Caged (Defiant Kings, #1)

by Bella Matthews

“Thinking of you keeps me awake. Dreaming of you keeps me asleep. Being with you keeps me alive.”

“Come on, Maddie . . . Ditch your class tonight. Grab a drink with me.” I look up from the floor, stretched out on my mat at the MMA gym where I teach yoga three nights a week, and smile at Hudson Kingston. The reigning world light heavyweight champion is the biggest flirt I’ve ever met, and he knows it. For the past two years, he’s asked me out at least once a week. Of course, that number varies, depending on how many times he finds me stretched out on a mat. Let’s just say I’ve heard a lot of bad Downward Dog jokes since I started teaching here. And since our mutual friends got married and moved in next to him, he’s also managed to become a friend of mine too. But deep down, he’ll always be a flirt at heart and refuses to let me forget it. “You’re in training, King. No alcohol for you.” I stretch my legs out in a V and lay my chest flat against the mat, then raise my eyes to the man standing in front of my toes. A slow, sexy grin extends across his chiseled face, and warmth spreads through me. “Oh, I can think of a few other things we could do.” My friend’s husband, Cooper, smacks the back of Hudson’s gorgeous blond head. Why do the gorgeous ones always have to be so cocky?

this man is beyond gorgeous. He’s six feet, five inches of rock-solid, golden muscles and beautiful black ink that’s on display every single time he trains. They’ve just finished for the night, so he’s changed into gray sweatpants and a dark-green Crucible hoodie that look almost as good on him as the low-slung shorts and bare chest do when he trains. But . . . but, but, but . . . A deep chuckle rumbles from Cooper’s chest. “You wouldn’t even know what to do with a woman like Maddie, asshole. Can your dates even spell their own names?” Hudson shoulders his gym bag and smiles his megawatt smile. Perfectly straight, white teeth that probably cost his parents a small fortune. “I don’t give them an IQ test, Sinclair.” And there it is . . . there’s the but. Hudson Kingston is also a manwhore. I have no doubt he could make my body sing. But as much as I’d give anything to let this man take the v-card I’d love to ditch if I could, I also have absolutely no doubt I’d get my heart crushed in the process. Which leaves me to settle for friendship with a side of the fun banter we’ve got going on instead. “You couldn’t handle me, King.” This man was dubbed Hudson “The King” Kingston by the fighting world years ago. On someone else, it might seem like an arrogant or self-indulgent name. But it fits him like a golden glove. “One night with me, and I bet I could have you loving how I handle all sorts of things, sunshine.” Our eyes lock for a single charged moment, but it’s broken when the...

“Mads, can you close up tonight? I promised the band we could run through our new set, and I’m already late.” She throws her crossbody bag on and grabs her keys from the desk. “Please, please, please,” she pleads, and I shake my head no. Sensing she’s losing me, she adds, “I’ll clean the mats for you for a week.” “Sold.” I hold out my hand. “You should have started with that offer.” I hate cleaning the mats after class, and a week of not doing them sounds pretty good. Imogen passes me the spray cleaner and spins her keys. “Thanks, Mads. I owe you one.” “Nope. You owe me a week.” I take the bottle and singsong my response. “Have fun. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” Imogen moves toward the door before swinging her red hair back around. “We’re all doing things you wouldn’t do, Mads. One of these days, you’re gonna see what you’re missing out on,” she says on a laugh just before she disappears through the front doors. My friends love to tease me about my lack of a love life. Like I’m single by my own choosing. Dating sucks in general. And when your brother is a pro football player who’s more protective of you than anything in the world, it can get kinda . . . sticky. That, compounded with my own personal demons, and it’s just not worth it sometimes. I go through phases where I try to put myself out there, but most of the time, I’d rather just be surrounded by my friends. Life is easier that way. Less complicated.

A noise from the back of the building stops me as I spray down the mats. “Hello . . . ?” I call out, wondering if someone may still be in the bathroom. Although, my students were all accounted for. The gym should be empty. Maybe something fell over. An uneasy feeling washes over me as I look around the empty gym, then jump when the chimes over the front door sound. It swings open a moment later, and Hudson walks through. “Mads . . . you still here? I forgot my phone.” He scans the room, looking for me. I raise my shaking hand to cover my pounding heart. “Oh my goodness, Hudson. You scared the heck out of me.” “Maddie,” he hollers, his eyes growing wide as he spots me across the gym. Then he roars, “Move!” I’m not sure what scares me more . . . the way his voice booms through the entire building or the look on his face as he charges me. Instinctively, I move toward him. “Hudson—” Out of the corner of my eye, I see movement behind me a split second too late. Like the world has switched into slow motion and quicksand is holding my limbs hostage, I try to move, but fear freezes me in place. Until Hudson knocks me out of the way with a rough shove backward. I fall to the floor while my scream reverberates from the rafters. There’s a man in a black ski mask running from Hudson. Oh my God. Hudson catches up to the attacker easily. The guy grabs a kettle bell and throws it behind him. My scream gets caught in my throat when I watch Hudson jump over the black kettle bell. It’s like...

My life has been intertwined with the Kingstons for years. Despite that, I’m curled up on the chair next to the bed, feeling like an intruder. There’s nine of them, and they’re the biggest, loudest family I’ve ever met. It’s all sorts of intimidating when you see it up close, even if it’s the family dynamic I’d always wished for growing up. My brother, Brandon, is my only family. He and I grew up bouncing from one foster home to another. We’ve only ever had each other to depend on. So being around this crazy family has always been overwhelming. Brandon plays professional football for the Philadelphia Kings—one of the teams the Kingston family owns—and I run the social-media accounts for a few of the Kings players, as well as the official account for the Philadelphia Revolution, the pro hockey team they bought a few years ago. And I teach yoga at Crucible. At least I used to. Please God, don’t let him fire me for this. But even as interconnected as we all are, I’m not part of this family. They’re a tight-knit circle that I’m outside the periphery of. Watching but not part of. We share friends, and I’ve been to their weddings and championship games, but I’ve never felt like I belonged. And I can’t help but feel like I shouldn’t be here for this.

