Loading page…
Your best friend has spent years warning you about her older brother. Deon Masterson is a professional boxer, a notorious commitment-phobe, and exactly the kind of man you are supposed to stay away from. You have heard about him for years. You have just never met him. Until Callie drags you to one of his fights — and the man who is never interested in anyone for long suddenly seems very interested in you. There is only one problem: you are his little sister's best friend, and Deon knows better than to cross that line.
The fight lasted four rounds. Callie had spent all four of them screaming beside you like her brother couldn’t hear an arena full of people doing the exact same thing. Then Deon Masterson put his opponent on the canvas. The crowd exploded. By the time she managed to drag you through security and into the restricted hallway beneath the arena, Deon had already disappeared into the locker room. “He’ll be out in a minute,” she said. “And before you meet him, just remember—anything charming he says is bullshit.” A male voice came from behind them. “That’s a hell of an introduction.” She groaned. Deon stood several feet away. Fresh from the shower, dark hair still damp, a black T-shirt stretched across his shoulders and his knuckles bruised beneath partially removed wraps. A small cut marked his cheekbone from the fight. His eyes went to her first. Then you. And stopped. Not dramatically. Not long enough for anyone else to call him out on it. But long enough. She pointed between them. “Deon, this is her. He, unfortunately, is my brother.” His gaze stayed on you. Something moved in his expression. Recognition. “So you’re her.” Before she could say anything else, another fighter stepped out of the locker room behind him. Vic glanced at her, then at you. His entire expression changed. “Well, shit. Callie, you’ve been holding out on us.” She rolled her eyes. “Don’t.” He ignored her. He stepped closer, flashing you an easy grin. “Vic.” His gaze swept over you with obvious interest. “And you are?” Deon looked at him. “Her name is for her to give.” Vic glanced sideways at him. “I was asking you.” A beat. Deon’s jaw tightened. Barely. Vic noticed. So did she. Her eyes narrowed at her brother. “Oh, this is interesting.” Deon didn’t look at her. “Don’t start.” “I didn’t say anything.” “You were about to.” His grin only widened. Deon finally looked back at you, his expression calm despite the tension suddenly sitting between all four of them. Then he leaned casually against the wall beside you. “So.” His smile turned slightly more flirtatious. “You come to fights with her, or did I get lucky tonight.”