Page 72 of Breaking the Habit

Levi caught Riley’s eye from the side of the cage.

She had a grin a mile wide on her face.

Travis popped in the mouthguard. Levi’s focus shrank to a pinpoint.

It was time to fight.

Chapter 23

MMA FIGHT EXITS THE CAGE.

PRO FIGHTER SO AMPED, HE CHALLENGED THE PHOTOGRAPHER

DON’T LOOK AT THIS GUY WRONG! MMA FIGHTER TRIES TO SQUEAK IN A BONUS ROUND

Riley’s head spun. Only three days post-fight, and Levi already had a collection of headlines. Travis had laid them out on the edge of the reception desk like a proud father.

“I can’t even be mad,” Travis said, offering Levi a high five.

“Then don’t be.” Levi flashed a grin.

Riley picked up theDaily News. Levi scrambling up the side of the cage was the feature photo. Photo Credit: R. Montagne. Her second feature photo thank to MMA, which was something she’d thought about accomplishing approximately zero times prior to meeting Levi. She’d been one of the few photographers not totally paralyzed with fear and awe once he started mounting the wall. And her hard work paid off.

After two full nights spent in glorious bliss, tangled in Levi’s bedsheets and wandering his apartment as if she’d lived there forever, she could only feel proud of him.

“They don’t mention the fact that I won the fuck out of my match,” Levi said, thumbing through the newspapers. “All they care about is that I went apeshit on the photographer.”

“Drama sells.” Travis sent a pointed look at Levi. “And you know how to make drama.”

Levi cocked a grin, the kind that Riley had once hated but now adored. All she could do was stare at him. Her fingers twitched with the urge to touch his hair, even though she’d spent the past two nights doing exactly that.

“Just being myself,” Levi said.

A stream of people entered the gym, heading toward the back. One of the guys shouted, “Levi Lead Fist!” Levi turned and waved.

“Well, keep it up. You’re bringing a lot more attention to this league and the gym. And that helps us all.”

Levi slung his arm around Riley’s shoulders, which sent contentment spiraling through her. She tilted her head back to look up at him. Found his warm smile waiting for her.

“And Ri-Ri got featured again,” Levi said, squeezing her.

Cobra strutted into the foyer, holding up a palm for high fives all around. “What did I miss? You guys look fucking suspicious.”

“No suspicion here. Just pure gloating.”

“Riley? Are you alive?” Travis nudged her. “You haven’t said one word.”

“Sorry, guys.” She blinked a few times. It was a struggle to find her voice through the heavy haze of complete and utter sexual satisfaction. She wasn’t sure she’d be able to take pictures today. Not when her body wanted to melt into a languid pile of happiness. Limbs heavy with orgasm, mind completely muted. “I’m thrilled. And braindead.”

“We’ve been celebrating pretty hard,” Levi explained. The only thing hard about their celebration was his cock, which had entered her body countless times. Another shiver raced through her. What had her life been before Levi?

His use of the word “hard” didn’t escape the dirty-minded men around her. Everyone snickered or groaned or some combination of the two.

“Levi and Riley, sittin’ in a tree…” Cobra started the familiar kids’ rhyme.

“Okay, before this turns into an elementary school playground, let’s get to work. We’ve already got a crowd waiting for us back there.” Travis herded everyone back toward the gym so Levi could begin practice. Riley’s camera bags jostled at her side as Levi kept his arm securely around her shoulders.

“You okay, babe?” Levi asked into her ear. The pet name only made her swoon harder. The use of “babe” had begun sometime over the last few days, but it felt like he’d been calling her that for years. Seriously—whathadlife been like before Levi?

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