Page 88 of The Fighter who Needed Me
It worked for half a second. Then Brooks rolled out from under Aidan, making Aidan snarl in frustration.
Brooks took the opportunity to rush Aidan, tackling him instead.
Aidan snarled and bucked, making Brooks’ hold slip and then Aidan threw a fist, which Brooks barely dodged.
Aidan flipped him and threw his fist and Brooks was hard pressed to miss it.
He threw Aidan off, which was no easy feat. And the two stood, breathing hard and Brooks inclined his head, and Aidan did the same.
They threw more punches, each blow either connecting or glancing off.
Brooks was not hit and Aidan was growing more frustrated.
He finally grazed Brooks, and then Brooks tackled him once again, holding the Duke down on the floor and Aidan snarled.
Brooks sat back, “Do you yield?”
Aidan shook his head and bucked so violently that Brooks was thrown off and Aidan punched him hard across the jaw.
“Now I concede.”
Brooks laughed and then Aidan helped him stand.
He rubbed his jaw, and Aidan said, “I apologize. I didn’t realize how much I needed that.”
Burk laughed so loud and Brooks shook his head, smiling. “I would love to see my brother get blasted across the jaw any day.”
Aidan let out a startled laugh and Brooks just full on belly laughed.
Aidan shook his hand and then Brooks offered to teach anyone else.
They sparred for a few more hours, and when he went back to the cottage, Persephone was there.
Someone had lit the fire for her, and she had a basket of food from the main house.
No matter how much food they had, Ida always made certain they had more.
He stripped his shirt off and rinsed the sweat from his skin quickly and then pulled his wife in for a kiss.
“I missed you today wife.” She laughed, “I missed you as well. Did you have a good time teaching?”
He chuckled and kissed her neck softly and pulled her into his lap, nuzzling her.
“I did. Aidan and I sparred.”
She turned to look at him, “You did?”
He nodded, “He is quick on his feet. Got me good with a punch in the jaw.”
She gasped, “Brooks…”
He laughed, “I am well love. I swear. I have taken much harder hits than this.”
She let out a small breath and crossed her arms over her chest, “I do not like it. But if you say you are all right, then I believe you.”
He pulled her in tighter and put his chin on her shoulder. “Tomorrow is all for us. Shall we go explore the woods some more?”
She softened, and then nodded. He grinned and kissed her neck, making her laugh.
