Page 36 of Dylan
“Um, yeah, Daliah went to the bathroom. I’ll be ready when she gets back. I have to collect the purse,” I reply.
He snorts. “You think I’d let you collect all that money with the vultures in here tonight? Dimitri and Nashawn will meet us at the back door, where my car is waiting.”
“Why?”
He tilts his head as he smiles at me. Those stupid butterflies start all over again. I clench my fists at my sides.
“Why am I looking out for you? It’s what I do. I’ve always protected you.”
“What happened? How do you know me?”
“Let me get you out of here and I’ll answer anything you want. Are you hungry?”
“Yeah, I could eat, but I need to get home. Ciarán is with a sitter. His birthday is tomorrow. I should get home.”
“We can order something when we get there.”
“Huh?”
“I’m taking you home. This is New York, baby. You should always have security when transporting purses from events like this.
“It’s a known fact that Vega pays in cash and all the fighters walk with something. You’re a target tonight.”
“Thanks, but you don’t have to. I’ll be fine. I’ll see you tomorrow at your gym. Ciarán wants to train there. I’m thinking about signing him up for his birthday.”
“Cool, I’ll have Taegan take care of both of you. Your membership is on me. I want to talk to you about an opening I have on our team, but tonight I want to fill in those gaps for you,” he says.
I squeeze my thighs as his words come off dripping with something raw and dirty sounding. It sounds like he wants to fill more than a few gaps in my memory. I shake my dirty thoughts off and push my feet forward.
As I get to the doorway, he places a hand on the small of my back. I look up into his eyes and my breath is stolen away. God,he’s gorgeous. The blond soul patch works for him as it amplifies his sensual bow-shaped lips.
I hadn’t noticed it before, but now, as I’m focused and he’s this close, I can take in all his handsome features. Dylan is fine as fuck. His lashes are super long and wispy, giving his blue eyes a sexy, dreamy vibe.
“Phew, I’m ready. That restroom line was killer,” Daliah says as she appears.
“Taegan is with Dimitri and Nashawn; she’ll meet us at the car,” Dylan says.
Daliah looks between the two of us and gives me a questioning look then winks. I chew on my lip, but allow Dylan to lead me out to the car waiting for us.
He opens the front passenger door and nods for me to climb in. Taegan appears with Dimitri and Nashawn and passes me a second duffel as I sit with my gym bag between my legs. She then climbs into the back seat with Daliah.
I watch as Dylan climbs his big body behind the wheel, looking like he has all the confidence in the world. Damn, I didn’t know I had a type. I have never been into guys.
To be honest, something has always held me back from getting into them. It just didn’t feel right. It’s like there has always been someone out there for me who would be worth the wait.
I can’t help thinking that Dylan may be that someone. My cheeks warm when he reaches to place his hand on my thigh as he maneuvers out onto the street.
“Ya can drop me at me car, love. I have an early morning,” Taegan says from the back seat.
“Expect C … Ariel and Chris at the gym in the morning. They’ll be joining. I’ll take care of their paperwork for membership,” Dylan replies.
Looking at his profile, I smile. He’s not sure if Daliah knows my real name and he’s protecting me and Ciarán. I appreciate that.
I cover his hand and give it a gentle squeeze. He glances at me quickly and returns my smile. I can’t help biting my lip and ducking away as my cheeks heat.
“Aye, about time.”
Dylan chuckles and I get the feeling I’m missing out on an inside joke. I shrug it off as the comfortable seat and his hand on my thigh bring me a sense of peace. My lids grow heavy, and I snuggle deep into the warmth of the seat.
