Simon Says (31 page)

“Had you argued at all before that?”

“No. If she'd been hurt that night, I'd believe it in a heartbeat. He was capable of that. He
is
capable of that. But before that night…we had our spats and God knows our relationship sucked, but I don't think he had anything against my mother.”

Simon moved to sit on the edge of the bed. “You told me that you had wanted to see your mom, and Marvin refused.”

Dakota went white. She swallowed hard. “Oh, God.” Her gaze sought his. “Simon, what if he did that to her?”

“Then we'll let the police know and he'll be punished.”

And just like that, right before Simon's eyes, she changed. One moment she had looked ready to sink to the floor with guilt and remorse and pain, and in the next she stood taller, her hands fisted, her eyes bright with determination.

Simon went to her and clasped her upper arms. “Dakota, I don't want you to do anything on your own.”

“No. I wouldn't.” She looked up at him and drew in a calming breath. “Marvin always has alibis. If he did something like that, it'd be hard to prove.”

“He'll slip up, honey. I'm sure of it.”

She nodded. “I'm really tired. Do you think we could go to bed now?”

Simon didn't trust her odd mood, but what could he do about it? “All right.”

Dakota frowned. “You are spending the night, aren't you?”

She'd have a hell of a time throwing him out. “If you don't mind.” He smiled and held out his hand. “You want to be on top still?”

Rather than answer, she tumbled him into the bed and wrestled her way atop him. He thought she'd have a hard time falling asleep, but within minutes, she was out. And even in slumber, her hold on him remained tight throughout the night.

Simon stroked her hair, kissed her forehead, and made plans. Tomorrow he'd get things started. One way or the other, he'd put an end to Dakota's fears.

T
HEY
arrived at Simon's rented house early the next morning only to find the mailbox spray-painted with obscenities.

In the bright morning sunlight, with autumn leaves crunching beneath her feet and a brisk wind making her shiver, Dakota stared at that awful reminder. “Damn it.” She shook her head. “I'm sorry.”

Simon looked at the damage. “You didn't do it, so you have nothing to be sorry for.” Absently, his hand cupped the back of Dakota's neck and caressed. “I'm going to enjoy meeting him, honey. I really am.”

The idea of Simon tangling with Marvin didn't sit right. Shielding her eyes from the sun, Dakota turned to him. “I have faith in you, but don't forget that he's a thug, not a good sport, okay?”

“Noted.” His smile seemed genuine enough as he started them into the house. “I'll call someone to clean it, then we need to get to the gym.”

“No, I'll call someone.”

“Dakota…”

“Hustle up, Sublime.” She playfully smacked him on his muscled tush. “Time's wasting. I've been enough of a distraction from your training. I don't want to add to it. So get what you need and I'll make some calls from the gym.”

As Simon went into the house and down the hall, he said, “I want to practice with you while we're there.”

“I'd love it. Maybe after you're done with everything else, and if Dean says it's okay.” Dakota had made up her mind about many things. Tonight she'd tell Simon all about Barnaby, then together they could ask Barnaby more about her mother's death. If Marvin had been around at all, Barnaby would know it.

Last night had given her plenty to consider. The thought of facing Marvin still sent chills down her spine, but she knew she had to if she wanted him out of her life.

Before that happened, she planned to get in as much practice as she could. When she saw Marvin again, she'd be ready.

They arrived at the gym a little later than usual, and although Simon didn't seem to notice, there were plenty of sly glances sent their way. Did everyone know that they'd slept together?

Probably.

Did she care? Nope.

As she stowed her satchel and thermos in the corner, Haggerty came over to her. “Betcha won't guess who dropped in.”

He looked anxious to tell her, so Dakota asked, “Who?”

“You gotta guess.”

Looking around the gym, she saw Simon in close conversation with Dean. They both appeared engrossed, but not disgruntled, so it couldn't be an unpleasant caller. “The media?”

“Nope.” Haggerty rocked back on his heels and announced, “None other than Hard-to-Handle.”

So much for guessing. Dakota peered around the crowded floor again. “Harley Handleman is here? Where?”

“In the back, yakking it up with Mallet and Gregor.”

He must have left Vegas around the same time Simon had. “What does he want?”

