Grinning, I open the door to our room. Now my tasty little Candy, I’ve got you right where I want you. Manipulating her into sharing this room was easier than I expected. I need to remember that she won’t back down from a challenge. Surely, I can use that information to my advantage. As soon as I questioned whether she could handle being around me she was eager to prove that she could. I wonder what else I can goad her into doing? The possibilities are endless.

Wheeling her bag across the bright room, I lay it down on top of the bed closest to the windows. “Here you go.”

“Thank you,” she murmurs as she drops her other bag down beside it.

Stepping away, I move to the other bed and drop my duffel bag from my shoulder to the floor with a thump. Jumping onto the bed, I exhale a large sigh as I lie back with my arms clasped behind my head and my ankles crossed. I kick my sneakers off and grab a second pillow, tucking it behind my head so I can comfortably watch Carter unpack her bags. Her need to put her things away immediately doesn’t surprise me at all. I suspected she wouldn’t be able to live out of a suitcase while we’re here.

I on the other hand, will not be putting my clothes away. What’s the point when we’re only here for five days? Why make extra work for myself?

She unfolds each item of clothing, shakes them out and refolds, before placing them inside the dresser drawers. I smile at her anal tendencies. She’s so neat and orderly. I want to mess her up in the worst way. Even her jeans get hung on hangers in the closet.

Who the fuck hangs up jeans?

Watching her do these mundane tasks is fascinating. I’m not sure why, but it’s most likely because I’ve been thinking about her for the past few months. She could do anything and no matter how odd, I’d still find her attractive.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” she questions, walking from the closet toward her suitcase.

“Like what?” I ask just to bust her chops. I know I’m staring at her like she’s a twenty-piece chicken nugget from McDonald’s and I can’t wait to take the first bite.

“Like that,” she says, gesturing at my face.

I flash her a wolf like grin and keep staring without answering.

She rolls her eyes and goes back to unpacking.

When she’s finally done, my stomach is growling hungrily. “Now that you’re all unpacked, want to grab a bite to eat?”

She lowers to the edge of her bed, facing me. I can’t help but smile as I take in her prim pose. Her legs are crossed at the ankles and her hands are clasped in her lap. She looks like she’s got a pole up her back keeping her posture perfect. I’d say a stick up her ass, but I don’t want to think of anything being in her perfect ass except my cock. I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone sit so straight. My back hurts just watching.

“It’s not dinner time yet,” she tells me.

Glancing at my watch, I notice it’s five o’clock. “It’s close enough. Do you have to wait until a specific time to eat?” Is she that obsessed with staying on schedule that she won’t eat until the clock hits a certain time? I hope not because that would be...sad. Food is one of life’s greatest pleasures and it’s meant to be enjoyed, much like sex. Sex and food are two of my favorite things. Football and fighting would be on that list too. And now, Carter. She’s definitely one of my favorite things. She might be moving higher on that short list soon.

She presses her lips together and shakes her head. “No, not at all. It’s just early to eat dinner when I don’t have snacks to keep my hunger at bay for the rest of the night.”

Snacks? Now, she’s speaking my language. In fact, this might be the equivalent of talking dirty to me. “Don’t worry about snacks. I’ve got that covered.” I smirk as I think about the handful of Hershey bars and can of cashews I threw in my duffel bag when I was packing. I also stashed some condoms in the inside pocket, but that’s probably wishful thinking on my part. She’s wound so tight, I’ll be lucky if I get to kiss those sweet lips of hers anytime soon.

“You brought snacks with you?” she questions.

“Of course. I’m a growing boy and I get hungry,” I reply, rubbing my hand over my stomach. Her eyes follow the motion before jerking up to meet mine. I smirk knowingly. It’s obvious this attraction goes both ways. She won’t admit it, but I can tell she wants me as much as I want her. Sliding my hand under my shirt, I raise the material and pretend to scratch an itch while watching her for any sign of reaction. Her gaze locks on my bare skin, remaining on my defined abdominal muscles until I clear my throat. “You look hungry.”

She flushes with embarrassment, knowing she’s been caught ogling the goods. The way her cheeks turn pink makes me want to say outrageous things on a regular basis, so I can watch it happen repeatedly.

“I could eat,” she replies, softly and damn if I don’t get a little twitchin’ in my britches. Her words conjure up images of her kneeling before me and I can’t wait until my depraved thoughts are a reality. It’s only a matter of time.

Sitting up, I swing my legs to the floor and face her. “What do you want to eat?”

She visibly swallows and if her eyes get any larger they might overtake her face. “Why does everything you say sound so dirty?” she questions and then covers her mouth.

“No, no. No take backs. Once you say it, it’s out there, Candy. I think that you have a dirty mind. Maybe you just want me to talk dirty to you.” I smile when I notice her flush. “Is that what you want? Because I’m more than happy to give you...whatever you want.”

“See,” she points at me.

“See what?” I ask, innocently.

She narrows her eyes. “You just did it again.”

“Did what? I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I shrug with my hands raised palm up.

“You just did a dramatic pause to make your comment sound suggestive.”

