Zoe wasn't great about hiding her flash of nerves. Did she think I was going to abandon her for a movie? “Actually,” I sighed. “I kind of have to go. I've got work tonight, too.”

Crinkling her nose, Eliza scrutinized me. “Huh. I didn't realize. Fine, fine. I'll just enjoy a night alone, there's worse things.”

Wiping my hands on a napkin, I pushed my chair back. “I'll come by again soon, it's fine. Thanks for hanging out with me all day, Eliza.”

Beaming, she rushed to give me a fierce hug. “It's great to get back together like this. Call me anytime.”

Sliding my jacket on, I half-turned, catching Zoe's tiny smile. She had to think my ploy was hilarious. I wasn't really leaving, and she understood that; it was our little secret. “Handshake or a hug?” I asked.

“A hug,” she chuckled. “Handshakes are so impersonal.”

“True. We've gone far beyond personal, haven't we?” Grinning, I pulled Zoe in for a quick, but firm hug. She was too baffled to react. Holding her close, I bent to her shell of an ear and whispered, “Meet you at the end of the street.”

With that, I said a few more 'goodbyes' and hurried out the door. It was dark, inky-blue punctuated by the twinkling holiday lights on most of the houses.

It really was a nice area.

Humming softly, I drove my bike around the corner. In the shade of a dark building, one less joyful than Eliza's, I parked my Harley and waited.

Thinking about the coming fight, my blood started to ripple. I didn't know who it would be against, and I assumed Zoe didn't know either—or didn't have the time to tell me, yet. It didn't matter. I was excited.

It'd been some time since I'd been thrown into such violence. Shrapnel had gone down quick last night, but the waves of destruction coming off of him had been intoxicating.

Vibrations coursed through my upper thigh. Digging my cellphone out, I was ready to see a message from Zoe, perhaps telling me she was on her way. In the black air, my screen glowed like a diamond.

Kaley: Huck, I need a house call. I've got a problem, it requires a big man to fix it.

How soon can you come over?

-Your Favorite Dish

Shit. Kaley.

Long legs, a body that could chew you up and spit you out... Kaley was beautiful. She also had a preference for rough hands and stamina. I owned both, and proudly. It helped that she tipped better than any of my other clients.

Lifting my eyes, dots of light spun as I adjusted back to the darkness. Searching down the road, I watched for Zoe. She still hadn't appeared. What was she doing?

What was I doing?

I loved fighting, that was a fact. In the past, it had been a great way to make money. But now... Zoe's twenty bucks wouldn't stretch far.

When I'd been younger, fighting on the streets had been common. People wanted to take what you had. If you weren't willing to shove back, you were a goner. Naturally, I found myself getting sucked into the sordid world of underground combat.

I'd told Zoe the truth; last night wasn't my first fight.

By age sixteen, I'd made a name for myself. People saw what I could do with my fists. Each new tattoo I added crafted an image that was raw. Tough. Not to be messed with.

New job opportunities blossomed before me.

Guarding my first hooker was simple, uneventful. She'd been the on again, off again girlfriend of a fellow fighter.

With time, I made more acquaintances. Fun women, perverse hobbies, they tempted me with it all. I fell into strip clubs and private parties. It had been a blinding rush of drugs and money and fun.

Things didn't change much until the night I played muscle for a high-end escort. She'd been beautiful, other-worldly. Once her client had left, she'd pulled me into the motel room, whispering to me that she needed someone to finish her off.

I'd been surprised...

But more than keen to help.

From there, the word spread. Women called me for reasons beyond protecting them. My body was sought for pleasure, and I was ready to indulge. Fighting was great, fucking was better.

Throw all the money I could need into the mix?

I was in heaven.

Lifting my phone, I stared at the text message again. Kaley would slide me a cool six hundred for an hour or so of my time. I usually gave extra, stretching the minutes out. It was nice to hear a woman telling me I was too much. Any form of begging turned me on.

It was a fun cycle.

Her, claiming she couldn't handle more. Me, getting rock-hard at her whimpers and pleas. Both of us always left happy. I had a reputation to keep.

Sighing, I scrunched my eyes shut. I promised Zoe already. It wasn't about the money. It was about my word.

With regret, I tapped the keys and stared at my message.

Huck: Sorry doll, but I'm booked for the night.

We'll get in touch soon.

Not wanting to see her response, I hit send and clicked the phone off, shoving it back in my jacket.

My ears caught the scratch of footsteps on dirt. Looking up, I spotted Zoe. In her green jacket, she jogged my way. The night stole the color from her eyes, but it deposited crimson in her cheeks. She was a woman on fire, that long hair streaming behind like a comet's trail.

My fingers cramped, eager to open up and embrace her.

Falling stars aren't meant to be held, though.

As she slowed beside me, clouds dancing around her perfect lips... she dared me to try.

Dared me to cradle her combustible existence.

Zoe held the power to burn me into ashes. All I had to do was touch her.

A death like this?

It would be fucking worth it.

“Sorry,” she said, catching her breath. “I hope you didn't wait long for me.”

“Not too long.” My smile went ear to ear. “Only an eternity.”

She'd been reaching for the back of my bike. Now, she pulled her arm away, a creature of doubt and suspicion. “Why would you say something like that?”

Guilt drove down into my guts. It was a tiny splinter, but sharp as a nail. Why had I said that?

To get a rise out of her.

Was that the real reason? She certainly thought so. I couldn't be sure, and dwelling on it was making me uncomfortable. “Easy now,” I mumbled. “I was just trying to lighten the mood.”

Weaving her fingers through her hair, Zoe offered me a tiny smile. “It's alright. I'm just a little tense. I really wish you'd gone and practiced today. I don't even know who you're up against tonight.”

Waving her onto the bike, I kicked it into gear. “I'll be fine. I'm actually excited.”

“You are?”

“Sure, it's been some time since I've had an excuse to shake the rust off of these muscles.”

Adjusting behind me, her jean-clad legs rubbed along my hips. “Not much call for combat when you strip your clothes off, huh?”

I chuckled and said, “The opposite. I fight off the hands of too-eager women all the damn time.”

Zoe laughed, and fuck, I ached to hear that sound forever.

Guiding us down the road, I took my time. I wanted to speak before the engine drowned us both out. “You seem happier tonight. I like that.”

I was ready for her to loosen her grip. Amazingly, she pressed her chest on me and didn't run. She mumbled, “For some reason, I feel... optimistic.”

Twisting, I tried to stare at her. I could see nothing but her red hair. “Optimistic?”

“Yeah.” Zoe's long, silky strands slid over my shoulder and rustled my cheek. “I don't know. For once, going to the fights tonight, things feel like they might be okay.” Her voice flitted, drifting in the wind and fading with my growing speed. “I'm probably just crazy.”

Crazy. Yes.

I could relate.

The alley was silent.

The basement was not.