Page 4

He cackles and stomps his feet, drawing the gaze of a few of the players on the court. I punch him in the arm. As I do, I notice Mr. Hooper turn our way. Our eyes meet from across the court, and I feel my heart leap into my throat. His eyes smolder, and for just a moment, I can almost feel him undressing me with his gaze. It’s probably in my head, but I like to think he is anyway because it somehow justifies how wet I’m getting. I give myself a quick shake and turn to Tony.

“Shut up,” I hiss. “You are enjoying this a little too much.”

“I really am.”

“I hate you.”

“No, you don’t.”

I laugh softly. “I do right now.”

Tony takes my hands and turns to me. “Girl, I know you love Kelsey, and she’s like your sister, but I can guarantee you she wants to see her dad happy. The man has not been with anybody since her mom died like, a thousand years ago?—”

“One, he is not that old,” I say with a grin. “Two, I know she wants to see him happy. I just don’t know if she wants to see him happy with me.”

“How can you possibly know that?”

“Because she literally asked me not to fuck her father.”

Tony winced. “Yeah, that seems pretty clear. So, why are you chasing this man if you know it’s going to piss Kelsey off?”

I shake my head. “I don’t know. It’s like … I’m drawn to him. He just has this gravity that pulls me to him?—”

“Yeah, that gravity has a name. It’s called lust.”

“It’s more than that,” I say with a frown. “I can’t really explain what it is, but it’s not just lust. I mean, yeah, I want to sleep with him. But it’s more than that.”

Tony whistles. “Oh, girl, you are in trouble. You’re in love with him.”

I shrug. “I don’t know if it’s love?—”

“I do. And it is.”

My belly churning, I swallow the lump that suddenly rose in my throat. Could Tony be right? Could I be in love with Mr. Hooper? I’ve always believed my crush on him was based on the physical. But could it be more? Could it be love?’

“Girl, the best thing you can do for yourself is to get away from him. Find somebody else to take that virginity you hold so dear,” he said. “If you don’t, Kelsey is not going to forgive you. Not after asking you not to screw daddy dearest. Put the coach in your rearview mirror and move on to somebody who’s more age-appropriate. And not your best friend’s daddy.”

Tony patted my knee, then got up and headed out of the gym, leaving me sitting there staring at Mr. Hooper, my mind and heart both spinning. Tony’s words are smart. And he’s probably right. But putting him in my rearview mirror is one of those things that’s easier said than done.

4

MARCUS

After practice, I got myself cleaned up, finished some paperwork in my office, and headed down to the student union to grab some coffee before heading home for the night. The sun had slipped below the horizon, casting the sky in the dark blue and purple shades of the oncoming night. Campus is a lot quieter in the evening, with most people taking earlier classes, which is something I enjoy. After spending all day in a gym with loud music and louder voices, I cherish the small bit of peace that settles over the campus when the sun goes down.

I hold the door for a couple of students who are coming out. They give me a quick thanks, and I slip into the union after them. The crowd is so sparse that I spot her the minute I set foot inside. The blood in my veins immediately begins to warm, and I have to fight to keep myself from getting hard standing there. Clearing my throat, I offer her a small smile and walk over to her table. She turns her startlingly blue eyes to me, her full, pillowy lips curling into a smile.

“You waiting for me?” I ask.

“Maybe.”

My chest tightens, as do my balls, as I stand here fighting off the waves of desire that are battering me. I want nothing more than to bend her over the table and sink my cock deep into her. I want to hear her moan and scream and feel her writhing against me. Instead, I run a hand through my hair and clear my throat.

“I saw you at practice earlier. And now you’re here,” I tell her. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were stalking me.”

“That’s because I am.”

I laugh. “Is that so?”