Simon Says by Lori Foster Read Free Book Online Page A

uncomfortable, it felt…exciting.
    Once outside, cold air stung her face and cut through her layers, making her shiver. Steaming, fragrant coffee sounded better and better by the second.
    Halfway down the block, Dakota still felt the tingle of interested attention. She couldn’t resist looking over her shoulder.
    All three big men stood in front of the gym, watching her departure. When she grinned at them, Gregor waved—until Dean slugged him.
    Now that she’d seen them, they all went back inside. Huh. Maybe she hadn’t been such a pain in the butt, after all. Maybe she’d been a novelty instead.
    And maybe Simon was as anxious to see her again as she was to see him. Dakota didn’t know if that’d be good—or very, very bad.

    S IMON didn’t know he was grinning until Dean shook his head at him.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œYou look moonstruck.”
    Simon shrugged that off. “She intrigues me, that’s all.”
    Gregor threw an arm over Simon’s shoulders, almost knocking him to the floor. “Sorry, bud, but you’re trainin’ and that means no nooky for you. You gotta save that juice for fightin’.”
    Simon laughed and shoved him away. “So Jacki’s out of luck tonight, is that what you’re telling me?”
    A slow smile spread over Gregor’s face. “Jacki never takes no for an answer.”
    â€œAnd that’s more than enough on that subject,” Dean insisted, since Jacki was his little sister. “But he is right, Simon. A brief fling is one thing, but you can’t afford to get played by some skirt right now.”
    â€œDakota wasn’t wearing a skirt.”
    â€œDakota?”
    â€œDakota Dream.”
    Gregor and Dean shared amused looks. Dean said, “With a name like that, she sounds like a—”
    â€œYeah, I know,” Simon cut in. “But she’s touchy about it, so don’t tease her.”
    Dean’s amusement turned to a scowl. “How the hell do you know she’s touchy?”
    â€œI could tell.”
    â€œI have a solution for you: No one can tease her if she doesn’t hang around.”
    â€œShe’s coming back tomorrow.” And Simon added, “Same bat time, same bat station.”
    Dean ignored all that. “If she shows up, you need to send her packing.”
    â€œIt’s a free world, Dean. Women can go wherever they want these days.” He smiled at his friend. “Even to your gym.”
    Gregor said, “But she’ll have to pay to stick around tomorrow.”
    Simon nodded. “I know.”
    â€œAnd there’ll be a lot more guys here then, too. It’s always the busiest day. Crowded as hell. I thought we’d skip it.”
    â€œI thought so, too,” Dean added.
    Simon frowned. Fridays were always busy because a handful of veteran fighters made the trip to Dean’s gym, which meant that all the newer men also showed up to observe, listen, and learn.
    It worked out well for all involved. The established fighters got to spar with fresh blood and bone up on new and varied techniques, and novices got the opportunity to get in some authentic practice.
    â€œI’ve decided to be here.”
    Gregor and Dean studied him.
    Simon didn’t care what they thought, but still he said, “I figure I should get in as many days as I can before competing again.”
    They studied him some more.
    â€œHey,” Simon snapped, fed up with their awkward looks and insulting conjecture—even if they were right. “You two don’t have to hang around if you’ve got something better to do. I only plan to work out, not spar.”
    To Simon’s chagrin, they both jumped on his excuse.
    â€œEve would enjoy having me home for a full day for a change.” Dean barely smiled while saying that. “And Haggerty will be here to run the place. It’s not like I’m needed.”
    â€œJacki will be thrilled