelvic bone against his and he grew harder.
“I want to ride you,” she said as she nipped his lower lip. “Lift me up.”
He grabbed onto her hips and lifted her. She held his cock in one hand and held herself open with the other. Slowly he lowered her and she buried his cock deep inside her pussy. She took him fully in and they both moaned in pleasure.
“You feel so good like this,” she said as her head tipped back.
They weren’t even moving but he could feel her body quivering around him. His cock surged and she gasped. Her nipples budded and he reached up to flick one. God he loved how she responded to him as easily as he responded to her.
Slowly she began to move up and down on him with deep, fulfilling thrusts. Each time she took him in she paused for a moment while clenching her pussy muscles. His jaw ticked as he held onto her hips, enjoying the sensations.
“You know some fighters believe fucking on the day of a fight is bad luck.”
Shannon lifted and then came back down on him. He grunted as she wiggled a little.
“And what’s your take on that theory?”
His grip tightened on her hips. “Those people have obviously never had sex on the day of their fight.”
She laughed and began moving at a steadier pace. Her skin darkened in a telltale sign. His stomach started to tighten and his balls felt hot and heavy.
Her pussy began to spasm.
“Oh Dev!” she cried out. “I love you.” She leaned forward and buried her face into his neck.
I love you.
Those three words set him off and he roared her name as he poured himself into her. She cried out again as her pussy milked every last drop from his cock.
She began to sit up but he stopped her.
“Did you mean it?”
She averted her eyes. “Mean what?”
“Do you really love me?”
His breath hitched as he waited to hear her reply. He wanted her answer to be yes, wanted her to love him.
Finally she nodded. “Dev, I never stopped loving you. Not even when we weren’t together anymore. It’s always been you.”
Several emotions crossed her face, mirroring the feelings her statement evoked in him. Hope, fear, nervousness and most of all love.
“I love you too.”
She shook her head. “No, Dev. I don’t want you to say the words because I did. I want you to say you love me because you really do.” She paused and took in a deep breath. “We still have so much to work out—things need to be said. I don’t want you to say you love me until you have heard all of those things.”
“Why do you want me to wait?”
“Because I would die if you took the words back. I love you. That’s not going to change. But you may not love me once we talk and you hear what I have to say. There are…things in my past you won’t like.”
Her forlorn face made his heart ache and he pulled her close to his chest.
“Shan, we will work through anything you have to tell me. I promise.”
He meant his vow too. He wasn’t sure when he had decided but he wanted things to last a lifetime with Shannon. He wanted forever with her.
She kissed his neck. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Dev. I won’t be able to handle you breaking my heart.”
He rubbed his chin in her hair. “Ditto.”
“What are we going to do then?”
He tilted her head so she was looking into his eyes.
“We take things slow. We talk a lot. And we both learn to forgive each other. Think you can do that?”
She smiled. “I forgave you a long time ago. But if you think you can give our relationship an open mind and heart, then I’m in.”
“For more than a month?”
She nodded. His heart leaped and he pulled her in for a kiss. Her lips parted and he let her lead the way, savoring the moment. She lightly nipped his bottom lip before deepening the kiss with her tongue.
He groaned and pulled her closer. Their connected bodies began to respond and he felt her smile against him.
“Do fighters have any rules about having sex two times on the day of a fight?” She wiggled her eyebrows.
He laughed. “Nope.” He held onto her and flipped over so he straddled her. “But I wouldn’t care if they did…I’ve never played by the rules.”
She giggled and he began to move. The chain around her ankle wrapped around his leg and the cool metal scraped against his skin. Fuck, everything with Shannon felt more erotic and exciting.
Shannon reached up and caressed his face. She whispered, “I love you, Devlin James.”
He wanted with all his heart to say the words back but knew he would only hurt her. Instead he showed her the only other way he could. With his body.
He leaned down and caught a nipple in his mouth. He swore her breasts were getting bigger, fuller and he loved knowing her body so well. She cried out as he nipped the peaked tip. He thrust deep and long, filling her to the brim with his dick. She moaned and wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him closer.
“I love how you respond to me,” he said as he thrust again. “I love how you are always wet for me.”
