Shelly shook her head. “No. He won’t. They’re friends. And besides, the referee will stop it before that happens. Hell, Jorge has the good sense to tap out before he goes black.”
“Tap out?”
“Slap the floor with one hand. That would end the competition.”
“Oh.” Jenna cringed and took a step back when Jorge flipped Mason onto his back and got the upper hand. “No,” she yelled, getting into the action. Her adrenaline pumped higher and faster, and her entire body stiffened as she watched in rapture.
“Don’t worry, he’ll get out of it.” As soon as Shelly uttered the words, Mason jumped to his feet again.
Jorge was right behind him, leaping into position until the two once again danced in a circle around the cage. Jorge swung wide with his right arm, and Mason dodged the blow that would have landed on his stomach.
“There,” Shelly screamed, “that. That’s the move I was telling you about. Doesn’t he look like a bullfighter?”
Jenna nodded. She had to agree. The muscles on Mason’s chest quivered under the strain, and she swallowed around the desire to run her hands over the firm expanse of flesh. She wanted to lay her face against his chest and lick his nipples. She had to shake the thought from her mind to keep from swooning in the testosterone-filled room.
A bell rang.
“That’s the end of round one,” Shelly declared. “We can breathe for one minute, and then it starts again. Awesome, right?” She turned to Jenna who could only nod.
It was. She was getting into it. “So, who’s winning?”
“Hard to say. They accumulate points from the judges based on the number of strikes they have, how many takedowns—all sorts of things. Probably won’t come to that, though.”
“Why?”
“Because Mason usually wins before all three rounds are over.”
Jenna’s head spun. She didn’t understand any of the rules. How could she? Mason turned toward her and nodded as he wiped his face of sweat. She felt a new flush as it raced up her cheeks. Damn that man is hot.
The bell rang again. Mason was back on his feet.
Shelly jumped to stand again, and Jenna followed this time. She stepped closer to the cage. She didn’t scream like everyone else, though. She couldn’t get any sound to come out of her mouth. Instead she gripped her hands into fists and held her breath while Mason punched the other guy in the jaw and then spun around and kicked him in the chest.
She slapped her hand over her eyes when Jorge barreled forward and slammed Mason into the fence in front of her. But Mason only lost one beat. He was back on top in an instant, grappling with the other man until he had him pinned on the ground once again. This time he held him tight. Jorge flung his arms and legs around, but Mason held steady.
After an intense standoff and a lot of kicking, the roar of the crowd grew intense.
The referee finally called for an end. Mason stood. The other man scrambled to his knees but paused a moment before dragging himself upright.
The referee held Mason’s arm in the air. “And the winner in tonight’s middleweight division—Mason ‘The Bullfighter’ Simmons.” His voice was hoarse from announcing for God knew how long, but he managed to scream over the crowd.
Mason was led from the cage by his cornerman, and Shelly grabbed Jenna by the forearm. “Let’s go,” she yelled over the din.
“Go where?” Jenna asked, but Shelly didn’t hear her. Jenna followed along behind Shelly as she dragged her through the crowd and back to the tunnel they’d come in.
Another man stood at the entrance. Jenna hadn’t noticed him when she’d come through the first time. He nodded at Shelly, and they jogged right past him.
Jenna spun her head around to see him still watching the door. “I’ve never seen him before. How did he know I could go past?”
“You’re with me,” Shelly grinned and released Jenna’s arm. As they ambled down the long hallway, Shelly stretched her jaw. “My ears are ringing.”
That was an understatement. “So what do we do now?”
“We wait.” Shelly stopped when they reached a door labeled “locker room” and leaned against the wall. “I usually wait here for them to come out. It’s gross in there.” She scrunched up her nose. “So, what’d you think?”
“Interesting.” Jenna crossed her legs and leaned against the wall next to Shelly. “Educational.” She giggled.
“Where does he fight next? Maybe I’ll see you there.”
“I have no idea. He never said.” Jenna felt awkward, but Shelly didn’t seem affected.