I have a date.

  A real one.

  Things are starting to look up. I just hope it stays that way.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  CHARLOTTE

  My feet feel like they are filled with lead as we walk across the red carpet, bypassing the event photographer and the few news reporters who are outside, hoping to get a few shots of the headliner and the wealthy guests.

  Drew had pre-warned me it could be a little overwhelming going in, but once inside, the atmosphere is different and the only photographer is the event’s organised one.

  He has been coming here ever since he was old enough to attend. His dad had also attended when he was younger. His friend was a fighter for the organisation and then his son when he retired. Silas isn’t the only relative of Drew’s who attends. Drew explained this is where his mum and dad met and had their one-night stand. He assured me Grace hasn’t attended for a few years now, so I won’t have to worry about bumping into her. I’m afraid if we do, I’ll end up blurting out my sins over the hotel. That said, either Wesley or a representative for the family attend in their place.

  My stomach is weighed down with nerves as we step inside the hotel. With its high-ceilings and marble floors, it seems much like the last hotel we were at, but there’s a hint of richness here that the other place didn’t have. I can’t put my finger on it. Even as the staff direct and guide people, they have an air of money about them. There isn’t a member of staff who has a stain on their shirt, one who forgot to wear the right shoes or even forgot to tidy their hair. Everything here is immaculate, including them.

  I run my hand down my dress, self-conscious as a woman elegantly walks past, wearing a gold shimmer dress that falls in waves at her ankles. Jewels drip from her neck and ears. She screams money, wealth, but that isn’t what is making me self-conscious. It’s the sophistication, the way she holds herself as she walks. She seems sure, confident, and has a glow of air around her. Like she belongs.

  I’ll never have that.

  The only time I’ve ever felt an ounce of that confidence is with Drew, but only sexually. Any other time I feel like a blithering idiot who speaks too much.

  Drew, reaching for my hand, links our fingers together. He looks handsome in his white, crisp shirt, and black slack trousers. It’s his wavy hair down, his leather jacket, and boots that add to his sex appeal. He has a body women want to reach out and touch. They wouldn’t be able to help themselves. Even now, women of various ages are gawking and admiring his physique.

  And who could blame them.

  I also don’t miss the looks some of them are throwing my way. I’m used to those looks. People give them to me all the time. This is why I prefer books, kids, and animals. They aren’t judgemental or mean.

  Pulling me against his chest, Drew then brushes my hair over my shoulder, causing a shudder to run down my spine. “Have I told you how gorgeous you look tonight?”

  I melt against him, giving him a lopsided smile. “You have. Five times.”

  His pupils darken as he leans down, capturing my lips. “I guess it was worth mentioning more than once.” He pulls back, putting space between us to look at my red suede dress. It’s an off the shoulders, low cut, knee-length, and form-fitting dress. It clings to my body like a second skin. My boobs look pretty freaking good too. I have to remember to thank the girls tomorrow. It isn’t me, but it is.

  I kept my makeup light, not wanting to overdo it. My lipstick, however, is, and I love the blood red. My hair is in thick curls, two strands tied at the back with a silver daisy clip.

  “So, what happens at these things?” I ask as we move forward in the line.

  “Well, I come for the fights and to support a good cause. For the others, it’s a hit and miss. Some are here to make and meet more connections, to show off, or for the good press. Then others are here solely for the cause and fights.”

  My stomach turns at the word fight. I can’t deny I’m not the littlest bit interested. I am. But each time I really think about what we’re walking into, I picture Landon in his hospital bed, bloody and bruised. I hear the sounds of the machines flatlining, the wails of my family crying out for their loved one.

  “And people enjoy the fighting?”

  His scrutiny has me shifting in my high heels. “It’s not that kind of fighting. It’s not watching someone walk down an alley to beat someone up.” I tense, flinching at the reminder. That was what happened to Landon. “It’s a sport; a combat sport people enjoy taking part in for various reasons.”

