Kyle's Return (Gloves Off #5)(12)

“Fuck, Megan,” he said, pulling me into his arms. “I may be f*cked up and done horrible shit in my past, but I can promise you I’d never lay a hand on you like that. I’ve never laid a hand on any woman.”

I breathed him in and smiled. “I know. And even if you were, you picked the wrong girl. I almost killed Alex and I have no doubt I’d try to do it again. Besides, I have an army of UFC fighters in my corner. You wouldn’t last a second.”

Chuckling, he kissed the top of my head. It was a sweet gesture and yet totally foreign to me. “You’re right, I wouldn’t. And neither will f*ckhead if he ever tries to get near you again. I’ll kill him myself.”

“Speaking of which, I’ve heard things about you. Some of it I’ve even wondered if it could possibly be true.”

“Like what?”

“That you’ve killed people when you were fighting at the Dark Side. Gabby told me stories about Paxton and what he did when he was there. I figured you were the same way since you two were friends.”

He cleared his throat and averted his gaze. “I don’t think the truth is what you want to hear right now. Not after telling me about your ex.”

“Well, lies definitely aren’t.”

Sighing, he stood up and ran a hand through his hair. “Fine, okay, I killed people. They were worthless sacks of shit who mainly raped women or children or some sick shit like that. The leader of the Dark Side had them brought in so we could f*ck them up. Almost all of them never left alive. Is that what you wanted to hear?”

Getting to my feet, I slowly approached him. His breath came out in deep, rapid pants, but slowed when I touched his chest. “Yes. I already knew because Paxton confirmed it. I just wanted to see what you would say.”

His eyes narrowed. “And what would you have done if I lied?”

“I would’ve sent you out the door. I guess it’s a good thing you didn’t. So far you haven’t let me down with your honesty. There may be a chance we can be friends after all.”

Taking my hands, he pulled them up and around his neck. “What if I want to be more than that?”

I leaned up on my tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “Just be patient and keep doing what you’re doing.” The door to the garage opened and I could hear Nicole pull her car inside. Letting my hands slide down his chest, I breathed him in one last time before stepping away. “You understand, right?”

“I do, but I can’t say it’s going to be easy.” No, it wasn’t. The door opened and Nic came charging in, twirling around and singing Taylor Swift’s new song. It was loud and off key, but that was Nic for you.

When she saw us, she gasped. “Oh my God, I thought you’d be doing the nasty by now.”

Kyle chuckled and I rolled my eyes. “And if we were, you would’ve killed the mood.”

Her mouth dropped. “Oh, whatever. I’m going to bed.” She stormed off, but winked at me over her shoulder before disappearing up the stairs.

I turned back to Kyle and shook my head. “She keeps things interesting, that’s for sure.”

“I can see that.”

“Do you want me to walk you out?”

“No,” he said, taking my hands. “Just make sure you lock the door behind me. If there’s ever a time you need me to stay with you, I’m only right down the road.”

Smiling, I squeezed his hands. “Thanks, Kyle. Out of everyone I know, I never thought you’d be the one I feel safest around.”

He brought my hands up and kissed each one. “Goodnight, love. I’ll see you Monday.”

I nodded and walked him to the door. He looked back once and did a little hand gesture of locking a door. I laughed and waved before shutting the door and locking it.

Tyler is going to kill me when he finds out.

***





BY THE TIME Monday rolled around, I was scared shitless to see Kyle. My hands were sweaty the entire morning and every time the door would open, I’d jerk around to see who it was.

“Are you okay, Meg? You seem on edge,” Tyler noticed.

“Nope, I’m fine. Just the Monday jitters I guess.”

Coming to stand beside me, he grabbed a handful of towels and began to fold them. “Are you ready for your class tonight?”

I finished my stack and put them back in the basket. “Of course. I’ll be fine without you.”

“Remember, it’s only temporary. Once this wedding is over I’ll be your partner again, I promise.”

Grabbing one of his towels, I slapped him upside the head. “I’ll be fine.”

“I know. I just hate putting you with all the responsibilities.”

I rolled my eyes. “It’s not like I’m doing it for free. You pay me, remember? Now if you want to bump me up to manager status, I could work with that.”

He paused and grinned wide. “You know, I think that’s a great idea. Will that make working the hours seem more doable?”

“To get a title? Hell yeah. I think I deserve it.”

“Well, alright then. You have it. How about we celebrate at the restaurant one night this week? You can even invite Nicole even though she drives me insane.”

We both laughed and I shook his outstretched hand. “Deal. I won’t let you down.”