On the Ropes: A Passionate Lesbian Romance (Signed Paperback)

Pages : 194
ISBN : 9614622000167 (BookVault)
Weight : 195g
Dimensions : 127 x 11 x 203 mm

In the grueling world of MMA, Sapphy Adamos knows how to fight her way to victory. But when it comes to opening her dream women's gym, she's made a devil's bargain with Maura, her wealthy investor whose "support" comes with strings attached—strings that bind Sapphy in ways she's ashamed to admit.
When Esha, a captivating yoga instructor with quiet strength and wisdom beyond her years, walks into Sapphy's life, everything changes. Their unexpected connection awakens something in Sapphy she thought was long buried—the courage to want more than just surviving.
As Sapphy's gym flourishes, Maura tightens her grip, forcing an impossible choice: surrender to Maura's demands and keep her dream alive, or risk losing everything for a chance at real love with Esha. With her loyal friends rallying around her and Esha showing her what genuine partnership feels like, Sapphy must decide if she's brave enough to step into the ring for the fight that matters most—the one for her own heart.
Steamy, empowering, and deeply emotional, "On the Ropes" is a passionate tale of finding the strength to stand up for yourself and discovering that true love doesn't make you weaker—it makes you unstoppable.

- Age gap relationship
- Toxic ex
- Found family
- Forced to choose
- Self Worth

The warehouse is dirty, debris and detritus are everywhere, and the exposed steel rafters holding up the roofing are old and tarnished. But none of that matters. Not to me. I'm not looking at what's been or even what's here now; the decay and neglect. I'm looking at what could be and all I can see is potential. More potential than what I could ever put into words.
However, I'm the first to admit it takes a bit of vision. The question is, will people be able to see what I see; through my eyes. I feel a daft grin spreading across my face and I'm bouncing on the balls of my feet as enthusiasm bubbles from my toes and upwards.
I glance in Maura's direction. Her gray eyes are taking in the room. She is tall and her wide stance roots her to the spot. She grasps her hands behind her back and raises her chin, taking in the expanse of brick and vaulted ceiling. The stance gives her the look of a Victorian master, both severe and compelling all at once.
I can't get a read on her, but that is nothing new. I've never been able to. Not really. She has the ability to hide her emotions better than most. It is what makes her good in business, or at least that is what she tells me.
The uncertainty makes everyone in the room work a little harder to please me, she'd explain with a smug, tight smile. I'm no different to everyone else she deals with.
I wait just a beat, but still she doesn't speak. Not a single word is uttered. My grin fades. I'm chewing the inside of my lip, as if I'm a dumbass teenager. What if she can't see this? What if all she can see is a derelict warehouse? I feel my stomach flip. My eagerness never allowed me to consider that she might be blind to my dream. Until now.
"So?" I say, deciding to break the silence, in the hopes she'll give me something.
She blinks once, twice. "It's a warehouse, Sapphy," she says in a very matter-of-fact manner, as if I can't see this.
I sigh. I should have known that she wouldn't see it as quickly as I had. Call it my vision, my dream, but it is more than that. I need this.
"Yes, it's a warehouse for right now. But imagine what it could be?" From the slow-blinking, I can tell that Maura isn't in the same book as me, never mind on the same page. "Tell me this building wouldn't make a perfect gym."
When I say gym, I'm not talking about a box standard gym. No, this would be a woman-only gym. A safe space to train and grow. I'll admit, I've blindsided her a little, because I've never come to her with any genuine proposition before. Sure, I've mentioned it in passing over the years, but I'm pretty sure she's always thought it was a pipe dream. One of these if I won the lottery type dreams. I was beginning to think the same thing until I saw this place.
Managing Evolve for the last four years has been fun. It's allowed me to both manage and coach since retiring from competitions. Lord knows I've earned enough silverware and trophies over the years to gain the respect of anyone interested in MMA, and I've made Evolve into the best martial arts gym in the state. But it isn't mine. I want something different. I can see it, feel it; and standing here today, I can almost taste it.
I can see the punch bags all down the far wall, and where the old plastic barrels are lying on their side, that is where the ring will be. A full size, twenty-foot ring, because this place is big enough to take it. Inhaling deeply, I can even smell the effort and anticipation of each punch thrown; the small, light thumps of quick, agile feet as they dance on the vinyl; squinting my eyes, I can see it all. Two women in the ring, with me balanced on the corner, shouting. Encouraging. A fizz of excitement fills my stomach. It's a world away from the heavy grunting, macho posing and sweat stains, which surround me at Evolve.
No, this would be different. It would still be competitive. It has to be competitive. But here it would be about competing with yourself and not just physically, but mentally too.
It's why I love training women. Of course, strength and speed matter, but with women it's more about strategy, forward planning, observing your opponent and identifying their weaker areas and their strengths. Using your mind and body together to outwit them.
There are very few women who want to spend time in an environment that starts and ends with testosterone loaded kings. It makes sense. MMA is a more masculine scene. I've noticed how toxic the culture can be from my years of being immersed in it. I want to change that.
Maura steps away from my side, venturing further into the huge, cavernous space. She walks carefully, as if she fears the building is going to collapse at any moment. I stand back, still trying to get a read on her.
"A gym?" she finally repeats when she turns back to me. "Do you really see a gym in this place?"