While Cade and Scarlet continue their argument, which feels more like foreplay than him actually trying to calm her down, my eyes scan up Hudson’s legs. They cut his sweatpants off at the knee, and he’s been icing it on and off since we got here. He reaches over with his big palm and squeezes my hand, sending a shiver dancing down my spine. “Hey, you doing okay?” This man does not touch me . . . ever. He flirts. A lot. But he never touches, and that’s a good thing because I don’t really like to be touched. And if this is what it feels like, I definitely need us to stay in a touch-free zone. Because for a hot minute, I consider what it would be like to crawl into that bed next to him and feel his arms wrap around me. And that’s not something I do . . . ever. “Mads,” he prods. “Yeah,” I whisper. “I’m good. I’m just so sorry you got hurt. I swear I counted my students as they left, and the building should have been empty.” Scarlet spins around on her red-soled high heels. “Don’t you dare apologize, Madison Dixon. This is not your fault.”

“Have you called your brother?” Scarlet Kingston-St. James is a force of nature, and she’s a hella scary one too. She runs the Philadelphia Kings, so she’s Brandon’s boss. Of course, this means she knows he treats me like a breakable piece of glass instead of a grown woman who owns a successful business and is capable of running her own life. “Scarlet, back off.” Hudson glares at his sister. “We’re okay. You can reel in the momma-bear routine a bit, okay?” She ignores him, keeping her sights set on me. “Madison, he’d want to know what happened.” “He’d want to fly home from London,” I push back. The team just left for their first international game, and he’s not due back for a few days. Scarlet hands me her phone. “Call him. Tell him what happened, and do not let him fly home.” This woman is used to getting her way. And normally, I’d envy her confidence and determination, but right now, I don’t have the energy. I pull my phone from the pocket of my yoga pants and stand from the chair. When I turn my head, I plaster a forced smile Hudson’s way. “Want me to get you anything from the vending machine?” Cade glares at me. “He’s got two weeks left before his fight. No junk food, Mads.” “Sorry.” I shrug my shoulders as Hudson drops his head back against the pillow. “I tried.” Just as I push through the door, Hudson calls out my name. “Mads . . .” There’s frustration lining his beautiful cobalt eyes when I turn around. “Don’t go far, okay?” With a nod of my head, I step just outsid...

“You’ve got to postpone the fight.” Scarlet folds her arms across her chest and looks between Cade and me, like her word is gospel—written on a stone tablet. I’ve been sitting in this goddamned bed for three fucking hours, and now, she’s going to try lecturing me? I don’t think so. I love my sister, but I’m pretty sure I earned a pass tonight. Let her husband deal with her. Cade looks from the doctor to his wife, never even glancing my way. “He’s hyperextended his MCL. It’s not torn. He doesn’t need surgery. He’s a professional. We’ll give him a few days’ rest and have him training next week.” The fucker finally looks at me with a cocky smile that’s covering his concern. “Can you stay off your leg for a few days, King?” “If it means I walk into that cage next week, you bet your fucking ass I can.” “I’ll get the nurses to bring your release papers, Mr. Kingston.” The doc heads out of the room, and my stomach drops. At least, this is manageable. It could have been worse. It could have been a torn MCL or ACL, then it would have required surgery. Game over for months. Scarlet moves next to the bed I’m still stuck in. “You’re not going to let me talk you out of this, are you, Hudson?” “Why ask the question when you already know the answer, Scarlet?” I crack my neck as the tension in the room grows. “I’ll be fine.” “Sure you will.” My sister tends to think she knows best. Especially when it comes to our family. She’s not the oldest. That prize goes to Max. But in our family of n...

did you speak with your brother?” Scarlet asks. “He didn’t answer, and I didn’t think this was something I should leave in a text. He’d freak out.” Maddie bites down on her bottom lip, probably uncomfortable having this conversation with Scarlet, and I have to shift on this stupid, fucking bed, so she doesn’t see the insane reaction my body has every single time her teeth sink into her pouty pink lips. Madison Dixon isn’t the kind of girl you take out for a night, knowing it’s only one night. Everything about her screams she’s more than that. She’s pure. She’s sunshine. Teasing her is fun. We flirt. We laugh. But it never goes anywhere, even if my dick seriously wishes it would. I wouldn’t have a clue how to give her what she needs. What she deserves. So, with a pain shooting through my knee, I shift anyway, needing to hide the semi I got from one look her way. “I can’t believe I’m going to suggest this,” Cade groans and runs his palm down his face. “Mads, any chance you can stay with Hud for a few days? I know you work your social-media stuff from home, and I really don’t trust the dipshit to stay in bed to rest that leg. Plus, I’m pretty sure your brother wouldn’t want you staying at your house alone after what happened tonight.” Her head snaps up, and bright blue eyes practically glow with fire. “Seriously, Cade? Are you trying to say Hudson needs a babysitter? Or that I do?” “Ohh . . . that’s perfect. Does Daphne have a key to your house, Madison? I’ll ask her to pack ...

“Maddie . . . First of all, if you’ve got a daddy kink, I’ll be your daddy all day, every day.” She rolls her lips together, trying to hold back her smile, but eventually gives in to the urge. Her laughter breaks through the heavy wei...

Scarlet’s not wrong. I’ll need help for a few days. And maybe you shouldn’t be alone until we know who broke into the gym tonight. He wasn’t going for the cash box, Mads. He was behind you. It might be a win-win if you stay with me for a few days. You know . . . you scratch my back, I wash yours.” Her smile is infectious when both dimples pop deeply in her cheeks, and something expands in my chest, knowing I made that happen. Men have killed for lesser things. “Come on, Maddie. You know you wanna.” “My goodness, Hudson. Did you take a class on awful lines or something? That was really bad.” She rubs her hands over her bare arms, drawing my attention to the goosebumps covering her creamy skin. I hadn’t thought about the way we rushed out of the gym. It’s freezing outside and only a few degrees warmer in this hospital room. Maddie’s in a tank top and skintight yoga pants that stop just under her knees. This woman gets cold in the heat of the summer. I throw my hoodie her way. “Put that on.” “Excuse me?” she snaps. “You’re shivering.” I watch as she shakes her head, mumbling something about men, but she does as she’s told and throws my hoodie over her head. And it swallows her whol...

