Page 26 of Boy Toy Not Included

After tossing his bottle aside, Kuba focused on him with a smile. He winked, and Diesel was ready to do anything. “Your turn. Let’s work on the clinch.” Kuba moved in close to whisper next to Diesel’s ear. “Don’t point it out, but I want them to catch the tell I have with you. You can guarantee Dread will study every move in this video.”

Diesel flashed an evil grin and nodded. He got it. Kuba wanted Dread to think he knew Kuba’s weakness. That mistake could cost Dread everything.

They circled each other. Diesel blocked moves. When Kuba went in for the clinch, Diesel let him have it. When they hit the mat, Diesel laughed. “Let him see you get one. You don’t want to be too obvious.”

Kuba burst out laughing as he helped Diesel to his feet. This time, Diesel dodged. He was bobbing and weaving for his life, but the holds were a little easier to avoid. Diesel let Kuba catch him again. “You don’t want these people to think you’ve lost your edge. It’s time to stop playing and give them a show.”

Kuba pulled him to his feet again. “Are you up for it?”

Diesel smirked. “Absolutely.”

This time, they didn’t hold back. While the moves were still not meant to harm each other, the intensity ramped up by ten degrees. Sweat poured down their bodies. Diesel knew hisforearms would be bruised as hell after this. Unexpectedly, Kuba had him in a submission hold. Diesel tapped out. They were both laughing and panting for breath as they exchanged knowing looks. Dread was about to discover the fakest footage of his life. Diesel loved that he could be part of the guy’s demise. Diesel headed for the ropes.

Kuba walked on his heels, squeezing his shoulders and bouncing like he still had all the energy in the world. “That was fun. I never get to have fun anymore.”

The words had been chattered in happiness, but they stabbed Diesel through the heart. He hadn’t considered how much or little joy Kuba derived from this. Fighting was his job. Kuba treated it like one. Why hadn’t Diesel ever asked if he actually enjoyed it?

Kuba was snatched for an interview the moment he left the ring. Diesel watched him go.

“It’s Diesel, right?”

Diesel snapped to attention at the sudden appearance of a familiar-looking member of the press. He was on the older side, looking more seasoned than most. Diesel dipped his chin. “That’s me.”

“I’m Frank Young from SPAR Sports Tuesdays.” He held his hand out for Diesel.

Diesel smiled and accepted. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“You as well.” His light blue eyes screamed intelligence. “You were pretty damn good just now. Have you studied martial arts?”

Diesel kept his smile mostly because he was just happy. “I boxed for a year or two in high school. My mom worked two jobs to keep a roof over our heads. There was no one else who could chauffeur me around town, and I didn’t want to be a burden, so I stopped.”

Frank nodded along. “You looked like a pro out there. I’ve never seen a guard as dedicated as you.”

Diesel shrugged. “It’s my job to stick to Kuba. If I can’t keep up, he might get hurt. I take this job seriously.”

Kuba appeared at Diesel’s side and squeezed his shoulder. “This one has my back. There’s no one better.”

Diesel’s chest swelled with pride. He couldn’t look Kuba’s way. He already knew his heart would be in his eyes. One glimpse of Diesel looking at Kuba would tell the world everything. He was in love with Kuba.

Kuba’s shoulders relaxed as the last two crew members gathered their things to leave. He never minded being the center of attention. Kuba could be a diva like that. It had just been a long morning of not flirting with Diesel. He missed the heated glances and stolen kisses. Every time Kuba made an appearance just to be seen and stay relevant, Diesel went straight into guard mode. Kuba got it. It was a good damn thing he did. Not only was he protecting Kuba physically, but he was also keeping their reputation intact. Kuba worried all the time about what would happen if their relationship got back to the company that employed Diesel. He didn’t want to be the guy who ruined Diesel’s life. Plus, Kuba’s dad would definitely make sure he was fired, and Kuba would have another guard at his door in an hour or he would be totally disowned. Who was he kidding? He would definitely be disowned. While his parents had never done or saidanything homophobic, both sets of his grandparents had said enough for ten people. Being gay would not be tolerated in their family. It just wasn’t done. Irritation ran through Kuba at just the thought of it. Hiding his entire life had been a nightmare. Kuba’s dad had told Diesel he was hardheaded for a reason. Until the moment he turned and set eyes on Diesel, Kuba had been fully set on making a bodyguard’s life hell. Kuba couldn’t live in the closet in his own damn home. He refused. He had every intention of making whoever was assigned to him quit. Kuba didn’t need a guard. In fact, it was insulting as hell that his dad even suggested it. But then Kuba saw Diesel, and all pride vanished. In an instant, he needed his back watched. All it had taken was a single glance at Diesel’s smile, and Kuba found himself repeating every argument his dad had made about the state of his safety. His pride hadn’t stung in the slightest. Hell, he even let other people guard him on Diesel’s days off. Fucking Diesel became more important than any other goal or worry when he stared into those baby blues. In no universe had he seen himself falling in love. Now here he was, showing a bodyguard to the world like he needed the help. Shit. He wasn’t a weak-ass bitch.

Kuba headed for the kitchen. He had seen Diesel dip in there earlier. Maybe Kuba would corner him and grab some of these secret kisses. He smirked at the idea.

“I paid these guys to bring me all the footage from Dread’s media day.”

The two men in question flashed him equally wolfish grins.

“We can study it as soon as I get the video going.”

Kuba gave Jayme a thumbs-up and picked up the pace.

“I’m full-on in love with you. You can’t take that away.”

Kuba froze inches from his destination at the sound of his voice playing through the sound system. It couldn’t be. Kuba turned so fast, he nearly landed on his ass. There Kuba was in 4K, straddling Diesel. Horror poured through him.

“You don’t have to say it back, but I’m not gonna un-say it.”

Diesel stepped out of the kitchen. Kuba was too shocked to look away from the rigid way Jayme stood, watching the most intimate moment of his life.