Page 26 of A Fighter’s Love

“Clearly I’m wrong. I’m sorry,” she said quickly. “I’m stupid really, always putting two and two together and making five. My father used to say that, too much imagination and not enough thought and consideration.”

Dale stepped backward. He ran his hand through his hair and glanced at the table. Spotting his car keys, he scooped them up. “I have to go.”

“But…Dale, please, what is it?”

He turned and walked to the door.

“Please, I’m sorry,” she called to his back. “I didn’t mean to offend you. Forget I said anything.” Her eyes stung, and a hollow blackness was growing in her chest. What the hell had she done? “Dale, I’m sorry, it was my fault.”

A creeping feeling of dread came over her. The way it always had with her father when she’d disappointed him. But there was nothing she could do about it. She stared helplessly at Dale as he let himself out of the apartment.

The door shut with a quiet click and stillness wrapped around her.

She held in a sob as the weather forecast came to an end on the TV. How had she messed up so monumentally? One minute she was consumed with passion, being kissed and pressed up against the wall by a guy she had the serious hots for. The next it was all over, he’d gone and she was all alone…again. She was furious with herself, and seriously frustrated. Why couldn’t she have just kept her mouth shut and gone with the flow? She could be on her way to a fabulous orgasm right now.

She sat heavily on the sofa and pressed the heels of her hands against her eyes. The trouble was she couldn’t just ignore Jackson, not when she’d thought they were in a relationship. She might be accused of being a little shy and quiet at times but she was a straight talker and hated the thought of hurting someone’s feelings. And if the looks Jackson gave Dale were anything to go by, taking him away, sleeping with Dale, would hurt Jackson.

And that was the last thing she wanted to do.

Chapter Seven

Jenny spent the next day struggling to get any kind of smile on her face. Stella asked twice if she was okay, but Jenny didn’t feel she could talk about the disastrous kiss the night before without welling up with tears. She would tell Stella, probably quite soon, but the last thing she wanted was to get emotional in the office, especially on a day both her bosses were in and appeared to be in such good moods.

When she’d finally finished a complex set of accounts for one of their biggest customers, she reached for her bag and thought about the gym. She’d planned to go and get the last few jobs done. But now…with Dale there? She wasn’t ready to see him. What must he think of her? Ridiculous? Presumptive? She had no idea and didn’t really want to find out. Nor did she want to see that look of panic in his eyes again.

Yes. That’s what it had been, panic. There was disbelief mixed in there too, but mainly it was panic.

But why? That she’d guessed there was something between him and Jackson? Or, as seemed to be most likely the case, she’d gotten it wrong and he wasn’t gay at all?

That must be it. Because he certainly hadn’t felt gay last night.

She swallowed and a fluttery feeling attacked her belly. The way he’d kissed her, pushed up against her. He was hard and ready to go. Damn it. If only they’d had a few more minutes, gotten naked, found pleasure. She was sure she’d have pushed any nerves aside and been swept up in the moment.

Oh, how she hated being sex starved. But being so close to getting some then having the chance ripped away, that was worse than nothing at all.

She headed out of Wainwright and Bramon, doing her best to call a cheery goodnight to a few colleagues including Stella. She’d go to the gym as planned, even if Dale was going to be there. She had things to do and the sooner they were done the better, and she could get on with her life. She’d been anxious about seeing Billy, but that seemed a small matter now. He’d accepted they were over and she was no longer at his beck and call. She was glad that relationship was behind her.

When she arrived at the gym there was no sign of Dale’s distinctive van. He usually parked it on a residential street around the corner and being bright orange it was easy to spot.

The tension in her shoulders relaxed. If she didn’t have to face him, then that was good. She could finish up then move on from the whole mortifying incident.

She pushed through the heavy doors. As usual the scent of sweat and cleaning fluid filled her nostrils. “Hey, Michael,” she called.

“Jenny, you’re a sight for sore eyes,” he said with a grin.

“You had a bad day?”

“Nah, I’m still here, so can’t be too bad. Just nice to have a non-male in the building.” He laughed then called over his shoulder. “Jackson, get out here will you.”

Jackson appeared in the doorway of the changing rooms. As he often did he wore loose gray sweats and a black vest top. He looked so big, dangerous too, his tattoos only adding to his wildness. He swung his dark gaze around the gym, taking in the few other regulars who were working out, then settled his attention on Jenny.

A rush of heat went through her. There was something altered in that look—as if he had new knowledge about her and was seeing her in a different light.

Dale. It had to be because of Dale.

Quickly, she turned and headed into the office. It wasn’t until she got there she noticed the music wasn’t on. She was thankful for small mercies. At least Billy wasn’t around.

After taking a few gulps from her water bottle, she started up the computer and set about completing the health and safety documents the local council wanted in order for them to host the fight. There were legal requirements about fire procedures to comply with as well as licensing applications as they’d have a bar for spectators.

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