Page 5 of I Am Lioness

“Yeah, I'm, uh…” I couldn't even formulate a full response, completely hypnotized by those gorgeous pools holding me hostage.

Bernie said something I didn't quite hear and tugged on my arm, but I didn't budge. I couldn't. I was stuck to the floor beneath me like a fly caught in a web.

“Nice work out there, Perry.” Said Reyna, who quite obviously took notice at the intense stare down happening not ten feet away from her.

It wasn't easy but I tore my eyes away from his penetrating gaze and shifted my focus to the small woman.

“Thanks.” I gave her a small smile, tucking a few wayward curls behind my ear. “I heard you did well last night too.”

She shrugged. “Eh. I’ll admit, I've done better. I'll show these newbs in Vegas though, maybe even move up a spot. Did you hear about Lexi?”

Just the sound of her name irritated me. Lexi Panterra was essentially my arch rival. I stole the title right from underneath her feet during my first season with the League and since then she’s failed miserably at every attempt to reclaim it.

I arched a brow curiously, shaking my head. “No, what about her?”

“Kate Jensen knocked her out.”

My eyes widened in shock because Kate was fairly new to the scene, and then I laughed because of all the things Reyna could possibly have said, that was not what I was expecting.

“And she thinks she has a chance at taking back her title. Riiight.” I said, thoroughly amused.

Reyna nodded. “That’s what I said. She fights worse every year.”

“Hazel,” Jason’s voice interjected. “I’m starved, let’s go.”

Not yet, Jay.

“Why don’t you and Bernie head outside to meet Manny? I’ll be there in just a minute.” I said as nonchalantly as possible, hoping they'd concede and go without argument.

Both Bernie and Jason looked at me as though I’d grown a second head, possibly even a third. They glanced between me and Reyna, then at each other with the most baffled expressions etched on their faces. Thankfully they decided now was not the time to play Twenty Questions, and within seconds, they backed away and disappeared behind the glass doors.

I turned back to Reyna. “Where were we?”

“Introductions.” She beamed, tugging me closer to her side. “Hazel, this is Luis, my twin brother.”

So they were related.

Luis smiled, the very same brown eyes as his sister’s crinkling in the corners as he extended a hand. “Nice to finally meetTheLioness.”

I chuckled, slipping my hand in his. “It's nice to meet you, too.”

I could feel those baby blues searing my skin as they scanned me from head to toe and back again. Bracing myself for what would likely be another heart-racing stare down, I glanced up into his awaiting gaze, and I meanreallyhad to glance up. He was so much taller than I was, towering high above me like a graffiti adorned brick wall somewhere in the city.

His arms were crossed now, fine-cut muscles and broad shoulders bulging beneath the fabric of his black tee. Idly I wondered how often he hit the gym because if he looked this good with a shirt on, I could only imagine how good he looked with it off. Yummy didn't quite cover what I really thought of him as I ogled him, mentally undressing him inch by inch. When my eyes trailed over his handsome face once more, that's when I noticed the small, steel ball rolling back and forth between his lips.

Oh my god.

I watched enraptured as it hit one corner of his mouth and then the other. The swift, playful motion was enticing as hell and I found myself struggling not to squirm as vivid images of him using that piercing flashed through my mind.

“Ey, Reyna,” Blue Eyes said suddenly, his gaze never leaving mine. “You gonna introduce me to this beauty or what?”

Luis choked back a laugh beside him and I felt myself flush a bright red. Me, flush! I wanted to slap myself.

Reyna stifled a giggle and looped her arm through mine. “Hazel Perry, meet Knox Carr. My brother from another mother, for all intents and purposes.”

Knox Carr.

Even his name was sexy.

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