Holding Strong
Page 131
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Worry kept her brows slightly pinched even as she gave a nod of agreement. Indicating the rec center, she said, “Everyone here could now be in danger. More so if I’m out of reach.”
“I know. Cannon and I talked about it. He’s going to add some additional security, guys who’ll be at the doors seeing everyone to and from their cars.”
“Our friends...”
The way she included herself when speaking about the others in their group further lightened his mood. Little by little, she came to realize she wasn’t alone. Not anymore. “Got that covered, too. Cannon’s already keeping a close watch on Yvette and Merissa.” Nothing new in that. He was always extra vigilant when it came to his fiancée and sister. “Stack’s happy to stick close to Vanity. Gage is with Harper.”
“And you’re with me.”
A statement, not a question. He confirmed anyway. “I’m with you.” Damn, but he loved her more every second of every day. “Miles, Brand and Leese will pitch in to help with door duty.” He said again, “It’s covered. No need for you to worry.”
A wistful smile flickered over her mouth. “I’m not sure I can keep myself from it. Please don’t take it as an insult.”
He smiled, too. “All right. As long as you share your worry with me.”
Now she laughed. “Like you give me a choice in that?” Going on tiptoe, she kissed him. “We should head in before one of those women steals Armie’s towel. I swear, it looks like they’re considering it.”
Denver turned and saw the truth of that. One woman kept fingering the edge of the towel until Armie caught her wrist and laughingly reprimanded her. “Did I tell you he’s advancing to the SBC?” While leading her in, Denver updated her on Armie’s career. His friend deserved to be happy.
But Denver had a feeling it’d take more than the elite fight organization to accomplish that. And if Armie didn’t stop dodging the truth, he just might miss his chance.
* * *
PLEASED WITH HOW things had rolled out, Armie made his excuses and escaped the bold women. Bold, ha! One had suggested he just lose the towel right there on the curb, for every passerby to see. When he’d refused, the other asked for just a peek.
To keep up his rep, he’d considered it, even pretended he might. They didn’t bother hiding their disappointment when he laughed and only tightened the towel.
Crazy ladies, but man, he loved a bold chick. The bolder the better.
He smiled as he entered the rec center and headed for the hall leading to the locker room. With his thoughts occupied, he almost plowed into Rissy when she stepped out of the break room.
He stopped short. With her head down, she didn’t. She bounced into his chest, then stumbled back.
She made an automatic grab for him—and got his towel.
Armie caught her shoulder to keep her from falling. “Easy, Stretch.” At the same time, he turned her so her back was to his front.
His ass now faced the gym and he just knew someone was in the right position to take in his inadvertent show.
Rissy didn’t say a single word. She just stood there, frozen stiff, her shoulders slightly raised as if caught in a wince.
Leaning around her, Armie took in her face. Eyes screwed tight. Lips caught in her teeth.
His towel clutched in one hand.
“Mind if I retrieve this?” He pried her fingers loose and quickly rewrapped his lower body. Amused—and oddly turned on—he asked, “You going to faint?”
“Maybe.”
Grinning, he glanced back over his shoulder and got a titillated wave from Vanity, a wink from Harper. A second later Gage scooped up his wife like a football and, not even bothering to acknowledge Armie, disappeared from sight.
That left Vanity standing there, until Stack stepped in front of her, blocking her view.
Armie laughed. “Thanks to you, I just flashed the masses.”
She said nothing.
Sighing, Armie bodily turned her to face him. He waited patiently until she’d peeked open one eye. “You okay?”
Seeing he was now decently covered, she released a breath and opened both eyes. “You may have stunted my growth.”
“You’re tall enough.” While she was willowy slim, she stood only an inch or so shorter than his six feet, and every inch of her appealed to him. “If you grew much more, you’d tower over your brother.”
“He’s three inches taller than me.”
“Doin’ the math, huh? Still makes you tall, Stretch. Especially for a girl.” While she grew disgruntled from his teasing—as he’d intended—Armie let his gaze drift over her again. She wore a simple, stretchy sleeveless cotton dress that showed the narrowness of her waist, the subtle swell of her breasts and hips. It ended several inches above her knees, showcasing those impossibly long, trim, shapely legs. No jewelry, very little makeup, flat sandals and her hair loose.