“Sit down, Kingston. You’re not walking up the damn stairs tonight.” Cade and Hudson are arguing while I stand in the family room, staring out the wall of windows making up the entire side of his house. The snow has just started falling outside, and the view of the lake at the end of Hudson’s backyard looks like part of a Norman Rockwell painting. No matter how many times I see it, this view always takes my breath away. Hudson’s house sits on the banks of Kroydon Lake, and the waterfalls play a constant soothing melody in the distance. He moved in a year ago after spending months on renovations, and from the first time I stepped inside, I’ve been in awe of how warm and homey it is. Not at all the bachelor pad most of us were expecting. Reclaimed wood floors and a stacked stone fireplace take center stage on the first floor, surrounded by windows and oversized, plush furniture. Everything about it screams beauty and comfort . . . and money. Hudson spared no expense making this home his own personal retreat. The Kingston family is Philadelphia royalty. They own half the city. It’s easy to forget that when you’re talking with them because they don’t act like . . . well, like how I’d imagine billionaires would act. Which I guess isn’t exactly a fair assumption.

“Maddie . . .” I spin around to find Cade standing behind me. “He’s on the couch, and he’s grouchy. Don’t let him convince you he’s okay to walk up the steps tonight. Make him wait until tomorrow.” He hesitates, then pulls his keys from his pockets. “You sure about staying here? You could always come stay with Scarlet and me until Dixon gets home.” “Umm, no thanks, Cade. My brother may like to think I need to be taken care of, but I did manage to live on my own for four years before I moved in with him. I’ll be fine.” Cade laughs as he shakes his head. “I gotcha. But give him a break. We big brothers like to think it’s our job to keep our little sisters safe. I think I was more upset when Imogen moved out than she was.” He takes a step back and points toward the giant sectional sofa where Hudson’s flipping through channels on the TV. “He’s gonna be a pain in the ass, Mads. Call me if you need me.” “Okay. Thanks.” I follow him to the door, then lock it once he’s gone. A chill runs down my spine, thinking about locking another door earlier tonight and what happened afterward. I pull the detective’s card from my pocket and flip it over. I’m not sure what exactly he thought I’d remember and be able to tell him, but I was given instructions to call if anything came to mind.

My phone rings, drawing me from the rabbit hole my mind started spiraling down. When I pull it from my pocket, the face of my best friend, Daphne, is flashing back at me. “Hey. I’m standing in your closet. What do you want me to pack for you?” Daphne and I roomed together all four years in college. Then she lived with Brandon and me after we graduated. Of course, that was before she moved in with, and eventually married, Hudson’s oldest brother, Max. “What the heck, D?” I lower my voice, not wanting it to carry into the other room. “What are you doing in my closet?” “Scarlet called and asked me to pack you a bag. What the hell happened?” I grab two bottles of water from the fridge and look to see if Hudson has any wine hiding in there. It’s going to be a long night. “I’m fine. Someone broke into Crucible tonight. Hudson tried to catch them but slipped. He hurt his knee, but he’s going to be fine too.” I hope. “Scarlet’s making too big of a deal out of this. I can get my own clothes, D.” “You sure you know what you’re doing, Mads?” “What do you mean? It’s only a few nights. I’ll be fine.” I pull myself up to sit on the granite counter. “He’s not hurt too bad. He can put weight on it, but it’s swollen and sore. I should be fine to help for a few days.” I hear Daphne going through my closet and unzipping a bag, then she groans, “That’s not what I’m talking about, and you know it. You two have danced around each other for years.” “Hudson flirts with everyone, D. We’re friends....

I hurry across the cold floor to where Hudson sits reclined on one of those fancy armchairs at the end of the sectional. His leg is raised in front of him, and a commentator on ESPN is discussing his upcoming fight. Hudson looks up at me, and the look on his face breaks my heart a little. “How are you feeling, Mads?” There’s no silly smile, only exhaustion pulling at the corners of his eyes. “You’re the one who got hurt. Because you were making sure I was safe.” Once the towel is wrapped around the peas, I place them gently on his knee. “The doctor said you need to keep ice on it.” Hudson pats the couch next to him. “Sit down, Madison. You look like you’re about to fall over.” “I’m fine.” I hold up the banana and water. “Are you hungry?” He takes them from me and puts them on the end table. “No. I ate before I came back to the gym. How about you? Have you eaten anything? Do you need to test your sugar or something?” I stare at him, not sure why I’m surprised he’d even think to ask that. Everyone knows I’m a diabetic, even if it’s not something I make a big deal about. “I had some trail mix at the hospital. But I should probably check my sugar. And maybe take a shower. I never got one after my class tonight.” “The shower in my bathroom is the only one with soap and shampoo. It’s at the end of the hall at the top of the stairs.” He points behind me. “There’s a linen cabinet inside with clean towels and a laundry basket by my bed that has clean clothes in it, if you want to b...

when I step into his space, it feels wrong. There’s something intrinsically intimate about being in this man’s room. An unnerving level of comfort that makes me squirm. Another fireplace sits in the corner of the room with two chairs off to the side and a huge bed anchoring the space. The furniture looks well-loved, not brand new. And it dawns on me that this isn’t a space meant to be seen. This is a private space he’s comfortable in. And I’m not sure if I’m comfortable being in here. I like flirty Hudson. He’s easy to spar with. He’s easy to disregard as a serious threat to my heart. This . . . this is something else. Something about this makes it just a little harder to keep Hudson Kingston in the box I’ve put him in. A flashy and ostentatious bedroom would have firmed up my manwhore assumptions. It would have helped me strengthen my walls. This . . . for some reason, this may have created the first crack in those walls, that I’ve solidly fortified since I was a little girl.

