Page 5

I have never felt so embarrassed in my entire life as I am feeling right now. What was I thinking? Of course I am not the type of girl he goes for. I have a belly and I have thick thighs and I don’t have those long legs. His type is probably those girls who look like supermodels. With a perfect figure. Long legs, flat stomach, thigh gap. You know the list.

He holds my hands and pulls me closer to him, slides his arm around my waist and looks at me as if he wants to devour me right now, right here. And my heart is literally thumping out of my chest right now.

“I didn’t sleep with you because you were drunk. I don’t sleep with drunk women, Raven. I am at least that much of a gentleman.” I can’t take my eyes off his lips. I wonder what they would feel like on my body. I take in a sharp breath and he notices that.

He growls softly and his eyes fixate on my lips. “Don’t do that, Raven.” he says and suddenly I feel very mischievous.

“Don’t do what?” I slowly lick my lips and bite my bottom lip and I visibly see his eyes darken. From the blue you see in shallow waters to the one where the water dips deep. The beautiful dark ocean blue. I realise that ironically I am playing with fire right now.

He lets go of me and adjusts himself. And for some very weird reason, I feel disappointed.

He takes a deep breath in as if he’s trying to calculate what to say next. “You need my help and I need yours.” he turns to look at me.

“Why me?” I know why, because I am smart.

“Because…” He tucks a lock of my hair behind my ear and it sends chills down my body and a current to my pussy. “This way, we can help each other out. And I saw the books you carry. I know you are smart. Don’t act coy.” he tilts his head to the side and stares into my soul with those deep blue eyes of his.

“I will admit that I am smart. But I don’t have the time to tutor you, James.” He freezes for a second and I can see his expression go blank.

“Marcus. It’s Marcus.” He says looking at his feet.

“I like James better. I think it suits you more than Marcus.” I really do. I like the name James better than Marcus. Marcus feels…distant. Feels like he’s just some guy . But he’s not! No matter how much I hate American football, I cannot deny the fact that he is a part of the team, just because he’s an average player! Winston is known for their American football.

“Why?” he asks me with real curiosity in his eyes.

“Well, Marcus is a good name, but James sounds like a sweet and caring guy’s name. Not saying that you are any of those. But I don’t know why, James just suits you better than Marcus. If you don’t like it I won’t ca–”

“No. I like James.” he looks at me. His eyes twinkling.

“Are you crying?” He looks away and wipes away the tears in his eyes. Damn it! I can’t see people cry. And for some very weird and protective reason, I can’t see tears in his eyes. It makes my heart squish. “I’m sorry, if I offended you. I won’t ever call you James.”

He huffs and smiles. “I like James better. It just–”

I place my hand on his shoulder to console him and he flinches, flicking his gaze at me. “Please don’t cry. I can’t see you cry.” I say the second part subconsciously and he flashes me a small smile now.

“It reminds me of my mother.” he finishes. I don’t know anything about him or his family, all I know so far is that he plays football, the type of football which does not have a goalkeeper. But I want to know more. I want to know the reason for his tears. I want to pull him for a hug and tell him that everything is going to be okay and then I want to make everything okay.

“Your mother?” I say as I tap on his shoulder. He brings his hand to my face and runs his hand over my face under my left eye.

“You remind me of her.” he smiles for real this time and his smile is so warm that it fills my heart with joy. The way he is looking at me right now, is making me really happy when it shouldn’t.

I stay quiet, not knowing how to react. I can feel my heart thumping in my throat.

“I’ll tell you about her later. For now, let’s settle on a day when you can tutor me and then another day for the interview.” he pulls his hand off my face.

There is no way I am winning this, so I give in. “We can do both on the same day. It’s fine. I know you must have practice and all too. So, we can adjust.”

“No.” he protests immediately. “I mean…I am slow at learning. So, it will take me time to understand and learn and you won’t have enough time for the interview stuff. I have a lot of stuff that I want included in the article. You know, in case it makes the paper. It will be good for my image as a captain.”

