I turn and stuff my hands in my pockets, and as I walk back to Jasper’s car, I tell myself I should go straight home. No, Iamgoing straight home. Get a solid eight hours’ sleep and smash Macquarie University on the pitch tomorrow.
Prove to my dad that he has nothing to worry about.
His son will protect the Bentley name and keep him happy.
Only it’s not my house I’m pulling up in front of ten minutes later. It’s not my bedroom door I’m pushing open as Hannah’s words keep repeating in my head.
Iamin charge of my own goddamn life, and I’m going after whatIwant. Fuck the consequences. I’m sick of hiding who I am and what I want. What I want ishim—only I won’t focus too hard on which him I’m referring to, because there’s only one him I can have.
My mask is firmly in place as I push through the navy curtains and cast a glance around the dance floor. There’s only one person I’m looking for, and it looks like Hannah isn’t the only person I’m apologising to tonight. Only, this apology won’t include dinner and a goodnight kiss.
Chapter 7
Zac
My pulse spikes when he pushes through the navy curtain, but I push the anticipation down and slink further into the shadows as his gaze roams the room. I didn’t know if I’d see him tonight after he ran out last month, but I was willing to take the chance, even if Coach Johnson will kick my arse if he finds out I’m out the night before a game.
I keep telling myself I didn’t come tonight to see if he’d show up.
My mind rebels against the lie.
I’m not drinking alcohol, but my head spins as my eyes wash over his black jeans and the charcoal button-up shirt clinging to his muscles. The top two buttons are undone, revealing a hint of his muscular chest. His dark curls frame his face, giving him a Timothée Chalamet charm. The black mask hides his identity from me, and I can’t help but picture my broody captain behind it.
As soon as the thought hits me, I shake my head, chasing it away. Nope. Not going there.
Noah hasn’t said a single nasty word to me this week.He’d have to speak to me at all for that, but he hasn’t evenlookedat me since the ride home. I don’t know what’s worse. At least I knew what he was thinking when he was cussing me out. The indifference has me overthinking everything.
Besides, he’s on a date tonight. With a girl.
Good for him.
I return my watchful gaze to my dark shadow as he moves to the bar to order a drink. He says something to the bartender, who shakes his head, and his mouth turns down. Leaning his back against the bar, he continues to search the crowd, and a little spark of hope ignites in my chest that maybe he’s looking for me.
As the DJ plays12 to 12by Sombr, I decide to take a chance. He may have run off and left me on my knees a month ago, but he’s back, and I can’t get the image of his adorned cock out of my head. I haven’t even looked at anyone else this past month—I refuse to acknowledge the slip up with my straight-as-an-arrow captain—because I’ve been thinking about how good this mysterious stranger felt pressed up against me when we danced, the spark that lit up my body when our tongues met, and the way his thick length filled my mouth.
I down the last of my Coke, then make my way through the crowd until I’m standing beside him.
After placing my empty glass on the bar, I lean in to murmur, “Looking for someone?”
He tenses, and I get a horrible feeling he’s about to run away again, but then he slowly turns, his dark eyes washing over me as his lips curl into a sexy smirk.
“Well, if it isn’t my Romeo.”
His husky voice sends shivers of pleasure rippling down my spine.
“Are you trying to warn me we’re destined for tragedy?” I tease, my pulse racing.
“I really fucking hope not,” he says, gripping the back of my neck and pulling me down to meet his bruising kiss.
Startled by his bold move, I gasp, and he uses my surprise to push his tongue into my mouth, both of us groaning as the kiss deepens.
I drop my hands to his waist and pull him to me, his thick erection pressing into my hip as mine presses into his. He grinds against my length, sending fireworks sizzling along every nerve in my body.
There’s no doubt the chemistry between us is off the charts fire.
I pull away from the kiss, pressing my finger to his lips when he tries to chase me.
“Are you going to run away from me again, Shadow?” I call over the music. “Because I didn’t appreciate being left on my knees.”
