“I’m starving.” Now that the game is over and my nerves have dissolved, my appetite has rushed back to fill the void. Not wanting to be weighed down on the field, I never eat much before a game. Maybe a protein bar for energy. With the match behind us, my empty belly grumbles, searching for sustenance.
“Looks like Brayden stuck around,” Demi says, knocking me from my thoughts of food.
My head snaps up and my surprised gaze locks on his dark one. Awareness scuttles down my spine, making every nerve ending crackle with energy. “What’s he doing here?”
“He was in the stands the entire time, watching with Rowan and Dad. I thought you realized it.”
He was?
During a game, my world shrinks to the size of the field. I don’t want any distractions. Especially when the other team’s fans start chirping.
Why would Brayden bother?
There’s no way he’s interested in women’s soccer.
The more distance that gets eaten up between us, the faster my heart thumps beneath my rib cage. The way Brayden’s gaze stays pinned to mine makes everything inside me riot almost painfully. I draw in a deep breath, attempting to stomp out the attraction that has flared to life.
After our sketching session the other day, I’ve gone to great lengths to avoid being near him. It hasn’t been easy. It feels like everywhere I go, there he is, bombarding my senses and attempting to scale my walls.
I have to remind myself that this is all a big façade. We might be trying to fool everyone else, but I can’t allow myself to be tricked into believing this is anything more than a pretense. No matter how attracted I am to him.
As soon as we reach the guys, Coach pulls Demi into a hug and congratulates her for a hard-fought game. Then he does the same with me. I’ve known Nick Richards since freshman year. He’s an amazing father and they have a close relationship. My guess is that he’s somewhere in his mid-forties. And he’s not bad looking for an older dude, either. That thought always brings a smile to my lips, because Demi hates when I talk about him being a hot, divorced daddy, which only makes me want to tease her more.
As soon as Coach releases me, Brayden wraps his arm around my shoulders and tugs me close before pressing a kiss against the crown of my head. “That was an awesome game. You killed it out there.”
His praise shouldn’t mean anything. Brayden doesn’t know the first thing about soccer. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me to learn that this was the first game he’s ever sat through. And yet, knowing all this, it doesn’t stop the warmth from blooming in my chest before radiating outward.
I clear my throat and tamp down all of the unwanted sensations that are attempting to break through to the surface. “Thanks.”
“I’m excited to check out the next one.” There’s a pause. “It’s a week from today, right?”
Umm...what?
I tilt my head to meet his dark gaze before sifting through it carefully. I can’t tell if the question is for show or if he actually means it.
“All right guys, I’ve got to head back to the office. I have a few recruiting calls to make before I wrap up for the night.” Coach draws Demi in for one last quick hug before taking off with a wave.
“I bet you two are famished,” Rowan says. “We should grab something to eat.”
Spending more time with Brayden sounds like a disastrous idea. It’s only been a week and already something unidentifiable has shifted in our relationship. I’m not entirely sure what it means, but it’s enough to leave me rattled. Until I have a better handle on my emotions where he’s concerned, it’s probably best if I keep my distance.
“Does that sound like a plan?” Rowan asks when I remain silent.
I shake my head. “Sorry, I don’t think—”
“Oh, come on, babe,” Brayden wheedles, pressing me against his chest until I’m inundated with the spicy scent of his aftershave. It wraps slyly around me, cocooning my better judgment, making it impossible to think. “You worked hard out there. It’s important to replenish and refuel.”
With a frown, Demi cocks her head. “What happened to being famished? Isn’t that what you said when we were walking out of the locker room?”
Damnit.
I should have kept my big mouth shut. But how was I supposed to know that Brayden would be waiting, or Rowan would suggest a late dinner?
“It’s just that I have an assignment to finish up for tomorrow. I want to make sure there’s enough time to get it done,” I mumble, pulling the lie out of my ass like a magic trick.
