Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 120031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 600(@200wpm)___ 480(@250wpm)___ 400(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 120031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 600(@200wpm)___ 480(@250wpm)___ 400(@300wpm)
“I like her.” Casey interlocked her fingers behind his neck. “I like her cat, too. She’s awesome.”
“You would say that—she brings your mink dead rodents as gifts. Rodents they both then often play soccer with.”
“That’s partially because both the cat and Madisyn like to torment Bracken.” And Casey had to admit, it was always fun to watch the enforcer lose all patience with his mate. Her mink found it highly entertaining.
Combing her fingers through Eli’s hair, Casey tugged lightly. “You’re staring.”
“Why wouldn’t I? You’re beautiful.” He kissed her. “And mine. So very, very mine.”
“Yours,” she agreed. His mouth took hers again, all lazy and languid, kissing her until she felt like her bones would melt. Yeah, her mate knew how to make every bit of edginess drain from her system.
Pulling back, she flicked a look at the wall clock. “I have to go.”
“I know.” He tapped her ass. “Come on, let’s get you to the headquarters.”
A short while later, he parked outside the building and asked, “You ready for this, baby?”
She took a slow breath. “Ready.”
His eyes roamed over her face, and whatever he saw there made him nod in approval. “I won’t say good luck, because you don’t need it. Just do what you always do and give it your all—no one can ever ask more of you than that.”
“I will.”
“Remember what I said earlier: I’m proud of you, no matter what happens today.” He reached out, cupped her chin, and breezed his thumb over her jaw. “I love you.”
“Right back atcha.”
He let out a playful growl, tightening his hold on her chin. “I want the words.”
Amused, Casey forced a sigh. “God, you’re annoying.”
“Casey.”
“I love you.”
He slowly released her. “Now you can go.”
“Why, thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Now get out there, annihilate the Seals, and deal with Sherryl so I can take you home and fuss over you. Then, after you’ve rested, we’ll move your things to our lodge, and then I’ll be fucking you until you scream in our bed.”
“Hmm, sounds promising.” Casey grimaced as she slid out of the SUV and into the baking heat. Seriously, it was sweltering hot with only a very mild breeze. Not great weather for a soccer game. “See you later,” she told Eli, throwing her duffel over her shoulder.
As she walked inside the building, she felt that familiar acute sense of purpose settle in and fill every part of her, so there was no room for anything else—not doubt, not nerves, not outside issues. She exchanged nods with each of the staff as she prowled to the locker room. All eyes looked her way when she pushed open the door. In various states of undress, her teammates called out greetings.
Sitting on the bench tying her cleats, Emma smiled. “Ooh, Case, you have that bloodthirsty look on your face. Good. That means you’re in your zone.”
Securing her curly hair into a tight, messy ponytail, Kristin bumped Casey’s shoulder with hers. “We’ll win this, Frost, I’m telling you.”
Casey plopped her duffel on the bench. “Fuck, yeah, we will.”
She pulled on her uniform and put her things in her locker, not allowing her thoughts to drift from anything other than the upcoming game. It was as she was tugging her socks up over her shin guards that their coach clapped her hands to get everyone’s attention.
“Ladies, now that you’re all dressed, the ref would like a quick word.” Donahue stepped aside.
A tall, gangly male stepped forward, his face set into a hard mask. “I’ve been made aware that there’s bad blood between the two teams,” said the ref, settling his fists on his narrow hips. “I don’t want this bleeding over onto the field. I want a clean game. If I see any indication that anything other than soccer is going on out there, I’ll act on it immediately. Be professional and keep your personal matters out of it. I’ll be issuing the same warning to the Seals.” On that note, he left.
“I wasn’t expecting that,” said Emma. “I’m guessing he doesn’t want a repeat of what happened in Arizona years ago when a fight broke out on the field.”
Kristin turned to Casey. “The Seals will still come at you. They’ll just be sneaky and subtle about it.”
“Yeah, they will,” Casey agreed. “And while their attention is divided between me and the ball, you’ll all take advantage of it, won’t you?”
Emma’s smile was a little feral. “We sure as hell will.”
Outside, after Donahue gave them her usual pep talk, the Hounds jogged onto the field and took up their positions.
Stomach fluttering, Casey inhaled the familiar earthy scents that always filled her with calm. Adrenaline pumped through her veins, heightening her awareness, readying her mind and body, and making her “fight” instinct kick in. In many ways, the game was a fight. A fight to win and prevail.