Page 19 of Recipe for Attraction (Madewood Brothers 2)

Neil suppressed a growl. He didn’t like anyone touching that bottom, even if it was by a man who could be her father. But more importantly, he didn’t like the overwhelming feeling of possession that took over the moment the old man’s hands touched her body.

“Get in there, kid. Bobby’s been waiting all week for revenge.”

Neil chuckled. “How cute that you both have boy names.”

“Bobby is a boy, and I don’t have a boy name.” She jabbed at his chest. “It’s unisex.”

“A boy?” He recoiled. “You’re fighting a guy?” Neil shot a look at Arty. “That can’t be legal.”

“It has nothing to do with being legal. I fight girls and guys. It’s the best way to train.”

“No way.” He grabbed her arm to keep her from walking away.

She jerked her away. “Excuse me, but I’ve only been doing this for five years.”

There was no way he could let her step in that ring. Not on his watch. “You’ll get

hurt.”

Her mouth dropped open and she hesitated before she spoke. “I’m going to pretend I didn’t just hear you say that. Arty?” She looked over at the old man. “Make sure he suffers.”

The old man smiled, a bit too wide. “Will do, kid.”

Carson raced across the studio and jumped up to the ring. She touched gloves with a stalky dude—Bobby—and then took her corner.

Neil turned to Arty. “You let her fight men?”

“I don’t allow her to do anything. I learned the very first day Carson set foot in my studio that she didn’t take orders. She’s one of my best students.” Arty clapped Neil on the shoulder. “Now let’s go to the punching bag and get you warmed up.”

He directed him to the opposite end of the gym, held tight a black bag and barked out his direction. “Let’s start with some right jabs. A nice steady pace.”

Neil jabbed at the bag but watched Carson out of the corner of his eye.

“Left hand up. Protect your face.”

The bell had rung and she danced in the middle of the ring with the lady hitter.

“Give me some left jabs.”

Neil switched hands, his left now hitting in a steady rhythm.

“Protect your face.” Arty grabbed his fist and lifted his hand until it was parallel to his nose.

Up in the ring, Bobby took a right swing and connected with Carson’s face. Her head shot back and he saw the flash of purple in her mouth. The guy almost knocked out her mouth guard. Son of a…

“The bag is over here.” Arty pounded on it. “This is where you should be looking.”

Arty smirked when Neil turned his attention back to the bag. He nodded and jabbed a little harder.

“Give me a combination. Left, right. Jab, jab. Left, right. Jab, jab.”

Neil followed the instructions but when the cat-calls near the ring made their way over his eyes darted to the ring.

Carson must have gotten a good shot because she frolicked around the ring. But Bobby stalked her from behind and without knowing it was coming, he hooked her right in the back of the ribs.

Carson buckled, grabbing at her back. Neil cursed and flew over to the ring. With a running jump his foot landed on the mat and he pulled himself up with the ropes. He slid between the top two and got right in between Carson and the pathetic excuse for a man.

“You get off on hitting girls, asshole?” He jabbed at the lady hitter’s chest. “You get off on hitting below the belt?”

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