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I definitely wasn’t supposed to see that, so I slide down in the seat, just peering over the dash and watching him palm her ass. Then she gets in her Mercedes and speeds off, leaving the guy on the street.
He looks familiar but I can’t place him.
One of the fighters?
Dammit.
Why did I have to see this?
I don’t care.
I shouldn’t care.
But I do.
With a frustrated sigh, I put the key in the ignition and start it up. I have to pick up Elliott in an hour anyway, so I might as well head that way and watch him fight. Or practice. Or whatever it’s called. Toby supposedly has some jiu-jitsu experts on site today, giving both him and Elliott a lesson or something? I don’t understand how it all works but Elliott is focused and even leaner than before.
He’s dropped ten pounds since he started and if his body was beautiful before, it’s spectacular now. His abs are even more defined and those beautiful oblique muscles practically call my name every time I see him without a shirt on. Last night, I licked them for a long time before moving on to licking other things.
I’m still thinking about that when I arrive at Toby’s gym and walk inside. It’s hot and stuffy—like air conditioning would somehow make them less manly—and I sink into a chair by the wall.
Elliott is on a mat with a guy I don’t recognize, and they’re rolling around. The other guy taps out and he and Elliott exchange words. Then they do the same move again, and this time Elliott taps out. It’s fascinating to watch them practice individual moves, especially since I don’t understand much at all.
“You must be Elliott’s girlfriend.” A man sinks down next to me, and I realize it’s the man Candy was kissing.
I’m so startled I nearly drop my purse.
“Sorry—didn’t mean to scare you. I’m Neil, Toby’s agent.”
“Hi.” I blink, staring at him. “We, uh, met last time we were here.”
“Luna, right?” He’s got one of those million-dollar Hollywood smiles, with teeth that are perfectly straight.
“Yes. Hi. Nice to meet you.”
I manage to put a polite smile on my face. “How long have you been Toby’s agent?”
“A couple of years. I used to fight, but I had some injuries that ended my career.”
“It can be dangerous,” I acknowledge.
“Agreed. That’s why I opted to retire while I was still healthy and move to a more lucrative profession. I handle quite a few athletes.”
“Oh, interesting.” I’m still smiling, but all I can think about is that kiss.
“Will you be at the exhibition matches?” I ask politely.
“Of course.” He nods. “I’ve procured quite a few donations for Candy and Garth.”
“How, uh, do you know them?”
“Candy and I used to date. We grew apart. It happens. She can be a handful sometimes. Like a lot of women, you know?” He winks like it’s something I should know merely by virtue of being a woman. “But we ran into each other again last year and it’s obvious she’s changed. We’ve slowly been rebuilding a…friendship.”
I nod, trying not to read between lines I wasn’t supposed to see. “Isn’t she dating Garth?” I don’t know if my question is as innocent as I try to make it, since his eyes narrow slightly.
“I think that relationship will end after the event,” he says with a shrug.
“Oh.” What am I supposed to say to that?