Fate be damned.
But now wasn’t the time for distractions. He took measure of his opponent, allowed a smidgeon of fear, and then allowed that rush to enter. He was the underdog, and that was the way he liked it. Being underestimated only added to his advantage. He felt Nia’s eyes on him but didn’t turn around.
Jasper reached forward. The other man stared at Jasper’s hand, and without shaking it, simply grunted.
If that was the way he wanted to do things, Jasper wouldn’t complain. It merely gave him insight into the man’s mentality.
It also doubled Jasper’s motivation. He wasn’t about to allow this Pike fellow anywhere near Nia. Jasper narrowed his eyes, watching how his opponent moved. The man’s size would intimidate most, but Jasper knew it could also work against the fighter.
The fiend would throw out a few punches, and they’d be devastating to take—if they landed.
Jasper needed to make sure they didn’t.
The bell rang out, and Jasper tensed and relaxed at the same time. He was ready to move, to spring, but in any direction. Pike lurched forward, and Jasper saw the right hook as though time slowed.
Jasper stepped to his right, but he felt a whiff of air as Pike’s fist nearly caught him. Just as he’d planned but almost too close for comfort.
The man followed with what would have been an uppercut to Jasper’s jaw, but Jasper dodged that one as well. Trial strikes. Both of which left Pike grinning.
Just to make it interesting, Jasper punched out his right arm and landed a blow in the other man’s gut. But the pain in his fist had him regretting it immediately. He shook his hand out, twisting his wince into a grin.
The man was made of granite.
Jasper dipped and dodged, and Pike lucked out, grazing the side of Jasper’s face. And once, although Jasper saw it coming and lurched backward, Pike landed a blow to Jasper’s right side. The throbbing had him catching his breath, tempted to lean forward.
And that was when Jasper decided he’d had enough. He whipped his foot out and caught the other man behind the knees. Pike dropped, looking stunned.
“What the devil?” He glared at Jasper.
The giant rose then, stumbling a little, but then charged like a bull. Over twenty stones of pure muscle charged toward Jasper, intent on leveling him with sheer heft.
But Pike was too slow. And when he began swinging wildly, Jasper landed a fist in the man’s belly even as he caught one of the other fighter’s massive wrists, so thick Jasper's fingers didn’t quite wrap around the circumference.
With a deliberate jerk downward, and then around, however, his opponent somersaulted and landed on his back. The man let out a grunt as all the air was driven forcefully from his lungs.
The onlookers fell silent as Pike lie staring at the stars, and all anyone could hear were the distant revelers and field crickets singing nearby.
Jasper stood over the man, who looked more surprised than anything.
“I don’t want the winnings,” Jasper said. “Take those, but leave my lady alone. For that matter, if any woman says she doesn’t want your kiss, honor her wishes. Is that understood?”
Pike moved to sit up but groaned.
Jasper nudged him with his boot, not at all enthusiastic about going another round with this beast, but willing, nonetheless. “Understood?”
“You don’t want the winnings?” Pike actually put an entire sentence together.
“With your word.” Jasper frowned.
Pike nodded, and as he rose, turned his stare to where Nia stood.
And then he leered.
“She sure is a looker, though. One kiss, luv, and I promise, you’ll be beggin’ for more.”
In what would one day be described as legendary speed, Jasper’s fist shot out like lightning, sending Pike onto the ground again. Blood spurted from his nose as he groaned and rolled onto his side.
Jasper approached the judge, collected his winnings, and then tossed them into the crowd, who of course cheered.