  I lean in so no one overhears and gets offended. “Do they not, like, get hurt?”

  He chuckles, pulling me against his chest. “Babe, they are trained to block it out, to keep going.”

  I wind my arms around his neck. “I’m sorry. I’m being a baby.”

  He groans, dropping his head back. “I should have known. This is about Landon,” he states, meeting my gaze. “Babe, if you want to go, we can go. We can go find a restaurant or club to check into.”

  I tuck his hair behind his ear. Even in heels I have to tiptoe to reach. “No, I want to stay…” I trail off, seeing Woods from Tease. A wide smile pulls at the corner of my lips. “Woods? What are you doing here?”

  The two women in front of him turn at the sound of my voice.

  Oh no.

  “Shit!” Drew whispers.

  “Drew?” Natalie calls out, excitement shining in her eyes. That dims the minute her eyes land on me.

  Paying no attention to them, I turn back to Woods. He beams, pushing lightly past the queue to get to me. “Charlie, what are you doing here?”

  I lightly shake my head, forgetting the two women strutting toward us. “Me? What are you doing here? I thought you worked for Tease?”

  “Isn’t that a strip club?” Eloise snidely remarks.

  I beam, arching an eyebrow. “Yes, do you know it well?”

  “God no.”

  Woods chuckles, poking me in the shoulder. “This one is a regular. Dave, the boss, threatened to ban her the first night she came, but look at that face. How could you ban that?”

  I push his hand away, giggling. “He’s just jealous I have moves.”

  His eyes widen in horror as he turns to Drew. “Be careful when she dances.”

  I press further into Drew. “I said I was sorry about that black eye.”

  “Why am I not surprised she dances?” Eloise bites out.

  Drew tenses beside me. “Actually, she was there at first to research for a book she was writing,” he tells her, before reaching a hand out to Woods. “I’m Drew.”

  “Keep an eye on this one tonight,” Woods warns, but the smile doesn’t slip from his lips. “I’m Woods, by the way.”

  “She stripped?” Natalie wryly gets out.

  Drew gives her his attention briefly. “No.”

  I nod, agreeing with him. “I stayed ‘cause I like it there.”

  “She really does,” Woods comments before turning to me. “I need to get back to it. I’ll catch up with you later.”

  I reach for his sleeve. “Wait, you didn’t answer my question.”

  He gives the intruders a side glance before glancing at me, grinning. “I offer my services at the charity events. Dave knows and is always onboard with giving me time off.”

  “He’s such sweet guy.”

  He chuckles. “I’ll let him know you said that.”

  He leaves and I turn to Drew. “He’s one of my favourite bouncers. He didn’t get mad at me like the others.”

  “Why did they get mad?”

  I shrug, glancing away. “I’m not sure. I mean, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with my dancing. I thought I did quite good. And no matter what Mathew said, I did not start that fight. Also, one didn’t like it when he caught me feeling Nyla’s boobs. I swear, you couldn’t tell they were fake at all,” I tell him, turning to Eloise, who is still trying to pull Drew’s attention away from me. “Unlike yours. You should see if she’ll tell you where she had them done.”

  Her lips clamp shut for a moment, her expression tightening. “You bitch.”

  I rear back at her outburst, my entire body shaking. “Excuse me?”

  “As if you would say that,” Natalie snaps. “Is this really who you want to be associated with?”

  Drew snorts. “Even if she did say it to be a bitch, which she didn’t, I’d still be standing right here. Eloise has done fuck all but make snide comments about her since they met.”

  “We came over here—”

  He holds his hand up, stopping his sister. “To be nosey.”

  She huffs. “We’ll speak to you later.”

  “You do that,” he tells her, before taking my hand, pushing us inside the room where the event is being held.

  I gape at the scene when we step through. Men and women are dressed to the nines, flouncing around with their jewels and drinks.

  Large round tables surround the area around the balcony. It’s loud in here, not just from the music playing in the background but the people talking. And not all of it is coming from up here.

