AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I chuckled, despite myself. She was dedicated, no doubt. "I let you have one for now. Ask away, Ms. Reporter." I crossed my arms and leaned against the wall beside her.
“Wow.” Ava’s copper brown eyes widened at my sudden willingness to answer her questions. “You’re serious? No teasing this time?”
I took in the view of her slim body in a preppy blazer and tight pencil skirt. Oh, I wanted to tease her, right out of all that designer workwear and into my bed. I thought about it so often lately my mind formed a direct link to my cock. “Better ask while you have me in a corner, Ava.”
“Since we’re on first names now, I’ll call you Ryder.” She straightened her posture. There was something sexy about a straightforward woman looking me directly in the eyes. "For starters, how did you get into mixed martial arts?"
I took a moment to consider my response. "I got into it to defend myself from grade school bullies. I ended up falling in love with the sport."
“It’s hard to believe anyone would try to bully you.”
“Well as a teen, I wasn’t exactly in the heavyweight class.”
She scribbled down my answer. "And the service dog organization you're involved in? What's the story behind it?"
I hesitated. Of course she would’ve known about it. I had it on my website, the gym’s flyers out front, basically everywhere I was allowed. There was a soft spot in my heart for those dogs, and Ava's genuine curiosity piqued my interest. "I started it a few years ago when my brother came home from deployment with PTSD. Wanted to give back to the vets, you know? I trained a few dogs myself, and it grew from there."
She nodded, her eyes intent on me. "That's incredible, Ryder."
I felt an unexpected surge of pride. Most people were more concerned about my championships and all the blood, sweat, and tears I poured into the sport, much less so my charity work. “Uh, thanks.” I cleared my throat, the sound unheard above the hum of conversation on the gym floor and the sounds of sparring in the practice ring. “It's a labor of love.”
Good god. Was this woman and her keen gaze making me...bashful?
She started to ask another question, but I cut her off this time. "Sorry, Ava, can't talk anymore. I've got to visit the dog shelter before I head out tonight."
“Oh?” She stopped writing. "Another important press event?"
Tension made my shoulders tight. I couldn't tell her about my other event, especially not here in the Warrior's Den. "It can’t wait. No offense."
"None taken." She gave a little laugh that made my skin tingle. Ava pushed curly strands of her dark brown hair behind her ear. Immediately, they sprang forward again, refusing to lay down. Just as stubborn and attractive as she was. "Hey, you got a hot date tonight. No need to tell me. I'm just here to cover your athletic life."
“You came all the way from LA. I can’t let you leave empty-handed.”
Her black lashes fanned below her eyebrows as she widened her eyes again. “You remembered? I said it when I first came here.” A smile played on her bow-shaped lips.
They looked pillow-soft. I imagined what they felt like pressed against my mouth or clamped around my hard cock. Stay on topic, I reminded myself. “I may not respond to everything that goes on here in the gym, but I do listen.”
“I’ll remember that.” Her thick curls concealed half of her playful smile when she looked down. I shoved my hand into my jeans pocket, stifling the urge to touch her hair or the curve of her brown cheek. A sophisticated ex-Hollywood news reporter like her was probably used to the manicured hands of celebs, not rough, calloused ones like mine. "Thanks for the Q&A.” She closed her notebook. “See you here at the gym tomorrow.”
“Can’t get enough of me, can you?"
"I have a deadline. I'll take all you got to give me.”
Whew. This woman. If only she knew what I was willing to give to her to always see that smile. Keep it professional, McKenzie. You’re talking to a lady. I cleared my throat again. “I’ll be here bright and early."
"Seven?"
"Try five. I need to run through a couple of drills to prep for my match against O’Connor in three weeks."
A look passed in her eyes. Something told me Ava was not a morning person. Still, she lifted her chin high like a champ. "I’ll see you tomorrow at five."
"Good night.”
How silly did that sound? I told her good night when it was barely evening.
Ava turned and sauntered away from me in her heels, either unaware of my awkwardness or chuckling about it to herself on the inside. My gaze followed her. What would she be like waking up to in the morning?
I turned towards another exit, feeling a mix of annoyance and intrigue. That woman, she could get under my skin with her determination to poke at my life. Still, I couldn’t deny there was something about her that drew me in, something strange and familiar. A place I just found and didn’t want to leave.
