Page 49 of Love Bites
Cristian took a lingering look at Katheryn and licked his upper lip, causing her to immediately close her mouth. “She does have pretty lips,” he said in a near growl. “I wouldn’t mind a taste of them myself.”
Katheryn wanted to gag at the implication. Ignacio’s fists clenched, but Antonio stepped forward and put a warning hand on his arm.
Cristian saw the reaction and sneered.
“Does that upset you, Ortiz? Maybe we should change what we’re betting. If we lose, you get double the money. If you lose, my men get their share, and I get...” His red eyes lingered on Katheryn’s body, pausing on her breasts. “Your girl.”
She felt the color drain from her face. Ignacio wouldn’t bet her. The looks on his teammates’ faces said they wouldn’t auction off their friend’s girl either.
“Never,” Ignacio enunciated very slowly. “Do not ask again.”
“It’s a good offer,” Cristian remarked. “You’d be a fool to pass it up.”
“I’d be a fool to take it. We will stick to our original deal.”
“Since the bitch means so much to you…Fine.”
Thatangered Katheryn. She had been called a bitch many times but coming from Cristian’s mouth…it was unacceptable. She stood abruptly to go and give that asshole a piece of her mind, but before she could, Ignacio was in Cristian’s face, snarling a feral sound that made the hairs on her arm rise.
He fisted Cristian’s shirt and brought him close until their noses were touching. “Don’t youeverdisrespect her like that again, you piece of shit.”
“Orwhat,Ortiz?”
Ignacio’s eyes glowed red, lip pulled back in a sneer that showed the sharp glint of his fangs. Then he growled, low and menacingly in Spanish. His words rolled dangerously, words she didn’t understand, but could feel the threat in them.
Cristian didn’t pale, but Katheryn watched the working of his throat as he swallowed. After a moment, he gripped Ignacio’s wrist and pried his hand away. “Okay, Ortiz. Let’s play.”
Ignacio took a step back and his lips curled into a malicious smile. “Then let’s play.”
22
Ignacio had never played a harder game in his life. Perhaps it was an old-fashioned Neanderthal notion, but he was playing for Katheryn’s honor. Honestly, what he really wanted to do was grab Cristian and rip his tongue straight out of his mouth. It was primal and violent, and vampires couldn’t behave as they had decades ago before there were laws for that sort of thing.
As they played, rain began to pour. Soon, everyone slipped on the muddy field, covering themselves with it. But it didn’t stop their desire to win. After an hour and a half, Ignacio ached all over, but he continued to give his all. The other team had the lead. Six-to-Four, and he figured they’d cheated their way to those six points, but now wasn’t the time to complain.
Guillermo kicked the ball in his direction then ran forward to the goal. Ignacio easily skirted the ball around opposing players. When Cristian came forward with a sly grin on his face, Ignacio growled. He feinted right with the ball then kicked it left, guiding it in Guillermo’s direction. He pushed Cristian as he passed, knocking him into the mud. The ball made it to Guillermo. His teammate kicked it but the ball hit the goal post. Ignacio jumped as the ball bounced back. He brought back his leg, and kicked the ball in the direction of the opposing goalie. The ball slipped past the goalie’s fingers and…
GOAL!
Ignacio high-fived Guillermo and ran to center field. He heard Katheryn cheering on the sidelines. He smiled and watched as the ball was thrown into play. Antonio leapt up and stopped, then easily scored another goal for their team.
Now, the game was tied.
This was it, Ignacio realized. This was the last round. Only a few more minutes left to play. Whoever scored this point would be the winner of the game, and he couldn’t let their rivals score. It was a matter of pride.
Jorge had the ball, but opposing team members quickly closed in on him. Ignacio rushed to his defense, elbowing and knocking over opponents as he ran. This was supernatural street soccer, and anything counted. He defended his teammate as Jorge guided the ball forward, but a slip sent the ball in the opposite direction, landing at an opposing player’s feet.
Ignacio groaned but wasted no time and chased after the player. He couldn’t afford to let the other team get close to the goal. If they made a point, the game would all be over. Lucky for him, the ball was kicked in his direction. He dribbled it between his feet, skirting opposing players. The goal was just ahead.
Suddenly, Cristian came from out of nowhere and elbowed Ignacio in the temple. For a moment, the pain caused stars to dance behind his eyes. That moment was all it took for Cristian to steal the ball and head toward the other goal.
Cursing, Ignacio followed. His arms pumped as he ran.The bastard,Ignacio growled. Cristian would pay for that move. He reached Cristian just as the man brought back his foot for a kick. The ball went flying toward the goal. Ignacio’s heart sank. But the ball hit the post and bounced backward.
Both men ran for it. The tension in the air was so palpable, so intense that the rest of the team fell back as Cristian and Ignacio fought each other for the ball. They made little forward progress in the storm, like children holding opposite ends of a rope and pulling against each other.
Suddenly, Ignacio kicked the ball down the field with all his strength. In the same movement, he jammed his elbow back, smashing Cristian’s nose. Even with the thunder, Ignacio heard the crack as the cartilage shattered. The rain couldn’t hold Ignacio back. The ground was slick and wet, but his feet held true. Right in front of the goalie, Ignacio kicked out at the ball, but felt a tug on his pants as someone tugged him backward.
Ignacio fell to the ground, sliding in the mud. He stretched for the ball, but his foot barely grazed it. The ball wobbled toward the goalie, and Ignacio cried out with anger.
