King of the Damned (League of Guardians 2)

The men began tossing the ball around, and within minutes several of them were doffing their shirts.

“Oh goodie, we’re playing football.” All sex talk forgotten, Hannah tugged on her arm. “This is just what we need. Everyone can blow off some steam, and we get to stare at yummy abs! Come on.” Her cousin grinned at her. “Here’s hoping Nico and Azaiel end up on the skins team.” Hannah glanced toward the groups. “Hell, yeah. Nico just doffed his shirt.”

Rowan took a step forward and paused, for the first time taking in the truly bizarre scene that was unfolding. All of the vehicles had been moved so that an impressive area of grass was open and available. Frank sat on the steps of the gift shop, a mountain of weapons on the ground in front of him. He was cleaning them, making them ready for another night of patrolling.

Not more th

an a few feet from him, the donkey Leroy did a patrol of his own—slowly traveling a well-worn path around the oak tree and back again.

On the field the teams were being divvied up. Demon hunters from all over the state were in attendance, as were her family members and of course the otherworlders who’d been here for days. She smiled. Even her aunt Dot was up and ready to play.

Rowan’s mouth thinned as Vicki doffed her T-shirt and, clad in only a skimpy pink bra and shorts, sauntered over to the “skins” team.

Which now, she could see, included Azaiel.

Her heart sped up as she gazed upon his bare chest. Bare abs. Damn, he was wearing the jeans that fell so low they made a woman’s mouth water. How the hell could he play football in that?

Her feet started forward before she even realized what she was doing and she was halfway to the field when that small, irritating voice inside her head spoke. The one that asked, what the hell are you doing?

Azaiel glanced up at that moment, and their eyes met across the field. His were intense, and even from this far away she saw they were dark, the gold much diminished. He looked pissed. Irritated. He licked his lips.

He looked fucking hungry.

Rowan’s heart was beating madly, and she was flush with heat and desire. She strode toward her brother, deciding it would be more prudent for her to play against Azaiel. All the more chance at contact.

What was she doing? Rowan smiled at Azaiel and nodded, her gaze not leaving his even when Priest tried to get her attention.

She was surrounded by a large number of bodies, yet in that moment there was only Azaiel. And the desire that had settled between her legs with a heavy, throbbing weight. She knew it wouldn’t go away, and Lord knew, time was running out.

She turned and followed Priest into formation.

She licked her lips as they huddled, not listening to anything Kellen said. Her eyes were focused on Azaiel. On the way the sunlight poured over the hard lines of his body, leaving him bathed in a sheen of sweat.

What was she doing? She was going to seduce the Seraphim.

Over the course of the next hour a ragtag group of warriors played a sport that transcended everything. Otherworld and human joined forces, both male and female. Though the only female who was willing to be a “skin” was Vicki. Thank God, she’d at least kept her bra on.

Rowan glared at her cousin, hating the way she clung to both Nico and Azaiel. Hating the way her perfect large breasts were pushed to the max in the damn pink bra she sported.

“I’m going to take her down this time,” Hannah whispered fiercely. “That woman has no class. Seriously? Who the hell would even want to play football with her girls nearly falling out?” Hannah shook her head. “I’m telling you, a good elbow in the right spot might make her think twice about it.”

Rowan snorted. “It’s no contact.”

Hannah glared. “Tough shit.”

“Okay, guys, we’re going deep. It’s our last chance to score and break the tie, all right?” Kellen grinned like a crazy fool, and Rowan’s heart lurched. It had been so long since they’d enjoyed any kind of lightness. It was wonderful to see.

Kellen turned to her. “Ro, I want you to go deep.”

“Me?” She glanced at Priest. “But he’s been doing the catching. I just like running down the side and maybe tripping Vicki if I get the chance.”

“No, I want you to go deep. They won’t expect it. They’ll watch Priest run to the left. I want you to run down to the right. I’ll fake throw to Priest, then launch it down to you. All right?”

“Got it, captain,” Hannah said with a grin, her eyes laughing. “Don’t worry, Ro. I’ll take Vicki out.”

Rowan got into formation and sought out Azaiel as he stood opposite her. His eyes remained dark, his expression intense. She licked her lips and hiked up her T-shirt, twisting it through the top of her bra to form a sort of bikini top. It was the last play of the day. Her last shot.

His eyes never left hers.