Hard Justice(23)

WATCHING THEM TOGETHER, he realized their relationship was more than client and bodyguard. Were they a couple? It sure appeared so.

Being classy, rich and pampered, Fallon Wade couldn't be Justice's usual type. Maybe the differences made her more appealing, perhaps even special to him.

If so, that'd make things easier. Justice was a real hard-ass who didn't feel the need to prove anything to anyone.

Women, however, had a knack for weakening even the strongest of men.

He'd definitely work this to his advantage.

Every locked door could be opened, as long as you had a key. He smiled, thinking he'd just acquired the key he needed.



"GOOD HEAVENS, IT'S PACKED."

Justice pulled her closer, moving her in front of him and using his arms to shield her from being jostled. "Everyone is heading to get a drink before the main fights start."

"Is it always this busy?"

"Yeah." He steered her into a slight alcove near the fire exit. As they waited for Marcus, he figured he might as well set her straight. "This is your show-"

"Thank you."

"As long as he doesn't insult you."

She rounded on him with a lot of attitude. "If he insults me-"

"He'll get flattened."

"I'll handle it." Her eyes narrowed. "We've discussed this, Justice."

"Yeah." Justice had a hard time thinking straight. Out of necessity, he'd followed Armie's suggestion and kept her as close as he would a bed partner. But that just naturally led to him thinking more about her actually being one.

"And?" she asked, sounding a little breathless.

"I dunno." The longer he stared down at her, the less angry she seemed. He touched her cheek and found it every bit as soft and warm as he remembered.

She shifted, cleared her throat, licked her lips. "Justice?"

God he loved her eyes, so big and deep with emotion. And her mouth-all pink and wet... Without meaning to, he leaned a little closer, more than ready for a taste.

"What are you doing here?"

At Marcus's brusque question, Fallon jumped as if someone had goosed her. She whipped around, snapping, "Damn it!"

Marcus scowled.

"Fallon, Fallon," Justice playfully chided. "I had no idea you had such a potty mouth."

Her elbow connected with his gut.

Taken by surprise, he grunted, "Oof," then caught her arm. "Violent, too."

She forced a smile for Marcus. "I'm here to watch the fights of course."

Very deliberately, Marcus kept his gaze on Fallon. Even with Justice giving him a death stare, the bastard avoided his gaze.

Shoving his hands in his pockets, Marcus nodded. "I didn't know you were a fan."

"And you are?"

"Not really. But I have some potential donors for the literacy fund-raiser with me. When a friend had tickets he couldn't use, I bought them from him."

Justice propped a shoulder against the wall and suffered through the cordial conversation. He detested hearing Fallon talk so sweetly to her ex, and he especially hated that the ex was being reasonable for once.

He liked Marcus better as an asshole he could revile.

"So they enjoy the sport?" Fallon asked.         

     



 

"I really don't know," Marcus said. "But they're competitive brothers and enjoy any kind of wager there is."

Fallon frowned. "They're betting on the fights?"

"They bet on everything, and they especially favor friendly wagers over sports of any kind." He made a face. "They've left it to me to keep a tally of the bets, since I'm not joining in the competition."

"I take it they have deep pockets?" Fallon teased.

"Yes, very deep. But they don't just gamble with money. I've seen them put up cars, houses and, a few times, women. Whoever loses always pays up."

Fallon stiffened. "Exactly how do you pay up with a woman?"

Marcus smiled slightly. "No one is being forced, I'm sure. When you're as well off as those two are, women are always available and willing to oblige."

She narrowed her eyes. "It's still wrong."

He shrugged. "I'm not disagreeing."

To switch the topic a bit, Justice spoke up. "You said they're businessmen?"

Face tightening, Marcus looked away. "They have a willingness to contribute."

Something in his tone and manner sharpened Justice's interest even more. "So not businessmen?"

"Of course they have businesses."

"And those are?"

Instead of answering, Marcus ignored him and asked Fallon, "Are you enjoying yourself?"

"Yes. It's so exciting. I'd never realized."

His expression warmed. "You wouldn't even watch boxing with me."

"In comparison, boxing seems boring."

