Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 2621

Sylvia remained unconvinced, her tone still proud. “I happen to think I’m the best there is.”

Gabriel shot her a surprised look, a slow smile spreading across his lips. “Feeling that confident after sitting in on a couple of elementary school classes?”

His deadpan mockery made Sylvia burst out laughing. She doubled over, shaking with mirth, and nearly fell against him before her sense of reason kicked in.

Suddenly, a soccer ball came flying toward them, ricocheted off the leg of the bench, and rolled to a stop at Gabriel’s feet.

The children who had been playing froze, standing a good thirty feet away, none of them daring to approach.

“See?” Sylvia said, defending herself. “Everyone’s afraid of you.”

Gabriel glanced at her, then picked up the ball and strode onto the field. He looked back over his shoulder. “Come on. I’ll teach you how to play.”

He stood there under the sun, tall and imposing, his handsome face sharp and dangerous except for the deep pools of his eyes. It was just like that day at the Citadel when he had walked right past her.

This time, she knew she shouldn’t walk toward him, but she stood up and did it anyway.

Gabriel joined the game, calling for Sylvia and the others to try and intercept him.

The children, still intimidated, stood rooted to the spot. Sylvia rolled up her sleeves and waved them over. “What are you waiting for? This is your chance to body-check him fair and square. What’s there to be afraid of?”

With that, she charged toward Gabriel, trying to steal the ball.

Perhaps encouraged by her bravado, the other kids slowly shed their fear and ran over to help her take him on.

The field instantly erupted with energy.

He looked down at her, then suddenly feinted a kick. Sylvia lunged for it.

It was a fake. She couldn’t stop her momentum and tumbled right into his arms. Without missing a beat, he caught her, spun around, and sent the ball flying with a powerful kick.

Tucked securely in his embrace, Sylvia felt the wind rush past her ears. She sensed the force of his movement, and for a split second, it felt as if they had merged into one. The thrill of the goal coursed through her body.

The soccer ball spun rapidly, rocketing toward the net.

The boy playing goalie was stunned, unable to react in time as the ball sailed over his head and hit the back of the net.

“We scored!” Sylvia shouted, throwing her arms around his shoulders in celebration.