“Fuckhead.” Damon shook his head, his hands on his hips. To the Mavericks, he said, “You see what I said about blindly rushing an opponent? Be smart, watch his hips. Feel for his movement. Then up and off his feet. Not rushing at him.” He huffed. “Mackenzie, huh? You’re sad, man.”
He had a few other choice words, but aware of everyone in the stands watching the moment, he did his best to behave himself. With any luck, he’d run into the guy outside the ring and clock the shit out of him.
“See you all at one tomorrow for the big game!” He waved to the stands.
Everyone cheered and jeered—always at least one Ice Raptor hater in the crowd. Marlie waited for him next to Jeff down by the bench.
“Way to make friends, stalker.” She shook her head at him.
They stared at the guy on the ice, surrounded by his teammates and some very angry Flashman brothers.
“Yeah, that’s no good.” Jeff sighed. “One thing about these games is that sportsmanship is key. My bet is Mackenzie will be off the team.”
“Good.”
Damon noticed Marlie’s displeasure. “You know him?”
“He’s one of Ben’s asshole buddies.”
Damon smiled. “Want me to get him to the side and pound him? No one will know.”
Jeff scoffed. “Yeah? How will you explain him when he’s bruised and battered after ‘talking’ to you?”
“He ran into a door. I don’t know.” Damon shrugged.
“As much as I’d love to see that, maybe don’t open yourself up to a lawsuit.”
Damon turned to Marlie. “Did he not hear me say I’d take him to the side? That no one would know?”
She sighed. “Come on, killer. No fighting today. It’s my turn. Feed me. I’m hungry.”
“Your wish is my command.” He bowed and glanced up to see her smirking down at him.
Then she gave him a royal nod. “Come, boy. Your queen demands sustenance.”
He had something he wanted to feed her, inch by inch. But seeing as how her brothers were watching him carefully, and how many other people seemed captivated by Marlie leading him by the nose, he followed her meekly.
“I will. Please, just… Don’t hit me again.”
“Huh?” She glanced around, saw people staring at them, especially at Damon cringing, and swore. “Oh, come on.” She stormed off in a huff.
He followed, laughing, excited to see how Mad Marlie would make him pay.
CHAPTER 16
They spent lunch at a lovely café in a Craftsman-style cottage that had been at Hope’s Turn for the past forty-five years. Run by the same family and now in the hands of a talented husband and wife team, Lorelei’s made comfort food full of flavor and not shy on calories.
“I am going to have to run extra tonight.” Damon patted his flat stomach.
“You’re running?”
“Slowly, nothing but a light jog. But yeah. I’m healing fast.”
“That’s good.” She wanted to focus on him, but her meal was stealing her will to do anything but eat. Marlie didn’t know where Damon put it all, but she couldn’t blame him. “You seriously have to try this meatloaf.”
“If you insist.” He leaned over the table and opened his mouth.
She put a forkful of food between his lips, fascinated with the way he chewed his food. Man. How the heck did he make eating so sexy? And why did it feel normal and not weird to feed him from her own fork?