I raise my eyebrow in suspicion. “What makes you think that I will write all good stuff about you? And wait, you are the captain?” he chuckles at that. And I immediately feel at ease now. He looks better this way.

“Yes, I am the captain, Raven. So please make me look good in the public eye.” he battles his eyelashes at me.

“I wouldn’t hold my breath.” I wave my hand at him and he laughs.

We eat dinner which I’d initially ordered for Justine and I. It was more than enough to feed four people. But we manage to finish everything. Athletes do eat a lot!

I walk James back to his car. We talked so much. He really loves to talk. And I didn’t mind listening to him. Okay fine, I liked listening to his story.

“So, I’ll see you next week then?” he says as he opens his door.

“Yep. I’ll be at your place. Don’t worry, I’ll text you before I come over, so you can finish up whatever you are doing.” I laugh to myself but he doesn’t. Okay. I guess that was not funny.

“You don’t have to worry about that.” he says as he closes his door. He starts his car and rolls his window down. “Good night, Raven.”

“Good night James.” I wave him as he drives off. A night well spent. Yes. I had fun tonight.

◆◆◆

I texted James before I left class that I was leaving to go to his place, but he still hasn’t responded. Now, I’m debating whether or not I should go into his house or just leave from here.

I get out of my car, lock it and head inside. I am immediately greeted by three huge and very handsome men. All of them are so gorgeous. So beautiful! And so buffed!!!

“You must be Riya.” The blonde and the biggest one comes and hugs me tight.

“Don’t be an asshole, George.” the one with the black hair shouts and George lets go of me. “Don’t mind him Riya. George can’t keep his hands to himself when he sees a beautiful woman.” I suppress a smile. “I’m Daniel. But you can call me Dan.” he offers his hand to shake. He’s the classic beauty. A total Prince charming beauty.

I shake his hand. “Hi Dan.” I smile at him.

“And that’s Siddharth.” he points at the other man standing in the kitchen stirring the pot. He smiles and waves at me. “Marcus is upstairs in his room. But I would not suggest going up there right now.” He presses his lips together as if he’s trying not to smile.

“Okay…” I take a seat on the couch. “Wouldn’t want to walk on something which is not PG-13.” I mumble.

“You want some pasta?” Siddharth asks me. I turn to look at him and he is flashing me the cutest smile ever. Hi wheatish complexion and matching brown eyes and frizzy hair make him look hot yet adorable.

I open my mouth to say no, but my stomach growls in protest. “Does it have seasoning other than salt and pepper?” I raise my eyebrow and everyone starts laughing.

“Good question.” George sits beside me and the leather couch sinks on his side.

“Yes. It does. Does it look like I would make white people food here, Riya?” he rolls his eyes and I can’t stop laughing looking at how offended George and Daniel are. Man he’s funny.

“I can grab a bite.” I flash a short smile. I am starving. And it doesn’t look like James is going to be done anytime soon.

“You fucker.” some woman shouts from upstairs. I can hear her heels clanking on every stair. “You don’t respond to my texts, and when I show up at your place, you don’t even want to fuck me and then I find this.” I hear her shout. I see George get up from next to me and make his way to the kitchen. Daniel is right behind him.

Dan is washing an onion and George is fighting with Siddharth to stir the pot.

I hear James. “I promised you nothing. It was all in your head. I never once mentioned that I liked you or anything. Fuck, I don’t even remember your name. Is it Betty? Bethany? Bianca?”

Ouch!

He didn’t have to be so mean to that girl. I can see her heels and all I see is legs. Until I can finally see her wearing the miniest mini leather skirt I have ever seen with a matching leather bralette.

“No, you didn’t. You just fucked me once. And then this whore.” She holds a red bra up. “And FYI my name is Melanie.” She throws a red lace bra at his face. I just stare down at my feet not trying to look at anyone or make it obvious that I am in here. “I was falling for you.” She caresses his face.