  Letting Drew’s hand slip from mine, I make my way to the balcony bars, my breath hitching as I gaze at the scene below us. A large square ring sits in the middle of the floor below. Men and women surround the area, barking orders to the two fighters inside the ring.

  I grimace at the sight of blood spurting from the guy’s nose. The crowd below cheers, some standing while some remain sitting. The atmosphere is electrifying. The whole place is wired.

  The two men in the ring step back from each other, both faces already swelling and bleeding. When the guy in the middle gives them an order and steps back, they go at it again, circling each other like predators.

  A pair of arms wrap around me and I lean back into Drew’s embrace. His hands press down on my stomach as he bends, pressing his cheek against mine.

  “So, what do you think?”

  I don’t answer at first, too mesmerised by their movements. It isn’t just their bodies, or hands, it’s everything from their feet to the way they position their torso. It’s an art form.

  I glance into the crowd, watching the faces of those spectating, and they are just as mesmerised. Men look on with envy and frustration. Women ogle, salivating at the mouth, yet some are just as into this as the men. But it’s the women trying to get closer to the fighters who hold my attention. There’s an attraction there that I have seen with women and celebrity crushes.

  “It’s making me want to write a book about fighters,” I murmur.

  His fingers tighten on my stomach, pulling me closer against his chest. “Do your research as up and personal as you did with your last books?”

  I nod absently, watching as one of the fighters are crowned the winner. A team rushes into the ring to attend to them both but it’s one of the women who rushes straight up to the winner, jumping and wrapping her legs around his waist that I’m watching. “She seems happy for him.”

  “Maybe you could do one about a gym owner who teaches boxing?”

  I grin, tilting my head to the side to look up at him. “That sounds like it could be interesting.”

  He nods, turning me in his arms. “And very hot. They could have sex on a weight bench.”

  I press my face into his chest. I still can’t believe we did that; that I had been the one to initiate it. When I pull back, his smirk is downright dirty. “You’re messing with me, aren’t you?”

  “A little, but I’d prefer it if you watched me rather than some other fighter.”

  I giggle at his pout. “If I ever do, you’ll be the first person I come to.”

  “Drew, Natalie said you were here,” Wesley announces. We turn, giving him our attention.

  “Wesley, you look dashing,” I tell him.

  He grins, eyeing me up and down but not in a sleazy way. “And you look absolutely breath-taking, dear.”

  Drew reaches out, shaking his hand. “I didn’t think you were coming.”

  There’s a gleam in Wesley’s eyes. “We’ve sponsored a new fighter. Tonight will be his first tournament.”

  “Which one is it?” Drew asks, pulling out his programme.

  “It’s Green. He’s good. I’ve seen him practice.”

  Drew arches his eyebrow. “You’ve never taken this much of an interest.”

  Wesley steps closer, glancing around to make sure no one will overhear. “Between you and me; me and the guys from work have a little bet going tonight.”

  “Aw, will the winner be giving the funds to the charity?” I ask.

  Drew presses his fist to his mouth as he covers up his cough. “Yes, Wesley, is that what will happen?”

  “Oh, there’s Dean. I must go say hello,” he rushes out before stepping past us. He stops, turning back. “Oh, your sister is here tonight. She asked for the spare ticket.”

  “We’ve already seen her.”

  He nods. “Enjoy your night.”

  Drew chuckles. “You really got him there.”

  My brows scrunch together. “What do you mean?”

  Bewildered, pulls me closer. “The money isn’t going to Charity. They don’t let them take bets here because they aren’t licensed to.”

  My eyes widen, searching out Wesley, who is talking to an older fellow. “He wouldn’t do that, would he?”

  “Oh, he is, but his face when you called him out was priceless.”

  “I didn’t know.”

  “That’s what makes it funnier.”

  “What do you do at these things?” I don’t want to bore him or make him wish he didn’t bring me.

  “First, I’ll go find our table, then get you a drink. Then it’s just a night of watching the fights and catching up with people. You’ll also get to meet some of the fighters up here.”

