Fighting to Forget by Jenika Snow Read Free Book Online Page B

to the fight to see him solely, because she’d heard the other fighters at the gym talking about where it was being held? Even hearing that in her head made her feel like a creep. But she wanted to be honest, too.
    “I overheard the guys at the gym talking about it¸ and that you were going to be there tonight. I wanted to see you fight.” She didn’t look away, although his gaze was penetrating and made her feel bare.
    “And why would you want to see me fight?” he asked with this hardness to his voice, but it was a steeliness that was just him, and not anger directed at her.
    “I don’t know.” That was the truth, to a point. “I mean I know, but I don’t, if that even makes sense.” She did look away then, stared at her hands in her lap, and didn’t know why she felt so nervous around him.
    “You know how dangerous it was to go there alone.”
    “Yeah, I know, but what can I say? I wanted to see you.” She looked at him then. “I don’t want to seem like some kind of weirdo, but there is something in you that I feel is the same with me.”
    He looked away, and she saw the way he tightened his hands on the steering wheel. “You and I are nothing alike¸ Tasha.”
    She couldn’t respond. Her throat tightened, clenched at his tone. It was like he was reprimanding her, and she felt like a child. Tightening her hand on the strap of her purse, she pushed the door open. Maybe this had been a bad idea? “Thank you again, Larson. I can find my own way home, and I’ll have the tow truck get my car tomorrow.” She smiled even though he didn’t look at her.
    Climbing out of the car when he didn’t respond to anything she said, she felt foolish, even more so than before. Why did she think going to see him and telling him anything had been a good idea? What had she expected from him? Did Tasha actually think he’d tell her he wanted something with her, felt something for her as well?
    You’re a damn idiot.
    Not looking back, but feeling his gaze on her, she entered the bakery and made her way toward the counter for a cup of coffee. She’d get over this, put Larson and everything she felt, or at least thought she felt for him, behind her. That was smart, even if it didn’t feel right.
    ****
    Larson felt like an ass, and it seemed when it concerned Tasha he felt like that more times than not. They hadn’t addressed the whole park situation, but he’d prefer not to. The point was he had thought it best if he just acted indifferent, stayed away from her, and, he hoped, let her know without actually saying anything that he wasn’t for her. He knew she was interested in him in some form, had seen it countless times while with a woman for a night, or listening to the Chasers try to get him to take them home.
    But despite the fact he knew Tasha wanted him, she didn’t come right out and say so, didn’t thrust herself at him. He liked that about her, liked that she was reserved, quiet, and shy even. She had strength though, and although she kept to herself and seemed very vulnerable, she had taken the initiative and spoken to him at the park and come to see his fight. But he didn’t like that she hadn’t used her head either, and come to that fucking shit warehouse.
    Tightening and releasing his hands on the steering wheel, he wanted her, wanted to be with her, and that scared him. It scared the shit out of him in fact. He started the engine, about to go to the gym, or maybe for a run in the park, needing to get out of here, away from her, and put everything that had to do with Tasha out of his mind. But even with his truck idling, the engine purring, and his need and common sense telling him leaving her at the coffee shop was the best for her, he ended up cutting the engine.
    “Fuck,” he cursed low, watching her as she went up to the counter and ordered something, and he found himself getting out of the truck before he even knew what he was doing.
    He went into the bakery, walked right up to her, and when