Page 118 of Fighting Spirit

“She was gonna try to kill us both,” Trevor chimes in. “I think she wants revenge for last time.”

“I was cooking,” she says sheepishly.

“Same thing,” he drawls.

I look around the counter and see the ingredients for enchiladas. Trevor must have told her that they were my favorite.

“Ruth.” I give her a soft smile as I rub my thumbs against her palms. “You didn’t need to do this.”

“I wanted to do something nice to celebrate.”

“Coming home and finding you hereismy something nice.” I mean it, if I had my way, we’d go get all her stuff and move her in today.

She leans into me, wrapping both arms around my waist. I hug her back, resting my cheek against her soft curls.

“I wish I could have come,” she mumbles.

She wasn’t able to get a ticket on such short notice, and an ugly part of me was relieved I got to avoid the questions from the team for a while longer. “I know, baby.”

“I got sauce on your jersey,” she whispers.

I pull back. She gestures to the hem, and I see a red stain against the pale blue fabric. I take a deep breath, raising an eyebrow. “You know, if this is how you’re gonna treat my clothes, then we need to have a serious conversation about whether you can wear them or not.”

Her eyes glint with mischief and she pouts. “But then what would I wear?”

“I’m sure we could get creative.” My heart rate picks up. “But first, I’m really gonna need that back.”

“Then I guess you’re gonna have to take it off me.”

Before I can reply, she takes off running. I bolt after her, ignoring Trevor’s disgusted cries. She has one hand on the handle to our room when I catch up with her, flattening her against the door, my arms either side of her head.

“Did you really think you were gonna win that one?” I growl into her ear.

“Maybe.” She giggles. “I’m scrappy.”

I whirl her around and toss her over my shoulder as I open the door. I pause for a second, worried that this might upset her after the incident with the team, but when she keeps laughing, the knot against my ribs eases.

“Put me down!” she squeals. I have to clamp my arm over her thighs to stop her from rolling out of my grip.

“You asked for it,” I huff as I toss her onto the bed.

Her hair fans around her like seaweed on the shore as she beams at me. I crawl over her, covering her body with mine.

“Now then,” I murmur into her neck, “are we gonna have to have words about you respecting my clothes?”

“I think I’m gonna need a more hands-on demonstration.”

I can’t help the snort that escapes me. Her face flushes beet red in embarrassment. “That was meant to sound sexy.” She scowls.

“Everything you do is sexy.” I lift off just enough to loop a hand under her, flipping her onto her stomach and pulling her up by the hips. “This okay?” I nudge the tip of my nose against her ear, our bodies flush against each other.

She grinds back into me in response, mewling out something that doesn’t sound like words, but is definitely enthusiastic.

“I’m confiscating this.” I slowly push up the hem of my jersey, revealing the smooth expanse of her back. I let out agroan when I see that sometime in between her taking that picture and now, she’s taken off her bra. Sneaky girl.

Ruth’s breaths come fast as I free her head, careful not to catch any of her hair. I strip off my own shirt, only realizing how dirty I am when I see the item strewn on the floor.

“Do you want me to shower first?” I ask, even as I’m curling my fingers under the waistband of her leggings.

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