Page 66 of His Greatest Muse
He growls against my mouth, nipping at my lip as if to punish me for trying to speak.
I tug at his shirt and yank myself back, scolding the devilish part of me that demands I shut up and kiss him again. “We’re not alone,” I whisper.
He narrows his eyes on me, annoyed. Reluctantly, he pulls himself back just enough to glance over my shoulder. Without turning to follow his line of vision, I know he’s staring at my dad.
Finally, he speaks, his voice rough and sore-sounding. “I don’t care if he’s here. I’ve been without you all day.”
A simple statement that makes me feel a veryunsimpleway. My hand shoots out on its own, curling around his ink-covered forearm, the grip possessive.
“I missed you too,” I murmur. Our eyes catch and hold as the words settle. The way he’s looking at me lights a fire in my gut, burning deep.
He traces my mouth with his thumb. “Are you nervous?”
“No.”
He almost smiles. “Good girl.”
“You should get ready to go, Tiny,” Dad says, cutting through the tension that’s built around Noah and me with swift efficiency.
The angry huff that escapes Noah is sexy as hell. If Dad weren’t here, I’d ask him to do it again. I’ve never found that noise attractive before.
“He’s right. It’s almost time.” I speak low for only Noah to hear. “I’ll see you when I win?”
He nods once and then takes my mouth again, gentler this time. It’s a good-luck kiss. I melt into it, using it to motivate me.
“Yes. I’ll be here,” he mutters against my lips.
It’s all I need to hear. I’m ready to kick this woman’s ass. And once I’m done, I’ll figure out how to explain what’s happening with Noah to my father before he starts a second fight.
I just have to hope he waits that long.
26
NOAH
Braden wants to kill me.The curl of my smile tells him that I find the idea interesting, if not pitiful.
Sierra opted to take the seat beside me in the crowd, putting distance between her husband and me. It was a smart move. We’re front row beside the fighting ring, surrounded by loud, obnoxious people discussing their bets for tonight. Tinsley’s name is sung throughout the arena, a guaranteed win in the minds of the majority. She wouldn’t believe me if I told her that.
I’ve been to more of her fights than I have shitty dive bars. This environment has yet to feel at all enticing. Watching Tinsley fight is painful for me. She rarely loses, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t bleed. Bleed and cry and hurt.
“I’m glad you got the time off to come tonight. I know it means a lot to Tiny,” Sierra says, offering me a familiar soft smile. It’s her daughter’s smile.
“I wouldn’t miss it.”Obviously.
“I know, but still. It says a lot about you.”
Braden scoffs beside her. His wife swats at his thigh as I bite my tongue to keep from telling him to fuck off.
“You’ve always been good to her.” Leaning toward me, she adds in a lowered voice, “Even if my stubborn husband can’t see that.”
This entire conversation is weird and uncomfortable. Braden must have been blabbing to her about what he saw in the locker room. Tinsley’s mom has never given me this much of her attention before, and she sure as fuck hasn’t told me that I’m good for her daughter either.
I don’t know how to respond. Discomfort makes my skin itch below the surface. When the fuck is this fight supposed to start?
Easton adjusts himself on my other side and mutters, “Stop terrifying him, Mom.”
“I’m not scaring him! Am I scaring you, Noah?”