It keeps replaying in my head like a broken record player, one you'd wish would just stop and take you out of your misery.
Those first two words...
"Prove it." He tosses the clothes in his hand aside as he steps closer, the distance between us almost suffocating. He stands in front of me in nothing but his shorts. I'm disgustedâdisgusted at how my body's reacting to his, to him.
I uncross my legs, hoping they'll carry me across the room, out for a walk, for the breath of fresh air I so badly need, but I can't move.
I don't want to.
No, instead, I know myself well enough that I can never back down from a challenge, especially one from Stephan Westerman.
"And how exactly do you want me to prove it?" I lean forward, my steady voice defying my body's internal fire.
"Simple." He pauses. "If I don't have an affect on you, then this shouldn't bother you at all." He leans over, and next thing I know, I can't take my eyes off him. I let my back fall onto the bed, nearly crumbling when he places his knee between my legs. But I let him. I let him examine my face from up close, let his eyes flicker to my lips and back to my eyes. I let myself lean into his touch like a stupid girl, like a very stupid girl, just like all the other stupid girls who have fallen for his pretty brown, freckled green eyes, shredded stomach, nice hair, gorgeous face...
Shut up.
"Nothing?" he whispers in my ear, and I nearly collapse underneath him. I'm sure he can feel my heart beating out of my chest, the way my breath scatters as he inches closer, I know I need to get a grip. I can't let him win, at least not without a fight, especially with how the arrogance dripped off of him when he knew I was checking him out. So I did what I do best.
Compete.
I bring my hand to his chest, slowly trailing my finger down his rock-hard stomach. Then, I pull at the rim of his shorts and let go with a snap, amused at the twinkle in his eye, my gaze never leaving his. I gently wrap my arm around his neck and curve my body into his. His eyes widen ever so slightly, barely noticeable if I wasn't so focused on watching him... watch me.
I bring my mouth to his ear just like he had done mine, "Absolutely. Fucking. Nothing."
I win.
So I suppose it could be argued that I'm replaying the victory in my head but it sure doesn't feel that way, more like a heavy weight across my chest.
...Or a heavy arm across my chest?
My eyes flutter open, my temporary state of mental disturbance waking me, then quickly morphing into physical disturbance when I realize the position were in, my ass to Stephanns hips, while his arm drapes over my side pulling me into his chest and worse my own arm pulling his closer.
Fuck. No.
I aggressively throw his arm off and sit up, causing him to shift on his back with a yawn, bringing his hands to push up against his face and run his fingers through his hair, "Morning to you too sweetheart."
I ignore his sarcastic remark, getting up from the bed and smoothing down my shirt.
Three bangs at the door sound before the even louder voice hollers from the hall. "Lovebirds you have twenty minutes, Truman wants us there for ten."
I look at Stephan who now rolls his eyes and gets up from the bed facing the blinds, he stretches his arms out and I chose to ignore his back muscles instead taking an exasperated exhale and turning to the washroom to brush my teeth and do my hair.
After both of us having gotten ready in relative silence, I put my hair in a low messy bun pulling some strands out. I now shuffle into some Jean shorts when I hear the washroom door open. Stephan walks by then rummages through his duffle bag pulling out a black jersey with baby blue writing, vice versa to the one he's currently wearing.
"Here." He tosses the jersey and I catch it my eyebrows raising as I stare at the large baby blue block letters reading Westerman.
"No." I state tossing back the jersey. "Thats just some bullshit propaganda to claim property, I'm no man's property, Westerman."
He walks close to me the jersey still in his hand. "You've made that clear, but it's tradition and the only propaganda to be put out is the happy couple; and that starts with you in my jersey."
I reluctantly take it out of his grip and slide it over my tank bodysuit a fake smile plastered on my face.
"Looks better on you." He takes another step closer.
"I know." I reply softly brushing his shoulder and grabbing my bag.
+++
It could be argued that football is the most boring sport to ever exist, contrary to its millions of fans and the fact that it's played on the American thanksgiving, at least that's what I used to think.
But have just watched three games, one yesterday and the third one just ended, I couldn't help but be intrigued the whole time, well at least by one specific player.
Love or hate Stephen Westerman if there's one thing that man can do it's play football, really really well.
