Page 18

F or the first time in fifteen years of playing the sport I love, I was just ejected from a game, disobeyed my coach’s direct orders and deserted my team. After doing the first I had no intention of adding on the latter, but once showered and dressed, I couldn’t walk back out there and see the disappointment on all their faces and pretend I was sorry when not for one second did I regret what I did to anyone … except for Lotte. That’s why I am here.

Taking note of the many benefits of being tall. Like right now, as Lotte and I balance on the knife’s edge between fight and fuck, I can see her perfect breasts - and I bet - pretty pink nipples straining against her sweater. I long to slip my hand beneath her top, run my fingers over each knot in her spine then free her tits from her naughty little bra.

“This isn’t fair, Noah. You can’t want me only because someone else does.”

I nuzzle closer, breathe her in. “That’s not why I want you.”

“Are you sure?” she whispers, grinding back ever so slightly for a brief second. It’s the best kind of torture I want to submit to.

“Never been surer.” I dart out my tongue, licking the shell of her ear and almost come to the sound of the soft little whimper that leaves her parted lips. “I want you because you’re sexy, and smart and so fucking beautiful it hurts to breath whenever I’m around you.”

Lotte slides her hand up over my biceps and shoulders then threads her hand into my hair.

“Noah” It’s a moan so soft and sweet and sexy, that I’m instantly addicted. There’s a tiny part of me, though. A jealous, insecure fuck- knuckle of a part that can’t leave it alone. That wonders … Did she make these noises with Ryan?

I softly kiss her shoulder as she melts into me, her bottom rolling over me, creating the friction we both desperately need. “Will you let me show you how much I want you, Little D? Let me taste you like he did?” The stupid, stupid words are out before I can stop them, and Instantly, I know I’ve fucked up.

“What?” She thrusts her hips forward, then slam back. Her coccyx or hip or something really hard and bony, connects with my cock and I double over in pain.

“Ooofff. Fuck.”

“How dare you, you … you… God. You’re just like everyone else.” I’m still on my haunches as she unties, pulls off her skates then tosses them. One hits the tip of my big toe, dropping me to my knees.

“Owww, fuck, Lotte. Wait. I’m not. I swear.”

“You are. In fact you’re worse because you made me like you more than I have ever liked anybody, and that is cruel. God, I’m such an idiot.”

From my position on the floor, I watch her run into a little booth, grab her backpack and disappear out the sliding doors and into the dark.

“Fuck. Why do I keep saying dumb shit around this girl?” I chastise myself as I climb to my feet, grab the skates that I hope didn’t cost me my balls, and hobble after her. There’s no sign of her in the parking lot, but from the corner of my eye I see a flash of light. I follow it, and there she is, trying to hide behind a tree. Through the dark night I can see the stretching of her neck and the wringing of her hands. I hate that I’ve done this to her, and take off in such a rush my hip slams into the one car parked in the middle of the lot, setting off its alarm. Startled, she jumps, looks over her shoulder, and takes off.

“Lotte, please stop.”

“No. I can’t. I can’t deal with this.”

“Please, Lotte. I can see you’re struggling. Please let me drive you home. Let me help you.”

Aided by slipper foliage, she spins, streetlight catching her beautiful face that’s flushed, contorting with tics, and awash with tears. “Look at me, Noah. Don’t … don’t you think you’ve done enough?”

For a split second I think yes. Maybe I have. But I know I can do better. I know I can.

“No. No I don’t. I know I keep fucking up, but it’s because I’m a dude and I’m dumb and I’m crazy about you. You’re so deep under my skin I don’t know where I end and you begin.”

Lotte sucks her lip between her teeth and chews. “Noah, you hardly know me.”

“I don’t agree.” I say, daring to step that little bit closer. “For some reason I think I was born knowing you Lotte. I just need to make you believe that, too.”

Tossing her head back, she releases a wholly unconvincing, ironic chuckle that contradicts the fear in her eyes, “And how do you plan to do that?”

“Let me take you on a date. Right now. Let’s just get in my car and drive. I’ll take you anywhere you want. Please. Lotte. Give me a chance.”

“A date?” Suspicious, but curious, she pauses to consider. “But … what about Claire? She won’t be happy, and I don’t want to risk our friendship. Not when she’s the only one I have.”

“Let me worry about Claire.” I edge forward again, holding out my hand and motion for her to do the same. When she does, I breathe a little easier, take it and pull her against me where she belongs. “And she’s not your only friend. You have Quinn, and Brady too. Whether you decide to give me a chance at more, or we stay the way we are now, I’ll always be your friend Lotte. I’m here and I’m not going anywhere.”