“Don't know. But I reckon Simon will find out.” And with that, Haggerty swaggered back to his position out front.

Dakota didn't want to interrupt Simon or Dean, and she didn't feel comfortable grilling any of the other guys. Resigned to waiting before she'd know why Harley had come calling, she sat down in the corner with her stuff and pulled out her phone with a pad of paper and a pen. Hopefully she'd find a repairman who could clean the paint off the mailbox.

A few minutes later, she had just made arrangements with a company when a shadow fell over her. Still speaking into the phone, Dakota looked up, and found herself snared in mesmerizing blue eyes. Her eyebrows lifted.

With his sun-streaked blond hair and dark tan, the man standing over her looked more like a surfer than a contender for the SBC championship belt.

Dakota covered the phone. “Harley Handleman?”

“That's right. And I take it you're Dakota Dream?”

She nodded, but had to return to her call. “Thanks. Yeah, that'll work. Okay, see you then.” She closed the phone and stood. “You know me?”

“You're a legend in your own time.”

That made her laugh. “Now I wonder how that happened.”

He tipped his head to study her. “I imagine it was effortless on your part.”

Confused, Dakota frowned at him—and Simon stepped in between them. “Harley. Dean said you were here.”

“Hope you don't mind, Sublime, but you did issue the invite.”

“It's fine.” Simon slipped his arm around Dakota. “I didn't get a chance to tell you, honey, but a few of the sports magazines are trying to make it look like Harley and I have a grudge to settle.”

Comprehension dawned. “Ah. Because of Bonnie.”

Simon shrugged. “I figured the best way to put that bunk to rest was to have Harley here, where anyone can see that this fight will be like any other.”

“Not about a woman,” Harley clarified. “But about the sport.”

“Just one more competition,” Simon added.

“Yeah. Got it.” Dakota wasn't sure she liked it, though. And she'd be willing to bet Bonnie would hate having the spotlight reduced. “So you're going to train here?”

“It's always good to mix it up with other fighters, to learn their techniques and defend against them.”

“Makes you better rounded.”

“Exactly. I'll hang out for a few weeks, then head back to my own camp.”

Simon nodded at her phone. “Any luck?”

“I have a contractor coming over tonight to look at it. He says he thinks it can be cleaned.”

“Great.” Simon brushed his thumb over her cheek. “I'm going to get busy. Go get changed so you can do some work, too. Barber should be here any minute.”

And so the day went.

Dakota pushed herself to keep up with the men, but she still needed more breaks than anyone else did. By the time Simon called it quits, she was ready to keel over, but not ready to stop. Especially since Simon wanted to use the last hour of the day to work with her himself.

She'd thought Dean was good, but had to admit that Simon was an even better coach. No wonder he was known throughout the SBC as a trainer of champions. Dean had certainly fared well under his instruction.

After Simon took her through several sets of defensive moves, Dakota took a few deep breaths, wiped the sweat from her face, and said, “Let's do it again.”

Simon propped his hands on his hips. “I don't think so.”

Something about his tone got through to her. “What's wrong?”

“You're pushing yourself too hard.”

“Not nearly as hard as everyone else here.”

Dark brows lowered over the bridge of Simon's nose. “Everyone else here is a man used to training.” He took a step closer. “Everyone else here outweighs you by at least sixty pounds, most by a hell of a lot more.” He stepped again, and loomed over her. “Everyone else is a professional fighter.”

Back stiff, Dakota shrugged. “Fine. You want to quit, we'll quit.”

He caught her arm before she could walk off. “What's going on, Dakota?”

“Nothing.”

“From day one you couldn't lie to me, so why do you think you can now?”

Jerking free, she said again, “Nothing. I'm trying to learn, that's all. You said you wanted me to, remember?”

“I didn't say I wanted you to kill yourself in the process, damn it.”

She had no idea what to say to that. They both sounded angry for no good reason. With nothing else to do, Dakota snatched up the water bottle, took a long swig, and then tossed it to Simon. “If you don't get a move on, we'll miss the contractor.”

To her relief, he accepted that. “I'll grab my stuff and meet you up here in five minutes.”

By the time they got on the road, Dakota was fading fast. She drank the last of the coffee in her thermos, but there wasn't enough there to give her a much-needed caffeine kick.

