Free BEAST (MMA Bad Boys Book 1) by L. Grubb Page A

still ricochets through my brain as we make our way to the pub. It was definitely one of those unforgettable kisses, and a kiss that makes my thighs squeeze shut just thinking about. I have no business going near a man like him, his reputation is enough for me to know there’s nothing good about going there with him. Anyway, after the way he flew from the apartment was enough indication that the kiss was never going to happen again. Fuck, I’m so damn glad it stopped at just a kiss. How stupid am I?
    Gemma babbles on about the night ahead as I stare blankly out the window of the black taxi cab, watching the grunge of the city go by. The sky is dark with no hint of stars showing through the polluted air of the city. Blocks of graffiti covered flats come and go, lights shining through the windows. I hate London with a passion which is why I refused to live within the city limits and chose the outskirts instead. Yeah, it costs a bomb to get a taxi to the pub and to fights but with the money we make, it doesn’t matter. London is sort of like New York, it doesn’t fully sleep. The traffic into the city is just as bad as that coming out which seems ridiculous considering it’s nine at night and people still roam the streets in the business suits and iPhones pressed to their ears, babbling a mile a minute about crap I’d never understand.
     
    Another twenty boring minutes go by and Gemma is sat quietly, scrolling through Facebook with her tongue poked out at the corner in concentration. Every now and then she’ll show me the screen at something she finds amusing, but other than that we’re silent as we turn down side roads to miss the ever growing traffic.
    Pulling up outside the pub another ten minutes later, we pay the fair, climb out and nod to the bouncer on the door before he opens the door for us. It’s packed out tonight, all the booths are occupied and there’s hardly a lick of space at the bar. Being known in the circuit is great because people part ways to let us get to the bar.
    Brett is working the bar tonight and his smile when he sees us is infectious. He’s as gay as they come and absolutely hilarious. I’m always jealous of his perfect tan because I burn like a bitch and end up looking like a cherry tomato.
    “Girls! I was wondering when I’d see you!” He exclaims, leaning over the bar top to kiss mine and Gemma’s cheeks. “Vodka?”
    “Do you even need to ask?” I laugh, placing my clutch bag on the sticky bar. “Where have you been Brett? You haven’t been here for well over a week”
    He raises a perfectly shaped brow and his arms sweep over his body. “Can’t you tell? Holiday, baby. Caribbean with Sean.”
    “Oh! Did you have fun?” I ask, leaning my head on my elbow. I wish I could get away for a few weeks for a holiday, but fight schedules change and the tattoo shop stops me from going.
    “If you’d looked on Facebook, honey, you would have seen that it was a blast and we had such great fun.” He hands us our drinks and says, “On the house, baby girls. I missed ya.”
    “Aww, thanks, Brett. You’re so good to us.” I wink and take a sip of my drink. I moan in delight; damn I need this after what happened this afternoon.
    He waves a hand at us, laughing, as he rushes off to serve the other patrons that wave money in the air to get noticed. I’d hate to have his job; I’d end up punching people. A lot.
    Not being able to move, we remain at the bar. I swear the next dude that ‘accidentally’ touches my arse, I’m going to swing for them. There’s no ‘accident’ about copping a feel with squeezing involved.
    Gemma notices the scowl on my face and my clenched fist, she fights the laughter I know she wants to release.
    “Something funny, Gem?” I hiss at her, my lip curling back. God, why am I taking my issues out on the one friend I have. “Sorry, shit day, as you know.”
    “I hardly call necking Beast a shit day. I’d happily trade places with you.” She throws