“Ha ha,” Nicole deadpanned.
Ariana passed her the ball and Nicole shot from distance, the ball dropping through the hoop. “Okay, that’s one for me.”
Ariana grabbed the rebound and dribbled past the three point line. “It’s on.” She faked going one way then stopped and dribbled in place.
Nicole closed the distance between them and grabbed Ariana’s wrist. “Okay, let’s see you make a shot now.”
Ariana chuckled and heaved the ball towards the basket but it fell short.
Nicole hustled over and got the rebound. She went behind the three point line then once again shot and made it. “That’s another one for me.”
“Okay,” Ariana replied, taking the ball and matching Nicole’s shot.
They traded baskets, each taking turns dribbling and shooting. Ariana laughed every time Nicole tickled her, but made her shots.
She reached for the ball and dribbled past Nicole. “Okay folks, the score is tied, only a few seconds left, and Villa dribbles down looking for an opening.” She mimicked doing the play-by-play like Shealyn did during the games. “She passes to Nia, but she’s double-teamed.” Ariana grinned at Nicole. “Nia flips it to Neal.” She passed the ball to Nicole. “Will she take the shot?”
Nicole laughed, lined up the ball, and let it fly. “Oh, she will!”
The ball swished through the hoop and Ariana jumped up. “Neal wins it at the buzzer and the crowd goes wild!”
“Is that what I sound like?”
“No, you’re much better.” Ariana ran for the rebound. She turned, passed the ball to Nicole, and hurried after it to play defense.
Nicole was about to shoot and Ariana threw her hand up to block. “Too late!” Nicole exclaimed.
Ariana grabbed both of Nicole’s hands and pulled them to her chest. She heard Nicole gasp as she looked into her eyes. “Is your heart beating as fast as mine?”
Nicole slowly nodded as they stared into each other’s eyes.
Ariana felt the pull between them and began to lean in when she dropped Nicole’s hands and ran after the ball. Her back was to Nicole as she took a deep breath trying to get control of herself. It was becoming apparent that they couldn’t keep their hands off each other.
“You okay?” Nicole asked.
“Yep. You?” Ariana said, turning around.
Nicole was staring at her with her hands on her hips and one brow raised.God this woman is sexy,Ariana thought.
“I think you like fouling because you like to grab me,” Ariana said, dribbling the ball from one hand to the other.
“You’re just now figuring that out?” Nicole smirked.
Ariana leaned over and held the ball while Nicole lined up opposite her.
“I told Stuart the other night that watching you is beauty in motion,” Nicole said.
Ariana’s breath caught in her chest as Nicole’s voice started low and dropped even lower. She was gazing at Ariana with those intense brown eyes and Ariana was falling deeper into them.
Suddenly with a flash Nicole grabbed the ball, turned around, and made a shot. Of course it went in.
“That’s not fair!” Ariana protested. “You used your voice against me. You know about my crush and what it does to me!”
Nicole scoffed. “I’ll tell you what’s not fair.” She dribbled the ball with one hand and made a circular motion in front of Ariana with the other. “You’re a ten in my phone. I could’ve changed it, but I haven’t. There you are with those gorgeous, long, muscular legs and then you have to add your sexy arms with your tunnel walk. Plus you have your hair up in that messy bun.That’snot fair!”
Ariana smiled as Nicole threw her the ball.
“It’s tied,” Nicole said. “Next make wins.”
