Page 49 of Army
Mia shuffled back a few steps. “Of course, you see it that way because sex is all you think about. News flash: I came into the sport to prove to myself that I could handle anyone who tries to mess with me. I didn’t come to look good in a pair of tight shorts”—she brushed the stray strands of hair away from her heated face—“or to get laid.”
“I’m not doubting that. I’m just saying that men are visual, and all of you wrapped up in your sexy fighter clothes hits a man right in the dick. That’s just the way we’re wired. I’m not saying you aren’t a hell of a good fighter or don’t have great skills because you do. I told you that the first night I saw you fight. Having you sexy in the ring is just a bonus.”
“Unbelievable.” Mia brushed past him then yanked out of his grasp. “Don’t fucking touch me. I thought last night was the real you, but I can see that it was an act to probably get into my pants.” She waved her arm at him. “Thisis the real you. The one I saw the first night when I thought you were an asshole. Well … I was right.” A lump began to form in her throat and she whirled around and dashed away, not wanting Army to see how upset she was.
“Mia,” Army’s voice called behind her, but she ignored it and went into the locker room and slammed the door. Throwing the water bottle in the trash, she went over to her locker and punched it. Pain shot up her arm and then everything inside of her snapped; she erupted, punching and kicking the metal door, the sound loud and hollow as it ricocheted off the walls. Waves of disappointment crashed over her as the locker assault intensified.
“Mia! Stop!” The deafening noise drowned out the voice.
Panting heavily, with sweat pouring down the back of her neck, she shrieked when someone caught both wrists and pulled her away while she fought like a wildcat.
“Calm the fuck down!” Army said, holding her against his solid chest.
Mia squirmed, her breath coming in ragged pants as tears welled up. “Leave me the hell alone.” Army just held her until she was too exhausted to fight anymore.
“Oh, Mia,” he said in a low voice, his hand running up and down her back.
She buried her face in his shirt in an attempt to stifle the sob that rose in her throat as hot streaks ran down her face. Her chest heaved as she desperately tried to hold back the floodgate of tears that threatened to open. She heard her own sounds—raw from the inside.
Army held her close, swaying back and forth while murmuring indecipherable words. A tiny lapse let her pull away, and she stared at the damp circle on his black T-shirt, her thick lashes sticking together in clumps as if she’d been swimming. Mia wiped the wetness from her red mottled face and nose.
“Fuck,” she whispered.
Army kissed the top of her head. “You okay?”
Blowing out a shaky breath, she looked down at his boots. “I don’t know.”
Army placed his hands on her shoulders. “You’re right.”
Mia glanced up. “About what?”
“I’m an asshole.” He pulled her into him. “I didn’t mean to come off like a fuckin’ jerk.” Tilting her head back, he brushed his lips across her forehead. “Especially not to you.”
“I didn’t deserve what you said to me. No woman deserves that.” She held his gaze.
“I know. I was just … hell … I don’t know.” Army’s gaze flicked to something behind her.
“Don’t mind me,” El Toro said, striding past them.
“Let’s go somewhere else to talk,” Army said, his warm breath fanning over her face.
“I think I should go home,” she said even though she didn’t mean it.
“I want to go out with you.” Army blinked. “I didn’t mean the shit I said.”
Mia tugged at his shirt. “It sounded like you did.”
“I was pissed.”
Her eyes widened. “At me?”
“Not exactly.” He rubbed his chin. “It was more like at myself.”
“Why?”
“Not here, Mia.”
Her stomach rumbled, and she pressed her hands against it as if that would quiet the hunger pangs.
