Page 114 of Falcon

Chapter 24

Falcon

I crack my neck by rocking my head back and forth. It’s been stiff and sore since the ordeal after my shower yesterday morning, but I’ll survive it.

I kept quiet to Joe, my trainer, and the doc who gave me an eval pre weigh-in last night. I didn’t want to hear the inevitable, overly used phrases.

Falcon, I think it’s time to step down.

Falcon, think of your health.

Falcon, there’s no shame in quitting. You’ve had a great career. Don’t risk it.

No. I’m not doing that. Not yet.

“Boss?” I look back to see Frank standing in the doorway. “I’ve got a delivery for you.”

He steps aside and there she is. My Faith.

She’s wearing this sundress that matches my colors. It’s a deep blue and hits right at her knee. The middle is this lacy material that gives me a slight view of her stomach and the top is a tank top. It’s fitted perfectly around her breasts, and goddamn…she’s perfect. Her hair is down today and curled into loose waves that lay right over her shoulders.

Fuck.

“Look at you,” I say, as she steps inside and closes the door behind her.

“Do you like it?” She spins slowly for me. “I wanted something to match you, but I also wanted something a little different than I wore last time. Vincent took me out to get it after you left today.”

“Did he now?” I smile and pull her in, wrapping my arms around her body. “I love it.”

“How are you feeling?” She reaches up and caresses her fingers across my temple.

“I’m all right,” I tell her, which isn’t the entire truth, but it’s not exactly a lie either. I do feel better than I did yesterday, but there is still this ringing in my ears I can’t seem to shake.

“I won’t ask if you’re sure, because I know you’ll just tell me you are.”

I lean down and rest my forehead against hers, breathing in her crisp, citrus scent, letting it absorb into my body like it’s oxygen.

“Faith, look at me.”

She tilts her head back and looks up at me. “Hmm?”

“Thank you for being here and for caring about me enough to ask.”

“I do care about you, Marco. A lot. I’ll always want to know that you’re all right.”

I bend forward to kiss her lips, but she steps up onto my feet so our heights can be more even, so we are face-to-face.

“Hello there,” I say to her.

“Hi.”

She wraps her arms around my neck and pulls me in, smashing her lips onto mine.

The kiss doesn’t build into anything sexual. It’s just a simple kiss filled with fire and spark.

It’s be safe.

It’s good luck.

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