Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 19017 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 95(@200wpm)___ 76(@250wpm)___ 63(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 19017 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 95(@200wpm)___ 76(@250wpm)___ 63(@300wpm)
That was ridiculous, of course. Even if magic were real, he wouldn't waste it on me when he was surrounded by an arena of beautiful people screaming his name. He had no idea I even existed.
But it sure as hell felt like he did when Sloan's dark eyes scanned the crowd before seemingly falling on me. Across thousands of people and hundreds of feet of distance, our gazes locked. He stood up straighter and sniffed the air before a gorgeously wicked smile crossed his lips.
Sloan marched towards the ropes around the ring, but he was stopped by a referee. They had what looked like a heated exchange, and soon, Sloan's team were at his side as well. Confused murmurs spread throughout the spectators. Sloan threw up his arms before pointing up into the stands…at me.
One of his team members climbed through the ropes and exited the ring. He made his way through the crowd and up the stairs, his breathing unaffected as he took the steps two at a time, ascending quickly.
My heart pounded as the man made his way down my row and I realized I wasn't crazy; he was coming to me. I stood up just as he reached me.
“Sloan is requesting your presence.”
“Why him?” Brice sneered.
The man didn't pay Brice any attention. He just looked back at Sloan, who was watching us intently, even as the referee got in his face and Marco yelled from the other side of the ring.
“If he holds up the match too long, he'll have to forfeit,” the man said when he faced me again. “And he won't box until he has you down there with him.”
It was against my nature to get closer to the fighting, but I had an overwhelming need to get closer to Sloan. For reasons I didn't understand, I craved to be near him. It wasn't just lust that propelled me; everything in my body told me to go to him. Did Sloan feel the same pull? Could that be why he sent for me? It didn't make any sense, but I couldn't think of any other reason.
I nodded and stepped closer to the man when Brice spoke up. “I'll go too.”
“Why?” the team member asked. “Who are you?”
“I'm his boyfriend.”
“What?” The two of us barked at the same time. Ten minutes ago, Brice didn't even want to be on this date with me. I knew he only said the word to try and get closer to his favorite boxer. He'd done nothing but use or mistreat me since we met, although I was just now admitting it to myself. But I didn't have time to explain everything to the man Sloan sent; the match needed to start. I wouldn't be the reason why he lost.
“This isn't gonna be good,” the man muttered under his breath before motioning for the two of us to follow him.
We made our way down the stairs as the crowd shouted all around us; some yelled in anger because the fight was delayed, some were still excitedly cheering, while others were calling out their confusion, which was fair. I didn't know what the hell was happening either.
When we finally made it to the ring, my heart was pounding once more. I was both excited and nervous to be close to Sloan. I didn't know what he wanted with me, or why he called me forward.
The mat was a few feet off of the floor. When I reached the side of the ring, Sloan knelt on one knee to get closer, and looked at me between the ropes. His large body gave off an aura of effortless power, but his gaze was soft as he looked into my eyes.
“I'm sorry I couldn't come to you,” Sloan said in a deep, smooth voice which made goosebumps prickle up my arms. He spoke with a sexy accent I couldn't quite place. “I can't leave the ring.” I wasn't sure how to respond, or even what was happening, so I found no words to reply. I just stood there, drooling over his gorgeous body and undeniable masculinity. “Please, I must know your name.”
I managed to squeak out, “Lyric,” and a wide grin crossed his lips.
“Absolutely beautiful.” He said it in a way that suggested he wasn't just talking about my name. Maybe he was talking about me. It wasn't something I heard often, if ever.
“And I'm his boyfriend Brice,” cut into our lovely moment. I'd forgotten that Brice was even standing nearby, and hearing the word come out of his mouth made my stomach turn.
Before I could say anything, Sloan growled, “Like hell you are,” with a glare pointed at Brice.
“He's not,” I insisted, and Sloan's expression softened.
Brice didn’t seem to care either way. He asked the boxer, “Hey, since I'm here, can I get an autograph? Oh wait, I don't have a pen. Ooh, I'll get a photo!” He fished out his phone and snapped a dozen pictures while Sloan scowled at him.