Page 114 of Disobedient Pawn

“Good to know.” I hated the jealousy burning inside of me. “So, who was it then?”

Myles cleared his throat.

“It was Vicky’s friend Raquel.”

I scrunched my face up like I’d just sucked on a lemon. I wish he hadn’t been quite so honest, but I guess it was better to know.

“Yeah, no worries. I make that face when she sits at the table too.” I laughed at that.

“Are ya worried?”

“Technically, we’re not together, so I’m not sure I have a right to be worried or pissed about anything, but it’s better to know the odds before making decisions.”

“Stop.” Myles cupped my face again. “I’m not a calculus equation ya need to solve.” He kissed my lips softly and stared into my eyes for what seemed like forever. “I want ya. I have from the first second I laid my eyes on ya, and don’t be trying to figure out when I’ll be leaving. That only starts us on negative energy.”

The sound of the whistle and the players giving one another high-fives yanked me out of my daydreaming. Shit, I could hardly remember what I was watching. He was number five, and I’d seen him run up and down the gym and toss a ball to other players, but that was about it. I hoped he wasn’t about to quiz me.

The coach dismissed the group, and Myles peeled away. I figured he’d head to the locker room, but he ran right to the bleachers.

“Oh my god, he’s coming this way,” the girl a couple of rows down sounded like she was about to faint.

Myles ran up the bleachers taking them two at a time, and stopped one row down from me. He peeled off his helmet, and it was like I had stepped into a commercial as he ran his hand through his wet hair.

He was saying something, but I hadn’t heard a single word as my mind played that image on a loop in my brain.

“Snowflake?”

“Hmm? Yeah?”

“Did ya hear what I asked ya?”

It felt like all eyes were on us, and it was way too warm.

“Umm, no…” Myles smiled wide, then leaned over, and I quickly moved away. “Get away. You’re disgustingly sweaty.”

Being on the top row had one distinct disadvantage, a wall behind me, and Myles only stopped moving when he was hovering over my lips.

“When I get ya naked, we’re gonna be far sweatier.”

Everyone within earshot just heard that, and embarrassment flared in my stomach, but it was quickly squashed as he nipped at my bottom lip. I gasped and opened my mouth. That was all the invitation he needed. His lips were warm against mine. I’d never dreamed that kissing someone would make me feel this fuzzy all over like a charge was under my skin, but not in a bad way.

He broke the kiss the same way it started, by nipping my bottom lip.

“I’m going to get showered and changed. Then we’ll get dinner. I won’t be long.”

Turning, he sprinted down the stairs as fast as he came up, and I didn’t take my eyes off him until he disappeared.

Only then did I realize that all eyes really were on me and even a couple of phones. I looked around, and everyone quickly turned away, pretending they weren’t watching except the two girls. They looked to be in as much shock as I felt.

I’d never wanted to be the center of attention, and I definitely didn’t care if I was dating the popular guy. Dating hadn’t been on my radar besides Rylan, but he’d shown what an asshat he was. As the smile pulled at the corner of my mouth, it felt good not to be laughed at for a change.

DECEMBER 13 – TUESDAY 12:00 PM

Nash

Mrs. Grey paused at the end of the desk, a handful of assignment results in her hand. She gave me her usual evil eye, and I gave her the same passive look I always did in return. She was a tough teacher. I’d learned that her parents were part of the Russian mafia, low-level but loyal. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately for her, they were killed when she was in her twenties. She lost all clout and ended up teaching at her alma mater.

“She’s a good influence on you, Collier, best mark you’ve ever had,” Mrs. Grey said, placing my assignment in front of me.