Free Ice Cold (An MMA Stepbrother Romance) by Victoria Villeneuve Page A

had promised me would arrive that morning.
     
    I didn’t want anyone nosing around in my books. I had had the game plan all worked out. I’d make life so miserable for my dad’s latest attempt to control my life that she’d be packing in less than a week. I mentally shook myself. It couldn’t matter that I knew her. She represented all the things that I hated about my relationship with my dad. I had to make him see I didn’t need him or his help otherwise I’d never get him to leave me alone. The plan had to remain the same. It didn’t matter that I already felt my cock starting to swell as my eyes danced over her legs thinking about having them wrapped around my waist again.
     
    I made my way over to the ropes. “I think you might be lost, Princess.” I heard the low whistles from a few of the guys standing there watching. I glared in their direction and gave the head cock for them to get back to their workouts.
     
    For a second, I thought she was going to turn and run. Then I saw her chest hitch, and she ran a hand down the side of her skirt. That did nothing but draw my attention to her legs again. Damn, the girl should have been a dancer.
     
    “Hello, Shayne,” she said moving a foot closer to the ring.
     
    It was time for my master plan to begin. I settled my gloves on the ropes and squinted at her. “Do we know each other?”
     
    Her eyes widened, and then I saw the clench of her jaw as she registered my words. I knew it was cold, pretending I didn’t remember her. She took another step closer to the ring. “I’m Alexa. Alexa Carroll from Nueman & York. But we also met…after your last fight.” Her chin jutted up in the air. I had to give her credit.
     
    I pretended to think about it. “Alexa. Alexa.” Then I let a slow smile crawl across my face. “Ahh, Alexa.” I let her name slide off my tongue in a soft purr, and I was rewarded by a flush across her cheeks. I let my eyes deliberately slide down her body again taking my time. “You here for a second round, Alexa? You could’ve just called.”
     
    Her spine straightened. “I’m not here for anything other than managing your books,” she said stiffly. She glanced around and unconsciously tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. I was impressed that she had managed to keep a straight face so far, although I was a bit miffed that she didn’t appear to be the slightest interested in me other than for exactly what she said.
     
    “Pity. Hang on a sec.” I motioned for her to wait, then spun to look at Maury. He crossed his arms and gave me a look that told me he knew exactly what I was thinking. “I’m going to take a break, coach. Gotta show my new bookkeeper the ropes.”
     
    “Is that what the kids call it these days,” he muttered under his breath.
     
    I sat down on the middle rope and slid my body out of the inner ring and onto the outer mat. Then I dropped down to the floor in front of Alexa.
     
    “The stairs were right over there,” she said cocking her head in the direction of the other side of the ring. She appeared to be regaining some of her composure.
     
    “Faster this way,” I said. “I told my father I didn’t need a bookkeeper.” I didn’t see any need to beat around the bush on the topic. I didn’t care how good she looked. I didn’t need a babysitter.
     
    “I’m not sure about the communication between you and Cal, but I can assure you the assignment is temporary. Just for the next four months,” Alexa said. Her cheeks were turning red. It was as if her mind had started working a million miles a minute.
     
    “So, Cal , is it? I wouldn’t expect you to be on such familiar terms with my father…unless…” It was well-known that my father had a thing for leggy blondes and usually the younger, the better. The idea that he might have touched Alexa made my blood boil, though.
     
    Her face whitened. “That insinuation is as insulting as it is disgusting. Especially since our parents are getting