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I went through the motions, making polite chit chat and flashing a smile for the cameras. It was all part of the game, the image I had to uphold as a public figure. But my mind was in another place, drifting from the endless small talk.
I found myself thinking about Ava's pretty face and her long legs in a sleek dress. Shaking my head, I looked towards the ballroom entrance, trying to think about anything else.
And then, there she was. The woman who somehow managed to break through my carefully constructed walls.
Her long green dress clung to her in all the right places. The way she carried herself, the confidence in her stride...she was impossible to ignore.
My heart thudded with each step she made in her heels. Damn, I couldn’t look away. I stuffed my hands in my pockets. My cock jerked. No, not here, in the middle of this party. The world didn’t need to know how much I wanted Ava.
I watched as she interacted with others, her laughter ringing through the air, drawing my attention like a magnet. As my eyes followed her movements, I couldn't help but notice the way other men looked at her.
Jealousy surged. My possessive side wanted to be the only one who could make her laugh like that and hold her attention. Yeah, my attitude was problematic, or whatever the term was these days. It was also new to me, shaking the core of the control I spent a lifetime maintaining.
The mayor's ball was supposed to be just another event on my schedule, another obligation to fulfill. Yet as I continued to steal glances in her direction, I realized this night might hold more. I took a deep breath before I put one foot in front of the other to get to her.
AVA
I NAVIGATED THROUGH the elegant crowd at the mayor's ball. I had to gather information for my write-up, and this was the perfect opportunity to learn more about MMA’s influence on the town beyond the gym. Conversations flowed around me, snippets of laughter and light discussions mingling in the air.
I made my way to different groups, both locals and people from the MMA world, introducing myself and trying to subtly slip in questions. Most people were more than willing to share their opinions about their favorite fighters. More than a few mentioned Ryder, praising his ringcraft. The more I listened, the more I realized what I really needed was to talk to the man himself.
Just as I was about to put away my reporter hat and enjoy the rest of the night, I felt a light touch on the small of my back. In an instant, my body recognized Ryder’s touch from the brief time we were on the gym floor together. My heart leaped at the tap of his fingertips on my bare skin where the dress had a draped opening.
I turned to find him standing behind me, his eyes fixed on me with an intensity that sent excitement and desire down my spine. He stood confident in a tux. The fabric clung to his broad shoulders, accentuating the strong frame I’d seen countless times in the gym. His dark hair was combed back, with the waves still breaking free to frame his face. He wore a faint smile, his eyes alight with the familiar charm and a new glint of mischief.
He leaned in close, his voice a low murmur. "You could talk to the source, you know."
My pussy tingled both from the sound of his voice and the leathery notes of his cologne. I arched an eyebrow, a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. "I tried. The source won't let me in."
Ryder's lips formed into a grin, while amusement danced in his eyes. He gestured toward a quiet hallway outside of the ballroom. "How about we fix the situation?"
I followed his lead as we slipped away from the crowd. His tux, a deep charcoal gray, complemented his olive skin tone, and the crisp white shirt beneath it hinted at the strength beneath the elegant facade. A black tie completed the ensemble, adding a touch of sophistication to his rugged frame. Every move he made was confident, his presence commanding attention in the room.
We got out into the hall and moved around to a darkened corner. As we stood there, staring at each other, I felt the sexual tension between us wash over my skin. Hot, thick enough to hang in the air. Or maybe I had enough of it for the two of us.
On second thought, it wasn’t just me. Ryder’s eyes darkened. His pupils were dilated as he focused only on me. The tension between us was a strong cocktail of playfulness and unspoken desire.
"I know it works with cage fighting, but you’re dodgy out of the ring, too." I kept my remark lighthearted as I leaned against the wall.
My work involved analyzing more than just words. I observed his body language. It looked like he was simply propping his arm against the wall next to my head. Yet it also sent a message to anyone who might come by to interrupt us: Stay away.
This was our time together. No one else allowed.
And I didn’t mind.
Ryder’s head was close to mine as he leaned in. "Dodgy? Is that what you think of me?"
I tilted my head to give a direct gaze. "Let's just say you go the distance when I'm trying to get the scoop on you at the gym."
He gave an innocent shrug before he touched the green velvet shoulder strap of my dress. He pushed a finger beneath the strap, caressing my skin with the lightest of touches. "I'm not dodging you now, am I?"
The way he looked at me and touched me made me feel hot all over, even though goosebumps formed along my arms. “I don’t know. If I ask you a question, are you going to say something like how you never kiss and tell?”
There was a charged pause between us. And then, almost as if it was the most natural thing in the world, I found myself raising my head as Ryder leaned in. Our lips met in a secret kiss, a rush of heat and desire surging between us.
Time slowed to a halt. My heart clamored in my chest as Ryder admitted his attraction to me without saying a word. I became bolder. I reached out to him, running my fingers through his hair as he pulled me in closer, deepening the kiss. His lips were both firm and soft against mine. I was glad we were in this secret corner of the hall. No one could hear the small moan escape from me as his hands explored my body.
Ryder stepped forward holding me, pressing me against the wall. His hands roamed over my dress. The soft velvet scraped against my flesh as he traced the curves of my hips and behind. My nipples peaked against the tight bodice of my dress. Caught up in the heat of the moment, I almost forgot where we were.