“I know. Cannon and I talked about it. He’s going to add some additional security, guys who’ll be at the doors seeing everyone to and from their cars.”
“Our friends...”
The way she included herself when speaking about the others in their group further lightened his mood. Little by little, she came to realize she wasn’t alone. Not anymore. “Got that covered, too. Cannon’s already keeping a close watch on Yvette and Merissa.” Nothing new in that. He was always extra vigilant when it came to his fiancée and sister. “Stack’s happy to stick close to Vanity. Gage is with Harper.”
“And you’re with me.”
A statement, not a question. He confirmed anyway. “I’m with you.” Damn, but he loved her more every second of every day. “Miles, Brand and Leese will pitch in to help with door duty.” He said again, “It’s covered. No need for you to worry.”
A wistful smile flickered over her mouth. “I’m not sure I can keep myself from it. Please don’t take it as an insult.”
He smiled, too. “All right. As long as you share your worry with me.”
Now she laughed. “Like you give me a choice in that?” Going on tiptoe, she kissed him. “We should head in before one of those women steals Armie’s towel. I swear, it looks like they’re considering it.”
Denver turned and saw the truth of that. One woman kept fingering the edge of the towel until Armie caught her wrist and laughingly reprimanded her. “Did I tell you he’s advancing to the SBC?” While leading her in, Denver updated her on Armie’s career. His friend deserved to be happy.
But Denver had a feeling it’d take more than the elite fight organization to accomplish that. And if Armie didn’t stop dodging the truth, he just might miss his chance.
* * *
PLEASED WITH HOW things had rolled out, Armie made his excuses and escaped the bold women. Bold, ha! One had suggested he just lose the towel right there on the curb, for every passerby to see. When he’d refused, the other asked for just a peek.
To keep up his rep, he’d considered it, even pretended he might. They didn’t bother hiding their disappointment when he laughed and only tightened the towel.
Crazy ladies, but man, he loved a bold chick. The bolder the better.
He smiled as he entered the rec center and headed for the hall leading to the locker room. With his thoughts occupied, he almost plowed into Rissy when she stepped out of the break room.
He stopped short. With her head down, she didn’t. She bounced into his chest, then stumbled back.
She made an automatic grab for him—and got his towel.
Armie caught her shoulder to keep her from falling. “Easy, Stretch.” At the same time, he turned her so her back was to his front.
His ass now faced the gym and he just knew someone was in the right position to take in his inadvertent show.
Rissy didn’t say a single word. She just stood there, frozen stiff, her shoulders slightly raised as if caught in a wince.
Leaning around her, Armie took in her face. Eyes screwed tight. Lips caught in her teeth.
His towel clutched in one hand.
“Mind if I retrieve this?” He pried her fingers loose and quickly rewrapped his lower body. Amused—and oddly turned on—he asked, “You going to faint?”
“Maybe.”
Grinning, he glanced back over his shoulder and got a titillated wave from Vanity, a wink from Harper. A second later Gage scooped up his wife like a football and, not even bothering to acknowledge Armie, disappeared from sight.
That left Vanity standing there, until Stack stepped in front of her, blocking her view.
Armie laughed. “Thanks to you, I just flashed the masses.”
She said nothing.
Sighing, Armie bodily turned her to face him. He waited patiently until she’d peeked open one eye. “You okay?”
Seeing he was now decently covered, she released a breath and opened both eyes. “You may have stunted my growth.”
“You’re tall enough.” While she was willowy slim, she stood only an inch or so shorter than his six feet, and every inch of her appealed to him. “If you grew much more, you’d tower over your brother.”
“He’s three inches taller than me.”
“Doin’ the math, huh? Still makes you tall, Stretch. Especially for a girl.” While she grew disgruntled from his teasing—as he’d intended—Armie let his gaze drift over her again. She wore a simple, stretchy sleeveless cotton dress that showed the narrowness of her waist, the subtle swell of her breasts and hips. It ended several inches above her knees, showcasing those impossibly long, trim, shapely legs. No jewelry, very little makeup, flat sandals and her hair loose.
