Page 39 of The Tribrid Princess and the Taste of Chaos (The Rossi Legacies #7)

Jayce

I kick the ball straight into the net seconds before time runs out, scoring our sixth goal.

We won.

The crowd erupts in cheers, and I glance up into the bleachers where Sienna has jumped to her feet, clapping and bouncing on her feet as she smiles brightly, excitement clear on her face.

She may not be a sports girl, but she’s happy for our win, and that just makes it all the more perfect.

She looks sexy as ever; the sun rays hitting her hair, making it look a deep, vibrant red.

She’s fucking gorgeous.

I hear the girls begin screaming and turn to see Theo and Asher have already taken their shirts off, basking in the attention.

Running my fingers through my wet hair, I high-five a few of the boys.

I scored three of our goals; there was no way I was going to let the other team win, not after the way he got a little too personal with Sienna.

“Awesome game, captain!”

“Well done, team!”

“We smashed it!”

“Better luck next time, don’t cry too much.” That’s Theo.

I glance over at Seth, who is standing to the side with his teammates, his words during the game returning to me.

“Easy there, Westwood. I almost feel like you’ve got something against me personally,” Seth says as I take the ball from him.

“It’s just a game. Keep playing or you’ll lose sight of the goal.” I don’t want to fucking engage with him. The way he touched Sienna before he walked away earlier is still grating on my fucking nerves. Who the fuck is he to her? Her reaction and expression around him didn’t fucking help.

“You’re right. I have someone to impress. She’s not one to come to a football game, but she’s here, which speaks louder than words.” He chuckles.

My eyes flash, and I bite back a snarl, but I’m unable to stop the words from spilling from my lips in a possessive growl, “Who the fuck says she’s here for you?”

I suppress my burning rage, aiming a kick at the ball, missing, and instead my foot scuffs Seth’s shin, but he doesn’t seem bothered.

He chuckles, almost as if he finds my reaction amusing. “Don’t tell me you have a little crush on her?” I clench my jaw, refusing to answer. “Damn, Westwood, you do?”

But it’s the laugh that follows that makes me fucking lose control. I turn and shove the asshole. He staggers, choking as I knock the wind from him.

“Watch it,” I warn icily. His laughter fades, replaced by a frown and a flicker of something else as the referee blows his whistle.

My heart is thumping hard as I try to control myself, when all I want to do is rip the asshole to shreds.

Seth now looks up, our eyes meeting, but I have no fucking desire to keep up any false pretences with him.

She’s mine now, and if he fucking so much as tries to touch her again, I will fucking destroy him.

“Jayce!” Asher calls. “You ok, man?”

“Perfectly,” I reply, not sparing him a glance.

“I’m gonna take the hint and leave you alone.” He grins before he jogs off.

I glance at Ares, remembering his words. My frown deepens.

I’m done with all of this. I see Matherson, who is also our coach, coming my way, but I pretend not to. I don’t want to deal with him right now, either. He’ll just be hell-bent on wanting to know what happened out there since I blew him off earlier.

I’m looking forward to the break tonight, and even more so to the fact that I get to spend some time with her, without someone overhearing or seeing us.

Glancing up at the bleachers, I can’t see her anymore. Has she left? Doesn’t matter, I’ll text her the details.

“Great game, guys, keep it up,” I say before I decide to take my leave.

I’m almost at the entrance to the lockers when Seth catches up to me.

“Westwood, a word?”

“No.” I shut him down instantly, entering the building and taking the first door that leads to the locker room. I stop in the doorway, slamming my hand into the steel frame. “This is a team-only space.”

“Alright then, I’ll talk from here.” The stubborn asshole crosses his arms. I glance over my shoulder. There are a couple of people in here.

“Let’s step outside,” I say, my eyes cold as I shove past him, not missing the arrogant smirk on his face as I lead the way down the hall, open another door and step inside.

My eyes flash with irritation at his attitude. Entering, he shuts the door behind himself. The moment he turns towards me, I grab him by his T-shirt and slam him up against the wall.

“Next time you try to challenge me, remember who the fuck you’re speaking to.” I tighten my hold, slamming him against the wall again. When I see him grimace from the pain, I drop him roughly – satisfied. “What the fuck do you want?”

“I don’t think treating an allied pack’s soon-to-be Beta like this is going to do you any favours.”

“You might be Ahren’s Beta soon, but when you disrespect me, I don’t let it slide. The only reason you’re still standing is because of your connection to Ahren. What the fuck do you want to say? I have things to do.”

“Alright, I apologise for that. Sienna, are you two dating?”

I cock a brow. “And why the fuck is that your business?”

“Is that a yes or no?” I don’t reply, and he clucks his tongue. “Fine. Don’t tell me, but I will let you know that when her father died, she shut everyone out, even me, although we were together at the time. I still care for her, and I need to know where we stand.”

