“Yeah?” He rubs his chin, making a show that he’s considering what I said. He lifts one eyebrow. “She single?”
I prop both hands on my hips and run an overly obvious gaze from his black athletic shoes to his eyes. “Maybe, but she’d only date a gentleman.”
He lifts his chin, then bites and releases his lip. “I could be a gentleman. I like role play.”
Adding sexy banter to the list of things this guy is good at, next to tampon retrieval, I make a mental note to stay the hell away from him. With an exaggerated roll of my eyes that I hope he’s smart enough to notice, I turn my back on the giant.
Clutching my broken bag, I wait on the girl to buzz me in, or whatever she has to do to get me away from this arrogant ass.
“Hmm, yeah. You’re not on the visitors list.” She shrugs like I should just grab my scraps of purse and leave.
On the inside, I’d be happy to slink away with what little is left of my pride. But my life doesn’t afford those luxuries. Not anymore. This is my only chance to move on.
“If you’ll get Mr. Gibbs on the phone, I’m sure he’ll vouch for me. My name is Lay—”
“Don’t worry, Vanessa. I got this.”
I drop my head and groan. He’s still here?
Whirling around to face him, I plan on telling him that he can go about his business and that I can take care of my damn self. But he’s standing no more than a foot away, and his eyes, which are the color of spring grass, penetrate mine. They’re intense, and… amused? He’s smiling, but only slightly. I narrow my gaze. His grin expands.
“Is there something you find particularly funny?”
He doesn’t answer, but continues to study my face. His eyes roam from my mouth to my neck and then back. What’s this guy’s problem?
I wave my hand in front of him. “Hello? Yo habla English?”
The side of his mouth lifts, and his eyes sparkle.
“Cat got your tongue?”
“Not a cat.” He takes a step closer. “But I’d give it to a mouse.”
He called me “Mouse” earlier. “What the hell does that mean?” I shift my loose belongings in my arms and dig for my phone. Anything to take my attention from the man towering above me. “Look, if you two won’t call Mr. Gibbs…” Shoveling junk to the side, I search every crevice of my purse. Where is it? Ah, there it is. I yank out my phone and scroll through my contacts. “I’ll call him myself.”
My phone is snagged from my hand. “Wha—”
“He’s not who you want.”
“You just… I can’t believe you just…” I thrust my hand forward and stomp my foot. “Give me my phone.” This guy has some nerve. I wish I could smack that smile from his face.
He plops my phone into my hand. “Come with me. I’ll take you to tryouts.” His voice no longer drags with a teasing tone, but is laced with sincerity, as if he’s really trying to help.
I don’t know if I should trust him. “I’m not going anywhere with you. I don’t even… who are you?”
“Whoever you want me to be, Mouse.” And he’s back to teasing.
“Look, Mr…?” Why is he smiling? I follow his eyes to my—oh my gosh.
He’s staring at my boobs.
I cross my arms at my chest and cock my hip. “I’m here for a job.”
His eyes flare as he stares at my breasts that I’ve now propped up on my forearms for his viewing pleasure.
I drop my arms and scowl. Ugh, why do I feel naked right now?
“Oh, I know why you’re here,” he says with a deep chuckle.
“No you don’t.” I’ve barely managed to get a word in.
“Mm-hm.”
“Fine, Mr. Mindreader. Why am I here?”
“Follow me.”
I don’t like him ordering me around, but I’ve got less than ten minutes before I’ll be considered late. Maybe if I follow him in I’ll be able to find someone to help me locate Mr. Gibbs.
I slide my pile of broken purse pieces from the reception desk. “Well, aren’t you…” Impossible. Annoying. Conceited. A groan rumbles up my throat. “Fine.”
“Some women call me fine, I prefer handsome.” He walks down a hallway, motioning for me to follow. “Sexy works too, or you can call me Blake.”
What is he, a friggin’ comedian? This guy’s so full of himself. It’s not like he’s some big shot fighter… oh no. Realization dawns in a face-flaming instant, and my one stroke of good luck is that I’m behind him so he can’t see me. He’s one of the UFL’s top fighters.
Blake Daniels, nicknamed “The Snake” for his submissions. Jiu-Jitsu black belt, fighting for the UFL since 2006, middleweight title contender. I read all about him in the prep email Mr. Gibbs sent me.
Blake has a big fight coming up. It’s the reason Mr. Gibbs wanted me to start right after the New Year so I could learn the ropes as the fight night approaches.