“I don’t do all that bullshit. And you knew that from the beginning.” Bullshit! He was pretty heartless there.

“Fuck you.” she slaps him hard and my eyes widen. Scared that Marcus might hit her back and I won’t stand that. Although, that girl didn’t have to hit him like that.

He doesn’t do anything. Instead he walks to the door and just stands there, indirectly telling her to leave.

“I’m sorry if I led you on.” His gaze lowers to the ground and his words catch me by surprise. What the fuck just happened?

“Goodbye Marcus.” She leaves crying. It is early January winter in Mass. It’s fucking freezing outside. And I did not see any other cars around their house. I hope that the girl doesn’t freeze herself to hypothermia.

James closes the door behind her and walks to the stairs to pick up the red lacy bra and then looks at me.

“Let’s go to my room.” he says with a tired look. I look at his friends who are in the kitchen who are not very surprised by whatever just happened. Their lips are pressed together and they are trying their best not to burst out into laughter.

“Um…Yeah. Sure.” I follow him up the stairs.

He stops midway and turns back. “Daniel, at least peel the onion before washing it.” he chuckles as if he wasn’t slapped a few minutes ago.

We reach his room and it’s all messy. The bedsheet is undone and the clothes are on the floor, the drawers are flooded open. And I give him the benefit of the doubt that the not-so-sweet lady trampled over his room.

“Sorry about the mess…” he exhales. I can see that his cheek is all red. The slap from earlier must be stinging bad!

“Sit here.” I tell him to sit on the bed and he listens to me. I gently graze my hand on his cheek and his eyes are fixed on mine. “Does it hurt?” I ask him.

He just smiles at me and nods.

“Stay here.” I run down to the kitchen and ask Dan for the ice pack. He and the boys make some fun about it and after making me listen to their entire slap count, he hands me the ice pack. I can’t believe that among these four men, they have been slapped 52 times. Daniel raking the highest amount of slaps, clocking in at 23 slaps. Maybe he is not the Prince charming afterall. I shake off the thought and run back up.

James is just where I’d left him, tidying the bed sheet. I walk towards him and place the ice pack on his face.

He stops when he sees me and stares at his feet. “I’m sorry you had to see that.” I think he’s feeling embarrassed.

I stay quiet.

“This is yours.” he says as he hands me the red lacy bra.

Shit!

It is mine. From that night. I grab it out of his hand quickly as flustered.

“I’m so sorry. I forgot it here and…” I take a deep breath in as realisation sets in. That girl probably slapped him because she thought that he was sleeping with me- the owner of the red bra.

His expression suddenly shifts and he gives me that cocky smile. “You can make it up to me if you want.”

“I’m not going to sleep with you.” I say immediately and he chuckles. A raspy laugh as he presses the ice pack against his cheek.

“No…have dinner with me.”

Dinner? As in a date? I’m very confused!

“As friends.” he says as if he can read my mind.

“Let’s get to work and then we can talk about it.” I smile at him. “And keep the ice pack on so it doesn’t get worse.” I press the ice pack on his cheek and he holds my hand. And he looks at me with those deep blue eyes. He looks at ME! He LOOKS at me! HE LOOKS AT ME LIKE NO ONE EVER HAS!

I quickly pull my hand out of his grip before I do something I’ll regret.

“Let’s start then.” I get up and make my way to the desk. “We’ll start with the biology of cells.”

We study for about two hours and whatever he said about being a slow learner? Lies. He is really smart. But he did pretend to not understand it sometimes. One thing Marcus James Williams is not, is an actor. He can’t act.

I close the textbook and sigh with relief! “Okay. I think you should be set for the first test now. The Professor does focus on elaborate answers so don’t write anything she’s not asking and you should be good.” My stomach growls immediately.

“Hungry?”

“I’m just going to drive back and pick something up on the way.” I say as I pack my books.

