Page 22 of Forgotten Comeback

I shake my head. “Think I’ve got it.”

“Good deal. I’ll be hanging around if there’s any issue. Just give me a shout.”

“Will do.”

Before getting my table set up, I mosey over to the makeshift bar. Of course, Mia’s chatting it up with Gavin. With the clearing of my throat, I say, “Hey, Mia.”

“Hey.” Mia smiles at me, and I lean over and kiss her, marking my territory.

Pulling back, I say coolly, “Gavin.” I’d rather be drawn and quartered than admit I had a sex dream starring this man.

“Taylor,” he says in an amused tone.

“Bathroom break. I’ll be back in a minute,” Mia tells us.

I wait until she’s gone before jabbing my finger in Gavin’s direction. “Before you eventhinkof hitting on Mia, she’s my girlfriend, so back off.”

“Real-ly?” he drawls. “The same woman who wouldn’t go down on you is now your girlfriend?”

I cross my arms, hating Gavin for being privy to that intimate detail. Obviously, I don’t want to pressure Mia to do something she isn’t comfortable with. But I’m hoping her hesitation is because this is all new territory, and she’ll eventually come around. “Don’t worry about what goes on in my bed.”

His lips curl into a taunt of a smirk. “I’m guessing not a whole hell of a lot. Your right hand’s gonna get carpal tunnel from all the masturbating you’ll have to do.”

I lift my shoulder unbothered, feeling anything but. “My hand, my relationship.”

Gavin leans over the bar, clasping his hands. Which, annoyingly, are just as pretty as his face. Nice thick fingers with neatly manicured nails. His right knuckles are busted up, and I’m wondering how they got that way. “You realize Mia hit onmewhile she was out with you that night.”

“Mia and I weren’t together then,” I argue, hating that he has a fucking point.

He smiles smugly, rising to full height. “Whatever you say.”

“Why do you even care?” I snap.

He lifts a muscular shoulder. “It’s like in boxing when your opponent’s telegraphing his moves; I can see your KO from a mile away.”

“At least it won’t beyouknocking me on my ass this time.” I spin on my heel and march back to my table.

“Hate to see you go, but still love to watch you walk away, man-eater,” Gavin calls after me.

Gavin

Why do you even care?

Good fucking question.

Forcing my eyes away from the fiery redhead, I set my sights on Mia. Slow and methodical, that’s my approach. A flirty smile here. A lingering touch there.

The evening proceeds with the sexual tension simmering nicely in the background. Feeling eyes on me, I glance over to Taylor, who’s giving me an eat shit look. I give her a kissy-kissy face.

She snaps her attention back to the blackjack table, and I grab Mia’s hand. “Let’s take a break.”

“Yeah,” she eagerly agrees.

I lead her to the storage closet doubling as the break room, closing the door behind us. Patting my pocket, I grab a single cigarette and my lighter, needing to settle myself for some reason.

“Didn’t know you smoked,” Mia comments.

“Allow myself one a day,” I tell her honestly as I light up. Taking a puff, I offer the cigarette to her, but she shakes her head. “Don’t tell my trainer,” I joke. Not that being in peak physical condition matters with me throwing bouts.