"Boring?" he teased. "Maybe you need to give it another try."

Justice sawed his teeth together.

"From what I remember of boxing," Fallon said, "it's just punching. This is punching and kicking, elbows and knees, grappling and-"

Indulgent, Marcus smiled. "You've become an expert?"

"Far from it. But I am learning a lot from Justice's friends. In fact, one of his friends is the main fight of the night."

"Main event? Really?" There was no real surprise in Marcus's eyes when he looked at Justice again. "So you know Stack Hannigan?"

"Know him and gave Fallon the shirt."

Using both thumbs, Fallon pointed to her chest to show off the wolf logo.

Justice took her hand and lowered it. The last thing he wanted her to do was draw Marcus's attention to her boobs.

Unfortunately, he was too late.

With his gaze where it shouldn't be, Marcus swallowed. "Nice."

Resisting the urge to clock him, Justice said, "Damn, man, you must be one of Stack's more rabid fans the way you're drooling."

As if only then realizing where he'd been looking, Marcus snapped to. He coughed and tried to hurry along with a question. "I take it you'll be rooting for him?"

Pretending to miss the male conflict, Fallon nodded. "Yes. And Justice promises me that he'll win."

"Fact," Justice said.

"I'll pass along that inside info, then," Marcus promised. "The brothers will appreciate it." He glanced at Justice, glanced over his shoulder, then said to Fallon, "Do you think we could-"

Gleefully, Justice said, "Nope."

Since he held her arm, Fallon couldn't elbow him again. Instead, she tried to yank free of his hold. But Justice didn't let go, even when she tried to shake him off.

Naturally Marcus couldn't help but notice.

Eyes going flinty, the ex took a step forward. "Now wait just-"

To keep Marcus from interceding, Fallon did an immediate about-face. "Mother told me you'll be working with her on the literacy charity. That's very generous of you."

Divided, Marcus waffled between showing his anger and grabbing her olive branch.

Knowing which one he'd prefer, Justice waited.

Marcus finally settled on the branch. "Yes. It's a great cause." Voice softer, he said, "And I was hoping I'd get to see you."

Ha! Justice had guessed all along that Marcus had ulterior motives.         

     



 

Staying firm, Fallon shook her head. "That's not going to happen."

"But-"

"Mother has agreed that she'll only meet with you away from our home."

Marcus turned his hate-filled glare on Justice. "I suppose that's what he wants?"

Justice gave an evil smile.

"It's what I want," Fallon hurried to say.

Done with the dramatics, Justice drew her into his side and draped his arm over her shoulders to keep her anchored there. "The fights will be starting soon. We should get back to our seats."

Luckily Fallon agreed, and for once, Marcus didn't kick up a fuss. He glanced over his shoulder again, nodded to Fallon and said, "I'll see you soon."

Something made Justice uneasy.

Maybe it was the wary way Marcus kept looking around, how he went the opposite direction from which he'd come. Skin prickling, Justice, too, did a quick survey of the area-and found one of Marcus's betting buddies standing a few yards away, arms crossed, watching them with too much interest.

In an instinctive move to meet a threat head-on, Justice stepped forward. Almost at the same time, Fallon turned into his path, probably to blast him-which, okay, he maybe deserved.

They collided.

Justice caught her upper arms to keep her from stumbling. She automatically braced her hands against his chest. They both went still.

Maybe it was Marcus hitting on her, or maybe it was all the other dudes trying to get her attention. Whatever the reason, he felt all territorial and determined to stake a claim.

Resisting a woman wasn't easy. Hell, it wasn't even natural. Resisting Fallon...now that was almost impossible, but he hung on by a thread.

Torturous, especially when she turned her face up to his.

The awareness in her eyes damn near knocked him over the edge.

Everything around him faded away as sexual tension sank in. Fallon's gaze dipped to his mouth, she licked her lips and, choosing to see that as an invitation, Justice gave in.

He cupped a hand to the back of her neck, drew her up and covered her mouth with his own. He couldn't say exactly what got into him, and he sure as hell couldn't justify it, but in that moment, he felt explosive with need.

Should'a made it a light kiss.