Page 48 of Love Bites
“An opportunity to see you all testosterone-y and covered in sweat? I’ll be there. But there’s one thing I’ll need.”
She braced her hands on his shoulders, feeling the heat radiate from him instantly.
“Anything,” he breathed.
“I’ll need a ride…”
He flipped her over so she was under him. He trailed a line of kisses along her jaw. “I think I can oblige…”
* * *
WatchingIgnacio with his soccer team made Katheryn smile. They were a rowdy bunch, acting like a bunch of foolish teenagers even though there was only one real teen on their team.
She sat on the sidelines in her shorts and tank top with her hair up in a ponytail. She kept her eyes on Ignacio’s form. He was bare chested and in gray sweatpants. He flipped up the soccer ball with his foot, dribbled it on his knee then passed it off to one of his friends, who did the same.
Unbelievable,she thought as she applauded.
They let the ball drop and turned as one to look at her. She stopped clapping and felt her cheeks redden.
Ignacio smiled and jogged over to her.
“Why are they all staring at me?” she demanded.
“Because you are the most exquisite thing they have ever laid eyes on.” He bent to kiss her, but she turned her face away so his lips grazed her cheek.
“You’re so full of shit,” she grumbled, knowing exactly what the looks meant.
She had seen men give her the same sort of look while she stood at Hunter’s side. It meant she didn’t belong there. This was a game for men, and she was merely a stupid female. Soul Mate or not... she wasn’t welcome here.
Ignacio sighed. “All right, they think you’re a distraction for me.”
Annoyance and anger surged through her. Of course, they’d think that way. She started to gather her things, because it was expected of her. It was an impulse, pulled from deep in her mind due to all the passive-aggressive belittling she’d ever suffered around Hunter and his friends. He was never really subtle with his insults and she’d lost herself in her relationship with him. She’d grown too weak to say anything back.
It was a place in her mind she travelled without meaning to, feeling heat stain the apples of her cheeks. A special brand of humiliation that threatened to choke her. Make her that same weak, biddable female she’d been before.
“I’ll leave then.” The words sounded hollow in her ears.
Ignacio leaned down and stopped her with a kiss. Long and slow at first, framing her face in his hands. Katheryn found herself leaning into him, forgetting everything until the whistles and catcalls sounded behind Ignacio.
He broke the kiss but smiled at her.
“You’re not a distraction, love. I want you to stay here. And I’m not your keeper or jailor. You can be honest with me about things. That means, if you don’t want to leave, then fucking don’t.”
Something swelled in her chest that was hard to describe. Hunter had always made her feel unwelcome, brushing her off and even making fun of her with his friends. But Ignacio wasn’t Hunter. She’d do well to remember that.
“Who is this?”
Katheryn turned. Behind them stood a bunch of guys in sweats and T-shirts, staring at Ignacio with open dislike. The one who’d spoken was a small man with black hair and a goatee. He was handsome but his smile was malicious and creepy, revealing his vampire teeth. His eyes flared red at the sight of Katheryn, making her want to wrap her arms protectively around herself. She immediately thought ofEl Diablo,the devil who’d fathered Ignacio. However, instead of giving in to fear, she tilted up her chin and held her head high.
“Cristian,” Ignacio snarled, almost politely. His team had gathered around him when they’d seen their rivals. Rising to his full height, Ignacio towered over the other man. “How’s the weather down there?”
Katheryn snorted, Ignacio’s team snickered.
Cristian shot Katheryn a dirty look. “Bringing a girlfriend to an important soccer game, Ortiz? You’ll be distracted.”
Ignacio laughed. “Please. You know I could dance on broken glass, dribble the soccer ball with my head, kiss my girl andstillbeat you.”
Katheryn’s mouth dropped open at Ignacio’s declaration. It was the most competitive she’d ever heard him with an underlying tone that was almost scary. In that moment, he was pure vampire. A predator meant to be revered.
