Knockout by Sarah T. Ashley Read Free Book Online Page A

deep breaths before I could answer. “Not right now.” This guy was big. His muscles practically rippled when he moved. I couldn’t get my hopes up, though. Just because the guy looked the part didn’t mean that he was a boxer. And even if he was, he might just be scouting for another gym, doing reconnaissance work. Besides that, there was something about him, something I couldn’t put my finger on, but I wasn’t sure if I could trust him or if I was just projecting my own insecurities on to him. Either way, I needed to stay calm.
                The guy turned back toward me. I could read the determination on his face as he came closer. “My name is Kirk Emerson.”
     I nodded, but stayed silent. Since I still didn’t know where this conversation was going to take me, I didn’t want to give anything away, especially my thrill at having him in my gym. Anyone involved in the boxing community had heard of Kirk Emerson. He was touted as the up and coming guy to watch in our area. I’d never had the chance to see him fight, but I knew him by reputation.
    Kirk let his gaze slide up and down my body while he waited for my response. I could actually feel the heat of his gaze. “Do you box?” he asked.
    The longer he stared at me, the more unsettled I felt. “Not really,” I said. “I train around here a little.” I shrugged. “So what can I do for you Kirk?” I really needed to get this conversation back on to a professional level.
    “I think it’s more what I can do for you,” he replied.
    I let out an annoyed huff. “What do you mean?”
    With a sudden laugh, Kirk slapped one hand onto the counter in front of me. “Don’t get all suspicious,” he said. “I’m not here to do any damage.”
    I narrowed my eyes as I regarded him. I wondered what exactly he was referring to because I knew it wasn’t what I was thinking. Something in his demeanor bothered me. He was overly cocky like most of the boxers who came through, but there was something more dangerous about him that I couldn’t put my finger on.
    “I think I have a way to help you gym.”
    “Okay,” I said. “I’m listening.”

Chapter 2
    Kirk
                I cracked my knuckles as I tried not to stare at Emily’s cleavage. She was wearing a tank top that scooped dangerously low over her breasts. It was distracting me from the real purpose of my visit.  
                “How can you help my gym?” she asked. From the look on her face, I could tell she was annoyed with me, but I couldn’t remember why.
                “I can help by giving you me,” I said, bestowing my best smile on her.
                She frowned. “I don’t know who you think you are, but I don’t think you giving yourself to me is going to help my gym.”
                I stared at her like she was an idiot just to see the flush of angry red come in to her cheeks. She was gorgeous when she was pissed off.
                “You could be my sponsor. I mean, your gym could sponsor me.”
                “Don’t you already have a gym?” she asked, narrowing her eyes at me.
                “Well, that’s an interesting story,” I said, running a hand over my short hair. I’d just had it cut, and it still felt like fuzz to me. I hated this stage. Tough was my image, but there were a few things that didn’t make me feel so tough.
                With a short sigh, I said, “It’s actually pretty cut and dry. I used to train at Sal’s on Riverside, but they got shut down when someone alerted the authorities that Sal was distributing steroids on the side. Now I’ve got no gym, and you’ve got no sponsored fighter. Seems like a match made in heaven, don’t you agree?”
                Emily frowned. I wanted to do something to make her stop doing that. I had a feeling that she’d be a lot prettier if she smiled once in a while. “I don’t take on anyone who