Free Desire Uncaged: An MMA Romance by Ina Anielka Page A

legs and drag him to the canvas, proving to the judges definitively, that Ethan was the superior fighter that round. And to remind Roberts that he was powerless in this fight. The round ended with Ethan atop Roberts, raining down blows.
    The bell rung and Ethan rose and returned to his corner. He sensed Roberts was growing desperate, realizing that without being on steroids, he simply wasn’t on par with Ethan’s skill and athleticism. Ethan corner encouraged him and told him to watch out, as Roberts was likely growing desperate. Ethan glanced across the cage, his opponent looked much worse for wear, his mouth wide open and panting with exhaustion.
    The referee ushered the coaches out of the cage and the bell rung again, signaling the start of a new round. Ethan circled Roberts how was moving more frantically now, looking for an opening. As Ethan pawed out a jab Roberts ducked low and shot into Ethan’s legs, looking to take him down. Ethan was too fast however and he sprawled out; dropping the weight of his hips atop Roberts’ back while simultaneously pushing down on the back of Robert’s head. Ethan locked his hands around his opponent’s neck. He could sense that the choke was tight. Boldly, Ethan leaned backwards and made the choke tighter still. Ethan squeezed on the neck as Roberts fought to escape the submission. His hands could not break Ethan’s grip and every second that ticked by was another second Roberts’s neck was trapped, the blood flow cut off. If LC didn’t tap soon, he would fall unconscious.
    Ethan watched, as if in slow motion , as Roberts’ hand released and gracefully reached out. It tapped gently on Ethan’s stomach, showing Roberts’ submission to the choke. The referee jumped in and signaled to Ethan that the fight was over. Ethan had done it. He had won.
    He released the choke and stood up, throwing his hands into the air signaling to the crowd that he had won. The crowd erupted with cheers. The referee quickly stood the two fighters in the center of the ring as the announcer stood behind them.
    “Your winner by guillotine choke one minute fifteen seconds of the second round…Ethan Ewing!”
    Ethan closed his eyes and raised his hands in triumph, drinking in the moment. He could hear the cage door open. His coaches and teammates rushed onto the canvas. Ethan opened his eyes as he felt a pair of hands on his shoulders. There, in front of him, red hair and big soft eyes was Sara. She said something, but he couldn’t hear her over the roar of the crowd. She leaned in to repeat herself. But as she did, Ethan kissed her.
    Sara was taken back, for a moment, but then returned his kiss. Their tongues met as they were lost in the swirling jubilation around them. But in that instant, there was only each other. For that instant, it was perfection.