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    A Ring for Christmas: Ringside
    A Ring for Christmas: Ringside
    A Ring for Christmas: Ringside
    Ebook112 pages1 hour

    A Ring for Christmas: Ringside

    By Wendy Ely

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    About this ebook

    Hard work. Determination. Loyalty. 

    Nautica Pepper learned from an early age that nobody can stop her from following her dreams. She’s one of the few women boxers at One Punch Gym and demands that the women fighters get the same amount of attention as the men. With work on her mind, she doesn’t want to notice the hot guy who wants to join the One Punch family. 

    He wants nothing but the best! 
    Javier Cruz already landed himself in a match with Trent McGibbon once before and won! Trent’s trainer, Felix Manzi, is the best in the biz, and Javier isn’t too proud to beg for a chance at joining the rest of the crew at the elite gym. If he trains with the best, he’ll be the best, right? He has one chance to prove himself to Felix and to Nautica. Felix gives him a fight on Christmas Eve that Javier can’t miss. But a family emergency sends him racing across the border.

    Will Javier make it back in time to fight? Will Nautica decide that loving Javier is worth the risk?

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherWendy Ely
    Release dateSep 24, 2015
    ISBN9781519943101
    A Ring for Christmas: Ringside
    Author

    Wendy Ely

    Wendy Ely is a contemporary romance author. She writes some romantic suspense, really hot stories, and the wonderful happily-ever-after. She lives in Phoenix, Arizona with her own real-life hero and her two teenagers. Wendy loves to hear from readers. Email her at authorwendyely@gmail.com

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      Book preview

      A Ring for Christmas - Wendy Ely

      A Ring for Christmas

      Ringside

      Wendy Ely

      Published by Wendy Ely, 2015.

      This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

      A RING FOR CHRISTMAS

      First edition. September 24, 2015.

      Copyright © 2015 Wendy Ely.

      ISBN: 978-1519943101

      Written by Wendy Ely.

      Also by Wendy Ely

      Desert Secrets Series

      Confessions

      Midnight Secrets

      Lost and Found

      Kisses for Christmas

      Jesse's Brother

      Jesse's Girl

      Mafia Hearts

      Dangerous Flames

      Dangerous Desires

      Ringside

      Split Decision

      Triple T

      A Ring for Christmas

      Watch for more at Wendy Ely’s site.

      Table of Contents

      Title Page

      Copyright Page

      Also By Wendy Ely

      Dedication

      A Ring for Christmas (Ringside)

      Sign up for Wendy Ely's Mailing List

      Further Reading: Split Decision

      About the Author

      Dedication

      To my beautiful PK Sisters! Victoria, Allie, Liz, Magda, Sydney, Kylie, Rebecca, Nikki, and Jessi: I don’t think that a million thank yous would be enough to express how grateful I am to work and be friends with such a talented group of ladies. You push each other when the words won’t come, love each other on those bad days, and celebrate with each other in moments of achievement.  Each of you inspire me to be a better person and a better author. When I didn’t think I could finish this book, you guys were there every second, ready to cheer me on. I don’t think I could’ve done it without each one of you!

                                                      Acknowledgment:

      To Piper Denna: Once again, you rock!

      To Nikkii: Thank you for your help with the research. You were a life (and book!) saver. I appreciate everything you’ve done! And I hope Nautica and Javier’s story lives up to your expectations.

      To Ramon: Who would’ve thought that we’d be such good friends and good brainstorming partners? Thank you so much for all the hours you stayed on the phone with me to figure out the plot of this book.

      Chapter 1

      Nautica Pepper stood at the edge of the crowd surrounding Trent McGibbon after he’d been declared the winner of the fight against his twin. Sports journalists surrounded him. Lights flashed with blinding glares. Questions fired at Trent one after the other. She was there as support with the rest of the gym members, but she couldn’t shake the doubt from her mind. She never received that kind of attention when she won a match. Shit, Trent didn’t even have to win to get the journalists sniffing his shorts after he exited the ring. No, she didn’t get that sort of attention. It wasn’t because she wasn’t a big name and didn’t have scandal draped around her like a fur coat. It was much simpler than that. She didn’t get the attention because she was a kick-ass woman boxer in a male dominated sport. In short, nobody gave a rat’s ass about Nautica Lee Pepper.

      Good job, Gibbs, Nautica yelled over the crowd before turning around to head back to her hotel room, but a man leaning against the doorframe caught her attention and stopped her in her tracks. She took a few steps closer. Wasn’t that the guy who’d been Trent’s opponent when he’d broken his hand? Another few steps. Same dark hair. Same dimpled cheeks. So sexy, broad shoulders. When she’d watched the fight between Gibbs and this guy, he’d been shirtless. Now he wore a suit jacket with a button-down underneath. No tie, but that was fine. This fighter oozed sex appeal that made her heart race and her panties damp. Too close to him now. She snapped her attention back to his face, and grumbled, Excuse me.

