Possession Read Online Free Page B

be touched, praised and cared for. But Sloane had been honest, told her he didn’t do romance and relationships.
    So that warmth flowing like a gentle river in her chest and stomach? It was just a post-orgasmic glow. That’s all it could be.
    No matter how good it felt.
    * * *
    Moonlight poured through the skylight in the massive bathroom. The jets bubbled the warm water, and steam drifted up in tendrils. Kat was tucked between Sloane’s thighs, her back pressed against his chest and his hands folded beneath her breasts.
    “What was it like to fight in front of all those people? Weren’t you nervous?” People staring at her usually made her edgy.
    “Not exactly. I’d get an adrenaline surge. Once I was in the cage though, it was all about winning. All I cared about.”
    She dragged her fingers through the frothing bubbles and tried to puzzle out Sloane. He sounded cold and determined when he said things like that. But then he’d been kind and patience after her panic attack. Who was he? Which was the real Sloane? “Why’d you stop fighting?”
    “I was ready for a new challenge.”
    Irritation bubbled in her chest. “Now tell me the real reason.”
    His hands barely twitched against her rib cage. But she caught it. Would he change the subject? And why the hell did she keep pushing for more from him? Did she want to end this relationship with a broken heart?
    “There wasn’t one reason. Part of it was I had avoided sustaining a serious, career-ending injury. I’d had small ones, like broken fingers.” He held up his left hand. “Broke the first and little finger.” He lowered his hand. “Also had a broken nose, cuts and torn muscles. But my luck wouldn’t hold forever no matter how good I am.” Sloane palmed her breast and leaned close to her ear. “I’m good, Kat.”
    Her nipples tightened, and his words shivered over her exposed skin. “Are we talking fighting or sex?”
    “Both.”
    Was he trying to divert her attention? Why? She pressed him for more. “So injury was part of your reason. The others?”
    “Money. Power.” He paused, looking over her shoulder as he trailed his fingers over her stomach. “I’ll never be that helpless kid again. So I looked for opportunities to expand and grow. I started representing fighters. I studied how other powerful men and women became successful and learned. I also learned from those who failed. Some things worked, some didn’t, but I managed to build SLAM.”
    Running her own small business gave her enough knowledge to know that was a spectacular feat. And yet Sloane still had an edge to him. What did he want? He’d made it clear he wasn’t looking for a family, so what? But she wasn’t dumb enough to ask that and find herself on a quick and silent ride home. “You’ve achieved a great deal in thirty years. You’re an impressive man.” So what was he doing with her?
    “What brought up my fighting career?”
    “When we were in the car, you mentioned losing fights in front of thousands.” She shrugged, trying to think how to voice her thoughts. “You don’t have panic attacks.”
    Palming her chin, he tilted her face up to his. “I wanted people to see me. I wanted to be right in their face and force them to see me.” That’s why he commanded attention. “You hid. Withdrawing to protect yourself. When I first saw you, you were tucked behind a column.”
    “Then why did you see me?” All those polished women in pretty gowns and he’d honed in on her. It hadn’t made sense.
    “The pink streaks in your hair.”
    “Lavender.”
    His full lips twitched. “Whatever, baby, those streaks scream Look at me. This is who I am and if you don’t like it, fuck off. I wanted you then.” He stroked her jaw. “Still want you now.”
    Her mouth dried. “Because of my streaks.”
    “You looked cornered, yet you stood up to me right there in front of hundreds of guests. You might as well have waved a red flag in front of my face.” His tawny eyes