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I’d have to agree with that. I would have said as much, but then the lights dimmed and my stomach subsequently did a slow roll. It was time for Cole’s fight to begin.

A loud announcement came through the massive sound system, but I didn’t hear a word of it, too caught up in getting a grip on my breathing. He’d be fine. He would.

Music blasted as Cole’s contender began to slowly walk to the ring with his coaching team. A portion of the crowd sang along to the tune and cheered him on.

He was huge. Almost as big as Cole. He had long arms, which would give him an edge in any fight. He also had an impressive record that consisted of twenty-two wins and only two losses. It wasn’t quite as good as Cole’s record, but it was more than notable.

Finally, he reached the ring and began shadow-boxing right there. Cole was then introduced over the sound system, and music once more filled the stadium. Again, the audience came to life, so much louder this time as they cheered and sang.

I drank in Cole’s expression as he and his team headed for the ring. His face was cold and hard. His eyes were focused and so freaking intense. He didn’t look away from the ring for even a millisecond. His mind was completely on the upcoming fight.Good.

Jacob leaned forward in his seat and twisted his body slightly toward me. Whatever he saw on my face made him roll his eyes. “Stop worrying, Iz. Your boyfriend won’t get his face smashed in or, worse, lose.”

I felt my lips tighten. He and Aiden had been taunting me all evening, knowing that—since I was fully aware that anything could happen in a heavyweight fight—I was a bag of nerves. “I have every confidence in Cole.”

“Then why do you keep biting your lip?” Jacob challenged.

“Yeah,” began Aiden beside him, “and why do you keep twisting your fingers?”

I looked from one idiot to the other. “Why do you two insist on bothering me?”

Jacob lifted his shoulders. “Because we like it.”

“Because it’s fun,” said Aiden.

“Because your frustration feeds our soul,” added Jacob.

Sitting on my left, Connor sighed at them. “Leave your sister alone, you little shits.” He gave my shoulder a light squeeze. “Cole’s got this, Iz.”

I nodded, exhaling heavily.

Another announcement sounded, and then the fight began.

From where I sat, I could hear every pained grunt. Could hear the slightwhistleof gloves moving fast through the air. Could hear the thud and impact of every punch—some of which were utterly brutal.

Cole fought exactly how he always fought—with speed, strategy, heart, and lethal accuracy. I wasliterallyon the edge of my seat, flinching each time his contender caught him with a powerful blow. I puffed out a relieved breath each time Cole stayed on his feet.

By the time the fifth round crawled around, which wasn’t even halfway through the fight, I was an internal mess. Cole was definitely ahead on points, but his opponent was impressive on every level. The Brit was fast, strong, and had excellent reflexes. He was also like a freaking tank. He rarely flinched or jerked backwards, no matter how hard—

He went down as a savage blow from Cole caught him on the chin.

I stilled as the bloke hit the floor.Please tell me it’s over, please tell me it’s over.

The referee began giving him the standard count to eight. By ‘five,’ the Brit was back on his feet. He was also wobbling all over the place, clearly dazed.

The referee slashed a hand through the air, indicating that the fight was over.

I jumped to my feet with a yell as the stadium erupted into cheers. Cole’s arms went straight in the air, and his coaching team quickly jumped in the ring and surrounded him, their grins wide.

Relief, pride, and delight buzzed through my blood. I was so fucking pleased for him. He deserved that win—no one could claim differently.

As Cole strolled around the ring, his gaze on the audience now chanting his name, he looked at me and smiled. Not giving a sliver of a shit that there might be cameras trained on me to record my reaction to his win, I mouthed, “Love you.”

His smile kicked up a notch, and he put his gloved fist over his heart, not caring who saw it.

God, I really did adore that bastard.

Melt for Me

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
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