“Don’t worry, we’ll make it quick,” Brayden says easily. “I’ll even help you with it afterward.”
Hell, no.
That’s the last thing I need.
The lines of our relationship have already blurred more than I’m comfortable with. I need to take a giant step back and get some perspective. Not that I’m in any danger of falling for Brayden, but still...
Stranger things have happened. The guy is to be avoided at all costs. He’s nothing more than a heartbreaker. Take Kira, for example. Once upon a time, she probably had her head on straight. Now look at her. She’s obsessed. There is no way I’d ever allow myself to become so crazy over a guy.
All right...I can admit that I’m physically attracted to him, but it’s nothing more than that.
“Are we doing this or what?” Rowan asks, gaze bouncing curiously between us.
“Yup,” my fake boyfriend cuts in, beating me to an answer and locking in this impromptu date, “let’s meet up at the diner.”
As soon as it’s agreed upon, Demi and Rowan take off through the parking lot. Now that I’ve been left alone with Brayden, a burst of unwanted nerves explodes in my belly like a firework.
I stare after the couple with longing before muttering, “Is there a reason we can’t all drive over together?”
He points to a shiny, black F-150 a few rows over. “My truck is right there. We’ll just take that. It’ll be easier.”
For whom?
Whom, exactly, will this be easier for?
Not me.
I glance over my shoulder and realize with a sinking heart that my roommate and her boyfriend have already disappeared through the swirling darkness. I’ve been left to my own devices with Brayden. It’s precisely where I didn’t want to find myself. “We should all stick together.”
With his arm wrapped around my body, he propels me toward the truck. “What’s the matter? Are you afraid to be alone with me?”
I stiffen. “What? Of course not.” One hundred percent. I am scared to death to be with him. He rouses feelings inside me that I’m not entirely comfortable with.
“Good, because I like spending time with you.”
What?
I don’t think I could be more shocked if he slammed me upside the head with a two-by-four.
Stunned by the admission, I slant a look in his direction. “You do?”
He unleashes a smile. It’s one that has the potential to send panties dropping all over campus. “Yeah. You’re smart and have a great sense of humor. You might find this difficult to believe, but I enjoy your wicked tongue. Not to mention, you’re one hell of a soccer player. Even though this was my first game, I was pleasantly surprised to discover how fast paced and exciting it was.” There’s a pause before he tacks on, “You were pretty amazing out there.”
For the second time in a matter of minutes, something warm fights to break free beneath my chest cavity. Only this time, I find it impossible to completely stomp out the unwelcome sensation.
“Thanks.” My head spins with all these unsolicited compliments.
“Just stating facts,” he says with an easy lift of his shoulder. “Rowan mentioned that Demi will probably try out for one of the professional soccer teams after graduation.” He clicks the key fob before pulling open the passenger side door. “Is that something you’re considering, too?” There’s a beat of silence before he tacks on, “You didn’t mention it the other day.”
&n
bsp; I shake my head. “No, I’m not good enough to play at that level.”
Once I slide inside, his gaze stays pinned to mine as he loiters near the door. “You could have fooled me. It was difficult to take my eyes off you.”
The heat he kindled to life is becoming more of a flame, radiating dangerously to other parts of my body. “I appreciate what you’re saying, but you just admitted that you’ve never watched a game. You don’t know anything about soccer,” I mutter.
“True,” he says easily in agreement. “But I watched you dominate and shut down their offense.”
My mouth dries. When I fail to respond, he seals me inside his truck before walking around the front to the driver’s side and settling beside me. A moment later, the engine roars to life and he’s pulling out of the parking lot and into traffic. I shift, attempting to put as much distance between us as possible. Brayden is tall and muscular, easily taking up his side of the seat. I’m absurdly aware of him on every level. The more time we spend together, the more attuned I become to his presence. It’s a strange sensation. It used to be so much easier to ignore and push to the outer recesses of my mind. That no longer feels possible. I find my thoughts turning to him even when we’re not together. My stance is starting to soften when it comes to Brayden. Not only is that dangerous, it’s unwise.
