Page 29 of Dangerous Play

IVY

Two months with him.

It was the perfect caption for the short video and intimate looking pictures I posted from our heated moment in the backyard. Technically, its been two months since the half marathon in July hence our anniversary and I wanted to stick to that story. I didn’t expect to fuel the name calling, but after the post and Daisy’s public tantrum walking on campus was painful.

Especially with Ander’s watchful eyes following me wherever I went. He didn’t dare approach me, but it didn’t stop him from further straining my relationship with Daisy.

But all of it faded away when I looked at the photo of Max and I that I used as a screensaver, just to annoy everyone who came close enough to me to see it. It was one of the twenty Derek took, and the intensity of our stares made desire pool in my stomach. We had scorching chemistry. But I was curious to see how it would feel to kiss him.

My body ached just by thinking of him.

I shouldn’t think about him in a sexual way or even in a remotely romantic way. It was strictly business. Nothing less, nothing more.

Yet, my body didn’t get the memo.

My phone pinged with an incoming message from Max with a blue heart emoji, and I glanced at it as I twirled in my chair, enjoying the dim light of the computer science lab. Data Mining was one of my new classes and it was looking to be a tough one, but I welcomed the challenge.

Max

What are you doing?

My afternoon practice is cut short as we have a game this Friday.

In the past days, we had exchanged couple of texts and went on a coffee and a lunch date during school hours, but I hadn’t slept over nor were we seen kissing. Max did however send flowers to my apartment making Kaia swoon over them and I even posted them on my socials. Tonight, was our first official date night, the one we planned to have every Thursday. Nerves knotted my stomach, and I quickly snatched my phone, opening his message.

Just finishing up my data mining homework.

Max

Data mining? I can’t even find a mining emoji.

That’s because you never use emojis.

Max

Now my most recent one is a green heart… thanks to what I needed to put next to your name.

I remembered the tantrum he threw when I told him I had to be called ‘Ivy’ in his phone with an emoji. He ended up naming me Blossom and added a green heart, despite my suggestion to use the pink one. Baby steps. He was a psycho who had everyone saved under their full name, and only Dex and Maddox had their nicknames, along with his parents.

You’ll survive. What’s the plan for today?

Max

It’s a date. It’s supposed to be a surprise. Wear something comfortable and come whenever you are done. I’ll be at home.

Giving my flowery dress and white Vans a once-over, I decided I’m dressed comfortably enough. I never would have dared wearing anything like this with Ander; he always encouraged very short shorts, skirts or dresses and crop tops.

I snapped a quick picture for Kaia and asked her opinion about my outfit.

K

No. No. No. Are you a granny? What is that knitted sweater? Absolutely not. Wear jeans and crop top.

I wore that on our coffee and lunch date. Literally that’s all I’ve been wearing around him.

K

At least ditch the sweater. I’m sure he will warm you up if you get cold.

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