Read Torn - Part 1: The Torn Series for Free Online Page B

all.
    Mallet finally found me midway through the third and last match. I was beginning to lose interest and consider skipping out and going home at that point. Though the nice man in the suit was kind enough to explain who would win and why, I was too distracted by my annoyance to pay close attention.
    Mallet didn't watch the match with me. He took my hand and pulled me away from the ring and the crowd and back to the exit.
    "We're leaving now?" I asked, confused. "What about the rest of the fight? Where's your friends?"
    Instead of going straight for the elevators, he dragged me by the hand into the stairwell.
    As soon as the door clicked shut behind me, he asked, "Why were you talking to that guy?"
    "What?" The guy had spoken to me first, and that was all. I hadn't done a thing wrong. I hadn't even gotten his name. "Why did you leave me alone?"
    He pulled me in close. I was surrounded by his scent and his heat. I suddenly couldn't remember why I was annoyed anymore.
    "I had to work with Surly. I don't usually bring guests to these things."
    "Then what the hell?" He ran his fingers through my hair and I fought back the urge to close my eyes and lean into the contact. "I didn't know anyone. You left me alone."
    He looked down into my eyes as if trying to read something, trying to understand me. "It was just kind of rude," I muttered, "That's all."
    "All right," he said, "You're right. I apologize." Well that was unexpected . I didn't even know how to reply to that. "I should have just invited you to meet us at the bar afterwards but I didn't think I could wait that long."
    My brows furrowed. "Wait for what?"
    I should have seen it coming but I squeaked with surprise as his mouth descended upon mine. The sound became a soft moan as his tongue slicked across my lips and as his body pressed into me, curving perfectly with mine, crushing me back against the cool concrete wall.
    My arms snaked around the back of his neck as desire flowed through my limbs. I wanted to sink into him; I wanted to lose myself in this, to let him consume me, to whisper his name. To find out his real name.
    Instead I whined and twisted my face aside. Someone might find us here . My nerves got the better of me. As usual.
    "Hey now, how did you even know I was single? Last time we spoke I was trying to patch things up with my ex."
    "Yeah, well, I didn't see him anywhere and you didn't run home to him after the show." His green eyes were dark, his lips parted. “I rolled the dice.” He looked at me with a hunger that made my knees weak.
    "Fair enough."
    "Now how about you let me buy you a drink? We'll hang with Surly and the guys for a bit but I promise not to leave your side for the rest of the night."
    I smiled. "Well how can I turn that down?"
    "You can't," he winked, then kissed me again. It was slow, and gentle, and left me wanting so much more.
    His grin was full of heat and promise. "Come on. This bar is walking distance."
    That was the best news so far.
     
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    The bar they chose for their post-fight celebration was only moderately busy before we arrived. "Not our favorite spot," Mallet explained, "But they've got an okay beer selection."
    I was hardly a connoisseur myself, so I told him to order whatever he was having as long as it wasn't too dark or heavy.
    His friends trickled in a few at a time after the last fight ended. Surly wore a bit of gauze across one hand's knuckles but seemed otherwise unharmed. The men and the few women were a much grittier crowd than I was used to spending time with and I worried as I exchanged shy greetings with them that they could see a big, flashing neon "dork" sign over my head.
    But Mallet was there. My nerves subsided every time he touched my shoulder or brushed my knee.
    All the while, my mind raced. He'd kissed me in the stairwell and then brought me here and introduced me to his group of friends - what did it mean? I liked him, for sure, but I wasn't ready to start anything