Rebel: A MMA Sports Romance Read Online Free

to say I was completely tongue-tied when I walked into the restaurant with my mom, is an understatement.  Not only was Artemis a really good-looking older man, but Lucas was gorgeous in the panty-dropping kind of way.  I usually had the upper hand with guys but I was completely out of my element with Lucas.  For a few minutes as we stood there waiting to be seated I seriously didn’t know if I was coming or going.
     
    We were finally seated and I was able to pull myself together.  As Lucas was talking to my mom telling her about his fighting, I put on my best ‘I couldn’t be more bored about this’ face and tried to appear pre-occupied with what I was looking at on my phone, which was nothing but my email.  Lucas knew he was hot.  I could see it in the way his eyes twinkled at me and I was not going to give him the satisfaction of knowing that I could barely breathe around him.
     
    I heard him mention something about winning fights and I instantly was worried.  Before I could stop myself I blurted out something about him getting hurt and I didn’t even have the good sense to hide the fact that I was concerned.  After I asked my question I could have sworn I saw a smug look of satisfaction on his face.  Damn it.   The absolute last thing I wanted was for him to see that he was getting to me.
     
    My mom had always been a chatterbox and it usually annoyed me, but this was the one time I didn’t mind.  Lucas was looking at me with that sexy smirk, causing my breath to catch and stay in my throat when my mom jumped all over him about being careful.  She looked at Artemis and then looked at Lucas.
     
    “Arty, you can’t approve of this.  Don’t you worry?”
     
    Mr. Ryan clenched his jaw and then gave Lucas a pained look.  “More than you know.  But Lucas is an adult and this is what he wants to do so, I do my best to support his dream.”
     
    I glanced at Lucas and his jaw was clenched too.  “Oh really, dad?  That’s news to me.”
     
    You could have cut the tension in the air with a knife. 
     
    Mr. Ryan gave Lucas a stern look and for a few seconds I don’t think that he remembered we were in the room.
     
    He slammed his fist on the table.  “You know I want the best for you, Lucas!”
     
    My mom gently put her hand on Mr. Ryan’s arm and he quickly glanced at her and then me and composed himself.
     
    “I apologize for the outburst, ladies.”
     
    I glanced at Lucas, surprised we had witnessed that little family moment and I could have sworn I saw an apology in his eyes as he held my gaze.  It was quickly replaced with disgust as he looked over at his father.
     
    “Let’s change the subject.  How did you meet my dad, Valerie?”
     
    My mom launched into her whole spiel of their story, which I already knew, and that was when I zoned out.  She finally finished and I glanced at Arty who was staring at my mom with lovesick eyes.  It was actually kind of cute.
     
    We enjoyed dessert and then called it a night a few minutes later.  Arty was flying to New York for business that night so mom went back home with me.  As soon as the door closed she turned to me.
     
    “Well, what did you think of Arty and Lucas?”
     
    “Arty seems really nice mom, I think you actually found a good guy.  Lucas seems really full of himself and acted like he can’t stand his father.”
     
    My mom let out a deep sigh.  “Yeah, they have a few issues they have to work out.”  She smiled at me and gently touched my hand.  “I’m so glad you like Arty.  Thanks for coming tonight, honey.”
     
    I smiled back at her.  “You’re welcome, mom.”
     
    As we rode back in the car, I couldn’t help but think about the tension I saw between Lucas and his dad.  Lucas definitely had a chip on his shoulder about something.  I should not have been curious, because he was so damned arrogant, but I wanted to know more.  I wanted to know everything.

Chapter Six - Lucas
     
    “Dude.  Lucas, wake