Read Online Hard to Handle by Lori Foster - Free Book Online

title, period. “What’s going on, Uncle Satch?” His muscles clenched. “Is Sublime pulling out?”
    â€œNow, Harley—”
    â€œAnswer me, damn it!”
    â€œHe’s beat two contenders in rapid succession.”
    â€œTwo?” Well hell, Harley thought. He’d missed one somewhere, when he never missed a single fight. Of course, he’d been so wrapped up in the rehab on his elbow, isolated from the rest of the fight world…
    â€œYeah, two. He fought O’Brian in your place, then four weeks after that, he knocked out Houston in the first round. He’s in high demand everywhere, from product endorsements to speaking engagements on every damn sport show or segment in the country. And Harley…the man loves his wife. What can I say? Simon Evans is not a man content to be without challenges.”
    â€œWhat the fuck does that mean?” Did Sublime no longer consider him a challenge? Did he just assume he’d win without accepting the possibility of a loss to his golden record?
    Satch let out a long sigh. “He’s thinking of moving into a different arena. He’s been offered a real lucrative deal to announce fights instead of participate in them. He’s in negotiations right now. If things work out…he’s retiring again.”
    Holding the phone away from his ear, Harley struggled to keep his disappointment in check. He needed to vent. A fight would do.
    Or a good fuck.
    He glanced down at Anastasia.
    She shivered against him, small and tender and…in need of his warmth.
    Shit. He didn’t just want sex. He could have that now, tomorrow, and the next day, no problem.
    He wanted Anastasia.
    One calming breath didn’t help, so Harley drew another. Then another.
    When Anastasia tried to look up at him, he crushed her close, leaving her no choice but to relax against him.
    Finally he brought the phone back to his ear. “So fighting Sublime is a long shot now?”
    â€œAfraid so, but this is even better.”
    Trying to put his foot down, Harley snarled, “I am not doing anything stupid.”
    â€œI wouldn’t ask you to. All you’ve got to do is what you’ve always done.”
    â€œAnd that is?”
    â€œSeduce the ladies and charm the men—but you have to do it at key times, like when the right people are paying attention.”
    â€œI hope you’re kidding.” His uncle suggested a complete farce. Harley wasn’t an actor, and he wasn’t going to start putting on fronts for the press.
    â€œThe bad attitude won’t change anything, Harley, so knock it off. Look at it for what it is—just one more step toward the big prize.”
    â€œI don’t see how.”
    â€œIt’s all tied together. The favorites get all the breaks.”
    â€œThat’s bullshit and you know it. Sure, the fans like some fighters more than others. But everyone earns their position; no one gets it for free.”
    His uncle let out a long sigh. “After missing several opportunities—”
    â€œSatch,” Harley warned, feeling his muscles twitch again. “Don’t go there.”
    â€œâ€”you need the damned opportunity offered to you before you can take advantage of it. Don’t fool yourself: the SBC is out to make money, and fan favorites bring in the cash, so if the audience demands it, it’ll happen that much sooner.”
    He might have a point. Not that Harley would admit it.
    â€œWe need you in a title bout, and we need you to win in a big way. No judges’ decision. We need a knockout or a submission. Then we’ll really capitalize on all the attention and before you know it, you’ll be in Sublime’s position, with a dozen opportunities knocking on your door and time enough to choose what you really want.”
    â€œNot to put pressure on me or anything, right?” Without really thinking about it, Harley withdrew his hand from under