“If you really want to get in prime shape,” Simon told her, “give up that artificial adrenaline.”

“And drink what?”

“Water is best.”

She wrinkled her nose. “There are some things a woman can't live without.” Knowing it was sure to cause conflict, she broached a new topic. “I need to go by the motel.”

“We can run back over there later.”

“Just drop me off on the way. I'll shower, change, and drive over to your place. We can do dinner or something if you want.”

Simon's hands flexed on the steering wheel. “I don't want you to be alone.”

“It's still light out. The motel is busy. The road is busy. Other than when I shower, I won't be alone.” She tried ribbing him a little. “But I assume you don't want me to shower in a crowd.”

His jaw worked. “Why don't you just grab some things and bring them to my house? We can shower there together.” His dark gaze touched on her for a brief moment before returning to the road. “You liked showering with me.”

“Ha, are you kidding? I
loved
showering with you. But that's not the point and you know it.”

“You're going to be stubborn about this?”

“'Fraid so.”

Making the turns that'd take him to the motel instead of his house, Simon stewed in silence. Dakota couldn't take it.

“Come on, Simon. Stop acting like a dog left out in the rain.”

“The stuff you say…” He shook his head. “I'm not acting any way at all.”

“Yeah, you are. It's not like I want to run through a mine-field or something.” She reached over for his thigh. “Tell you what. I'll shower with you again tonight if you want.”

He parked in the lot and turned off his car. There was no smile to soften his mood. “Does that mean you'll be spending the night with me?”

Because he didn't look too enthusiastic about that notion, Dakota winced. “I'm a little rusty here, Simon. Give me a clue so I know if you want me there or not.”

“I want you there, damn it.”

The unexpected confrontation took her off guard. “Well, such a sweet invitation.” Frustration put an edge in her tone. “Look, I've been thinking, maybe we're moving kind of fast here.”

His eyes narrowed.

“I mean, I'm not dodging out on you or anything. God, no. And I do want to stay over sometimes. I definitely want more sex.”

Something shifted in his expression. Dakota feared it might be humor.

“The thing is, I don't want to be dependent on you and that's where you're pushing it. I get it that Marvin could be trouble, believe me. Hell, I've lived with that reality for a while now. But you have to trust me to use good judgment.”

Simon reached across the seat and lifted a lock of her hair. “What is it you want?”

“Are we going to be blunt here? Because I'm not good at sugarcoating things, but I don't want to scare you off.”

The corners of his mouth tilted. “You won't scare me.”

“Well…good.” Simon could be so hard to read sometimes that he left her floundering. “I want to get closer to you. I want to keep on seeing you.”

“That's a start.”

“But I don't want anyone to look at me like one of those featherbrained broads who gets in the way of the important stuff.”

“Like my training?”

“Yeah. Dean seems to like me okay now, and I don't want to give him reason to change his mind.”

“Dean likes you fine. Mallet and the others like you more than fine.” He half smiled. “Hell, Harley told me he could see what all the fuss was about.”

“What fuss?”

With a grin, Simon shook his head. “I'll explain it to you later. So you'll spend the night but you don't want to move in?”

“Right. I don't want to crowd you. I don't want you to think I expect to be there every night.” She gestured lamely, hoping he'd understand that she didn't want to be crowded, either. “I'm sure you have other stuff to do sometimes.”

“What about you, Dakota? Do you have other stuff to do?”

“Well…yeah. I mean, I'll be working for Roger soon, and that means our hours will conflict. I'll be up late so I'll sleep late. But you're always up with the roosters.”

“I suppose you have a point.” He got out and walked around the car to open her door. He walked her only as far as the lobby. “How long do you think you'll be?”

“An hour or two?”

“To shower and change?” But rather than push her, he looked at her mouth, bent to kiss her, and whispered, “I'll see you in a few hours, then.”

Dakota watched him go with mixed feelings. It'd be so easy to let Simon take care of everything. He didn't make unreasonable requests, and he wasn't obsessive in his concern. But if she relied on him, she wouldn't be herself anymore, and she'd worked too hard to gain her independence, to become a person she liked, just to give it up at the first opportunity. She'd slipped a little with Barnaby's last scheme, but she was on the right path again, and by God, she'd stay there.