Page 13 of Champion

“What are you two ladies talking about over here?” Champ joins us, and I hold my breath.

“I was telling Opal that you two should stay for dinner. I’ve made a pan of lasagna, and there’s plenty to share. Why don’t you spend the night up here?”

I freeze, part of me silently cursing Claudia for saying this but also thanking her.

Champ pauses and looks at me, his eyes intense. “That sounds good to me. Opal, what do you think?”

I look at Champ and nod. He mentioned we might have to spend the night up here, but I didn’t think it would actually happen.

“Perfect!” Claudia exclaims, clapping her hands.

I can’t help but smile at how it feels like everyone is trying to set us up together. At least tonight, there’s precisely zero chance my brother will show up and ruin things.

CHAPTER 8

Opal is dealing with everything and everyone up here better than I could have imagined. It’s not too surprising, given how she shares a commitment to helping people, but it’s reassuring. This would be a lot for most people to take in over a short period of time. Knowing that Opal understands and respects my commitment to these people is deeply important to me.

Even though she’s sitting next to me at the dinner table, she gets skittish every time we make eye contact.

“How you doing over there?” I ask quietly, reaching out and touching her arm.

Opal glances at my hand on her arm, but she doesn’t flinch. Lifting her eyes to mine, she smiles.

“It’s a lot to take in. This isn’t what I expected when you said you needed to help someone on the mountain.”

“What did you think I meant?” I ask, genuinely curious.

“I’m not sure.” She pauses. “But not this. How come you don’t talk about it?”

I lean back in my chair and look at Opal. Being with her feels natural. I like that I don’t have to hide any part of who I am. Talking about myself and my motivations to others isn’t something I do—or want to do—but I want Opal to see me. My feelings for her are growing, but I need to know she’s on board with all this and who I am. I don’t want her to be a part of my life; I need her to be a part of my life.

“I don’t feel the need to make a big deal about it. Besides, part of why the network works is because we keep quiet about it. As you can imagine, some people are violently opposed to us interfering with their plans. The safety of these women is at serious risk if word gets out about what we do.”

“Sure.” Opal nods. “But you could get more people to help.”

“Well, I have you now.” My voice is low, but the way her blue eyes flare slightly, I know she heard and picked up on what I mean. “I don’t do this for awards or to impress other people. I do it because it’s the right thing to do. There’s a way for me to help, so I do. That’s it.”

“It’s more than that, and you know it, Champ. You’re helping to save these women’s lives.” Opal’s eyes have a fierce intensity as she looks at me.

“Yes. And now that Shelly is part of the gym, it’s a little more personal. She wasn’t trafficked, but she was abused just the same. I have no tolerance for people, especially men, who prey on other people.”

“I appreciate that you trust me, Champ. Though I will say that I wasn’t sure how things would work out after whathappened at the chili cook-off. I was sure you were going to fire me, and that would be the end of everything.”

I lean toward Opal because she needs to know how serious I am. “I don’t want you to leave, Opal. I don’t want you to leave, ever. Stay with me.” My voice is heavy with longing. If Opal still has any doubts that I believe in her and want her around, I need to eliminate them.

A bright happiness lights up Opal’s eyes, and she blushes prettily. “So you’re okay with everything? Okay with who my brother is?”

“Opal, I’m never going to like your brother. But with you at the gym and in my life, I swear I’ll try to be civil to the man. You’re important to me.”

Opal’s blush deepens, and I shift in my chair as my cock tightens and pulsates with desire.

“You’re important to me, too,” she says, her voice quiet.

I take her hand, lightly stroking her wrist with my thumb. “I like having you around. I want to continue that.”

“Yes,” she says immediately, putting her hand over mine. “I’d love that. I should add that I still want to work for Warrior Cares, but I know that’s unlikely to happen until I graduate.”

“There’s still time between now and then,” I say. “Maybe I’ll convince you to stay at the gym.”

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