“There’s such a serious expression on your face,” he says, interrupting the whirl of my thoughts. “What are you thinking about?”
I blink away the disturbing realization and reluctantly glance at him. There’s no way I can reveal the truth. Do you have any idea what he would do with that?
Even the thought is enough to scare the hell out of me.
“I’m, ah, just going over the game in my head. The mistakes I made. What I need to work on and correct.” It doesn’t escape me that the lie I’m forcing from my lips is exactly what I should be focused on. Instead, Brayden dominates all of my head space.
And that’s a problem.
I need to do something about it before it spins any further out of control. This feels like a barely-contained fire. If I make one wrong move, I’ll get burned alive.
By the time we reach the diner, I’ve given myself a stern talking to. I’m determined to reinforce the walls I’ve always kept in place when it comes to him. I can admit that Brayden isn’t the asshole I originally suspected, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t a player. By his own admission, the guy doesn’t date, he sleeps around.
A lot.
Chasing after the high-profile athletes on campus has never been my thing. Those are the guys I’ve made it a point to steer clear of. I know better than to fall for a player.
Especially when this is nothing more than a farce.
Can you imagine how pathetic that would make me?
I refuse to dwell on the answer.
Brayden holds open the door to the diner as we head inside. I give him a little side-eye in surprise. So far, he’s held open both the car and restaurant doors for me.
He’s laying it on a bit thick, isn’t he?
In addition to playing the part of boyfriend, he’s now also pretending to be the perfect gentleman?
A wide smile spreads across his face before he leans close and whispers, “You might find this difficult to believe, but I wasn’t raised by wolves. My parents did attempt to instill a few manners in me.”
I snort and say sweetly, “Let me guess, you always make sure to dispose of the condom afterward?”
His eyes spark with humor as his shoulders shake with silent laughter. “Yup, every time.” Somehow, he manages to get close enough for his warm breath to drift across the delicate shell of my outer ear. It sends an unwanted flood of sensation skittering down my spine. “FYI, I’m extremely considerate in that department. I have a strict ladies-first rule in the bedroom. You should try it out. It comes with a hundred percent guarantee. If that’s not enough to sway you, just check out my Yelp reviews. I’m extremely highly rated.”
I roll my eyes with abandon. As much as I’m loath to admit it, our playful banter is one of the things I’ve come to enjoy. For obvious reasons, I won’t be disclosing that to him. It would only encourage him, and that’s the last thing I want to do.
Demi and Rowan are already waiting in a booth. My step stutters when I realize that they’re sitting on the same side of the table.
Ugh.
These two.
It’s beginning to feel as if everyone is conspiring against me, including my own roommate.
Brayden waves his hand with a flourish at the red vinyl seat. “Ladies first.”
I narrow my eyes, knowing full well that he’s not alluding to taking a seat. The guy means something else entirely.
A delighted grin simmers around the corners of his lips as I slide onto the vinyl. As soon as my ass hits the red cushioned material, he drops next to me, sitting so close that his thigh presses against mine. Since we’re both wearing shorts, our bare flesh is forced together. If it were possible to scoot over further, I would, but there’s nowhere for me to go. I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Don’t ask which one is which. At this point, not even I’m sure.
A waitress arrives, bringing us four glasses of water before writing down our order. Thankfully, it’s not the one from Sunday morning. I don’t think I could deal with her fangirling over Brayden for a second time. Once was more than enough.
Since I’m starving, I order a burger and fries. Normally, I try to eat healthily, but after all the energy I expended on the field, I’m treating myself. A burger and cheese fries will do the trick rather nicely. Both Rowan and Demi order the same.
