Hard Knocks: An Ultimate Novella Read Free Page A

nose. The whole day, Armie had limped around as if the woman had ridden him raw. He’d also smiled a lot, proof that whatever had happened, he’d enjoyed himself.
    Unlike Gage, Armie saw no reason to skip sex, ever. Not even prior to a fight. The only women he turned down were the ones, as Harper had said, that were too nice.
    “Come on.” She took Gage’s hand and started dragging him toward the back.
    “Hey, don’t leave my storage closet smelling like sex,” Armie called after them. “If you’re going to knock boots, take it elsewhere!”
    Harper flipped him the bird, but she was grinning. “He is so outrageous.”
    “That’s the pot calling the kettle black.” Just where was she leading him?
    “Eh, maybe.” She winked up at him. “But I just act outrageous. I have a feeling it’s a mindset for Armie.”
    Ignoring what Armie had said, she dragged him back into the storage closet—and shut the door.
    Gage stood there watching her, thinking things he shouldn’t and getting hard because of it. Heart beating slow and steady, he asked, “Now what?”

CHAPTER TWO
    C OULD A MAN look sexier? No. Dumb question. Harper sighed. At twenty-five, she knew what she wanted. Whether or not she could have it, that was the big question.
    Or rather, could she have it for the long haul.
    “Is that for me?” She nodded at the rise in his jeans.
    Without changing expressions, Gage nodded. “Yeah.” And then, “After that kiss, you have to ask?”
    Sweet. “So you like my plan?”
    Looking far too serious, his mellow brown gaze held hers. “If your plan is to turn me on, yeah, I like it.”
    As part of her plan, she forced a laugh. She had to keep Gage from knowing how badly he’d broken her heart.
    Talk about pathetic.
    Gage was two years older, which, while they’d been in school, had made him the older, awesome star athlete, popular guy that every girl had wanted. Her included.
    Back then, she hadn’t stood a chance. He’d dated prom queen, cheerleader, class president material, not collect-for-the-homeless Goody Two-shoes material.
    So she’d wrapped herself in her pride and whenever they’d crossed paths, she’d treated him like any other jock—meaning she’d been nice but uninterested.
    And damn him, he’d been A-okay with that, the big jerk.
    They lived in the same small neighborhood. Not like Warfield, Ohio, left a lot of room for anonymity. Everyone knew everyone, especially those who went through school together.
    It wasn’t until they both started hanging out in the rec center, her to help out, him to train, that he seemed to really tune in to her. Course, she hadn’t been real subtle with him, so not noticing her would have required a deliberate snub.
    She was comfortable with guys. Actually, she was comfortable with everyone. Her best friend claimed she was one of those nauseatingly happy people who enjoyed life a little too much. But whatever. She believed in making the most of every day.
    That is, when big, badass alpha fighters cooperated.
    Unfortunately, Gage didn’t. Not always.
    Not that long ago they’d been dating, getting closer. Getting steamier.
    She’d fallen a little more in love with him every day.
    She adored his quiet confidence. His motivation and dedication. The gentle way he treated the little kids who hung out at the center, how he coached the older boys who revered him, and the respect he got—and gave—to other fighters.
    She especially loved his big, rock-solid body. Just thinking about it made her all twitchy in private places.
    Things had seemed to be progressing nicely.
    Until the SBC called and put him on the main card for freaking other-side-of-the-world Japan, and boom, just like that, it seemed she’d lost all the ground she’d gained. Three months before the fight, Gage had packed up and moved to Harmony, Kentucky, to join Cannon in a different camp where he could hone his considerable skills with a fresh set of experienced fighters.
    He’d kissed her