Micah sat on the table in the locker room while the coach checked him out. One eye was puffy, his lips were slightly swollen, and his face hurt in multiple places. The body aches would be worse the next day, something he was used to.
Despite feeling like he’d been in a car accident, Micah was elated. He’d won, and even better, Gisele had been in the crowd cheering for him. It was a satisfying feeling, and even his dull headache didn’t matter.
“No stitches,” Harlan said. “Ice those bruises later, though.”
Micah nodded, experiencing a sense of relief now that the fight was over. He was ravenously hungry, and looking forward to breaking his diet to eat whatever he wanted. At least, he could until training started again.
Strong hands kneaded his back and then his shoulders. Micah closed his eyes and relaxed into the massage. “We’ll wait on your legs,” the man said, and Micah glanced down at the bruises on his thighs. “Yeah, that’s probably a good idea.”
While Micah was tended to, Luke stayed in the background. But as soon as the masseuse was finished, he stepped forward with a big grin. “You looked good out there, man.”
“You think so?”
Luke cracked his knuckles. “I wouldn’t have wanted to be in the ring with you.”
The coach agreed. “Great fight, Micah. You did what had to be done.”
“I need to grab a shower,” Micah said, still high on the win. “I have a date tonight.” He looked at Luke. “You told Zeke?”
“It’s taken care of,” Luke said. “He won’t let her out of his sight. She’ll be waiting by the car.”
“Where did you find that guy?” Micah said.
“He hangs around the fight scene to guard some of the more high-profile participants. He’s a good man to have around.”
“I think we should hire him again,” Micah said. “I feel better having Gisele out there with Zeke by her side…in case things get rough.” He turned and headed toward the shower. The hard training had paid off; he’d won the fight. And it felt damn good.
Gisele was waiting for him outside, and he had plans. It was his first real date with her. Top on the agenda was food. Micah felt like he could eat half a cow. But that wasn’t all that he was hungry for. Ten days had been a long time without seeing Gisele, and he’d been tempted to call sooner.
But Micah wanted to do it right. The first two evenings with Gisele had been impromptu, and neither had ended well. This would be different. He’d make sure of that. In the ring, he’d looked down to see Gisele sitting there, looking at him in awe. Seeing her in the crowd was a satisfying feeling.
While the hot water pummeled his achy muscles, Micah thought of Gisele, just as he’d thought of her in every spare moment since he’d last seen her. She was special, and she did something to him, made him feel…good.
Once Micah washed the grime away, he dried off and got dressed. Grabbing his bag, he headed for the parking lot. It was still light outside, but the sun was low in the sky. He caught sight of Gisele in the pale light of dusk, her long hair flowing in waves over her shoulders.
Micah got a better look at the tight top he’d seen her wearing when he’d looked down at her from the ring. His gaze drifted over her fine figure outlined under the white jeans, and his blood heated.
When he got closer, Gisele looked up and smiled. “Congratulations.”
Micah grinned. “Glad you were there to see it.” He put his arms around her. “I won it for you.”
“You’re such a bragger.”
Micah laughed. “Let’s get going,” he said. “I’m starving.” He took the keys from Zeke, who stood off to the side. “Thanks for looking out for her. I’ll be calling you again.”
Zeke opened the door for Gisele, while Micah hopped into the driver’s side. The blue Mustang should be fun to drive. It wasn’t his first pick, but it was what the rental company had, so it would have to do. He started up the engine, revving it to see how it purred. Then he turned on some music, tuning to a rock station.
“Where are we going?” Gisele said.
“I thought we’d go out of the city, have a little privacy,” Micah said. “There’s a good place at Lake Las Vegas.”
“The Hilton?”
Micah nodded.
“I’m not dressed for that,” Gisele said.
“You look good to me.” Micah squeezed her thigh, then rested his hand on her leg.
The twenty-minute drive was a joy, with the sun setting in brilliant orange behind them, and the gorgeous woman beside him. Gisele seemed content to sit back in the sporty car and gaze at the palm trees flashing by against the darkening sky.
Micah glanced in the rearview mirror a few times to make sure they weren’t followed. He hadn’t yet figured out the ground rules, so didn’t know yet if the bodyguards from Gisele’s complex shadowed her wherever she went. It appeared they didn’t, and well before they got to the lake, Micah was sure they hadn’t been followed.
The waterfront resort was a great place to escape. The rambling stucco building was set among expansive Italian gardens and patios on the shore of the lake. It had a golf course and a marina. There was a village nearby with a wide range of restaurants and shops. As Micah’s hunger overpowered him, he looked for the closest restaurant.
The Italian place with a view of the lake would do. Micah’s mouth already watered in anticipation of food. Gisele gazed at the resort as they drove by. “This is stunning. The way the buildings border the lake next to the marina reminds me of a European village.”
“Have you been here before?”
“A couple of times,” Gisele said. “I enjoy it. It’s nice to be out of the city.”
Micah looked over, noticing that one section of the resort’s accommodations was built atop a bridge with repeating arches that spanned the lake. “Impressive architecture,” he said.
The restaurant was at the edge of the village, so Micah parked the car and helped Gisele out. He held her hand as they strolled down the walkway. Her hand was soft, and so small, cupped inside his big one. He lifted her wrist and grazed his lips over her skin. “You smell so good.”
Gisele looked up at him, but didn’t say anything.
They reached the entrance, a brick patio that led to the front door. It was relatively busy, but some tables were still open. Once they were seated, drink orders were taken, then bread and olive oil was promptly served. Micah had the good sense to allow Gisele to take a piece before diving into the bread basket. The olive oil was seasoned with herbs, and on the freshly baked bread, it was tasty.
