Page 32 of Breaking the Habit

Fiona snickered from the back seat. “So, does that make you half-owl?”

“I guess.”

“What was it that kept her up last time?” Riley asked.

“The clicking of the ice maker,” Nikki said glumly.

“We need to get her some ear plugs.”

“I think a mouse breathing would be too much for her.” Nikki sighed.

The girls chatted overtop the acoustic rock music pulsing through the car as they wound through traffic toward the arena. The closer they got, the higher Riley’s heart climbed in her throat. She had all the signs and symptoms of a chronic crush, middle-school style. Sitting on pins and needles to be reunited withthe hot guy. By the time they reached the parking lot, she’d made up her mind.

She was going to fuck Levi Swain.

Even if she ended up regretting it. At this point, she needed to do it strictly for self-preservation. So she couldthinkagain. So she could go about her days without seeing the wordssexiest thighsemblazoned in her mind’s eye or thinking about the fact that he’d asked her out on a proper date and all she’d done was go radio silent.

Nikki dropped her off at the media entrance in the back of the arena. Riley skittered through the back halls like a pro, even though this was only the second fight of the league. And if Levi really did ascend to the top like expected, then that meant there would only be two more matches after this. The second Saturday of each month was this league’s fight day, and already a good chunk of the competition had been eliminated based on last month’s results.

Riley was seriously invested in this league, way more than she’d expected when Levi first broached the idea to her. She was getting to know the other fighters, following them on social media, brushing up on their weaknesses and listening when Travis and Levi discussed their approach for certain fights. It was a whole new world. One which completely captivated her.

Riley knocked softly on the dressing room door that said “LEVI” and then poked her head in. Levi sat in a chair facing the mirror on the wall, palms resting on his thighs. Travis twisted around to wave her in.

Riley sidled inside, quietly setting her stuff down as she acclimated to the energy of the room. Intense, as usual. Travis had his hands on Levi’s shoulders, speaking softly into his ear. She couldn’t hear what he was saying.

Without a word, Riley snuck her camera out and started snapping pictures. She was able to catch Levi’s intense gaze through the reflection of the mirror. But one of the clicks of her shutter made him snap his eyes toward her.

A ripple of warmth coursed through her. Levi’s gaze sizzled on her.

“Damn, girl.” His smooth tenor made her pussy clench. She lowered her camera, fighting a grin.

“What?”

Levi didn’t say anything, just tutted, staring at her through the mirror. His tawny gaze cut through her, demanding a response. Every inch of her went warm under his attention.

“Come on. Focus,” Travis said, but there was humor in his voice. He slapped Levi’s cheeks.

Levi hefted with a sigh and leaned forward in his chair. A white T-shirt stretched across his chest with big block letters that said “LEVI,” with the standard-issue black shorts that clung too well to his sculpted ass. He stood, swinging his elbows from side to side.

As he came nearer, butterflies erupted in her belly. So many that she nearly crumpled under the weight of them.

“Time for the joke,” Levi said, tapping his knuckles together.

Travis heaved a sigh, a smile playing at his lips. “Let’s hear it.”

“What do you call an elephant who doesn’t matter?” Levi asked.

Travis crossed his arms, shaking his head. “I can’t even guess.”

“Irrelephant.”

Riley snickered.

“I’m gonna go check the board,” Travis said, heading for the door. “Lex will be here in a second.”

Levi nodded, and once the door shut, he swung his gaze back to Riley.

“So.” He rested his palms behind his head, and the way he was watching her defied words. She snapped a picture, if only to remember this moment for herself. His bare feet against the faded carpet of the dressing room. Bulging thighs, dark hair sprinkled down his legs. His brown hair pulled back into cornrows, the only way to protect his tresses in fights.

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