Page 21 of Runaway Girl
“There’s a whole list, love.”Gonna have to be more specific.
“Why are you starting shit with your teammates? You’re already playing like shit, and now this?”
Alicia started pacing, her heated rants mixing with the condensation of the bathroom. She was so caught up in her ramblings that she didn’t notice me stalking forward.
“You need to get help or something, Ethan. Get your head checked before you lose everything.”
“I already have.”
She yelped at my sudden proximity, and that’s when I made my power move and dropped the towel.
Alicia’s eyes gaped wide as she catalogued every single inch of my body, hooking on my rock-hard dick. I also didn’t miss the way her tongue peeked out to wet her bottom lip.
I groaned.She is going to kill me.
“Wh—what are you doing?” she stammered.
“Taking advantage of my assets.”
I stepped closer, but she held up a hand and closed her eyes. I stopped dead, not wanting to override her request, even though I knew I could.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I didn’t mean to objectify you.”
I leant forward until my lips were an inch away from hers. “That’s disappointing since that’s all I want. Objectify me, love.Use me. I was made for you.”
Her presence was driving me crazy. She was so close,so near, I couldn’t think straight.
“I—I can’t do this,” she whispered, her words rushed and laced with pain.
My heart fell right out of my ass as she abruptly turned her back on me. But before she could race out the door, I caught her hand. I didn’t mean to touch her, but I didn’t want Alicia to leave like that, upset at my advances.
She was trembling, her fingers shaking in mine.
My neck lowered in shame, my nose sinking into the back of her hair, inadvertently soaking in her signature fragrance that I fucking dreamt about.
“I fucked up bad with you, huh?” I murmured into the loose strands. “But trust me, I’m paying for it now. Since I lost you, I’ve had to work through some heavy self-reflection, and let’s just say I don’t like the person I’ve become. I took you for granted, Ali, butI can’t live without you.”
My lips decided to skim down her neck. I wanted my words to seal into her flesh, to sink into the very marrow of her bones.
“Destroying us has been the single worst mistake I have ever made. Fuck football. Fuck the sponsors. Fuck the deals. None of it matters if I don’t have you.”
Alicia gasped as goosebumps peppered her skin. But she remained still and silent.
“I know all these realisations are coming too late, but I’m not opposed to begging… Don’t go to dinner with him, Ali. Stay with me,please.”
Alicia cleared her throat. “It’s not how it sounds. It’s a business meeting, notdinner.”
“I’m serious, love. I don’t trust him with you. This isn’t the asshole pro league player talking. This is me, therealEthan.”
“I don’t know anymore. Before, I would have taken your word seriously. But you cut me down and out so fast. I’m still recovering. Who evenisthe real you?”
“Thisis the real me. I lost my way, but I’m willing to do anything to get back to us.”
“Us? There is nous. When are you going to accept that?”
“Never. I’ll never accept that.”
Fortifying her resolve, Alicia inhaled a deep breath, then walked out, leaving me naked, exposed and alone.
