Five

by Christie Rich

  “Do you like football?” Zach yelled over the din of the crowd.

  He had arrived on time with a single red rose and a winning smile. Cassie had been enamored the moment she laid eyes on all six-foot-five, two-hundred-thirty-pounds of pure muscle of him. In all fairness, I couldn’t hold her ogling against her.

  “Cassie is the real fan,” I shouted back.

  When he looked over at her, his lips twitched into an amused smile. “I can see that.”

  Not to be outdone by anyone around us, she stood on the bench whooping and hollering so loudly I was sure my eardrums were splitting. There was no point in trying to sit down. Every person in the stadium was standing. Some of them did the wave. Others shouted ribald comments at the opposing team. Half of the group around us were drunk or well on their way.

  Turned out, the weather was fine, in fact, it was almost balmy now. Standing next to Zach, I was happy about that.

  The size of the stadium still had me gaping. I had no idea they could be this big. It housed more people than I had ever seen in my life. Last fall, I watched a few of the games with Cassie, trying to decide if I really wanted to come here. TV didn’t do the games justice. They really were fun in person. I laughed up at Zach and shrugged.

  An icy trickle hit my scalp, running down my hairline. I wiped it away. The sickening sweet smell of alcohol jolted my senses.

  Zach’s humorous expression morphed instantly into a scowl. He turned around and glared at the guy standing directly behind me, who was the most likely candidate as he was the only one waving his beer around while he laughed and shouted obscenities.

  Zach leaned toward the man. “Tone it down, you blooming sot.”

  The shirtless zealot banged his cup against his gold chest. “Who you calling a sot, douche-bag?” His expression turned from anger to confused concentration when he looked down at me. He might have been working on solving the mysteries of the universe for all I knew, but somehow I doubted him capable. After a moment of staring, he clutched a fistful of my hair hanging over my shoulder and pulled it, along with my head, toward the dark amber liquid in his other hand. “Whoa, your hair is the exact color of my brew.”

  Zach raised himself to his full height, grabbed the guy by his goatee and yanked hard. “You will apologize to the lady. Then you will find a different place to be.”

  The fight drained from the man’s features having been replaced by a bewildered look. “Sorry. I didn’t mean anything by it. I just haven’t seen hair that color before.”

  He must not have gotten out much. Cassie had always told me my hair had amazing honey highlights, but it didn’t look any different to me than anyone else with light brown hair. “It’s okay,” I said. “Beer’s good for the scalp, right?” I laughed nervously, wanting the intensity sizzling between the two men gone.

  Zach glanced at me then to the guy. “You’re a lucky suck,” he said, shoving him backward. “Get out of here.”

  The man stumbled away through the crowd, dazed. Zach turned back to me, his face as serene as a monk.

  “I wish you wouldn’t have done that,” I said near his ear. “He didn’t hurt me.” I balanced on my tiptoes to get closer. He needed to understand that I didn’t like him fighting over me.

  He frowned, running his fingers through his hair. “That idiot would have ruined our date, love.” Shaking his head, he reached out, tilting my chin toward him and up a little more. “I’m not willing to let someone like that keep us from having fun together.” He caressed my cheek gently, sending shivers through me. “He’s probably off clinging to a tree losing his lunch. I did him and the rest of us a favor.”

  I squinted at him, not sure what to think. Embarrassed, I glanced around. A few people were looking. “Well, I don’t like fighting.”

  He shrugged innocently. “Who does? I merely pointed out that he should be somewhere else.”

  I scanned the crowd for the man feeling absurdly guilty. He was already gone.

  Their call hit me before I saw them. My pulse raced. My gut clenched. My scar itched. My breath stuck in my throat. I stared, turned away, stared again.

  Didn’t change anything. The fab-four were still in the isle a few rows below us. Women all around me craned their necks, gawking in utter disbelief.

  A pretty girl who had been laughing and goofing around with her friends turned to watch Luke and ran right into Taylor. He looked down at her. Irritation radiating from him, he brushed her aside. From the look on her face, she would have gladly traded places with me. Oh, how I wished she would.

  They scanned the crowd again as though they were searching for someone specific. Uh, maybe me? I slumped lower, trying to disappear behind the guy in front of me.

  “What’s wrong?” Zach asked, bending toward me.

  I ducked even further, whispering, “See those four men?”

  He indicated some guys three rows down. I shook my head.

  “There.” I pointed at them, immediately regretting the gesture. I didn’t want to bring any attention to myself.

