“You’re lucky I like secrets,” I murmur under the Beauty and the Beast soundtrack as Niki drives us from our house.

​

I readjust my blindfold, stroking the soft black cloth, curiosity tempting me to lift it. The hand on my knee makes me jump, even though it can only belong to Niki.

 

“Tabi, your mummy is being a grumpy grump,” Niki calls out, pausing Tabi’s off-key singing briefly. “And she’s fiddling with her blindfold.”

 

“Mummy, stop being naughty.”

 

I flick Niki’s knee, making him chuckle as I whisper between gritted teeth, “Tattle tale.”

 

I run my fingers across my chain because I want to tease him for making me suffer. I don’t know if I’m more annoyed that I can’t watch his driving in the way I’d like or because I want to know where he’s taking me.

 

“Tease,” he growls in my ear before saying louder, “Shall we give mummy clues for what we’re doing?”

 

“Yes!” Tabi squeals. “Me first. Clue one: Graham can’t wait to watch.”

 

Graham, our dog, grumbles from behind me. He’d rather be at home in bed than driving along windy roads in December.

 

“My turn,” Niki jumps in. “Clue two: you’ll probably be cold in your special outfit even though the lining is made of fleece.”

 

“But you’ll look really pretty,” Tabi adds.

 

“Uncle Connor will be the prettiest,” Niki says, his hand returning to my knee. “Unless he dresses as a cowb—”

 

“Daddy,” Tabi screams. “You nearly gave it away.”

 

I huff as I try to decipher why Connor would be dressed as a cowboy while Tabi belts out Be Our Guest. But my frustration is temporary because the memory of Tabi first calling Niki ‘daddy’ fills me with joy, just as it has since the night he proposed to me.

 

Niki murmurs, “I’ll never get over her calling me that. It makes her obsession with this song a lot more bearable.”

 

“Tell me about it,” I reply. “I need another clue. I’m still not sure where we’re going, but who will be there? Is it just us four and Connor?”

 

“All your favourite people will be there now that the F1 season has finished,” Niki explains. “And there will be some old faces as well.”

 

I rack my brain trying to think who he could mean. I can’t imagine he’s invited Scott to whatever this is. Although Tabi chats to him occasionally, he’s only visited once since he learned he was her biological father.

 

“Interesting…” I tap my lip. “It will be nice to see Connor now that he’s retired from F1. I can’t believe he was third out of all the drivers. He had a brilliant end of season.”

 

“He’s really excited to join us as we work on the academy. Next year will be life-changing for a lot of teenagers and for us too, especially once you’ve completed your Master's.”

 

“Any news on who Senna wants to be the other driver?” I ask, contemplating if she can steal Billy over to Coulter.

 

He grips my knee, sending little sparks through me. I’ll never get tired of being someone he touches. Some days his health anxiety overwhelms him, and he stays home, keeping away from everyone, except Tabi, Graham and me. But no matter what he’s going through, we’re a team who take care of each other.

 

“No news. Tawny is desperate to know. I caught Jacs grumbling about it last month. She hates holding the newbie's hands and listening to their complaints about the car.”

 

“She hates drivers full stop. Except Tawny, you, and Connor. Has she ever told you what her problem is with mechanics or Vessa? Something must have happened when she worked there, but she won’t say.”

 

“No, but I’m curious,” he says, slowing the car. “It must be big. Scott mentioned hearing a rumour, but he never gave me the details. Maybe she’ll tell us one day. She might even tell us today…”

 

I’m tempted to pull up my blindfold. It’s worth it just for the spanking Niki might give me tonight.

 

“So, Jacs and Connor are coming? Senna and Tawny, too?”

 

“And Connor’s sister, Layla, as well as your parents, my parents, and Sasha, because your best friend wouldn’t miss this for the world.”

 

“And what is this?”

 

“There’s going to be over fifty people here today,” he adds, ignoring my question.

 

“Here?”

 

The car turns to the left, crunching over gravel, before Niki brakes. “Yes, angel, we’re here.” He presses a kiss to my cheek. Even a brief caress from Niki makes my cheeks heat. I hope it will always be like this.

 

“And here is...?”

