Simon Says (37 page)

Simon put his arm around Dakota. “Come on. You need to put on warmer clothes and some shoes before the cops start grilling you, too.”

On the way inside, they passed Marvin and the other two men. Dakota stopped to look at them.

“What do you want?” Marvin snarled.

“I was just thinking how long you'll be in jail. Everyone here heard you say that you planned to cut me. You wore the same masks that you wore when you jumped Barber and Bonnie in the parking lot. The same night that I was shoved down the stairs.” She tipped her head. “You really aren't very bright, are you?”

He started to stand and Mallet planted a boot in his chest, shoving him back to his butt.

Shaking her head, Dakota said, “You are a very pathetic…thing.”

With a hand to the small of her back, Simon started her walking again. “Let's go. You've wasted enough time on him.”

They'd almost reached the door when Dakota said, “Simon?”

“Yeah, honey?”

“You lied about going to the gym.”

“I was going.”

“But to meet Marvin, right?”

“If he showed up, which I doubted.”

“So it was sort of a lie of omission.” She slipped her hand in his. “Same as my lie of omission about Barnaby being my stepfather.”

His hand tightened on hers. “No, Dakota. This was different.”

“Maybe. But the fact is, we're both human and both bound to make mistakes. Right?”

He pulled the door open for her. “We can talk about all that later.”

“I was going to tell you about Barnaby. Today in fact. It's been pretty crazy, that's all. Everything has happened fast.”

“Shhh.” Simon led her down the hall to her room. “Do you have your room key?”

It was still in the pocket of her flannel lounge pants. She handed it to him. “I know I made mistakes. I know I'll make more. But the important thing is that I love you.”

Simon paused with the key card stuck in the door. “What did you say?”

Dakota stared up into his eyes. “I love you.” The admission had her shrugging with helplessness. “I know it hasn't been that long. And with you making your comeback and the fight we just had and everything, the timing is off. You're still ticked at me, and I've sort of got this rush of adrenaline going that makes me want to molest you, but—”

“You love me?”

She nodded. “Yeah. Sucks, huh?”

Simon grabbed her close and kissed her hard. He kept trying to stop, but couldn't seem to manage it. They stood in the hall outside her room and he had her backed up to the wall, his mouth devouring hers.

Dakota pushed him back. Seeing the heat in his eyes, she took a breath. “Maybe it doesn't suck?”

He cupped her face and smiled. “No, it doesn't.”

“So…” She suddenly felt shy, when she didn't have a shy bone in her body. “Does that mean you care a little, too?”

Slowly, Simon's smile turned into a laugh. “Yeah. I guess it does.”

Dakota slugged him. “How little?”

He laughed harder, put his forehead to hers and said, “I love you, too.” Then, teasing, he added, “If your sexual energy didn't do it, the way you fight would have tipped the scales. You really are one impressive lady.”

With that resolved, Dakota wrapped her arms around him. New worry settled on her and she wanted Simon's support. “I haven't read the letters yet.”

“Afraid to?”

She nodded. “Dumb, huh?”

“Not dumb at all.” He turned her face up to his. “Would you like me to look at them for you?”

Dakota bit her lip, but in the end, she gave up some of that hard-won independence. “I'd appreciate it if you did. Just in case it's bad.”

“Come on.” He led her inside the room and shut the door. “Get dressed, okay?”

While she did that, he picked up the envelopes and pulled out the letters. Dakota could barely change her clothes with the way her heart thundered and her hands shook—until she saw Simon smile.

He laid down one letter and went on to the next. Then the next. Finally he sat in a chair and said, “Come here, Dakota.”

She went to him, and he pulled her onto his lap. “Your mother loved you a lot, honey. You have no reason to fear reading these.”

“If you say so.”

“I say so. Trust me.”

“Of course.” So with Dakota held in Simon's arms, she read her mother's last words to her, words of forgiveness and remorse and understanding.

Words of love.

D
AKOTA
twisted out of a move, but not fast enough. Barber ended atop her in the mounted position. “Tap,” he said.

“No.”

Leaning closer, he pinned down her arms. He could feel her straining, and said again, “You're beat, woman. Admit it.”

Trying not to laugh, Dakota shook her head. “Never.”

She looked adorable sweaty. Why had he never realized that before? Barber stared at her, she stared back.

And out of the blue, without really thinking it through, he kissed her right on the mouth.

The kiss was a revelation for him; short and light, but definitely not of the friendly sort. As he lifted his head, he knew he'd made a terrible mistake. Good God, he loved her. He wanted her happy, and she was.

With Simon
.

If he'd just caused a rift in their friendship, he'd kick his own ass.

“Dakota…” He loosened his hold, saw the spark in her eyes, and suddenly she punched him.

“Damn.” Barber flinched in pain before laughing. Leave it to Dakota to react so strongly. “Well, that's answer enough.”

Shoving him away, she sat up. Seeing his bloody mouth only made her angrier. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

He fingered his lip, licked at it, and shrugged. “I just wanted to be sure, that's all.”

“Sure of what?”

“That I don't have a chance.”

Her face fell. “Oh, Barber. Simon said…that is…”

Sitting up beside her, Barber patted her knee. “Simon told you I was interested.”

“I didn't believe him.”

Playfully, hoping to lighten her mood, Barber mussed her hair. “Hey, don't look so glum. I'm a big boy. I can handle rejection.”

“I would never reject you, Barber. I love you.”

