Going the Distance (No Excuses Book 1) Read Online Free Page A

anyone’s mercy. I’ll be back in a few days. Don’t forget.”
    Before he had the chance to respond, she turned to go.
    “Where’d you learn those moves?” he yelled after her.
    “None of your business,” she shouted over her shoulder and waved her hand high up in the air without looking back.
    As the perfect outline of her ass disappeared around the corner, he smiled at the challenge she’d thrown his way. He’d gambled in Vegas and lost twice. Now was his chance to at least redeem himself on one account. If she wanted a goddamn interview, she’d have to pay for it. With those lips and those tits and that ass.

Chapter 3
     
     
     
     
    The Punisher was turning out to be the pain in the neck Sam had envisioned. He was stubborn, infuriating, vulgar and hopeless, but she had her assignment to carry out and she’d have to deal with him one way or another. As long as she remained in control during their interactions, all would be well.
    “So what’s been bugging you since I got here?” her friend Clare wanted to know over a glass of white wine. It was Friday evening and they’d decided that instead of going out for happy hour and fighting over parking spaces downtown, they would have a nice, chill evening at home. They were sitting on the living room floor in Sam’s apartment, gathered around the coffee table with wine, snacks and reality TV for entertainment.
    “Remember the guy I slapped in Vegas?” Sam asked.
    Clare sipped her wine and nodded.
    “I have to interview him for the paper.”
    Clare erupted into a coughing fit. “You’re joking,” she said once she regained her composure.
    Sam shook her head. “I guess he’s some famous boxer and my boss wants me to write an article on him since he lost the first fight in his career.”
    “That’s a weird coincidence,” Clare mumbled into her wine glass. “And awkward! How are you supposed to talk to him after you slapped him like there’s no tomorrow?”
    Sam exhaled loudly and picked up a piece of cheese from the cutting board. “That’s exactly my problem. I went to his gym yesterday and requested the interview, but he wasn’t having it.”
    “I’m not surprised.”
    “So I told him that I’d find something to give him in exchange for the interview; something that he didn’t already own and would be worth his time.”
    Clare gave her an amused look. “Like your underwear?”
    Sam rolled her eyes.
    “So what then?”
    “I have no idea,” she said, exasperated. “The guy has everything under the sun. He’s been boxing since he was eighteen and never lost a fight before that last one. Imagine how much money he has. What could I possibly offer him that he doesn’t already have?”
    Clare seemed to consider the options. “Kids?”
    “Very funny,” Sam grumbled.
    “A time machine so he can go back in time and not lose his first fight?”
    “I wish.”
    The thought was interesting, however, as Sam considered his past. He’d been orphaned as a young kid and raised by an old man. Went straight into boxing, no college, and knew nothing but training and the gym ever since. Maybe there was something she could show him that he hadn’t experienced before.
    “So are you gonna tell your boss that you can’t write the article?” Clare asked, tucking a strand of silky, chocolate-colored bob behind her ear.
    Sam refilled her glass and set the bottle on the table. “No. That would be impossible. He pretty much told me that I need to do this assignment or I’ll lose my job.”
    “Ouch. Tough work.”
    “Tell me about it.”
    She sipped her drink, enjoying the crisp chardonnay on her tongue. She was trying to be optimistic about her assignment, but a heavy feeling in the pit of her stomach told her that she might be in over her head. She took another sip, then a deep breath. She was resourceful and determined, she could do this. It was just another interview for the paper, nothing to worry about.
    “Well, you could always just sleep with