  My eyes go round. “No way.”

  He pulls me to the other side of the room. “Don’t sound too excited.”

  “Oh, there’s your dad,” I blurt out, staring at the table up ahead.

  “You okay with him being here?”

  I give him a side glance. “Of course I am. I wouldn’t mind getting to know him.”

  I turn as we reach the table, pasting on my best smile. “Silas, it’s good to see you again.”

  Pulling his attention from the lady he was in mid conversation with, he turns to see us. A grin spreads across his face. “Son, Charlotte,” he greets, getting up. I give him a brief hug before stepping closer to Drew. Silas glances down at the clutch in my hand. “No bigger bag tonight?”

  I wave my hand dismissively. “No. It didn’t go with my outfit, and my other bag, Katnip chewed on the lid of an orgasm cream and it exploded everywhere.”

  He bursts out laughing, his eyes shining. The lady beside him winces. “Was it the Milo cream?”

  I take a seat next to her as Drew converses with his dad, my eyes widening. “Yes. How did you know?”

  “I’m Jackie, by the way,” she greets. “And I had some. Expensive, but always does the trick.”

  “I didn’t get a chance to use it. I get a lot of stuff via a friend to try out, but I never get to do the trying out part. The blueberry edible knickers were so good though.”

  A lady sitting across from us, clears her throat. “I prefer the strawberry ones.”

  “I’ll have to try them,” I tell her, giving her a smile of thanks.

  Drew chokes as he takes a seat next to me. “Something you want to tell me?”

  “Unless you want to try them?”

  His dad laughs, slapping his son on the shoulder. “You picked a good one there, son.”

  I beam. “Thank you.”

  Drew runs his hand down my arm. “Would you like a drink?”

  My hair brushes against my back as I turn to face him. “Maybe not wine.”

  He smirks, his pupils darkening. “You don’t need wine tonight.”

  I lean forward, pressing my lips to his. “No, I really don’t.”

  Because he is enough.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  DREW

  “Oh my God, crush him!” Charlotte yells, holding her tiny fist in the air.

  I wrap my arms around her waist, hoisting her up and away from the balcony. Who knew some so tiny could be so feisty and angry. Cheeks flushed, her eyes shining, she stares up at me. “Who does he think he is?”

  My lips twitch. “Babe, it’s their job.”

  Her attention pulls back to the fight, and Dad’s friend, Gus, chuckles. “She isn’t like your normal type.”

  I briefly check she hasn’t nose-dived off the balcony before answering. “No. She’s something else.”

  “She’s special,” Dad comments, placing a fresh tray of drinks down on the table.

  Jackie nods. “Just don’t let that girl tear her to pieces. She’s been staring daggers at her all night.”

  I glance in the direction she looks, finding Eloise steaming at the ears as she glares over at us. I shrug. “Charlotte would break her without intentionally doing anything.”

  “What did Charlotte mean when she asked Eloise if she wanted a number?”

  My shoulders shake as I run over what happened outside with the ‘fake tits’ comment. Dad splatters his drink everywhere. “She didn’t.”

  “She hadn’t even said it viciously.”

  Pride shines in his eyes. “She really is something.”

  Something hits me in the chest as I watch her half hanging over the balcony. “Yeah, she really is.”

  “Get him, Rampage. Take him down,” Charlotte roars, and I dive to catch her before she falls over the edge.

  I meet Woods’ gaze over the balcony, shaking my head at his grin and the ‘told you so’ expression. “Fuck you,” I mouth back.

  “I want to fight. I want to take him out. He hit my Rampage,” she cries.

  Rampage is the headliner, the one the women all went hot for and someone I knew my sister and her circle of friends crowded whenever he was at an event.

  It seems Charlotte isn’t immune to his looks either and has been drooling over him since he came out half an hour ago to watch some of the other fights. “Babe, are you forgetting you came with a date?” I ask, earning chuckles from our group.