A Fighter's Desire (Gloves Off 0.5 & 0.6)(11)



Ryley came out with his head down, covered in a royal blue robe, which was open to reveal his white and blue shorts and a set of perfectly conditioned, glistening abs. One lady jumped over the railing and flung herself into his arms, attempting to kiss him, but was quickly hauled off by the security guards.

“Wow, these women are crazy,” I said to Gabriella.

“Yeah, tell me about it. Matt’s told me all about the kinds of women he messed around with after his fights.”

I could only imagine.

When Ryley got up into the ring and took off his robe, he circled around and lifted his hands up arrogantly in the air while the crowd cheered. From his right shoulder, all the way down his arm, were tattoos, along with another one across the top of his back. I loved tattooed men.

Gabriella hollered his name. Almost immediately, he found her in the crowd and smiled; although, not before raking his gaze toward me with a mischievous tilt to his lips.

Nudging me in the side, Gabriella playfully warned, “Uh-oh, Ash, he’s noticed you. I’ve seen that look on him before.”

Biting my lip, I lifted a curious brow, never taking my gaze away from him. “And what exactly does that mean?”

Gabriella put her hand around my arm and squeezed. “It means, my dear friend, that he has his eyes on you. He’ll find you at the party tonight, I’m sure of it.”

“Yeah, well, I don’t know what he hopes to gain by that.”

Gabriella scoffed, “Yes, you do, Ash. You look hot tonight, and any guy in this room, and specifically at the party, will notice you. He’s going to have some competition.”

“Good,” I chuckled. “I don’t want it to be easy for him like I’m sure it is with every other girl he chases.”

While Ryley waited for his opponent to get into the ring, he kept sneaking glances my way, winking at me every time I would meet his gaze. Arrogant bastard. His dark blond hair was gelled into messy spikes, and even though I didn’t want them to … his eyes were what captured me. Even from down in my seat I could tell they were the most beautiful blue I’d ever seen; almost hypnotizing.

Whatever you do, don’t look at his eyes, I hissed at myself, turning my head. They were dangerous.

As soon as the fight began, I couldn’t help but look up at him, at the way his body moved gracefully across the mat. His punches were hard and precise, but what got me more was that he knew he was a god in the ring. I could see it in the arrogant smirk he kept permanently splayed on his face, and by the way he laughed when his opponent would overthrow a punch. He absolutely dominated every single move.

I wonder if he’s like that in the bedroom.

Once down on the mat, his opponent in a vice-like grip, Ryley peered over at me as if he’d heard what I was thinking. His heated gaze made my clit throb, and when I crossed my legs tight, he gave me a knowing smirk. Rolling my eyes, I crossed my arms over my chest and looked at anything and everything other than him.

“Are you okay?” Gabriella asked with a glint sparkling in her eye.

Quickly, I waved her off. “Yes, I’m fine. I think I just need a drink. Do you want one?” Or maybe even a cold shower.

Really, I just wanted to get away from the ring and Ryley’s hypnotic blue gaze. Gabriella shook her head, returning her focus to the fight. “No, I’m good. Thank you, though. Just make sure you hurry back.”

Getting up from my seat, I didn’t even look at Ryley in the ring before rushing out of the arena. I breathed a sigh of relief as soon as I was away from the crowd … away from the thunderous cheers that I assumed meant Ryley had finally won. It didn’t surprise me because the other guy hadn’t stood a chance. I had to give it to Ryley, he was a good fighter.

At one of the concession stands, I waited in line and ordered a bottle of water even though I wasn’t really thirsty. Still, I opened it up and took sips of it as I walked around. There weren’t many people since another fight had just started, so I took my time and strolled around, glancing at all of the different merchandising carts.

There were T-shirts with the different fighters, and of course, there were ones with the Twins of Terror on them. It was uncanny how Ryley and Camden looked so much alike.

Fifteen minutes later my phone buzzed in my purse and I cringed. Shit, Gabriella was going to kill me for being away for so long. However, when I looked down at my phone it was a text from an unavailable number.

Hey, it’s Gabriella. Turn to your right and go all the way down the hall until you get to the guard. He’ll let you by. It’s the second door on the left. Just walk on in.

Wait, what? Why wasn’t she still watching the fights?

Feeling a little strange, I did as the text said and walked all the way down to where the guard was stationed by another large door. Beyond that was where the fighters had their separate rooms so that they could get dressed and warm up before the fights.

The guard nodded as I approached and stepped out of the way, allowing me to pass, and when I did it was like I was in another world. Some of the fighters whistled and made suggestive comments as I stood there, looking down at the text one more time.

It said to go to the second door on the left and just walk in. I prayed it wasn’t Gabriella’s brother, trying to persuade her not to go to the party tonight after he’d already said she could.

Ready to defend her if need be, I held my head high and opened the door … only to have my heart thunder out of my chest at what was in front of me; it sure as hell wasn’t Gabriella’s brother.

L.P. Dover's Books