Maddie slips up the stairs, and I grab my phone from the end table. The damn thing hasn’t stopped vibrating since we left the hospital. No doubt, my family’s message thread has been blowing up. That’s never a good sign. My brothers, sisters, and I are definitely codependent. We’re loud. We’re obnoxious. And we’re viciously loyal to each other. We can always count on each other to have our backs. You can also always count on them to serve you your ass when you fuck up. And when I look at the screen and see my sister Lenny yelling at me, I wish I could say I’m surprised.

Lenny Someone broke into Crucible tonight while Maddie was there alone. They think Maddie was the target. Hudson stopped him. Scarlet Technically, he fell. Then the guy ran away. Max He saved Maddie. That’s a good thing, Len. Jace Daphne’s hot friend Maddie? The yoga teacher with the great ass? Max Don’t beat your meat to images of my wife’s friends, Jace. Sawyer Yeah, jackoff. Don’t beat your meat? Who the fuck says that kind of shit, Maximus? Amelia Is Maddie okay? Scarlet She’s fine. She’s staying with Hudson for a few days to make sure he stays off his leg. Becket Are they canceling the fight? Hudson No. We’re. Not. Sawyer You okay, brother? Hudson I’m fine. Maddie’s fine. The gym is fine. Now everyone can fuck off for the night and stop blowing up my phone. I’m going to bed. Jace With the hot blonde? Becket There are other ways to get women, Hud. You don’t have to hurt yourself to get their attention. Although asking her to kiss your boo-boo could work. Hudson Fuck off Becks. Jace Seriously. Have you seen her when she teaches that yoga class? She makes downward dog look really good. Amelia Jace, you’re supposed to be the cute one. Not the pig. Scarlet Jesus Christ. Lenny Stop. Just stop. Where did we fail you? Hudson Do you have a death wish, little brother? Jace Like you’re not all thinking the same thing. Once I close out of the group text and take the peas off my knee, I try to settle my mind without any luck. I’m defending my title in nine days. Nine fucking days,...

Max huffs before he motions toward the TV. “Turn it up.” They’re interviewing Spider Ramirez. This fuckhead has wanted my title for two goddamned years. He hasn’t earned the fight, but that hasn’t stopped him from talking shit about me and Crucible every chance he’s gotten. Asshole. Max leans against the back of the couch. “You gonna give in and fight this little shit after you win next week?” “Fuck him. He’s gotta earn it.” I put in my time. He’s gotta do the same. Even with a bum knee, I’m not worried about winning next week’s fight. You don’t train like I do year-fucking-round and have a doubt. My thoughts stop on a dime when the sweet scent of honey and vanilla wafts into the room. Her skin always smells like honey and vanilla. Even after she’s finished sweating through a hot yoga class, Madison Dixon smells delicious. And like a man searching for an oasis in the desert, she draws me in. I want to taste her skin. Her lips. Her fucking cunt to see if she’s as sweet as she smells. It takes a few more minutes before she finally walks back into the room and takes my breath away. She drops down on the couch and lets Cinder curl around her. “Hey, baby,” she purrs at the damn cat, and that voice . . . fuck me. When she stands up with the black and white furball in her arms, Daphne hugs her and whispers something that makes Maddie blush. Max grips my shoulder. “I think that’s my cue. Call me if you need anything.” “Thanks, man.” Maddie walks my brother and sister-in-law to the...

Hudson has four bedrooms upstairs, besides the master. I walked by each one on my way to the shower, so I knew they were there before I got comfortable on the couch last night. I also knew I should have excused myself and gone to bed in one of them when my eyes got heavy after the first half of Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone. Apparently, Hudson gets every channel except the Hallmark channel. But Harry Potter is my favorite movie franchise, so I ignored my body begging me for a bed and my brain telling me I should probably have sat on the opposite end of the sectional, far away from the ridiculously sexy man I was here to help. Luckily, even I knew that was ridiculous, and I convinced myself to stay right where I was. I could go to bed after Harry, Hermione, and Ron saved the day. Only I never made it to that scene. The last thing I remember was Hudson tugging a big cream blanket from the back of the couch and forcing me to share the softest blanket I’d ever snuggled under with him. I thought about saying no. I considered going to bed, like a coward with her tail between her legs. Then Cinder curled up between the two of us and surprised me when she rubbed up against the man who causes butterflies to take flight in my belly. He ran his hand down her back, and to my complete surprise, she let him. Traitor. I was jealous of the cat. Friend, Madison. He’s a friend. That mantra played over and over in my mind while I overanalyzed the space between us. It wasn’t like I wa...

Those beautiful windows I loved yesterday really suck when the sun shines blindingly through them first thing in the morning. Definitely more effective than any alarm clock I’ve ever set. But once the light wakes me up, it only takes seconds to realize where I slept last night. Because right now, my head isn’t resting on a soft pillow. Nope. It’s resting on a hard body. I scrunch my eyes closed tightly, not ready to face the humiliation of admitting that not only did I fall asleep, but I also managed to rest my freaking face against Hudson’s thigh. I peak quickly through my lids, then slam them shut again. Yup. Right next to his . . . Ohmygod . . . Hudson is completely reclined, sleeping on his back with his arms tucked behind his head, and I’m practically molesting him with my face inches from his dick. Inches. I never even sleep through the night. Daphne used to tease me about it in college. I’m a ridiculously light sleeper. Constantly moving while growing up did that to me. Always sharing a room with new people. Never trusting anyone. I hear everything. How . . .? How . . .? How did I let this happen? “You’re thinking really hard down there, Mads. Stop. It’s too early for that shit.” Humiliation burns my skin while Hudson’s raspy, sleepy voice puts a halt to my spiraling thoughts. He shifts beneath me, and I thank God I’m at least not lying on his hurt leg, as his big palm runs over my hair and down my back. Amazingly, I resist the urge to jerk away and instead push up ...

