Hard Knocks: An Ultimate Novella Read Online Free PDF Page B

shifted, he freaking felt it, deep down inside himself. At one point she hugged his arm, her head on his shoulder, and something about the embrace had felt so damn melancholy that he’d wanted to lift her into his lap and hold her close and make some heavy-duty spur-of-the-moment promises.
    Holding her wouldn’t have been a big deal; Miles had a chick in his lap. Denver, too.
    With Harper, though, it’d be different. Everyone knew a hookup when they saw one, and no way did Gage want others to see her that way. Harper was like family at the rec center. She was part of the inner circle. He would never do anything to belittle her importance.
    Beyond that, he wanted more than a hookup. He cared about her well beyond getting laid a single time, well beyond any mere friendship.
    Still, as soon as possible, he planned to get her alone and, God willing, get her under him.
    Or over him.
    However she liked it, as long as he got her. Not just for tonight, but for a whole lot more.
    Everyone grimaced when the last prelim fight ended with a grappling match—that turned into an arm bar. The dominant fighter trapped the arm, extended it to the breaking point while the other guy tried everything he could to free himself.
    Squeezed up close to his side, peeking through her fingers, Harper pleaded, “Tap, tap, tap,” all but begging his opponent to admit defeat before he suffered more damage. And when he did, she cheered with everyone else. “Good fight. Wow. That was intense.”
    It was so cute how involved she got while watching, that Gage had to tip up her chin so he could kiss her.
    Her enthusiasm for the fight waned as she melted against him, saying, “Mmm...”
    He smiled against her mouth. “You’re making me a little nuts.”
    “Looks who’s talking.” She glanced around with exaggerated drama. “If only we were alone.”
    Hoping she meant it, he used his thumb to brush her bottom lip. “We can be.” His place. Her place. Either worked for him. “It’ll be late when the fights end, but—”
    “I really have to wait that long?”
    Yep, she meant it. Her blue eyes were heavy, her face flushed. She breathed deeper. He glanced down at her breasts and saw her nipples were tight against the material of her T-shirt.
    Okay, much more of that and he wouldn’t be able to keep it under wraps.
    A roar sounded around them and they both looked up to see Cannon on the screen. Gage couldn’t help but grin. Yeah, he wanted to be there, too, but at the same time, he was so damn proud of Cannon.
    In such a short time, Cannon had become one of the most beloved fighters in the sport. The fans adored him. His peers respected him. And the Powers That Be saw him as a big draw moneymaker. After he won tonight, Gage predicted that Cannon would be fighting for the belt.
    He’d win it, too.
    They showed footage of Cannon before the fight, his knit hat pulled low on his head, bundled under a big sweatshirt. Keeping his muscles warm.
    He looked as calm and determined as ever while answering questions.
    Harper squeezed his hand and when she spoke, Gage realized it was with nervousness.
    “He’ll do okay.”
    Touched by her concern, he smiled. “I’d put money on it.”
    She nodded, but didn’t look away from the screen. “He’s been something of a phenomenon, hasn’t he?”
    “With Cannon, making an impact comes naturally.”
    “After he wins this one,” she mused, “they’ll start hyping him for a title shot.”
    Since her thoughts mirrored his own, he hugged her. Her uncanny insight never ceased to amaze him. Then again, she was a regular at the rec center, interacted often with fighters and enjoyed the sport. It made sense that she’d have the same understanding as him.
    “Cannon’s earned it.” Few guys took as many fights as he did, sometimes on really short notice. If a fighter got sick—or suffered an injury, as Gage had—Cannon was there, always ready, always in shape, always kicking ass. They called him the Saint,