Full Contact (Worth the Fight #2) - Sidney Halston Page 0,18

the one you’re always in?”

“Exactly. I knew you’d understand.” He pulled her close and planted a big smooch on her lips, which caused her to laugh out loud. “Come on, let’s go in. The guys are here.” He took her hand in his and led her inside.

Slade made all the introductions, although she knew many of the guys already because they tended to hang out at the Pier. Chrissy was the first one to say hello, hugging her tightly. She was followed by Jack, Cain, and Travis, who was called Texas by his friends. Then a beautiful, statuesque redhead turned toward her. It was Mauricio Silva’s daughter, Francesca—Slade’s business partner.

Within minutes Jessica observed that Francesca’s perfect red nails kept touching Slade. Every time she opened her mouth to say something, one of her hands touched him as well. And he didn’t do anything to stop her. Jessica’s body was tense, and her jaw was so tight her teeth were grinding. Then, to add insult to injury, Ms. Perfection kept calling him honey.

“So, how long have you been working at the Pier, darlin’?” Travis asked, distracting her momentarily. Jessica gratefully turned her attention to the sweet and very hot cowboy, who instantly made her feel comfortable.

“Oh, two years or so.” She took a sip of the soda Chrissy had served her. “How long have you known Slade?”

“I moved to town about ten years ago from Amarillo, Texas, and I started training at WtF a year later. So I’ve known him nine years. And, of course, you know my twin sister, Jamie Lynn, from work.”

“How about you, Cain?” Jessica asked, turning her attention to the hot Viking.

Cain was not as sweet as Travis. “Four years” was his brusque reply.

Jessica’s eyebrows drew together. Seeing her reaction, Travis placed a hand on her shoulder. “Don’t mind him. We call him Chatty, ’cause the dude just doesn’t know when to stop yapping.”

Cain rolled his eyes. “Dick.” His tone sounded harsh, but he said it with a slight grin.

The guys’ teasing made her smile, but before she had a chance to reply, she heard a loud laugh from behind her. She turned to see the redheaded viper’s hand on Slade’s forearm and a grin on Slade’s face as they shared a joke. Truthfully, they looked like they belonged together: a perfectly beautiful couple.

Francesca’s hand remained on Slade’s arm, and Jessica’s blood pressure skyrocketed. She excused herself to Travis and Cain and walked over to Slade.

“…but I love these shoes,” Francesca was saying as she leaned on Slade while looking down at her stilettos.

“They’re sexy, but—” Slade began.

“Sorry to interrupt,” Jessica said smoothly to Slade, completely ignoring Francesca. “Wanted to let you know I was leaving.”

Slade turned to her, loosening Francesca’s grip in the process. “Really? You just got here.”

“Yeah. I’m tired.” She knew she was being curt, but she couldn’t seem to control it.

“Okay.” Slade turned to Francesca. “Be right back, Frances.”

Frances?

Arghh. Now she was even more irritated. She didn’t say a word during the short walk to her car, and he didn’t say much either. He gave her a swift kiss on the cheek before she got in her car and drove off. He seemed too keyed up to notice how uncomfortable she was with the situation.

The rest of the evening and most of her restless night, Jessica clung to her anger. By the next afternoon, she was ready to explode. She felt jittery, and an unexpected knock on her front door only made her heart race more. She stomped over to open it.

“You should really look before opening the door.”

“What are you doing here, Slade?”

“Your dick of an ex-boyfriend is out on bail. God knows where he is. I’d prefer that you’d look or ask who it is at the door.”

“Fine, I’ll make sure to look first. Is that why you came over? To scold me?” She held the door open with one hand, while the other blocked his entrance.

“What’s your problem? You’re not going to let me in?”

“Can’t. Gotta go to work.”

“I’ll take you.”

“Working late. No need.”

“I’m pumped full of energy from working out. I’ll hang out. Play some pool, have some drinks. I’ll drive you home after work.”

“Fine,” Jessica huffed. She turned, grabbed her purse and keys, and closed her door.

Slade reached for her hand, but she stepped away. “What the fuck?” he asked.

“Nothing. Just forget it,” she said. Slade shrugged and opened the car door for her. They drove to the Pier with the music blaring and very little conversation. He