Page 50 of Four Cards Exposed

The old man shook his heads, smiling. “Moore said to give his top fighter whatever he wanted. I’m surprised you stayed a virgin this long.”

Behind him came a soft laugh. James turned to see Susan.

“Milena. What do you think? Come here and kiss it better.”

“Were you really a virgin, Jay?” she asked. Her fingers grazed the area around the tattoo, but she was careful not to touch the drawing itself.

“I’ll show you,” he drawled, grabbing her by the waist and pulling her onto his lap. It was what Jay would have done, but damn if he, James, didn’t want her there as well. The heat between them was as real as anything he’d ever felt before. It simply couldn’t be faked.

“I’ll leave you two alone,” the old man said, wrapping up his kit.

“You’re a real artist,” James said. He palmed a few notes and passed them to the old man as he shook his hand.

“Thanks. I’ll be watching you fight on Sunday.”

James nodded, not letting on that this was news to him.

So that’s when the fight will happen.

On his lap, Susan tensed as well. It took him a moment to realize it had nothing to do with the scratcher, and everything to do with the man striding towards them. James held on to her hips tighter when she made as if to stand up.

It was one of the few times he’d seen Guerrero frown. Clearly finding Susan—Milena—in another man’s arms was no cause for celebration. The scowl on his face told James it was more than just the fact that she was sitting on his lap. Somebody must have told Guerrero that they were sleeping together.

Careful not to remove his hand from Susan’s hip—he was staking his claim—James stood up, holding on to Susan beside him. So close beside him that even a straw wouldn’t fit between their bodies.

James held his ground as Guerrero came up to him—because it would be out of character for Jay to back down from a fight but, more than that, because James wanted to make it clear that he would go through anyone who posed a threat to his woman.

“Guerrero. How was your holiday?” he asked brazenly.

“What the fuck are you doing?”

James arched an eyebrow, purposefully misunderstanding the man. His hand stayed on Susan’s hip.

“Get your dirty paws off her,” Guerrero threatened.

“Guerrero, it’s not—“ Susan began.

James interrupted her, as if she hadn’t spoken.

She’s going to be so pissed off.

“Or what?” he asked coarsely. “She doesn’t belong to you.”

“I brought her here,” Guerrero said, puffing up his chest.

“She still doesn’t belong to you.”

“I don’t belong to either of you,” Susan said, her body fairly vibrating with energy. James knew she was seconds away from kicking him in the balls and walking away. Not how he needed this conversation to end.

“Tell her we’re together, Milena,” he said softly. His fingers ran gentle circles on the inside of her wrist, trying to get through to her.

Slowly, she relaxed.

“I’ve been spending some time with Jay, Guerrero,” she finally said, her voice a mere whisper.

“Did he force you?” Guerrero’s face had gone an angry shade of red.

“Fuck you, Guerrero. Maybe that’s how you would behave, but I don’t force women. I would never force a woman.”