Spent - Part 1 (Spent, a New Adult Romance, MMA Series) by Elise Holland Page A

consistently.” It’s not a question. I know the answer. Before driving down to Baltimore today, I looked up Luke’s profile. Last year, he was a rising star within the MMA world. He had been undefeated and was on several sponsor lists. For some reason, though, he began losing fights the moment he was about to make it to the major televised stadiums. No matter how much I researched into him, I couldn’t find any information on why this happened. No injuries had been reported, so I’m left to assume it’s something far deeper than my one day of reporting on him will be able to find out.  

    “Why?”

    “Why what?” Luke asks, staring at me quizzically.  

    “Why have you been losing?” My tone has changed from journalist to friend. This isn’t something I’m going to write in the school paper. This is something I want to know because I’m quickly beginning to like this guy.  

    Luke sighs and takes a long sip from his beer, “I’ve become emotionally detached, honestly. Something happened to me a year ago, something I don’t want to talk about right now,” He looks at me as he says the words, like a warning to not dig deeper, “that changed the way I feel about fighting. I just don’t have the same love for it like I once had.”

    “Then why do you still fight,” I ask as I take a long drink from my beer, letting the harsh fire water burn as it runs down my dry throat.  

    “Because I know I still love it, I just have to find my inspiration again,” Luke half smiles as he finishes off beer number two.  

    I quickly finish off my beer. My head is slowly beginning to haze from the sly effects of the delicious liquid, but right now, I don’t care. For some reason, being here, in this ring, sitting next to a sexy man with a rocky past, is causing me to remember my childhood. The bruises and tears and harsh words that encompassed my upbringing are things that I have done well to suppress. None of which I want to be reminded of tonight.  

    “I need another beer,” I mutter.  

    Luke smiles, “No problem, ma’am.”

    Without thinking, I reach across him to grab a beer myself, feeling that his movement to get me one was just too slow for how badly I’m wanting it. As I lean over, I stumble slightly from the haze the beer is having over me. My hands land on his thighs as I try to brace myself from falling over. I gasp, but I can’t move. The warmth radiating through his pants from his skin feels so good against the palms of my hands. I look up at him from under my eyelashes.  

    Hot lips are on mine in an instant, begging my mouth to give into him. I feel my body quake against the sudden onset of pleasure. Moaning softly against his lips, I part my mouth, permitting him the access he so desperately seeks. The taste of beer and the unique and delicious flavor of Luke flood my taste buds as his tongue penetrates into my mouth.  

Chapter 7

    Luke suddenly pulls away, leaving me panting from the hasty removal of pleasure that his mouth was giving me. My body quakes, the aching in the muscles deep below my stomach make me yearn for his touch.

    “I.. I’m sorry,” he stammers.  

    I stare at him wide eyed, “Don’t be. I liked it.”

    Even though he’s smiling, Luke’s expression appears downcast. I can’t stand to see him look so sad. Whether it’s the beer fueling me, or the fact that this handsome guy is spending time with me and has had a rough past like me, I feel the urge to find some sort of way to make him happy…

    Arching forward, I lean in and kiss him.  

    Luke’s arms are around me in an instant. Easing me up onto his lap, his massive hands run along the curves of my body as he returns my kisses. His kisses are demanding, but soft and gentle at the same time. My body eases against his, submitting to his tender touch.  

    Slowly, his hands work their way down to the hem of my shirt. I want him to go faster, because it’s been so long since I’ve had any kind of