“Hey, Hud?” I ask as I walk back into the family room. His head tips back, and it really isn’t fair how good this man looks first thing in the morning. I just looked at myself in the bathroom mirror and cringed—full-on cringed. And he looks like he’s ready for a photoshoot or something. Totally unfair. “Where’d you go there, sunshine?” Good question. How about to a place I’m never going to tell him about. “What’s your Wi-Fi password? I’ve gotta get some work done today.” The front door slams against the wall behind it, setting off the alarm as Imogen storms in. Hudson grabs his phone to turn off the obnoxious beeping, then watches the fiery red ball of anger that’s his best friend as she storms into the room. “Hudson Kingston. Why did I not know you stopped a goddamned burglar last night and got hurt doing it? And why the hell didn’t you call me when you needed help?” Imogen might be yelling, but I know her well enough to recognize the hurt in her voice. These two are tighter than most siblings I know, and she’s not even one of his sisters. She stands in front of him, her arms folded over her chest, glaring at him, and fortunately, ignoring me. I grab my bag from the floor where Max left it last night, and wave when Hudson looks over at me and mouths help. “Sorry, dude. You’re on your own.” Imogen never takes her eyes off her best friend. “Are you okay, Mads? Cade said you were fine.” “Good as gold, Gen. Just going upstairs to get dressed.” I hold in my laughter when Hudso...

Once Maddie goes upstairs, I pull myself up from the couch and stretch out my sore muscles. My knee is throbbing in tune to my fucking heartbeat already. Great sign for how the day’s gonna go. I hobble into the kitchen on the crutches the hospital sent home with me, tuning out Imogen, who’s still grumbling behind me. I should have already run five miles around the damn lake this morning instead of sleeping on the couch with my leg in the fucking air. Who the fuck can sleep like that? Not me, that’s for sure. On top of the ridiculous position, it’s hard to fall asleep with a beautiful woman next you. Her sweet scent invading my senses didn’t help me any. And that was before she fell asleep with her head tucked against my shoulder. Before she managed to slide down until her face was using my quad as a damn pillow. Inches from my dick. Sighing those sweet little sighs. Sounds I want to hear while my tongue is buried in her pussy. Fucking hell. This woman. I don’t do this. I don’t obsess over women. Especially during training camp. They’re a distraction. And I learned a long fucking time ago that distractions are dangerous. She’s my friend. Like Imogen . . . but not. Imogen has always been like a sister. From the day I met her, she was like Scarlet, Lenny, and Amelia. I’d do anything for her, but I’ve never fantasized about seeing her naked. Something I may or may not have imagined about Maddie more times than I’d ever admit while spanking it in the shower.

“What’s wrong with you?” When I turn around, Imogen’s standing in the kitchen, looking at me like I’ve lost my shit. She might not be far off. “What’s wrong?” I shake my head. “It’s less than two weeks out from the biggest fight of my life, and I can’t put weight on my left leg without pain. I can’t train. Fuck. I couldn’t even make it upstairs to get a goddamned shower last night. I slept like shit. I’m in pain, and I’m tired. Does that about sum it up?” “Hud . . . why didn’t you call me? I would have come over.” She sits down on a stool at the island and waits. “I don’t know, Gen. It happened fast, and I was just thinking about whether I was going to be able to fight next week. The hospital took forever. Scarlet yelled at everyone. Cade was trying to keep her calm, and Maddie barely said a word. It just kind of happened. They suggested she stay here for a few days, and I went with it. I didn’t really want her going home alone, if I’m honest.” I move across from her and lean my weight against the counter. “The guy was right behind her when I walked in. Too fucking close. I don’t know . . . It scared me. And we both know I don’t get scared.” Imogen’s bright green eyes stare at me, assessing. “Uh-huh. This has nothing to do with the crush you’ve had on Maddie Dixon since she started working at the gym then?” “Seriously? A crush? What are we . . . thirteen? I don’t have a crush.” And even if I did, now wouldn’t be the damn time to talk about it . . . Or act on it. The fight’...

“I thought Daphne was exaggerating when she told me how codependent the Kingston siblings are.” She’d just married Hud’s oldest brother, Max, and couldn’t get over how often they all stop by each other’s houses or how much time they spent texting each other. “I was wrong.” Carys Sinclair closes her mouth and tries to hide her laughter over my rant. She’s used to them by now. We’ve been friends for years. And lucky for me, she and her husband, Cooper, live next door to Hudson. Hud and Cooper are currently in the home gym, doing whatever Hud’s allowed to do for now, with strict instructions from Cade and the physical therapist at the gym to not put weight or stress on his leg. Meanwhile, Carys and I sit on the couch in front of a fire, working on the social-media presence for the holiday push for her company, Le Désir. She designs the most beautiful lingerie I’ve ever seen. I’ve splurged on a ton of it, even if no one has ever seen me in it. It’s dinner time on a Friday, and I’m still working. I guess that could be one of my issues. You’d think Hudson’s siblings would be busy running their freaking empire because King Corp definitely falls into the empire category. But no . . . Not these people. “Becket and Lenny swung by at lunch to check in,” I continue my rant, deciding I’m fired up and not even close to done yet. “And . . . I may have also overheard a conversation earlier between Hudson and Sawyer. And I know that there’s been a group text happening because he’s either g...

“Where’s Hudson?” Coop takes the glass from her for a sip, then hands it back. “He’s on the phone. Sawyer called.” “Told you,” I laugh as the man in question shuffles gingerly into the room, grumbling, with his crutches tucked under his arms. I don’t miss the tension holding his body hostage before he sits on the arm of the couch next to me. He tugs a strand of my hair until I turn around to face him. “What did you tell them, sunshine? Are you giving away all my secrets?” “I don’t know any of your secrets.” Even if I wish I did. And damn him for that.

“Do you think you’ll be okay to go to the bar this weekend?” “You worried about me, Maddie?” His words are a step above a whisper, which does crazy things to my body. I stare into the depths of his cobalt eyes, lost for a second. Of course, I’m worried about him. He’s my friend. Even if this feels like more. Carys stands with her empty wine glass and clears her throat. “More like she’s worried Cade will kick her ass if you screw up your leg any worse, Hud.” She holds her glass up to me. “You sure you don’t want any?” I shake my head and wait for her to go into the kitchen, so it’s just Hudson and me still in the room. “How are you feeling? You guys were in the gym for a while. You’re supposed to be taking it easy.” “It’s sore, but I’ve had worse. I took it easy, and we just worked arms. The damn stairs were worse than the workout.” He reaches toward me, like he’s going to touch my face, but I pull away. Hudson drops his hand, and the look in his eyes turns glacial. “Don’t worry about me, Maddie. But we’re going to talk about that one of these days.” I blink, shocked by the tone in his voice just as Cooper announces, “Dinner’s here.” “There’s nothing to talk about, Hudson,” I murmur as I get up, ready to hurry from the room before he can push harder. And thank goodness, he doesn’t push. Just waits for me to walk in front of him, then follows me into the kitchen. “Hey, Carys . . .” She spins around to face me. “Want to pour me a glass of wine too?” “Oh damn.” Carys looks bet...