“Like a brother.” He grinned to ease the sarcastic bite. “I know.”

“Barber…”

“It's okay, doll. I swear. I love you, too, and nothing's going to change that. Not even a fat lip.”

“Or a wedding?”

Barber eyed her. “So he finally proposed?”

“There's no
finally
to it. Shoot, I'm the one who wants to wait until after the fight. Harley's out of it. Simon says he'll be rehabbing that elbow for six weeks. I feel so wretched for him. If it wasn't for me—”

“Hey, Harley and I have become friends, and I can promise he doesn't blame you. He just has bad luck when it comes to title fights. Although this time, I think luck was on his side, because I have a feeling Simon would have creamed him.”

“Yeah,” Dakota agreed, having complete faith in Simon. “This other guy, the one Simon will fight now…I don't know much about him.”

“My money's on Sublime.”

“Mine, too, but I don't want a wedding to distract him.” She shouldered Barber. “I know you're leaving tonight for your next gig, but you will be at the wedding, right?”

He slanted her a jesting look. “I don't know. That depends. As your best friend, do I have to be your maid of honor?”

They both laughed. “No. Dean's wife will take the honors for that. She's pretty nice. I like her.” Dakota leaned on him. “But I still want you there.”

“I wouldn't miss it.”

Suddenly Simon spoke. “Someone want to tell me what's going on?”

Though he hadn't heard him approach, Barber had no doubt Simon had seen everything. He kept such an eagle eye on Dakota that it almost seemed he had a sixth sense where she was concerned.

Not all that concerned, Barber just shook his head.

But in guilty haste, Dakota jumped to her feet. “Nothing's going on.”

“Uh-huh.” Simon didn't look angry, just curious. And maybe possessive, too. “Then why does Barber have a bloody lip?”

“Because I hit him when I shouldn't have.” Dakota quickly crossed the mat and hugged herself up to Simon's side. Barber noticed that when she was with him, she glowed, no matter the situation.

It really was damn nice seeing her so happy.

Simon looped his arm around her, but stared at Barber. “I dunno. I think he deserved a punch in the mouth.”

He thought right, Barber silently agreed.

Going on tiptoe, Dakota said to Simon, “Next to you, he's my best friend in the whole world.” She turned to look at Barber. “Don't do anything to piss me off.”

Grinning, Barber climbed to his feet. “Yeah, Sublime. Don't piss off the lady.”

“Wouldn't think of it.” He kissed Dakota's forehead. “Why don't you go get your things and we'll get out of here.”

She lowered her brows. “Simon.”

Her warning tone amused both men. “Go. I'll behave.”

“You promise?”

“Yeah.”

She looked at Barber again. “You're okay?”

“Count on it.”

Simon watched her walk away. Casually, as if discussing something mundane, he said, “You had to try, didn't you?”

“You'd have done the same.”

“No, because I wouldn't have waited around until it was too late, like you did. I'm smarter than that. But the point is, you don't get a second chance.” All grave seriousness, Simon gave him a direct look. “It's only because Dakota cares for you that I'm not smashing you right now. She's mine. She's going to stay mine. You might as well accept it.”

Barber slung a towel around his neck and stepped off the mat. “I have.”

“You should find a woman of your own, Barber.”

“Ha.” He dried the sweat from his face, glad that Simon didn't feel compelled to use him as a punching bag. “I'll tell you, if I ever do settle down with a woman, she'll have to be every bit as gutsy, strong, and earthy as Dakota. I don't think I could take the other kind now.”

“The other kind?”

“Yeah. You know. Whiny. Weak. The type who cries over a broken nail or spends three hours on her hair. If I ever settle down, and all things considered, that's a big if, she'll have to be tough.”

“Famous last words.” Simon shook his head. “I'm pretty sure love doesn't give you a choice in the matter. When it hits, it hits. I know, because I hadn't been looking. Just the opposite.”

“You'd sworn off women for the comeback, right?”

“Yeah. And it didn't feel like much of a sacrifice until fate brought Dakota Dream into my life. I haven't been the same since.” He put himself in Barber's path. “Maybe because I left Bonnie without a qualm, you're a little confused on something. But as Dakota said to me, she's not Bonnie. I wouldn't fight over most women, but for Dakota, I'd take a man apart. Even a friend of hers.”

Running a hand over his hair, Barber nodded. “Yeah, I hear ya. I overstepped myself and I know it. I apologize.”

“Just don't let it happen again.”

Grinning, Barber held out his hand. “I don't think you need it, but good luck with the fight next week.”

After a slight hesitation, Simon accepted the gesture of peace. “Thanks.”

Keeping Simon's hand, Barber said, “I really am sorry about…” He waved a hand. “You have my word, it won't ever happen again.”

Simon's smile said many things. “It better not.”

“I saw you and Barber talking.” Dakota tried to read Simon's expression. “Everything okay now?”

“Yeah, it is.” He started the car and pulled away from the gym. “I don't want you to worry about that.”

They hadn't ridden far when she said, “Simon? I'm not pregnant.”

After a quick glance at her, he nodded but stayed silent. Dakota didn't know what to think, until he said, “How do you feel about that?”

She shrugged. “I wouldn't fall apart if I was pregnant, but I'd rather wait until after we're married.”

“Same here.”

“So you want kids?” It wasn't something they'd ever discussed.

“With you? Yeah, sure.”

“It won't interfere with your career?”