IT WAS DANGEROUS BEING AROUND Matt. The look in his eyes when we were in my bedroom practically stripped me bare, leaving my heart and soul exposed and ready for the taking. His love was intense, raw. In one simple touch I had lost myself, lost the past ten years as if nothing had ever changed. It was so easy to forget when I was in his arms.
I thought Jace would have time to cool off over night, but he still wasn’t happy with my decision to start spending time with Matt again, and he proved that by almost telling him my secret during their confrontation. Thankfully, I was there to stop him, but I was afraid there would never be a right time to tell him the truth.
Matt picked me up in his old 1975 Ford Bronco, which he used to drive when we were in high school. He had it completely fixed up with a new paint job and motor. It didn’t even look the same, but it was a welcome sight. I was glad he didn’t completely disown it after he started making all of his money. As far as his life was concerned, I could tell he was still grounded just like he was before when he had nothing.
Before we arrived at the Sleep Train Arena I called Lexi to have her meet us there. She always accompanied me on my interviews, and although this wasn’t an interview, I still wanted the pictures to document. As soon as we got in the doors, Garrett was there waiting, pacing back and forth, even though we were right on time. When his eyes caught mine, he smiled and walked toward us. He looked completely different than he did yesterday at the café. He had his blond hair gelled into messy spikes instead of smooth and controlled, and was in a pair of jeans and a gray T-shirt.
Matt leaned over and whispered in my ear, “I think this is the first time I’ve seen him in something other than a suit. He must be trying to impress you … since you obviously like guys that don’t have a giant stick up their ass.”
“Hey, there’s nothing wrong with a guy in a suit,” I teased. “Lots of ladies like that sort of thing.”
“Is that the sort of thing you like now?” he asked low.
Peering up at his clenched jaw, I’d almost believe he was jealous. Nudging him in the side, I snickered. “I like lots of things, Matt, but you know very well that I like a guy who’s down to earth no matter what they wear. You can’t always base what someone’s like on what they wear.”
“I see Mr. Reynolds was able to get you to come back to us,” Garrett announced happily, showing off his perfectly straight, white teeth.
I nodded, and smiled up at Matt. “Yeah, it didn’t take much. Mr. Reynolds here bribed me with a million dollars. I couldn’t refuse an offer like that.”
Garrett chuckled, and turned to address Matt. “Everything is prepared for you in your room. I think they’re ready to begin with the pictures as soon as you get changed.”
“All right,” Matt said, lightly grasping my elbow. Gazing down at me, he lifted his brows. “Are you ready?”
I wanted to go with him, but I needed to wait on Lexi to arrive so she’d know where I was. “I can’t,” I told him. “Lexi will be here in a few minutes, and I don’t want to leave her having to search around for me.”
We were at a standstill until Garrett came up to my side and announced, “I’ll stay with her. As soon as her friend gets here we’ll join you ringside.”
Clenching his jaw, Matt narrowed his eyes at Garrett for only a second before turning his exotic green gaze to me. Surely, he wasn’t worried about me being alone with Garrett for a few minutes, was he? He squeezed my arm and said, “All right, I’ll see you in a few minutes, angel. Don’t run away this time, okay?”
“I’ll think about it,” I murmured teasingly. “Now go before you’re late.”
Turning on his heel, he ambled off down the corridor and disappeared around the corner. When he was completely out of earshot, Garrett took the opportunity to speak.
“So, I can’t help but wonder … have you and Matt met before? You two seem awfully close. I was under the impression you didn’t know each other,” he inquired curiously.
Nonchalantly, I shrugged a shoulder and smiled. “Yeah, we grew up together. It was kind of a shock seeing him yesterday because I hadn’t talked to him in ten years. He’s come a long way since then.”
“Yes, he has,” Garrett agreed. “I’m sure he’s changed a lot since you knew him last, too. He’s one of the best MMA fighters in the circuit and all the women love him. You’ll see what it’s like tonight after the fight. He’ll usually have several of them lining up at the door waiting to get their chance with him.”
Gut clenching, I gritted my teeth as a spark of jealousy burned in my veins … again. I’d been trying to forget about that shit with Matt and the other women, but if I was going to be around him I had a feeling it would be thrown in my face at every turn. The question I really wanted the answer to was if he’d be able to resist temptation if another woman threw herself at him?
Doubting him led to one conclusion: I didn’t know if I could trust him yet. Staring out the glass doors of the arena, I could see Lexi power walk up the path, adjusting her camera along the way.
“Thank you for the insight, Garrett, but I don’t think my article will cover Matt’s sexual preferences,” I responded impassively. “Besides, what he does is his business, not mine.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” he confessed. “You’re different from the others and I’d hate to see someone like you get hurt because of him.”
Too late, the damage has already been done. Turning to him, I said, “Trust me. I have no intention of getting hurt by anyone. Thanks for the concern, though.”
Lexi burst through the doors at that moment with her camera in hand. “Shels, I’m so sorry I’m late,” she apologized. “The traffic was a bitch. I thought I’d never get here.” After straightening the camera around her neck, she held out her hand to Garrett. “Hey, I’m Lexi Martin.”
Garrett took her hand and grinned, making her blush crimson. “Garrett Wells. It’s nice to meet you. Now that you’re here, let’s go see the fighters in action.”