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She closed her eyes hard, and I knew that it was time to end the subject.
“These are really great cookies, Vic,” I said.
She smiled. “Thank you. Try not to eat too many. When I beat you in a fight, I want it to be fair, not because you got fat and lazy on my snacks.”
I laughed before tossing the last bite of cookie into my mouth.
“Well, I think that’s all the midnight calorie cramming I ought to do,” I said. “Mind if I walk you back upstairs?”
“I’d like that.”
We cleaned up our mess and headed out of the kitchen, turning the light off as we left. Together, we went up the stairs to the second floor.
“I’m over and you’re up,” I said, nodding in the direction of her room. “Good night, Princess. And…thanks for the chat.”
“My pleasure, Hud. You know, you’re a little more of a softy than your foul mouth would have me believe.”
“Now, don’t go telling the other guys about that,” I said with a wink. “I’ve got a reputation to keep up, you know.”
She smiled one more time, then stood on her tiptoes and planted a kiss on my cheek. The kiss was quick and sweet, but all the same, it was more than enough to make my blood run hot.
“Good night, Hud.”
With that, she went up the stairs and was gone.
And the only thing I had on my mind now was how I wanted more than just a kiss. Much more.
19
KID
Three days later…
“What the hell, man?”
My shoulder cried out in pain from the punch. Pyke didn’t seem fazed in the slightest by my words, instead raising his fists in preparation for another go.
“Come on, Kid! You want to move up in the ranks? Not going to happen by you being a total pussy!”
As he rushed in toward me he turned his shoulder in my direction and prepared to slam into me with such force that he could damn near break a rib or two of mine. Lucky for me, I knew how to counter a clumsy move like that. I pivoted to the side, put my hand on the top of his back, and shoved him.
Now, had we been having a regular match, I would’ve shoved him just enough to let him know that I’d gotten the better of him. That punch of his, however, had been a clear indication that there was more going on than just sparring.
Pyke was pissed. To tell the truth, so I was I.
So, he didn’t get a little shove. Instead, I put all my strength into the push, shoving him so hard that he stumbled backward and tripped over his feet, falling into a heap on the mat. Pyke was only down for a moment before rolling over and springing back up onto his feet again.
“I’m going to get your ass for that one.”
“Try me.”
He rushed in, raised his foot in a sidekick, and tried to drive it into my belly. I caught it mid-kick, pivoting to the side and getting a hold of it, yanking him close and delivering a hammer punch to his upper arm. He cried out in pain, the noise enough of a distraction that he was able to wrench his leg free. I staggered back and he ran in again, this time making contact right in the gut.
The air rushed out of my lungs and my eyes went wide.
I was screwed. His blow had stunned me enough that it’d bought him valuable seconds and cost me the same. Pyke took another few steps toward me, putting one hand on my back and sticking his right leg out. With a simple shove, he pushed me over his leg, and I flew forward. I landed hard, pain blasting through my body.
I barely had time to turn before he was all over me, wild anger in his eyes.
