1 Last Shot (The Fight Game, #4)

by Nikki Castle

To those that have to load up with a little extra armor. You’re seen, and you’re loved.

Kane. What a ridiculously hot name.

"Do you see a doctor after you fight? For your injuries?” Kane barks out a cruel laugh. "A doctor? For this?" My brow furrows in confusion. "Well, I'm sure the injury to your hand is normal, but you have a cut on your face. Don't you need stitches or something?" He turns to me with a grin that is a little manic and a lot complicated. "You have no idea, do you?" I quirk an eyebrow. "About when I need stitches after I've been punched in the face? No, I don't. But let's not act like I don't know injuries. Your bloody bruises might come from fists and show on your face, but mine come from doing spins eight hours a day and show on my feet."

That's right boo! Clap back!

“Are all fighters this stubborn? You might have a few less scars if you weren’t too proud to ask for help.”

but—and I’ll never tell Isabella this—I did have to fix the cut I got.

Women know everything boo

And yet, I can't help my sudden need to protect Kane.

I hold his stare and, without missing a beat, I say, "You know, princess just makes it sound like you're flirting." Lowering my voice, I add in an almost-whisper, "Are you flirting with me, Kane?"

shrouded by darkness at first glance, but with so much fiery light hidden beneath the surface.

He pauses beside me. Then his lips are at my ear, just barely brushing the skin as he whispers, "And for the record, you knew my name first, princess."

I'm in a bad mood because I can't get my new neighbor out of my fucking head.

I still had her intoxicating scent in my nose. I scrubbed my chest because I could still feel her perfect tits pressed against me, and I brushed my teeth twice because I could already taste what it would be like to bite into that deliciously plump bottom lip of hers.

And yet, the thing that I really can't get out of my mind, even twelve hours later, is that she said thank you.

Usually, it only takes a single conversation to get people to wise up to my disinterest and convince them I'm not worth the attention. Then I can be back in my own head and free of everyone else's bullshit. Apparently, that doesn't apply to Isabella. Because no matter how many times I push her, mock her, try to put distance between us… she pushes back. And somehow, she's doing it with a smile on her face.

“You have no idea how annoying it is to know that you can do that without even trying.”

But then I realize my coffee machine is broken. That is inexcusable.

“Why, so you can make me come on your lap again?” It bursts out of me. I didn’t even know that was a thought, let alone that I was going to say it out loud. Feeling my cheeks warm, I slowly lift my gaze to meet Kane’s. He’s… amused. The corner of his lip is twitching with a smile, and his eyes are lit up with a twinkle. “Is that the most vulgar thing you’ve ever said out loud?” he asks. I straighten with a sigh. “Yes. And I don’t like that you brought it out of me.”

He huffs a laugh at that. I decide I like the sound of Kane’s laugh.

"Has anyone ever told you that you're shockingly charming?" He revs the engine. "It's practically my main descriptor."

“Hang on and try not to come again.”

Hahahahhaha

but something about Isabella being upset hit me in the gut.

But the idea of leaving Isabella alone and upset in the yoga studio was worse than being careful on the bike for a short ride. At least if she’s with me, I know I can protect her.

Plus, seeing the look of excitement on Oscar’s face when I give him some chicken, or grab the leash to take him for a walk, gives me a burst of happiness.

My heart

"Dogs are the purest souls in the world,” I muse. “They love despite everything, and all they want is for you to love them in return. It's hard to even stomach the thought of giving him away."

I shouldn't be shocked by the sound of her laughter, but… I am. I can't remember the last time I made someone laugh. And the sound of Isabella doing it causes a warmth to blossom in my chest before I can tamp down on it.

Kane doesn't even hesitate in his response. "Not a chance I'm letting anyone else take her home.” To which he gets a knowing smile from the young cop, and a dazed look from me.

“Even if someone is already in front of you, awareness also means being aware of their body language, how close they are, what their intentions might be. So even if I’m just standing in front of you talking, you have to be aware of what I look like. Am I staring at you? Do I look agitated? Does it look like I want to be closer to you?” God, I hope so.

Lmao

“Good girl,” Kane praises, those two words doing more to me than my first boyfriend managed to do in an entire year.