      He stepped to the side to allow her to pass through the door, but said, Aren’t you from One Punch Boxing?

      Yeah, she mumbled. Just because they were gorgeous didn’t mean they were smart, too. Her jacket read the gym’s name.

      Then I’ll be seeing you soon.

      Huh? Her eyes narrowed, trying to scan his face for an explanation of his statement. Just two dimples doing their best to twist her insides in a knot. Oh hell, they were doing their job, too.

      See you soon, he repeated.

      She shook her head as she walked away. Did he mean that he’d be joining the One Punch boxing crew? Hell no. He’d won against Trent. The boxers at One Punch were like a family, not quick to invite others into the mix. Besides, Felix didn’t like it when his players lost a fight and certainly when they got injured. Especially not to that guy.

      Oh well. They’d figure him out when the time came. She needed to get ready for the victory party with the other boxers. She glanced down at her slacks and decided she needed to jazz her outfit up a bit even though they all viewed her as one of the guys, which she hated. Her mom used to tell her, You never know when you’ll meet that person who will make your career, Nautica. Have your best foot forward every step of the way, love.

      Nautica scooted down the hall to the elevators and took a few minutes to get to the eleventh floor where her room was located. She went in and eyed the door leading to her friend Rebecca’s adjoining room. She pulled her side of the double door open and knocked, hoping that her friend had made it to the room before her. Another knock from Nautica brought the door swinging open.

      Rebecca threw a hand in the air and snapped her fingers. Ready to partay?

      She sighed. I’m ready to party, all right. As ready as I’m ever going to be.

      Rebecca’s gaze traveled over the length of Nautica’s body and then returned to her face. You’re not ready. There is no way I’m letting you go out like that.

      Give me ten minutes, Nautica said. Yes, she’d already planned on changing but hadn’t realized Rebecca would be dressed in a skin-tight, plum colored dress with a low neckline. And she hadn’t expected her friend to wear something so risqué.

      You need more than ten minutes.

      Fine, Nautica said, starting to close the door.

      Before the door clicked shut, Rebecca called out, And leave your hair down.

      Nautica turned toward the closet and pulled her sparkly black blouse from the hanger. From the suitcase, she grabbed her plain black skirt. She traded her no-fuss slacks, team t-shirt, and gym jacket for the dressy clothes. Her sensible shoes were replaced with sparkly black heels. She moved across the room to the mirror. Long, mousy brown hair was still held back in a ponytail. Always being at the gym or at a boxing match forced her to keep a low maintenance appearance. To do that, she wore her hair up most of the time. She also didn’t usually wear make-up. For tonight, she applied some mascara, a dab of lip-gloss, and some blush. Rebecca wanted Nautica to wear her hair down. Maybe she should. Nautica pulled the rubber band from her hair and let the hair fall freely around her shoulders and down her back. She ran her fingers through it and tousled it a bit for a natural look.

      Only seven minutes later, she grabbed her purse, double checked for her cell and room key card, and found herself in the hallway at Rebecca’s door. She knocked once before Rebecca pulled the door open. I’m ready now, Nautica said. Let’s do this.

      Rebecca giggled as she stepped out into the hallway with Nautica. Nautica felt way over-dressed, but she wouldn’t let that drag her down tonight.

      They rode the elevator downstairs and hurried through the attached casino. Slot machine bleeps and whistles of excitement surrounded them through the large space. Someone screamed in happiness off to their right, but Nautica kept moving. The One Punch crew would probably stop to play some machines before heading out to the airport in the morning. She planned on skipping the actual gambling but would go to just hang out with the group. Opportunities were everywhere and their group always drew a lot of attention. Maybe she could snag an interview with a local station before leaving. The carpeted floor gave way to silver and black-swirled marble. Another lobby where most of the resort’s restaurants were located. Just past the steakhouse was the nightclub.

      Nautica stepped up to the bouncer waiting at the velvet roped-off door. He kept his arms crossed over his chest, his feet apart, giving him the appearance that he waited impatiently for someone to come and tackle him. His mouth stayed turned down in a frown. He held a clipboard in one hand.

      Name? Bulldog bouncer said.

      What was the name under? She glanced at Rebecca, who shrugged. Uh, Nautica said, scanning her memory for anyone telling them who they were under.

      Not on the list, no entry. His expression didn’t change once.

      The One Punch party? Nautica asked, grasping at straws.

      He grunted in response as he scanned the list of names attached to his clipboard. After a nod and

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