My little sunshine spent the rest of the night pissed. Not loud and yelling like any of my sisters would have done. No. This woman got quiet, and that was somehow worse. I watched it happen. She didn’t shut down, not in an obvious way. And she covered it well. Maddie still smiled and laughed when she needed to over dinner, but that smile was forced, and her words were quiet. She was making herself smaller, and I fucking hated it. Almost as much as knowing something, at some point in her life, caused her to pull away from being touched. Not by everyone though. Carys hugged her goodbye, and Maddie embraced her with no problem. But that look in her eyes earlier . . . Even if it was just for a split second, I saw it. And I wanted to fucking eviscerate whoever put it there. Then I realized I put it there. “Maddie.” She finishes drying the wine glasses, then turns around, but doesn’t make eye contact. “Listen, Hud. I’m exhausted, and I need to sleep in a bed tonight. Do you have any preference which room I take?” She dries her hands and carefully hangs the towel back up, busying herself. “Madison. Stop.” The words come out sharper than I intend, and I cringe at her reaction. She wraps her arms around herself and continues to look anywhere but at me. “Let’s not do this, Hud.” “Maddie . . .” Finally, she lifts her pretty eyes to mine. Her golden hair frames her face like a halo. “Please . . . Can we just not?” I stand very fucking carefully from the table and grab my crutches, kno...

Does counting the rotations of the fan count as meditation? Because it’s sure not helping me calm down. I’ve been up here for an hour, and there’s no way I’m falling asleep any time soon. Not with my emotions riding a roller coaster like it’s a weekend at the Jersey shore. I’ve always loved the roller coasters. The bigger, the faster, the crazier, the better. I love that feeling of your stomach dropping as you fly around the loops backward, not able to see what’s coming at you. I always thought they were an adrenaline high and would beg Brandon to ride them again and again. I wish I was fearless like that in my real life. I wish I could take what I want and not worry what was coming at me. Not worry about the consequences. Not let the past determine my future.

“What’s wrong?” “Nothing . . .” She gives me the look—the one only your best friend can give you because words aren’t even needed. “I don’t know, D. Everything?” I’m not even sure why I called her, but I need to figure this out. “You made it one whole night, huh?” She gets up and tells her husband she’ll be back. “What did he do?” Daphne knows me better than anyone in the world, and I love her for it. She was the first person I ever let in who wasn’t Brandon. I trust her with my life, and because of her, I’ve got a tribe of women who surround me and support me. But it took a long time for me to feel that level of comfort. And I don’t know if I’m capable of giving anyone else that same kind of trust. Because I’m broken. “He didn’t do anything, D. It’s me. You know Hudson. He’s a touchy-feely kind of guy, and—” She cuts me off, “And you’re not a touchy kind of girl.” “Exactly.” I hesitate, before adding, “But what if I want to be?” Daphne sits down on her couch and wraps a blanket around her shoulders. “Do you?” My heart squeezes at the hesitancy in her voice, like I’m a deer caught in headlights she’s expecting to bolt. “I’m going to ask you something, Mads, and I don’t want you to get mad at me.” “I won’t get mad, D.” “Do you just want to be touched, or do you want Hudson to touch you? There’s a big difference between the two, and I want you to really think about the answer.” I sit up in bed, bringing my knees up to my chest and wrap an arm around them, really considering ...

“Mads . . . I can’t believe I’m about to say this about Hudson Kingston, but he’s Max’s brother, and I love him, so I’m saying it anyway.” I wait for a long beat, wondering what words of wisdom she’s going to lay at my feet. “Don’t hurt him, Maddie. He might seem invincible, but he’s not. He’s a really good guy, with a really big heart. Be sure of what you want before you make any decisions. Because from what I’ve seen, when the Kingstons fall, they fall hard. They love hard. And if you give him your heart, I don’t see how he could ever let it go. Because you, Mads, are incredible.”

A creak in the hall a few minutes later has me watching a shadow that stops on the other side of the closed door. My heart races, wondering if Hudson’s going to knock. But after a minute, the shadow is gone, and the footsteps head further down the hall to the next room. Hudson’s bedroom. I sit there, paralyzed and debating what to do for at least ten minutes as disappointment chokes me. Until I finally get up, positive this is insane but forcing myself to move until I’m standing in front of his closed door with my hand pressed against it. “Maddie?” he calls from inside the room. “Yeah,” I whisper back. He doesn’t say anything, but the door opens, and I swallow my tongue. Steam is billowing in from the master bathroom, and wow . . . This man is beautiful. Standing with one crutch under his arm, a towel wrapped around his hips, and his wet hair dripping down his face, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen anything sexier. I rake my eyes over all the beautiful, inked muscles on display and have to fight the sudden urge to reach out and trace every last line. It’s a new urge, and I don’t hate it. “Are you okay, Mads?” He adjusts his hold on the crutch, still favoring his sore knee and searching my face for an answer. “Maddie?” I take a deep breath to settle my thoughts as they go into overdrive. “I’m fine. I just . . . God, why is it so hard?” Hudson cocks his eyebrow, and I realize what I said. More importantly, what it sounded like. “Not you, you big goof.” “I know, sunshine. I just w...

