After his hand fell away, Presley looked as if her knees might give out.

Breezily, Maddox said, “Did that convince you?”

“Uh.”

One-word answers weren’t Presley’s style, so Molly knew her friend was rattled. She stood and stepped in. “Interesting demonstration of your ability to fuck with people’s heads, Maddox. I’d be impressed if I hadn’t already known that’s how you achieve results with your fighters.”

Maddox leveled a death glare on her, but it wasn’t nearly as intimidating as Deacon’s.

“Here’s what I think. You’d be better served to have one hottie on your arm all weekend. If your ex sees you surrounded by a bevy of beauties, she’ll know you’re overcompensating. She’ll either think, That loser is still stuck on me, or, Good riddance to that dog. But if you’re openly devoted to one much-younger lady? That’ll get to her. Eat at her. She’ll wonder what she could’ve done differently to keep you. She’ll wonder if people are feeling sorry for her because you’re so much happier with a newer, hipper model. She’ll have a really shitty weekend.”

Maddox stared at her for another ten seconds. Then he said, “Damn, woman. You are scary mean. No wonder you and Deacon make such a perfect couple.”

Molly curtsied and Maddox laughed. Then she faced Presley. “Your choice whether you’re playing the part of Maddox’s one true, sexy lady love. It just can’t interfere with our main reason for being here, which is to make Amery’s life easier. So how about before you commit to anything, we talk to the boss?”

That snapped Presley out of it. “You’re right.” She flashed Maddox a cheeky grin. “You had me convinced about us having smoking-hot sexy times. Too bad it’s all for show, huh?”

His eyes cruised over Presley with genuine heat and regret, which had Presley trembling again. “Yeah, roller derby girl, too bad.” Maddox looked at Katie. “So are you playing the part of my one, true, sexy lady love?”

“That will seriously curtail me getting any tail—and there are fine ones all over the place.” Katie’s playful grin vanished. “Seriously, this is my chance to network and get the latest gossip in the world of MMA. That’d be hard to do if I have to be plastered to your side the next two days and nights, pretending I can’t wait for you to fuck me.”

“Hmm. It appears your choices are piss off Ronin or piss off Amery,” Molly said dryly.

Maddox’s gaze zoomed to Presley. “I’ll be in your room an hour before the event so we can get a few personal things squared away.”

“Cool.”

As soon as he was out of the room, Katie said, “You’re solid under pressure, Presley. If Maddox had verbally seduced me like that? I would’ve been on my knees.”

Presley waved her off. “All talk. Action is what counts. But if he can bring the fire, baby, I’ll bring the gasoline.”

Amery strolled in. “Hey, you’re both here. Great. Let’s get started.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

GLAD-HANDING, smiling, schmoozing—acting all friendly and shit?

Not Deacon’s scene. At all.

Maddox had told Deacon he could get away with some of his typical “brooding, mean motherfucker” attitude. Deacon thought the people who expected him to be approachable, nice, and chatty needed to have their fucking heads examined. He was an MMA fighter. He punched people in the face for a living.

He was not happy he had to suffer through this industry party without Molly by his side. He’d known she’d have work responsibilities, but it looked to him like Molly and Katie were doing all the work while Presley was hanging on to Maddox as arm candy.

But Presley had nothing on the hot and sexy way Molly looked. The woman killed it in a knee-length, flesh-colored dress. It was modest enough to be professional, but the material clung to show off her feminine shape. A black lace band stretched across the dress’s deep V-neck, masking her abundant breasts. At least he wouldn’t have to punch any perverted fuckers for staring at her great tits.

By the time he’d returned to the hotel room after training, Molly had been gone. As soon as he’d opened the door to their suite, the sweet, floral scent of her lotion had hit him. Although his body hurt like a bitch and he debated on crawling to the shower, his cock immediately rallied, eager for a workout. It’d been damn near a week since he’d done anything more than kiss his woman. They had serious making up to do.

Riggins leaned closer and muttered, “I need a drink.”

“You and me both.”