So, I was right, there was something between them. Why does it fucking sound like he still hopes for something? I try to squash the jealousy I feel as I shrug.

“Her father died a few years ago. Shouldn’t you have tried a lot harder to have been there for her or got the answers you’re fucking looking for? Why are you bringing the past up now? That’s just causing drama for free.” I answer.

He sighs. “I had my reasons. I’ll just let you know that Ahren will not approve. That’s why I’m waiting for the Blood Moon as I promised him. You should do the same.”

Ahren… seems like my assumption was correct… he won’t approve. “So, are you saying you stepped back because of Ahren? Kind of hard to believe. So, was that worth more to you than your relationship?”

“A bit rich coming from an alpha who will never have to answer to someone, especially the alpha of your own pack.” He’s serious now. “Your interest in my past, or should I say my past involving Sienna, confirms my assumption, really.”

“Well, if that’s all you wanted to talk about, I think we’re done.” I refuse to acknowledge it.

“Sure, but if she does turn out to be my mate, I can assure you Alpha Ahren will back me.” Ending the conversation, I exit the room, leaving him there.

Mates… the ever-tormenting reminder when you’re in a relationship. I don’t care about it. I prefer to make my own decisions in life, and if whatever Sienna and I have ends up being strong, not even the Moon Goddess can take that from me.

The question is, what would Sienna do?

Two hours later, I check out. I’m currently waiting by my bike just off campus grounds.

I had been the one to ask for permission to leave since Sienna wouldn’t have gotten it on short notice without a valid reason.

The annoying woman at the Admission Office had been nosy, but she’s always fucking nosy.

I look down at my phone and ponder over what to say. She sent me a text last night that I hadn’t replied to, and earlier I had messaged her the time we were leaving.

JAYCE: Hey, I’m just outside the main gates. Meet me here when you’re ready.

Do I ask her how long she’ll be?

SIENNA: I’m ready. I’ll be down now. ?

Great. I’m glad she didn’t take forever, not that she needs to. She always looks fucking gorgeous.

The side gate opens, and I turn as the soft, seductive scent of her perfume, mixing nicely with her own delicious scent, hits me, and then she comes into view.

The trees rustle and, for a moment, everything else fades away.

Damn… She doesn’t just look good; no, she looks fucking gorgeous.

She’s thrown out her usual footwear for a pair of black heels, fitted beige pants that define every sexy curve of her legs, rounded hips and tiny waist. She’s wearing a black crop top with a plunging neckline that shows off her perfect pair of breasts and a lace-cropped cardigan that is tied loosely beneath them.

“Hey…” she says as I look up at her face, cursing inwardly. I had been staring for way too long.

She’s wearing some makeup, her eyes glitter slightly, and her lips look glossy. She bites down on her lower lip, her cheeks flushed as she avoids my gaze.

“Hey.” I look away before my gaze flicks over to her. “Come here.”

Her shoulders slump slightly, and I know why, but it’s not like I’m not going to compliment her…

I just can’t, not when she’s standing right in front of me and what I want to say… it might just be a bit much.

“We’re going on your bike?” she asks, her eyes wide as she walks towards me.

“Yeah. All you need to do is hold on tight.”

She looks uncertain as she looks me over. It’s going to be even harder not to check her out when she has pulled out all the fucking stops and had to step out looking that fucking sexy.

I push away from my bike the moment she’s in reach, and I take hold of her chin. Bending down, I lightly brush my lips against hers. It’s a light kiss, but the electricity that sparks between us is intense. Way too fucking intense.

I can feel a shaky breath, hear her thumping heart, and taste how fucking delicious her lips are.

Our eyes meet as I move slowly, and I force myself to let go of her. I mount my bike. She smiles as I take my helmet and place it on her head, strapping it up for her.

“Do I look ok?” she asks softly, glancing down at herself.

Fuck, how do I tell her how amazing she looks without being too blunt? I take her hand, guiding it to my shoulder, and support her as she lithely climbs onto the bike behind me. I turn and look at her over my shoulder. There’s a pout on her sexy lips. I drag my attention to her eyes.

“You look beautiful tonight… but that’s all I’m going to say because if I say anything else, it might end up being more than a little inappropriate, and I’m trying to date you, not get you into my bed.” Although, just the thought of that is extremely enticing.

Her eyes widen, and a small smile crosses her lips. “Thanks,” she replies.

Looks like my girl likes to be praised. Noted.

I turn forward, and she slowly moves closer. “Hold on tight,” I tell her.

She wraps her arms around me and moves closer, her chest pressed against my back.

I kick the engine into life, and she gasps, her arms tightening around me. I could get used to this…

The engine rumbles beneath me, steady and familiar. With a firm twist of the throttle, I zoom into the night, leaving the Academy behind…