Free The Fighter's Fierce Temptation by Leslie North

fall, but I was kind of burned out so I decided to take the fall semester off.”
    Bryant frowned. “They let you do that?”
    “Yeah. Even put my grants and student aid on hold until January.”
    “So you have nothing to do for the next four months?” he asked, grabbing her hand and rubbing his thumb across the back of her hand.
    Cheeks pink, Alice glanced at him and tugged at the hold he had on her. “What are you doing?”
    “Holding your hand. Do you have a problem with that?” He met her gaze and let some of what he was feeling show in his eyes. He wanted her. Really wanted her. She had to know that, but he wasn’t sure if she returned that feeling.
    Alice swallowed before answering. “Do I have a problem with that? Well, only because I’m already imagining your hands elsewhere on my body! As in, us sparing. I don’t…”
    “Don’t what?” Bryant tipped her head up and lowered his lips to hers, taking her on a sensual journey meant to soothe and comfort. When he felt her holding her breath, he broke their kiss long enough to whisper, “Breathe, Alice.”
    Alice nodded once and then felt him take her lips again. The first kiss had been tender and searching. His second kiss was more demanding and when she felt his tongue probe the seam of her lips, she surrendered, helpless to prevent him from entering her mouth and learning her taste.
    Bryant turned his body slightly toward hers and clasped the nape of her neck, turning her head to allow better access to her mouth. She tasted of butterscotch and white wine. He used his free hand to soothe the curve of her jawline, tracing a path up into her hair.
    Pulling away from the kiss, he reached up with both hands and pulled the elastic band from her hair, fanning the auburn tresses over his hands before bending down to inhale the sweet scent of her shampoo. Herbs and lemon became his favorite smell instantly.
    “What are you doing?” Alice whispered, her breathing ragged. The passion flowing through her veins was new to her, intense, and yet she welcomed it. She felt warm all over, and her center was pulsing in time to her heartbeat.
    Bryant buried his fingers in her hair and tipped her chin back up to meet his lips. “You feel it too, don’t you?”
    Alice didn’t have to ask for clarification. She simply nodded.
    “So, what are we going to do about it? I’m supposed to be getting ready for a fight. But unless I figure out how to handle the chemistry between us, I’m not going to be able to focus on anything. Not anything else , anyway.”
    Alice listened to his words and bit her lip to stop from answering him in a way that might make her look cheap. She’d never wanted to jump into bed with someone before. Sure, she’d played around a little with her last three dates, but nothing beyond a few touches over clothing and such. And a desire to go further had never presented itself. Not even with Scott, she thought as she looked back on that situation.
    Bryant lowered one of his hands to her collarbone and dipped his fingertips beneath the edge of her T-shirt, caressing her soft skin. “So?”
    “This is probably a bad idea, Bryant.”
    “Or the best training technique I can think of. I don’t know how your father‘s going to react, though.”
    At the mention of her father, Alice jumped back as if she’d had cold water thrown on her. Pushing out of Bryant’s arms, she put several inches between them. When he reached for her again she shook her head. “Don’t. We can’t. My father would never condone this kind of stuff this close to a major fight. You need to focus a hundred percent on your training.”
    Bryant knew she was right, but damned if his body wanted to comply. Taking a deep breath in, he held if for a ten-count. “You’re right. I know you are.” He sat silently, considering their options. “So, what are you doing three months from now?”
    Alice looked up at him and laughed. “I don’t know. Why?”
    Bryant smiled at her. “Well, I