"What? No. It's one of my favorite things about you."
She stepped closer to me, laying her hands lightly on my chest. "What are your other favorite things about me?"
The next one was easy. "Your hair."
She looked surprised. "Really? It's not too crazy?"
"Not at all," I assured her and put my hands on her hips.
"What else?" Her voice was breathy.
"Your laugh."
Her hands moved up my chest, her arms going around my neck. "Mmmhh. Keep going."
"How friendly you are to everyone." I moved my hands, putting my arms around her waist, pulling her closer.
Her head tilted to the side. "I haven't always been friendly toyou."
I shrugged one of my shoulders. "You had good reason."
"You should have just told me why," she sighed.
"I'm still not sure it's good that I did tell you."
She pulled back a little at my comment. "I think this is way better."
I squeezed her lightly against me. "No, I agree. This is way better, but I'm worried how much harder it's going to make things. Sometimes it's easier to not know what you're missing out on."
"Yeah, I can see that," she agreed. "I wish we didn't have to miss out on anything. That we could just be together."
"Me too." I rested my forehead on hers, both of us closing our eyes and enjoying the closeness.
How was I supposed to leave tonight pretending that nothing had happened between us, that we both didn't want more? How was I going to see her around campus, on the sidelines at games, dancing at the Wolf's Den, and at all the different parties, and not go to her? She was meant to be in my arms, just like she was right now. Yes, I was here in secret and we were hiding, but I wanted more of this, more of these moments with her.
And then it hit me. That's it! Why had I not thought of this before?
Probably because it was risky and there was a chance we would get caught, but there was also a chance that it could work, that we could see where this could go.
I pulled back my head from hers suddenly, causing her eyes to open at my sudden movement. "Scarlet, I have an idea."
"Okay," she said slowly, her eyes wary.
"What if we date, but..." How did I say this without it sounding bad? I didn't want it to sound like I was ashamed of her.
I must have taken too long to finish the sentence, because she said, "But what? You know if we date, you'll be benched, and all your dreams will be gone." She looked at me, confusion clearly on her face.
"I know, but what if we date in secret?" I held my breath, waiting for her response.
Her eyes widened. "You want tosecretlydate each other?" Her voice had risen, like it often did when she couldn't believe something.
"Shhh," I said with a smile. "I don't think these walls are very soundproof."
She covered her mouth, and let out a muffled, "Sorry."
"So, what do you say? We'll be a normal couple dating and getting to know each other, but it will just be in secret. And only because of Coach's rule, not because I don't want people knowing we're together. Heck, I wish I could scream it from the rooftops, but I can't."
She stepped out of my arms and began to pace the length of the room. "I don't know, Rush. This is risky. Too risky. What if we get caught? How well are we going to be able to hide it? I can't sneak you into my room all the time, there are too many people coming and going around here."
