Page 81 of Under the Lights

Ripping my helmet off, I dropped it to the ground. I took the last few steps at a run and jumped onto the barrier, pulling myself up and twisting at the same time so that I could sit on the railing.

“Hey, Darlin’.”

“Hey,” she breathed, her eyes wide.

Holy shit, she was beautiful.Her heart-shaped face was framed by soft, golden blonde hair that cascaded in loose waves, catching the light with every subtle movement, and her skin was glowing.

“Show-off,” Ella muttered in the background.

“Fancy seeing you here. Miss me that much?”

Sierra scoffed, but there was no irritation in those blue depths. “What I didn’t want to miss was the chance to see you getting your ass kicked.”

I snorted. “In that case, sorry to disappoint.”

“No worries, I was compensated,” she shrugged, her eyes flickering down to my arms.

I smirked. “Ah, see something you like out there?”

“As a matter of fact, yes.” Exaggeratedly, she leaned to the side and peered out onto the field. “Would you mind introducing me to number—”

“I’d advise you to not finish that sentence, Darlin’.” My eyes were narrowed as she fixed me with a smirk.

“Orwhat?” she asked, her brows raised in challenge.

In a flash, my hand shot out and grabbed the back of her neck, pulling her head close. “Guess someone needs a reminder of who they belong to.” My lips captured hers in a punishing, feverish kiss, full of promise and longing.

My tongue plunged into her mouth, intent on purging every thought of other men from her mind. Her body submitted to me without a second thought as I greedily swallowed her moan, soaking up her scent and taste.

Breathless, I pulled back, smirking at the now slightly dazed expression on her face. “Yeah, you fucking missed me.”

“You’re delusional,” she panted, but there was no venom in her voice as her eyes searched my face. She was cracking, piece by piece.

“Gross,” Ella mumbled, without looking up from her phone.

“Yo, Kincaid. Coach wants us inside.”

Annoyed, I gave him a thumbs-up without taking my eyes off Sierra. “I’ll see you later,” I promised.

“Yeah, no. Don’t think so. I’m having girls’ night with your sister.” She shrugged, as though her pupils hadn’t widened at my words, as though she didn’t care.

Disappointment sank in my stomach like a fistful of stones. I forced a smile and nodded slowly. Then, I let go of her and jumped down from the railing.

“Don’t worry, Darlin’. I can wait. I’m real patient.” I pointed back and forth between us. “Go enjoy your night. Just don’t forget who’s waiting on the other side of it.”

Ignoring her scoff and eye roll — for her own good, really — I turned around to leave, took a couple of steps, and then thought better of it. I twisted back to face her, head cocked to the side.

“By the way, have I told you, you look pretty today? Because you absolutely do. Fucking stunning.”

Twenty Four

Sierra

“You cannotbe serious! Please, tell me you’re joking.” Choking on my drink, I was fanning myself, tears welling in my eyes while trying not to kill myself.

Ella shook her head somberly. “Wish I was.”

“So, let me get this straight — theonlydate you went on within the last six months that didn’t end up ghosting you was with a dude who was so fucking desperate to prove his serve was better than yours that he ended up smashing the racquet in his own fucking face?”

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