I force my face down, deadpan and blank. “Did you just call me anut?”
She giggles, a soft snort breaking loose. Immediately, her hand covers her mouth, another giggle following as she realizes the sound came out of her.
Her eyes twinkle as she looks up at me, lowering her hand and revealing two round cheeks painted the prettiest shades of pink. “I sure did. What are you going to do about it, nut boy?” Her tongue slowly wets her bottom lip, the smallest furrow forming between her brows.
“That’s got to be your worst insult yet.” I chuckle.
Her lips twitch, fighting her smile. “Shut up.”
I have the instinct to tell her to make me, but I refrain.
God, she looks good. But that’s the annoying part. She looks good in everything she wears. In a suit. In a sweatshirt or hoodie. Jeans. Joggers. There isn’t a thing this girl can’t pull off. And every new outfit seems to become my favorite.
Fuck. I’m losing my mind for her. And I’m getting really goddamn impatient. I want the Cup more than I want to breathe. Before it’s too late, I want to show my dad that I’ve achieved my dreams, ones he’s cheered on since the day I was born.
It never mattered what I wanted to be; he was there, my mom at his side, cheering me on. I’ve always wanted a love like theirs,unconditional and strong, able to withstand even the hardest storms. That’s what I want with Shay.
There’s no denying the way I feel about her. Even I can’t ignore it anymore. Clearly, the guys are noticing it too. I just want to know what’s holding her back because I know she feels it too. It’s clear in the way she looks at me, in the way her body responds to me whenever I’m near.
With a quick swipe, I steal her Snickers bar from its place, now tucked in her arm. I turn on my heel and race away, heading to the first sitting area I see—a lounge area with a cozy real fireplace.
“Hey! Wait!” she whisper-shouts after me. “Matt!”
Slamming to a halt next to the sitting area, I spin around fast, and she crashes right into my chest with a grunt. My arm’s around her instantly, securing her safely in place, her waist pinned to mine.
The room fades away, not a single noise, aside from the heaviness of our breaths. We’re both fit athletes who have good stamina. But I’ve never been more out of breath than I am right now with my fingers melting into her side and her eyes upturned and needy.
For a moment, everything in the world disappears. It’s just us, and right now, I think that’s all I’ll ever need.
Gradually, a millimeter at a time, I lower my head, dropping it to her forehead. I don’t care if someone sees us, and she’s not backing away either. Inhaling deeply, I shudder as her scent anchors itself to my heart.
“Shay.” My whisper falls to her lips, and she inhales it sharply with a trembling breath, her hands tightening on my arms.
Without a word, her head starts to shake, slower at first but picking up pace as she finds the will to step out of my embrace. “W-we can’t.”
My nostrils flare with an exhale, my brows pinching together as I step back and cross my arms, trying to put any barrier between us so I don’t break every rule. “I … I know, Shay. Fuck, I’m sorry. I can't help it when I’m around you sometimes. I can’tthinkclearly.”
Stepping toward me, she reaches her hand out, and my heart somersaults in my chest.
Yes,yes, touch me, anywhere you want.
“I’ll take that.” She purses her lips, smirking as she yanks the Snickers bar from my hand, which I completely forgot I was holding. “Thank you very much.”
“Rude,” I scold her. “Finders keepers.”
“Losers weepers,” she teases me like we’re two kids on a playground.
“Really?” I laugh. “Losers weepers? What are you, twelve?”
“Screw you, MacArthur.” Something about the way she says my last name has me wanting to drop to a knee and give it to her.
“That’s not a very nice way to speak to your subordinate,” I tease her, my gaze falling to the open buttons of her top.
She clears her throat, tearing my attention to her eyes, where I find her pupils blown and lids hooded. “Good night.”
Without another word, she storms past me to the elevators, and I follow her every step of the way. She angrily fingers the elevator button, crosses her arms, and taps her slipper on the tiled floor.
“Mind if I ride up with you?” I ask quietly, staring straight ahead at the metal doors. “Same floor.”
