Page 16 of Sweet Rucking Temptation
"Never give up," I whisper, echoing her favorite phrase.
6
A few days later
LIV
The roar of the crowd hits me like a wall as I step into the stadium. It's a sea of red and black. The colors of Elliott's team swirl around me in a dizzying display. I clutch my ticket tightly, feeling both exhilarated and overwhelmed.
"Excuse me," I mutter, trying to weave my way through the throng of excited fans.
I spot my seat and slide into it, heart pounding with anticipation. The energy in the air is electric, crackling with excitement and anticipation. I've never experienced anything quite like this before.
A booming voice over the loudspeaker announces the teams, and I crane my neck to catch a glimpse of Elliott. When I finally spot him, my breath catches in my throat. He looks so different on the field – focused, intense, every inch the "Iceman" I've heard about.
"First time at a match?" The woman next to me asks, noticing my wide-eyed expression.
I nod, unable to tear my gaze away from the field. "Is it always this... intense?"
She laughs. "Oh, poppet, you ain't seen nothing yet. Just wait 'til the game starts!"
As the teams take their positions, I feel a surge of pride. That'smyElliott out there, I think, before catching myself. When did I start thinking of him as mine?
The whistle blows, and the crowd erupts. I find myself swept up in the excitement, cheering and clapping along with everyone else. As I watch Elliott move across the field with grace and power, I realize I'm seeing a whole new side of him – and I can't wait to learn more.
ELLIOTT
I roll my shoulders, feeling the familiar pre-game tension coil through my muscles. The roar of the crowd fades to a distant hum as I focus on my breathing. In and out, slow and steady. But today, something's different. My focus keeps darting to the stands. I’m searching for a familiar face.
"Oi, Snow! You looking for your girlfriend?" Josh, our scrum-half, elbows me with a cheeky grin.
I roll my eyes, but I can't help the smile tugging at my lips. "Just scanning the crowd, mate. Gotta know our audience, right?"
But inside, my heart's racing. Is she here? Did she make it? What if she thinks rugby's boring? What if?—
No. Focus, Elliott. You've got a job to do.
I shake out my arms, trying to channel that icy concentration that earned me my nickname. But as I jog onto the field, I can't help one last glance at the sea of faces. And there she is – Liv, her dark hair catching the sunlight, her smile bright enough to outshine the stadium floodlights.
"Alright, boys," I call to my teammates, a new fire igniting in my chest. "Let's give them a show they won't forget."
LIV
I gasp as Elliott intercepts a pass. He sprints toward the try line, his powerful legs eating up the field. The crowd around me surges to their feet, a wall of sound that vibrates through my bones.
"Go, Elliott!" I shout, caught up in the moment. "Run!"
The woman next to me – Sandra, I've learned – grabs my arm. "He's going to do it! Your boy's going to score!"
My boy. WE’ve only been dating for a few weeks. I should correct her, but I'm too busy holding my breath as a player from the opposing team bears down on Elliott. There's a heart-stopping moment where I think he'll be tackled, but then –
"He's through!" Sandra screams, and I'm screaming too, jumping up and down as Elliott touches the ball down over the line.
The stadium explodes with cheers. Elliott's teammates mob him, slapping his back and ruffling his hair. Even from here, I can see the fierce joy on his face, so different from his usual quiet demeanor.
"Quite a sight, isn't he?" Sandra says, nudging me with a knowing look.
I nod, unable to tear my eyes away. "He's... incredible," I breathe, and I'm not just talking about his rugby skills. His kindness and compassion take my breath away. Combined with his physical power, his passion—I’m falling hard.