 

“Do you want to tell her, Tabi?”

 

“Yes, yes, yes! Pull off your blindfold, Mummy.” I yank it off, blinking against the bright light. “It’s you and Daddy’s surprise eggment party!” Tabi shouts.

 

Niki’s  lips brush my ear, making me shiver, as he whispers, “Our surprise engagement party.” He tucks his finger under my chin to direct me towards the huge building out of my side window.

 

I gasp like a giddy fool. “My old rugby club?”

 

The door is yanked open as I admire the view I haven’t seen in years.

 

Sasha holds it open as I climb out of the car. Behind her, our friends and family line a red carpet.

 

“Why is everyone dressed like a cowboy or a princess?” I spy Connor in an ice blue Elsa dress. Beside him, Jacs wears massive boots and a checked shirt, resembling Woody from Toy Story. I barely have time to register that she’s wearing her red Woody bandana around her face before seeing Tawny dressed as Jessie.

 

“Because we had to have a theme and I know you love cowboys,” Niki says, his cheeky wink reminding me of the night he rescued me, drunk in a bar.

 

“But I’m not dressed up,” I murmur. He gently rubs the furrows from my forehead.

 

“Your extra special princess dress is in the changing rooms.”

 

He runs around the car, unclips Tabi from her seat, and lifts her and Graham out. Tabi grabs one of my hands, and Niki takes the other. Slowly, they lead me down the red carpet. Friends and family stop me every couple of steps, showing off their outfits. I don’t know if I’m more surprised to see my mum dressed like John Wayne or Niki’s dad resembling Yosemite Sam.

 

I catch a swish of yellow, and I shout so loudly that Tabi covers her ears.

 

“Phillipa?” I holler as another woman pops out from behind her. “Kelly?”

 

I turn and throw myself at Niki. “You invited some of my old rugby team?”

 

“Of course, baby. I promised that I’d make it possible for you to play rugby again one day. I’m sorry it took so long.”

 

Tears roll down my cheeks as I bury myself in the crook of his neck. “You keep making my dreams come true.”

 

“Just like you do with mine. And I didn’t just invite some of your old team. They’re all here, including ones you played against when you were a child. You’re going to have an engagement party rugby game, and everyone will be dressed up as cowboys or princesses.”

 

Boots shuffle against the gravel behind me. “So, when are we doing this?” a man shouts.

 

“Lucas Knight?” I shout, seeing the lad I used to play against when I was eight and part of a mixed team. “You look really good as Ariel.”

 

My gaze travels from his seashell bra to the green mermaid tail that makes him wiggle. “If I’m going to dress up, I’m doing it properly.”

 

“Am I seriously expected to play against professional rugby players?” I whisper to Niki.

 

“If you’re worried, how do you think I feel? It’s just touch rugby. Enough stressing, let’s get you ready.”

Sasha grabs my hand, and Tabi takes the other. They run me toward the changing rooms, giggling the entire way.

 

***

I stare into the stands, marvelling at the smiling faces of my friends and family who watch what promises to be a chaotic half hour. I suspect they’re really here for the disco, buffet, and open bar after the game.

​

Niki is selecting the teams to ensure it’s fair, but with twenty former or current rugby players and F1 drivers battling, there will be carnage.

 

“You look fantastic,” Tawny says, pointing at my bespoke costume, the colours a combination of my old rugby team colours and Coulter branding. “Your man did good.”

 

I can’t stop staring at the way he commands people, with a natural authority. I’ll never get enough of it. My gaze sweeps the stands to where Jacs sits beside Tabi and Graham. Tabi laughs as Jacs say something while pointing at her special glow stick, which must be for the disco later.

 

“How come Jacs isn’t playing? I thought she’d love the chance to kick ass, especially Connor’s. They’ve wound each other up all year. And why is she wearing her bandana around her face?”

 

“It’s actually a special face mask. She’s not been well since the end of the season. She’s only just recovered from tonsillitis. In fact, she got bad news from the GP this morning. She’s got Glandular Fever.”

