Page 86 of Fighting Salvation

“You bellowed, my love?”

“I need a kiss for luck.”

He was hoping for a quick peck, but she went on tiptoes and wrapped her arms around his neck until her body was pressed tight against him. “Is that so?” She wiggled and he grasped her hips to stop her.

“Woman, I’m in fucking rugby shorts. Nobody needs to see my hard-on, thank you very much.”

She pouted and he bit his lip to stop himself from smiling. “But I didn’t realise how hot you’d look.”

He dropped his head to her shoulder and groaned. “Kill me now.”

“How about you go out there and win this inaugural match and tonight I’ll let you do that thing you like.”

He chuckled and lightly bit her shoulder, making her yelp. “You like that thing as much as I do. Now behave or you’re going over my knee.”

“Promises, promises.”

He kissed her to shut her up and pulled away before he could make the situation any more embarrassing. “Behave.”

He swatted her ass as she walked away, swaying her hips even more than usual. She turned and blew him a kiss and he felt a happiness bloom inside his chest that he’d never experienced before her. She was everything to him and he’d burn the world to the ground if she asked it of him. But behind that, he was still him so when he got his team in a huddle and gave the orders, he knew they’d go out and kick ass.

The first match was against Fortis and was pretty evenly matched for skill. Smithy scored a try and Jace converted it. Then Bein followed it up with two more tries which he converted. They were halfway through the first half and it was neck and neck, eighteen points each when he saw it happen. Hurricane went up to catch the ball and he seemed to drop like he’d been shot, his body slumping and crumpling to the ground. He turned and made eye contact with Val but she was already running onto the field with Decker’s wife, Savannah.

When he reached his friend she had him on his back and was performing checks on him. He looked at Val and knew it was time for them to reveal Hurricane’s secret, even if he never forgave them for it.