Page 73 of A Game of Ruck
Brutal.And weirdly beautiful in its violence.
There’s tackling, for sure.But there’s also that move where the players literally hoist a guy into the air by his shorts like he’s Simba fromThe Lion King, and I don’t even know why—but it looks like it hurts.
What blows my mind, though, is that these men aren’t wearing much in the way of protection.
A little bit of padding here and there, maybe a mouth guard, but otherwise?
Just thighs, grit, and testosterone.
And my God—they are massive.
Like, someone should check the soil here in Consequence because these guys were definitely grown in a lab.
Muscles on top of muscles.Calves like tree trunks.Shoulders that belong in a Marvel movie.
And they’re just out there, barreling into each other like this is normal.
Like it’s not the hottest, scariest thing I’ve ever seen.
I don’t really understand all the rules yet, but I want to.
I want to learn.
I wanthimto teach me—if he ever talks to me again.
Please talk to me, Luca.Forgive me for running.
Some of the guys are ridiculously attractive, too—tattoos curling across sweaty skin, bold haircuts, thick thighs for days.Daniela wasn’t lying.
Rugby players might actually be the ultimate thirst trap.
But my eyes?
My eyes are locked on one man.
Luca.
And he is—beyond words.
He explodes across the field like a missile, barreling through two defenders like they’re nothing more than inflatable dummies at practice.
His thighs pump like pistons, calves flexing with every brutal step, jaw clenched, eyes laser-focused.
I feel like I’m watching a battle.
Asexy, muddy, testosterone-fueled battle.
And then he slams the ball down in the try zone with a roar that punches straight through me.
My body jerks like I just got shocked.
“Oh myGod,” I whisper, hand to my chest.My heart is racing, hammering against my ribs like it’s trying to escape.“He’s going to kill someone out there.”
Beside me, Daniela just grins like this is totally normal.
“Isn’t it hot?”she says, sipping her lemonade like she didn’t just witness a grown man commit consensual murder with his thighs.
I swallow, eyes glued to Luca as he jogs back toward the huddle, sweat gleaming on his skin, muscles coiled and perfect andsoreal.