Same

Isabella glares at him. The sight of it–especially not aimed at me–makes a grin form on my lips. Fuck, she’s sexy.

I drop my hand from his face and reach for one of his hands, undoing the Velcro around his wrist and gently tugging the glove off his hand. Then I do the other one. And when I'm done, I fold his hand in mine and meet his eyes. "Let's get out of here," I say quietly. His nod comes without any hesitation.

Be still my heart

I reach for his hand and lace our fingers together. And even more surprisingly, he doesn't shake me off again. In fact, I think I even feel him squeeze me back.

Because when I'm with her, I don't have to think about the past, don't have to worry about the future, I can just be here, in the moment, with her.

"Has anyone ever told you that you're quite mouthy for a sweet little ballerina?" I drawl, pleased to see a shiver run through her body. I smirk when her smile drops and she sucks in a sudden breath. "I'm still a sweet little ballerina," she says, but her voice is too breathy for the clapback to be effective. "No, you're not." I cock my head and study her for a moment. "You play the part, but it's just an act, isn't it? Underneath all that lace and sweetness, you're actually a tigress. You're strong, and passionate, and you’re so fucking sexy."

You could be the greatest dancer that ever lived, and I'd still think the rest of you was more valuable.

“Shhh, quiet, princess. You don’t want everyone to know how hungry you are for my cock, do you? That you’re not the good girl everyone thinks you are?”

"Give me one more, princess,” Kane growls into my skin. “Come all over my bike for me. I want it to be the only thing I can think of every time I ride it from now on."

"Let's go, princess. I want to feed you before I have to get home to Oscar." His words immediately shake me out of my thoughts. Enough to glare at him and say, "You make me sound like a dog. I don't need you to feed me." He smirks and leans forward to nip my lip before soothing it with a kiss. "But I like feeding you." When he pulls away with an odd look in his eyes, I almost wonder if that translates to I like taking care of you.

"I figured you wouldn't want to go someplace nice with shredded tights and a wet pussy. But if you want the thrill, I'm happy to take you to a fancy restaurant just so I can get you off on some expensive velvet chair while we're being served by a guy in a tux."

"I was thinking maybe I could see you in the mornings before you go to work," I suggest tentatively. "I could make you breakfast, even."

"What if I come visit the club this weekend?" He doesn't even hesitate with his answer. "Absolutely not. It would take the owner two seconds to offer you a job. And you're not taking your clothes off for anyone that isn't me."

I haven't seen jealous Kane yet, but I think I like him.

"Princess, I'd give my left arm to watch you strip. But I'd pay ten times that to make sure no one else ever gets to."

"What about goat yoga?" I blurt out. Kane sighs. "You already know my answer is yes."

Isabella still has a huge smile on her face when we exit the fenced in area. It's been there since I knocked on her door at 8 a.m. this morning. Somewhere along the way, it became my favorite sight in the world.

And yet, when I look over at Isabella, I feel… peace. I feel peace in a way that I've never experienced before. We're not talking about my fucked up life, not dancing around a game of seduction that's solely focused on sex, we're just… existing.

Isabella turns her face up toward me with a smile that immediately hits me in the chest. I can't lose this.

"We should do what you want to do now. We did enough of what I wanted." How do I tell her the only thing I want is to be with her?

"Then let me show you. We'll do it together." Together. Does that word hit him as hard as it hits me?

"Easy," he says, amusement coating his tone as he pulls open the oven. "I'm going to be very unhappy if you burn yourself." "What on earth does unhappy Kane look like?" I wonder sarcastically as I lean down to pull the pan out and set it on the stovetop. I'm so mesmerized by the sight of our cheesy, perfect meal, I don't realize Kane has stepped up behind me until his arms go around my waist. He tightens his grip and nuzzles into my neck, and his voice is quiet when he says, "It's getting harder and harder to remember."

He’s smiling before he can tamp down on it. His gaze darts over my shoulder, I’m assuming at my parents, but he no longer has that deer-in-the-headlights look. He has that happy look.

"Since the day I first saw you, I've been thinking about what it would look like to dirty up this perfection."