Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24135 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 121(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24135 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 121(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
“Bad move,” Mason says with a chuckle.
“Yeah, he’s going to pay for that,” Colton says, grinning.
I’m riveted, watching in awe as James shakes it off and glares at the celebrating giant.
I swallow hard as he stands up, his big hands squeezing into fists.
What comes next is like watching a master artist working. It’s like listening to Beethoven on a piano or observing Michelangelo with a paintbrush.
James never gets touched again. He darts and weaves, slamming his fists into the man at will. He’s so much faster and smarter and stronger. He picks the big man apart with ease until he’s swaying dizzily on his feet.
“Where’s that guy with my money,” Doug says, looking around before the fight is even over. But it’s inevitable at this point.
James charges forward and unleashes a barrage on the man. I wince when I hear the dull crack that finally knocks the giant out.
He tumbles down and lands with his arms over his head.
“He’s going to bolt on me,” Doug says, leaping out of his chair and racing to find the guy he bet with.
I don’t turn to see what happens. My focus is locked on James as he casually walks over to his crumpled hoodie lying against the fence and picks it up.
My body feels so heavy as I watch him. A burning desire lights in my core and sizzles through my limbs.
He’s the sexiest man I’ve ever seen. By far. It’s not even close.
Marv starts talking into the mic as he steps back into the cage, but I can’t hear any of it. I’m throbbing all over as I watch James walk down the steps and approach our table. His smoldering brown eyes are locked on me.
My breath gets caught in my throat as he pulls back Doug’s empty seat and sits down beside me.
I go still with him next to me. It’s like sitting beside a wild animal. A big one like a panther or a lion. I can’t seem to move.
“Epic fight,” Lincoln says as he pours a beer from the pitcher and slides it down the table. James catches it and I swallow hard when I see his bruised bloody knuckles. I imagine what it would feel like to have that strong hand sliding under my shirt and my cheeks start to flare up.
“Fight of the night,” Colton says, raising his glass.
“Thanks,” James says as he pulls on his hoodie. His voice is so sexy. It’s all deep and raspy. I bet he could sing a mean Johnny Cash song on karaoke night.
He turns to me and I smile shyly.
“That was impressive,” I say, which is the understatement of the century. The man’s friends are dragging him out of the cage behind him.
“I’ve been thinking about you all day,” he says in a voice so low only I can hear.
“You have?”
He nods. “Have you been thinking of me?”
“A little,” I say shyly. A lot. Obsessively.
“Then why are you here with Doug?”
“I’m not here with Doug,” I say so fast I get dizzy. “Did he say that?”
He nods.
“It’s not true,” I tell him, desperate for him to see. “I made it very clear that this was not a date. He told me you were fighting and I…”
“It’s okay,” he says with a hint of a smile. “You don’t have to explain. I know the guy.”
I take a big sip of my hot putrid white wine and nearly spit it out all over his face. I forgot how disgusting it was. He smiles as he watches me choke it down with watery eyes.
“Want some beer?”
“Yes, please.”
He pours me a cup and even though I don’t really like beer, it’s still cold and better than the wine.
“Hey, that’s my seat,” Doug says when he returns, flashing his three hundred dollars.
James just glares at him, daring him to object.
“No worries,” Doug says as he heads to the other side of the table. “You probably need some rest after that fight.”
I can’t help but smile. I’m glad James didn’t move.
I like him right here beside me.
CHAPTER SIX
James
“Don’t take this the wrong way,” I say as I lean in close to Victoria’s ear. She smells so good, like vanilla cupcakes. “You shouldn’t be here. It’s not a safe place for you.”
She looks up at me and my heart squeezes in my chest. How does she keep doing this to me? That monster in the cage couldn’t knock me down if he tried, but this beautiful girl can bring me to my knees with one flash of those big innocent eyes.
She has no idea the power she has over me. She could wrap me around her little finger and I’d be happy to just be close to her.
“You want me to leave?”
I almost die when I see a trace of disappointment on her face. I don’t ever want to see that again.