Oh. My. God. Ohmygod . . . Noooo. I know, without a doubt, exactly where I am the next morning before I crack open a single eye. Wide-awake Maddie might hate the idea of being touched, but apparently, I turn into a little ho when I’m sleeping and can’t get enough of it. I hold myself still, unsure if I’m trying to soak this moment in before I have to get up or if I’m scared it’s a dream I don’t want to end. Hudson’s arms are wrapped around me, and so is that clean, crisp scent I swear makes me stupid every time I’m near him. There’s an incredibly hard body beneath me. And this time, it’s not just beneath my face. No. Because that wasn’t humiliating enough. It’s beneath a leg, half my chest, an arm, and my face. I don’t move a muscle while I listen to Hudson’s even breathing and say a quick prayer to every god I’ve ever read about, and some I may have only heard of in some less than stellar books, that if I move off him slowly and carefully, he won’t wake up. Because seriously . . . if I’m going to do the walk of shame for the very first freaking time, I should have at least gotten an orgasm I didn’t give myself out of it. Not just a Harry Potter movie. I don’t think I’ve ever moved this slowly in my entire life, but somehow, I manage to extricate myself from Hudson’s bed, without the man in question waking up, and basically run back to the other room to get dressed and get out of the house.

Maddie Who’s going to Kingdom to see Six Day War tonight? And what are we wearing? Carys Well, you already know I’m in. I’ve got a strappy silk top and a little leather skirt I was thinking about wearing with knee-high boots. Chloe I’ll be there, but I’ve got no clue what I’m wearing. Carys Yes she does. Doc Martens and skinny jeans. When was the last time you wore anything else? Chloe Whatever. Fine. Yes. My purple Docs, black skinny jeans, and a sheer white shirt with a beautiful black bra we just added to the line. Daphne You all suck so bad. Max doesn’t want to go. With the baby due soon, he’d wrap me in bubble wrap if I let him. Maddie That’s sweet. Daphne More like overbearing. But his dick is huge, and I’m horny all the time, so he has his purpose. Chloe Sounds like a good problem to have, D. Daphne Mads - Are you at your house or Hudson’s? Maddie Mine. You didn’t exactly pack me concert clothes. LOL Carys Ohh. I’ve got a great dress we just designed that would look incredible on you, Mads. Chloe YASSS. The navy blue one? Carys Yup. Chloe I’ve got the shoes. Maddie Guess I’m coming to your house, Carys. Daphne Good thing you live next to her then. Maddie I don’t live there. I’m staying there for two more nights. BIG difference. Chloe And what room are you sleeping in Mads? Maddie . . . Chloe I will totally take one for the team and report back on whether he’s worth giving that cherry to, Mads. Maddie The hell you will. Chloe OMG. I got Maddie to curse! Carys And wh...

Okay, so calling last night a long night is the understatement of the century. Maybe the fucking millennia. Maddie and I didn’t talk about what happened earlier in the kitchen. I didn’t tell her that every protective instinct in my body was demanding that I wrap my arms around her and promise her no one would ever hurt her again. Because I have no doubt she was hurt, and when I find out by who, I will hunt them down and kill them myself. Once I dangled Harry Potter in front of her, it only took her a moment to decide watching it in my room didn’t need to be any different than watching it downstairs. She was wrong. We both were. She climbed into my bed, and we both sat there, leaning against the headboard with the blanket pulled up over us to watch the movie. I may have needed to cover her bare legs because they were wreaking fucking havoc on my sanity. And that shit was already dangling by a very thin thread. Having her in my space . . . in my bed, where fantasies of her spread out beneath me played out in my mind like a home movie. Yeah. I needed to cover both of us up before she started to think I was a horny asshole. Not that she’d be wrong about that. I don’t know why this woman likes these damn movies, since she can’t stay awake till the end to save her life. And this one wasn’t even as good as the first one. It was a little over halfway through when her head rested on my shoulder. I waited until the end of the movie to move so we were both lying down. I probably shou...

Curled up on her side with her hands under her face, she looked like a damn angel, and something primal in me liked having her in my bed. Like it was where she belonged, even if there was no way I’d be able to sleep. I figured I’d be awake all night because my dick was hard and I refused to do anything about it. But it turned out that wasn’t the only reason. Madison Dixon is a bed hog. She’s also a goddamn ice cube. Her feet could flash freeze whatever they touch . . . and they touched me. A lot. And they’re not the only thing that touched me. Nooo . . . She’s a cuddler. It started with her cold feet being shoved between my legs after she’d managed to inch her way across the bed. My eyes popped open, thinking some kind of fucking cold-ass poltergeist was under the sheets with us. But within minutes of warming up her feet between my legs, she rolled her entire body against me, fully twined her legs with mine, and threw her arm across my chest. Then she sort of shimmied against me until she got comfortable, sighed the prettiest sigh I’ve ever fucking heard, and never moved again. Not once. All. Night. Long. And when did I start categorizing a woman’s sighs? Seriously? What the actual fuck? Here’s the thing . . . within seconds, she’d warmed up. From the tips of her ice-cube toes to the top of her sexy smelling head, she warmed up and lay lax against me while I stared at the ceiling, trying to figure out what the hell I was supposed to do with my arms. Maddie was obviously as...

“Mads . . . If you actually want to see the band perform tonight, we’ve got to go,” I yell from the bottom of the steps. “I’ll be down in a minute.” Yeah . . . sure she will. I check my phone again and see another warning from Cade. He’s pissed. I worked with the physical therapist from Crucible this afternoon, and it felt good. He said I’m fine to get back into the gym on Monday, and that I can ditch the crutches now. But he wants me taking it easy tonight and tomorrow. Cade wasn’t thrilled that my version of taking it easy was a night at Kingdom. Oh, ye of little faith. Like I’m an asshole kid who’s gonna get drunk, get in a fight, and snort a line of coke off a hooker’s tits or something. I’ve got more discipline on any given night than most people will ever hope to have. Does that mean that I miss out on some of the fun? So. Fucking. What. It’s what I need to do to get what I want. And what I want is to be the best this sport has ever seen. If it means I go to bed at the same damn time every night, eat bland chicken and steamed vegetables every day, and treat my body like the temple it is, bring it on. If not, I wouldn’t be here with multiple championship titles already behind me. One week away from my next one. Hell, at this rate, it might not even matter because I’m not sure we’re actually making it to the bar tonight. Maddie’s been getting ready for over an hour. I wouldn’t even be going if it weren’t for her. But she seemed so damn excited about seeing the band, an...

