To Win Her Trust by Mackenzie Crowne

redhead frowned.
    “We met a few days ago.”
    “She’s hot.”
    Tuck jerked his head around to stab Max with a withering glare. Though he’d only met the man a few months earlier, it was impossible not to like Gracie’s best friend from childhood. Bold, bawdy, and bulky with muscle, the cage fighting champion and gym owner was quick to laugh and unfailingly loyal to those he considered friends. He counted Tuck in that group, and the feeling was mutual. That didn’t mean Tuck trusted Max when it came to women.
    Before Jake Malone retired from the dating field by marrying Gracie, he and Tuck enjoyed a friendly competition, doing their best to steal the other’s current lady love out from under each other’s noses. With Jake out of the picture, Max had stepped smoothly into the game. By Tuck’s estimation, the score between them was dead even.
    Max chuckled and his gray eyes twinkled with challenge. A shiver of apprehension tap danced down Tuck’s spine.
    His friend ran long fingers over the short, black bristle covering his jaw. “Are you seeing her?”
    Oh, hell . “Yes, I am. Stay the hell away from her.”
    “Oh, ho!” Max thumped him across the shoulders on a hardy laugh. “You’ve been holding out on me, buddy.”
    Damn straight he had. He’d often marveled at Max’s ability to draw women. A product of the New York foster care system, the years of tough living showed on his battered face but hadn’t touched his optimistic spirit. Women flocked to his easy laugh and generous personality, despite his hoodlum looks. The same had been said of Tuck over the years, much to his amusement, but at the moment, he had no desire to laugh.
    He bristled under Max’s gleeful humor. “I mean it, Max. She’s not available.”
    Max dropped his arm and shook his head. “Hot damn. First Jake, now you. Shit, it’s an epidemic.”
    The fist of panic he’d come to recognize since meeting CC clenched Tuck’s gut.
    Max chuckled. “Damn, man. There’s going to be a stampede of heartbroken women when the word gets out you’re off the market.” He rubbed his hands together and grinned. “But don’t worry, I’ll take up the slack.”
    Tuck scowled and turned. CC stormed in their direction.
    “I’m not off the market, just on hold for a while.”
    “Whatever you say, but have you told her that?” Max’s grin slipped to a polite smile as CC and her friend approached.
    Lips pulled tight in a mulish line, CC came to a stop before them. She jutted out her chin like a prize fighter preparing to take a punch. “What are you doing here?”
    Max snickered at his side. Tuck’s clenched muscles loosened at her grumbled tone, and he couldn’t help poking her a little. He crossed his arms. “I was about to ask you the same thing. Are you following me, sunshine?”
    He nearly laughed when her mouth dropped open. She snapped it shut and spoke through gritted teeth. “I had no idea you’d be here.”
    “Are you sure? It wouldn’t be the first time a woman tracked me down, then pretended ignorance.”
    Her back snapped straight, and her lips flattened out. Emerald fire spit from her eyes. “Why you arrogant… Don’t flatter yourself. Stalking is your style, not mine.”
    He grinned. “I know.”
    Yanking on the strap of the bag hanging over one shoulder, she lifted her chin. “There are thousands of gyms in the city. How the heck was I supposed to know—” She blinked and that sexy little wrinkle creased her brow. “You do?”
    He nodded and smiled. “Yeah, I do, but admit it. You’re happy to see me.”
    An adorable blush bloomed on her cheeks, even as she narrowed her eyes. Still, the shadow of a smile haunted her lips. “You’re an ass.”
    He laughed.
    Max chuckled. “True that. We haven’t been introduced. I’m Max Grayson. This is my place.” He stuck out his hand.
    “CC.” After a slight hesitation, she placed her hand in his, shook it, and pulled her hand back quickly.
    Tuck turned to her