“Why not? You should totally be proud of it. You were the best looking cheerleader at the top of the pyramid.”
“I was theonlycheerleader at the top of the pyramid.”
“Really? I didn’t notice. Didn’t see anyone in the picture besides you. Could’ve been ten pyramids in the picture. You stood out.”
Another sweep of those long lashes as she let out a small laugh before turning back to her plate.
I stared for as long as I could, watching the tines of her fork enter her succulent, soft lips before I needed to look elsewhere, otherwise I’d embarrass us both at this table. Well, I couldn’t give a shit what anyone around us thought, even my coach, but I knew Destiny wouldn’t take too kindly to my tossing her on the table and devouring every inch of her. At least, not until after our first date.
So instead of doing that, I continued to lightly graze my fingertips along her bare shoulder, while asking her probing questions about herself. I learned not only was she a cheerleader in college but had gotten to UCLA on a cheerleading scholarship, garnering her the opportunity to leave college without any debt, a fact she was personally proud of. She’d majored in finance and minored in English in college, and worked for one of the largest national investment firms for close to four years before striking out on her own. Career questions she was more open about answering but there were gaps that she wasn’t filling.
“The team will be traveling for the next few weeks. Our regular season starts in two weeks and it’s a home game. It’s an afternoon game which gives me enough time to shower and change, do all of the post-game interviews, and still pick you up at seven for dinner,” I told Destiny as we stood outside of the restaurant waiting for her Lyft to arrive.
She lifted an eyebrow. “Is that so?”
“That is correct.”
“So you’re asking me out on a date?”
I shook my head. “No, I’m letting you know, I’m taking you out soyouknow what time to be ready.”
She laughed, lowering her head before looking back up at me. “That alpha male thing may work on the other women you—”
“You are highly concerned with the other women I’m supposedly seeing.” I stepped closer, hovering over her. “I don’t give a shit what you’ve read about me, Destiny. Only someone as special and unique as you gets this kind of attention. I’ll see you in two weeks. Seven o’clock.” I looked up just as a dark grey sedan was pulling up. “Your Lyft’s here.”
She blinked a few times and her partially opened mouth looked too inviting not to take a taste. Bending low, my hand moved to her waist. Feeling satisfied when I didn’t sense any resistance on her part, I lowered until our lips met. I inhaled deeply at the first touch of my lips to hers, pulling her in more. When our tongues first touched, heat rushed through me. I pulled her in tighter when a small groan escaped her mouth. I became hungrier than I’d ever been, and considering I’d just finished eating, it wasn’t for food. A honking of a horn forced us to pull apart. Destiny’s breathing was heavy, mirroring my own breathing, as she stared up at me dazed and confused.
Another honking sound caught my attention, and I peered up at the Lyft driver who’d rolled down his window.
“Are you Destiny?”
Fucking douche,I thought to myself.
“Oh my God! You’re Tyler Townsend!”
My frown deepened at this asshole’s audacity. First he interrupts the best first kiss I’ve ever experienced, and next he’s a blubbering fan.
I chose to ignore him for the time being, and instead, moved to the back door, pulling it open for Destiny to get in. When she moved passed me, I caught her by the waist.
“Two weeks. Seven p.m.” I released her waist for her to get in before closing the door. Instead of stepping back to let the driver pull off, I moved around the front of the vehicle, crossing over to the driver’s side door. I motioned with my hand for him to lower the window.
“What’s your name?” I asked.
“Michael. I’m a huge fan. If you could ju—”
I held out my hand for Michael to shake. His smile dropped and his facial expression turned to a pained look when I tightened my hold on his hand. I lowered my head and pulled Michael toward me so his head was just outside the window and out of hearing distance of the woman in his backseat.
“Don’t ever interrupt me when I’m with my woman again. Also, I need you to realize something very important Michael.” I paused.
“W-what’s that?”
I tilted my head in the direction of his backseat. “You’ve got precious cargo in your car. Make sure she gets home safely. So much as a hair on her head moves out of place and that’s your ass. You understand what I’m telling you, Michael?” I squeezed his hand even tighter not caring that his face was beginning to turn red.
He sputtered a little before slowly nodding.
“Good.” I loosened my grip. “Glad we had this talk.” I released his hand and stood up to my full height, tapping on the roof of his car before waving and tossing a smile at Destiny, who I knew was staring at me. I watched as Michael drove off. He turned the car impossibly slow out of the restaurant’s parking lot, no doubt, heeding my warning.
Knowing I was watching my future drive down the road, I watched carefully, ensuring that Michael indeed did pay attention to the speeding limits and stop signs. The next two weeks were going to feel like torture. And I’d never felt like that at the beginning of a football season. I was always anxious to get out on the field.
