Stryker

The apartment doors flew open.

The security detail had arrived.

They met my gaze before moving toward the shattered doors. Their attention flitted between me, and the damage I’d caused.

My anger was still there, and the pain of knowing that he was going to my girl hurt more than anything. The jealousy was about to eat me alive.

I needed to get out of here.

I needed to be somewhere I felt close to her.

While security cleaned up my mess, I turned, disappeared into my room to quickly change into jeans. Once I’d accomplished that I managed to slip out while they were distracted.

Evie

I STARED AT PATRICK in relief as he fiddled with his cell phone. He was clearly distracted with his messages and that was a lot better than he’d been since we’d arrived at the restaurant. He’d been abrupt, and almost cruel, since we’d sat down. I stared at the phone, silently thanking the thing, which was never far from his reach since we’d become engaged. Thinking about it, I’d never seen him use the thing before the engagement.

I studied him and could see what had originally caught my attention. Patrick was handsome in the blonde haired, boy next-door type of way. Comfortable like the sex was. No heat, no drive; just the basics that were over before it had really begun. I didn’t see what the whole big deal about sex was. I certainly wasn’t naïve with the birds and the bees, and had experimented with boyfriends while away at college. While some had been a little exciting; most of my sexual encounters were innocent and rather…boring. I’d known something had been missing from those experiences but they seemed hot when I compared them to what I had with Patrick.

I sighed and took a sip of water as I watched him smile at a text. It was obvious he had no wish to be here with me tonight. It was like sitting with a total stranger because there was no other place to sit. In fact, I’d probably get more conversation out of a stranger.

Patrick was angry because he hated the fact that I’d talked him into letting me hang out at the gym. I’d been underhanded and blown him to get the answer I’d wanted. It had worked out so I shouldn’t complain, and this was the first time I’d seen him since I’d been to the gym with Millie.

Millie was the one who was urging me to end the farce of my life with Patrick tonight, but I couldn’t. Not only was I nervous about how he’d react, which was why tonight at the restaurant would have been the ideal place, but if I did end it, my access to the gym would be instantly revoked. No more research for the novel. Oh, who was I kidding, there would be no more Stryker.

“Why the long face?” Patrick asked.

I glanced up from my plate of uneaten food and realized he’d put his cell away and focused on me. “We’re on a date and you’ve been sitting there for about thirty minutes having more of a conversation with your phone than with me.” I shrugged. I wasn’t bothered about his lack of interest in me, but I couldn’t let him know that.

Anger crossed his face before he’d schooled it to one of apology. He reached across the table and took my cold hands into his. His thumb rubbed along mine. “I’m sorry, Evie. You know that I’ve been busy since I started working for my father, and tonight just isn’t a good night.” He looked to the side and pulled away, taking a sip of his red wine.

He winced as the wine went down his throat, probably because he preferred beer. Sitting forward he ignored his food and held my steady gaze. “We have a temperamental fighter who causes trouble, and tonight I’ve been dealing with that.” He sighed, which sounded a bit over the top, and continued, “Which is why I’d prefer for you and Millie to stay away from the gym.”

I knew it!

“There was no trouble while we were there.” I frowned and dipped my head, hoping I had time to hide my panic.

I had to go back to the gym. Perhaps I needed to ask myself why because I’d certainly never acted like I was before. No one had ever caught my eye to the point that he was all I could think even when I was with my fiancé.

“If you think it’s for the best, I’m sure that Millie and I can find another gym.” I gave a small smile. “I mean, the Club is big and we’re in New York so there are tons of gyms filled with fighters that are available to use.” My smile widened as if I’d just thought of the option and was really the best one. I just hoped he wouldn’t see the lie. I didn’t want another gym, I wanted the one Stryker went to.

“Mmm, you’d do it as well, wouldn’t you?” Patrick leaned back in his chair, the stem of the wine glass in his fingers while

he watched me.

I tried not to squirm and pump the air with my fists, when he said, “To the end of this week only. He’s preparing for a fight and doesn’t need any distraction. Although I think he’s gay so you’ll be okay.”

My surprise wasn’t hidden. “He’s gay?”

Please tell me he wasn’t talking about Stryker because no way was he gay? I couldn’t believe that.

“The guys think so.”

“How do they know?” I frowned. “Have they seen him with…guys.”

“No. Which is why they speculate.” Patrick started to eat the now cold food. He didn’t seem to notice.

“Why?”