  “You mean the wannabes looking like they are the shi—”

  I reached up, swiftly covering his loud curse with my palm. “That is exactly who I meant.”

  His stubble tickled my skin as he smiled. Taking my hand gently into his, he exposed my wrist before he placed a lingering kiss where my pulse thumped wildly. Was my reaction to his touch or because those men were so close? His words were strong and sure. “They cannot harm you, lass. Not so long as I am near you.”

  I searched his unusual, mesmerizing eyes. “Why not?” There was no doubt hidden in shadow. A soothing sensation pulsated through me, wiping away my fear as if it had never existed.

  He grinned, and then his expression heated. He pulled me nearer.

  My heart beat violently. My breath came in shallow bursts. Blood rushed through my veins like the Colorado River in spring. All thought of danger fled my mind as he leaned in closer, his breath warm upon my skin.

  What was I doing? I didn’t even know this man, and I was going to let him kiss me?

  I wasn’t stupid. My eyelids fluttered down moments before his lips collided with mine, warm and soft. The scent of him sent my equilibrium on vacation as dizziness overwhelmed me. Well, maybe it was from lack of oxygen. I didn’t care. My body floated almost weightlessly as if the lightest breeze could have carried me away to heaven.

  A group of students erupted in cheers behind us. When he finally released me, I felt as if I was staring at him from opposing rims of the Grand Canyon instead of mere inches away. Giving me a roguish grin, he placed a steadying hand at the small of my back.

  Good thing, too. I could have easily fallen over.

  When I finally recovered, I blanched. The four lords stared straight at me, yet it was as if they couldn’t see me. I waved at Luke. He turned away. Either he was upset by the scene he just witnessed, or he hadn’t spotted me at all. Jett glanced back a couple times before he disappeared into the crowd. Man, that was close. I drew in a long breath.

  Maybe I had been wrong. Maybe they were after someone else. Heavens, I hoped so.

  Cassie gave me an odd look. I didn’t think she was jealous, but I couldn’t decide what she was trying to convey with her expression.

  Worried the lords would return, I was distracted through most of the game. Thankfully, I didn’t see them again.

  Zach kept me tucked securely by his side, whispering jokes in my ear. He even sang a few songs. It helped a little. He had a beautiful voice.

  Excitement erupted in the stadium near the end of the game when the opposing team intercepted the ball and made a touch-down. Even with that paltry attempt at a come-back, we won by twenty-four points. Cassie could hardly contain herself by the time we left.

  We met up with Natalie and Sam near the library. They were all smiles. From the secret glances they shared, I had a feeling they hadn’t actually caught much of the game.

  “Natalie, this is Cassie,” I said when I thought she fin
ally was ready to listen.

  Natalie’s gaze slid over my best friend briefly. “Hey, good to meet you.” With that out of the way, she turned her attention to me. “A bunch of us are getting together at Roger’s place. You guys want to come?”

  “Sounds good,” said Zach immediately. His eyes darted to mine as though it just hit him that he had spoken for me. He gave me a charming smile. “That is, if Rayla wants to go.”

  I had no idea if I had met Roger the other day or not. I shrugged. “How about it, Cass?” She was the one without a date.

  She gave me a peevish look that told me it was about time I thought about her predicament, and then turned toward Natalie. “Will there be any single men there?”

  I didn’t know why she was so mad at me. I couldn’t help it Zach hadn’t brought a date for her. I didn’t run the universe, and I didn’t know anyone to set her up with, either.

  “Sure, lots,” Natalie said. “In fact, you might like Roger. He’s a bit strange, but absolutely a hottie.”

  “Hey,” Sam complained.

  Natalie ran a seductive hand up Sam’s chest. “He doesn’t come close to comparing to you, babe.”

  His shoulders relaxed, but he didn’t lose the hurt in his eyes. “Well, as long as we’re clear?”

  She smiled sweetly for him. “As glacial water.”

  Zach was searching my face when I looked up. Was he worried I would think Roger was cuter than him? Like that could ever happen.

  “You mind if we ride with you, Sam?” Zach asked. “I don’t have enough room for both Rayla and Cassie on my bike.”

  Sam smiled. “No problem. Meet us in fifteen in the lot. I have to get a couple of things for Roger.”

  Natalie went with Sam. We started for the car.