She chews her lip again, then shakes out her hands. She’s been wringing them so tight, the skin between her fingers looks like it may bleed. “I can’t go on a date with you, Noah—”

“Lotte—”

“Not tonight anyway. I have too much to do.”

“Too much to do? It’s after eleven. What exactly is it that you have to do?”

Anger crosses her cute little face, and I’m forced to hold in my laughter. “Well Mr. Nosy Pants, this may come as a shock, but I have things outside of you and whatever little game this is that you’re playing. For instance, there are fifty meals to be cooked, or at least prepared to cook, and I don’t have time for—”

“Let me help!” I yell, bouncing on my feet. “I’m a great cook.” I’m not a great cook. “And I’m tall too, so I can reach stuff … and …. bend … low.” Stubbornly fighting the smile that’s twitching at the corners of her lips, Lotte watches me demonstrate the bending. Did I angle so my pert hockey ass was pointing right at her? Yes. Yes I did.

“Reaching and bending aren’t really required for this dish, but thanks for the offer.” She flicks her hair over her shoulder, turns and begins to walk away, but rain begins to fall and it’s not a light drizzle. She’ll be soaked before she reaches the end of the street.

Hmm.

With the weather on my side, I force the image of peeling a wet Lotte out of her tight little shirt out of my head and try again. “At least let me drive you home.”

Twelve whole chickens and three beef pot roasts are squeezed into the shelves of Lotte’s otherwise barren refrigerator.

“Wow. You really did have to cook?” I don’t mean for it to come out like an accusation, but it does.

“What, you thought I was lying?” Lotte snaps, her tone dripping in annoyance. She’s in her room, changing out the soaked clothes that clung to her damp body, that tormented me on the drive home. I pull my head, and a tray of meat from the fridge, place it on the bench.

“A little bit, yeah. You were pretty mad at me,” I reply.

“Am pretty mad at you,” she corrects. “But I decided the best way to punish you is to force you into ripping the skin from various chickens. I always hate that part.”

Chicken or not, the mention of skin and punishment lures me from the kitchen, and when I reach the edge of the lounge, I have a clear view to her bedroom. There’s a slight crack in the door, and when I lean against the door jamb there’s just enough space to allow me a glimpse of soft, milky white side boob and a lovely, rounded belly. The urge to barge in there before her pink pajamas slide over her head and hide them from view has my hands shaking.Do I or don’t I?

“Potatoes.” Fuck! Lotte’s voice scares the shit of me. I jolt, my hand slides up and my head slaps into the wall. “Noah?”

“Ahh, yep I’m here. Just … looking for the bathroom.”

“Third door on the right. Make sure you can wash your hands, then start on the potatoes.” She rips open the door and slams straight into my chest. Her boobs squish into me and her hands fall onto my pecs, and she totally cops a feel. For the second time tonight, Lotte is pressed against me.

“I thought I had to de-skin the birds,” I ask, slipping my hands up the outside of her things, to tug and play with the pompom lining the hem of her top.

“You can start with the potatoes and work your way up. Not sure I trust you with my giblets.”

“Lotte, if there’s one thing I can guarantee is that no one can handle your giblets like I can. Nice pajamas, by the way. Is that …?”

She seems to be having trouble speaking. And breathing, but manages to eke out, “My Little Pony? Yes.”

“Nice. Very sex—” My words are cut off by Lotte’s lips slamming into mine. They’re soft and sweet and part as she hums, running her hands up my arms, and up and tugs the hair at the nape of my neck, while mine drop and hang uselessly at my side.

I don’t react. I can’t. I’m scared if I move or blink or plunge my tongue into her mouth like I want to, she’ll run.

“Noah.” That moan changes it all, sending a bolt of need to my cock and forcing my eyes open. I pull back, find her looking up at me through fluttering lashes. Fluttering, not blinking.

“Fuck, Lotte. I want to kiss you some more, Really badly. Would that be—” She’s on me again, wrapping both arms around my neck and pulling me down. The brief restraint I held disappears as she kicks the door with the back of her foot and drags me into her room. I bend lower, gliding my hands down her back, finding the plump ass that keeps me awake at night and squeezing. They linger there for a moment, making themselves at home before I slide them to the back of her thighs, I scoop her up.

On a whimper, she wraps her legs around my waist then bites my bottom lip. “You’re a good kisser. Will you show me what else you are good at?”

I can’t help the laugh that bursts out of me. “And here I was thinking you were a good girl.”

She quivers in my arms, tosses her head back and I watch in awe as her golden hair tumbles free. “Please lay on top call me a good girl again.”

Who am I to say no?