Vicki Essex - In Her Corner

“Hey, killer.” The soft, husky voice that beckoned from the other end of the line had him sitting up. He’d know that siren’s call anywhere. “How’s it hanging?”

“Bree Hannigan.” A broad smile spread across his lips. “I thought you were in Australia.”

“I was. I’m in California right now, doing some photo shoots for Chanel.”

“Fancy. How are you?”

“Lonely,” she whimpered. “Henri and I broke up a few months ago.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” He wasn’t. Not really. Bree had followed the photographer to the other side of the world almost two years ago. She’d been crazy about the guy.

They caught up with each other’s lives. Bree told him about the dozens of exotic places she’d visited, complaining about how she’d had to live out of a suitcase and eat out all the time.

“Woe is me,” Kyle teased. “Touring the world first-class as a fashion model? What a trial.”

“You laugh, but you have no idea. All I really want is to relax and unwind in a big, comfy bed with a big, comfy man. Speaking of, I’m going to be in New Orleans in February. I was hoping we could...get comfy together.”

Heat rolled lazily south through his chest and lower. The last time they’d been together, they’d spent most of that time in her hotel room. It had been an unforgettable weekend. “I’d like that....”

A sliver of doubt pricked his libido, and he hedged. His performance of late had been subpar. He didn’t want to risk a misfire. “Let me know what your schedule’s going to be like. Things have been busy here.”

“Too busy for me?” He could hear her pout. “Kyle, have you been working too hard? You know stress only makes you tighten up.”

How she managed to make everything she said sound like sex, Kyle didn’t know. His gaze snagged on Bella as she tackled Orville, throwing her legs around his waist and dragging him to the ground. “I’ll make room in my schedule.”

“Good. I’ll see you soon.”

They hung up. Kyle was still smiling, but inside, threads of anticipation and dread tangled into a tight, messy knot.

* * *

BELLA SANK HER fists into the heavy bag, driving frustration into the leather and sand with each blow.

Wayne made her take a break. “You’re going at it a little hard today. Everything okay?”

“I want to get a good workout.” She took long, deep, calming breaths as she shook out her limbs. She was still frustrated by what had happened with Kyle. He’d been avoiding her since that incident, and part of her couldn’t blame him. She’d behaved irresponsibly—Fulvio would’ve turned her over and spanked her if she’d tackled an unprepared teacher the way she’d attacked Kyle. She couldn’t even say why she’d done it—it was that reckless impulse to mess with him she couldn’t control.

Still, she didn’t deserve the silent treatment.

Obviously Kyle had issues, and that thing between him and Karla was probably at the root of it. But it wasn’t as if she was going to put him into a compromising position and get him in trouble. Anyhow, how was she supposed to grapple with other men under his rules? She couldn’t jeopardize her training because Kyle was afraid of cooties.

At least the other guys had been generous with their time. Tito and Orville both took turns working with her, and Wayne had given her some terrific tips on her footwork. If it wasn’t for them, she might have packed up and left a week ago.

“Excuse me, are you Bella Fiore?”

A man in white shirtsleeves flashed a smile big enough to carry a logo. His thin black tie was loosened and he carried his dark gray suit jacket slung across one shoulder. She got the distinct impression he had to make a real effort to look that casual. He pulled his hand out of his pocket and handed her a business card. “Ryan Holbrooke. I’m a fight manager and agent.”

She wiped her arm across her sweaty brow and took the card with a gloved hand. “Is there something I can help you with, Mr. Holbrooke?”

“Call me Ryan, please. I’d heard you’d come from Brazil to train here and I wanted to stop by and meet you in person. I’m a big fan. I was hoping we could grab a drink sometime and discuss what your future might look like.”

She scratched her nose. “I appreciate the offer, but my family’s never used managers or agents. We take care of our own careers and book our own fights.”

“Oh, so you have a fight coming up?”

She bit her lip. “Well, no...”

“Because I happen to know of an upcoming event, and you’re exactly what their card needs.”

She gave him a skeptical once-over. On the surface everything about him seemed legit, but he gave off a vibe she couldn’t quite put her finger on. “What’s the fight?”

“I won’t lie, it’s local. Kind of small, but it’s a well-stacked league. Ever hear of Fury Fights?”

“Vaguely.”

“Well, they do a convention and exhibition card mid-November. Your opponent’s from Kansas—Betty The Hammer.”

“Yeah, I know of Betty Heimer,” Bella said. She’d fought and lost against one of Bella’s opponents a couple years back.

Ryan nodded. “I’ve got plenty more details. I’d be happy to discuss them with you.”

He was earnest, and he seemed open. It wouldn’t hurt to talk. If nothing else, she’d get free drinks.

They agreed on a time and place, and then Ryan left with a wave.

“Was that Ryan Holbrooke I saw walk out?” Tito asked.

“Yeah. Do you know him?”

“He’s a sports agent. He works with a lot of MMA fighters and boxers. You were talking to him?”

“He wants me to meet him for drinks. Says he might have a fight for me.”

“Huh. Interesting.” Tito folded his arms.

“What? You don’t think I should?”

“No, no. He’s an okay agent, I guess. He’s helped get his clients signed with some pretty big sponsors.”

“I hear a ‘but’ in there.”

Tito lifted one thick shoulder. “It’s nothing personal. For me, anyhow.”

“But it’s personal for someone...like Kyle?” she ventured.

His lips flattened out. “They have a thing.”

Bella scoffed. Were they in high school or something? Regardless, talking with Ryan Holbrooke shouldn’t be any concern of Kyle’s. If he had issues, he could bring them up with her. He was good at that.

“Do me a favor. Be careful around Ryan,” Tito warned. “He’s a smooth one.”

* * *

RYAN HOLBROOKE WAS smooth, all right. He met her at a swank restaurant in the Garden District where they started with drinks at the bar, then, as their conversation lengthened, moved to the restaurant for dinner. If she didn’t know any better, she would’ve thought it was a date.

She had to admit she was flattered by his attention, how he hung on her every word. Then again, if he wanted to snag her as a client, she didn’t expect him to ignore her the way Kyle did.

She’d done a quick internet search to check Ryan Holbrooke’s credentials, and he seemed to be the genuine article. He was good-looking, too, with flirty blue eyes, jet-black hair and a cocksure smile. He knew MMA, and had even competed for a while, so they didn’t run out of things to talk about. He didn’t challenge her or make her work too hard to like him. She’d forgotten what it was like to be with someone who appreciated her for who she was rather than someone who tried to mold her into something she wasn’t.

Ryan paused and regarded her frankly. “I have to ask...how is it a girl like you is still single? You are single, aren’t you?”

Her cheek ticked. “I’m not comfortable talking about it.” It wasn’t that the story made her particularly sad, but she’d just met Ryan, and sharing this kind of intimacy with him didn’t feel...natural. Besides, it wasn’t any of his business.