  “I didn’t know you owned a bike,” I said to Zach, swallowing the lump of anxiety in my throat. I was not going to freak out…yet. “You wouldn’t be talking about a Schwinn, would you?” Motorcycles terrified me now, and it didn’t slip my notice that Zach easily fit the description of that mysterious rider or the man in the woods. The only thing that made me discount the notion was that as attractive as he was, which was more than yummy, he didn’t pull me toward him like a swirling black hole. I didn’t have to fight to be me.

  He gave me a curious expression. “I’ve never gotten that reaction before. Don’t you like motorcycles, Rayla?”

  “Sure, I do.” That was if they weren’t morphing into a demon mount bent on running me off the road. “I just hadn’t taken you for someone who would own a bike.”

  “Really?” He let out a gusty laugh. “What did you take me for?”

  Now that I thought about it, he was exactly the sort of guy I could picture racing the night on a hog. I improvised. “I don’t know—a sporty sedan or something.”

  He nudged me gently. “I won’t hold that blasphemy against you. Sedans are for wimps. I’ll take you for a ride sometime…” He waggled his eyebrows dramatically before continuing, “when we’re alone.”

  The image that came to my mind shot heat through my body. I could see myself neatly tucked behind him savoring the closeness, with my hair whipping about my face, as he sped away. I just wished the scene didn’t involve me screaming like a banshee, holding onto his torso with a death-grip.

  “I’m sorry to be tagging along tonight, Zach,” Cassie said. “I could go back to the dorm if you and Rayla want some time alone.” Her eyes were downcast, her shoulders slumped.

  Zach gave her a reassuring smile. “Don’t waste another thought even considering it. I’m the one crashing your party, not the other way around. I wish Derek were here; I would set you up in a heartbeat.”

  Cassie’s head snapped up. She was clearly intrigued. “Who’s he?”

  “My friend. I haven’t seen him in a while, but I think he would like you.”

  Her eyes glistened with hope. “Does he live around here?”

  I couldn’t help but wonder if Cassie’s eagerness to find a guy was so she would have an excuse to stay away from home. I couldn’t blame her. Her parents were nice, but they were also overbearing to the extreme, especially when her dad was home. He had become overprotective in the past few years. Every time Cassie met someone and became attached, the guy would suddenly lose interest. Cassie was convinced her dad was paying them off. I wasn’t so sure. Nigel Lambert could be intimidating any time he wanted to. I always thought he was just making sure his baby didn’t get involved with the wrong sort.

  “Afraid not,” Zach said, giving her a smile. “Don’t worry, though. You won’t have any trouble finding a boyfriend in this place. Give it some time.”

  I stepped in between them, turning to Zach, hoping to seize the opportunity before it vanished. I was trying to convince myself that I wasn’t at all jealous. “Where are you from, anyway?”

  “You name it,” he said with a laugh. “I’ve lived there.”

  That wasn’t an answer. “Where were you born?”

  His face tightened severely before he stopped dead in his tracks. One side of his mouth lifted into a smirk. “What’s this, twenty questions?”

  “I don’t know anything about you,” I said honestly. For all I knew he could be the guy that followed me here. What if he was? What if he had some kind of power over me? What if…I lost my train of thought when he took hold of my hand. He gave me a look so tender, guilt at thinking those things about him sizzled through me. Zach was great and kind, and I felt safe around him. Man, I was becoming paranoid.

  Cassie grunted. When I glanced at her, shadows danced behind her scrutinizing gaze. I could guess what she was thinking. Why was I on a date with someone I didn’t know very well? I had no answer to that question.

  Zach pulled me into motion. “I come from Ireland, if you must know. Most of family is there, but I haven’t been home in quite some time.”

  “Why not?” Cassie asked before I could, her gaze intent on Zach.

  “I pissed off my sister when I refused my inheritance. We haven’t spoken since.”

  “Oh,” I said. “I’m sorry.” Just what kind of messed-up birthright would compel him to refuse it? No wonder he didn’t want to talk about his past. “That must be awful.”

  He shrugged. “I hardly think about it anymore.”

  Zach led us to Sam’s car. I didn’t know college students could afford a brand new Mercedes. It was probably a graduation present. How would that be? Even Cassie had only gotten a Camry.

  Sam leaned against the driver side door with Natalie pressed tightly against him doing the usual. They were completely oblivious to the crowd of onlookers that had gathered. I should have suggested taking my car, but I didn’t want to subject myself to the ridicule.

  My beast was as long as a hummer, and nearly as boxy. I just wished it was half as cool. Not many people thought it was as great as I did. I loved the thing because it was once my Mom’s.