Page 13 of A Fighter’s Love

“Are you worried about him?”

“What do you mean?”

“Grinder’s a dirty fighter from what I hear. Doesn’t care how he gets the points, so long as he gets them even if that means a few low blows.”

Dale huffed. “Jackson ain’t gonna be happy about getting low blows.” He nodded at the bar where Jackson was speaking to the bartender. “But nah, I’m not worried. He’s ready, or near as damn it. Another couple of weeks, as long as he doesn’t get injured and he sticks to the program, he’ll win.”

“You sound convinced.”

“I have to be.” He nodded at Jackson. “For him.”

“What do you mean?”

“If I don’t believe in him, he’ll doubt himself and that’s the last thing he needs. At this stage it’s all about mental preparation. His body is ready, raring to go. He’s running on neat testosterone and at peak physical ability. The kind every athlete craves and strives for. Now I need him ready up here.” Dale tapped the side of his head.

“And can you do that?”

“I have before, no reason I can’t again.”

“You’re very close.”

“Sparring partners are.” He drained his beer and banged it onto the table.

Jackson strode over then threw a bag of salt and vinegar crisps at him. “Here you go.”

“Cheers.” Dale reached for them.

Jackson sat and opened his own crisps, ready salted. “You talking about me?”

“Were your ears burning?” Jenny asked with a grin.

“Something was.” He laughed.

Jenny smiled. “We were saying how you’re going to thrash Grinder. How can you not? He doesn’t stand a chance, might as well not show up.”

“Ah, you say the sweetest things, babe.” Jackson winked at her and a sexy grin tugged at his mouth.

A flush of heat traveled over her body. Being the focus of his attention was like having a spotlight shone on her. Throw in the word ‘babe’ and her poor neglected body sizzled with a forgotten sensation.

Damn it, I’m attracted to him.

She reached for her drink, needing to do something with her hands. It had been so long since she’d been hit like this with a longing. In fact she wasn’t sure if it had ever happened before. Of course she’d admired Jackson for a long time. Any red-blooded woman would, but now… Perhaps it was because she’d made the decision to become single and that meant available. She wasn’t yet, technically, but her heart and her libido obviously didn’t know that.

She drained the last of her wine.

“Want another?” Dale asked, pointing at it.

“No, I’m good, thanks.” She smiled and hoped he wouldn’t guess her heart was beating to a wild tempo. Or worse still, he’d seen Jackson’s words had affected her in a way that turned her on fire with need.

He tipped his head, and a smile tugged at his lips. “You know what, Jenny?”

“What?”

“I think you’re gonna be just fine when you tell Billy it’s over. It’ll feel like a weight off your shoulders.”

“Yes, I hope so.”

“So you’ll do it tomorrow?” Dale lifted his eyebrows.

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