Sucker Punch (The Submission Fighter Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

wounded her; he had taken away a part of her pride. But he knew it was for the best. With Dean already suspicious of him and reporters chasing her down, this was the only way he could protect her. He knew she wasn’t ready for a life in the celebrity bubble. And if he won the Invitational, it would be even harder to keep up. Taking a step back, away from the sneaking around and the lies, was the only way to make sure these moments lasted as long as possible.
     
    There was a long pause. Micah looked down at his feet, then towards the kitchen, and finally back to Alice. “So… any leftovers from dinner?”
     
    Alice couldn’t help but break into a smile. It was a question only a man could bring up after a fight. She walked into the kitchen and grabbed the remainder of the pot of pasta, pouring it out onto a bowl. From the refrigerator, she grabbed one of Caroline’s beers. She returned to the couch and watched him dive ravenously into his meal.
     
    The moment, to Alice, felt so normal. This is what real couples do. They come home from work; they eat their home cooked meals; they watch their late night talk shows. It may not be perfect or full of fame and fortune, but this was what it was supposed to be. It pained her to think that life with Micah was always going to come with strings attached, like photographers and journalists hounding him while his coach pressured him to chase tail. She didn’t sign up for that.
     
    But as the two slept soundlessly into the night, her head resting on the expanse of his naked chest, she remembered that it may not be perfect, but this was what it was. Every moment with him brought her closer to the kind of love she wanted to both give and receive.
     
    She was falling for him. Every scar, every break down, every match…she was more and more head over heels for her fighter. She longed to wake him up, break him from his slumber, to even just whisper it in his ear as he dozed. But she knew it wasn’t the right time. It would just be another distraction for the both of them, for their relationship.
     
    ***
     
    The bed moved from under Alice as the weight of the mattress shifted in her direction. She could hear Micah move slowly out of bed, hesitating ever so slightly as he fully stood. He looked down on her, as she faced his opposite direction. Her fragile body almost glowed in the night’s iridescent light.
     
    Coming to, she rolled over to face him, as he slipped on his pants and shirt. “Where are you going? Come back to bed.” She patted the warm spots of the sheets where his body had made an imprint.
     
    “I’ve got to go. Your roommate is going to be home soon, right?” He stood straight up, attempting to listen to the sounds of the apartment for any signs that she may already be here.
     
    “I don’t know. What time is it?” Alice sat up further, ready to follow him outside.
     
    “It’s two. Doesn’t the late shift end about now? I don’t want to get caught, at least not tonight.” A flood of memories of their earlier argument ran through his head. He still felt numb from listening to Alice’s pain become real because of his actions.
     
    “Yeah, but she usually goes out with Jace after her shift is done. I doubt they will get in for another hour or two.” Alice reached across, grabbing his arm, yanking him downwards into the pool of sheets and pillows. He leaned backwards, grabbing her face and hair in his hands as he kissed her sweetly.
     
    “I should go. Walk me out.” He stood suddenly and opened the door to the bedroom, closing it partially behind him.
     
    A noise rang out of the silence—almost a squeal. Micah shouted something Alice couldn’t make out. She sprang from the bed and ran towards the commotion, her heart beating fast as a flash of all the horrible things it could be played out through her mind.
     
    “WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE? GET OUT!” Alice heard Caroline’s shrieking voice first. Micah’s body had edged further towards the