“What’s caught your eye, Hud?” Sawyer watches me closely, then looks over the open railing of the VIP section—down to the dance floor below as the band talks to everyone between songs—then settles back in his chair. “Oh, I’ve got you. It’s not a what, but a who.” There’s no way to miss who has my attention. Maddie stands dead-center in front of the stage, with a light shining above her, giving her a golden glow. Cooper, Carys, and Chloe are all there with her as they cheer on the band. But damn . . . It’s her. She’s fucking incredible. “How are things going with Maddie?” Becks asks, happy to have the attention off him for a minute. “Yeah, Hud. How are things going with the little yoga teacher?” Jace lifts his beer to his lips with a fucking smirk I want to knock right off his face. “Shut the fuck up, jackoff. She’s got a name, and nothing’s going on.” Jace raises his hands in fake surrender. “Hey, you just seem upset for a guy who’s not interested in the girl. So you wouldn’t care if I go down and dance with her for a while, right?” He stands before Becks shoves the chair into the back of Jace’s knees, knocking him forward. “Knock it off, kid. Don’t be a dick.” Jace ignores Becks and pushes back, then flips him off.

Sawyer stands back up. “Listen, I’ve gotta get back downstairs, but I meant to tell you Spider Reynolds is downstairs with his entourage.” “The guy with the serious hard-on for you? I saw him talking shit on the sports channel the other day,” Becks adds. “Yeah. We all have. The dick wants a fight, but he hasn’t fucking earned it. I don’t give them away. You wanna fight me—get in line and pay your dues.” We might all have to fight each other in the cage, but most of us shake hands afterward. There’s a respect there for the sport and for each other. But this douche has neither. Sawyer looks down at the stage then back at me. “Yeah well, it looks like he’s made his way to your girl.” That gets my attention. I push up from the table and look down at Maddie. Sure as shit, this asshole has managed to move himself next to Coop and the girls. Fuck this.

Chloe grabs my hand and pulls me toward her to dance when we’re jostled by a group of guys next to us. “Oh my gosh . . . sorry,” I tell them as she spins me into the group. A gorgeous man with dark hair and darker eyes catches me with a big hand on my hip and a predatory smile on his face. I back away automatically, and his grin grows. “Now, where’re you going, pretty girl? The fun’s just getting started.” Cooper moves between us and them protectively. “Sorry, guys. No fun tonight. They’re with me.” The group of men close ranks as Cooper moves us behind him. The guy I bumped into straightens to his full height, and I see him differently. He may be tall and handsome, but he’s got a presence I know well. It’s hard to miss a fighter when you’re surrounded by them all the time. And this guy reeks of it. “How about you let the ladies speak for themselves? They seemed to be having a good time until you got involved.” The stranger attempts to move around Coop but stops when a familiar hand pulls me back. Hudson moves in next to Cooper, attempting to block my view as the crowd surrounding us begins to take notice of what’s happening, not that I’m even sure of what’s going on. “Back the fuck up, Spider.” Hudson’s hands ball into fists at his sides, and my own fight-or-flight instinct kicks in. This man cannot get into a fight tonight. He can’t . . . He can’t get hurt. He can’t get in trouble. He can’t give them any reason to take away his title fight next week. With my heart about ...

he holds my door open, then rounds the front of the car and gets behind the wheel. The twenty-minute drive back to his house feels more like twenty hours. He never looks at me. Never speaks to me. Nothing. Not a single word. And I hate every minute of it, but I have no idea what I did or if he’s even mad at me. By the time we pull into his garage, I want to scream, and that kind of outburst goes against every instinct I’ve ever had. Once Hudson turns the car off, I decide to take my chances and turn toward him. “I’m—” “Nope.” He opens the door and gets out of the car. “We’re not doing this yet.” Then he slams the door behind him, and I watch as he stomps up the stairs and goes inside. What? Is he kidding me? I follow him into the house, my own anger growing as I try to decide whether he’s mad at me or just mad. And there he is, leaning against the counter in the kitchen with his head hanging low. “Hudson—” His head snaps up, and those dark eyes hold me hostage. “Don’t, Madison. Don’t speak. Not yet. You have no fucking clue what you did tonight.” I tentatively step into him, forcing his head up and ask quietly, “What I did? Explain to me what I did. Because as far as I can see, the only thing I did was remove the two of us from the situation.” Hudson swiftly picks me up and deposits me on the counter, so we’re eye level with each other, then cages me in. “What you did was put yourself in the mouth of the goddamned lion, Madison. You put yourself between two trained fighter...

Eventually, I head upstairs and stare at the clothes in my suitcase. I was supposed to stay the night and go home tomorrow, but I don’t stay places I’m not wanted. Not anymore. Not ever again. And Hudson is fine. If he could go out tonight, he doesn’t need me here. I honestly think he didn’t need me at all, he just didn’t want me alone after the break-in, and that simultaneously aggravates me and melts my anger a little. I’ve never been confused by this man in all the years I’ve known him. We’re friends. That’s it. I’ll always wonder if there could be more between us, but it won’t work. It can’t. And I can’t do this to myself. I refuse to. With my mind made up, I throw on a pair of leggings and a hoodie, then grab my stuff from the bathroom and toss it into my bag. I didn’t have that much with me, so it only takes a minute to pack it up before I’m adding my MacBook to my work bag and sitting it on top of my suitcase, ready to go. When I turn around, a scream gets caught in my throat. Hudson stands in the doorway, staring at me.

“You’re leaving?” he asks. Only he doesn’t sound mad, so much as hurt. I mirror his stance. “I’m not going to stay where I’m obviously not wanted.” He moves into the room and slides his hands up my arms. I don’t pull away. I can’t. And after a moment, I realize I don’t want to. Not when we’re this close. Not tonight. He lifts his head to the ceiling before bringing his eyes back to mine, but a different kind of fire is sparking in them now. “I’ve wanted you every single day since you walked into Crucible three years ago, Madison.”