He might not be able to say he loved her but he could tell her other things he loved about her.
“I love your smile.” Another thrust. “I love how you look doe-eyed when I walk into a room, even after all these years.”
Her eyes watered and she blinked her tears away. “I love you so much.”
I do too, he thought to himself, so fucking much.
Shannon held his gaze as his pace quickened. They both needed the release that built between them. His thrusts became shallow and she cried out his name.
“Shannon, come for me. I need you to come.”
His words set her body off and she writhed beneath him. Her clenching pussy milked his cock and he came too. Hot spurts filled her to the brim until his semen dripped down her thighs.
Slowly he pulled out. She sighed and smiled up at him.
“It only gets better.”
“What?” he asked with a quizzical smile.
“After today, things only get better between us. Even after we talk we will be fine.”
She sounded as if she was trying to reassure herself.
“Only better,” he agreed. He glanced over at the clock and groaned. “I need to get up and get ready. Are you coming over to the arena with me or are you going to ride over with Mrs. Ingram later?”
Her forehead creased. “I’m waiting for a dress Katie is supposed to be sending over so I’ll probably ride with Mrs. Ingram.”
“Okay. I’ll leave your VIP pass by the front door. Make sure you grab it or they won’t let you come to my locker room.”
A blush crept up her cheeks. “Do you want me to say hi before the fight or wait until after?”
He leaned down and kissed her. “Before of course. I’ll be expecting a good luck kiss. Or two.”
She grinned. “Okay.” She swatted him playfully. “Better get up, Mr. James. I don’t want to be the one responsible for sending Marco into a panic if you’re late.”
She knew his friend too well.
He chuckled and stood. “Yes, ma’am.”
She blew a kiss at him as he walked into the bathroom. Damn, he loved that woman. And after tonight they had nothing but time to enjoy each other.
Shannon bit her lip as the bathroom door closed. He loved her. And she was about to play a role in betraying him. Angry tears filled her eyes. She had only one option. Stop Johnny Ice.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Thousands of people crowded the outside of the arena as they waited to enter. Shannon watched in awe as the limo drove around the building to a private entrance. And they were there to see Dev. Her heart swelled with pride.
The limo stopped and a uniformed man came from the arena to open her door. She smiled up at him and took his offered hand. Camera flashes blinded her.
“Ms. Bray, over
here!”
She stopped on the red carpet and posed for a few photos. Being photographed in a dress picked by Katie would help her friend gain more business so Shannon didn’t mind.
The dark-pink satin material reached the floor, showing off all her curves in the right places. As before, the dress came from the House of Boosef line but this time she wore Dior heels. Even her jewelry and silver clutch came from Dior.
The flashes began to hurt her head so she waved and walked through the door.
A security man stopped her. “VIP badge?”
“Oh crap. Just a second.”
She opened her clutch and pulled out the badge.
“You’re good. Just make sure to wear the ID. I know it doesn’t go with your lovely dress but wearing the badge will save you from being stopped at every checkpoint.”
She smiled and put the lanyard around her neck. “Thank you, sir.”
She followed the signs down the hallway, which guided her toward the locker rooms. She took a left and found another security guard standing outside the door marked as Dev’s locker room.
“Badge?”
She held up the lanyard from her neck so he could inspect her ID.
“Very good. Mr. James has been expecting you.”
The security guard opened the door and she walked inside. Dev stood in front of Marco, stretching. The guys didn’t notice her so she took a moment to look around.
She didn’t know most of the people there but they clearly worked for Dev. They must be part of his team. The miracle workers who did his bidding while he trained. A man walked over to Marco and said something. Marco pointed to one of the lockers and the man retrieved some tape.
Dev caught sight of her and walked over.
“Hey, babe,” he said as he leaned down and kissed her.
His lips caught hers in a full-on kiss. When they pulled away some of the guys whistled.
Dev grinned. “This is Shannon. Shan, this is everyone.” He looked around. “Where is Mrs. Ingram?”
After getting ready, Shannon had gone to find the housekeeper, only to discover her in bed with a cool cloth over her eyes.
