Soaked up (8)
I believe the answer is:
absorbed
'soaked up' is the definition.
('absorb' can be a synonym of 'soak up')
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for absorbed that I've seen before include "Assimilated" , "Deep in thought" , "Engrossed, immersed" , "Was a sponge" , "Wholly engrossed or imbued" .)