Isabelle shoved herself away from the wall and headed out of the bathroom. “Talk while we walk,” she said over her shoulder.
They scurried to catch up with her on the back porch. “Jess thinks you’re trying to steal Stefan!” Abby blurted.
Isabelle grit her teeth, forcing herself not to let her step falter as she swiftly descended the steps. She wasn’t after Stefan, it was the other way around, but if she was honest with herself, she didn’t really put up much of a fight when he was near. In fact, she turned into a quivering mass of Jell-O that he could bend and mold however he liked. She was more than a little disgusted with herself for not being able to put up a stronger fight against him, but he was so irresistible, and the way that he made her feel...
Isabelle shut the thought off before her knees gave out on her. “That’s ridiculous,” she told them as she reached the ground.
They exchanged a quick look that infuriated her. “Is it?” Vicky asked softly.
“Yes!”Isabelle nearly shouted in exasperation.
“Isabelle, come on!” Ethanyelled across the yard.
She glanced over to find everyone gathered together, including Stefan. Her gaze darted involuntarily to Jess, who was glowering at her with a look of absolute hatred. Her eyes widened slightly, and to her amazement, she looked back at Stefan, instinctively searching him out for some sort of protection, or help. The realization of what she had just done rocked her so hard that she stopped moving. He was looking at Jess, his face cold and hard, his eyes narrowed in hostility. Isabelle’s breath froze as his gaze swung toward her, his features softening as he cast a small smileat her.
“Is it really?” Abby asked triumphantly.
Isabelle scowled angrily at her. “Yes it is!” she snapped.
The identical, knowing grins on their faces were enough to make her want to scream. She clenchedher jaw, fisted her hands, and stormed over to join the group in the middle of the field. “It’s about time!” Ethan snapped.
She shot him a withering look as she stepped into the huddle, barely listening to Mike’s plan. “You get it again Isabelle.”
“Fine,” she mumbled angrily.
She had scored two of the five touchdowns they had, but she really wasn’t in the mood to play anymore. However, the game was tied, and her team needed this win. They kept track of all the games they played, and at the moment they were one down from David’s team. She would be letting everyone down if she didn’t keep playing, and they would probably kill her.
“Let’s go.”
Isabelle moved back to the line. She froze as her eyes landed on Stefan. He stood casually across from her, smiling softly, his black eyes twinkledmischievously. For a moment she was unable to move, unable to breathe. Then she drew in a deep breath and forced herself to calm down. She would appear as completely unaffected by their brief encounter, as he seemed tobe. She would be damned if she let him know how much he had affected her.
“Lose the coin toss?” she asked haughtily.
He grinned at her. “Volunteered,someone has to catch you.”
“And you think that you can?” she retorted.
His eyes darkened as they leisurely traveled over her. Her body quickened in response, but she refused to let it show. “I know I can, and I will.”
Excitement coursed through her at the promise in his words. She smiled back at him as sheliftedaneyebrow. The hell he would!she decided fiercely. She had been taking it easy on Aiden because she had seen no need to stress herself. Now, she would. Mike yelled hike, and she took off, darting easily through the crowd of bodies. She knew where the ball was going and she headed straight for it. She snagged it easily out of the air and ran as if the hounds of hell were on her heels, which he was.
She could hear him behind her. He was close, so very close. Determination and adrenaline burst through her as she tucked her head down and pushed herself to run faster. A gasp of relief rushed out of her as she triumphantly crossed the goalline. She turned, grinning brightly as she tossed him the ball. “I would rethink what you can, and cannot, do,” she said brightly.
He smiled in amusement as he took her in. She was sweating, and panting, some of her glorious hair had escaped from her ponytailtocling wetly to herexquisiteface. He had to admit that she was the most determined, stubborn, beautiful woman that he had ever seen. They were traits that he would have respected greatly, if they weren’t serving to undermine his control, and his goal of having her.
“I see that you were taking it easy on Aiden,” he said, his voice full of admiration.
“Of course,” she replied with a flashing grin, her eyes twinkling mischievously.
“Good, because I was taking it easy on you.”
Her eyes narrowed as she planted her hands on her hips. He flashed a smug smile before turning and walking away. Isabelle’s temper was quickly reaching its boiling point, and he was going to be on the receiving end of it when she blew. Damn him! she thought angrily.
Four plays later Mike wanted to give her the ball again. She almost refused, not wanting to take the chance that Stefanjustmight be able to catch her, but she quickly changed her mind. There was no way that he would be able to getherand this wasthe perfect opportunity to show him that he was completely wrong. No one was going to break her, least of all him!
She walked back up to the line, flashing him a cocky grin as she waited for Mike’s command. She bolted off the line, caught the ball, and put every ounce of energy she had into running. Her legs were burning, and her lungs were aching painfully as she neared the goal line. She was only ten feet from it when she felt his arms wrap around her waist. Despair washed over her. She hugged the ball tighter against her chest as the ground rushed up to meet her.
Grunting from the force of the impact, she lay still for a moment, unable to believe that he had actually caught her! Then, his hands were upon her shoulders, and he was turning her hurriedly over. The anger that had rushed to the forefront of her mind disappeared as his troubled eyes scanned her face worriedly. “Are you okay?” he demanded harshly.