For the next ten minutes, we rehash a couple of the plays and then discuss the other team. USC had a lot of good players, ones who will probably go on to play professionally. A couple of them have already signed contracts for the following season. It’s pretty cool to play against and hold my own with women who will end up in the NWSL.
By the time the waitress returns with a tray loaded down with food, my stomach is in the process of consuming its own lining. After she finishes passing out the plates, I realize Brayden didn’t order anything to eat.
“Aren’t you hungry?” I grew up with four brothers who had big appetites. If it wasn’t nailed down, they shoved it in their mouths. In our house, there was no saving something for later. You ate it now or accepted that it would most likely be gone in the not-so-distant future.
“Nah.” One side of his mouth quirks. “I’ll just share with you.”
My brows skyrocket as I shake my head. “Yeah, sorry—that’s not going to happen.” I plan on devouring every last bite. Brayden is in for a rude awakening if he thinks I’m one of those dainty females who picks at her food and barely consumes anything. I can chow down with the best of them.
He angles his body toward mine, stretching his arm across the back of the seat in the process. When his fingers gently strum my shoulder, goose bumps rise in their wake. No matter how much I attempt to steel myself against the surge of excitement invading my body, it’s a losing battle.
“Are you cold?” Concern flashes in his eyes. Before I can respond, he yanks off his sweatshirt and drags it over my head, grabbing my arms and thrusting them through the holes like I’m a small child. Then he pulls the soft, cottony material down until my head pops through the neck hole. “Is that better?”
“Yeah,” I mumble, “it is. Thanks.”
“No problem.” The arm that had been resting against the back of the bench drops onto my shoulders, dragging me closer. “Anything for my girl.”
Pleasure rushes through my veins. I suck in a deep breath, attempting to steady everything careening dangerously inside me. Instead, it has the opposite effect as I inhale a lungful of Brayden. His masculine scent surrounds me, inundating every fiber of my being until I’m dizzy with the sensation.
Unaware of my turbulent state, he picks up a fry and holds it to my lips. My gaze widens, locking helplessly on his.
When my lips remain pressed together, he whispers, “Open up.”
I take a quick peek across the table only to find Demi and Rowan wrapped up in their own conversation. They’re not paying the slightest bit of attention to us. Brayden’s gaze drops to my mouth and combustible energy ignites within me. Any moment it’s going to explode. As he holds the slim cut of potato to the seam of my lips, prodding it gently, I realize there’s nothing I can do that won’t cause a scene.
“Sydney,” he growls. The low vibration of his voice does strange things to my insides and has me snapping to attention. Once my lips part, Brayden pushes the fry inside my mouth until it disappears. As I chew, my gaze never deviates from his. Glancing away isn’t an option. He picks up another fry and pops it into his own mouth.
This continues for about five minutes. Nerves dance in the pit of my belly as he takes it upon himself to feed me. There’s something surprisingly intimate about the process. As much as my mind is screaming for me to snap out of this strange paralysis, I can’t. And I would be lying through my teeth if I didn’t admit to enjoying the way his fingers stroke against my flesh with each piece of food that I take from him.
What’s happening here is dangerous and yet I can’t seem to put a stop to it.
“You two are so cute,” Demi says. Her voice is what finally jerks me from my immobility. Instead of being thankful for the timely interruption, disappointment floods through me. “It’s funny,” she continues, “not in a million years did I ever see this coming.”
I glance at Brayden to get a read on his reaction. There is no way I’m going to touch that comment with a ten-foot pole. His dark eyes seem near black as arousal engulfs his irises. “You know what they say—the line between love and hate is thin.”
Demi’s eyes widen before bouncing between us. “That’s exactly what Sydney said.”
He smirks, gaze latching onto mine. “I’m sure she did.”
It takes effort to swallow down the rest of my fry before focusing my attention on the plate in front of me. My appetite has pulled a vanishing act, leaving behind a strange ache in its place. One that food won’t be able to fill.
Campus Heartthrob (The Campus Series Book 2) Page 12
