“Mike Sanderson, Mason Mahoney and Eve Dawson.” I still haven’t stopped looking at her, and just like the first night, the more I stare, the harder it is to look away.
Mason and Mike talk about something, but it’s white noise compared to the thump of my pulse in my ears. I knew I missed her, wanted to show up at her house a dozen different times, but I held back, knowing it was best for us both to end things. But now, now I’m gearing to rip Mason’s arm from his body if he doesn’t fucking drop it from her. He must feel her soft hair against his arm, her even softer body pressed to his ribs.
“What are you doing here, Eve?” The rumble in my chest makes it more of a growl than comprehendible words.
She pins me with a glare that goes straight to my dick, and fuck if I don’t want to provoke her into a fight.
“She’s with me, Cam.” There’s a smile in Mason’s voice.
I turn my frustration on him. “Is she?”
“Cameron.” Eve’s voice is stern, but even still the way she says my name makes me want to pull her head back and devour her mouth. My fingers itch to tangle in all that long hair. I flex my hands. Think before you act.
“Yep, lucky me, huh?” His fucking pretty-boy ass smiles even bigger. “I’m gonna take my girl to get a drink, and . . .”
Eve looks up at Mason, her eyes huge and her jaw loose on its hinges. She doesn’t seem to like being called his girl. A trickle of satisfaction tempers my anger.
We exchange a few mumbled words and a head nod before he guides her, his arm still slung over her shoulders, to the bar. I can’t help but watch the entire thing unfold, my eyes glued to their connection.
What was she thinking showing up to my house on the arm of one of my fighters? My guess is she’s trying to make me jealous, but that seems so beneath her. She’s young, sure, but from what little I know of her, she’s above this petty shit.
I excuse myself to go inside, making a quick run to my office. My stash of high-end liquor is locked up there. I pour three fingers of Remy XO into a crystal tumbler and drop into my leather club chair.
What’s a man supposed to do when tempted with a woman like Yvette Dawson? Young, gorgeous, and every single thing I need to stay away from.
*
Eve
I’ve had too much to drink. I told myself that I shouldn’t let my nerves dictate how thirsty I got, but knowing that Cameron is within range, feeling his eyes on me, I just kept throwing the drinks back.
Luckily the backyard misters are maintaining a pretty decent evening temperature. I scouted out a little bistro table and chairs away from the bulk of the party so I can lounge in the fresh air and try to clear my head.
As nice as Mason has been tonight, it’s pretty obvious he thinks my acceptance of this date means something. Referring to me as his girl in front of Cameron would’ve gotten him an elbow to the ribs if it weren’t for the obvious jealousy painted all over the hotshot UFL CEO’s face. But the knowledge that Cameron might still be interested in me, even now that he knows how old I am, has been doing a number on my heart all night.
Why can’t we just be honest with each other? Yeah, maybe we’re not the perfect match, but we’re clearly attracted to one another, have explosive chemistry when we’re naked, and don’t find the other insanely annoying. That’s more than most couples can say.
I drop my head back and close my eyes. It’s almost completely dark. As soon as the fireworks are finished, I’ll hit Mason up for a ride home, explaining that I’ve had too much to drink, which isn’t a lie, but it’s not really the problem either.
“What are you doing here?”
I jerk upright, searching the dark corner where the voice came from. “Cameron?”
He takes a few steps out of the shadows. His eyes drill holes in me. He looks mad. No, not mad. Furious. “Answer me.”
Okay, maybe I was wrong about him having feelings. At least, not the good kind.
“Mason invited me.”
“Why did you come?” His voice is so deep, demanding, nothing like Mason’s sweet cajoling tone.
My body responds immediately. Heart pounding, skin warming, womb tingling. “Had nothing else to do.”
He tilts his head, studying me. “Try again.”
“It’s true.” I shrug and lean back with a slow cross of my bare legs. Hold on! I’m being seductive. I’m trying to seduce him?
“You expect me to believe that your coming here tonight has nothing to do with me.”
“I don’t care what you believe, but yeah, that’s the truth.”
A wounded expression crosses his features before he reins it in. “You and Mason.”
I should tell him it’s none of his business. Or hell yeah, me and Mason, what’re you going to do about it, asshole. “No.”
“No?”
I shake my head.
“He know that?”
The rough edge of his voice makes my toes curl. “He’s not really in tune to my subtle hints.”
A low growl rumbles in his throat. “I’ll interpret.”