“Or you could stay and eat and then leave.” He shrugs.

I know that Justine is working tonight, so she will be home late, so I will be eating alone and besides we will just be eating anyway. “Siddharth was offering me pasta, but you dragged me upstairs.” I pout.

“Oh…I’m sorry. I didn’t even ask you for water.” He shakes his head.

“It’s fine. I should get going, I have to get up early for work anyway.” I give him a fake smile and it’s like he can see through me.

“I insist. We can order in if you want. Come on, Riya.” He says my name in a way that makes me fall in love with my name.

“Fine. But I am leaving immediately after. What do you want to eat?” I ask as I pull out my phone.

“You tell me” he pulls out his phone. No uh! I am not letting him pay. I never let men pay for anything, because then they think that I owe them something. When I don’t! “I’m ordering it.” He takes my phone out of my hand.

“No way am I letting you pay for it.” He holds my phone with his hand above his head. I jump and try to get it but he jumps with me as well.

“Give it back, Williams.” I say laughing.

“Get it then.” He gets up and runs around the room with my phone.

I run behind him until I jump on him and he falls on the bed behind him. He holds my waist and I fall on him. “Got it.” I say after I snatch my phone from his hand but I realise that I am on top of him with his hand around my waist. My breasts pressed against his chest. Eyes locked. Deep breaths. Fuck. I want to kiss him.

I immediately get off him and accidentally poke my elbow in his stomach and he groans with pain and rolls over.

“I’m so sorry.” I say as I rub his back.

“No you’re not.” he chuckles. “And I already got us pizza.” he flashes me that cocky smile. I was literally in the mood for some pizza in fact that is exactly what I was going to pick up later. “Do you want to watch something in the meantime?” he asked me.

“Sure.”

We head down to the living room which is silent now. There’s no one.

“What do you want to watch?” Marcus asks me as he passes me a small blanket to pull over my legs. My feet are ice cold and the blanket feels so nice and warm.

◆◆◆

It’s two am and we’re still binging the second season of Modern family. James snuggled in the blanket and I didn’t even realise it. Suddenly the door jolts open and we hear a trail of moaning and kissing.

George stumbles in the living room making out with a girl. His hands are wandering all over her body. “Come one man. You know the couch is my favourite place to do it.” He complains like a baby and walks away to his room. I immediately stand up and throw off the blanket.

“How dirty is this couch?” I ask and Daniel chuckles as he walks in the door.

“Don’t worry. We get it deep cleaned every other weekend.” he sits beside me and closes his eyes as he exhales. I can smell the alcohol from a mile away.

“They’re drunk.” James says. It seems like they were just coming back from a party.

“Why didn’t you go to the party? I’m sorry if I held you back.” I tell James. Dan chuckles with his eyes still closed.

“Because he likes you.” he says in a drunk voice.

The light from the TV is very dim, but I see James turn visibly red. “Fuck off, Dan.” James is flustered and I can’t help but blush. He turns towards me. “Come on. I’ll drop you off. It’s late.” James gets up and turns off the TV.

“I drove here.” I swing the keys in his face.

“But–” he stops and recalculates what he was going to say. “Text me when you reach home or if you need anything and keep your windows closed and doors locked and go straight home. And text me or call me. Whatever you prefer.” I try to hold in a smile.

“Yes dad. Will do.” he chuckles when I say that.

“Or daddy. Whatever you like, Raven.” he flashes me that cocky smile again.

He walks me to my car and opens the door for me after I unlock the car. Such a gentleman.

“Thanks for tonight. I’ll see you…”

“Wednesday.” I start the car.

“Tomorrow.” He says. I raise my eyebrow. “Dinner. Remember? Let’s do it tomorrow. If you have time.” He smiles at me and it makes my heart flutter. I would agree to go to hell with him when he flashes me that smile.

“Tomorrow then. Bye James.”

“Bye Raven.”

I pull out of his driveway and have only one thing on my mind.

James.