"I think you just got a boner." My eyes snap off the field where the guys are starting to head over, to Jordan and her outlandish statement.
"What?"
"You mean other than the fact that you're wearing his jersey, something that goes totally against the rules of Sofia Delezar." Jordan pauses rolling her eyes. "But the fact that your man out balled every single player on that field and the look in your eyes while he did so."
"You're-"
"Right I know." She cuts me off smugly.
Before I can respond we're joined by a couple of the players: Demarcus, Kevin and of course Stephan.
"You two planning to celebrate the victory with us tonight?" Demarcus flickers his eyes between me and Stephan to his left, "Or you ditching again for alone time?" The boyish grin on his face leads my eyes to roll.
"Actually, Sof and I have to head out we have our own tournament tomorrow and if we're late to that because of this, Smitty will have both our heads, including our prized possession." Jordan finishes and I nudge her for the overly cocky compliment.
"Even more reason to come out, stay for a bite then head out." Demarcus shrugs.
"Yeah ladies, just a bite." Kevin smiles running a hand through his orange hair.
"Jesus Christ." Stephan mumbles probably not even audible if I wasn't so focused on him. His eyes find mine silently telling me to say no, or waiting for that given answer.
"I could eat." Terrible last words. Although it's landed me worst places than a private rooftop restaurant overlooking the town.
My eyes gaze from the desert table to the long table where numerous players, girlfriends, cheerleaders and dates are seated talking, while being served over priced French-fries and steaks. Although I'm not surprised because these are the types of dinners the school endorses for the football team in contrast to the soccers team self organized mom and pop shop dinners we pay out of our own pocket.
I look over at Jordan who looks like she's having the time of her life, socializing, flirting, cracking jokes. She always wanted me to come to things like these with her but knew better than to ask because of him, which I respect her for, so even if I don't get what I strived out for at the end of this deal, at least I could give her that.
I look over the balcony staring at the nightly towns lights.
"You're staring."
Instead of responding he joins me some distance in between us.
"Nice jersey."
Instead of responding I choose to ignore the comment and continue looking over the town.
"What are you doing Sofia?"
I keep my eyes forward. "Don't think you have the right to ask me that."
"This isn't you, going around with Westerman, your just doing this-"
"Because of you?" I scuff in disbelief, "Believe it or not Austin but you are the last fucking thought in my mind."
"Really? So showing up to my party and dating a player on my team, better yet one I can't stand-"
"Has nothing to do with you." I cut him off looking at him, and I mean fully look at him for what feels like the first time in forever, his pale skin with faint freckles, slightly tinted from being outside, contrasts his brown tapered mullet that's never a follicle out of place, his eyes, those piercing blue eyes that look back at me and the same rose tattoo just behind his ear on his upper neck. Austin was never ugly on the outside.
"Sofia-"
"Think your dates over there, Tebow." We both turn to now look at Stephan who's coldly staring at Austin who gives the most irritated expression before walking past Stephan.
"What was that about?" He turns his attention to me.
"He was introducing himself." I shrug.
"Introducing my ass-" before he can even continue Jordan's running over her camera in hand.
"You two, let's see one." She points her finger to both of us and I back away.
"Alo it's a long night let's just head out."
"Sofia Delezar, use my last name or not I refuse to leave until this beautiful couple gets their photo taken in front of this beautiful view."
My eyes shoot daggers and I see the light of accomplishment dance in her eyes when Stephan pulls me towards him by my belt loop, himself leaning against the railing while I stand in front of him my back angled somewhat sideways to the camera.
"So you're not gonna tell me what that conversation was about?" He speaks lowly releasing his finger, no way of Jordan's ears to hear between the distance she's standing.
"I told you already." I keep my eyes locked on his back T-shirt.
"Right." He tsks bringing his hand to the side of my neck, slightly cupping my cheek as he lifts my chin to look at him.
"What are you doing?" I whisper and his thumb gently presses on my lips.
"Lying." He states bringing his mouth to mine, just seperated by his touch.
"That is so cute!" Jordan exclaims from behind us.
As Stephan removes his hand, his face mere centimetres apart he speaks. "Something your not good at."
A/N: vote and comment! Love to hear your thoughts and see your support <3