I chuckle. “I think you’re imagining it because you want me to talk dirty to you.”

“I’m not imagining it,” she huffs, crossing her arms.

“If you want me to whisper dirty words in your ear, all you have to do is ask. Hell, I’ll strip naked and shout them if you want me to.”

“I don’t want you to shout anything.”

“So, you’d prefer me to talk dirty quietly?”

She clenches her teeth together and growls. “I prefer you don’t talk at all.”

I flash her a pretend wounded look, dropping my chin to my chest.

She sighs loudly. “I’m sorry, Nick. That wasn’t very nice of me to say.”

My head snaps up and I grin. “I’m just messing with ya. It takes a lot more than that to shut me up.”

She rolls her eyes and rises to her feet. “Let’s go get dinner then. You can’t talk with your mouth full.”

“Oh, you’d be surprised.”

* * *

“How’s practice been going man?” I question, Noah. Carter was adamant that we invite Reagan and Noah to dinner. I’m sure she feels awkward to be spending so much time together when we barely know each other. But I’m going to imagine that it’s because she can barely control herself when we’re alone.

He nods his head. “I think I’m right on track. Everything has been going well since we’ve been here.”

“He’s been doing awesome,” Reagan jumps in.

“You always think that, Ray.” He smiles down at her. With the way the two of them are looking at each other it feels as though Carter and I are intruding on a private moment.

“Have you had time to do any sightseeing?” Carter questions, ending the awkward moment.

“No, not really. We’ve pretty much seen the inside of the gym they’ve been training at and our hotel room. Such is the life of a fighter’s girlfriend,” Reagan answers with a shrug. “Hey, what floor is your room on?”

“Nine,” Carter and I answer simultaneously.

“You’re both on nine?”

Carter looks at me, a panicked expression on her face. I smirk, remaining quiet. I want to watch her squirm her way through this.

“Um, I uh. I uh don’t know what happened.”

Reagan cocks her eyebrow. “You don’t know what happened to what?”

“My reservation. They couldn’t find me in the system.” Her fingers fidget, shredding the edge of the paper napkin under her mojito. “And they didn’t have any more available rooms.”

“Oh my God. What are you going to do? Do you want to stay with us?”

My gaze moves to Noah and I see his jaw clench. I know he’s not getting any right now. He won’t fuck during the time leading up to a fight. It makes his legs weak or some shit like that, but I’m sure he’s still keeping his girlfriend happy while he abstains. Carter rooming with them will never happen. I bite back the smile that wants to let loose.

“Um, uh.”

Glancing at Carter in the chair next to mine, I watch as she struggles for words. It’s so painful to watch, I find myself cutting in. “I offered her the other bed in my room and she agreed. So, yes, we’re both on the ninth floor. What floor are you guys on?”

“We’re on the eighth floor. Room eight twenty-six.”

“We’re in nine sixty-nine,” I say, keeping my expression serious this time. Reagan might kick me in the balls if she knew what my intentions were when it comes to her sister. After all she did already warn me to stay away from her the night she and Noah got engaged.

“Well, I’m glad you had the extra bed. It would have sucked if you couldn’t stay at the same hotel as us. We’d never get to spend any time together.”

“Yeah, it was a lucky break how it all worked out,” I smirk. Carter kicks the side of my foot under the table. “Ow, what did you do that for?” I say, calling her out.

Her eyes narrow and her lips tighten. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Our waitress arrives with a large tray of food balanced on her arm cutting off any further replies and the scent of our meals has my mouth watering. She passes out our plates and makes sure we have everything we need before she departs.

Conversation is nonexistent as we all dig in. The silence around the table is punctuated by sighs and groans as we devour our meals. Casting a side glance at Carter I notice her closing her eyes as she takes a bite of her lasagna. Fuck. I want to see her make that exact face when she sucks my cock for the first time. I’m confident enough in our chemistry that we’ll get to that point and it won’t just be one time. If I have my way, we’ll be more than fuck buddies, but I know that she’s skittish after what she’s been through with her ex. He’s a dumb ass to have let her go. I’m smart enough to recognize that I’ve never felt a connection with anyone else like I do with her and I want to ride it out and see where it takes us. Maybe if she spends enough time with me she’ll realize I’m nothing like her ex and she’ll be willing to give me a chance.

The restaurant is located in the hotel, which is great for convenience, but not so much for keeping Carter occupied. When we reach the lobby, I pause. “What are you two planning on doing now? Do you want to walk around a little and check out the area?” I address Noah and Reagan.

Noah rubs the back of his neck. “Nah, man. I think we’ll pass. I need to meet with Jimmy soon and I want to take it easy tonight.”

I hold my fist out and he bumps it. “I hear you, bro. Anything we need to be around for tomorrow?”

“Nah, it’s just more gym time and some meet and greets with some fans. We can meet up later though.”

“Sounds good.”

Carter and Reagan share a hug and say their goodbyes. She stares after her sister and future brother in law as they head toward the elevator.

“What do you say we take a walk and see what trouble we can find?” I ask.

“I’m all for walking, but hold the trouble. That’s not really my thing.”