"Never said I was."
"Good, 'cause I know for a fact you’d be lying." One eyebrow lifted as she pursed her lips together.
"Ouch."
She tossed her ponytail over her shoulder and held out the clipboard…with attitude. I grabbed it, tucking it under my arm.
"Ella, I…"
"Let me guess, we have to focus on the game?" She let out a sharp breath. “The team has to come first.” And turned away.
I caught her arm. "I didn’t—"Mean to stay away so long.
"Don’t worry, Mick." She pulled from my grip. "Like Liesl said, we’re not here for you."
She walked away, her long hair swaying behind her.
And I had no choice but to watch her go.
Chapter Six
ELLA
Ten Months Ago
Greenhouse, Lloyd Commons Residence
"Iwant to know what it's like to kiss you."
I don't know what came over me, but there was just something about him, his quiet confidence. The proud way his shoulders squared when he spoke of his time in the Marines—not that he said much.
Heat hovered in the air, and I was positive I was as red as his potted sweetshrubs.
Those grey-blue eyes turned to look at me, and I became aware of every muscle in my body—as I fought to keep still. His brow pinched into a small frown. "Depends."
I blinked and took another sip of my water. I'd seen enough of large muscles and sculpted physiques. He was leaner than most of the football squad Ash hung out with, but still powerful-looking. And yet, the gentle way hehandled the bundle of flowers with their "root emergency" made him seem…different.
My chest warmed just to look at him. The urge to touch him, kiss him buzzed through me. I needed it in a way that I shouldn't. Couldn't. Except…I told Ash to go to hell when I saw him—my stomach squeezed and tumbled over—with her.
Maybe Ishould. Maybe Icould, for the first time in more than two years. “On what?"
His eyes narrowed and he moved closer. The heat from my chest hit my veins. It sparked and popped, like it could catch fire. Like I could.
"Do I get to kiss you back?"
Dear God, yes.I managed to keep the commentary locked inside even as I could've sworn the room temperature spiked. He ducked his head, messy strands of dark hair shifting over his forehead. Those eyes focused, intense…I burned inside his look.
"If you want to,” I breathed as I slid my hand over the back of his neck. Soft pieces of hair curled between my fingers. My heels gave me the bit of height I needed to reach him.
His eyes slipped closed as his breath hitched. If there was a moment a person could choose to fall in love, that would have been mine—with him. So proud and strong. Lips parted, eyes closed, and waiting formykiss.
I pressed closer, his clean, spicy scent overtaking the earthy smell of the greenhouse. I took a breath, gripped his arm to steady myself—leaning up to touch, then nibble at his bottom lip.
Soft, plump, and just a little sweet, the corners of his mouth lifted. He caught and pressed his lips against mine. His hand brushing, warming the exposed skin on my lower back.
Heat rippled through me like soft streams of water from a rain shower. He wrapped his arms around me.
The stubble along his jaw pricked my chin even as his lips mouthed thick and slow against mine. I liked it. His kiss. Him. It proved that I could feel something for someone else. And, maybe, in time, find that "one" someone else who would be worth a lifetime.