 

My eyebrows pop. “Isn’t that called—”

 

“The kissing disease or mono. She’s not handling any of it well. Senna told her she needs to recover properly, so she’s not allowed to work for months. She might not be back before the season starts, although she’s adamant she will be. She’s only staying for the game. She didn’t want to miss out on dressing like Woody.”

 

I wave at Tabi as Tawny adds, “She’s not contagious unless she’s sharing saliva with anyone, so Niki doesn’t need to worry. She’s also using hand sanitiser every chance she gets.”

 

“I’ll make sure he knows. He’s doing well, although he’s used a lot of sanitiser this morning. Touch rugby will be better for him than full contact.”

 

“Is everyone ready?” Niki shouts to the delight of the crowd, who are already heckling and cheering different players. “I’m going to be the team captain for the Devils, and Rosie is the captain of the Angels.”

 

My team collects at the line. Phillippa, who was an exceptional member of my local team until I became pregnant with Tabi, and who now plays for England, explains the rules of touch rugby. It’s a relief that I already know them, as I can’t stop glancing at the smiling faces of those in the stands who came here just for Niki and me.  

 

The whistle blows, and I glance at the pitch, where a grinning Senna stares Connor down. Tawny beams because she’s always so bloody happy. Lucas, who I haven’t seen for years, rubs his hands together gleefully as he nudges his brother Henry, who used to play in the older team.

 

But my gaze is drawn to Niki as always. My sexy cowboy, who winks at me and runs his fingers across a new beaded bracelet that he made with Tabi after his last one snapped from overuse.

 

“Wait,” Tabi shouts from the stands. “Daddy needs his lucky hat.”

 

Tabi skips down the steps, Graham waddling behind her. She waves a familiar pink cowboy hat. A bubble of laughter escapes from my mouth as I have flashbacks of shoving it on Niki’s head while drunk.

 

“Thank you, Tabi. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” He gives her a quick cuddle as she pops the hat on his head. He dances back onto the pitch with the lasso dance he saw me perform on a video from my rugby playing days. We watch them together at least twice a month.

 

“Save that dance for when you score, which will be never,” I shout.

 

“Your trash talk is the only crappy thing about you, beautiful,” he shouts back, as Jacs covers Tabi’s ears so she doesn’t pick up any words that could get her in trouble at school.

 

“He’s going to score more today than I have on a hypercar with his sister, and that’s a lot,” Connor hollers, making Senna cringe.

 

“Connor, dude. No more sister talk, okay?” Niki grumbles.

 

Connor grins. Nothing can dampen that guy’s love for Senna or his ability to wind Niki up.

 

“If everyone is ready,” I say. “Let’s do this.”

 

Squeals echo from the stands as I grab the ball and run straight past Niki, whose outstretched arm doesn’t even come close to touching me. My dress keeps trying to trip me, with all its layers, but I’m relieved Niki had it specially made with a fleecy lining. It’s bloody freezing this morning.

 

Lucas runs towards me, his shell bra clattering. I can stop laughing at this guy with his green skirt, now with a massive rip down the side, and his thick red wig. I don’t even try to dodge him. At his tap, I place the ball down. Phillippa snaps it up and jumps away from Tawny and Senna, who attempt a pincer movement, attacking from different angles as they near her.

 

But no one stands a chance as she sprints away. Lucas chases her down, and I race to reach her in case she needs to throw me the ball. Wind lifts my hair, and for a couple of seconds, I’m that eighteen-year-old who commanded a pitch of warriors. Happy tears collect in my eyelashes as my adrenaline spikes and the cold air freezes my face even as sweat beads my skin.

 

“Rosie,” Phillippa yells, slinging the ball at me. I jump in the air, catching it and pulling it against my chest. I gather my dress in one hand and dash for the line. A pounding of feet follows me, but it’s Tabi’s squeals of, “Come on, Mummy,” that feed my speed.

 

I’m making my girl proud and showing her that anything is possible.

 

Niki runs at me, but I fake a throw. He looks where he thinks the ball will go as I weave around him and slam it over the line.

 

“Trickster,” he hollers as Philippa and Connor join me in a lasso dance.

 

Niki folds his arms, revealing his thick forearms. A beaming smile covers his face as he watches me.