Gisele smiled. “Hungry?”
“Very.” Micah continued chewing, while he studied the menu.
The waiter returned with a glass of Chianti for Gisele and the beer that Micah had ordered. Then he gave them time to decide on their meals.
The aromas of grilling meat, tomato sauce, and herbs filled the room, making Micah’s stomach rumble. “What will you have?”
“Fettuccini Alfredo sounds good.”
Micah flagged the waiter to place their orders, impatient for the food. “The lady would like the fettuccini and I’ll have the rib-eye medium rare.”
Gisele took a sip of her red wine, and Micah watched her. “So what did you think of the fight?”
“I was scared to death for you.”
From the look on her face, Micah believed her. “I can handle myself in the ring.”
“So I see, but still, it’s brutal.”
“Boxing is a punishing sport,” Micah said. “On the surface it’s a battle of two guys banging each other until one drops. I’m sure that’s how it looked to you.”
“It did, and I cringed every time you got hit.”
“I train to win, and that’s partly the angle of the punches, partly timing.” Micah gulped his beer. “There’s a lot of anticipation when you’re in there…what your opponent is going to do…when he’s going to strike.” He paused. “Getting the upper hand in a match like that is both strength and guile.”
“All I see is punching.”
“The idea is to punch without being punched, but there’s no way to avoid getting hit.”
“I hate the idea of you battered and bleeding,” Gisele said.
“It happens.” Micah lifted his glass. “But not today…or not much, anyway.”
Micah recalled the fight. The exhilaration of being in the ring was like a powerful drug. Despite the punishing workouts in preparation for the match, once facing a ready and willing challenger, it was amazing how little pain he felt. The adrenaline rush of being in front of the crowd, throwing the first punch, wiped out thoughts of anything except the opponent, and doing what he had to in order to win.
“What about you?” Micah said. “Tell me more…what do you do when you aren’t at the poker games?”
Gisele swirled the wine in her glass. “What I do isn’t nearly as exciting as boxing.”
“I have to disagree. From what I saw, you lead quite an interesting life.”
Gisele gave him a coy smile. “It looks like more of a thrill than it is.”
Micah had the sense that there was more Gisele wasn’t telling him. It was the look in her eyes, the way she drew back. He better not find out that anyone was mistreating her, as he’d put an end to that without so much as blinking an eye.
“I hang out with Abby. You met her; she was with me in Hollywood.”
“Yes, the blonde. I remember her.”
“In our spare time, we eat out, shop, see shows.”
“And go on vacations together?”
Gisele smiled. “Sometimes we do. It was Abby’s idea to go to Hollywood. She’s a little celebrity crazed.”
Micah wanted to ask if Gisele had a boyfriend, but that seemed like a stupid question. Would she be with him if she did? But on the other hand, she was a beauty. It didn’t make sense that she wasn’t hooked up. Maybe she was between guys. That could work to Micah’s advantage. He would sweep her off her feet before she set her sights on any other man.
“What does Abby do?”
“She’s a dancer. Vegas is an ideal place to get a start. Right now, she’s in Cirque du Soleil.”
“Nice.”
“I guess there is Broadway, but Abby says the East Coast is too cold for her.”
“So I take it you didn’t know each other in Chicago?”
Gisele shook her head. “No, I didn’t meet her until I moved out here.”
The meals arrived, and Micah diverted his attention to eating. The steak was a bit rare, but as hungry as he was, he’d have eaten it raw. It came with a pile of fries, which he doused in ketchup. When he glanced across the table, he saw Gisele eating her pasta in a very ladylike fashion. She obviously wasn’t as starved as he was, but then, boxing worked up a ferocious appetite.
After another beer to wash down the fries, followed by blueberry cheesecake and coffee, Micah was full. He would probably be hungry again soon, but for a couple of hours he was good. Gisele patiently sipped espresso from a tiny porcelain cup. In the amber lighting of the restaurant, she looked like a princess. Her hair fell a bit wildly around her face, her skin radiant. Micah couldn’t help but imagine peeling off her skimpy tank top and cupping her soft breasts in his palms.
“What are you thinking?” Gisele said.
“About you.” Micah reached across the table and took her hand. “You’re so beautiful.” He pressed Gisele’s knuckles to his lips, lingering as long as he dared. Then he skimmed her fingertips across his lips, noticing her reaction.
“The night is young,” Micah said, sounding like something out of a movie. “We can go over and look around the hotel. I hear it’s very upscale,” he said, in an effort to keep her with him longer.
Gisele furrowed her brow, pretending to be miffed. “The hotel? You take a lot for granted.”
“I’m not taking anything for granted,” Micah said, although it was a lie. He was counting on having luck with Gisele. “I thought we could have a drink, take in the nighttime view. It’s right on the lake.”
Micah thought he saw disappointment in Gisele’s expression; he certainly hoped that’s what it was. If this night went well, he’d be doing more than taking in the view of the lake. It was another view Micah craved, the woman across from him naked. The prospect of having Gisele in his arms, her bare skin against his, was enticing.
With another woman he would have already suggested it, or she would have. But Gisele was different, and some nagging reservation held him back. He’d taken the bold approach when he’d first met her, and look how that had turned out.
Then the next time, things hadn’t ended any better. Micah didn’t want to blow it. Gisele wasn’t just any woman; she wasn’t one he would let slip from his grasp. He didn’t want any other woman. Micah wanted her. It was important to do this right, so he would have her.