Against the Ropes
Page 40
want something from me?”
“Just here to fight.”
Max jumps to his feet and helps me up. I reach behind to pull my
shorts down over my surprise.
Whump. Back down on the mat. This time Max gives me a full
body press. He slides his knee between my thighs and eases my legs
apart. My pulse skyrockets. I bite my lip and breathe in short pants.
“Um…this is a good submission. What’s it called?”
Max studies my face and his lips quirk into a wicked smile. “It’s
called Playtime.”
“Bad Max. Get off me.” I wiggle underneath him. My actions only
serve to inflame my desire. And his.
“Not bad Max,” he hisses. “Bad Makayla. You’re lucky I love you
so much. The punishment for being inappropriately attired in the ring
is very serious.”
I stop wiggling and look up at him with interest. “How serious?”
Max’s eyes blaze with sensual promise. “Tap out and I’ll take you
upstairs and show you.”
My lips curve into a smile. “You tap out and I’ll give you a present.”
“What present?”
“The present tattooed on my ass.”
Max sucks in a sharp breath and his eyes narrow. “You DID NOT
get a tattoo. I strictly forbid it.”
My smile broadens. “Oops.”
We stare at each other; our bodies melded together, our hearts
thudding in union. Max’s face softens almost imperceptibly. “You never
listen. What am I going to do with you?”
“I have a few ideas.”
“Do those ideas include me ripping off your shorts so I can see the
tattoo you were forbidden to get?”
“Yes,” I whisper.
“What else?”
“Hugging me.”
“What else?”
“Holding me?”
“What else?”
“Loving me.”
Max kisses me soft and sweet. “Tap out and I’ll show you how
much I love you. I have a new spanking paddle upstairs.”
“You tap out and I’ll show you the tattoo on my ass.”
Curious warm brown eyes lock on mine. “What does it say?”
“It says, ‘I heart Max,’” I whisper.
Max smiles and taps out. “I heart you too, baby.”
Acknowledgments
Many thanks to my editor, Leah Hultenschmidt, for loving this story
and helping me make it shine, and to my agent, Laura Bradford, for
her insight, patience, and guidance. To Louie “the Filipino Tornado”
Grover for introducing me to the world of MMA, and to Cindy Davis
for her em dash expertise. To CaRWA, for their incredible support, and
especially to Dara-Lee Snow who gave me the courage to press “Send.”
Last but not least, to my family great and small, far and wide, for inspir-
ing me, encouraging me, and tolerating my writerly ways.
About the Author
Recovering lawyer, karate practitioner, and caffeine addict, award-
winning author worked and traveled abroad before trading
her briefcase and stilettos for a handful of magic beans and a home
in the foothills of Canada’s Rocky Mountains. When she is not glued
to her keyboard or e-reader, she can be found playing piano, shuttling
munchkins, and burning dinners. Her steamy, contemporary romantic
tales feature blazingly hot alpha heroes tormented and tattooed for your
reading pleasure. Visit www.sarahcastille.com.