The Submission Fighter Series by Sophia Hampton

Even a wallflower has wants… Alice Cross was a safe bet. She learned a long time ago that being quiet was easier than sticking your neck out, and it had led her into a life of tranquility and normalcy. All she had to do was enjoy what she had, and not question the void that seemed to linger in her heart. He knows he can take a punch. Micah Anderson, with a crooked and bloody smile, has climbed his way to the top of his MMA division on brute strength and frightening tenacity... moreEven a wallflower has wants… Alice Cross was a safe bet. She learned a long time ago that being quiet was easier than sticking your neck out, and it had led her into a life of tranquility and normalcy. All she had to do was enjoy what she had, and not question the void that seemed to linger in her heart. He knows he can take a punch. Micah Anderson, with a crooked and bloody smile, has climbed his way to the top of his MMA division on brute strength and frightening tenacity. If there’s one thing he knows how to do, it’s talk with his hands – hit first, ask questions later. Easy. But this woman might just be his weakness. Micah thought he was tough as nails, but the second he locks eyes with Alice, he takes a blow like nothing he’s ever felt before. This girl spells trouble, and what’s worse, Alice is finding that for the first time in her life, she can’t stay away from temptation… EXCERPT She followed him into his dining room, as he placed the plates on the gold table cloth between the centerpiece of white, long-stemmed candles. As the two ate, she couldn’t help but ask, “Why are you doing all this for me?” She was sincere. No man she had ever known had put this much time, thought, or effort into being with her. He reached across the table and grabbed her hand with a bit of force, as he squeezed her palm against his. “Because I want you.” “You want me?” “Yes. I want you. Here. With me.” He put his arm around her. “I don’t know what it is about you. I don’t know why I should even be attracted to you and interested in making this more than what it was last night, but I want to do this for you.” In the two weeks of knowing her, she had become this fixture in his life; this promise of perfection. His life wasn’t just about what happened inside the ring or at the gym. Instead, it was about the tiny pieces she made up. She was a puzzle, and he wanted to fit himself in. He wanted to learn more, explore more, and be more than he could have ever been before. He was ready. less

Alice and Micah have survived round one. Against all odds, Alice has found herself tangled up in the addictive man named Micah Anderson… and nobody knows. Giving up everything you know for love isn’t easy, but Micah is a secret worth keeping. This will be a battle of endurance… He’s tried everything in a desperate battle to get Alice Cross out of his system, but he’s losing this fight fast... moreAlice and Micah have survived round one. Against all odds, Alice has found herself tangled up in the addictive man named Micah Anderson… and nobody knows. Giving up everything you know for love isn’t easy, but Micah is a secret worth keeping. This will be a battle of endurance… He’s tried everything in a desperate battle to get Alice Cross out of his system, but he’s losing this fight fast. Even a second without this girl drives him up the wall, and if he doesn’t have her, he might not be able to keep it together in or out of the ring... But sometimes your greatest weakness is your greatest strength. Everyone has their weaknesses, and when those happen to be you can’t stay away from, it only gets worse when you have to. And Micah and Alice are going to fight the good fight ‘til the end, even if that means risking everything they’ve worked for. EXCERPT “Alice,” Caroline said, as she eyed the two of them, unsure of who to yell at first. “What the fuck is he doing here in our home?” “It’s okay,” Alice repeated slowly. “I invited him.” Micah continued to stand there, frozen as the two girls tried to navigate the situation. He was aware that he was not supposed to be seen or found. Yet, here he was, right in the line of fire and exposing all of Alice’s lies from the past month. “Alice, I have to go. Walk with me.” Micah’s voice was low and soft, yet he was ultimately commanding her to follow. Alice turned back into the bedroom and slipped on a pair of pants she had discarded earlier. When she returned, Caroline was still in the living room, bat in her hand. Micah led the way, silently stomping down the apartment building’s stairs. Alice was ten steps behind him, unsure of what to do next. When they got the bottom, he waited for her, facing the door nearest the street. “Micah… I don’t…” Alice wasn’t sure exactly what she wanted to say. Should she apologize? Should she blame him for waking her roommate? What was their next move? Her half asleep daze was not helping her focus on the situation at hand. “It’s—it’s fine. We’ll talk tomorrow.” He spit the words out harshly, as he opened the door and took a step outside. Alice caught the door as it slammed inwards. “Will I see you? Will you call me?” She felt so weak, as she practically begged him for an answer. “Yeah. I’ll call you after practice. I just need to go.” He continued to walk towards his car, his head down towards the pavement. Barefoot, she raced after him, grabbing his leather coat by the arm. He stopped and turned towards her reluctantly. She reached her tiny hands up to grasp his face as she threw herself into an awkward, unreciprocated embrace. He leaned down, kissed her on the forehead, and continued towards his car. She watched him get in and speed off in the darkness without a glance back her direction. less

It’s time for the final round. The secret’s out: the infamous Micah Anderson is official with no-name Alice Cross. But Alice is struggling to deal with the pressure of newfound fame, and the horrifying rumors that come with it. The pressure is on more than ever. It’s all or nothing. But Micah’s facing obstacles of his own – the finals are fast approaching, and choosing between his career and the love of his life is no easy task. And this choice might be what tears him and Alice apart... moreIt’s time for the final round. The secret’s out: the infamous Micah Anderson is official with no-name Alice Cross. But Alice is struggling to deal with the pressure of newfound fame, and the horrifying rumors that come with it. The pressure is on more than ever. It’s all or nothing. But Micah’s facing obstacles of his own – the finals are fast approaching, and choosing between his career and the love of his life is no easy task. And this choice might be what tears him and Alice apart. It’s down to the last heartbeat. They’re in for the biggest fight of their lives. The lies and the lust are building to a boiling point, and with the finals at hand, Alice and Micah must struggle to do what’s right. But will it be for their lives, or for their hearts? EXCERPT If he was going to hire an agent, it was going to have to be someone who respected his reluctance to sell out, but more importantly, the person was going to have to be his pit bull. She was going to need to sell the old version of him, the pre-Alice version that was in it for the money, the fame, and the sex. Alice had given him a reason to be more than that, to feel more than that. Her stunningly perfect, untouched body and the way that she confidently glided over him each night was enough physically for him. She was this tame sexual beast whom he had so much more to explore with. Their relationship was just starting to heat up. But outside the bedroom, she was his sole reason for survival. She was what he thought about as he ran miles upon miles on the track or the treadmill. She was the reason he took sucker punches and hits to his broken body. She was the reason he posed for the camera while shilling power drinks and athletic wear. She was the reason he was winning. If this Lucy Hamlin was able to let him live his life with Alice as he wanted to while still molding him into the guy without two cents to give, she may be worth his time. If she wasn’t the answer to his problems, Micah needed to find a better solution to his image issues—fast. With semis coming up, he knew that eyes would not be on him and his muscles or his show in the ring. They would be square on Alice and their relationship. less