Page 101 of Forgotten Comeback

Not ready to tell her the real reason, I shrug, grabbing my fork and digging in, even though I’m not hungry anymore. “You can find anything online.”

She grabs her fork and takes a bite. “This is good. But next time, I’m making French toast. Your washboard abs will just have to deal with it.”

So there will be a next time. Good to know.

“You been checking out my washboard abs?” I taunt her.

“How could I not? I’ve only seen you in a shirt a handful of times,” she retorts.

“Uh-huh,” I drawl, loving the way her eyes spark with excitement when we go toe to toe. “But then how could I show off my love bite?” I tap my shoulder.

“Oh my God.” She examines her teeth imprint with her fingertips. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.” I’ll wear this like a damn badge of honor.

We finish breakfast, and I help her put the dishes away. My phone buzzes on the table, and I grab it.

Mandatory family meeting.

“Oh, shit.” I run my hand through my hair. “I’ve gotta go. Training this morning.” Halfway true, as I have a training session later today.

“Where are you training, now that Ace’s…” Taylor trails off.

Burnt to the ground?

“At the arena.”

“Maybe you can ask someone if they found the Round 1 sign,” she tells me.

“I’ll lift the damn ring and get it myself, if that’s what it takes,” I promise.

“Alright, tough guy.” She wraps her arms around my neck, and I squeeze her bare ass, stealing a quick kiss.

“You need a shirt,” she says against my lips.

“Still looks better on you. Still would look better off you,” I tell her smoothly.

“Get out of here,” Taylor says, dropping her arms and giving me a playful shove.

That gets her ass more than a playful smack in return before I head to the door. Something hits my back, and I turn around. My shirt’s crumbled into a ball at my feet.

“We’ve been here before,” I muse, my eyes taking a stroll up and down her naked body. “And while I’d love to masturbate with you, I’ll have to take a rain check.” My dick’s screaming at me, but I ignore it as I grab the wadded-up shirt, giving Taylor a kissy-kissy face just to rile her up before I walk out the door.

My first stop is to get my badge of honor inked, and then I roll into Inferno’s office.

“What are these Phoenix invoices for a renovation project in the Arts District?” John demands by way of greeting, slamming down a stack of papers. “You know my company’s hemorrhaging cash with the Diamond project delays.”

“Glad to see you too, brother.” I take a seat, sipping on my protein shake.

“Is that blood on your shirt?” John narrows his eyes.

“Paint,” I correct him.

“Gavin has a ring girl ‘friend,’” Inferno tells John.

“Since when do you have girl ‘friends?’” John looks at me like I’ve sprouted three heads.

I shrug. “Since I got a girlfriend.” Taylor’s stubborn as hell, but I’ll get my girl locked in.