Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 19017 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 95(@200wpm)___ 76(@250wpm)___ 63(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 19017 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 95(@200wpm)___ 76(@250wpm)___ 63(@300wpm)
The referee approached Sloan and whispered something into his ear. Sloan nodded and turned his attention back to me. “I must get back to the fight now. We'll speak after. I'll make this quick.”
I nodded and requested, “Be careful.” I wasn’t sure how careful he could be while exchanging blows with Marco, but I couldn't bear the thought of him getting hurt.
“I will win this for you, my sweet Lyric.” Sloan ducked beneath the ropes and leaned down, drawing closer to me. On instinct, I propped up on my tip-toes, allowing our lips to meet.
Noise erupted around us; there were several gasps of surprise, some cheers and shouted lewd suggestions, as well as boos and slurs hurtled at us. I didn't care. All that mattered was the feel of Sloan's mouth on mine, and the way it made my blood race. That kiss held a promise of so much more to come.
All too soon, Sloan pulled away and stood up, heading to the center of the ring where the referee gave instructions to him and Marco.
“I can't believe I got such good close-ups,” Brice gushed, looking at the pictures he took on his phone as I rolled my eyes. “You and I are done, by the way. I don’t want anything to do with you after watching you lock lips with someone else.”
Fair enough. I wouldn't expect him to. I didn't want to further things with Brice, either. My kiss from the sexy titan pushed away all thoughts of any other man.
“I just don't know why Sloan would be interested in someone like you,” he continued. It was surely meant to hurt my feelings, but honestly, I just wanted him to stop talking and go away. “At any rate, I want my forty bucks now.”
I rolled my eyes again; this guy was a piece of work. I was grateful for Sloan; without his interest, I would have tried to pursue a relationship with this tool. But, wanting to shut him up, I handed over the two twenties I withdrew earlier.
“Hold this,” he said, thrusting the popcorn container into my hands so that he could put the money into his own wallet. I grabbed a handful, which I funneled into my mouth, while Brice shot me a nasty look .
I shrugged and asked, “What? I bought it.” And I was hungry. I was denying myself food because I didn’t want to upset Brice, but I suddenly didn’t care about that anymore.
“You disgust me,” he sneered. Apparently the sight of me eating was too much for him. “I should've bolted the minute I saw your fat ass.”
“What?” Thundered from behind me. I whipped around to find Sloan marching towards the ropes. Apparently, he’d been close enough to hear what Brice said. “How dare you speak to him like that! Get your ass in this ring and let's see how tough you are!”
All pandemonium broke loose. Sloan pulled at the ropes, trying to get to Brice. Marco took advantage of his turned back and landed several punches to Sloan’s torso. Security guards approached and grabbed both Brice and myself. Popcorn flew all over the floor, and Sloan lost his shit even more. He screamed at the guards to take their hands off of me.
The arena exploded with applause and whistles. The referee got in the boxers’ faces, shouting something I couldn’t make out. Eventually, the staff of each fighter intervened, dragging each man to his respective corner. The security guard let go of me, but stayed close by, while Brice was escorted…somewhere. I wasn’t watching; all of my attention was on trying to slow my heart rate and settle down.
I kept my focus on Sloan, who didn’t take his eyes off of me. His sharp gaze scanned over me, as if checking my wellbeing. I was typically nervous of aggression, but Sloan’s intensity actually brought me peace. I’d never had anyone protect me. This stranger was instantly so much more.
Once the teams cleared the ring, the referee raised his arm to signal the fight was beginning again. But Sloan didn’t move. Even as Marco closed in on him, he stood firm, studying me. Marco landed a punch square in his face, causing blood to stream from his nostrils, but Sloan barely flinched.
I was touched by his concern and amazed by his strength, but I didn’t want him to get his ass kicked because of me.
“I’m fine,” I shouted, hoping Sloan could hear me over the rowdy crowd. “You need to fight!” His head rocked back with another hit from Marco. “Do it for me!”
At those words, Sloan gave a nod and finally turned his attention to his opponent. He dodged a wild swing from Marco before clocking him in the jaw. Sloan landed several strikes to Marco’s ribs before cocking back his fist and slamming it into Marco’s eye. The man spun in place before smacking against the mat.