 

We talked a couple of weeks ago about the possibility of me joining a local amateur women’s rugby club. He promised to free up our time, but I dismissed it, thinking I couldn’t go back to playing.

 

“Well done, angel,” Niki says as I pass him, an extra swing to my hips. “I should have known watching you play would be so fucking hot.”

 

I giggle as he shifts his joggers before we return to the line.

 

As play restarts, I hone in on turning Niki on even more. As he runs past me, I lift my skirt enough to show my thigh, ensuring I’m at an angle where only he can see me. He freezes, dropping the ball, which Connor scoops up with a chuckle. With a quick wink, I follow Connor, while Niki stands where I left him.

 

Connor tosses the ball to me, and I throw it to Phillippa, who scores easily.

 

“I’ll get you back for that,” Niki grumbles as I pass him.

 

“Promises, promises, sir,” I tease as I sashay away.

 

His grunt makes my skin tingle. I’ve never found rugby a turn on before, but then I’ve never played against the man who can bring me to my knees with one word. My chest rises as I stare at Niki, licking my lower lip as I imagine his hand—

 

Senna runs past me, Connor chasing her. Shit, I was trying so hard to distract Niki that I got caught up in my fantasies.

 

“You need to work on your focus,” Niki says, rushing past me with a laugh.

 

Senna throws the ball to Tawny, who passes it to Kelly before she tosses it at Niki. I chase him down the pitch, sucking cold air into my lungs.

 

Niki turns, laughing when he sees me. “Eight years younger than me and you still can’t catch me,” he teases.

 

I grab my skirt and sprint behind him. As I stretch my hand out, I swipe at his back.

 

“I got you!”

 

He huffs as he places the ball on the ground for Kelly to pick up.

 

As the game continues, he runs beside me, saying between heaving breaths, “You’re so fucking beautiful. Watching you run that pitch, your powerful thighs beating down a path to the try line, the smile on your face. I can’t get enough of it. Are you sure you don’t want to join a club? We’ll make it work.”

 

I gulp as I stare back at him, play continuing around us. His aroma of vanilla and wood is the smell of my favourite memories. It mingles with the sanitiser and shampoo, forming the scent of my family.

 

“Rosie,” Phillippa calls, slinging the ball to me. I missed us getting a turnover!

 

I run down the pitch, Niki on my heels. As I look to the stands, I see Tabi jumping up and down, squealing with glee, and I let myself not just dream but plan for a future where I have it all.

 

The play continues for the next thirty minutes until we’re panting and sweating, our breath misting in the air.

 

I perform a winner's lasso dance with the rest of the Angels, but as I laugh and dance, Connor nudges me and points at the stands.

 

Tears collect in my eyelashes as Niki walks down the steps, Graham at his side, and Tabi sitting on his hip.

 

I rush to greet him, overcome with emotion and say before I can tell myself not to, “I will join a rugby club. Thank you for letting me dream.”

 

“You deserve to have all your dreams come true, and I’ll do everything in my power to make that possible. I can’t wait to watch you kick bum every game.” His eyes twinkle as he communicates the things you can’t say in front of children who pick up on everything. “But first this.” He kneels on the ground. “Tabi, help me out,” he says, reaching around his neck to his chain.

 

She fumbles where his hands sit.

 

He clears his throat, and I watch my man struggle with the emotion testing his voice. “I’ve got more surprises for you tonight, and I know we already did this once, but Tabi wanted to be part of it; in fact, she picked this out.” He gathers his chain in his hands, and Tabi slides a dainty diamond ring off it. It creates rainbow-like sparkles as the sun hits the diamond’s edges. “Go for it, Tabs.”

 

“Mummy,” Tabi says, putting on her serious voice. “Will you marry Daddy?”

 

Niki holds out the ring as Graham snuffles at my feet, his stubby tail wagging.

 

“Of course I will.” I giggle when Niki and Tabi slide the ring on my finger. As I stare at my family, I realise that somewhere between Greece and this cold rugby pitch, I became a princess who got her happy ever after.

 

And I’ll tell Niki that later, so he can spank me for being cheesy.

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Did you know I also write rugby romance? If you want to read Lucas' story or find out the other books I write, check the link below.

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