Free Mila (Heartbreaker #3) by Evan Grace Page B

circling each other. Physically, he’s bigger, but he’s not very good at floor work, so all I need to do is get him down on the floor.
    He swings and connects a jab with my side. I channel the pain and do a leg sweep, knocking him off balance. I jab him right in the side and then go for the leg.
    After that, we tussle around on the floor. Admittedly, I’m being a lot more aggressive than usual. I get him in a leg lock and manage to hold it as he tries to fight me off of him. I don’t give up until he slaps the mat and I know he’s tapped out. Hopping up, I hold out a hand to Mike.
    “Sorry, man.”
    “What’s got you pissed off?” he says as he takes his gloves off.
    “I just had kind of a shitty night.”
    He nods his head and then walks toward the locker room. I feel like an asshole. The guy may be a douche, but he didn’t deserve that shit. Maybe I better stick to solo stuff. I grab my bo and stand in the middle of the mat, getting centered before I start moving.
    By the time I’m done, I’m a sweaty mess, but my mind is clear. I’ve even got an audience, I notice. A couple of the women are good looking, but I just nod and make my way into the locker room to shower. I open my locker, grab my shower caddy, and pick up my phone. I have two missed texts.
     
    Where did you go? I went to get coffee and donuts and when I came back you weren’t here.
     
    Brian? Are you mad? Did you think I left you?
     
    Well, shit. I pick up my phone and call her. She answers on the first ring.
    “Brian, what happened to you? You scared me, and you left your house unlocked. Did you think I would leave and not say good-bye?” She doesn’t sound mad, just scared, so of course I feel like an asshole.
    “Sorry. I woke up and you were gone and there was no note. I just assumed you left. I should’ve called. Where are you now?” I’m sure she’s already gone.
    “Um, I’m still at your place. Is that okay?”
    “Yeah, I’m leaving now. I’ll be there in a few.” I’ll shower when I get home.
    When I get home, I step inside and find Mila sitting on my kitchen counter. Her hair is up in a ponytail and her face is free of makeup, but she’s never looked more beautiful. She holds out a cup of coffee. I hop up on the counter, sit next to her, and take the offered cup. We sit in silence while we drink. She hands me a donut.
    “I’m sorry I left without waking you. I know our first time together I snuck out during the night, but I wouldn’t do that to you again. I promise.”
    She rests her head on my shoulder and we finish off the donuts in companionable silence. This feels too good, too nice, but I can’t let myself enjoy it too much because I don’t want to get my heart broken. Yeah, I know I sound like a girl, but I don’t give a shit. I was never into “playing the field.” I’ve always looked for something long lasting. I guess I’m a big believer in quality over quantity.
    Because of the way I am, I’ve been accused of being gay or bi. I’m just a man who prefers romance instead of meaningless flings.
    “I’m going to jump in the shower. Are you going to stick around?” I ask.
    “Yeah. I thought maybe I’d take you to lunch and I don’t know, maybe spend the day together?”
    With a quick kiss to her forehead, I hop off the counter.
    “Let me take a quick shower and we can do whatever you want.” She grabs me by my shirt and pulls me to her, kissing my lips softly.
    I grab some clean clothes out of my room and set them on my bed. I strip off my shirt and make my way across the hall to my bathroom, where I turn the shower on and step under the spray. With my hands on the wall, I let the water beat down on my sore muscles.
    The feeling of hands sliding around my waist startles me, but the feel of her lips against my back quickly heats me up. I turn around and push her against the wall. It looks like getting clean is going to take a while.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter