Read Inked Fighter: Complete Collection (MMA MC New Adult Romance) for Free Online Page A

in our stores. Across the street, an ancient Ace Hardware shared a wall with Dream Weavers. Beyond Dream Weavers, a metaphysical bookstore nestled against an empty storefront. Damien and I passed a store that sold sterling silver jewelry, incense, and hash pipes on our way to the restaurant.
    We stood outside Brier Café. It had big windows looking out on the street with blue-and-white checkered curtains. Under the blue awnings were a few white-painted iron tables and chairs with the same old men playing checkers as did every day.
    Inside, it smelled of bacon and coffee. The tinkle of conversation filled the small restaurant. Zoe worked at the Brier Café. I got a massive lump in my throat wondering what she would think about me coming in with Damien. Unlike me, Zoe had no problem being a normal young woman. She didn’t sleep around, but she wasn’t a virgin mother like me.
    We took a seat near the window looking out on Main Street and the guys playing checkers outside. I placed Rose in a high chair and grabbed a menu from between the napkin holder and the ketchup. I was so hungry my stomach grumbled at the prospect of food. I hadn’t had anything but coffee all day. You would think with the lack of food in my life, I would have lost all my baby weight already, but no — it was still holding on for dear life.
    “Dream Weavers is just across the street. See?” I pointed to the dress shop with its striped gray-and-white awning and stylish scrolled signage on the façade. Why did he care about my clothes? What guy likes looking at dresses?
    “I’ll have to check that out.” I felt him staring at me. Compelled to feel less frumpy, I pulled my sweatshirt over my head. Underneath, I wore a tight-fitting tank top that I’d had since before the baby. My boobs were much larger than they used to be, and they strained against the shirt. I tied my long chestnut hair up in a messy bun, revealing my neck and shoulders.
    The look on his face told me he liked what he saw. He seemed almost stunned by my sudden skin reveal and had to yank his gaze away from my chest. He dipped his head and then smiled up at me through his thick, dark lashes. I could do the seduction thing. I wasn’t that out of practice. That was, if I really wanted to. And I didn’t.
    Zoe walked over with an order pad in her hands. She looked at me and raised her eyebrows, making a little O with her mouth. I glared at her and pleaded with my eyes not to make a big deal out of me and Damien.
    “Are you ready to order?” she asked in a professional tone. I was glad she took the hint. Zoe was a good sister, and a better friend.
    “Yes,” said Damien. “I am if you are, Claire.”
    “Sure, I’ll have a turkey melt with fries, a diet Coke, and some apple sauce for Rose.”
    Damien ordered a burger with fries. Zoe hurried away and came back a few moments later with our drinks. She set them on the table and gave me a private grin behind her order pad. I bared my teeth at her. She giggled and walked away. I shoved my straw in my soda and took a long drink, looking down at the fake wood table.
    “What brings you to town, Damien?” I asked, trying to make conversation. My mind was going crazy with the kind of fantasies a girl who has only had sex once shouldn’t have. I didn’t even want a boyfriend. What was wrong with me?
    “Some high-paying clients up here commissioned me to do tattoos, so I came to stay for a while.”
    “Oh, you’re a tattoo artist. Cool. I’ve always thought about getting a tattoo, but I’ve never really have the money.”
    “What kind of tattoo were you thinking of getting?”
    “I hadn’t really given it much thought. Maybe something on the back of my neck, like a dragon like you have on your arm, but more of a circle.”
    “I could do one for you for free.”
    “I couldn’t accept that,” I said, almost squirting soda through my nose. Why was he being so nice? It was freaking me out. 
    Zoe came back with our food. She set it